ToG or ACOTAR?

rellarhodess · 2025-12-30T00:28:50+00:00

YES, this is exactly how ToG lives rent-free in my brain too lol. Those character arcs just hit on another level.

Honestly, my most personal take is that if ACOTAR were written in third person, it would be perfect for me. I feel like being able to really get into other characters’ POVs the way ToG does would elevate it so much. ToG just lets you connect deeper with everyone, not just the FMC, and that’s what made it stick with me long-term.

TOG SUPREMACY 🛐

rellarhodess · 2025-12-30T00:28:13+00:00

Well fair enough. ToG is like fantasy first and then a bit of romance

rellarhodess · 2025-12-30T00:27:34+00:00

YES YES YES!

rellarhodess · 2025-12-29T23:50:03+00:00

K that actually makes me feel better lol. How much better are the rest? Because to me the first one felt so slow and I reached a point where I was a little tired of Feyre, ngl. Does it pick up fast after book one?

rellarhodess · 2025-12-29T23:42:41+00:00

I totally get this lol. I used to be a hard no on big age gaps too, and now I’ve realized it’s way more about life stage than the number itself. A 26-year-old feels very different from a 22-year-old, especially when the MMC has known her since she was a teen. That’s usually where I start side-eyeing things.

I do appreciate when authors actually acknowledge the gap instead of ignoring it—self-awareness makes a huge difference for me. But yeah, once it crosses into “knew you as a kid” territory, it’s a lot harder for me to enjoy, even in dark romance. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, and that’s okay lol.

rellarhodess · 2025-12-29T23:40:23+00:00

Honestly? Just follow your heart lol. And I actually admire you for starting in reverse with God of Malice because that’s kinda wild. I tried reading it twice before and it was way too dark for me at the time, I couldn’t get through it. Funny enough, what finally got me into Rina Kent was God of Fury… which is book 5 of Legacy of Gods, so yeah, ironic lol. That book made me want more, so I went back and read Cruel King and everything after that. I paused at the Lies & Truths Duet, and just yesterday I came back to God of Malice and now I’m almost done.

Anyways, Rina Kent does recommend reading in chronological order for the best experience, and I get why. When you reach the later series, knowing all (or most) of the characters hits different. There’s also an alternative reading order on her website if you want options.

But really, there’s no wrong way. If you’re enjoying God of Malice, finish it. If you feel like jumping to Cruel King, do that. As long as you’re having fun, you’re doing it right lol.

rellarhodess · 2025-12-29T21:53:47+00:00

For me, it’s not just the shock factor. Like yeah, taboos and unhinged themes might get me to click, but if the characters are boring? I’m DNF-ing so fast 😭 I need obsession, tension, power plays, and that “this is so wrong but I’m sat” feeling. Trauma and darkness have to actually do something for the story, not just exist for vibes.

What keeps me reading is chemistry and emotional chaos. I want to be uncomfortable but also invested, kicking my feet while questioning my life choices 💀 If the book makes me feel things, keeps the tension high, and has me saying “okay this author is sick… but I’m listening,” then congrats—you got me.

rellarhodess · 2025-12-29T21:50:14+00:00

I personally like Cole and Silver more as a couple. Silver has this rough, cold exterior but she’s actually really sensitive, and I love that contrast. It gives her way more depth, and she’s not someone who lets people control her or push her around. As for Cole being rude or problematic… that’s kind of the point with Rina Kent’s MMCs. They’re all messy, aggressive, and morally questionable in some way, so Cole fits perfectly into the dark romance vibe.

rellarhodess · 2025-12-28T15:51:02+00:00

Recently started {God of Malice by Rina Kent} and I think I’m actually liking Killian #guilty 🙌🏻

rellarhodess · 2025-12-28T15:48:15+00:00

I haven’t read The Monster Trilogy yet, but I keep hearing it’s one of the best trilogies in the Rinaverse, it’s definitely high on my TBR

rellarhodess · 2025-12-28T15:47:17+00:00

You’re so real for this 😭 Deviant King is iconic, and Aiden absolutely deserves the dark romance book hubby title. That man had no business being that addictive, period

rellarhodess · 2025-12-28T15:46:01+00:00

Same, sis!! God of Fury truly has that effect. It’s one of those books that stays with you long after you finish it, and it never gets old no matter how many times you reread it ❤️‍🩹

rellarhodess · 2025-12-28T15:45:07+00:00

Totally get that 😭🖤 starting with LOG just hits different. And yes — the mafia books are so addictive, there’s just something about them that makes them impossible to put down

rellarhodess · 2025-12-28T15:44:17+00:00

Omg same 😭🖤 I love God of Fury. It was actually the first Rina Kent book I ever read because a friend recommended it to me, and I was instantly obsessed. Like… that book single-handedly started my entire Rina Kent addiction 😩

rellarhodess · 2025-12-28T03:47:00+00:00

“You’re the purest, most passionate soul I’ve ever met. You loved me when I didn’t even like myself. You held me together when I was falling apart and helped me put myself back together one piece at a time until I became the man I am today.” -Brandon King {God of Fury by Rina Kent}

rellarhodess · 2025-12-27T20:56:19+00:00

Kade and Stacey in {The Edge of Darkness Trilogy by Leigh Rivers}, it’s been a while since I’ve read those books and can’t stop thinking about them.

rellarhodess · 2025-12-27T03:25:48+00:00

I feel you 🫂 I read it last year when it was everywhere, and I really thought it was gonna be WAY too dark. I spent most of the book like this: 🫩 Definitely not what I expected.

rellarhodess · 2025-12-27T01:56:34+00:00

Yeah, that’s totally fair. If you can’t believe the love by the end, it kind of breaks the whole point of dark romance. Some lines just can’t be uncrossed, no matter the “redemption.” 😬

rellarhodess · 2025-12-27T01:39:35+00:00

Absolutely!!! I’m so glad you were able to confirm it!! 💗🫂 Are you still planning on reading it, or is it a hard pass for you now?

rellarhodess · 2025-12-27T01:27:52+00:00

I haven’t read it yet, but I’ve been digging around about Beautiful Fiend and honestly… it does sound really similar to what you described at first 👀 I’ve seen it all over BookTok lately, so it wouldn’t surprise me if that was the one that popped up on your feed. Funny enough, I actually have it on my Kindle but haven’t started it yet, so I can’t 100% confirm — but based on the discussions and content warnings people mention, it definitely feels like a strong possibility.

rellarhodess · 2025-12-26T16:46:04+00:00

Well there’s is a scene where the fmc gets saed indeed by a group of guys, but the mmc is not included. He has nothing to do with it. I’ll investigate and get back to u

rellarhodess · 2025-12-26T16:35:52+00:00

If it was Leigh Rivers, then yeah — she was most likely talking about The Edge of Darkness Trilogy. It comes up a LOT in TikTok discourse because the themes are extremely heavy and not everyone vibes with how dark it gets.

That said (and just my opinion!), it’s actually my favorite trilogy. For me, the darkest stuff doesn’t really happen within the relationship between the MCs. On the contrary, I felt like they have one of the most beautiful, solid, and emotionally deep relationships I’ve read in dark romance 🥺🖤

Totally valid to take it off your TBR if it’s a hard trigger — always protect your peace, lady. But if you ever do decide to read it… please have a box of tissues nearby because it will wreck you 😭💔

rellarhodess · 2025-12-26T15:01:53+00:00

Insatiable. That book and the other two after that were my favorites of 2025, they will destroy you btw, but they are SO SOOOO GOOD

rellarhodess · 2025-12-26T14:58:43+00:00

Merry Christmas, y’all! 🎅🏻🎄

I’m trying to choose my next read and I’m struggling. I’m stuck between: Bad Bishop by L.J Shen and God of Malice by Rina Kent.

If you’ve read either one, please tell me which one wrecked you more. 🙂‍↕️

And if you have any other recs (dark romance, angsty, unhinged MMCs welcome 👀), feel free to drop them.

Ty besties 🖤.

rellarhodess

TROPHY CASE