Scan barcode
A review by shhchar
Amberlough by Lara Elena Donnelly
Skimmed the last ~150 pages
Loved how queer this book was, the world-building was also very satisfying though the overarching plot felt distant. I have trouble in any novel when upon its exposition, the reader is supposed to root for a pre-existing couple. It stirs an inherent distrust in me of the relationship as I have zero proof/evidence of their matching. So unfortunately, I had no sympathy for the relationship of Ari and Cyril though it was meant to be the pulsing artery of this book.
The major trouble for me was the immense amount of characters. I couldn't bond to any single one when they didn't have the word count to become likable in the meantime and new ones were being introduced constantly. Would probably be good for a tv script/movie, not for when we lack the associated visuals.
Would be very interested in a standalone novel from this author, not compelled to finish this series.
Loved how queer this book was, the world-building was also very satisfying though the overarching plot felt distant. I have trouble in any novel when upon its exposition, the reader is supposed to root for a pre-existing couple. It stirs an inherent distrust in me of the relationship as I have zero proof/evidence of their matching. So unfortunately, I had no sympathy for the relationship of Ari and Cyril though it was meant to be the pulsing artery of this book.
The major trouble for me was the immense amount of characters. I couldn't bond to any single one when they didn't have the word count to become likable in the meantime and new ones were being introduced constantly. Would probably be good for a tv script/movie, not for when we lack the associated visuals.
Would be very interested in a standalone novel from this author, not compelled to finish this series.