I was left confused by how bad this was considering my high expectations from the large push to read it.

Found this so incredibly disappointing after all the hype.

I really enjoyed this book when I was younger, was a favourite reread and I loved the movie but not some of the missing pieces (as can be expected). I had no idea about anything ‘mormon’ when I read this, same as Twilight. (From UK) Didn’t even realise they were the same authors because I didn’t pay attention to things like that then. Having heard about some of the authors…more questionable draft plot lines for the ending of Breaking Dawn, it’s so obvious that’s where the idea for this book came from. Considering picking it up again to see if it makes the same impact and I will add an updated review if I do…

Was baited by the dragons and honestly, they’re the best characters in the book. It was predictable. But they felt like cut out characters that are slapped into every ‘popular’ fantasy people rave about nowadays. Very meh, couldn’t finish and won’t now the authors views have come to light.

I could write a dissertation on the harm this book and the wilful ignorant fans who refuse to acknowledge certain scenes for what they are. Even going against the author to defend so ferociously. The BIZARRE wave of reviews that made me feel like I was in some fever dream because there was simply no way. And yes, I do read dark, I’ve read darker than this. The dark wasn’t the problem here, though there were many issues with it.

I didn’t think Zade having no reason or ‘sob story’ to enjoy killing and hunting people was some ‘cool alternative.’ It made his character lack depth. It didn’t carve him into ‘a hero with one exception, her.’ He wasn’t fleshed out enough if this was the intention. I just didn’t like him.

The scene completely threw me out of the world. I’m still disgusted it’s referenced and repeated so many times now. It was uncomfortable being in her mind, to simply read it. I pushed on because I love dark romance it this was soo hyped and I should have DNFd the moment I wanted to because nothing following was worth it.

There’s one scene when he picks her up for some party and his immediate demand AND her submission completely shattered a lot of my trust for where the story was going. It wasn’t hot it was gross and he needed a punch in the throat. I don’t like shock and domination purely for impact, it’s lazy.

It’s been years and I can still get heated over seeing commentary of this book, and the pushing Zade as the ultimate book boyfriend. Drives me fucking nuts. Overall this book felt like it was TRYING to be dark, rather than simply covering dark themes immersed in a substantial plot WITH romance.

Less of that ✋🏼 cannot explain how much I disliked this book and everyone in it. People really need to stop throwing around ‘enemies to lovers’ some people are just assholes.

Gave up with trying to care about these characters. I tried to read this years ago, i can’t precisely remember what made it fall flat, but it did.