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foreverinastory's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This was fun. Was a little sad the MC didn't seem to be queer but oh well. The religious diversity was really well done in this. I also loved that Wes was an immigrant!
I don't want to put antisemitism as a CW because there are not Jewish characters in this, but the impression I got from the treatment of Sumic people closely resembles the treatment of Jewish people.
Rep: white half Yu'adir cishet female MC, Banvish immigrant dyslexic Sumic cishet male MC (also likely ADHD), Banvish immigrant sapphic Sumic female side character, side MLM pairing.
CWs: parental neglect, emotional abuse, bullying, religious bigotry, violence, gun violence, animal death, blood, xenophobia, panic attack, toxic relationship, grief, past death of parent, abandonment, injury/injury detail. Moderate: gore, sexual content, ableism, racial/religious slurs, hate crime.
This was fun. Was a little sad the MC didn't seem to be queer but oh well. The religious diversity was really well done in this. I also loved that Wes was an immigrant!
I don't want to put antisemitism as a CW because there are not Jewish characters in this, but the impression I got from the treatment of Sumic people closely resembles the treatment of Jewish people.
Rep: white half Yu'adir cishet female MC, Banvish immigrant dyslexic Sumic cishet male MC (also likely ADHD), Banvish immigrant sapphic Sumic female side character, side MLM pairing.
CWs: parental neglect, emotional abuse, bullying, religious bigotry, violence, gun violence, animal death, blood, xenophobia, panic attack, toxic relationship, grief, past death of parent, abandonment, injury/injury detail. Moderate: gore, sexual content, ableism, racial/religious slurs, hate crime.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Religious bigotry, Violence, Gun violence, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
Moderate: Ableism, Hate crime, Gore, Sexual content, and Racial slurs
katroseknibbs'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Antisemitism, Xenophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual content
nemorensis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-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
4.0
Thank you, Wednesday Books for sending me a copy! It was so very cool! Thank you!
I made this brief and spoiler-free:
Meet the dream-team joining the infamous Halfmoon Hunt:
Wes, a neurodivergent dyslexic wannabe alchemist who has a bit too much energy for his own good, with big dreams and even bigger charming skills, and Margaret, a calm girl who just wants to sit by the window and read some good ol’ smut while waiting for her mother to come home. Perfect.
While hunting a magical beast that is both a threat and a gift from God (and that I would most definitely try to pet), these two wonderful young people try to discover their place in a world that does not accept them. Wes wants to change all that is unjust, while Maggie wants hide from anything that might hurt her. They discover that love is complicated, sometimes unstoppable and other times undeserved. AND there’s a good boy doggo named Trouble.
I had a fun time reading this book. The writing is beautiful and the characters are *chef kiss* amazing 10/10. Their slow burn romance made me screech from time to time and I was rooting for them from page 1. Both of them have such complex personalities and the way they balance each other’s fears and dreams… ah, wonderful. I don’t want to say too much and spoil the book for you but the “Treat me gently. I’m delicate.” (Wes) – “Shut up and drink your water.” (Maggie) dynamic is high-quality content. I recommend.
My only tiny little complaint is the pacing. It’s almost as if nothing really happens in this book yet A LOT is happening, so I’m a bit confused here. Don’t get me wrong, I really liked the book. It’s an excellent story but I think I expected a bit more from the fox (maybe I’m bitter because I was not allowed to pet it, who knows).
All in all, it’s a great book and a great story. If you like alchemy, slow-paced romance, and excellent characters (gosh I love them), this book is definitely for you.
(I just want to add that the cover is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Religious bigotry
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