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Something Greater
They say there is a thin line between love and hate.
Born into a world of brutality and injustice, Elena Starks knows better than to believe it. Her country of Nyrma is engulfed in a civil war fought between two very different nations—Nyrmans and Sariyans. Superiors and subordinates.
As a Sariyan, Elena has never experienced true freedom, and she dreams of a brighter future. But a swift attack of the enemy results in a devastating tragedy. Hopeless and traumatized, Elena is captured and taken to a grim place called Obsidian where she catches the eye of the enigmatic Commander Damien Crane.
The dangerous Nyrman could hurt her in unspeakable ways, but—to Elena’s great surprise—he doesn’t. For some mysterious reason, he shows her mercy and treats her with unexpected kindness while all the other prisoners suffer under his command.
Elena knows she can't trust this merciless tyrant, but his persistent gentle conduct doesn't leave her indifferent. As Damien slowly works his way in, Elena lets down her guard and begins questioning everything she knows. They are a captor and captive, power and helplessness...ying and yang. So different, and yet the same. Can love grow in the midst of hell?
WARNING: Intended for mature audiences.
Born into a world of brutality and injustice, Elena Starks knows better than to believe it. Her country of Nyrma is engulfed in a civil war fought between two very different nations—Nyrmans and Sariyans. Superiors and subordinates.
As a Sariyan, Elena has never experienced true freedom, and she dreams of a brighter future. But a swift attack of the enemy results in a devastating tragedy. Hopeless and traumatized, Elena is captured and taken to a grim place called Obsidian where she catches the eye of the enigmatic Commander Damien Crane.
The dangerous Nyrman could hurt her in unspeakable ways, but—to Elena’s great surprise—he doesn’t. For some mysterious reason, he shows her mercy and treats her with unexpected kindness while all the other prisoners suffer under his command.
Elena knows she can't trust this merciless tyrant, but his persistent gentle conduct doesn't leave her indifferent. As Damien slowly works his way in, Elena lets down her guard and begins questioning everything she knows. They are a captor and captive, power and helplessness...ying and yang. So different, and yet the same. Can love grow in the midst of hell?
WARNING: Intended for mature audiences.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 11, 2019
38 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
About the author
Astrid Jane Ray
4 books395 followersAstrid Jane Ray is an author who likes writing anything from poems to short stories and novels. Being a hopeless dreamer, she isn't limited to any particular genres, although she is desperately addicted to dark romance novels. Her style is best described as a mixture of dark, angst filled drama which is followed by the slow development of love and redemption.
More than writing, she likes to read and her idea of a perfect day is a good book combined with a cup of hot tea and preferably rain.
Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/astridjane_...
E-mail: astridjaneray@gmail.com
More than writing, she likes to read and her idea of a perfect day is a good book combined with a cup of hot tea and preferably rain.
Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/astridjane_...
E-mail: astridjaneray@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
January 10, 2021
UPDATE
This book is FREE on Amazon until TUESDAY (8 SEPTEMBER) . It is really WORTH reading🖤🖤🖤!
Original review
There were so many things I didn't like about this book that it comes as a surprise I cannot make myself rate it any lower. I got the pleasure reading it despite some problems I had trying to understand the author's logic.
This is just the type of stories that get me thrilled when written well. Love story at the war time, forbidden feelings, a naive, good and vulnerable girl catching the unwanted attention of a ruthless hero holding all the power in his hands. I rarely come across the writers who bother to describe feelings other than lust. I prefer a slow building of relationship, these first involuntury glances/tender touches that indicate awakening emotions, the pull between two people falling in love. Not everyone has the knack for describing these details in such a sweet delicate manner (or probably the desire/experience). Damien's love for Elena and the way he shows it don't contradict his nature and emphasize how truly dangerous he is. A man capable of such feelings and still being able to witness and exercise such cruelness? Love did not change him/make him a better man/bring the best in him. Damien's supposedly unnatural acts of "kindness" on some occasions served the sole purpose of making Elena happy, comforted and what is more important - his. No mercy. Partly egoistical desire to win the object of his love and partly care for her feelings. Considering how many writers seem to like it when their heroes act all kinds of disgusting towards their heroines who, of course, are always ready to forgive them any kind of bullshit, this "cruel to everyone but her" attitude made me like him and see how the h was special to him. Damien's obvious inner struggle ( to protect and care about his "delicate flower" or pick it for his own pleasure) was exciting.
Elena, oh Elena
I cannot say I hated her. She was weak and coward and reckless. Some may describe her nicer as helpless and innocent and naive. Most of the time she did not annoy me because while in real life I admire strong and independent women, in fiction I love reading about vulnerable and delicate ones. She would totally fit my favourite type if not for the ugly scene featuring her mother being abused and killed. Elena, the same Elena who proved to be reckless and unreasonable and ready to die when it came to her modesty did not even attempt to save her poor mother. She could do nothing more than distract the rapists for mere seconds/minutes, that's true. But she did not even try. She was ready to receive punishment for protecting her modesty/her friend/some unknown girl but not her own mother.
Sticking to her principles is an admirable feature that was totally ruined by the events right at the beginning. For such an irrational girl she managed to convince herself so very skillfully to stay hidden while the atrocities take place right in front of her eyes. Wow. Pure instinct had to take the lead not the reason or shock because this is her mom, the closest person she has and she loves her(?) so very much. Her trying to protect her mom when there is no hope would be natural and logical considering the way the author portrays her.
I found it difficult to sympathize with Elena.
I also didn't like that a lot of intense, gripping, tense moments that had great potential were ended in an abrupt and unsatisfying manner, leaving me disappointed and craving for more.
The story itself though interesting is totally unbelievable but who cares lol?
Nevertheless, I really wish it was a little longer which speaks volumes about my impression.
This book is FREE on Amazon until TUESDAY (8 SEPTEMBER) . It is really WORTH reading🖤🖤🖤!
Original review
There were so many things I didn't like about this book that it comes as a surprise I cannot make myself rate it any lower. I got the pleasure reading it despite some problems I had trying to understand the author's logic.
This is just the type of stories that get me thrilled when written well. Love story at the war time, forbidden feelings, a naive, good and vulnerable girl catching the unwanted attention of a ruthless hero holding all the power in his hands. I rarely come across the writers who bother to describe feelings other than lust. I prefer a slow building of relationship, these first involuntury glances/tender touches that indicate awakening emotions, the pull between two people falling in love. Not everyone has the knack for describing these details in such a sweet delicate manner (or probably the desire/experience). Damien's love for Elena and the way he shows it don't contradict his nature and emphasize how truly dangerous he is. A man capable of such feelings and still being able to witness and exercise such cruelness? Love did not change him/make him a better man/bring the best in him. Damien's supposedly unnatural acts of "kindness" on some occasions served the sole purpose of making Elena happy, comforted and what is more important - his. No mercy. Partly egoistical desire to win the object of his love and partly care for her feelings. Considering how many writers seem to like it when their heroes act all kinds of disgusting towards their heroines who, of course, are always ready to forgive them any kind of bullshit, this "cruel to everyone but her" attitude made me like him and see how the h was special to him. Damien's obvious inner struggle ( to protect and care about his "delicate flower" or pick it for his own pleasure) was exciting.
Elena, oh Elena
I cannot say I hated her. She was weak and coward and reckless. Some may describe her nicer as helpless and innocent and naive. Most of the time she did not annoy me because while in real life I admire strong and independent women, in fiction I love reading about vulnerable and delicate ones. She would totally fit my favourite type if not for the ugly scene featuring her mother being abused and killed. Elena, the same Elena who proved to be reckless and unreasonable and ready to die when it came to her modesty did not even attempt to save her poor mother. She could do nothing more than distract the rapists for mere seconds/minutes, that's true. But she did not even try. She was ready to receive punishment for protecting her modesty/her friend/some unknown girl but not her own mother.
Sticking to her principles is an admirable feature that was totally ruined by the events right at the beginning. For such an irrational girl she managed to convince herself so very skillfully to stay hidden while the atrocities take place right in front of her eyes. Wow. Pure instinct had to take the lead not the reason or shock because this is her mom, the closest person she has and she loves her(?) so very much. Her trying to protect her mom when there is no hope would be natural and logical considering the way the author portrays her.
I found it difficult to sympathize with Elena.
I also didn't like that a lot of intense, gripping, tense moments that had great potential were ended in an abrupt and unsatisfying manner, leaving me disappointed and craving for more.
The story itself though interesting is totally unbelievable but who cares lol?
Nevertheless, I really wish it was a little longer which speaks volumes about my impression.
August 31, 2019
Great freebie!
Even though the subject matter was really hard to read about and the contents disturbing, I found the story very compelling. Even though the ending was not what I normally like I felt in this book that this was inevitable. Great plot but even though I understand the ending I didn’t like it so for that reason only it didn’t get a 4*.
Even though the subject matter was really hard to read about and the contents disturbing, I found the story very compelling. Even though the ending was not what I normally like I felt in this book that this was inevitable. Great plot but even though I understand the ending I didn’t like it so for that reason only it didn’t get a 4*.
August 31, 2019
Wonderful story!
Having read one book by this author, I must admit that I'm impreesed by how she changed her style and genre.
I started it not knowing what to expect, but since I read her first book, and liked it, and this one is free!..... Well, I can't believe it's free.
It's taking place in a fictional country, and I was glad about that fact bc I wouldn't have read it otherwise, the subject is very sensitive, I usually don't read books that treat of it. Even as a lover of everything that is dark, falling in love in time of war is not my favorite trope, you can be sure the end would be sad or bittersweet (I love my HEA, and.... ).
Anyway, I highly recommend it, and I'll definitely be following Astrid Jane Ray.
Having read one book by this author, I must admit that I'm impreesed by how she changed her style and genre.
I started it not knowing what to expect, but since I read her first book, and liked it, and this one is free!..... Well, I can't believe it's free.
It's taking place in a fictional country, and I was glad about that fact bc I wouldn't have read it otherwise, the subject is very sensitive, I usually don't read books that treat of it. Even as a lover of everything that is dark, falling in love in time of war is not my favorite trope, you can be sure the end would be sad or bittersweet (I love my HEA, and.... ).
Anyway, I highly recommend it, and I'll definitely be following Astrid Jane Ray.
September 4, 2020
Something Greater is free on Amazon until Tuesday, September 8. You can get your copy here: Amazon.
June 14, 2021
Много и ултра дарк, и доста недостоверно на места, макар и ситуирано в измислен свят от сорта на Германия от втората световна война. В изграждането на тази алтернативна реалност има доста логически пропуски и несъответствия, но характерите са достатъчно живи и неконвенционални и поддържат интереса. Определено по-добро от обичайните плажни дамски романи.
June 25, 2020
Got an ARC in exchange for honest review.. (First ever ARC I got in my 5yr membership in goodreads.....so excited!!..)
It is a 5 stars for me....I loved Astrid's writing style and storytelling in VV...and this book was 10 on 10.
let me tell you,the prologue win me over even before I finished it.....I had read a few chapters of this story in wattpad, where it begins with chap 1,so this prologue was a surprise which thrilled me and I loved every bit of it.
Something greater is a love story set in middle of war and more...
It was also the story of 'The great war' and the 2 nations that had started it for reasons unfathomable to most human beings
Elena
Abandon all hope ,you who enter here
"why only me?"
"It is you that I want", he said gruffly."no one else"
" I tried to stay away Elena ",he whispered like he was apologizing for something in advance," but I found out that I am only human"
"you were supposed to be my revenge, Elena, but you become my redemption instead "
The connection between us grew stronger because we were bonded by the pain of loss
The way the story is written, the way the secrets are revealed and the way it ends💞....my heart aches💔💔
It is a 5 stars for me....I loved Astrid's writing style and storytelling in VV...and this book was 10 on 10.
let me tell you,the prologue win me over even before I finished it.....I had read a few chapters of this story in wattpad, where it begins with chap 1,so this prologue was a surprise which thrilled me and I loved every bit of it.
Something greater is a love story set in middle of war and more...
It was also the story of 'The great war' and the 2 nations that had started it for reasons unfathomable to most human beings
The great war was between Nyrmans and Sariyans, two different populations in the nation Nyrma separated by their beliefs, customs, upbringing and even physical appearance. The Nyrmans have been for years suppressing the Sariyans. They were forced to work in factories of Nyrmans who in turn forbaded inter-population marraige, regular schooling of Sariyans,public appearance, pretty cloths etc...Years of oppression made Sariyans to form rebel group called Sariyans Resistance, in which our heroine's father was a member And they started the war by killing Nyrman president.
Our story starts where our heroine,Elena Starks(18) and her mother are attacked by Nyrman soldiers called black troops in their home town.Her mother was killed and she was taken into captivity along with others to a place called "Obsidian". The author paints a vivid picture of that place..... filled with despair, sorrow and hopeless ruled by violence and cruelty.
Elena
Abandon all hope ,you who enter here
At Obsidian Sariyans are separated and all women were put together. Just like in any war they were treated like animals or worse, things by Nyrman soldiers... hard physical labor, punishment with whips, sleeping on cold floors, eating smelly foods, and women raped at nights.....it was a nightmare.
On first day itself Elena meets our hero Damien Crane(late twenties, I guess), the commander/ leader of black troops and Obsidian. We don't know anything about him other than he is indifferent to Sariyans suffering and rules Obsidian with a firm hand. Their first meeting is literally a 'collision'. Someting shifts in his gaze and he spares her from the punishment.....we don't know the reason and it is told only at the end...... Everyday Sariyans are forced to work hard so is Elena,but at nights she is spared from the brutal rapes.....nobody knows why....so every other women starts to hate her....even in the middle of such hatred Elena keeps her compassion for everyone which again makes the commander's attention grew.........I loved the heroine.
"why only me?"
"It is you that I want", he said gruffly."no one else"
Finally Elena is shifted to Damien's apartment...attraction keeps pulling,chemistry fires,emotions collods...... And they becomes lovers.....he kills for her, saves sariyan girl, helps older man......The more Elena cames to know about Damien the more Twisted and confusing her feelings gets....she looks beneath the hard face and sees the gentle mind....so starts falling for him.
" I tried to stay away Elena ",he whispered like he was apologizing for something in advance," but I found out that I am only human"
But there are secrets that are hidden, wound that are yet to heal and traitors among yourselves. Can a love bloom in war?
"you were supposed to be my revenge, Elena, but you become my redemption instead "
The connection between us grew stronger because we were bonded by the pain of loss
The way the story is written, the way the secrets are revealed and the way it ends💞....my heart aches💔💔
August 25, 2021
I don't think that this book was a romance. It was a heartbreaking story about war and loss, with descriptive violent and human-degrading scenes. No hot scenes, no love scenes, only sweetness, and gut-wrenching feelings.
Elena is a saryian and she has never experienced true freedom. Saryians are controlled by Nyrmans, the ones that have better jobs,i better education, and a lot of opportunities. She was raised to understand the differences between the two nation, and to always act like a pure and shy girl, and never to raise her head in the presence of Nyrman. In her mind, the Nyrman are Superiors and her people are subordinates.
When a Great War between the two nation begins, Elena is captured and taken to a grim place called Obsidian. There she sees her people being tortured by Nyrmans and she is left traumatized by the whole experience. There she catches the eye of the enigmatic Commander Damien Crane, one of the best heroes I’ve ever read about!!! He is the army leader and he has to take cruel decisions, and in the end, we find out why. He is a mix of yearning, love, cold, and mercilessness; he is a monster and also a human and my heart broke when I found out about his past.
Damien fells in love with Elena but I don't think that she really loved him. she was always trying to separate the human from the monster and she was unable to do so. She feared him, and she was too traumatized to see his real reason and the fact that he will do everything for her.
When The Ressistance attacks Obisidan, the place where Elena is being kept, she understands that her father, a Ressistance leader, is no longer the father she knew because he will rather see her dead, than happy in his enemies' arms.
Elena was weak and in the end, I hated her because I wanted another ending for this book.
Elena is a saryian and she has never experienced true freedom. Saryians are controlled by Nyrmans, the ones that have better jobs,i better education, and a lot of opportunities. She was raised to understand the differences between the two nation, and to always act like a pure and shy girl, and never to raise her head in the presence of Nyrman. In her mind, the Nyrman are Superiors and her people are subordinates.
When a Great War between the two nation begins, Elena is captured and taken to a grim place called Obsidian. There she sees her people being tortured by Nyrmans and she is left traumatized by the whole experience. There she catches the eye of the enigmatic Commander Damien Crane, one of the best heroes I’ve ever read about!!! He is the army leader and he has to take cruel decisions, and in the end, we find out why. He is a mix of yearning, love, cold, and mercilessness; he is a monster and also a human and my heart broke when I found out about his past.
Damien fells in love with Elena but I don't think that she really loved him. she was always trying to separate the human from the monster and she was unable to do so. She feared him, and she was too traumatized to see his real reason and the fact that he will do everything for her.
When The Ressistance attacks Obisidan, the place where Elena is being kept, she understands that her father, a Ressistance leader, is no longer the father she knew because he will rather see her dead, than happy in his enemies' arms.
Elena was weak and in the end, I hated her because I wanted another ending for this book.
August 26, 2019
FIVE DARK ANGSTY STARS!!
I need to start by saying I’m not a fan of war stories. However, this author and her story has once again blown my mind! It was dark but not depressing. It depicted the stark brutality of war, but horrors are tempered with a beautiful love story between a prisoner and her captor. The captor, known as the Commander, is one of the best heroes I’ve ever read about! I can’t even describe him properly! He was a ruthless merciless army leader that takes cruel decisions, yet the reader can feel the humanity that he’s kept locked inside him. You can feel the love and yearning he has for the heroine. He was cold and unattainable yet heartbreakingly tender and vulnerable all the same time. The Author truly has a way with her words. I hope we get to read many more dark romance stories by this Author. Dark romance genre nowadays is convoluted with stories about abusive assholes and sexual violence. Astrid Ray Jane is breath of fresh air in this controversial genre.
MUST RECOMMEND FOR READERS OF DARK ROMANCE AND ANGST!
ARC kindly provided by Author.
I need to start by saying I’m not a fan of war stories. However, this author and her story has once again blown my mind! It was dark but not depressing. It depicted the stark brutality of war, but horrors are tempered with a beautiful love story between a prisoner and her captor. The captor, known as the Commander, is one of the best heroes I’ve ever read about! I can’t even describe him properly! He was a ruthless merciless army leader that takes cruel decisions, yet the reader can feel the humanity that he’s kept locked inside him. You can feel the love and yearning he has for the heroine. He was cold and unattainable yet heartbreakingly tender and vulnerable all the same time. The Author truly has a way with her words. I hope we get to read many more dark romance stories by this Author. Dark romance genre nowadays is convoluted with stories about abusive assholes and sexual violence. Astrid Ray Jane is breath of fresh air in this controversial genre.
MUST RECOMMEND FOR READERS OF DARK ROMANCE AND ANGST!
ARC kindly provided by Author.
November 13, 2019
3.5 stars
I didn't like the ending, hence the 3.5 stars. Otherwise, this would have been a 4 star read
I had read this story on wattpad in Dec 2017, after reading Virtue and Vanity. I was very curious about this story and waited so long for this.
I know, this was a dark story and the events which occurred were dark, violent & inhuman.
I agree, Damien was not a very nice person either but, he was good with Elena. He took care of her. He died for her. I can't believe, he was killed just like that. She was pregnant, he wanted to take her to his place and, marry her. He wanted to live with her & their child. I felt bad & emotional after reading this ending. I have waited so so so long(2 years almost) for this book to be completed & when I read it today, it left me bitter because of the ending. He could have been redeemed, they could have their HEA. 😭
I didn't like the ending, hence the 3.5 stars. Otherwise, this would have been a 4 star read
I had read this story on wattpad in Dec 2017, after reading Virtue and Vanity. I was very curious about this story and waited so long for this.
I know, this was a dark story and the events which occurred were dark, violent & inhuman.
I agree, Damien was not a very nice person either but, he was good with Elena. He took care of her. He died for her. I can't believe, he was killed just like that. She was pregnant, he wanted to take her to his place and, marry her. He wanted to live with her & their child. I felt bad & emotional after reading this ending. I have waited so so so long(2 years almost) for this book to be completed & when I read it today, it left me bitter because of the ending. He could have been redeemed, they could have their HEA. 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2019
Love it!
a masterpiece. no other word can describe this book. one of the perfect and best books ever. I thought I've read enough books, different stories but this one proved me wrong.
showed me how an author can write something different than the usual. the title is not randomly chosen. and not enough words can do justice to this book.
I don't know where to begin to be honest.
I received an ARC of this book. I've read a few chapters on wattpadd and I waited for it.
If you read Virtue and vanity then be prepared this book is not like VV or like any other book. This book is so different so unique it will make you cry so hard. It will make you feel weak, sad and emotional. Honestly, this book made me cry soo damn hard. It made my heart break into pieces.. This is a story about a girl named Elena and a commander named Damien. Two opposite persons from two opposite nations enemies. The Nyrmans and the Siryans.
I admired how brave Elena was and how Damien was gentle with her.
This book is well written. Words are so simple yet so powerful at the same time. You, Will, feel a deep connexion with this book maybe because of the familiar theme WAR. ASTRID knows how to write perfectly and with power, no author can have I think.
This book is so different from all the books I've read before.
This is a Masterpiece. A perfect tragedy you will love the book. IT'S A MUST READ. JUST READ IT.
I will write more than this but you made me cry so hard really. Its the first book that made my heart bleed and my eyes water. Tho still crying.
September 14, 2019
Unusual. A fragile and sheltered heroine in war and dystopia, evil and depressing, and a H who saves her but...no HEA!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
July 31, 2024Dnf 1%
I won't rate this because I knew, after the prologue, that this is not my cup of tea.
I won't rate this because I knew, after the prologue, that this is not my cup of tea.
June 27, 2021
Book: Something Greater
Author: Astrid Jane Ray
Genre: Dark War Romance(No HEA)
My Rating: 5/5❤️
I couldn't bring myself to write this review yet because I'll ruin it for you.But here it is...
.
MY REVIEW:The plot takes place during war time,but it isn't historical fiction.When the war broke loose between the Sariyans and the Nyrmans,the Nrymans capture the Sariyans and take them to the obsidian as captives.There the prisoners(Sariyans) are treated worse than slaves and everything is set under Commander Damien in the Obsidian.He treats them not less than slaves but he spares one particular prisoner Elena.The whole book is said from Elena's POV. She violates the rules and yet she is spared from the cruel Commander.The story unfolds when she is taken to his personal quarters and when she realises the real motive behind his choice of her.
.
The chemistry between them,the push and pull ,the comfort in the hands of the one wgo seems to be the Villian in your eyes!!my good Lord!! You will not realise the emotions she's trying to put into words until you have read any of her works!!! She's definitely worth it!!Give her a try, you'll never regret.
.
Unlike Astrid Jane Ray's other books she has definitely tried her hand in something different and I loved it thoroughly🥀It will pull your heartstrings and definitely make you sob at the end.
.
She is definitely one of my favourite authors and looking forward for more such works from her.I will reread her works anytime soon.
.
⚠️ Warning:It contains strong subject matter and not intended for people who find it disturbing!!
.
______________________________________________
.
Author: Astrid Jane Ray
Genre: Dark War Romance(No HEA)
My Rating: 5/5❤️
I couldn't bring myself to write this review yet because I'll ruin it for you.But here it is...
.
MY REVIEW:The plot takes place during war time,but it isn't historical fiction.When the war broke loose between the Sariyans and the Nyrmans,the Nrymans capture the Sariyans and take them to the obsidian as captives.There the prisoners(Sariyans) are treated worse than slaves and everything is set under Commander Damien in the Obsidian.He treats them not less than slaves but he spares one particular prisoner Elena.The whole book is said from Elena's POV. She violates the rules and yet she is spared from the cruel Commander.The story unfolds when she is taken to his personal quarters and when she realises the real motive behind his choice of her.
.
The chemistry between them,the push and pull ,the comfort in the hands of the one wgo seems to be the Villian in your eyes!!my good Lord!! You will not realise the emotions she's trying to put into words until you have read any of her works!!! She's definitely worth it!!Give her a try, you'll never regret.
.
Unlike Astrid Jane Ray's other books she has definitely tried her hand in something different and I loved it thoroughly🥀It will pull your heartstrings and definitely make you sob at the end.
.
She is definitely one of my favourite authors and looking forward for more such works from her.I will reread her works anytime soon.
.
⚠️ Warning:It contains strong subject matter and not intended for people who find it disturbing!!
.
______________________________________________
.
March 2, 2022
I honestly feel so bad about saying this but
was this comment form the H about his former (dead) fiance really needed?!-
"I wanted to spend my life with her. I wanted her to be the mother of my children,” he confessed. “I loved her very much.”
It made everything with the h seem so unspecial or maybe it's just a me problem when it comes to these things with ows.
was this comment form the H about his former (dead) fiance really needed?!-
"I wanted to spend my life with her. I wanted her to be the mother of my children,” he confessed. “I loved her very much.”
It made everything with the h seem so unspecial or maybe it's just a me problem when it comes to these things with ows.
August 10, 2020
"Something Greater" is one of my all time favourite books!
No book have ever touched my soul more,or made me fall in love this much.
Nor have any other book made me cry this much!
This is a stunning masterpiece!
No book have ever touched my soul more,or made me fall in love this much.
Nor have any other book made me cry this much!
This is a stunning masterpiece!
August 8, 2019
Something Greater: Astrid Jane Ray
MUST READ!
Hi everyone,
I got an ARC in exchange of an honest review! And I’m so happy to get this copy. It is an amazing and emotional book. I LOVED THIS. Will surely read it again.
Let’s start with the cover : Beautiful in every sense. The cover of the book displays thousands of emotions. Seriously, it got me hooked.
I won’t be giving any spoiler alerts (maybe a couple hints won’t hurt *wink, *wink)
This story has a strong plot, and I applaud the author for writing a dark theme as I know it is not easy to develop the characters when there is so much darkness, hopelessness, cruel fates and endless grief, but Astrid has managed to develop the characters so beautifully that it left me speechless once again. (first time was when I read Virtue and Vanity written by the same author). She knows how to redeem cruel and dark villains into heros.
The story is about a girl, Elene Starks, who is a victim of a war. She is defenseless against cruel men who just want to punish and break innocent girls of the rivals. She suffers at the hands of the soldiers. However, a merciless Nyrman notices her, and then their journey begins. It is sad, heart-breaking and in a sense it IS beautiful too.
GO GUYS, GET THE COPY AND FIND OUT MORE!!!!
Honestly, this book made me cry on so many pages that I lost count how many tears I’ve shed. I felt the pain of Elena; Astrid wrote this story so beautifully and her writing style takes you to a whole new world of war, pain, hopelessness and tears. This story felt so real.
Although, I hoped for a different ending, but then I remembered that it is not typical ‘Hearts and Flowers’ book.
The best parts about the book:
1. It truly did justice to the theme. Astrid has taken care of each and every aspect of the book, and fulfils every aspect of the DARK theme.
2. The writing style is so simple that words flow like a beautiful river. Even after reading for 4 hours (Non-stop), words didn’t mix in the brain.
(it happens to me when I read for longer time, words mix. For eg. work becomes wood !!! I know it is pretty lame and stupid, but it happens because of fatigue.)
3. The twists and turns in the book would keep you hooked!!! Some things were pure shock, and I had to take some moment to digest those facts. But those twists only make you to read further to find out more!
GO GUYS!!! Buy this book...you'll love it :)
MUST READ!
Hi everyone,
I got an ARC in exchange of an honest review! And I’m so happy to get this copy. It is an amazing and emotional book. I LOVED THIS. Will surely read it again.
Let’s start with the cover : Beautiful in every sense. The cover of the book displays thousands of emotions. Seriously, it got me hooked.
I won’t be giving any spoiler alerts (maybe a couple hints won’t hurt *wink, *wink)
This story has a strong plot, and I applaud the author for writing a dark theme as I know it is not easy to develop the characters when there is so much darkness, hopelessness, cruel fates and endless grief, but Astrid has managed to develop the characters so beautifully that it left me speechless once again. (first time was when I read Virtue and Vanity written by the same author). She knows how to redeem cruel and dark villains into heros.
The story is about a girl, Elene Starks, who is a victim of a war. She is defenseless against cruel men who just want to punish and break innocent girls of the rivals. She suffers at the hands of the soldiers. However, a merciless Nyrman notices her, and then their journey begins. It is sad, heart-breaking and in a sense it IS beautiful too.
GO GUYS, GET THE COPY AND FIND OUT MORE!!!!
Honestly, this book made me cry on so many pages that I lost count how many tears I’ve shed. I felt the pain of Elena; Astrid wrote this story so beautifully and her writing style takes you to a whole new world of war, pain, hopelessness and tears. This story felt so real.
Although, I hoped for a different ending, but then I remembered that it is not typical ‘Hearts and Flowers’ book.
The best parts about the book:
1. It truly did justice to the theme. Astrid has taken care of each and every aspect of the book, and fulfils every aspect of the DARK theme.
2. The writing style is so simple that words flow like a beautiful river. Even after reading for 4 hours (Non-stop), words didn’t mix in the brain.
(it happens to me when I read for longer time, words mix. For eg. work becomes wood !!! I know it is pretty lame and stupid, but it happens because of fatigue.)
3. The twists and turns in the book would keep you hooked!!! Some things were pure shock, and I had to take some moment to digest those facts. But those twists only make you to read further to find out more!
GO GUYS!!! Buy this book...you'll love it :)
Read
July 16, 202438% On hold.
The FMC is a young 18 yo girl who does a lot of stupid things during the story. I'm TRYING to be understanding but I admit, it's making me crazy. The MMC is a little too soft on her. I need him to be a bit less of a sap. I'm going to take a little break and see if I come back to it.
There are a lot of shocking scenes in the story that were surprising and brutal, making it kind of interesting (in a surreal WTH happened sort of way), but not sure it's enough to offset her actions.
Will keep this on the backburner for now...
The FMC is a young 18 yo girl who does a lot of stupid things during the story. I'm TRYING to be understanding but I admit, it's making me crazy. The MMC is a little too soft on her. I need him to be a bit less of a sap. I'm going to take a little break and see if I come back to it.
There are a lot of shocking scenes in the story that were surprising and brutal, making it kind of interesting (in a surreal WTH happened sort of way), but not sure it's enough to offset her actions.
Will keep this on the backburner for now...
August 16, 2019
WOW, this book was such a page turner. I wanted to stop reading so many times in the beginning because it was so DARK, really really dark.
However, I kept reading to see how Elena and Damien would get together. I wanted to know how she would reconcile her feelings for Damien with her surroundings.
I kind of knew how the story would end. I can't say I wasn't disappointed. BUT, I'm so glad I read it. It was addictive. The writing is excellent. Well done!
However, I kept reading to see how Elena and Damien would get together. I wanted to know how she would reconcile her feelings for Damien with her surroundings.
I kind of knew how the story would end. I can't say I wasn't disappointed. BUT, I'm so glad I read it. It was addictive. The writing is excellent. Well done!
August 12, 2019
A beautiful and a speechless piece of art till date.. This is something Astrid has guranteed us with this dark war romance. Just going through the teaser and the reviews available all over the social media platform. It promised a beautiful cluster of pain, forbidden love, angst, tragedy, consequences and fight of war victims, sacrifice and so much more. I have not started reading this book but what i guess it promises to what it said. Everything about this story is making me go restless and I can't just wait to grab and cry my heart out on this book.
My Review after Reading the book
Oh God!! Astrid you stole my tears... The pain, the adrenaline rushes, the fear of something painful.. But this book deserves a movie.. Everything from its prologue to its epilogue has left me in a mess..
I requested for a copy of this book from Astrid and I just ended it a couple of hours before and yeah.. This book is ao beautiful and a masterpiece.
First speaking about the author she is a jewel.. Such a talented author.. And I can most definitely say She is there for the long run just like the famous authors of today.
Everything about this book gave us a opinion about a part of life we are so most definitely unaware of. This book makes us feel thankful that we are safe and protected and most definitely we are the luckiest that we have our loved ones with us. Here, it discovers that part of life that war changes everything about a person not just evolving a happy soul to tears and pain but how bloodshed, vengence, ruthlessness destroys and degrades the ones who are victims of it unfortunately.
It discovers about the properties and consequences of karma.. Yes, karma is bitch you get what you are deserved. The forbidden love between Damien and Elena was the most beautiful and innocent part of this story above all. The way Damien had been gentle towards her, protected her and stood for her till the end.. Both of them deserved so much.. They deserved so much happy.. And eventually I wished for a beautiful ending but as the author had warned us before that every story story need not be happy like Flowers so most definitely one needs to be emotionally strong for it. No matter Damian had been a beast but the way Elena was a rainbow in his life of black and white. The way she tamed his monster and the way he slept in her arms.. Everything brings out the angst in it.
The story also ventures that every soul are not fortunate no matter they find love. But how consequences of war and most definitely the pain of loneliness.. An entire life relieving the memory of your love keeping it alive and leaving with it.
These book is everything a full score for everything it shared.. And so goes the title. 'Something Greater' ut totally justifies the plot. A MUST READ
My Review after Reading the book
Oh God!! Astrid you stole my tears... The pain, the adrenaline rushes, the fear of something painful.. But this book deserves a movie.. Everything from its prologue to its epilogue has left me in a mess..
I requested for a copy of this book from Astrid and I just ended it a couple of hours before and yeah.. This book is ao beautiful and a masterpiece.
First speaking about the author she is a jewel.. Such a talented author.. And I can most definitely say She is there for the long run just like the famous authors of today.
Everything about this book gave us a opinion about a part of life we are so most definitely unaware of. This book makes us feel thankful that we are safe and protected and most definitely we are the luckiest that we have our loved ones with us. Here, it discovers that part of life that war changes everything about a person not just evolving a happy soul to tears and pain but how bloodshed, vengence, ruthlessness destroys and degrades the ones who are victims of it unfortunately.
It discovers about the properties and consequences of karma.. Yes, karma is bitch you get what you are deserved. The forbidden love between Damien and Elena was the most beautiful and innocent part of this story above all. The way Damien had been gentle towards her, protected her and stood for her till the end.. Both of them deserved so much.. They deserved so much happy.. And eventually I wished for a beautiful ending but as the author had warned us before that every story story need not be happy like Flowers so most definitely one needs to be emotionally strong for it. No matter Damian had been a beast but the way Elena was a rainbow in his life of black and white. The way she tamed his monster and the way he slept in her arms.. Everything brings out the angst in it.
The story also ventures that every soul are not fortunate no matter they find love. But how consequences of war and most definitely the pain of loneliness.. An entire life relieving the memory of your love keeping it alive and leaving with it.
These book is everything a full score for everything it shared.. And so goes the title. 'Something Greater' ut totally justifies the plot. A MUST READ
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2022
omg the ending was so bittersweet 😭 why did they make this girl lose everything????
June 13, 2020
!!SPOILERS ABOUND!!
I give this somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars. So, this book had me feeling all sorts of ways, not all of them good. It's not quite as cut and dried as this, but I was generally left feeling two different ways for each half or so of the book. And yes, some of my feelings changed as we learned more, or at least they grew way more convoluted. I don't really know how to eloquently organize my thoughts on this, so it's just a bunch of rambling and copying from the notes I took as I read. This is a long one.
FIRST HALF:
-Prologue had me hooked and having no idea how the story was going to end, which is always a thrill.
-Was often wondering why Damien Crane singled her out and was so fixated on her. Figured it couldn't have only been her looks, so guessed there was some sort of past there.
-Could not get a read on him, Crane. Often had no idea what he was going to do/say next.
-Supreeeemely annoyed me when Elena would constantly feel guilt for feeling like an intruder in the Nyrmans' personal space. Couple of examples: feeling bad about eavesdropping and feeling she "has no right" to use their perceived belongings (i.e. hairbrush) when they're not there. ??!! Fuck that. If that were me, I would feel no shame. Maybe repulsed yeah, just 'cause they're items of the enemy, but guilty? And then she's the one apologizing when she gets caught. Apologizing when they're the ones committing atrocities against you and your people.
-Wondering if Elena's warming up to Crane was partly due to Stockholm Syndrome (which she even later acknowledges)
-Straight up went ".....what." when she said she was saddened by the officer's death. The officer who beat her and whipped her and was about to brutally rape her. Yup. She was saddened by his death. I'm sorry. What?????? Okay. Maaayybe I can swallow her belief that the punishment was too harsh even though he definitely wouldn't have showed her any mercy if the tables were turned. But to say she was saddened??? Not just regretful, but SADDENED? *throws up hands* I can't. Maybe all my opposition to this says something about me, but I don't care. I actually agreed with Damien when he insisted that he would kill anyone who touched her. When I read the kinds of things the soldiers were doing to the prisoners on the daily, I couldn't help but agree with him. (Side note: I swear I'm not a bad person, you guys. 😅) BUT I was able to understand the not-so-underlying message: two wrongs don't make a right. One wrong is not a justification for another. (a quote straight from the book)
-Felt like Elena was waaayyy too forgiving of the soldiers
-I find it hard to believe that in all her life Elena didn't find out the white flag on the Sariyan doors was the flag of their former country
-Again, wondering why? Why?! Why is he so obsessed with you and what happened in the past that made him fixate on you?! (rest assured, will be answered)
-Feel like author's trying too hard to paint Elena as a good, conscientious person. Just wanted to scream at her, they are torturing and abusing and raping and killing your people and you're still so considerate??!
-A lot of times when it annoyed me that no matter how much pain she was going through, she always managed to be so understanding and selfless and while that's obviously not bad, kinda felt to me like the author was trying to make her more likable to readers. Me personally, I don't like when we readers demand perfection from our protagonists, especially when they're female (because God forbid a female character has flaws and complexity). Yes, moral compasses are obviously great, but no one is 100% that way all of the time. I would've liked to see Elena display just one instance of selfishness, even if it was just in her thoughts. Why? Because it makes her less perfect, more human, and less martyr-like.
-The above thought doesn't apply to when she did things like step in front of her friend before she could be whipped again. Again, things like that, I understand. I think we all do.
SECOND HALF:
-When everything about Damien was revealed, I couldn't escape the sense that he'd grown crazy attached to Elena only because he subconsciously saw her as a replacement for Sarah, especially considering I think it's only been months since Sarah's death?? Not sure. I think it'd be hard to deny that he sees her as someone he can protect and keep from harm, things he wasn't able to do for Sarah. Once I learned he had a fiancée whom he actually loved and wanted to have a family with, I somehow felt his and Elena's connection was...lessened. I don't doubt they actually formed some sort of weird bond, but it definitely wasn't all there if you get what I mean. But then again, they were in the middle of a war, so a lot of the feelings that came from that probably weren't healthy. His backstory made him much more real as a character, but purely on a "romance" level, it definitely put a damper on them as a potential couple. At least for me. But I know this isn't truly a romance story first and foremost. Buuut unfortunately that kind of ruined it for me. I'm torn, though. On one hand, I like that his background made him more human and realistic, but on the other, I would've preferred that if he was engaged to someone else, it was purely out of duty and he didn't harbor any feelings toward her. After learning that, it didn't really feel so much to me anymore that he'd really fallen for Elena for who she was. (But then at the end, Martha says the way he looked at Elena vs Sarah was vastly different, so that helped just a little, I guess.)
-I'm personally not a fan of stories where the girl initially starts out as a tool of revenge for the guy, even if he does genuinely grow to have feelings for her. Just never been a fan of those types of stories.
-I liked at the end where Elena acknowledged that she wasn't even sure if what she felt for him was actually love or something else. At least she was self-aware about that. And that he wasn't a "good" man in the strictest sense of the word. I liked that conflict of emotion from her.
-Learning that BOTH sides of the war, not just the Nyrmans, have committed/continued to commit horrible atrocities against the other side makes the whole situation vastly more complex, which I like. Nothing's black and white. This made me contend with questions like: how do you act and react when neither side is "good"? Do you turn the other cheek? Or give as good as you got? Is "two wrongs don't make a right" always true?
-I do wish there was a different ending, but the bleakness of it made it feel more real. I cried. I just knew when he said they'd see each other soon near the end that they wouldn't, and it had my heart sinking.
-Also wish we got to hear a little more of her adult life after the war. Did she remain a single mother all her life? Did she ever find love (again)? What happened to the country? What was life like?
-Very sad that she didn't even have anything to remember Damien by (apart from the obvious aka her son). Not a picture or painting. Just a memory of him. It really hits home how transient our lives are and how human and therefore fallible our memories are. She went through a life-changing ordeal of which he was a huge part and she went the rest of her life with only a memory of him.
-I do wonder if they would've really made it as a couple after the war if he'd lived. What would their lives together have been like in peacetime? Food for thought.
-I just really liked that final image of everyone who'd passed looking back at Elena from up on the hill and her saying she'd see them again one day. That really hit me. I thought it was a very poignant moment.
TECHNICAL ISSUES:
Idk if it's the version I read, but it was full of grammatical errors, numerous typos, weird and improper use of verb tenses, and misuse of words ("retrieved into myself" rather than "retreated into myself" and repeatedly using "phantom" instead of "fathom").
OVERALL:
I was really conflicted on how to rate this because even though there were a lot of things that bothered me, it was compelling enough to keep my attention, which is saying something because my attention span when it comes to books is admittedly not very high and I tend to DNF books early on. But this I finished in the span of a day. It was still a worthy read even if I got really annoyed with the protagonist's inner thoughts sometimes.
Don't get me wrong--I sympathized with her, rooted for her, felt for everything she was going through. I just sometimes thought she was too perfect. I like good people. I want to be a good person, and I think a lot of us like to think we are good people. But war breeds chaos. Civility goes out the window--that, or you could argue that it's during times of such suffering and strife that people finally show their true colors.
HOWEVER, I get the message the author was trying to convey. That even in those times, especially in those times, we need to hold on to our humanity. Even though I was bothered by some of Elena's thoughts, I could see that. Although, I will be totally honest: I also wondered if her sacrificing nature was in part due to a need to make her more "likable" and palatable to readers. And anyway, her sacrificing nature was a big reason Damien fell for her in the first place, soooo idk.
I get that it's extremely easy to judge a character's actions from the safe confines of outside the page. If we were actually in it, we might react just the same. Or differently. There's no knowing. Anyway, this book obviously got me really thinking and reacting and taking it seriously, so there's that.
I give this somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars. So, this book had me feeling all sorts of ways, not all of them good. It's not quite as cut and dried as this, but I was generally left feeling two different ways for each half or so of the book. And yes, some of my feelings changed as we learned more, or at least they grew way more convoluted. I don't really know how to eloquently organize my thoughts on this, so it's just a bunch of rambling and copying from the notes I took as I read. This is a long one.
FIRST HALF:
-Prologue had me hooked and having no idea how the story was going to end, which is always a thrill.
-Was often wondering why Damien Crane singled her out and was so fixated on her. Figured it couldn't have only been her looks, so guessed there was some sort of past there.
-Could not get a read on him, Crane. Often had no idea what he was going to do/say next.
-Supreeeemely annoyed me when Elena would constantly feel guilt for feeling like an intruder in the Nyrmans' personal space. Couple of examples: feeling bad about eavesdropping and feeling she "has no right" to use their perceived belongings (i.e. hairbrush) when they're not there. ??!! Fuck that. If that were me, I would feel no shame. Maybe repulsed yeah, just 'cause they're items of the enemy, but guilty? And then she's the one apologizing when she gets caught. Apologizing when they're the ones committing atrocities against you and your people.
-Wondering if Elena's warming up to Crane was partly due to Stockholm Syndrome (which she even later acknowledges)
-Straight up went ".....what." when she said she was saddened by the officer's death. The officer who beat her and whipped her and was about to brutally rape her. Yup. She was saddened by his death. I'm sorry. What?????? Okay. Maaayybe I can swallow her belief that the punishment was too harsh even though he definitely wouldn't have showed her any mercy if the tables were turned. But to say she was saddened??? Not just regretful, but SADDENED? *throws up hands* I can't. Maybe all my opposition to this says something about me, but I don't care. I actually agreed with Damien when he insisted that he would kill anyone who touched her. When I read the kinds of things the soldiers were doing to the prisoners on the daily, I couldn't help but agree with him. (Side note: I swear I'm not a bad person, you guys. 😅) BUT I was able to understand the not-so-underlying message: two wrongs don't make a right. One wrong is not a justification for another. (a quote straight from the book)
-Felt like Elena was waaayyy too forgiving of the soldiers
-I find it hard to believe that in all her life Elena didn't find out the white flag on the Sariyan doors was the flag of their former country
-Again, wondering why? Why?! Why is he so obsessed with you and what happened in the past that made him fixate on you?! (rest assured, will be answered)
-Feel like author's trying too hard to paint Elena as a good, conscientious person. Just wanted to scream at her, they are torturing and abusing and raping and killing your people and you're still so considerate??!
-A lot of times when it annoyed me that no matter how much pain she was going through, she always managed to be so understanding and selfless and while that's obviously not bad, kinda felt to me like the author was trying to make her more likable to readers. Me personally, I don't like when we readers demand perfection from our protagonists, especially when they're female (because God forbid a female character has flaws and complexity). Yes, moral compasses are obviously great, but no one is 100% that way all of the time. I would've liked to see Elena display just one instance of selfishness, even if it was just in her thoughts. Why? Because it makes her less perfect, more human, and less martyr-like.
-The above thought doesn't apply to when she did things like step in front of her friend before she could be whipped again. Again, things like that, I understand. I think we all do.
SECOND HALF:
-When everything about Damien was revealed, I couldn't escape the sense that he'd grown crazy attached to Elena only because he subconsciously saw her as a replacement for Sarah, especially considering I think it's only been months since Sarah's death?? Not sure. I think it'd be hard to deny that he sees her as someone he can protect and keep from harm, things he wasn't able to do for Sarah. Once I learned he had a fiancée whom he actually loved and wanted to have a family with, I somehow felt his and Elena's connection was...lessened. I don't doubt they actually formed some sort of weird bond, but it definitely wasn't all there if you get what I mean. But then again, they were in the middle of a war, so a lot of the feelings that came from that probably weren't healthy. His backstory made him much more real as a character, but purely on a "romance" level, it definitely put a damper on them as a potential couple. At least for me. But I know this isn't truly a romance story first and foremost. Buuut unfortunately that kind of ruined it for me. I'm torn, though. On one hand, I like that his background made him more human and realistic, but on the other, I would've preferred that if he was engaged to someone else, it was purely out of duty and he didn't harbor any feelings toward her. After learning that, it didn't really feel so much to me anymore that he'd really fallen for Elena for who she was. (But then at the end, Martha says the way he looked at Elena vs Sarah was vastly different, so that helped just a little, I guess.)
-I'm personally not a fan of stories where the girl initially starts out as a tool of revenge for the guy, even if he does genuinely grow to have feelings for her. Just never been a fan of those types of stories.
-I liked at the end where Elena acknowledged that she wasn't even sure if what she felt for him was actually love or something else. At least she was self-aware about that. And that he wasn't a "good" man in the strictest sense of the word. I liked that conflict of emotion from her.
-Learning that BOTH sides of the war, not just the Nyrmans, have committed/continued to commit horrible atrocities against the other side makes the whole situation vastly more complex, which I like. Nothing's black and white. This made me contend with questions like: how do you act and react when neither side is "good"? Do you turn the other cheek? Or give as good as you got? Is "two wrongs don't make a right" always true?
-I do wish there was a different ending, but the bleakness of it made it feel more real. I cried. I just knew when he said they'd see each other soon near the end that they wouldn't, and it had my heart sinking.
-Also wish we got to hear a little more of her adult life after the war. Did she remain a single mother all her life? Did she ever find love (again)? What happened to the country? What was life like?
-Very sad that she didn't even have anything to remember Damien by (apart from the obvious aka her son). Not a picture or painting. Just a memory of him. It really hits home how transient our lives are and how human and therefore fallible our memories are. She went through a life-changing ordeal of which he was a huge part and she went the rest of her life with only a memory of him.
-I do wonder if they would've really made it as a couple after the war if he'd lived. What would their lives together have been like in peacetime? Food for thought.
-I just really liked that final image of everyone who'd passed looking back at Elena from up on the hill and her saying she'd see them again one day. That really hit me. I thought it was a very poignant moment.
TECHNICAL ISSUES:
Idk if it's the version I read, but it was full of grammatical errors, numerous typos, weird and improper use of verb tenses, and misuse of words ("retrieved into myself" rather than "retreated into myself" and repeatedly using "phantom" instead of "fathom").
OVERALL:
I was really conflicted on how to rate this because even though there were a lot of things that bothered me, it was compelling enough to keep my attention, which is saying something because my attention span when it comes to books is admittedly not very high and I tend to DNF books early on. But this I finished in the span of a day. It was still a worthy read even if I got really annoyed with the protagonist's inner thoughts sometimes.
Don't get me wrong--I sympathized with her, rooted for her, felt for everything she was going through. I just sometimes thought she was too perfect. I like good people. I want to be a good person, and I think a lot of us like to think we are good people. But war breeds chaos. Civility goes out the window--that, or you could argue that it's during times of such suffering and strife that people finally show their true colors.
HOWEVER, I get the message the author was trying to convey. That even in those times, especially in those times, we need to hold on to our humanity. Even though I was bothered by some of Elena's thoughts, I could see that. Although, I will be totally honest: I also wondered if her sacrificing nature was in part due to a need to make her more "likable" and palatable to readers. And anyway, her sacrificing nature was a big reason Damien fell for her in the first place, soooo idk.
I get that it's extremely easy to judge a character's actions from the safe confines of outside the page. If we were actually in it, we might react just the same. Or differently. There's no knowing. Anyway, this book obviously got me really thinking and reacting and taking it seriously, so there's that.
August 29, 2019
Unusual.
This book is unusual in the sense that it is not a traditional romance in any sense, and doesn't really follow love story guidelines. Whether or not that is a good thing is left up to the reader.
It is unapologetic, the male protagonist (I think it would be stretching it to call him the hero) is a complex, bizarre creature. He is both the hero and the villain in a way that I haven't really seen before. I wouldn't exactly say antihero, but he is definitely not the heroine's dream come true. And he doesn't change. The protagonists learn about each other on an emotional as well a physical battleground, and the violence of the backdrop is their common ground. I guess that this is a love story, but at the same time it isn't. I think it is more of a story about human nature.
What I did not like about this book was the total lack of respect or even acknowledgment on the hero's part of the heroine's values and morals. Otherwise it was very interesting and gripping.
Very unusual, indeed.
Before reading this, be aware that it contains trigger material including rape and dubious consent.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
This book is unusual in the sense that it is not a traditional romance in any sense, and doesn't really follow love story guidelines. Whether or not that is a good thing is left up to the reader.
It is unapologetic, the male protagonist (I think it would be stretching it to call him the hero) is a complex, bizarre creature. He is both the hero and the villain in a way that I haven't really seen before. I wouldn't exactly say antihero, but he is definitely not the heroine's dream come true. And he doesn't change. The protagonists learn about each other on an emotional as well a physical battleground, and the violence of the backdrop is their common ground. I guess that this is a love story, but at the same time it isn't. I think it is more of a story about human nature.
What I did not like about this book was the total lack of respect or even acknowledgment on the hero's part of the heroine's values and morals. Otherwise it was very interesting and gripping.
Very unusual, indeed.
Before reading this, be aware that it contains trigger material including rape and dubious consent.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
August 24, 2019
This book tugs at the heartstrings. It is so full of darkness, but with enough light to keep you reading. The trials of the young woman in this book are horrific, and her fellow people suffer worse than she does. How people can treat others like this astounds me. If people would read this book and understand that it simply doesn't matter what packaging we come in, that we are all the same underneath, the world would be a much better place!
There are times in this book that I would like to strangle the author, and yet others that I want only to hug her, and cry with her. Astrid Jane Ray has a way with words that allows you to see and feel the emotions of her characters.
I would like to see her beta team and her editor catch the numerous small mistakes that made me reread many sentences though, which is why I didn't give this wonderful book full stars.
There are times in this book that I would like to strangle the author, and yet others that I want only to hug her, and cry with her. Astrid Jane Ray has a way with words that allows you to see and feel the emotions of her characters.
I would like to see her beta team and her editor catch the numerous small mistakes that made me reread many sentences though, which is why I didn't give this wonderful book full stars.
July 27, 2017
Take part of the genesis of "Something Greater"!
On Wattpad is an exceptional book in the making. Amazingly intense and powerful, it leads us into the hell of violence and dehumanization. A hell of temptations in face of death.
A hell where love is born?
https://www.wattpad.com/story/7534599...
On Wattpad is an exceptional book in the making. Amazingly intense and powerful, it leads us into the hell of violence and dehumanization. A hell of temptations in face of death.
A hell where love is born?
https://www.wattpad.com/story/7534599...
September 26, 2023
The ending ruined the book.
January 28, 2021
The conclusion of this book was beyond sad. I can't re-read this book, its too sad.
May 4, 2023
It’s was much like her other books. It is only told from her view point. I enjoyed it until the very end. Not the typical HEA I prefer, hence the two stars.
June 13, 2023
I lost brain cells reading this.
January 24, 2025
Bad writing
the heroine is a coward and annoying
the heroine is a coward and annoying
August 30, 2019
I was promised an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review. I have been waiting for 'Something Greater' for a long- long time now and I was quite over the moon when I received an ARC as you can imagine.
Before I begin, I must confess, I am a fan of the author- simply because she dares to tap into different situations which could be considered or rather are looked down upon in society and kept on the down low. I really liked Virtue and Vanity and had high hopes with this.
The story is situated in a hypothetical world in the middle of a civil crisis. This world is a mirror into the world we live in today which is marred with violence, domination, greed and exploitation. A far cry from her previous novel in terms of premise, Something Greater manages to decently convince the reader of a war torn country. The author has attempted to explain the parallel political scenario in order to drive the story forward- and done a pretty good job at it. The facts seem believable and the situations though may or may not be relatable, are not a stretch to imagine because of the previously established turmoil.
Recently orphaned Elena finds herself as a prisoner at one of the enemy camps. She is young, fearless, passionate and innocent. The reason I say innocent is because of her thought process. Now, I wasn't expecting a 180, but Elena left me with a familiar taste of Isabelle from Virtue and Vanity. This was probably the let down in this book for me. Isabelle and Elena seemed interchangable. A book really loses out to me when I do not love the main lead- especially the one who's point of view the readers see. Elena according to me was on a moral high ground with a slightly irritating frequency. Once the character seems too 'perfect' or 'preachy', readers automatically lose interest. And that is what happened with Elena for me. I would have loved to see a different more memorable character which drove the story rather than the other way around.
Damien. Ah Damien. I liked him. A lot. I felt that it was his character that carried the story on it's shoulders. He was different. A little idealistic and unreal for a man in his position some might argue but lovable all the same. His action never once made me feel uncalled for. This is a commander with values. And a pretty great one at that.
The rest of the elements in the book played their part well. The pacing was done right. The support characters were spot on. The ending however was rushed and not given it's due. A personal opinion but I would have rather cut a few episodes in the beginning to give the end the time it deserved. All in all, I'm pretty happy. It was a fun read which dealt with a lot of sensitive issues which were handled well. But is it on my favourites list, maybe not. A must read for all Astrid Jane Ray fans, however.
Before I begin, I must confess, I am a fan of the author- simply because she dares to tap into different situations which could be considered or rather are looked down upon in society and kept on the down low. I really liked Virtue and Vanity and had high hopes with this.
The story is situated in a hypothetical world in the middle of a civil crisis. This world is a mirror into the world we live in today which is marred with violence, domination, greed and exploitation. A far cry from her previous novel in terms of premise, Something Greater manages to decently convince the reader of a war torn country. The author has attempted to explain the parallel political scenario in order to drive the story forward- and done a pretty good job at it. The facts seem believable and the situations though may or may not be relatable, are not a stretch to imagine because of the previously established turmoil.
Recently orphaned Elena finds herself as a prisoner at one of the enemy camps. She is young, fearless, passionate and innocent. The reason I say innocent is because of her thought process. Now, I wasn't expecting a 180, but Elena left me with a familiar taste of Isabelle from Virtue and Vanity. This was probably the let down in this book for me. Isabelle and Elena seemed interchangable. A book really loses out to me when I do not love the main lead- especially the one who's point of view the readers see. Elena according to me was on a moral high ground with a slightly irritating frequency. Once the character seems too 'perfect' or 'preachy', readers automatically lose interest. And that is what happened with Elena for me. I would have loved to see a different more memorable character which drove the story rather than the other way around.
Damien. Ah Damien. I liked him. A lot. I felt that it was his character that carried the story on it's shoulders. He was different. A little idealistic and unreal for a man in his position some might argue but lovable all the same. His action never once made me feel uncalled for. This is a commander with values. And a pretty great one at that.
The rest of the elements in the book played their part well. The pacing was done right. The support characters were spot on. The ending however was rushed and not given it's due. A personal opinion but I would have rather cut a few episodes in the beginning to give the end the time it deserved. All in all, I'm pretty happy. It was a fun read which dealt with a lot of sensitive issues which were handled well. But is it on my favourites list, maybe not. A must read for all Astrid Jane Ray fans, however.
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