Scan barcode
emilywemily6's review
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Eh this book was a let down… maybe romantasy is not for me. This book started off strong for the first 15% and then the rest of the book was all over the place. This read like a YA novel and yet one two separate instances an f-bomb was dropped, which felt so out of character compared to the rest of the book that had zero swearing. The one sex scene also felt contrived, awkwardly timed, and not consistent with the characters or the relationships. There was a supposed love triangle but it was hard to root for either love interest when one lacked chemistry or personality and the other was just mean and grumpy. The world and backstory seemed interesting but this book left so many questions unanswered. The mystical library could have been its own character but was only in the first third of the book. I felt like the plot meandered randomly and while the author’s writing was easy to read, it didn’t add any gravitas or depth to the plot. Serious, climactic moments were glossed over after having zero lead up (like only one chapter devoted to a massive break-in/kidnapping) and insignificant moments/musings took up a lot of page time even though they didn’t have a bearing on the plot. She also made nonsensical decisions that aged her way down. There were no hints or Easter eggs about where the story was going or foreshadowing of any reveals, so many plot devices came out of nowhere without any lead up. It reads like a YA with a couple inappropriate moments and a lack of editing to improve the quality of the storytelling. I was surprisingly bored through most of the book. I want to read the second book since the world building interested me and the characters had more depth than another romantasy I recently read, but I’m not going to buy it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Sexual content, Cursing, Alcohol, Gaslighting, and Police brutality
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
ivywwx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Slavery
Minor: Rape
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
marirene's review
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
naomi_k's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Xenophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Classism, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Rape, and Sexual content
Minor: War and Alcohol
memreads's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Update: I can't stop thinking about this story and the characters (in a good way, I'd rather be left wanting more than feeling like there's too much on the table) so I had to increase the rating.
Going into this book, I was enamored by the mysterious library and found myself excited to learn its secrets and its history. Unfortunately this seems more of a convenient setting than a major story part. I'm hopeful this will be explored in later additions to the story.
The pacing was a little off-putting to me. The beginning of the story was fast, then it felt like it stalled, then it picked up to a nice medium pace, then major events are occurring from start to finish within a few pages, and then the last beat of the book felt as though it was alternating between medium and breakneck fast pacing. It felt like it was a 500 page story crammed into 300.
I love the idea and the pieces of this story, but I feel like the characters, relationships, plot points and settings weren't given the time they needed to truly shine.
It is still an enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading future installments, but will be going in with more lighthearted expectations
Going into this book, I was enamored by the mysterious library and found myself excited to learn its secrets and its history. Unfortunately this seems more of a convenient setting than a major story part. I'm hopeful this will be explored in later additions to the story.
The pacing was a little off-putting to me. The beginning of the story was fast, then it felt like it stalled, then it picked up to a nice medium pace, then major events are occurring from start to finish within a few pages, and then the last beat of the book felt as though it was alternating between medium and breakneck fast pacing. It felt like it was a 500 page story crammed into 300.
I love the idea and the pieces of this story, but I feel like the characters, relationships, plot points and settings weren't given the time they needed to truly shine.
It is still an enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading future installments, but will be going in with more lighthearted expectations
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Trafficking, Xenophobia, Drug use, Rape, and Kidnapping
More...