With the publication of Forestfall I decided to reread Lakesedge because I did not remember much. Truthfully, the part I remember the most is the self harm and the MC ending up in the underworld at one point. So, I knew a reread was in order.
I do think that I enjoyed this book more the second time around, but I do have some of the same feelings I had the first time. For one, my biggest issue with the book, is how much self harm is throughout this book. Rowan has cuts all over his body - even his neck and face - in an attempt to push back the Corruption. So, self harm in the name of sacrifice. This book has a lot of blood in it, and it made me kind of squeamish and uncomfortable.
I also still agree that the romance is built on trauma bonding more than anything else, but I do think that some people just bond over shared situations and traumas. Not that I am saying this is peak, pristine example of a healthy relationship, but I was also able to see how they slowly began to trust each other and ultimately fall in love. Some of their interactions were pretty sweet, and I know by the end of this book that they would do anything to keep each other safe.
The plot of this story is definitely the most interesting aspect. I think that the story itself is very unique, and even though I remembered some plot points as the story went on, I still enjoyed watching everything unravel. There is some good suspense in this book too! This is a story about love and loss, and everything in between. The characters get second chances at life, and love, and I am glad to have the sequel so I can dive right in.
Content warnings: self harm, grief, blood, loss of loved ones, death, child abuse, child death, sexual content
I do think that I enjoyed this book more the second time around, but I do have some of the same feelings I had the first time. For one, my biggest issue with the book, is how much self harm is throughout this book. Rowan has cuts all over his body - even his neck and face - in an attempt to push back the Corruption. So, self harm in the name of sacrifice. This book has a lot of blood in it, and it made me kind of squeamish and uncomfortable.
I also still agree that the romance is built on trauma bonding more than anything else, but I do think that some people just bond over shared situations and traumas. Not that I am saying this is peak, pristine example of a healthy relationship, but I was also able to see how they slowly began to trust each other and ultimately fall in love. Some of their interactions were pretty sweet, and I know by the end of this book that they would do anything to keep each other safe.
The plot of this story is definitely the most interesting aspect. I think that the story itself is very unique, and even though I remembered some plot points as the story went on, I still enjoyed watching everything unravel. There is some good suspense in this book too! This is a story about love and loss, and everything in between. The characters get second chances at life, and love, and I am glad to have the sequel so I can dive right in.
Content warnings: self harm, grief, blood, loss of loved ones, death, child abuse, child death, sexual content