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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
But the idea of Cecily being placed on the earth in such a damned confusion, just like him, and finding her way to be as extraordinary as she is—and him finding his way to her table, getting to sit across from her, quietly adoring her—the wonder of it all fills him with a swell of emotion that’s the closest thing to holy he’s ever felt.
* * *
I've been a huge Austin Chant fan since reading Peter Darling early last year, and had high hopes coming into this - and I was definitely not disappointed. Reading this was an experience. Uniquely immersive in that rare and wonderful way that sucks you in and makes you think every clock in the house has to be wrong by the time you look up. The world felt real, richly, atmospheric, eerily evocative, and bittersweet.
Others have gone over the plot and themes a lot better than I could - check out Shira's review here in particular - so I will just say... that the emotional core/'heart' is incredibly raw, and hit home for me in... ways that are driving the words right out of my head, honestly. It happens when I'm emotionally overwhelmed. The more important/wonderful/devastating a thing, the harder I find it to word. (In a strange way, this is very high praise. If I can't talk about it, it's Real.)
But reviews require words, so I don't have the 'luxury' of going nonverbal for an afternoon, so.
I've been where Cecily was. I've felt what she felt.
I might have done the same.
And I'm glad it ended the way it did, even if my own foolish heart kept hoping for everything to somehow... work out differently. But it wouldn't have been right for the story, as it isn't in real life.
Ultimately this is a story about letting go of a clenched fist so your hand can be open for whatever goodness next comes to you. The same is true of hearts.
* * *
I've been a huge Austin Chant fan since reading Peter Darling early last year, and had high hopes coming into this - and I was definitely not disappointed. Reading this was an experience. Uniquely immersive in that rare and wonderful way that sucks you in and makes you think every clock in the house has to be wrong by the time you look up. The world felt real, richly, atmospheric, eerily evocative, and bittersweet.
Others have gone over the plot and themes a lot better than I could - check out Shira's review here in particular - so I will just say... that the emotional core/'heart' is incredibly raw, and hit home for me in... ways that are driving the words right out of my head, honestly. It happens when I'm emotionally overwhelmed. The more important/wonderful/devastating a thing, the harder I find it to word. (In a strange way, this is very high praise. If I can't talk about it, it's Real.)
But reviews require words, so I don't have the 'luxury' of going nonverbal for an afternoon, so.
I've been where Cecily was. I've felt what she felt.
I might have done the same.
And I'm glad it ended the way it did, even if my own foolish heart kept hoping for everything to somehow... work out differently. But it wouldn't have been right for the story, as it isn't in real life.
Ultimately this is a story about letting go of a clenched fist so your hand can be open for whatever goodness next comes to you. The same is true of hearts.
adventurous
hopeful
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:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
fast-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
emotional
reflective
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:
Yes
CAROLINE'S HEART is a story of grief, love, and connection between a witch and a cowboy. Cecily has been trying to magically call her deceased lover's soul to bring her back to life. Roy is a cowboy who figured out too late that he dislikes his job. He meets Cecily when she comes to the ranch, and he’s fascinated by her and her magic. When Roy gets injured while protecting Cecily, she saves his life and he recuperates at her home. As they spend time together, the bond between them grows until, eventually, Cecily is faced with a choice between the ghost in her past and a chance at the future.
The story has such an intimate focus, only lightly involving anyone besides Roy and Cecily. Even though half of the story is from Cecily’s perspective, she’s so focused on trying to bring back Caroline, her deceased lover, that most details of her thoughts and history only are shown when she opens up to Roy.
The world building is consistent without trying to be particularly dense, which works very well for such a brief story. It takes advantage of a well-trod setting in the historical American west to do a lot of the heavy lifting, focusing more on the relationships between the characters and how Cecily uses her magic. Roy and Cecily have been navigating different kinds of prejudices, but their bond is more about how they connect to each other than whatever difficulties they have in relating to other people.
Things I love, in no particular order: The relationship between Roy and Cecily, the way Roy takes it on himself to make Cecily's life better even though she's capable of surviving, how much space there is for Cecily's grief and healing.
The story has such an intimate focus, only lightly involving anyone besides Roy and Cecily. Even though half of the story is from Cecily’s perspective, she’s so focused on trying to bring back Caroline, her deceased lover, that most details of her thoughts and history only are shown when she opens up to Roy.
The world building is consistent without trying to be particularly dense, which works very well for such a brief story. It takes advantage of a well-trod setting in the historical American west to do a lot of the heavy lifting, focusing more on the relationships between the characters and how Cecily uses her magic. Roy and Cecily have been navigating different kinds of prejudices, but their bond is more about how they connect to each other than whatever difficulties they have in relating to other people.
Things I love, in no particular order: The relationship between Roy and Cecily, the way Roy takes it on himself to make Cecily's life better even though she's capable of surviving, how much space there is for Cecily's grief and healing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Minor: Miscarriage, Racism, Excrement, Pregnancy
4.5/5 stars
I thought this was lovely; a short and sweet and well-woven fantasy-romance. Gothic and a bit eerie, dealing with love and loss. I find Chant's prose incredibly easy to read - never something that jars me out of the story, and often as enchanting as the characters and the romance being created. The worldbuilding was surprisingly strong for how few words were used to do it - there was never a struggle to suspend my disbelief. I would definitely recommend!
I thought this was lovely; a short and sweet and well-woven fantasy-romance. Gothic and a bit eerie, dealing with love and loss. I find Chant's prose incredibly easy to read - never something that jars me out of the story, and often as enchanting as the characters and the romance being created. The worldbuilding was surprisingly strong for how few words were used to do it - there was never a struggle to suspend my disbelief. I would definitely recommend!
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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:
No
such a heartwarming queer story♡ i wish it was a little longer but i do think the author made a great job developing roy and cecily's relationship even though its a short book. as a transmasc-enby i think roy's portrayal as a person and also as a love interest is so refreshing and amazing, he's such a nice person, even when he feels unsafe because of the men he's surrounded with at work, he's bright and admirable, and i just adore how caring he is towards cecily!! being completely honest, i didn't really think the last scenes were necessary, because the author already established that they do see each other as love interests and care deeply about each other. though, i must say, its also very refreshing to read a sex scene were trans people are comfortable in their bodies without being invalidated because of it !! i enjoyed the way the author portrayed their sexual intimacy :) . overall, a great quick read, my queer heart is full and happy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Sexual content