Overall Grade: B
Tropes; MFMM; forced proximity; dub con; why choose; found family; dark romance
B.B. Reid’s Chrysalis finally brings the happy ending to her Men of the Wilds duology. Both Crucible, the first book, and Chrysalis are action-packed. There is not a moment of downtime for Aurelia, Thorin, Khalil, or Zeke/Seth/Bane. Reid has gifted her readers with rich story and character development across both books, and Chrysalis provides a satisfying ending to their story.
What kind of reader should pick up this duology? One who loves an FMC who is self-possessed and self-aware. An FMC who can capture the attention of three (rather, five) very different personalities and hold it. The reader of Chrysalis should also be prepared to suspend their disbelief, because Reid puts her characters through their paces as they survive the wilds and civilization in equal measure. She does not hold back in developing challenges, both physical and emotional, for her characters or her readers. And a reader of this book should absolutely adore smut of the “why choose” variety.
Both books of the duology are saturated with the undeniable attraction between these characters, and it would be easy to conclude that is the core of the story. Yet Reid takes the space of two full books for her characters to genuinely evolve. This duology is not simply a retelling of the Goldilocks fairy tale. It explores characters who are seemingly villainous yet also victims, people who have resorted to dark actions simply to survive. Reid draws complex characters who must navigate harsh physical conditions and traumatic experiences as they grow. Amid these layered characterizations, the narrative pulses with murderous revenge and hard-won reconciliation. Chrysalis and Crucible are deliciously smutty without ever negating the depth of character development underneath.
Did I struggle with the dub con elements at the start? Yes. However, Reid builds enough understanding of her characters that we come to accept it, and she continues developing their relationships to show Thorin, Khalil, and Zeke/Seth/Bane’s genuine adoration and respect for Aurelia as the story unfolds. Are there moments that could have used further development to feel more believable? Sure. But first and foremost, B.B. Reid’s intent is entertainment, and this duology delivers. It is spicy and action-filled, with the underlying idea that love is love, no matter how messy it becomes.
If you are a fan of the “why choose” trope, B.B. Reid’s Chrysalis, book two of her Men of the Wilds series, should be your next read.
In love and romance,
Professor A
Professor Romance 