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annmeyer's review against another edition
DNF at about 60% back in 2021 (updating here for records). tried to push through to see if it would get better, but just wasn't into it.
in short, icky, and bad.
a lot of the tropes in this book aren't necessarily uncharacteristic for YA fantasy (e.g. forced marriage/marriage of convenience, protagonist on the run/in hiding, love triangle, slow-burn romance). in the case of this book, though, none of these ever felt natural or like they came together well. the misogynistic/patriarchal, hyper-religious society isn't even unusual; many YA novels feature unequal societies and moral conundrums that readers (and the protagonists) are meant to learn from or react to, typically negatively. the elite are usually douchebags, etc.
this book checks off all the boxes, technically, but the writing didn't feel realistic, especially in terms of dialogue and character dynamics. instead, it felt cheesy and annoying. most of the characters and places of note didn't really evoke strong feeling or sentiment, because it felt that they existed only to check off boxes for content and plot advancement. even though the stakes were life and death, it never really felt like it mattered. there's little time or space to properly attach yourself to the characters and their world (the first chapter really just jumps into it, and there's very little backtracking to fill the reader in on what's going on and why any of it matters). perhaps the ultimate issue with the book is how much it throws at you at the very beginning, how quickly the elements that require necessary labor/love (read: time) are shoved in your face. i think this is really apparent as you gradually learn about other fantastical creatures/species, but only because someone's out hunting them or killed them, making them critical to the character's backstory as opposed to what the real/physical world is like or what exists in it.
i feel weird criticizing this book, both because it seems generally well-received and because i think this has all of the moving parts to be a really good book, but the writing just missed the mark for me. there are so many YA fantasy novels i'd rather read, that i know are engaging and well-executed, that demand and earn attachment and investment from the reader. (for example, jennifer l. armentrout's from blood and ash series is extremely similar in terms of tropes, especially the religion and purity, but the pacing and romance are infinitely better.)
in short, icky, and bad.
a lot of the tropes in this book aren't necessarily uncharacteristic for YA fantasy (e.g. forced marriage/marriage of convenience, protagonist on the run/in hiding, love triangle, slow-burn romance). in the case of this book, though, none of these ever felt natural or like they came together well. the misogynistic/patriarchal, hyper-religious society isn't even unusual; many YA novels feature unequal societies and moral conundrums that readers (and the protagonists) are meant to learn from or react to, typically negatively. the elite are usually douchebags, etc.
this book checks off all the boxes, technically, but the writing didn't feel realistic, especially in terms of dialogue and character dynamics. instead, it felt cheesy and annoying. most of the characters and places of note didn't really evoke strong feeling or sentiment, because it felt that they existed only to check off boxes for content and plot advancement. even though the stakes were life and death, it never really felt like it mattered. there's little time or space to properly attach yourself to the characters and their world (the first chapter really just jumps into it, and there's very little backtracking to fill the reader in on what's going on and why any of it matters). perhaps the ultimate issue with the book is how much it throws at you at the very beginning, how quickly the elements that require necessary labor/love (read: time) are shoved in your face. i think this is really apparent as you gradually learn about other fantastical creatures/species, but only because someone's out hunting them or killed them, making them critical to the character's backstory as opposed to what the real/physical world is like or what exists in it.
i feel weird criticizing this book, both because it seems generally well-received and because i think this has all of the moving parts to be a really good book, but the writing just missed the mark for me. there are so many YA fantasy novels i'd rather read, that i know are engaging and well-executed, that demand and earn attachment and investment from the reader. (for example, jennifer l. armentrout's from blood and ash series is extremely similar in terms of tropes, especially the religion and purity, but the pacing and romance are infinitely better.)
lunahale's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
5.0
xandrab's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
meggkey08's review against another edition
4.0
I understand the critique with this book, believe me I do, but boy oh boy did I enjoy it. The plot in simple terms is an enemies to lovers witch/witch hunter romance set in a fantasy France.
Good points:
- the HUMOUR. I thought Lou was incredibly funny and i love how unapologetic she was about it.
- The ROMANCE. God Reid has made it onto my list of bookish Boyfriends.
- The SIDE CHARACTERS. Ansel, Coco and Beau were just fab!
Bad points:
- Setting. Personally for myself i think the story needed more world building and developing. Don't get me wrong, i really loved the story but apart from witches and mentions of other creatures, there wasn't much fantasy in the story.
All in all, a good romance with fantasy elements (hope that makes sense!) and i cannot wait to read the next book!
Good points:
- the HUMOUR. I thought Lou was incredibly funny and i love how unapologetic she was about it.
- The ROMANCE. God Reid has made it onto my list of bookish Boyfriends.
- The SIDE CHARACTERS. Ansel, Coco and Beau were just fab!
Bad points:
- Setting. Personally for myself i think the story needed more world building and developing. Don't get me wrong, i really loved the story but apart from witches and mentions of other creatures, there wasn't much fantasy in the story.
All in all, a good romance with fantasy elements (hope that makes sense!) and i cannot wait to read the next book!
dumb_library's review against another edition
5.0
LOVE LOVE LOVED this!!! I’m not usually a fantasy person, but this was so fun. I loved the romance, I loved the magic system, the characters, the world, everything. I cannot wait for the next installment.
illyrian_wings's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this one!
Tropes:
Religious zealotry
Marriage of convenience
Enemies to lovers
One bed (kinda)
If you are looking for spice, there is one scene. It's good but tame :)
This is a good example of enemies to lovers. Lou is a witch trying to survive by hiding her magic and Reid is a chasseur; sworn to eradicate witches. The fear and hate runs deep on both sides. The plot is great and there are many twists. Now, there were some really cringe moments in this book, which I chose to ignore... The attempt to make Lou this 'rough around the edges, not like other girls' type, came off as trying too hard at some points. But overall she is likable. I really liked Reid -- he is stubborn and indoctrinated, but loyal and has character development. Also, if you've played Dragon Age, this gave me heavy Templar/Mage vibes and I was living for it.
Tropes:
Religious zealotry
Marriage of convenience
Enemies to lovers
One bed (kinda)
If you are looking for spice, there is one scene. It's good but tame :)
This is a good example of enemies to lovers. Lou is a witch trying to survive by hiding her magic and Reid is a chasseur; sworn to eradicate witches. The fear and hate runs deep on both sides. The plot is great and there are many twists. Now, there were some really cringe moments in this book, which I chose to ignore... The attempt to make Lou this 'rough around the edges, not like other girls' type, came off as trying too hard at some points. But overall she is likable. I really liked Reid -- he is stubborn and indoctrinated, but loyal and has character development. Also, if you've played Dragon Age, this gave me heavy Templar/Mage vibes and I was living for it.
taylorforkasdi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
stephtherose_'s review against another edition
2.0
So I’m very confused here. The author clearly had a great idea for an arranged marriage slow burn romance plot but didn’t exactly know how to do it. The world building was extremely thin and it took almost 200 pages to really feel like there was a plot? I’m not sure if I was just not in the mood for a fantasy romance but this was just weirdly not great.
scynth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
kayleev_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0