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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes:friends to lovers
Steam level: 🌶🌶🌶
This was such an easy read, and I mean that in the best way possible. The writing, the world, the characters, and the relationships, all had me flying through this book. I felt invested in the connection between Elle and Luc and the way their relationship steadily developed from friends to more. I also really liked the way the author slowly exposed the secrets that both characters carry with them. Rather than a big bang, she sprinkled hints here and there, before letting the entire story reveal itself. Both Elle's and Luc's backgrounds were really compelling to me. The friendships and family dynamics were well done too, especially Elle's relationship with her older brother, Tony, which we get a decent amount of. Their interactions were fantastic, and the way they spoke to each other and fought felt the way families often do: complicated.
The worldbuilding was a bit more confusing at times. It's easy enough to overlook, but some more explanation about the agency and how it functions within the world would have helped. Instead, a lot of things get mentioned (like Elle being descended from a Chinese god of medicine, for example), but nothing gets explored in-depth.
While I liked the progression of the romance and the way that part of the story resolved, I think other aspects weren't handled in a satisfactory manner. There are a couple of threads that are left dangling, even though we are told that they are of the utmost importance to our main characters, and the "bad guy" doesn't really get dealt with in a way that feels like closure.
Tropes:
Steam level: 🌶🌶🌶
This was such an easy read, and I mean that in the best way possible. The writing, the world, the characters, and the relationships, all had me flying through this book. I felt invested in the connection between Elle and Luc and the way their relationship steadily developed from friends to more. I also really liked the way the author slowly exposed the secrets that both characters carry with them. Rather than a big bang, she sprinkled hints here and there, before letting the entire story reveal itself. Both Elle's and Luc's backgrounds were really compelling to me. The friendships and family dynamics were well done too, especially Elle's relationship with her older brother, Tony, which we get a decent amount of. Their interactions were fantastic, and the way they spoke to each other and fought felt the way families often do: complicated.
The worldbuilding was a bit more confusing at times. It's easy enough to overlook, but some more explanation about the agency and how it functions within the world would have helped. Instead, a lot of things get mentioned (like Elle being descended from a Chinese god of medicine, for example), but nothing gets explored in-depth.
While I liked the progression of the romance and the way that part of the story resolved, I think other aspects weren't handled in a satisfactory manner. There are a couple of threads that are left dangling, even though we are told that they are of the utmost importance to our main characters, and the "bad guy" doesn't really get dealt with in a way that feels like closure.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
An adorable fantasy romance. Loved all the casual queerness
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book kept me up all night to finish because I couldn't put it down. I was hooked from page one.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Tsai has written such an interesting and easily read fantasy-romance of which I want more. The lives and experiences of Elle and her family, Luc and his history were so very good, that I wish we had delved more into each of their backstories. We do get to know a little about each of them through recollections and conversations, but that only scratched the surface.
The world-building was a bit light for and even though it took place in modern day, there were the magical and fantastical aspects and beings that I felt could have been explored and developed more. Again this only made me want more.
The build-up to Elle and Luc's relationship was done really well, the ways in which both felt they could not pursue a relationship, but were constantly drawn towards each other, the yearning thatbwas finally rewarded with such a great sex scene where consent and learning each other's bodies played a major role, I could not get enough. I was also glad that she did not fall into the overused miscommunication trope. Both of these characters have been alive for centuries between them and so approach their communication with a level of maturity that I enjoyed. Even though at times Elle could be quite hard and devaluing to herself, I loved that she had people who were willing to impress upon her the importance of her finally coming to acknowledge her worth. Again there were small plotholes and more development that I would have loved to see, but this was a good read.
The world-building was a bit light for and even though it took place in modern day, there were the magical and fantastical aspects and beings that I felt could have been explored and developed more. Again this only made me want more.
The build-up to Elle and Luc's relationship was done really well, the ways in which both felt they could not pursue a relationship, but were constantly drawn towards each other, the yearning thatbwas finally rewarded with such a great sex scene where consent and learning each other's bodies played a major role, I could not get enough. I was also glad that she did not fall into the overused miscommunication trope. Both of these characters have been alive for centuries between them and so approach their communication with a level of maturity that I enjoyed. Even though at times Elle could be quite hard and devaluing to herself, I loved that she had people who were willing to impress upon her the importance of her finally coming to acknowledge her worth. Again there were small plotholes and more development that I would have loved to see, but this was a good read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
couldn't even remember what had happened so far
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Paranormal romance like I've never seen before. Both MCs over 100 years old. Both trying to protect the object of their affection from their "dark" past. Somehow ~kind of grumpy/sunshine without any assholeishness or too much brooding.
Also, the diversity of folklore and history drawn from for its magical citizen is astounding. The best friend is a queer, Black, ghost/spirit hybrid descended from the Black Doctor of the Pines with ties to the Norse and Lenape. Like. This is amazing.
It was so good. Very satisfying. Medium spice, high intimacy.
Also, the diversity of folklore and history drawn from for its magical citizen is astounding. The best friend is a queer, Black, ghost/spirit hybrid descended from the Black Doctor of the Pines with ties to the Norse and Lenape. Like. This is amazing.
It was so good. Very satisfying. Medium spice, high intimacy.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring