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abarnakwn_ourcolourfulpages's review
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
rimestock's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The magic was pretty neat and my favorite bit about this book. The main plot was fun, and didn't overstay its welcome, but I'd definitely be open to reading more about the world, whether with Eli and Duke, or a different set of characters.
emergencia's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
anna_mangnus's review
5.0
this book is ridiculously up my alley. a queer heist set in magical 1920s?? of course i’m going to adore it.
the characters are incredible and the writing was fast pace and hilarious.
could the plot have been a bit more fleshed out if it had been longer? yes. was the romance a little fast and the writing a little fanfic-y? yes. did i love it a ton anyway? yes.
the characters are incredible and the writing was fast pace and hilarious.
could the plot have been a bit more fleshed out if it had been longer? yes. was the romance a little fast and the writing a little fanfic-y? yes. did i love it a ton anyway? yes.
lanid's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence
ellelainey's review
4.0
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley
~
Pyre at the Eyreholme Trust, by Lin Darrow
★★★★☆
96 Pages
POV: 3rd person, one character
This was a really fun story, with a historical, 1920s mobster feel to it, with an added sprinkle of magic. The characters were well developed and intriguing, the plot was well paced and had a nice balance between showing/telling and didn't drag the timeline, despite it spanning over a few weeks.
My only complaints were that 96 is a lot of story without even a few chapter headings. It made the story feel like it dragged and took ages to read, when really it didn't. But it felt like that, because there was no breathing room, to stop and process what was happening. It also felt that there were a few places where the story didn't so much drag but lost its sparkle. I felt that a few places lacked the flow and compelling storytelling flair that the rest of the story had.
I loved that we had a gender-fluid MC and that Eli got to show both the male and female personalities in the story, without losing any of the chemistry with Duke. I loved that Duke was just as attracted to Eli as a male as he was when Eli presented as female. Duke came across as a playful hard-man, who had a flair for the dramatic and the crimes they were committing, but who also had a heart of gold. That softer side was nicely and slowly drawn out, through the story. In contrast, Eli was a wallflower who liked to remain off the radar, with a quick mind and smart mouth, but who had a hidden temper when pressed and a long-held need to use his magic. The chemistry was really nicely explored, a slow development from stranger to boyfriends, and a nice progression of their personalities and character growth with each new step forward.
Overall, it was a great story with a few flaws, but one that I'd read again.
~
Favourite Quotes
“Nobody had ever looked at him with such open, ravenous hunger. And it wasn't for the polish he regularly painted on, but for the corrupted threads beneath, the fraying parts of him that he fought every day to keep hid.
It was nice, Eli thought, not to have to hide. To be seen, just as he was.”
Copy received through Netgalley
~
Pyre at the Eyreholme Trust, by Lin Darrow
★★★★☆
96 Pages
POV: 3rd person, one character
This was a really fun story, with a historical, 1920s mobster feel to it, with an added sprinkle of magic. The characters were well developed and intriguing, the plot was well paced and had a nice balance between showing/telling and didn't drag the timeline, despite it spanning over a few weeks.
My only complaints were that 96 is a lot of story without even a few chapter headings. It made the story feel like it dragged and took ages to read, when really it didn't. But it felt like that, because there was no breathing room, to stop and process what was happening. It also felt that there were a few places where the story didn't so much drag but lost its sparkle. I felt that a few places lacked the flow and compelling storytelling flair that the rest of the story had.
I loved that we had a gender-fluid MC and that Eli got to show both the male and female personalities in the story, without losing any of the chemistry with Duke. I loved that Duke was just as attracted to Eli as a male as he was when Eli presented as female. Duke came across as a playful hard-man, who had a flair for the dramatic and the crimes they were committing, but who also had a heart of gold. That softer side was nicely and slowly drawn out, through the story. In contrast, Eli was a wallflower who liked to remain off the radar, with a quick mind and smart mouth, but who had a hidden temper when pressed and a long-held need to use his magic. The chemistry was really nicely explored, a slow development from stranger to boyfriends, and a nice progression of their personalities and character growth with each new step forward.
Overall, it was a great story with a few flaws, but one that I'd read again.
~
Favourite Quotes
“Nobody had ever looked at him with such open, ravenous hunger. And it wasn't for the polish he regularly painted on, but for the corrupted threads beneath, the fraying parts of him that he fought every day to keep hid.
It was nice, Eli thought, not to have to hide. To be seen, just as he was.”
joan_calmes's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
iam's review
5.0
Find this review & more on the blog.
Super cool queer magical heist noir novella that is free to read!
Content warnings include: violence, robbery, illegal magic, blackmail.
I loved pretty much everything about this! The magic and worldbuilding was fascinating and a very fresh take on the whole elemental magic theme, with focus on more than just fire and water, bringing in ink, smoke, paper, textiles and more.
The plot itself was exhilarating and exciting, with unexpected twists, made even better by protagonist Eli's... let's call it "criminal energy", which by far surpasses Duke's own affinity for breaking the law, despite the latter being the crime boss blackmailing Eli and not the other way around.
I also loved that Eli worked as a jewellry salesperson, though he also performs/sings at a bar/club at night. His latter occupation sadly didn't make it on page, which was a shame in my opinion.
The queer energy is equally great, with Eli being bigender and Duke pansexual, and the chemistry between the two sparking high despite neither of their magical abilities being tied to lightning.
If I have one complaint it's that it was way too short! I would have loved to read twice or three times as much about this setting, these characters and their misadventures.
More info on the book and background, some art of the characters and link to where to get it for free (or pay what you want) you can find here!
Super cool queer magical heist noir novella that is free to read!
Content warnings include: violence, robbery, illegal magic, blackmail.
I loved pretty much everything about this! The magic and worldbuilding was fascinating and a very fresh take on the whole elemental magic theme, with focus on more than just fire and water, bringing in ink, smoke, paper, textiles and more.
The plot itself was exhilarating and exciting, with unexpected twists, made even better by protagonist Eli's... let's call it "criminal energy", which by far surpasses Duke's own affinity for breaking the law, despite the latter being the crime boss blackmailing Eli and not the other way around.
I also loved that Eli worked as a jewellry salesperson, though he also performs/sings at a bar/club at night. His latter occupation sadly didn't make it on page, which was a shame in my opinion.
The queer energy is equally great, with Eli being bigender and Duke pansexual, and the chemistry between the two sparking high despite neither of their magical abilities being tied to lightning.
If I have one complaint it's that it was way too short! I would have loved to read twice or three times as much about this setting, these characters and their misadventures.
More info on the book and background, some art of the characters and link to where to get it for free (or pay what you want) you can find here!
kappareads's review
4.0
Real rating: 3.5 stars
Bigender MC, cool world-building, nice romance, what else could I want?
Bigender MC, cool world-building, nice romance, what else could I want?