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iwi's review
3.0
While I really enjoyed the main characters and how their indentities were handled, I found so much of the plot and the world confusing. At times even character motives weren't clear.
I have a bunch of questions after finishing that the book should have answered. I wish it had given us more about the world and the conflict, why there was a war what was going on with Lowell--Ondina's plan is so strange to me as well.
No one had any meaningful conversations after everything is solved. Bryana was lying for years to Val, Ondina doesn't have a conversation with Bryana after she says that the princess wouldn't support them if she married Patrick? No one cares about Lowell. Val and their father's reunion. Val telling Bryana about themself.
I don't need alllll the conversations but I wanted just a bit more closure at the end.
I have a bunch of questions after finishing that the book should have answered. I wish it had given us more about the world and the conflict, why there was a war what was going on with Lowell--Ondina's plan is so strange to me as well.
No one had any meaningful conversations after everything is solved. Bryana was lying for years to Val, Ondina doesn't have a conversation with Bryana after she says that the princess wouldn't support them if she married Patrick? No one cares about Lowell. Val and their father's reunion. Val telling Bryana about themself.
I don't need alllll the conversations but I wanted just a bit more closure at the end.
carpenterbeeoli's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Chronic illness, and Dysphoria
kabbyblue's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.25
cdmue's review
3.0
Received an eARC from NetGalley. 3 stars for the representative of the characters but over all I thought the story was not well written out. The premise of the story was great but the execution was lackluster to me.
ssbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
gina_readsbooks's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
“It doesn’t do any good to keep pushing myself down whenever I try to stand up. All I can do is be who I am.”
This is such a great book - two trans, non-binary main characters and an enemies to lovers trope. There’s magic and fantasy, and it was so hard not to fall in love with Cade and Val.
There is a lot of political and royal aspects that propel this story forward. Both Cade and Val are navigating their blossoming feelings for each other while trying to do what is necessary for their people. The magic and fantasy is compelling and doesn’t overpower Cade and Val. It did take me a bit to find my bearings in this world, but once I did I really enjoyed it.
Cade and Val are both so intriguing in their identities and their individual journeys. They find such companionship and support in each other, and you can tell that it’s important for them. The representation is portrayed so well, and it was a joy to read.
suzreadsalot's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
this is possibly the most true 3 star book i've read. i kinda loved it but was also equally disappointed. so far Anna-Marie McLemore's books have been Hit or Miss for me and Venom & Vow was both a Hit and a Miss, so let's get into it!
What I loved:
What I loved:
- The main characters
- Cade and Val were great characters in my opinion. they were fun and i love them individually and think that they both had good individual growth.
- The trans storyline
- absolutely phenomenal. I loved that we got Cade who was confident in himself and his identity and had known he was trans from a young age. Then we had Val who was still figuring out their identity and come to terms with what that would mean for them moving forward.
- The disability rep
- The dopamine hit of having not one but TWO disabled MCs was magical.
What I didn't love:
- The writing was very much tell and no show. for me this really hindered the emotional moments that i wanted to connect to.
- The fantasy plotline was..... not there? It was felt like it wanted to be a political fantasy plot but it was riddled with plot holes and consostency issues and overall i'm still confused about what it actually was lol
- The romance. HEAR ME OUT okay! so did i like the romance? yes. but i also feel like it was rushed. The tension was trying but it just didn't hit and then they all of a sudden just start being friends? the transition from enemies to friends to lovers was not smooth in my opinion. I do think that i can see Cade and Val falling in love but the big I Love You moment just didn't feel genuine to me.
overall it was a fun book and the narration was amazing but it let me confused and wanting and not in the fun way.
shanthecitygirl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
This book is..fine. I loved the characters, their evolution, the explorations of gender and power and expression, but the plot around it never really did it for me. A lot of felt rote and I could never really tell if Patrick was a problem or not? All in all, I enjoyed it but I didn't love it.
dvnjii's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
couple would’ve been better as a queer platonic relationship . random spanish. nice gender queer rep
ashli's review against another edition
3.75
I didn’t love both narrators — MW Cartozian Wilson left extra space between words that I found very distracting. But outside of that, I loved the series of getting to know a person missteps. I found the world building to be a delight.