Cat and Mouse Duet by H.D. Carlton
Book - Cat and Mouse Duet
Author - H.D. Carlton
BOOK 1 - HAUNTING ADELINE
BOOK 2 - HUNTING ADELINE
Our Ratings (Complete Doulogy) - ⭐⭐
Our Review -
This duology presents readers with a two-part story that offers a mixed bag of emotions and experiences. The first book in the duet has its merits but falls short in certain areas. The side story is somewhat predictable, and the attempt to create a spooky, horror atmosphere doesn't quite hit the mark. One of the central characters, Zade, is portrayed in a problematic light, being a stalker and r@pist, yet his physical attractiveness seems to overshadow his actions, leaving some readers questioning the character dynamics. While the first book can be loosely categorized as dark romance, the second book strays far from the genre's typical themes.
The second book, unfortunately, takes a nosedive in terms of content and themes. The book encompassed a staggering 300 pages filled with explicit scenes of r@pe/torture. What was most troubling, however, was particularly as the main characters (Adeline and Zade) developed a unique fascination with drawing blood from one another - slicing open previously healed and abused scars, using a knife to cut the chest and engrave a rose, and employing a gnarled twig for whipping, resulting in the drawing of blood. The focus on graphic violence and gore overshadows any potential for a romantic or dark romance narrative, leaving readers wondering how this can still be classified as such.
DARK ROMANCE VS GORE - Dark romance includes some violent or disturbing scenes, explicit gore isn't a defining characteristic of the genre. Dark romance tends to focus more on emotional intensity, internal struggles, and the exploration of unconventional relationships. Gore, on the other hand, refers to graphic and detailed depictions of violence, bloodshed, and bodily harm. Carlton blurs the line between abuse and romance, pushing the boundaries of what can be considered dark romance.
I picked up this book solely due to the overwhelming social media buzz around it. What I found rather disappointing was that the Instagram reels and posts predominantly focused on the sweet moments in their relationship, conveniently leaving out the gruesome and unsettling aspects.
I haven't had the chance to explore other works by this author, so I can't speak to whether her writing style is consistent across her other books. However, I do have respect for the author's writing skills and acknowledge that different readers have diverse tastes. Regrettably, this particular duology did not align with my personal preferences.
The second book, unfortunately, takes a nosedive in terms of content and themes. The book encompassed a staggering 300 pages filled with explicit scenes of r@pe/torture. What was most troubling, however, was particularly as the main characters (Adeline and Zade) developed a unique fascination with drawing blood from one another - slicing open previously healed and abused scars, using a knife to cut the chest and engrave a rose, and employing a gnarled twig for whipping, resulting in the drawing of blood. The focus on graphic violence and gore overshadows any potential for a romantic or dark romance narrative, leaving readers wondering how this can still be classified as such.
DARK ROMANCE VS GORE - Dark romance includes some violent or disturbing scenes, explicit gore isn't a defining characteristic of the genre. Dark romance tends to focus more on emotional intensity, internal struggles, and the exploration of unconventional relationships. Gore, on the other hand, refers to graphic and detailed depictions of violence, bloodshed, and bodily harm. Carlton blurs the line between abuse and romance, pushing the boundaries of what can be considered dark romance.
I picked up this book solely due to the overwhelming social media buzz around it. What I found rather disappointing was that the Instagram reels and posts predominantly focused on the sweet moments in their relationship, conveniently leaving out the gruesome and unsettling aspects.
I haven't had the chance to explore other works by this author, so I can't speak to whether her writing style is consistent across her other books. However, I do have respect for the author's writing skills and acknowledge that different readers have diverse tastes. Regrettably, this particular duology did not align with my personal preferences.
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