Karina’s Reviews > Better in Black > Status Update

The Time of Two: 4.5/5 i liked this too, nice to see their life post The Dark Artifaces. I think this book is doing a good job of setting up The Wicked Powers, its a good refresher on what happened. I wish I remembered how they got engaged

I'd like to know more about her perspective on her feelings about him and their relationship because honestly from what I remember he cheated on her and I don't even know why she'd forgive him. I like that we get the story of their engagement though it's cute

I think maybe this short story was necessary, because I definitely did think that she was the Ic Queen and he was the Frog Guy way before this short story, so I like that Izzy is like that's really offensive to me, why would I not be equally invested? I'd like to see more of them for sure because it does feel like she's out of his league, I'd like to know more about her perspective on her feelings

I appreciated Izzy's perspective on the "I love you I know" situation because I agreed with Simon! I hate that trope, I don't think it's as romantic as people think it is but Izzy made a great point as to why it was in this context. I think it's sweet how she interpreted that, and then they had their own moment at the end, validating what they said, I liked it

City of Broken Hearts: 4.5/5 I really liked it, I thought it was sweet and funny, very much a good throw back to the original series. I'm not a Star Wars fan, but I appreciate The Star Wars analysis because I think it really was key to understanding their relationship. I appreciated Izzy's perspective on the "I love you I know" situation because I agreed with Simon!

Really put into perspective the 'he hates everyone but her' trope. What i I viewed as devotion albeit toxic and unhealthy, is actually kinda worthless: "You had all your Julian’s love, but what was it worth when he was incapable of caring for anyone or anything else?"

Bred in the Bone: 4.5/5 I liked this story, good plot, almost felt like a chapter or two in The Dark Artifaces instead of a short story. The way they discussed love i thought was really cute and deep. Really put into perspective the 'he hates everyone but her' trope. What i I viewed as devotion albeit toxic and unhealthy, is actually kinda worthless.

A Surfiet of Annas: 3.5?4? I liked it though was never a huge fan of them together, I enjoyed a slutty Anna more and don't remember feeling like Ari deserved Anna, but I guess they're good here

The Judgement of King Kieran: 2/5 Tbh I don't like this, the writing is making me hate our only throuple, the dialog is weird and unnatural for present day speech, and the mentions of the throuple were kinda horny and ion like it... I was willing to squint and pretend I can buy the live story between Christina and Kieran bc i already have issues with that from the original trilogy but ugh the dialog is even weird. Do

The Judgement of King Kieran: the dialog is awkward, its overly formal.