We must taste the bitter before we can appreciate the sweet.
YESSS! Finally! Another vampire novel. The world has been waiting for this for years now. Unfortunately, I waited until right before the sequel was coming out. My mistake!
Initially, I was getting the Twilight vibes. Two guys who are swore enemies are vying for the attention of one human girl.
"We must taste the bitter before we can appreciate the sweet."
The world-building was fantastic. The Gothic culture is one not mentioned enough. The lush descriptions of underground New Orleans is depicted as extravagant and elite. I could taste the buttery pastries slowly dissolving on my tongue. The Court of Lions is deceptive, secretive, and exclusive. This time period is the perfect setting for the vampiric culture.
Celine, our narrator, is a strong, direct, and thick-skinned girl. She has a past. We all do. What I loved the most about her is that she was able to be strong, yet vulnerable. Celine struggled with the actions of her past, but realized that they didn’t make who she was now. Afraid to be vulnerable to the people closest to her, she realizes that it is okay to ask for help and to rely on those close with her. I know, I, myself, have struggled with the same realization in the past.
Bastian is the bad-boy of the town. He can get any and every girl he wants, the men fear him, and he is as cocky as they come…until Celine comes in town. Him and Celine are more alike than they think.
I want to love Celine and Bastian together, but I always root for the underdog. I guess I am team Grimaldi. Sorry, not sorry.
My one complaint was I’m getting too many Twilight vibes. Hopefully, in The Damned, it strays away from how I see the story moving. I also thought ALL of the characters in the Court of Lions were too loud. I know some of them have to be introverts!
Which brings me to my next point…Pippa. I love her! She is so quiet and genuine…but she is definitely hiding something and I think she has to be paranormal in some way.
"it’s up to us to make the best of our lives"
Ahdieh brought readers a broody, dark, and Gothic world where paranormal characters live. Her lush descriptions of New Orleans circa 1872 makes readers feel like they’re participating in the balls and festivities.
Initially, I was getting the Twilight vibes. Two guys who are swore enemies are vying for the attention of one human girl.
"We must taste the bitter before we can appreciate the sweet."
The world-building was fantastic. The Gothic culture is one not mentioned enough. The lush descriptions of underground New Orleans is depicted as extravagant and elite. I could taste the buttery pastries slowly dissolving on my tongue. The Court of Lions is deceptive, secretive, and exclusive. This time period is the perfect setting for the vampiric culture.
Celine, our narrator, is a strong, direct, and thick-skinned girl. She has a past. We all do. What I loved the most about her is that she was able to be strong, yet vulnerable. Celine struggled with the actions of her past, but realized that they didn’t make who she was now. Afraid to be vulnerable to the people closest to her, she realizes that it is okay to ask for help and to rely on those close with her. I know, I, myself, have struggled with the same realization in the past.
Bastian is the bad-boy of the town. He can get any and every girl he wants, the men fear him, and he is as cocky as they come…until Celine comes in town. Him and Celine are more alike than they think.
I want to love Celine and Bastian together, but I always root for the underdog. I guess I am team Grimaldi. Sorry, not sorry.
My one complaint was I’m getting too many Twilight vibes. Hopefully, in The Damned, it strays away from how I see the story moving. I also thought ALL of the characters in the Court of Lions were too loud. I know some of them have to be introverts!
Which brings me to my next point…Pippa. I love her! She is so quiet and genuine…but she is definitely hiding something and I think she has to be paranormal in some way.
"it’s up to us to make the best of our lives"
Ahdieh brought readers a broody, dark, and Gothic world where paranormal characters live. Her lush descriptions of New Orleans circa 1872 makes readers feel like they’re participating in the balls and festivities.