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s_sheppard18's review
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley for the Advance Reader Copy of this novel.
The premise of this story is sweet- a sapphic urban fantasy romance, wherein witch meets alleged rent-a-cop. However, a more honest way to describe it would be "urban witch has abandonment issues and terrible taste in women, but very good business sense, so at least she has one thing going for her." I'm going to leave this review spoiler-free, but I think it's important to know that the main internal conflict between the protagonists involves willful deception that is then plastered over in a way that feels artificial. This could be due to the fact that the characters themselves are underdeveloped, or because there simply isn't enough time given to make the hasty conclusion feel authentic. It felt like 90% of the book was dialogue, which might work for some readers, but I feel that some of the mundane conversation could have been avoided, or replaced entirely with deeper character and plot development. There are ways to write morally grey characters (as I believe Lou is) that are nuanced and understandable- but that certainly does not happen here, which was a disappointment, considering the ample opportunity. I also think the denouement had some plot holes, but to avoid spoilers I won't give examples. If you want an easy sapphic romance and don't expect anything too meaningful, this could be for you. It was not for me, unfortunately.
The premise of this story is sweet- a sapphic urban fantasy romance, wherein witch meets alleged rent-a-cop. However, a more honest way to describe it would be "urban witch has abandonment issues and terrible taste in women, but very good business sense, so at least she has one thing going for her." I'm going to leave this review spoiler-free, but I think it's important to know that the main internal conflict between the protagonists involves willful deception that is then plastered over in a way that feels artificial. This could be due to the fact that the characters themselves are underdeveloped, or because there simply isn't enough time given to make the hasty conclusion feel authentic. It felt like 90% of the book was dialogue, which might work for some readers, but I feel that some of the mundane conversation could have been avoided, or replaced entirely with deeper character and plot development. There are ways to write morally grey characters (as I believe Lou is) that are nuanced and understandable- but that certainly does not happen here, which was a disappointment, considering the ample opportunity. I also think the denouement had some plot holes, but to avoid spoilers I won't give examples. If you want an easy sapphic romance and don't expect anything too meaningful, this could be for you. It was not for me, unfortunately.
val_booksandtea's review
2.0
An okay read. I felt I couldn’t connect with the characters for a large portion of the book. This may be due to the slow character development and slightly misaligned plot times. I felt the romance element started very early, and there were huge chunks of that prior to any of the actual plotline. The characters themselves seemed untrustworthy and therefore I couldn’t enjoy the plot romance, especially as I didn’t really agree with Lu’s motivations. The plot, as previously stated took forever to start ‘going’ and just felt undeveloped, as if it had been added in later to a romance novel and that is wasn’t the basis for the story. I also feel a book entitled the Laws of Magic should have more about the magic system and more world building in general, but we never really understood the full capabilities of the witches’ power. It’s not a bad book, and an easy read with an enjoyable concept, I just felt I wanted more than I got so it missed the mark for me.
kquinten's review against another edition
I was really excited for this paranormal read for spooky season and really thankful to have received an ARC through NetGalley - but this really missed the mark for me. I DNFed at around 40% because I lost interest and felt like the plot was lacking. A lot of details I found important as a reader felt under developed and then the details that weren't important to the plot were developed. I will say the beginning really kept my attention, but it fizzled quickly.
I still would like to read more of the authors work because I like the creative mind this story came from.
I still would like to read more of the authors work because I like the creative mind this story came from.
kfessy's review
3.0
I absolutely adored Isla and Lu and their relationship. I’m always here for a lesbian love story.
The plot was not my absolute favorite, it just felt a bit rushed and not developed.
But I would check out in other works by this author!
Thank you net-galley and bold strokes books for a copy of an e-book in exchange for my review. We love seeing a publishing house focusing on LGBTQ+ literature.
The plot was not my absolute favorite, it just felt a bit rushed and not developed.
But I would check out in other works by this author!
Thank you net-galley and bold strokes books for a copy of an e-book in exchange for my review. We love seeing a publishing house focusing on LGBTQ+ literature.
khylabevibin's review against another edition
3.0
Isla is a witch who owns a successful magical Apothecary and Lu is at first glance a strip mall security officer. Lu and Isla definitely have some sort of tension going on but for a long while have nothing but small greetings and friendly smiles until things start going haywire.
This book was an okay read. A solid plot and original setting, but in my opinion, the writing just did not do it justice. I felt as though the writing did not reach the level of maturity the plot demanded. The use of Gen z abbreviation or slang such as "SMH" just felt very out of place with the levels of the plot. There was also a few grammatical errors and like two dialogue inconsistencies where characters already knew things when they had never been mentioned.
When it came to characters I definitely like how Isla was written, very human and considerate. Lu, on the other hand, we were given so much backstory and scenes yet were almost never in tune with her actual feelings except for a moment when she and Isla have a brief conflict at the beginning of the book. Lu lies to Isla about something big and I cannot remember any moment in which she shared remorse for that.
Side characters got no feelings from me except maybe Daria, but that doesn't matter because the guarded protective best friend flakes at the end of the book and instead of validating Isla's feelings about being lied to by Lu, she instead pushes Lu onto her- which I found quite the fast switch up since literally the chapter before she was threatening Lu about hurting Isla.
But yeah, this is kind of a miss for me probably the first miss from M Ullrich I've had. That being said check out "What the Heart Remembers Most" and "Life in Death" which are undoubtedly my favourite books by her that in my opinion are criminally underrated.
Thank you, NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.
This book was an okay read. A solid plot and original setting, but in my opinion, the writing just did not do it justice. I felt as though the writing did not reach the level of maturity the plot demanded. The use of Gen z abbreviation or slang such as "SMH" just felt very out of place with the levels of the plot. There was also a few grammatical errors and like two dialogue inconsistencies where characters already knew things when they had never been mentioned.
When it came to characters I definitely like how Isla was written, very human and considerate. Lu, on the other hand, we were given so much backstory and scenes yet were almost never in tune with her actual feelings except for a moment when she and Isla have a brief conflict at the beginning of the book. Lu lies to Isla about something big and I cannot remember any moment in which she shared remorse for that.
Side characters got no feelings from me except maybe Daria, but that doesn't matter because the guarded protective best friend flakes at the end of the book and instead of validating Isla's feelings about being lied to by Lu, she instead pushes Lu onto her- which I found quite the fast switch up since literally the chapter before she was threatening Lu about hurting Isla.
But yeah, this is kind of a miss for me probably the first miss from M Ullrich I've had. That being said check out "What the Heart Remembers Most" and "Life in Death" which are undoubtedly my favourite books by her that in my opinion are criminally underrated.
Thank you, NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.
kate_elf's review
3.0
"Always trust your intuwitchin" - Isla
I was so excited to read this one! Contemporary fantasy with Witches! Especially an apothecary witch! I loved three of the characters - Isla, Daria and Christopher. I thought they were very fleshed out and understood them. I also really liked that our MC's weren't 18 year olds but grown women! I rate the spice at a 2 - not fade to black but not long, detailed scenes or very much. But there was some beautiful, slow burn tension. What I was looking for was more plot wise. Some of the book seemed slow and focussed on the relationship, and then the rest of the plot was quickly wrapped up in the last 25%. I would love a book 2 to explain some of the moments and magic more.
Thankyou Netgalley for the ARC.
I was so excited to read this one! Contemporary fantasy with Witches! Especially an apothecary witch! I loved three of the characters - Isla, Daria and Christopher. I thought they were very fleshed out and understood them. I also really liked that our MC's weren't 18 year olds but grown women! I rate the spice at a 2 - not fade to black but not long, detailed scenes or very much. But there was some beautiful, slow burn tension. What I was looking for was more plot wise. Some of the book seemed slow and focussed on the relationship, and then the rest of the plot was quickly wrapped up in the last 25%. I would love a book 2 to explain some of the moments and magic more.
Thankyou Netgalley for the ARC.
pinocchionline's review
3.0
Questo libro era carino e pacioffo, finalmente un racconto con streghe saffiche...e poi il nulla cosmico: al 75% circa del libro si arriva ad un primo scontro che era tanto hypato quanto deludente. Mi son detta "vabbè dai, tanto mi rimane un terzo di libro, ci sarà un mega scontro finale" E INVECE NO, o meglio, c'è una sorta di raid con tanto di vittime, peccato che sia super rushed e insipido. Doveva far piangere? Non c'è riuscito.
Oltre a questo, dico solo che forse un po' più di ricerca sulla cultural appropriation in stregoneria sarebbe stato carino, così come un utilizzo del vero latino e non qualcosa di improvvisato usando un computer. Quindi tre stelle solo per la rappresentazione LGBT+ e la prima parte della romance.
Oltre a questo, dico solo che forse un po' più di ricerca sulla cultural appropriation in stregoneria sarebbe stato carino, così come un utilizzo del vero latino e non qualcosa di improvvisato usando un computer. Quindi tre stelle solo per la rappresentazione LGBT+ e la prima parte della romance.
michadoaboutnothing's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Isla is a witch and runs an apothecary in a strip mall from which she helps both the human and nonhuman residents of Bender, Massachusetts. Lu is a security guard at the strip mall. Both have their reasons for not wanting to get involved, but when temptation proves too much and darker forces threaten Isla's community can they work together or will their secrets prove too big?
This was... aggressively average. The concept was cute and had a lot of potential, but the execution really left me wanting.
The writing style was really just not for me. There was a lot of unnatural dialogue, which was constantly used to tell the reader what every character was thinking and feeling, with very little action or showing.
The action/mystery side-plot felt very and not well planned out. There were a lot of elements that seemed as though they were just thrown in to add drama and up the stakes, but it ended up feeling forced and really took me out of the narrative. There was even an entirely cliched "super villain monologue" that was essentially used to recap the plot and reveal the "twists".
The romance also felt very insta-lovey and tried very hard to gloss over all the obvious incompatibility issues.
Overall, it was fine and probably more suited for a light, surface-level read.
Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for my e-arc of this title, received in exchange for an honest review.
This was... aggressively average. The concept was cute and had a lot of potential, but the execution really left me wanting.
The writing style was really just not for me. There was a lot of unnatural dialogue, which was constantly used to tell the reader what every character was thinking and feeling, with very little action or showing.
The action/mystery side-plot felt very and not well planned out. There were a lot of elements that seemed as though they were just thrown in to add drama and up the stakes, but it ended up feeling forced and really took me out of the narrative. There was even an entirely cliched "super villain monologue" that was essentially used to recap the plot and reveal the "twists".
The romance also felt very insta-lovey and tried very hard to gloss over all the obvious incompatibility issues.
Overall, it was fine and probably more suited for a light, surface-level read.
Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for my e-arc of this title, received in exchange for an honest review.
shansxshelf's review
2.0
I was so excited to get into this story… So excited, that it pains me to say I disliked it.
Isla owns an apothecary, where she helps humans and nonhumans alike. Isla is a witch. Enter Lu. Lu is a “security officer”, whose job is to watch over the stores in the strip mall, specially Islas’. Isla brings Lu tea every morning, *which she throws away*, and has a super crush on her. However, Isla does not allow her herself to get close to Lu because of something that happened in her past. Mysterious things keep happening, bringing Lu and Isla together time and time again, until they can no longer refuse their feelings for each other. *scoffs* (what feelings). Together, they need to find a way to stop this threat, and save inhumans.
Now for the parts I did not like:
- Lu. As a whole. (Idk what Isla saw in her)
- The romance… it just wasn’t there. (And this is a HUGE amount of the book)
- Lu’s lie. Which in my opinion, Isla should’ve never forgave her. It was too much. Too big.
- The banter.
- Isla was extremely stubborn.
- The ending was rushed.
Things I liked:
- Daria
- Christopher
- The premise
- Isla, sometimes
Overall, this book fell short. I wanted to love it, but it wasn’t what it thought.
Thanks NetGalley, M. Ullrich, and Bold Strokes Books Inc. for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Isla owns an apothecary, where she helps humans and nonhumans alike. Isla is a witch. Enter Lu. Lu is a “security officer”, whose job is to watch over the stores in the strip mall, specially Islas’. Isla brings Lu tea every morning, *which she throws away*, and has a super crush on her. However, Isla does not allow her herself to get close to Lu because of something that happened in her past. Mysterious things keep happening, bringing Lu and Isla together time and time again, until they can no longer refuse their feelings for each other. *scoffs* (what feelings). Together, they need to find a way to stop this threat, and save inhumans.
Now for the parts I did not like:
- Lu. As a whole. (Idk what Isla saw in her)
- The romance… it just wasn’t there. (And this is a HUGE amount of the book)
- Lu’s lie. Which in my opinion, Isla should’ve never forgave her. It was too much. Too big.
- The banter.
- Isla was extremely stubborn.
- The ending was rushed.
Things I liked:
- Daria
- Christopher
- The premise
- Isla, sometimes
Overall, this book fell short. I wanted to love it, but it wasn’t what it thought.
Thanks NetGalley, M. Ullrich, and Bold Strokes Books Inc. for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
jayofjournals's review
adventurous
medium-paced
3.0
Thank you NetGalley for sharing an digital ARC with me in exchange for an honest review.
The Laws of Magic by M. Ullrich revolves around Isla Hoffman, a witch that found herself finally as a healer for the residents of Bender, Massachusetts and Lu Cadman, who works as a security for a sleepy strip mall. Their paths intervene and an adventure begins.
The story itself starts very slow to build up the characters and the dynamics between them. The author gives a lot of details about the romance between Isla and Lu, which starts as a simple nice gesture of bringin the other one hot and steamy tea. It was kind of hard to get into the story with such a slow pace, but when you stick through it the pace changes dramatically. There were so much going on at the same time to hook the reader to the story, but I am not quite sure how good everything was planned out. In th end it was an interesting read, but I wouldn't pick up a sequel, because I couldn't quite connect with the characters and the story itself like I wanted to.
The Laws of Magic by M. Ullrich revolves around Isla Hoffman, a witch that found herself finally as a healer for the residents of Bender, Massachusetts and Lu Cadman, who works as a security for a sleepy strip mall. Their paths intervene and an adventure begins.
The story itself starts very slow to build up the characters and the dynamics between them. The author gives a lot of details about the romance between Isla and Lu, which starts as a simple nice gesture of bringin the other one hot and steamy tea. It was kind of hard to get into the story with such a slow pace, but when you stick through it the pace changes dramatically. There were so much going on at the same time to hook the reader to the story, but I am not quite sure how good everything was planned out. In th end it was an interesting read, but I wouldn't pick up a sequel, because I couldn't quite connect with the characters and the story itself like I wanted to.