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kylosten's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Minor: Pregnancy
prishukla's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I think C.J. Polk's style just isn't for me. I liked the concept of spirits as familiars, but it was a bit preachy for me at times (men can do magic, but women are too fragile and need to be restrained) I also didn't particularly care for the Victorian world-building (tension around throwing the best picnic or identifying flowers correctly just don't really build suspense for me). But the magic itself of the book was great & I enjoyed the climax of the book, as a result.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
nyxeira's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Confinement
saphfics's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
There were moments I like. I loved Isabetta and Beatrice's mom. The relationship and understanding between Isabetta and Beatrice felt more like the heart of the story than Beatrice's romance. The misogyny was very violent to read so do be careful with that.
However there were still a lot of things that were less enjoyable to me as a reader. Beatrice as a protagonist was very infuriating at times. Especially near the end when it felt like the author was making her make stupid and rash decisions to make the story have more tensions. Like I felt there was just a little more communication needed. And it was to the point that I wanted Isabetta to be the main protagonist. Like without me wanting to know the end of Isabetta's story caused me me not DNF.
I felt like the dad was forgiven way too easily for what he has done and I didn't like it how the way he treated in this family was never addressed.Like he wanted to marry her to someone who was trying to kill her. Helped violently attack her, ignored her when her mother was pleading with him
However there were still a lot of things that were less enjoyable to me as a reader. Beatrice as a protagonist was very infuriating at times. Especially near the end when it felt like the author was making her make stupid and rash decisions to make the story have more tensions. Like I felt there was just a little more communication needed. And it was to the point that I wanted Isabetta to be the main protagonist. Like without me wanting to know the end of Isabetta's story caused me me not DNF.
I felt like the dad was forgiven way too easily for what he has done and I didn't like it how the way he treated in this family was never addressed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Rape
bisonprints's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Death
readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Child abuse, and Misogyny
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood, Alcohol, Murder, Animal cruelty, Child death, Vomit, Death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
elodiethefangirl's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
galliexyc's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Classism, Misogyny, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
lizzie_b99's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
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
4.5
I enjoyed this more than I expected I would! After reading ACOTAR, I found it a bit difficult to get past the hero's name, but they're ideologies are completely different - I promise. The action really picks up for the last 100 or so pages. I would have liked more explanation for some of the magic things since the system wasn't always explained well, which becomes more of an issue later in the novel as the magic becomes more complex. It's a cute fantasy world that seems reminiscent of Regency England although the world is definitely in an entirely fictional space.
I'm really shocked that Beatrice seemed to completely forgive her father at the end. Given his behaviour and his willingness to marry her off to someone who was LITERALLY WILLING TO KILL HER just a few days before, I don't think I'd have been able to forgive him, especially as quickly as she seems to. Ditto for Ysbeta and her parents. I also wish the epilogue addressed women like Beatrice's mom who are sorceresses but are married to non-sorcerers. How do they protect their children without the collar? The epilogue acknowledges that there's more to learn and more secrets to discover, but I wish there was an answer for people like Mrs Clayborn since so many of the marriages are between non-sorcerer men who want to add magic to their bloodlines. .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Pregnancy, Blood, Cursing, and Violence
ellornaslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
5.0
As my former review of this book was on GR when I read it in 2021 & disappeared, this is a quick new review. Apologies if it isn't as good as my old one:
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I. Absolutely. Love. This. Book.
This is my first foray into the works of C.L. Polk, but it was a great start and definitely incentive to read more. I was recommended this book for a readathon that I participated in, and it was my favorite book I read during that readathon and a top read for the whole month. I didn't know this was a genre I needed. Fantasy Romance set in the Regency like I was hooked so fast. Even moreso we get our social commentary with whispers of the possibility of not just being able to decide ones own future, but to possibly change society's rules entirely. Wealthy women can't attend school for magic, and are even discouraged from simple charms, and once a contract is made in Bargaining Season well. . . that is it as married women must wearing magic-blocking collars during their reproductive years and the only one with the key is their husband.
The worldbuilding in Chasland and beyond was fascinating, especially in terms of commentary on ways women are restricted in society by claims that supposedly are meant to be protect them, and I do hope we'll get to see more of it in future works. It is definitely inspired by Regency England to some extent, but not entirely and we see this with the Lavan siblings who are not from Chasland and are visiting as their Mother has arranged a contract for Ysbeta that she is trying to get out of as well. While the romance between Beatrice and Ianthe is swoon-worthy? I love the friendship between Beatrice and Ysbeta that's born out of a common goal.
Another great aspect is that Beatrice's goal might sound selfish at first glance — though she entirely has the right to be if she chooses — yet as the story progresses you learn that it's about more than just her. And honestly, more caring than a certain family member deserves(I must say that of her family my favorite is absolutely her little sister Harriet). And as time is limited to save herself, she finds herself pushed closer to the Lavan siblings by her own goal, social circumstances, and by Nadi(who is such a fascinating character all by themself). This proximity leads to more interaction with Ianthe who Beatrice finds herself falling hard for as she learns he has more open-minded views — though perhaps a little naive about just how restrictive society is — being from a place that is more progressive. For Beatrice those feelings are dangerous as even where the Lavan siblings are from women are still prevented from studying higher level magic and must be collared. This makes everything much more tense, and then the book becomes even moreso. . . especially as Beatrice's father learns what is happening. But the outcome of the story as a whole and the wait for the HEA is worth everything.
The chosen family vibes, the LQBTIA+ rep, the interesting class dynamics relating to the difference in social power for wealthy women vs working class women, and more is great in this book. I will say that my only complaint is what happens concerning Beatrice's Father cause I think it was far too nice. But that is all I'll say.
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I. Absolutely. Love. This. Book.
This is my first foray into the works of C.L. Polk, but it was a great start and definitely incentive to read more. I was recommended this book for a readathon that I participated in, and it was my favorite book I read during that readathon and a top read for the whole month. I didn't know this was a genre I needed. Fantasy Romance set in the Regency like I was hooked so fast. Even moreso we get our social commentary with whispers of the possibility of not just being able to decide ones own future, but to possibly change society's rules entirely. Wealthy women can't attend school for magic, and are even discouraged from simple charms, and once a contract is made in Bargaining Season well. . . that is it as married women must wearing magic-blocking collars during their reproductive years and the only one with the key is their husband.
The worldbuilding in Chasland and beyond was fascinating, especially in terms of commentary on ways women are restricted in society by claims that supposedly are meant to be protect them, and I do hope we'll get to see more of it in future works. It is definitely inspired by Regency England to some extent, but not entirely and we see this with the Lavan siblings who are not from Chasland and are visiting as their Mother has arranged a contract for Ysbeta that she is trying to get out of as well. While the romance between Beatrice and Ianthe is swoon-worthy? I love the friendship between Beatrice and Ysbeta that's born out of a common goal.
Another great aspect is that Beatrice's goal might sound selfish at first glance — though she entirely has the right to be if she chooses — yet as the story progresses you learn that it's about more than just her. And honestly, more caring than a certain family member deserves(I must say that of her family my favorite is absolutely her little sister Harriet). And as time is limited to save herself, she finds herself pushed closer to the Lavan siblings by her own goal, social circumstances, and by Nadi(who is such a fascinating character all by themself). This proximity leads to more interaction with Ianthe who Beatrice finds herself falling hard for as she learns he has more open-minded views — though perhaps a little naive about just how restrictive society is — being from a place that is more progressive. For Beatrice those feelings are dangerous as even where the Lavan siblings are from women are still prevented from studying higher level magic and must be collared. This makes everything much more tense, and then the book becomes even moreso. . . especially as Beatrice's father learns what is happening. But the outcome of the story as a whole and the wait for the HEA is worth everything.
The chosen family vibes, the LQBTIA+ rep, the interesting class dynamics relating to the difference in social power for wealthy women vs working class women, and more is great in this book. I will say that my only complaint is what happens concerning Beatrice's Father cause I think it was far too nice. But that is all I'll say.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Toxic friendship