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epsyphus's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This was so much fun. The pinning was immaculate. Three books into her work and Kingfisher hasn't missed once yet.
Edit for reread: I hadn’t realized until after reading Swordheart that that book, this series, and her Clockwork books are all in the same universe. I’ve been reading them out of chronological order so it was fun to reread this book knowing what Zale had been up to in Swordheart. I really do love her characters so much.
Edit for reread: I hadn’t realized until after reading Swordheart that that book, this series, and her Clockwork books are all in the same universe. I’ve been reading them out of chronological order so it was fun to reread this book knowing what Zale had been up to in Swordheart. I really do love her characters so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Murder
caterwaul's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I wasn't expecting the amount of worldbuilding that went into this book? Like okay, this is a fantasy romance, and because of that, I was kind of expecting a kinda basic fantasy world as a backdrop for the romance. But no! There's actually a fair amount of world in this book! It feels alive and bigger than just this story, and I think I'm a little disappointed that it wasn't a quest storyline a la Dragonlance or the Lord of the Rings because there's so much potential with this world.
I did very much enjoy the romance. Stephen and Grace are both fun characters with rough pasts, and I think they play off each other well. I also love that they have relationships outside of just each other and that those non-romantic relationships mean something to the characters and to the story. The sprinkling of politics and mystery on top is also wonderful- I do love political intrigue, though it only minimally appears in this book. Will definitely have to grab it's sequels at some point
I did very much enjoy the romance. Stephen and Grace are both fun characters with rough pasts, and I think they play off each other well. I also love that they have relationships outside of just each other and that those non-romantic relationships mean something to the characters and to the story. The sprinkling of politics and mystery on top is also wonderful- I do love political intrigue, though it only minimally appears in this book. Will definitely have to grab it's sequels at some point
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Murder
Minor: Infidelity
madbookworm15's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
bethanycrowepowell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
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
5.0
A romantic, earthy fantasy reminiscent of Chalion hewing a little more contemporary in tone. I'd heard a lot about this series here and there, so finally jumped in. For me, it was an unusually successful gritty fantasy in a secondary world that centers a romance while still having a compelling plot, one that continues into the rest of the series even once the MCs of this book have found their happy ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Alcohol
Both protagonists are living with traumas that shape their reactions and impact how they move through the world. This is treated respectfully, even though it makes their journeys more complicated.tinyfrogwizard's review against another edition
lighthearted
1.5
Probably my lowest rated book this year. After multiple attempts by the rational part of my brain to not subject myself to something that would just frustrate me, I decided to give this book more chances than I should have. I know I tend to have a sharp tongue for things I dislike so I will attempt here to be kind.
This book fully embraces the terms "lighthearted" and "escapist fantasy" to the detriment of quality. Both the prose and dialogue are reminiscent of fluff fanfiction I wrote as a 15 year old, which I will not pretend to understand the appeal for. The handful of scenes that I thought were clever or funny did not outweigh the amount of times I physically cringed or had to leave the room. I overwhelmingly feel that I was not the intended audience.
Also, the line "well that just happened" 60% into the book? wow. This is just patronizing.
This book fully embraces the terms "lighthearted" and "escapist fantasy" to the detriment of quality. Both the prose and dialogue are reminiscent of fluff fanfiction I wrote as a 15 year old, which I will not pretend to understand the appeal for. The handful of scenes that I thought were clever or funny did not outweigh the amount of times I physically cringed or had to leave the room. I overwhelmingly feel that I was not the intended audience.
Also, the line "well that just happened" 60% into the book? wow. This is just patronizing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
moragb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Grief
Relationships handled in a mature way, characters are grown upsmmkn_99's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
5.0
WHAT A WORLD! Such a cool premise with really interesting characters. There are flawed humans that grow! There are women with serious skills that don't disappear later on because the plot needs them to be weak! My excitement is palpable with how much I adored this book.
The plot was really cool, and the introduction of a subplot that is not necessarily solved within one book, even more interesting. I can't wait to see what happens next.
The plot was really cool, and the introduction of a subplot that is not necessarily solved within one book, even more interesting. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Stephen's god died a little after noon on the longest day of the year.
With a compelling opening line like that how could I not have a good time reading this book?
To be honest, it kinda similar to The Clockwork boys/The Wonder Engine and Swordheart in that they feature a competent female protagonist in her 30s and a tortured soul of a male paladin(-esque) love interest nearing 40 (+/- a few hundred years), but what can I say beyond I apparently love the trope? It isn't even that unexpected since it's the same author.
Also worth note is that our non-binary friend/lawyer Zale makes an appearance as well as a few other known entities from the world of the White Rat.
My quest to read all the things written under the T. Kingfisher pseudonym continues.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
anna_23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
beholderess's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Suicide
Moderate: Emotional abuse