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laurenelisewrites's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
OBSESSED. WOW! I consumed this book in one sitting. This was such a fun story. The characters came alive in such a vivid way. It was all too easy to fall in love with them. The magic system was really unique and yet it called back to the hallmarks of classic fantasy. I needed this story more than I realized. Also, the romance was DELICIOUS.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Bullying, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Child death
lolsous's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
scarlett_f's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, Toxic relationship, Death, Body horror, Confinement, Violence, and Bullying
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Vomit, Gore, Self harm, Sexual content, Grief, Child death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Drug use and Domestic abuse
haileeraye's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content
lillimariexo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Physical abuse
howboutjane's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Dr. Seuss for adults that like dark fantasy. Really interesting magic system, solid plot and a cute slow burn romance. Great read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Minor: Torture, Child abuse, Abandonment, Sexual content, and Child death
cecilie26's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I REALLY loved this book!
It’s been quite a long time since I found a book, that makes me forget the world around me. This one did!
The characters, the plot everything just made sense. Even though the love interest didn’t get that much time to get to know each other before falling in love, I think it’s okay in this one. Even though I would be more than happy to have it made more time to show that they got to know each other and see when they clicked.
Though I’m not against spice, but I didn’t quite see the need for it in this book. Or see the need for it to be described.
Otherwise that small detail I really loved it. The author made you hate the characters you should hate and love the characters you should love really easily.
Loved that the character was smart and thought ahead and who to trust.
I couldn’t recommend this enough.
It’s been quite a long time since I found a book, that makes me forget the world around me. This one did!
The characters, the plot everything just made sense. Even though the love interest didn’t get that much time to get to know each other before falling in love, I think it’s okay in this one. Even though I would be more than happy to have it made more time to show that they got to know each other and see when they clicked.
Though I’m not against spice, but I didn’t quite see the need for it in this book. Or see the need for it to be described.
Otherwise that small detail I really loved it. The author made you hate the characters you should hate and love the characters you should love really easily.
Loved that the character was smart and thought ahead and who to trust.
I couldn’t recommend this enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Murder
saeriiss's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book is delightful to read, it manages to be funny and engaging while exploring dark themes and settings, and I think that's what drew me in the most.
The magic system is quite cool, although not original, it's different from what we are used to see and the way the author incorporates it into the world is very refreshing. I loved the characters, Elspeth and the Yews (including Elm) were well built during the story and I was able to connect easily with them, the only problem is that, despite the enemies-to-lovers trope between the main couple, it feels like there is no character development, but I think that's a consequence of another issue in this book.
If I'm being honest, this book feels like it's actually the first half of a story that has been dragged out. It's not until 40% in that the plot starts to develop a bit and the final 30% is extremely rushed because we spent the rest of it doing barely anything. You're probably thinking "maybe it's just a character-driven story", and yes, you might see it that way, but then there should've been much more development of the main characters' arc and journey, we should've seen them in way more depth than we were able to.
Final thoughts: if you're looking for an easy read, with very cool characters, a seductive male lead, dark magic, a royal family full of secrets, and kind of a plot going on in the background, I highly recommend this!
The magic system is quite cool, although not original, it's different from what we are used to see and the way the author incorporates it into the world is very refreshing. I loved the characters, Elspeth and the Yews (including Elm) were well built during the story and I was able to connect easily with them, the only problem is that, despite the enemies-to-lovers trope between the main couple, it feels like there is no character development, but I think that's a consequence of another issue in this book.
If I'm being honest, this book feels like it's actually the first half of a story that has been dragged out. It's not until 40% in that the plot starts to develop a bit and the final 30% is extremely rushed because we spent the rest of it doing barely anything. You're probably thinking "maybe it's just a character-driven story", and yes, you might see it that way, but then there should've been much more development of the main characters' arc and journey, we should've seen them in way more depth than we were able to.
Final thoughts: if you're looking for an easy read, with very cool characters, a seductive male lead, dark magic, a royal family full of secrets, and kind of a plot going on in the background, I highly recommend this!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Minor: Sexual content
thehannahclaire's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Violence, and Sexual content
janieboucher's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Terminal illness, and Mental illness
Moderate: Murder, Violence, and Child death
Minor: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse