Look, I know that when I’m reading these cheesy romances, I shouldn’t expect poetic writing. But whatever style of romance you like, it surely doesn’t include the male protagonist threatening to commit domestic violence.
The following lines, for your perusal:
“Strange yellow ferns passed under her trampling feet as Ualan followed what could only roughly be referred to as a forest path… . A purple bird flew past her head, and she automatically tried to jump back out of its way. Ualan, misunderstanding her movements, clearly thought she tried to escape him. He gripped her tighter. “Ow,” she yelled at him. He only walked faster…
Coming to a clearing by a narrow stream, he finally released her hand. He spun around to glare at her. “What do you think you were doing?” “Me?” Morrigan gasped. She pulled her injured wrist to her waist. The beauty of their surroundings was lost on her. She only saw red. “If you ever try to humiliate me in public again, wife, I will break your neck, do you understand?” Ualan growled.
Don’t come at me and give me excuses such as: well that’s their culture” or “he didn’t really mean it; the author would never make him lay a hand on her”, etc. because that’s all that those are. Excuses. Excuses for domestic violence.
This isn't the first clue of a dysfunctional relationship. Earlier, during their 'choosing ceremony', it becomes crystal clear to the readers that Rigan has absolutely no clue the rules of the ceremony. Considering that in the ceremony, the males cannot speak too much, wouldn't it make sense that the Qurilixen grooms should pay really closeattention to their supposed wives? You know, to prevent something horrendous like rape? While Ualan's people have a very defined notion of what consent is, it is clear that Rigan does not know these rules. Ualan should have caught a clue sooner, and stopped the whole process. Despite the need for tradition, I don't think the world would have ended if he broke away from it to make sure his 'bride' understood the ramifications of the ceremony.
Some may say I’m taking this way to seriously, that it's just a light book. But I can’t really enjoy a so called ‘light’ book if they’re passing off abuse as ‘romantic’ and 'lighthearted', can I??
If it were possible, I’d give this zero stars
DNF at 29%