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plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book has so many elements in it that I’ve loved in other books—Parisian setting, ensemble cast, magic, romance, a race against time—and I really thought I would like it. That was absolutely not the case. In fact, I can think of exactly one thing I liked: Cricket, one of the side characters. Even though she has a tragically ridiculous name, I quite liked her snarky personality.
You could even say that she was the only one with a personality, and I wouldn’t argue. I found all of the characters to be very flat and poorly developed. The world-building was also lacking. Above all else, I just wasn’t invested in any part of the story. I only kept reading until the end because of a vague sense of curiosity, and I can honestly say it wasn’t worth my time.
My two biggest issues were with the protagonist and the romance. Anouk had so much potential; she started off as a naïve, daydreaming girl, and could’ve been a badass once she adjusted to the world and her abilities. Instead, she focused almost entirely on her friend Beau, who, after a year of such close friendship that he was like a brother to her, she suddenly was in love with. The feeling was mutual, and then they were kissing.
That leads me to my next point, the romance. It was undeniably a case of insta-love. Anouk and Beau had no chemistry. He was overbearingly protective of her, and she was way too focused on him. At the end of the book, despite her and her friends having a clear goal and a semi-decent plan, Anouk messed everything up to save Beau. Absolutely everything. This could’ve been a stand-alone if she hadn’t been so narrow-minded and reckless. I’m pretty sure that what she did is one of the worst choices I’ve ever seen a protagonist make, and I’m not exaggerating.
I thought about giving this book one star, but decided against it. Because as much as I disliked certain parts of it, disagreed with certain choices made in it, wanted more from it, it wasn’t awful. I didn’t hate it. I don’t recommend it, I won’t continue the series, and I won’t read anything else by this author, but despite all that, I didn’t hate this.
Representation
Technically, among the side characters, there’s a gay guy, a trans girl, and two people of color. However, none of the rep listed was even slightly good, and if it’s the main or only reason you’re interested in this book, don’t bother. I recommend reading this Goodreads review for more information: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2412368917?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1.
You could even say that she was the only one with a personality, and I wouldn’t argue. I found all of the characters to be very flat and poorly developed. The world-building was also lacking. Above all else, I just wasn’t invested in any part of the story. I only kept reading until the end because of a vague sense of curiosity, and I can honestly say it wasn’t worth my time.
My two biggest issues were with the protagonist and the romance. Anouk had so much potential; she started off as a naïve, daydreaming girl, and could’ve been a badass once she adjusted to the world and her abilities. Instead, she focused almost entirely on her friend Beau, who, after a year of such close friendship that he was like a brother to her, she suddenly was in love with. The feeling was mutual, and then they were kissing.
That leads me to my next point, the romance. It was undeniably a case of insta-love. Anouk and Beau had no chemistry. He was overbearingly protective of her, and she was way too focused on him. At the end of the book, despite her and her friends having a clear goal and a semi-decent plan, Anouk messed everything up to save Beau. Absolutely everything. This could’ve been a stand-alone if she hadn’t been so narrow-minded and reckless. I’m pretty sure that what she did is one of the worst choices I’ve ever seen a protagonist make, and I’m not exaggerating.
I thought about giving this book one star, but decided against it. Because as much as I disliked certain parts of it, disagreed with certain choices made in it, wanted more from it, it wasn’t awful. I didn’t hate it. I don’t recommend it, I won’t continue the series, and I won’t read anything else by this author, but despite all that, I didn’t hate this.
Representation
Technically, among the side characters, there’s a gay guy, a trans girl, and two people of color. However, none of the rep listed was even slightly good, and if it’s the main or only reason you’re interested in this book, don’t bother. I recommend reading this Goodreads review for more information: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2412368917?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Grief, and Slavery
Minor: Genocide, Infertility, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, and Sexism
Contains the “bury your gays” tropebookcaptivated's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Grief, and Slavery
Minor: Genocide, Infertility, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, and Sexism
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