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stitchbooks22's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This was incredibly boring, full of plot holes and wasn’t well written. Whoever marketed this as adult must not have read it, given it felt more like a YA with a vague attempt at romantasy that just didn’t work. Also predicted the plot twist at the end.
The idea of an enchanted library, cottagecore and cosy vibes with magic for a book could’ve been so good, but was executed poorly. I’m very disappointed I can’t lie.
The only redeeming features were the small portion of the enchanted library we got as well as the characters of Isla, Gryph, Grey and the fox who were barely in it. Milo also seemed like a sweet kid and I liked him despite his also limited presence.
I have mixed feelings about Lore as she acted like an ungrateful brat at times, though could be wonderful at others. Finn is another character I have mixed feelings on, but he is growing on me.
Will I read the next one? Possibly. I would like to see some of the characters again and see if the duology can be redeemed. It’s a decision for a later date.
The idea of an enchanted library, cottagecore and cosy vibes with magic for a book could’ve been so good, but was executed poorly. I’m very disappointed I can’t lie.
The only redeeming features were the small portion of the enchanted library we got as well as the characters of Isla, Gryph, Grey and the fox who were barely in it. Milo also seemed like a sweet kid and I liked him despite his also limited presence.
I have mixed feelings about Lore as she acted like an ungrateful brat at times, though could be wonderful at others. Finn is another character I have mixed feelings on, but he is growing on me.
Will I read the next one? Possibly. I would like to see some of the characters again and see if the duology can be redeemed. It’s a decision for a later date.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Confinement, Death, Infertility, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Violence, Colonisation, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, War, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Classism, Murder, and Physical abuse
abby_can_read's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.0
📱
I had a wonderful time with this book. I loved the sentinel library. I thought the characters were good and I liked the friendships. Personally, I'm waiting for the romances to develop more. While I enjoyed the plot, I did find it predictable and I did see the twist at the end.
I struggled some with the worldbuilding regarding the magic system. I'm hoping that is something explained in the sequel. I also found the pacing to be difficult. There were some parts that were long and other parts that I wanted to read so it that were completely skipped over.
I had a wonderful time with this book. I loved the sentinel library. I thought the characters were good and I liked the friendships. Personally, I'm waiting for the romances to develop more. While I enjoyed the plot, I did find it predictable and I did see the twist at the end.
I struggled some with the worldbuilding regarding the magic system. I'm hoping that is something explained in the sequel. I also found the pacing to be difficult. There were some parts that were long and other parts that I wanted to read so it that were completely skipped over.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Rape
julalbert56's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Mostly, I was very bored listening to this book. I also did not vibe with the romance. Asher and Lore had no chemistry. At one point he says “I’m so much stronger than you” like shut up dude what a big ick. I know the twist is that he’s evil but their romance has to be at least a bit believable since the romance is a primary plot point I also felt like the world building was lacking. Mostly, if the fae, as explained in the beginning, are so picky about lineages, why why why would their evil plan be to mate with HUMANS, the one species they despise and look down on the most? The war in the South was also super sidelined and random, as was the scene with Grey and that Queen. How did Lore rescue him so quickly? It was so underwhelming. the only character I really liked was Isla, though it was funny that she was the only lesbian character and was described as having orange and pink/sunset clothing (literally the lesbian flag, not subtle lol). ALSO the writing gave very much YA (which I thought the book was) until a random sex scene? It threw me off. Anyway, not a huge fan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault
erinreadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Unfortunately, this book was not enjoyable to me. The writing style felt juvenile, full of “telling” rather than “showing”, which made it feel like the author was speaking down to the reader, spelling things out that didn’t need to be spelled out. The worldbuilding was also severely lacking; there wasn’t much explanation about how the magic worked in this world, especially regarding the magical grimoire. The whole thing just felt underdeveloped. The rough storyline was interesting but overall, the writing style just made me cringe.
Read if you like romantasy and if you don’t mind a more blunt, simple writing style.
Read if you like romantasy and if you don’t mind a more blunt, simple writing style.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Misogyny, Death of parent, Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
irishpierogies's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Minor: Slavery and Sexual assault
marirene's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Racism, and Xenophobia
katrinaslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
I’m shaken by this book!
I enjoyed the beginning premise of this book, it drew me in with its magic and wonder. Lore is a relatable main character, she’s kind and imaginative. However as I read, I progressively felt more shaken.
Analeigh has created a fae world that is dark and terrifying. Lore’s character as a young black woman in this world that imprisons humans makes the parallels to our own a chilling read.
The story balanced the two love interests development well. I felt that Lore liked them both and it made the ending even more devastating. *Spoiler alert* there are plot twists! I registered the clues but the plot twist got me. I’m sure others would have put two and two together.
Overall, this was one of my most anticipated books this year and it didn’t disappoint. However I would have wished I paid more attention to the trigger warnings for the book. Which I highly recommend you do.
I enjoyed the beginning premise of this book, it drew me in with its magic and wonder. Lore is a relatable main character, she’s kind and imaginative. However as I read, I progressively felt more shaken.
Analeigh has created a fae world that is dark and terrifying. Lore’s character as a young black woman in this world that imprisons humans makes the parallels to our own a chilling read.
The story balanced the two love interests development well. I felt that Lore liked them both and it made the ending even more devastating. *Spoiler alert* there are plot twists! I registered the clues but the plot twist got me. I’m sure others would have put two and two together.
Overall, this was one of my most anticipated books this year and it didn’t disappoint. However I would have wished I paid more attention to the trigger warnings for the book. Which I highly recommend you do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual violence, Colonisation, Kidnapping, Racism, Violence, and Sexual assault
ainadei's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
The first half of this book was really good! I loved the politics and the main character's home and background, the different species of fae, and the library! However, Lore comes off as very naive and immature considering her past. She quickly falls in love with the first male fae who doesn't discriminate against her and I just couldn't see their chemistry at the pace they were moving. Their relationship also felt a lot more carnal than loving, though I think we were supposed to feel love. I also didn't know how to feel about meeting Finn more than half way through the story, especially when she had an essentially established romance with Asher, so I thought her showing interest in Finn was a little strange? And getting Gray back from the Queen seemed way too easy and a little rushed. Finally, the fox showing up and suddenly turning into a moth in the end seemed unnecessary to me, considering it hadn't been there in the story since the beginning. I'm not sure if I'm nitpicking but I really wanted to love this book!! I've never seen a cottage core-looking romantasy with so many people of color so all these discrepancies I felt with the story disappointed me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
niita's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I’m just ready for the second book, man….. I am SO shook about that ending. Albeit, I’m heartbroken….. 💔😔.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
hiashleynine's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content