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thewillowwood's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Good book! Interesting worldbuilding and a good queer romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Violence, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
the main plot of this book revolves around human sacrificedistraughtplant's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
My favorite thing about this book is how it is unafraid to spill the characters darkest secrets - not the ones that push the plot, the ones that show just how human Lina and Eva are while simultaneously calling out our own "dark" thoughts and desires. Fantasies of power, control, attention, perfection, and revenge are never spared the light of the page. Being unafraid to display Lina and Evas vulnerabilities in this way draws me to relate to them more deeply, in a way that helped me share their thrills and twinges of delicious taboos.
Probably the biggest weakpoint of the book is that their feelings for each other seem to develop too quickly. It feels there are things we missed during the time skips that would have helped the climaxes pack a heavier impact - one the character and world building deserved. Overall, I loved this book and would read it to another as a sort of dark bedtime story.
Probably the biggest weakpoint of the book is that their feelings for each other seem to develop too quickly. It feels there are things we missed during the time skips that would have helped the climaxes pack a heavier impact - one the character and world building deserved. Overall, I loved this book and would read it to another as a sort of dark bedtime story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
Minor: Suicide attempt and Self harm
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Violence
Minor: Suicide and Domestic abuse
oliverreeds's review
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
the characters dont act like real humans and when they do theyre garbage humans. every character either has a savior complex or a victim complex and its so unlikeable. i LOVE unlikeable characters but these characters were supposed to be likeable. the plot was not great. it didnt even get started until page 200 which ALSO isnt usually an issue for me but the characters were so horrible if became one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Violence
qraveline's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A wonderfully dark, witchy romance that takes you through a courageous, though scared woman's attempts to save the ones she loved and feels responsible for putting in danger. This definitely has an enemies to lovers vibe, though they don't quite get to lovers in the end .
The writing was fantastic and kept me page-turning. I finished the book in one sitting and at no point during my reading was I bored. A great read with queer characters and a plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The reduction of .75 stars is because of two reasons: a) the romance felt a bit rushed, and b) I felt the ending left a little to be desired; it left it open for future books though if the author plans on going forward in this world. Currently this is listed as a standalone book, which is what makes me disappointed at the ending.
The writing was fantastic and kept me page-turning. I finished the book in one sitting and at no point during my reading was I bored. A great read with queer characters and a plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The reduction of .75 stars is because of two reasons: a) the romance felt a bit rushed, and b) I felt the ending left a little to be desired; it left it open for future books though if the author plans on going forward in this world. Currently this is listed as a standalone book, which is what makes me disappointed at the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, and Death
Minor: Suicide
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I felt this book to be really lacking despite the immensely cool premise. I found Lina and Eva to be both one-dimensional and truly unlikeable at the same time. They had no chemistry together outside of their animosity for each other (which felt like a really weak take on enemies-to-lovers). Side characters like Thomas and Marcin aren't really explored, so I found myself wanting more on their compelling backstories.
Though the world was very interesting, I found there wasn't enough focus on it to really maximize the appeal of that intricate fantasy world.
Though the world was very interesting, I found there wasn't enough focus on it to really maximize the appeal of that intricate fantasy world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Blood
friendly_neighborhood_grandma's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It's a fun book that i liked to read but there are a lot(!) Of plot holes. And the sapphic is kinda breif and at the end. Amazing vibes. Read this when you dont want anything difficult to read, witch revels, sea, and lots of horny teenagers trying not to die.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Cursing, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Medical content, Self harm, Blood, and Gaslighting
Minor: Vomit
erovelo's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Violence
sandy_21's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Confinement, and Suicide
Minor: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-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
4.0
Wow I loved this book! It is so dark and atmospheric and magical. It gave me a similar feeling as when I read The Wicked Deep for the first time.
I just absolutely love the magic, the water, the witches. The plot is so interesting and the lore of the island was so engaging to read about.
I felt like the characters were a little underdeveloped in favor of a more developed plot. I wish there had been more chemistry between the love interests in order to make it more believable. I felt like the best developed relationship was Lina and her brother.
I just absolutely love the magic, the water, the witches. The plot is so interesting and the lore of the island was so engaging to read about.
I felt like the characters were a little underdeveloped in favor of a more developed plot. I wish there had been more chemistry between the love interests in order to make it more believable. I felt like the best developed relationship was Lina and her brother.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, and Violence