Scan barcode
blewballoon's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Blood, Homophobia, and Violence
jencolumb0's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Also, know that the torture elements are most prominent at the beginning and you’ll be able to follow the rest of the story easily if you skip right over it.
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Murder, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Outing, Classism, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Violence
Minor: Self harm and Misogyny
hannahrogers's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Sexual content, Sexism, Misogyny, and Violence
Moderate: Grief, Death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Homophobia and Suicide
jem_carstairs's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Torture, Death of parent, Suicide, and Kidnapping
sinceraly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
That being said Edwin was also a treasure, the isolated, emotionally dense man he is, and I hope he gets all the nice things.
I genuinely loved my time with the book, and once I got to the last half of the book I couldn't put it down. Robin and Edwin's dynamic was phenomenal, the dialogue was snappy but felt realistic and not at all like the Marvel movie type quips that can get so irritating. The mystery was interesting and let me build my own theories and sets up an ongoing plot very well. I also loved the magic system, treating different magic styles as more native to specific countries, like recipes in cookbooks. I think the worldbuilding gives a lot to be interested in, despite a more stifling era chosen for a historical fantasy.
That being said, I think the two things that really stopped me from being able to label the book with 5 stars came down to odd pacing at times and a few decisions made in the course of Robin and Edwin's relationship that left me wanting more. The largest section of the book takes place somewhere where - though research is being done for the main quest - stakes don't seem to exist. It seems casual. And given what was at risk, it felt like a weird choice to make. The focus on character building was great, but it came at a cost of making it hard to really feel like things were at risk.
The second critique was a lack of a proper relationship-based dialogue between Edwin and Robin when it really seemed like it should be there. This review is spoiler free so I won't go into any details, really, but their last interaction alone in the book - though well written and still imbued (hah) with emotional and romantic context - felt kind of out of place considering what had happened prior, and what needed to be said. I'd give the author the fact that their relationship takes place in a stifling society that doesn't except gay relationships, so maybe they don't truly have the experience to talk it out, but I would have enjoyed more of an actual conversation in that stead.
That all being said, this book was still lovely, and a very fun read. Highly recommended for anyone into historical fantasy.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Torture, Violence, Sexual content, and Bullying
Moderate: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
emilo's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia and Racism
owliglot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Death, Violence, Bullying, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Car accident and Homophobia
corruptednatz's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Bullying and Violence
Minor: Homophobia
scherbs's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Bullying
Moderate: Murder and Death
Minor: Homophobia and Death of parent
dinipandareads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As I mentioned, the book starts slowly and remains pretty consistently slow-paced throughout. It's not necessarily a bad thing, of course, and it gave me cosy historical mystery vibes that I enjoyed. One thing that I did struggle with more than expected was the writing. I don't know why because I read my share of Regency-era books but some of the sentences read very oddly, and although I got used to the writing the more I read, it did continue to trip me up on occasion. Whenever that happened, it sadly took me out of the story because I'd have to re-read the section (sometimes multiple times) to make sure I understood what the author was saying, and that was a little frustrating!
I thought the world-building was pretty solid and aside from the writing style, the author did a great job in making it hard to forget what time period the book was set in! The magic system was initially confusing but I thought it was unique. I don't think I've ever read about magic that was so focused on specific hand gestures and movements (like playing cat's cradle!) but I also liked the more "natural" element to the magic that's introduced later on. I hope that gets explored a bit more in the next book especially as it relates to Sutton House! As for the mystery, although the 'baddie" was rather obvious from the beginning, there was a twist or two that I didn't expect and that has me intrigued to see where the story goes next and how Edwin, Robin, and the rest of the crew will come out on the winning side! FYI: while you do find out who the baddie is in this book, the mystery itself isn't entirely solved so it doesn't have a neatly wrapped-up ending.
The best part of the story for me though was the characters and the romance. Edwin and Robin are total opposites—the former is a grumpy librarian type and the latter is a bit of a himbo. Together, they were wonderful and I loved getting to know both of them! Although Edwin was a bit cold and standoffish, to begin with, I loved watching him thaw the more time he spent around Robin, who was genuinely fascinated by Edwin and who truly enjoyed his company. So often I found myself infuriated on Edwin's behalf because his family is just the worst—their brand of casual cruelty and straight-up viciousness is so ugly and nasty and I hate that it was something Edwin had to endure his whole life. I was ready to take up arms to protect this timid and braintastically wholesome man! In contrast, Robin was a "paperwork error" who found himself thrust into the world of magic entirely by accident but who took to it like a fish in water. Like Edwin, he also had a pretty dismal upbringing with horrible parents who treated him and his sibling like paper copies to do with as they liked. I wouldn't say he's a himbo but he does have that slightly clueless sunshine energy that presented a nice contrast to Edwin. I loved that you could feel how comfortable they were with each other.
Their romance was pretty instalust but I loved watching that grow into something more solid the longer they spent together. There were so many wonderful quotes about their interactions, how they saw each other, and what they made each other feel and it made my heart so full because both of them so deserve to be loved! 🥹 You could say this "instalove" since by the end they'd technically only known each other a week but I still maintain it was instalust! 😂 Also, don't let this innocent cover fool you either—this gets very steamy in the latter half of the book once Robin and Edwin admit their feelings for each other. There are a few instances of on-page sex and they are explicit but tastefully so.
Overall, I'm very excited to see what happens next. I hope we still get to see a lot of Robin and Edwin in the next book even though it's going to be told from a different perspective and about a different couple (I assume?)! Either way, this was a solid debut and I'm looking forward to more from this author.
Graphic: Blood, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Sexual content, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Bullying and Misogyny
Minor: Racism and Homophobia