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ashar_allaire's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
4.5
The last 100 pages really lost the momentum, but overall I love this
sstacey4's review
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? It's complicated
3.0
augoost's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Feels like it's written by a gay teenage folklorist that's obsessed with the legends and mythology that surrounds their small coastal Scottish town - not unlike fanfic. Very lighthearted dark fantasy book with very loveable characters, definitely not groundbreaking, but a pleasant/cozy-ish read.
chill_8's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
soapdish14's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
literatemack's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Reaaaally loved this one folks! Very sweet and fun with suuper immersive world-building. Wish there was more by this author!
azu's review against another edition
4.0
A very entertaining novel with compelling characters. It was hard to put it down once started.
I was frustrated at the relationship between Thomas and Isla (but that because I almost immediately adopted Thomas as my son and felt protective of him, even if I could easily understand why Isla was harsh to him) but each character was well developed and I couldn't stop reading. Liked the use of the Celtic myths and the Scottish Isle setting.
Would recommend it to everyone.I'm curious to see what the author has in store next!
I was frustrated at the relationship between Thomas and Isla (but that because I almost immediately adopted Thomas as my son and felt protective of him, even if I could easily understand why Isla was harsh to him) but each character was well developed and I couldn't stop reading. Liked the use of the Celtic myths and the Scottish Isle setting.
Would recommend it to everyone.I'm curious to see what the author has in store next!
readsknitsrepeats's review
4.0
"Something has gone very wrong on the sleepy Scottish Isle of Mab."
That seems so cryptic but perfectly sets you up for this book. I was immediately hooked into this mysterious, supernatural story. Magic and folklore are all woven together with an amazing well paced plot and atmospheric setting. There are characters that you both want to throttle and hug at the same time (the angst!). This is a story that I will keep thinking back to.
4.5/5
That seems so cryptic but perfectly sets you up for this book. I was immediately hooked into this mysterious, supernatural story. Magic and folklore are all woven together with an amazing well paced plot and atmospheric setting. There are characters that you both want to throttle and hug at the same time (the angst!). This is a story that I will keep thinking back to.
4.5/5
ceceblue's review against another edition
5.0
I've been trying (and failing) to read more diverse genres this year, because I was feeling disillusioned with all of the YA I was reading. All of the stories felt the same. I didn't feel like I was learning anything.
But this book! This book is all the best parts of YA fiction, and is the future of the genre to me. I love scrappy young characters doing their best. I love queer MCs. I love mlm/wlw solidarity. I love regional mythology.
I really enjoyed the the narrative and how the mystery unfolded. The author gives just enough hints and foreshadowing that you can figure out the twist alongside the characters.
And I can't stress enough how much I enjoyed the mythology! Selkies are probably my favorite mythical creature and I'm eager to read anything about with them. But all the other creatures were very interesting too - I felt like I learned so much about Scottish mythology, and the creatures felt so natural in the setting.
The writing style really drew me in, and I enjoyed watching all the relationships between the characters develop. 10/10 would recommend, would read books from this author again
But this book! This book is all the best parts of YA fiction, and is the future of the genre to me. I love scrappy young characters doing their best. I love queer MCs. I love mlm/wlw solidarity. I love regional mythology.
I really enjoyed the the narrative and how the mystery unfolded. The author gives just enough hints and foreshadowing that you can figure out the twist alongside the characters.
And I can't stress enough how much I enjoyed the mythology! Selkies are probably my favorite mythical creature and I'm eager to read anything about with them. But all the other creatures were very interesting too - I felt like I learned so much about Scottish mythology, and the creatures felt so natural in the setting.
The writing style really drew me in, and I enjoyed watching all the relationships between the characters develop. 10/10 would recommend, would read books from this author again
impulsive_decision8am's review
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.25