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rustedguina's review
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
It would have been nice to see other female characters other than the main character as logical, thoughtful human beings
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Gun violence, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Murder, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, Adult/minor relationship, and Toxic friendship
novella42's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Medical content, and Body shaming
Minor: Gun violence, Blood, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, and Chronic illness
Specifics on ableism and the medical content detail:quirkykayleetam's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This regency romance is like Jane Austen without the sarcasm and social commentary. It has so many internal references to Austen's works from its hillside strawberry picking expedition to its charming, gold-digging officers and melodramatically sick mamas to the format of its happily-ever-after and epilogue. However, it pales in comparison to Austen's work when it comes to pacing, the interiority of all but its central character, relationships between family members, and sheer romantic tension.
I only rated this book as high as I did because of its possibilities. Milk and Honey introduces glamour into the high society of regency life, a type of illusion magic generally practiced by gentlewomen as a lilting accomplishment. As the book continues, we start to see other ideas about glamour, theories that see it as a true art form, a combination of emotion and physics, and, finally, an amazing asset in gunfights as well as ballrooms. I cannot wait to see what happens in this series when Mary Robinette Kowal breaks from Austen's formula and lets her world building shine.
While this book is a fine regency romance that heavily explores elder sibling syndrome and how to feel one's emotions without harming others, despite its sudden and (literally) explosive ending, it mostly sets up a world and two central characters who have even more potential to come.
I only rated this book as high as I did because of its possibilities. Milk and Honey introduces glamour into the high society of regency life, a type of illusion magic generally practiced by gentlewomen as a lilting accomplishment. As the book continues, we start to see other ideas about glamour, theories that see it as a true art form, a combination of emotion and physics, and, finally, an amazing asset in gunfights as well as ballrooms. I cannot wait to see what happens in this series when Mary Robinette Kowal breaks from Austen's formula and lets her world building shine.
While this book is a fine regency romance that heavily explores elder sibling syndrome and how to feel one's emotions without harming others, despite its sudden and (literally) explosive ending, it mostly sets up a world and two central characters who have even more potential to come.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Gun violence
touchegiantsquid's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I found the writing engaging but the ending felt off to me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Cultural appropriation, and Gun violence
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