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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I would love to see more stories built in this world, I loved the idea and the story was good but the build up fell a bit flat. the ending was satisfying and it did make me happy I just wish there was more to the climax.
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.5 ⭐. I really loved this one.
I wasn’t super into the plot at first — early on, I felt Effy was pretty immature, as she’s almost comically hypocritical; she’s quick to criticize Preston for studying something he isn’t passionate about, but isn’t she doing the same thing? She studies architecture when it’s her second choice. She’s not allowed to study literature, and takes this anger out on Preston a few times for having the freedom to study her favorite author, but it’s out of nowhere and because… he’s from another country and took out *her* library books on her favorite author before she did? It’s like she’s just venting her misplaced frustration at this point of the novel, and I felt a disconnect with her as a protagonist during those scenes. But as she started reasoning that he might have his own motives, their banter and debates got really interesting, and I quickly fell in love with both Effy and Preston as characters.
Their romance is adorable too — one of the cutest I’ve read in a while, really. I’m so sick of enemies-to-lovers supposed “banter” lately, and this couple was a breath of fresh air. They’re not really enemies or rivals, though. They sit on opposing sides of the subject regarding the author Myrddin, but since they are both knowledgeable about different things within their studies, they make for a great team when uncovering the mystery of Hiraeth Manor together. Later, when they’re more agreeable, their chemistry is great—their conversations and dialogue flow well, nothing stilted or inorganic. Every scene with these two was a blast.
The atmosphere in this was also really good. This story was so whimsical and hopeful at times, yet eerie, cold, and unsettling at others. The rundown cottage with a cold seaside view; drinking black coffee in the morning out of chipped mugs; the dilapidated, creaking, half-drowned mansion… the visuals in this book were so crisp. It makes me wish I had picked this book up in autumn rather than the beginning of summer though, lol.
I only had a few real issues with this book once I got into it. One — I was so confused about exactly what time and place this book sat in. For the life of me, I could not figure out what era we were reading about. Oftentimes it felt like I was reading about some small town in the late 1800’s-1950’s; women aren’t allowed to study literature or publish it, the roads are rocky and unpaved, the characters need to use telephones… when bam! Suddenly a character turns on the television. …I’m sorry, the TELEVISION? When did we have that? This sort of thing happens a few times throughout the story, and every time it was equally jarring.
The other issue I had (which doesn’t really need explanation, I suppose…) but is spoilery —why did Angharad show up so late in the story if not just to show up as a plot twist? I understand she was probably scared of the fairy king in her home, but it was also a little odd for her to show up only when everything was said and done. Maybe I missed why she didn’t intervene earlier, but it just seemed like silly pacing to have her show up after everything, only to imply she’s been helping from the shadows all along, lol…
Although, I will say — near the end, when Effy asks her to sign her worn copy of Angharad… I teared up tbh. This exchange didn’t help:
“I didn’t know I could fight back. I didn’t know how to do anything but wait to drown.”
“Oh no, Effy. That’s not what I meant at all. You don’t have to take up a sword. Survival is bravery, too.”
Tldr; really good book if you don’t look too closely at the incomplete worldbuilding or some of the character motives too closely. The main characters were very fun to me for the majority of the book, and although there’s still issues with the plot and writing, I still really enjoyed this and I'm only willing to dock .5 stars for inconsistencies due to how much fun I had.
This book also reminded me a little of A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft — not so much with the plot, but the overall mood and tone of the book, with other similarities like the events taking place within a small town, the creepy/disturbing magical elements, a dreary autumn vibe, and a very cute romance in the midst of it. Readers who liked that book will like this, I think — and vice versa!
I wasn’t super into the plot at first — early on, I felt Effy was pretty immature, as she’s almost comically hypocritical; she’s quick to criticize Preston for studying something he isn’t passionate about, but isn’t she doing the same thing? She studies architecture when it’s her second choice. She’s not allowed to study literature, and takes this anger out on Preston a few times for having the freedom to study her favorite author, but it’s out of nowhere and because… he’s from another country and took out *her* library books on her favorite author before she did? It’s like she’s just venting her misplaced frustration at this point of the novel, and I felt a disconnect with her as a protagonist during those scenes. But as she started reasoning that he might have his own motives, their banter and debates got really interesting, and I quickly fell in love with both Effy and Preston as characters.
Their romance is adorable too — one of the cutest I’ve read in a while, really. I’m so sick of enemies-to-lovers supposed “banter” lately, and this couple was a breath of fresh air. They’re not really enemies or rivals, though. They sit on opposing sides of the subject regarding the author Myrddin, but since they are both knowledgeable about different things within their studies, they make for a great team when uncovering the mystery of Hiraeth Manor together. Later, when they’re more agreeable, their chemistry is great—their conversations and dialogue flow well, nothing stilted or inorganic. Every scene with these two was a blast.
The atmosphere in this was also really good. This story was so whimsical and hopeful at times, yet eerie, cold, and unsettling at others. The rundown cottage with a cold seaside view; drinking black coffee in the morning out of chipped mugs; the dilapidated, creaking, half-drowned mansion… the visuals in this book were so crisp. It makes me wish I had picked this book up in autumn rather than the beginning of summer though, lol.
I only had a few real issues with this book once I got into it. One — I was so confused about exactly what time and place this book sat in. For the life of me, I could not figure out what era we were reading about. Oftentimes it felt like I was reading about some small town in the late 1800’s-1950’s; women aren’t allowed to study literature or publish it, the roads are rocky and unpaved, the characters need to use telephones… when bam! Suddenly a character turns on the television. …I’m sorry, the TELEVISION? When did we have that? This sort of thing happens a few times throughout the story, and every time it was equally jarring.
The other issue I had (which doesn’t really need explanation, I suppose…) but is spoilery —
Although, I will say — near the end, when Effy asks her to sign her worn copy of Angharad… I teared up tbh. This exchange didn’t help:
“I didn’t know I could fight back. I didn’t know how to do anything but wait to drown.”
“Oh no, Effy. That’s not what I meant at all. You don’t have to take up a sword. Survival is bravery, too.”
Tldr; really good book if you don’t look too closely at the incomplete worldbuilding or some of the character motives too closely. The main characters were very fun to me for the majority of the book, and although there’s still issues with the plot and writing, I still really enjoyed this and I'm only willing to dock .5 stars for inconsistencies due to how much fun I had.
This book also reminded me a little of A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft — not so much with the plot, but the overall mood and tone of the book, with other similarities like the events taking place within a small town, the creepy/disturbing magical elements, a dreary autumn vibe, and a very cute romance in the midst of it. Readers who liked that book will like this, I think — and vice versa!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow. This book was just… wow.
I do wish the climax with the Fairy King was given a little more attention; it felt cut off, like it was resolved too quickly.. however, this book is bittersweet because the way it wraps up is so satisfying but I also wish it didn’t end *sobs* !!
I do wish the climax with the Fairy King was given a little more attention; it felt cut off, like it was resolved too quickly.. however, this book is bittersweet because the way it wraps up is so satisfying but I also wish it didn’t end *sobs* !!
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
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
I genuinely wasn’t expecting to love this as much as I did, by the end. A surprisingly beautiful and poetic book which gripped me so tightly, I finished most of it in two days. Very much looking forward to the follow up in July.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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:
Yes