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melitrophium's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
I can't fairly rate this book because frankly I should've known it wasn't for me, I only enjoy romance when it's not central to the plot (or it's more tension than actual courting). Wish I had checked for sexual content, I do cringe at that so it's on me.
All that being said, it's a very cute story. I wish we got more worldbuilding (again, wrong genre oops) because it seemed interesting but I did like the characters. Would've loved to see more of their rivalry too since this is marketed as rivals-to-lovers, but the bickering was entertaining.
Non-binary rep was a nice touch, not sure I would tag this as lgbtqia+ since there's also some implied bisexuality and not much more on that.
All that being said, it's a very cute story. I wish we got more worldbuilding (again, wrong genre oops) because it seemed interesting but I did like the characters. Would've loved to see more of their rivalry too since this is marketed as rivals-to-lovers, but the bickering was entertaining.
Non-binary rep was a nice touch, not sure I would tag this as lgbtqia+ since there's also some implied bisexuality and not much more on that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death
readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child death, Drug use, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Alcohol
_loftwing_'s review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Vomit, Medical content, and Grief
woweewhoa's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent and Classism
faerieoftheforest's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
3.75
I picked this book up a month ago but could not get past the first few pages. The writing was unnecessarily verbose and dense. I feel like the author used way too many descriptors to the point that some scenes were confusing and muddled. I immediately dnfed but decided to try again. I picked up right where I left off the first time. I enjoyed the story much more than before after I got used to the writing. Despite the issues I had with it, this author is definitely talented and had some very beautifully written lines. I just think it needed better editing.
The main character, Aurelia, was a little insufferable in the beginning. A little bit of "woe is me"/"nobody has it harder than me" vibes. ✨ I felt that her hatred for Teddy was uncalled for. It was to the point of obsession really and it made me uncomfortable. She was very obviously projecting her own inadequacies and resentment onto him. They would bicker for seemingly no reason. I suppose this was the point though because it gave her an opportunity to grow and be more comfortable with vulnerability. Even though she frustrated me at times, I did honestly relate to her character. She is flawed but that's what makes her human. She and Teddy were really cute together once they stopped "hating" each other. Because of the slow burn, their love felt intense and genuine. The romance is easily the best part of the book and was very well done. 💞
The plot is basically non-existent/ underwhelming. It is a very slow-paced and character-driven story. It is quiet, cozy, and magical. It mostly takes place in a cottage in a small town so there is little to no action or adventure. If it had a stronger plot and antagonist I would have easily given this five stars! I recommend if you like witches, fall/wintertime, cottagecore, and/or academic rivals to lovers.
The main character, Aurelia, was a little insufferable in the beginning. A little bit of "woe is me"/"nobody has it harder than me" vibes. ✨ I felt that her hatred for Teddy was uncalled for. It was to the point of obsession really and it made me uncomfortable. She was very obviously projecting her own inadequacies and resentment onto him. They would bicker for seemingly no reason. I suppose this was the point though because it gave her an opportunity to grow and be more comfortable with vulnerability. Even though she frustrated me at times, I did honestly relate to her character. She is flawed but that's what makes her human. She and Teddy were really cute together once they stopped "hating" each other. Because of the slow burn, their love felt intense and genuine. The romance is easily the best part of the book and was very well done. 💞
The plot is basically non-existent/ underwhelming. It is a very slow-paced and character-driven story. It is quiet, cozy, and magical. It mostly takes place in a cottage in a small town so there is little to no action or adventure. If it had a stronger plot and antagonist I would have easily given this five stars! I recommend if you like witches, fall/wintertime, cottagecore, and/or academic rivals to lovers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Sexual content, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit
soniajoy98's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit, Abandonment, and Classism
shutupaboutbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"That was the difference between men who grew up coddled, spoon fed success until hunger formed only from its loss, and women who'd reached success by clawing through their own flesh"
This book was just incredible. It's hard to put into words exactly how it made me feel but I'm going to try.
First of all, the prose. Agajanian weaves beautiful words with horrifying imagery, resulting in a tense and emotional atmosphere. She uses powerful metaphors to not only get the point across but to glue it to your brain. The way they wrote grief and misery had me feeling it right along with the characters.
Second, the characters. They are flawed and don't try to hide it. They let their flaws dictate their choices and do it unapologetically. That is until they help each other realize that there is more to them than just what they lack.
Lastly, the romance. It was so well developed. You felt their conflicting emotions right along with them. It felt natural and not at all forced. They had me crying so hard. I want someone to see me the way they saw each other.
All in all, it is a phenomenal book that everyone should read. I'm stunned this is her debut. I can' t wait for the sequel!
This book was just incredible. It's hard to put into words exactly how it made me feel but I'm going to try.
First of all, the prose. Agajanian weaves beautiful words with horrifying imagery, resulting in a tense and emotional atmosphere. She uses powerful metaphors to not only get the point across but to glue it to your brain. The way they wrote grief and misery had me feeling it right along with the characters.
Second, the characters. They are flawed and don't try to hide it. They let their flaws dictate their choices and do it unapologetically. That is until they help each other realize that there is more to them than just what they lack.
Lastly, the romance. It was so well developed. You felt their conflicting emotions right along with them. It felt natural and not at all forced. They had me crying so hard. I want someone to see me the way they saw each other.
All in all, it is a phenomenal book that everyone should read. I'm stunned this is her debut. I can' t wait for the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Eating disorder, Gore, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Blood, and Vomit