You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The vibes and story of this book were amazing! I think if you love a good slow burn, your book boyfriends morally grey and thought “what if Chaos was the mmc in Once Upon a Broken Heart” then this book should be right up your alley!! Loved the magical world and the witchy elements throughout and honestly the fmc Violette was just the sweetest soul. Their journey was so fun and I loved getting little glimpses into Dante’s past and their shared moments were too cute.
Unfortunately I think this book just hit me at a bad time, I was deep in a reading slump so I couldn’t connect with the characters as much which is also why the ending fell flat for me, but that was 100% a me problem I fear… I would still recommend giving it a go if you love all of the mentioned above!!
Unfortunately I think this book just hit me at a bad time, I was deep in a reading slump so I couldn’t connect with the characters as much which is also why the ending fell flat for me, but that was 100% a me problem I fear… I would still recommend giving it a go if you love all of the mentioned above!!
The writing. .. is just not good. Awkward choice of words, the setences stretching on, the tense changing. It sounds unnatural and stilted.
"The time was late. All the shops were closed except those few that were shining with inviting light, but no silhouettes in the windows were detected"
"The thought that he felt so sick didn't become commonplace and she couldn't get used to it, no matter how much time passed."
Needs much better editing.
"The time was late. All the shops were closed except those few that were shining with inviting light, but no silhouettes in the windows were detected"
"The thought that he felt so sick didn't become commonplace and she couldn't get used to it, no matter how much time passed."
Needs much better editing.
slow-paced
I wanted to like this. The premise sounds good and the character art looked great. Unfortunately, the writing is bad. I'm really not that picky but there are a lot of tense changes within a sentence. The descriptions are all just slightly off. I know ARC reviews pointed out there copy hadn't been edited but I got this off KU once the author said it was published. I don't think it ever got edited.
I ended up skimming the 45 pages in hope that the writing got better but alas, it did not. I'd love to give this another try once it's been polished.
Examples:
"I would like not to bother myself with explanations."
"His voice was velvet and sweet like a deceiving dream, every word an alluring invitation to something that promises to be a pure fairytale instead of the impending calamity it actually was; everything he could say she would believe without a second thought."
"She leaned on the door, slowly sliding down, followed by a quiet sob and then another one."
I ended up skimming the 45 pages in hope that the writing got better but alas, it did not. I'd love to give this another try once it's been polished.
Examples:
"I would like not to bother myself with explanations."
"His voice was velvet and sweet like a deceiving dream, every word an alluring invitation to something that promises to be a pure fairytale instead of the impending calamity it actually was; everything he could say she would believe without a second thought."
"She leaned on the door, slowly sliding down, followed by a quiet sob and then another one."
This book was amazing. A whimsical gothic fantasy tale with wizards, wizardlings, vampires and other magical creatures.
When Violette makes a deal with a handsome stranger, she knows everything can go wrong, but has no other choice. Little did she know, this stranger was really a vampire, a very strong one with a lot of enemies. Dante has many secrets, including why he has to wear an unusual mask over his mouth, but that's the reason he needs her help, and Violette would do anything to help her father feel better, even working together with a creature of the night. And so, their journey begins..
Potion of Deception is Ann Sorstone's debut Upper YA romantasy novel, with the following tropes:
When Violette makes a deal with a handsome stranger, she knows everything can go wrong, but has no other choice. Little did she know, this stranger was really a vampire, a very strong one with a lot of enemies. Dante has many secrets, including why he has to wear an unusual mask over his mouth, but that's the reason he needs her help, and Violette would do anything to help her father feel better, even working together with a creature of the night. And so, their journey begins..
Potion of Deception is Ann Sorstone's debut Upper YA romantasy novel, with the following tropes:
I really enjoyed the magic and potions in the book. I love how we got to see the actuality recipes for some of them. I enjoyed the banter between Violette and Dante. There definitely was some things I was not expecting. I loved getting to see them slowly open up to each other. The ending has me spiraling and I need the next book! If you are looking for a whimsical gothic fantasy book full of witches and vampires this book is for you! Thank you so much Ann Sorstone for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of the ARC Team!❤️
I really wanted to read this. It seemed promising from the author's posts but I just can't. I find it unreadable as it. Not if I want to enjoy my free time reading.
We were warned this arc wasn't edited yet, but the grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure (was this non organically translated for some other language to English?) and using words in expressions that don't make sense (ex just from before I dnfed cuz I can't be bothered to go back: "her forehead cracked" instead of wrinkled, "a confusion hovered over her", "Violette rushed her head in the direction he showed", etc), just make it hard to keep going.
There is also too much inner monologuing, unnecessary descriptions and too many adjectives, like:
“The place we are going to–” Violette started as one of the thorns caught her cloak, “So what exactly is it?” She continued removing the thorn.
What "continued"?? The thorn just appeared in your life.
Violette also is an annoying mc. She won't shut up, she meets Dante and is immediately like attributing all these different adjectives to him to the point they're assumptions (call down, Sherlock Holmes knockoff). Then, during their travel, she won't stop with the questions like he owes her anything. Like they don't have a mutually beneficial deal sealed with magic, like he's her old time friend who should spill all about his life 🙄
Example: “Maybe because you keep secrets from me. I thought we were partners and should share our plans.”
We were warned this arc wasn't edited yet, but the grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure (was this non organically translated for some other language to English?) and using words in expressions that don't make sense (ex just from before I dnfed cuz I can't be bothered to go back: "her forehead cracked" instead of wrinkled, "a confusion hovered over her", "Violette rushed her head in the direction he showed", etc), just make it hard to keep going.
There is also too much inner monologuing, unnecessary descriptions and too many adjectives, like:
“The place we are going to–” Violette started as one of the thorns caught her cloak, “So what exactly is it?” She continued removing the thorn.
What "continued"?? The thorn just appeared in your life.
Violette also is an annoying mc. She won't shut up, she meets Dante and is immediately like attributing all these different adjectives to him to the point they're assumptions (call down, Sherlock Holmes knockoff). Then, during their travel, she won't stop with the questions like he owes her anything. Like they don't have a mutually beneficial deal sealed with magic, like he's her old time friend who should spill all about his life 🙄
Example: “Maybe because you keep secrets from me. I thought we were partners and should share our plans.”
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced