Scan barcode
nekoshka's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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? No
4.25
Omg this was so cute???
It does suffer from the usual YA problems like underdeveloped characters and a predictable plot, but otherwise it’s unexpectedly good.
Susan, the MC, is very much the "chosen one" with special powers and special parentage but it’s not annoying and they don’t make her overpowered. And she’s punk!
Merlin is a delightful love interest. Loved the approach to his gender and how the fact that he’s questioning it doesn’t make him any less attractive, flirty and self-assured. Again, I would have loved a bit more elaboration on this topic, but maybe we’ll get it in the next book.
I thought at first that the constant clothes descriptions would annoy me, but the ended up being a really fun detail.
The worldbuilding is interesting but sparse. Not developed enough.
Overall, very easy and light read.
It does suffer from the usual YA problems like underdeveloped characters and a predictable plot, but otherwise it’s unexpectedly good.
Susan, the MC, is very much the "chosen one" with special powers and special parentage but it’s not annoying and they don’t make her overpowered. And she’s punk!
Merlin is a delightful love interest. Loved the approach to his gender and how the fact that he’s questioning it doesn’t make him any less attractive, flirty and self-assured. Again, I would have loved a bit more elaboration on this topic, but maybe we’ll get it in the next book.
I thought at first that the constant clothes descriptions would annoy me, but the ended up being a really fun detail.
The worldbuilding is interesting but sparse. Not developed enough.
Overall, very easy and light read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Gun violence, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Confinement
trollmila's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Minor: Self harm, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Stalking, Car accident, and Vomit
queerreaderchaos's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I work in a bookstore and this book just came out in french so, with the recommendation of a colleague, I started The Left-Handed Booksellers to share my thoughs and see if it was worth recommending so near to the Spooky Season! I'm not the best at reviews, so bear with me!
It is normal to find this book a bit confusing at first: you're dropped right into the action, with very little info as to how we got there. But don't worry, it's coming. The story is riddled with action, mixed with a lot of explanation and backstories because, like Susan, we know only a fraction of this world. Some readers might finds some parts repetitive (aka the kidnappings, even I thought it started to get off hand) , or slowed by the ever-coming flow of trivia, but it reads well and we are rewarded with a story rich of folklore, history, and magic. I loved the character of Merlin, with his non-gender conforming sense of fashion and his very peculiar personality (balanced by his sister Vivien)! Susan was interesting, although she took in too well what was happening to her. Don't get me wrong, she responded in her own fashion and had a believable learning trajectory, but I would have freaked out if I was in her place (but that's just me :P ). All in all, I really loved the book, and will definetly talk about it to anyone who wants to hear (or not).
It is normal to find this book a bit confusing at first: you're dropped right into the action, with very little info as to how we got there. But don't worry, it's coming. The story is riddled with action, mixed with a lot of explanation and backstories because, like Susan, we know only a fraction of this world. Some readers might finds some parts repetitive (aka the kidnappings, even I thought it started to get off hand) , or slowed by the ever-coming flow of trivia, but it reads well and we are rewarded with a story rich of folklore, history, and magic. I loved the character of Merlin, with his non-gender conforming sense of fashion and his very peculiar personality (balanced by his sister Vivien)! Susan was interesting, although she took in too well what was happening to her. Don't get me wrong, she responded in her own fashion and had a believable learning trajectory, but I would have freaked out if I was in her place (but that's just me :P ). All in all, I really loved the book, and will definetly talk about it to anyone who wants to hear (or not).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit
claudiamacpherson's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Susan’s mom has always been a bit forgetful and has never been able to tell Susan about her father, so Susan decides to take matters into her own hands. When she visits her mom’s old friend (and mob boss) in hopes of help, she instead witnesses his death by hatpin and is whisked away from the scene by the handsome Merlin. With Merlin, Susan is plunged into the Old World, the layer beneath or New World, where all manner of creatures live and where she suddenly has many would-be murderers. She is protected by Merlin and the other booksellers: left-handed fighters and fieldworkers and right-handed scholars who protect humans from the Old World and its monsters.
As always, I love the mixture of folktales and mythology with modern life. I am particularly interested in the ancient sovereigns: beings that are like the personification of the places they rule over. I like the idea of the land as sentient and alive in that way, and I would love to read more stories that use this trope. The plot did feel a bit rushed, and I would have liked a bit more explanation and worldbuilding, especially about the booksellers. The story also occasionally felt like an advertisement for Penguin books; like, I get it, I like Penguin books too, but it really was a bit much, and don’t booksellers generally sell books from more than one publishing house?
Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just the vibe): Happy! And definitely left room for a sequel...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Violence, and Vomit
Minor: Drug use and Self harm
kimi72714's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Gun violence
Minor: Kidnapping, Violence, and Vomit
More...