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samchase112's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
The hype was real, and it was beautiful! I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Emily, Wendell, and the rest of the quirky, wonderful characters that populate this book. The incorporation of faerie legend and worldbuilding was so gorgeously and naturally done, and I could not get over how much I loved that part of the story. Truly a beautiful reading experience, and I can't wait to get my hands on book two!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Confinement
Moderate: Blood, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexism
itsaj's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Charming and cozy read. If you want a book that is a mix similar to Cruel Prince and Howl’s Moving Castle, then this might be the read for you. The beginning of the book is quite lengthy and takes a while to get into. I didn’t start to connect with the characters until the middle of the book. There is one plot line/relationship that is sped into which in a way, throws it a bit off track. As someone who has done research, the process of it is entertaining and interesting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
2blueshoes's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Animal death
Minor: Mental illness
kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
Perfection. Neurodivergent MC in a cozy fantasy romance written in diary entries? Yes please thank you very much!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, and Death
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Blood, Violence, and Gore
Minor: Vomit, Child death, Death, and Child abuse
indigo_fox's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
I could not put this book down! It was everything I wanted and more! The first couple chapters were kind of boring, I didn't think I would end up liking the book. But once it got past the set up things really took off.
The characters are absolutely lovable. I'm a huge fan of Wendell, seriously I'd do anything for him. His boisterous personality is just so fun and engaging, I couldn't tear my eyes away from the page whenever he was in the scene. Wendell and Emily have excellent chemistry, their bantering is so much fun to read. The dialog between them is great, I have a whole bunch of favorite parts marked.
There were times when Emily made me mad. Some of her decisions were a bit sketchy. But I still liked her as a character. She's mousey and intelligent, and I love how awkward she is in social situations.
The story itself was fun. I love all things fey so getting to read a story about someone studying the folk was the best thing ever. It was fun following Emily as she unraveled the mysterious surrounding the folk of Ljosland. I found the side characters to be enjoyable too. Ari, Poe, Aud and Thora were some of my faves.The changeling Ari will always have a special place in my heart (I play a changeling in d&d). I wish I could remember his true name but I didn't write it down before returning my library copy!
The world building is great. Fawcett did a great job of twisting lore into her story. I loved all the little stories that were sprinkled throughout the text, and the little at the end of each chapter. I feel like these two things helped to flesh out the world.
The folk in the book were great too. We got to see various sides from whimsical and fun to dark and dangerous.
The characters are absolutely lovable. I'm a huge fan of Wendell, seriously I'd do anything for him. His boisterous personality is just so fun and engaging, I couldn't tear my eyes away from the page whenever he was in the scene. Wendell and Emily have excellent chemistry, their bantering is so much fun to read. The dialog between them is great, I have a whole bunch of favorite parts marked.
There were times when Emily made me mad. Some of her decisions were a bit sketchy. But I still liked her as a character. She's mousey and intelligent, and I love how awkward she is in social situations.
The story itself was fun. I love all things fey so getting to read a story about someone studying the folk was the best thing ever. It was fun following Emily as she unraveled the mysterious surrounding the folk of Ljosland. I found the side characters to be enjoyable too. Ari, Poe, Aud and Thora were some of my faves.
The world building is great. Fawcett did a great job of twisting lore into her story. I loved all the little stories that were sprinkled throughout the text, and the little at the end of each chapter. I feel like these two things helped to flesh out the world.
The folk in the book were great too. We got to see various sides from whimsical and fun to dark and dangerous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death and Child abuse
chelbelle122's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
The writing is as flowery as the cover but still enjoyable
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Confinement, Death, and Kidnapping
gillian_aftanas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Death, Grief, and Animal death
Minor: Child death, Mental illness, Torture, Vomit, and Cursing
grace_b_3's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you are a fan of A Natural History of Dragons, you'll probably enjoy this book. They're both about naturalists and their adventures as they make important discoveries in the field.
Emily's voice comes through quite strongly, to the strength of the novel. She's a well-drawn protagonist and the side characters are charming as well.
The writing style was a little florid for my taste, but I did get used to it.
Emily's voice comes through quite strongly, to the strength of the novel. She's a well-drawn protagonist and the side characters are charming as well.
The writing style was a little florid for my taste, but I did get used to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
bxnny's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Animal cruelty, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Gore, Death, and Torture
Moderate: Violence