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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
It looks like I took forever to read this. Which is true. But I didn't lose interest. I was savouring.
So good. Great story. Interesting characters. As long as you avoid the epilogue this could be read as a standalone. If not then move on to the next book.
So good. Great story. Interesting characters. As long as you avoid the epilogue this could be read as a standalone. If not then move on to the next book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
I was given a code for the Audible version of this book in a giveaway on r/urbanfantasy on Reddit.
I seem to be making a habit lately of reading books that make for complicated reviews.
The Good
This book has a lot going for it. The basic plot summary is interesting, and not just a rehash of the most common UF/PR ideas.
The main characters are both complex and flawed. Both have very real issues and call out for empathy. The idea of two very broken people who learn to prop one another up and overcome their (bizarre) circumstances is very satisfying.
The growing friendship between the two main characters and their deepening affection for one another is handled well. I found them downright adorable from time to time.
The Not-So-Good
The most glaring issue with this book is Quentin, Earl of Banbury. In a lot of ways, he's a great character. He's droll, urbane, and lots of other positive adjectives. He's also sheltered and a bit naive of modern life, which is where the problem comes in. He's so out of the loop where it comes to idiom, technology and the lives of commoners that it's completely unbelievable. And since a good deal of the story is from Quentin's perspective, or involves Quentin and Lawrence interacting with the world together, it becomes more than a little bit frustrating.
The "posh Englishman" schtick also pushes into the realms of corniness frequently. Which is a real shame because absent those instances, he really is a good character.
The book could also do with some more fleshed-out women. The closest we get to one is Lawrence's mother, but she is very much a background character.
Summary
I ended up rating this book a 3/5 because I did really like the background, the basic plotline, the romance and the core of the characters. It could have been a solid 4 if more care had been taken with the drafting of Quentin. Ultimately, his over-the-top aspects weren't even particularly important to the story.
I seem to be making a habit lately of reading books that make for complicated reviews.
The Good
This book has a lot going for it. The basic plot summary is interesting, and not just a rehash of the most common UF/PR ideas.
The main characters are both complex and flawed. Both have very real issues and call out for empathy. The idea of two very broken people who learn to prop one another up and overcome their (bizarre) circumstances is very satisfying.
The growing friendship between the two main characters and their deepening affection for one another is handled well. I found them downright adorable from time to time.
The Not-So-Good
The most glaring issue with this book is Quentin, Earl of Banbury. In a lot of ways, he's a great character. He's droll, urbane, and lots of other positive adjectives. He's also sheltered and a bit naive of modern life, which is where the problem comes in. He's so out of the loop where it comes to idiom, technology and the lives of commoners that it's completely unbelievable. And since a good deal of the story is from Quentin's perspective, or involves Quentin and Lawrence interacting with the world together, it becomes more than a little bit frustrating.
The "posh Englishman" schtick also pushes into the realms of corniness frequently. Which is a real shame because absent those instances, he really is a good character.
The book could also do with some more fleshed-out women. The closest we get to one is Lawrence's mother, but she is very much a background character.
Summary
I ended up rating this book a 3/5 because I did really like the background, the basic plotline, the romance and the core of the characters. It could have been a solid 4 if more care had been taken with the drafting of Quentin. Ultimately, his over-the-top aspects weren't even particularly important to the story.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
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
(Writing this review after I've already read the rest of the series.)
So my first impression of this was, wtf am I reading, why is he speaking like that, and is this p*rn?? Since the plot goes something like: guy has to have endless s*x with everyone to quench the thirst of a scary fertility god, while courting a hilariously bad exaggeration of a British royalty... Anyway, this just goes to show that the execution of a story makes all the difference, because this somehow worked.
After getting used to the weirdness and the way Quentin speaks (the author is British so it's allowed I guess lol), I binged it in one sitting. Contrary to what the plot implies, this is a very slow burn romance with no smut and an incredibly entertaining and tense dynamic between the main characters. I loved the well-informed portrayal of addiction and toxic relationships, and the inclusion of the subtler signs of cPTSD, though it was still mostly carried by the romance for me. Also, it's urban fantasy, the cover's kinda misleading.
Review for the rest of the series:
I love Quentin. That's all thanks.
Jk, but for real. Quentin is amazing, adorable, the best.
Anyway, the series gets even better after the first book imo. If there were any plot holes in the first book, the next ones are much more solid plot-wise. This might also be one of the best-researched series I've read. I can tell the author really made sure to get everything right, from trauma and psychology to raising baby ravens. Though the first book didn't have smut, the next ones do. I'm asexual and still enjoyed it, which is pretty telling I think. Cause it's all plot-relevant.
The world-building is great, the inclusion of different mythologies and all. The characters are all great (dying to know more about Rufus rn), but I adore Quentin.I did not expect how dark his story would go, and the fact he's still so kind aghh. Also that he did poorly in school and the hidden alcoholism and everything... Probably one of my favorite characters of all time, his character development is insane, which showcases the pros of a longer series and having more time to flesh things out.
The romance gets less suspenseful as they settle into their relationship, and more nuanced issues start to take the foreground. Still, I love these two together, and did I mention I love Quentin?
To compensate, the plots get more intense and I'm always awed by the author's ability to stretch this series out and find new plots (with foreshadowing) without making it feel forced or irrelevant. I'm stuck at book 8 rn since the series got removed from Scribd, rip :'/
So my first impression of this was, wtf am I reading, why is he speaking like that, and is this p*rn?? Since the plot goes something like: guy has to have endless s*x with everyone to quench the thirst of a scary fertility god, while courting a hilariously bad exaggeration of a British royalty... Anyway, this just goes to show that the execution of a story makes all the difference, because this somehow worked.
After getting used to the weirdness and the way Quentin speaks (the author is British so it's allowed I guess lol), I binged it in one sitting. Contrary to what the plot implies, this is a very slow burn romance with no smut and an incredibly entertaining and tense dynamic between the main characters. I loved the well-informed portrayal of addiction and toxic relationships, and the inclusion of the subtler signs of cPTSD, though it was still mostly carried by the romance for me. Also, it's urban fantasy, the cover's kinda misleading.
Review for the rest of the series:
I love Quentin. That's all thanks.
Jk, but for real. Quentin is amazing, adorable, the best.
Anyway, the series gets even better after the first book imo. If there were any plot holes in the first book, the next ones are much more solid plot-wise. This might also be one of the best-researched series I've read. I can tell the author really made sure to get everything right, from trauma and psychology to raising baby ravens. Though the first book didn't have smut, the next ones do. I'm asexual and still enjoyed it, which is pretty telling I think. Cause it's all plot-relevant.
The world-building is great, the inclusion of different mythologies and all. The characters are all great (dying to know more about Rufus rn), but I adore Quentin.
The romance gets less suspenseful as they settle into their relationship, and more nuanced issues start to take the foreground. Still, I love these two together, and did I mention I love Quentin?
To compensate, the plots get more intense and I'm always awed by the author's ability to stretch this series out and find new plots (with foreshadowing) without making it feel forced or irrelevant. I'm stuck at book 8 rn since the series got removed from Scribd, rip :'/
This was my second time reading this, since I needed a refresher before moving on with the series. I think I enjoyed it just as much, if not more. I love the slow build, largely due to Quentin's cluelessness which leads to gems like this:
"He tore his gaze away. It wasn't proper to ogle other people in such a manner, and he had no idea what could have caused his lapse in manners."
And his gradually growing possessiveness, LONG before he realizes he might even have feelings:
"Woe betide anyone who lay a finger on Laurence this weekend. He was Quentin's, and that was that."
On to book two (now that I remember what happened here)!
"He tore his gaze away. It wasn't proper to ogle other people in such a manner, and he had no idea what could have caused his lapse in manners."
And his gradually growing possessiveness, LONG before he realizes he might even have feelings:
"Woe betide anyone who lay a finger on Laurence this weekend. He was Quentin's, and that was that."
On to book two (now that I remember what happened here)!
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use