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heathyfox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Right now, though... Reading this book was like listening to a grand symphony of prose, a unique magic system, and charming characters full of potential, and JUST when you think the beautiful, stirring music of all these elements is about to come to an outstanding crescendo... All you're left with is the pathetic, prolonged squeak of a rubber chicken.
I had to seriously adjust my expectations about halfway through the book. This is not the fantasy with Regency romance vibes I was hoping for... This is a Regency romance with fantasy waving in at the window outside, begging to be included in the party.
I still highly enjoyed it, but I am left wishing it was something different.
3.5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Classism, Colonisation, and Cursing
not_another_ana's review against another edition
Graphic: Alcoholism, Classism, and Colonisation
frantically's review against another edition
Graphic: Classism
vagrantheather's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
The political dynamics of the kingdom are thinly veiled remarks on the generation immediately following the English genocide on the Irish.
Parts of it, especially in the first half, made me laugh out loud. I loved the scene with the first coat she made for Kit, and loved the impertinence of their developing relationship.
Lightly addressed living with chronic illness in a way that was not disagreeable.
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Biphobia, Colonisation, Classism, and Homophobia
jennifermreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
And, yet, I had to push myself to finish it. Why didn’t I DNF? Because it was an anticipated read and I feared it may be falling victim to my reading slump where every book I pick up is taking an eternity to read and feels like I am slogging along versus whipping through pages.
There were glimmers of enjoyment. I adored Sinclair and all his antics. I found moments of delight in the scenes with Niamh and Kit. But I mostly felt an overwhelming frustration with the world-building. I got more about the world and the affects of magic on Niamh from the dustjacket than I did from the text. And if her magic was so life-shortening and deadly, should it not have had a large part in the story’s development and in the story itself? I flipped back to re-read the jacket a half-dozen times while I read the book. I had to be sure I had not misread the copy. I had not. Niamh’s life should be getting shortened each time she wove a stitch but readers see her weakening…once? Twice? And, if you had skipped the jacket copy, you may have been completely baffled by what was happening to her!
Graphic: Alcoholism and Classism
toriwatson's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Classism, Alcoholism, and Chronic illness
kirstenf's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, Classism, Death of parent, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, and Death
Minor: Lesbophobia, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, War, Antisemitism, and Cursing
scarlett_f's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, Homophobia, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Misogyny, Confinement, Death of parent, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Alcoholism, Classism, Alcohol, and Emotional abuse
natraf_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Outing, War, Alcohol, Slavery, Classism, and Death of parent
mattyroh07's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Moderate: Classism, Sexual content, and Chronic illness
Minor: War, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Outing