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bonriki's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
3.0
dance64's review
3.0
Well, this was certainly interesting. I wish there had been a little less "I'm not good enough I'm so stupid I'm not going to listen to you explain" and a little more action and fleshed-out plot. It was a fun and quick read, nonetheless, and I did love Rochus' attitude with his pet family. He is my kind of guy.
terriaminute's review
dark
fast-paced
2.5
Well, the conflict didn't make that much sense to me, but I enjoyed the characters and the world, was just as glad to skip through bad guy catching, and at 86%, here I am looking at a bonus short after an appropriate but not terrific ending. ... And done. It was fine.
In summary, I don't regret reading this, but it did need another edit pass by the author and editor to lift it above average. Ah well.
In summary, I don't regret reading this, but it did need another edit pass by the author and editor to lift it above average. Ah well.
zazzilou's review
4.0
Quick, entertaining, fire-breathing dragon hot (lol), and sweet. Necromancers, and wyverns, and unicorns . . . Oh my!
genetaylor06's review
4.0
I really am a sucker for prickly, grouchy MCs, and Rochus definitely fits the bill. I can so easily imagine the ever-present scowl that would be found on his face. But it was also really cute reading about how he had to fight to keep a smile off his face at Tito's antics. Even though so relationship moved so quickly, I still loved it.
I just wish it was longer. Things could have definitely been alot more fleshed out, and we could have just gotten alot more of these two. I don't understand authors — they'll be giving books with zero plot 5o0 pages of the same thing over and over again, but books such as this one just have to be so short.
This was a cute short read. Megan Derr, I think I've been sleeping on you, I'll definitely check out more of your work.
I just wish it was longer. Things could have definitely been alot more fleshed out, and we could have just gotten alot more of these two. I don't understand authors — they'll be giving books with zero plot 5o0 pages of the same thing over and over again, but books such as this one just have to be so short.
This was a cute short read. Megan Derr, I think I've been sleeping on you, I'll definitely check out more of your work.
nightpeaches's review
4.0
This short story had some of my favorite things, a grumpy, older necromancer and a young, eager dragon, a forced marriage with some misunderstandings and miscommunications, a few dramatic and action-filled moments and some really sweet courting. A very nice read!
teenykins's review
2.0
Didn't really captured me and around the middle I lost what little interest I had. I was expecting more really based on the premise and the unwanted marriage thing but it didn't quite work out.
melaniebopp's review
4.0
Okay, so a vampire-like necromancer does not your typical romance hero make. Not only does it work, Rochus is a hero I can definitely get behind.
In this world, necromancers are chosen by lot to practice that form of magic. They are thought of as being half-spirited, only half alive, and the prejudice against them has "normal" people recoiling in fear. But traveling to the capital, he stumbles across a young man who won't take no for an answer. After spending the night together, Rochus continues on his way, only to find out he's been chosen for an arranged marriage. With the man, Tilo, who slept with him on his travels.
Apparently, Tilo has been asking for assistance from the necronancers and the palace for ages, but has received no response. As young as he is, he has no idea what to do next. Which is how he came up with the arranged marriage plan. It isn't a bad one, as plans go, but he certainly didn't think it through.
Tilo comes across as so freaking young, I'm not surprised that he didn't think his plan through. Not to mention, he didn't see what was going on behind the scenes. At 400, Rochus is not only much older and wiser, he is methodical and determined and well aware of his limits.
Oh, and did I mention Tilo is a dragon shape-shifter?
Yeah.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story, and would definitely read more of this couple.
In this world, necromancers are chosen by lot to practice that form of magic. They are thought of as being half-spirited, only half alive, and the prejudice against them has "normal" people recoiling in fear. But traveling to the capital, he stumbles across a young man who won't take no for an answer. After spending the night together, Rochus continues on his way, only to find out he's been chosen for an arranged marriage. With the man, Tilo, who slept with him on his travels.
Apparently, Tilo has been asking for assistance from the necronancers and the palace for ages, but has received no response. As young as he is, he has no idea what to do next. Which is how he came up with the arranged marriage plan. It isn't a bad one, as plans go, but he certainly didn't think it through.
Tilo comes across as so freaking young, I'm not surprised that he didn't think his plan through. Not to mention, he didn't see what was going on behind the scenes. At 400, Rochus is not only much older and wiser, he is methodical and determined and well aware of his limits.
Oh, and did I mention Tilo is a dragon shape-shifter?
Yeah.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story, and would definitely read more of this couple.
thequeerbookish's review
2.0
I haven't read a story about necromancy before, so I was very interested and curious. Megan Derr doesn't disappoint with this. Rochus is a little bit creepy and his necromancy plays a big part in The only option. I still didn't really care much for him, neither did Tilo capture my interest. So their relationship was meh as well. I can't even call this novella a romance, because there was... well, like nothing romantic about it. You get lots of fighting instead - too much for such a short story, if you ask me, some sort of.
More world-building, more character development is needed. Hard to accomplish in a novella, so maybe this would have worked better as a novel?
Disclaimer: I was provided with a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
More world-building, more character development is needed. Hard to accomplish in a novella, so maybe this would have worked better as a novel?
Disclaimer: I was provided with a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.