Impure by Bardot & Madigan – A Book Review

Posted May 13, 2020 by Booksandblurbs in DNF, Fantasy, Reverse Harem, Reviews / 1 Comment

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Impure

(Ascension – Book 1)

by Kenna Bardot & Tove Madigan
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Dark, Reverse Harem, Bully, Fantasy, DNF
Available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited

Down & Dirty

Trigger warning filled Dark Reverse Harem far more on the Bully side that the romance. Free on Kindle Unlimited.

What is it about?

(Blurb from GoodReads)

I won’t break.

Some humans eagerly await Collection Day, living their lives in preparation for that day when representatives of the Gods are sent out to pick one human from each of the six regions of Godsfell. Those Collected go to Godsvail Academy, the impenetrable school where cruelty reigns. But humans and Descendants alike compete for one thing – the right to Ascend.

The Academy is treacherous, and enemies lurk around every corner. None are worse than the five Descendants who are determined to torment me.

Break me.

All I’d wanted was to live out my very human life in my snow-covered Northern village, where my body and my will would be my own.
But the Gods and their Descendants have other plans for me.
And I’ll be lucky to survive.

Disclaimer:

Impure is Book One of the Ascension series, a paranormal reverse harem romance set in an academy. This whychoose is set in a different city-state of the same world as InkHaven Academy, but none of the characters will be familiar. As always, it features m/m as well as m/f and group scenarios, but also features scenes that may be triggering for some.

Thoughts on Impure

DNF @25%

I don’t usually review books I do not finish (DNF) – as this feels unfair. If I don’t really read it, who am I to say? That said (hypocritical, I know)… sometimes I do NEED to review a book I DNF, who knows? Maybe the reason I didn’t finish it is the reason YOU will love it!

Pros:

The premise is very interesting.
World building is, at times, palpable.
Writing itself isn’t bad.

Cons:

Move aside Dub-Con, we’ve got Non-con, public humiliation and sexual assault.
Bully romances are one thing, but this is a step further, dark or not. There doesn’t seem to be a path to redemption here, nor does the author imply we should want one.
Wishy Washy FMC. The beginning pages were great! She seemed strong, with a set of convictions I could get behind. Then that strength quickly turned into her own form of angst and bullying. Her mouth is her tool, which is fantastic, but she defaults to insults and barbs far too quickly – even in situations when it doesn’t’ seem necessary. I am not saying she should grovel and spew that respect crap the Gods crave, fuck that, but preemptive insults are not strength. They are immaturity and a toddler throwing a tantrum.
The guys. They blend together in one conglomerate of cruelty – I really can’t tell one from the other, or care to. Except Tate. He stood out for a moment. Not sure that is good though.

My Final Verdict on Impure

So, there it is. Take it how you will – and let me know what you think of this book. You just may love it! Seriously. That’s the joy of variety, eh? There’s something for everyone.

Published March 1st, 2020
356 Pages

If you enjoyed this review of Impure, please consider checking out a few of my other articles.

Your Turn

What are you reading today? Have you read this book yet? What about other books by Kenna Bardot or Tove Madigan? Leave a comment, I would love to talk!