Scan barcode
burch727's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This was really disappointing. I was really looking forward to a whimsical cozy fantasy, but this book was a chore.
I think most importantly, it needed editing. If you have 50 cool ideas, that's super great for you but you can't cram all of them into one book. It felt like the author just thought of as many whimsical fantasy elements as possible and then underdeveloped all of them instead of choosing a few and really making those few ones good.
I also found the characters to be very underdeveloped and lacking in personality, and their relationship makes no sense for two people who literally just met.
By the end I was so bored and frustrated and strongly considered DNFing.
Also not a fan of parenthood/pregnancy themes so I didn't love that.
I think most importantly, it needed editing. If you have 50 cool ideas, that's super great for you but you can't cram all of them into one book. It felt like the author just thought of as many whimsical fantasy elements as possible and then underdeveloped all of them instead of choosing a few and really making those few ones good.
I also found the characters to be very underdeveloped and lacking in personality, and their relationship makes no sense for two people who literally just met.
By the end I was so bored and frustrated and strongly considered DNFing.
Also not a fan of parenthood/pregnancy themes so I didn't love that.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion and Pregnancy
amermanda's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
I read this book as an digital ARC from Netgalley.
This book feels like a dream, like a bittersweet memory from a happier time that hurts to revisit, like reaching out to hug a loved one and grasping at fog instead.
This story is creative and new yet reflective, where every reader can find a piece of themselves.
A discussion on choices, fate, regret, love, loss, dreams, reality, and hope.
The pacing of this book was unique and a little confusing; our main characters go on a journey to these fantastical places but aren't there long enough for the reader to really settle into and enjoy. We are told wonderful, beautiful prose, then whisked off to the next place, left reeling, still digesting the descriptions in the midst of another location.
The line between reality and dreams and headspace isn't just blurry, it's nonexistent. At times this adds to the books magical charm, and other times is confusing and I would need to reread passages or multiple pages to try to understand when and where we were.
Overall this book was enjoyable, with moments of reflection that were impactful and I'm sure I won't forget anytime soon.
For fans of Ghilbi, Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, and Six Crimson Cranes, pick this up. You won't be the same afterwards ❤️
This book feels like a dream, like a bittersweet memory from a happier time that hurts to revisit, like reaching out to hug a loved one and grasping at fog instead.
This story is creative and new yet reflective, where every reader can find a piece of themselves.
A discussion on choices, fate, regret, love, loss, dreams, reality, and hope.
The pacing of this book was unique and a little confusing; our main characters go on a journey to these fantastical places but aren't there long enough for the reader to really settle into and enjoy. We are told wonderful, beautiful prose, then whisked off to the next place, left reeling, still digesting the descriptions in the midst of another location.
The line between reality and dreams and headspace isn't just blurry, it's nonexistent. At times this adds to the books magical charm, and other times is confusing and I would need to reread passages or multiple pages to try to understand when and where we were.
Overall this book was enjoyable, with moments of reflection that were impactful and I'm sure I won't forget anytime soon.
For fans of Ghilbi, Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, and Six Crimson Cranes, pick this up. You won't be the same afterwards ❤️
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
katebrownreads'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
5.0
a magical book about a pawn shop where you can sell your regrets. An odd day leads to a missing father, a strange new customer, and an adventure to solve the mystery and find her father. Primarily a fantasy, a little cozy (but not at times), and some romance. Loved the book! It had some twists I didnt see coming and totally held my attention the whole book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Abortion and Pregnancy
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Immediately, the writing got my attention. It flowed so easily and had me flying through the first third of the book. The short chapters, the world-building, and the character development told through flashbacks, it was all so easy to digest and imagine.
However, the middle got bogged down by certain choices and an instalove romance that felt like it was forced into the story. There are reveals that make those two elements so much more interesting later on, but the logic didn't feel right as I was living it and it affected my interest in the story greatly.
That being said, the twists were insane and I loved how everything came together and fell apart in the end. It surprised me and really redeemed the story for me.
The fantasy elements of the story were very Ghibli-esque and I loved the little magics of Hana's world. As we get to see more and more of it, the ways of travel, the elements of magic, all feel so beautiful and fantastical. I think this would make for a cool animated film and I think the audiobook will add so much atmosphere and cool vibes to this story.
All in all, a solid fantasy, but the romance really pulled me out and I wish some other choices were made (despite the outcomes and twists).
TW: child death, murder, injury detail, blood, gore, violence, death; mentions pregnancy, abortion
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3.5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Pacing: 3/5
Overall: 3.5/5
ACR gifted by Del Rey in exchange for an honest review.
However, the middle got bogged down by certain choices and an instalove romance that felt like it was forced into the story. There are reveals that make those two elements so much more interesting later on, but the logic didn't feel right as I was living it and it affected my interest in the story greatly.
That being said, the twists were insane and I loved how everything came together and fell apart in the end. It surprised me and really redeemed the story for me.
The fantasy elements of the story were very Ghibli-esque and I loved the little magics of Hana's world. As we get to see more and more of it, the ways of travel, the elements of magic, all feel so beautiful and fantastical. I think this would make for a cool animated film and I think the audiobook will add so much atmosphere and cool vibes to this story.
All in all, a solid fantasy, but the romance really pulled me out and I wish some other choices were made (despite the outcomes and twists).
TW: child death, murder, injury detail, blood, gore, violence, death; mentions pregnancy, abortion
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3.5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Pacing: 3/5
Overall: 3.5/5
ACR gifted by Del Rey in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion and Pregnancy
kmagers's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion