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melissaslibraryy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Classism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I did enjoy this better than the other book I read by this author, but I just think in general her storytelling isn't really for me. There are some beautiful passages and quotes, but I think the underlying plot wasn't anything super special or unique. I also am really not an insta-love person.
🌶️2.5/5 (closed door)
🌶️2.5/5 (closed door)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Cursing, and Gaslighting
Minor: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I wasn’t 100% invested in Tana and Wolfe as a couple. The magic and explanations behind it could have been tighter. I never understood what made Tana special minus her being the daughter of the coven leader. The world building was solid enough to keep me going but this also could have been reduced as far as pages go.
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Sexual content
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
The premise, the atmosphere, and the overall world-building were honestly great in this. It makes for a good witchy fall read, if you're into that! I always enjoy how Griffin connects her witches to nature in some way, and that's on full display in this book. Also, I would love to go to magical tea shop like they had in this book. It sounds so lovely!
I think my main qualm with this book is that I wanted more development of the romance. Sure, Tana and Wolfe got to spend a decent amount of time together, but I still didn't quite believe the romance by the end. I wanted it to be developed a little bit more. Not the worst I've read, but I wish there was just a little more spark and chemistry there.
There was good character development, though, and the overall stakes were pretty high by the end of the book. Not a bad standalone fantasy overall, if you're looking for that!
I think my main qualm with this book is that I wanted more development of the romance. Sure, Tana and Wolfe got to spend a decent amount of time together, but I still didn't quite believe the romance by the end. I wanted it to be developed a little bit more. Not the worst I've read, but I wish there was just a little more spark and chemistry there.
There was good character development, though, and the overall stakes were pretty high by the end of the book. Not a bad standalone fantasy overall, if you're looking for that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cursing, Gaslighting, and Sexual content
Minor: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
bellebookcorner's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have mix feelings about this book, there are some things that I really like but there are some things that prevent me from fully enjoying this book.
This is my first time reading a book from this author and I fell in love with the writing style. The way it describes the oceans, the way the magic works, and the characters emotions are very well written.
I also like the magic system in this world, it’s unique and very interesting to know about. How you can imbue a little bit of magic into tea or perfume is fascinating and for other people magic can be used to travel through water and heal people.
However, Mortana (FMC) inner struggle between choosing duty or following her heart felt repetitive after a while, it kinda annoyed me.
I don’t really like Mortana’s mother character as well because I can’t seem to understand her actions. At times it felt like she love her daughter but at times she sees her daughter like a pawn she use to secure the safety for the witches.
As for the romance, I don’t really feel the spark between the main characters, they fell for each other slightly too fast. I wish there’s more room for them to interact more or more chapters from Wolfe's POV would be great.
Seeing this book as a standalone, the ending for this book felt too rushed and it wasn’t wrapped up like I expected it would be. While the ending was not what I expected, I wasn’t fully disappointed with it as well.
Overall, it’s a pretty good read and you can give this one a try if you’re looking for a witchy read. This book has the potential to be a good series with great world building and magic system, if there's a sequel I'll probably pick it up.
I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Animal death
kaetheluise_nckl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book felt like home.
It also doesn’t require many brain cells to read, because it is, at times, quite predictable.
However, I enjoyed myself thoroughly.
My favorite part was the magic system — as a practicing baby witch it was interesting to see a normalized fantasy version of moon circle magic be integrated into this book.
I think the author did an incredible job with that.
The plot unraveled at just the right speed, and I found it had just enough twists and turns to keep me engaged — also in the way it presented the lore. There was very little info dumping, and instead, the reader gets to discover new information along with the main character.
If I had to be nitpicky and name things I didn't like as much, I would say that I think it would have been nice if the magic system, which was hinted to be related to the moon, was a little more fleshed out.
The author could have made use of the wheel of the year and integrated more modern-day witches' sabbaths.
But then again, I think I am just saying that because I am a practicing witch and I get to have opinions on magic.
And— Wolfe is probably not my favorite name for a male love interest, it took me a little while to get over his name and focus on his personality.
But it's fine. I'm being nitpicky here.
If you are looking for a light and breezy YA romantasy and don't mind your books being predictable or having fade-to-black intimacy, this book is for you.
If you like enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers, "You only love me because I wanted you to fall in love with me" and something akin to a hero corruption arc, this book is for you.
If you like books about witches, this book is for you.
I would definitely (and have already) recommend this book to people, and I will declare it right now:
This book has made me yell at my screen, squeal, and kick my legs, and it is going on my list of favorite 2023 reads.
It also doesn’t require many brain cells to read, because it is, at times, quite predictable.
However, I enjoyed myself thoroughly.
My favorite part was the magic system — as a practicing baby witch it was interesting to see a normalized fantasy version of moon circle magic be integrated into this book.
I think the author did an incredible job with that.
The plot unraveled at just the right speed, and I found it had just enough twists and turns to keep me engaged — also in the way it presented the lore. There was very little info dumping, and instead, the reader gets to discover new information along with the main character.
If I had to be nitpicky and name things I didn't like as much, I would say that I think it would have been nice if the magic system, which was hinted to be related to the moon, was a little more fleshed out.
The author could have made use of the wheel of the year and integrated more modern-day witches' sabbaths.
But then again, I think I am just saying that because I am a practicing witch and I get to have opinions on magic.
And— Wolfe is probably not my favorite name for a male love interest, it took me a little while to get over his name and focus on his personality.
But it's fine. I'm being nitpicky here.
If you are looking for a light and breezy YA romantasy and don't mind your books being predictable or having fade-to-black intimacy, this book is for you.
If you like enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers, "You only love me because I wanted you to fall in love with me" and something akin to a hero corruption arc, this book is for you.
If you like books about witches, this book is for you.
I would definitely (and have already) recommend this book to people, and I will declare it right now:
This book has made me yell at my screen, squeal, and kick my legs, and it is going on my list of favorite 2023 reads.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Animal death
fade-to-black intimacy, arranged marriage
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