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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Murder
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
“As the use of Western pre-made spells rose exponentially, original spell development around the world decreased.”
I had such a great time with Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe! The book is deliciously geeky and cozy –and queer– but it’s also so much more than that!
I loved the many references to geek culture, from Doctor Who to DnD, and how the universe was built around that but also completely original. How the author uses earthquakes as a major element was super interesting, as much as their interpretation of “Magic is everywhere”. As an example “The” scene in Target might be among my fav’ scenes… ever. That created a mirror effect between both words in the book (which book is its own AU? This one!), but also between the book –and, more generally– pop culture and our reality. All the parallels and interconnections are fun and never ending, always full of clever findings.
Both characters are complete opposites, yet they get lost into each other at first sight. I loved their evolutions, who they reassess their lives, goals and prejudices during the whole story. I don’t want to go too in depth about the MCs or their relationship to avoid spoilers, but I truly enjoyed that part. I also loved Brenda’s friends, how supportive they were, and their full geek-attitude.
But this book also introduces more deep subjects, like the cultural erasing at the benefit of a globalized hegemony, to enrich only a few at the detriment of the majority. I loved how the author presented that and integrated it to their magical system and politics, and how they used all the mystery elements to keep the reader engaged.
Thank you to the author, Feiwel & Friends and Colored Pages PR for the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
I had such a great time with Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe! The book is deliciously geeky and cozy –and queer– but it’s also so much more than that!
I loved the many references to geek culture, from Doctor Who to DnD, and how the universe was built around that but also completely original. How the author uses earthquakes as a major element was super interesting, as much as their interpretation of “Magic is everywhere”. As an example “The” scene in Target might be among my fav’ scenes… ever. That created a mirror effect between both words in the book (which book is its own AU? This one!), but also between the book –and, more generally– pop culture and our reality. All the parallels and interconnections are fun and never ending, always full of clever findings.
Both characters are complete opposites, yet they get lost into each other at first sight. I loved their evolutions, who they reassess their lives, goals and prejudices during the whole story. I don’t want to go too in depth about the MCs or their relationship to avoid spoilers, but I truly enjoyed that part. I also loved Brenda’s friends, how supportive they were, and their full geek-attitude.
But this book also introduces more deep subjects, like the cultural erasing at the benefit of a globalized hegemony, to enrich only a few at the detriment of the majority. I loved how the author presented that and integrated it to their magical system and politics, and how they used all the mystery elements to keep the reader engaged.
Thank you to the author, Feiwel & Friends and Colored Pages PR for the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
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:
Complicated
Brenda is a geeky overachiever with a multi-step plan to save the world. Step 16 is to obtain a great scholarship so she can pay for the amazing school she chooses. But moments before her most important application is due, her internet goes out. Desperate for WiFi, she stumbles into a cutesy coffeeshop that is owned by Kat and her dad. Kat who lives in a universe fueled by magic, and which she is the prophesied chosen one of. A destiny that she vehemently fights against. Unaware of the portal that has made this meeting possible, Kat and Brenda have an instant connection. But how will they find each other for their next date?
I was pleasantly surprised by how much attention was placed on the magic system and world building. When I heard this described as a cozy fantasy, I assumed it wouldn’t go much deeper than a glancing overview. However this had a lot more adventure and mystery than I originally assumed. Brenda and her friends’ absolute delight around magic leads to their geeky curiosity around learning magic themselves. There are moments when they brainstorm theoretical magic application. I found it funny how in Kat’s world spell craft is treated like math. Something most people feel ambivalent too despite it being a necessary part of their world. Seeing the ways Kat and Brenda’s worlds diverged but also closely mirrored each other was really interesting.
The romance between Kat and Brenda was really sweet and wonderful. The way they both felt misunderstood and like nobody cared about the true parts of themselves. And then in one conversation they got each other so easily and appreciated the parts that everyone usually overlooked. They fit together so perfectly and I really liked watching their bond grow deeper.
I do wish the side characters were a little more developed. Since D&D was a big part of Brenda’s life and friendships I wanted more from her party. I didn’t feel like we got to know Erica, Jenn, Ryan, and Adib outside of Brenda. They were more like stand-ins, just really hollow despite there being so many opportunities for them to shine.
The ending was definitely a little cheesy but I think it fit in nicely with the vibe of the story. The power of friendship and love being the answer in the end played well with the geeky D&D inspirations. So despite it being a little eye roll worthy, it was still cute. I had a really fun time with this!
adventurous
hopeful
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
A cozy fantasy YA sapphic romance where two people from different universes meet in a coffeeshop and fall in love.
The characters were really sweet and loveable and the way the worlds collided was pretty unique and interesting. I especially loved the light politics aspect and how Kat's mum's dead body was trapped and her father and her desperately wanted to get it back to finally grieve properly.
PS: Labels aren't used in any way in this book but I read Brenda as one the aroace spectrum as she discussed rarely feeling attracted to anyone in any way.
The characters were really sweet and loveable and the way the worlds collided was pretty unique and interesting. I especially loved the light politics aspect and how Kat's mum's dead body was trapped and her father and her desperately wanted to get it back to finally grieve properly.
PS: Labels aren't used in any way in this book but I read Brenda as one the aroace spectrum as she discussed rarely feeling attracted to anyone in any way.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A cute Sapphic fantasy about getting a girlfriend from an alternate universe and saving the world.
I really enjoyed the way Kat and Brenda complemented each other. Their lives were similar enough to easily see how they related to each other but different enough to have that point of contention and growth. I think the stakes (save the world high) are a little too high for cozy, but it makes for a great story. Also, Ana has my heart, completely.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
I really enjoyed the way Kat and Brenda complemented each other. Their lives were similar enough to easily see how they related to each other but different enough to have that point of contention and growth. I think the stakes (save the world high) are a little too high for cozy, but it makes for a great story. Also, Ana has my heart, completely.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
adventurous
hopeful
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:
Complicated