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crickett06's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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? Yes
4.75
bi_brarian_07's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
toriamos's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
alicesreadinglife's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
milo_bove's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
itsemuuu's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
alexijai98's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
A fun and super cute read! I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump and this was the perfect book to get me out of it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Alcoholism, Blood, Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Vomit and Suicidal thoughts
naomi_hyde's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
3.0
This was a very fun and light-hearted book but I expected more from it. I think the main issue was it tried to do too many things - character development, romantic plots, political tension and subplots etc. - and so each one ended up being underdeveloped and rushed.
Taking each one in turn:
- <b> Character development </b>: Whilst I thought each character was loveable and easy to warm to and root for, there was no substantial growth for any of them. Arthur has a rocky relationship with his father, and whilst this is explored several times throughout the book, Arthur never resolves any of his issues or childhood trauma. Similarly, Gwen and Gabriel start the book feeling confused and conflicted about their sexuality, and by the end have accepted themselves but they never seem to go on this journey in the book and it comes out of nowhere. Bridget has no character growth whatsoever, and is barely developed in the first place.
- <b> Romantic plots </b>: I loved the premise for this book and was looking forward to some fun flirting and relationship drama, but again, this part of the book is severely underdeveloped. All of the characters start the book having a crush on their romantic interest already, but I think it would have been much more interesting if they all had organically fallen in love throughout the book. In addition, their romantic feelings had no foundations and if we had seen each character develop their emotions to one another throughout the book, it would have created much more believable romantic relationships that were actually worth feeling invested in. For example, Gwen and Bridget have never met but they are both crushing on each other - how/why did they fancy each other so much when they barely know one another? Also, when they all finally do get together, each couple hang out together about two times and by the end we're expected to believe they've each fallen in love with each other?? Towards the end, Gwen is even crying at the thought of Bridget leaving Camelot, but they had only kissed twice and never even had a substantial conversation together, how can you be that upset about someone you barely know!!!
- <b> Political tension/subplot </b>: In the second half of the book, the tone suddenly shifts from romcom to political drama, which is such a tonal shift it gave me whiplash. The romantic plots get sidelined to explored the political one instead, and whilst it had been hinted out throughout, it didn't have nearly enough build-up for this to be impactful.
I personally think this story should have been a duology with the first book building the romances between Gwen/Bridget and Gabriel/Arthur and breadcrumbing the political subplot, and then the second book being a full-on political drama which maybe tests these two relationships a bit more.
Overall, this book was easy to read, and I loved the premise and the references to Arthurian legend, but everything was too underdeveloped and rushed.
Taking each one in turn:
- <b> Character development </b>: Whilst I thought each character was loveable and easy to warm to and root for, there was no substantial growth for any of them. Arthur has a rocky relationship with his father, and whilst this is explored several times throughout the book, Arthur never resolves any of his issues or childhood trauma. Similarly, Gwen and Gabriel start the book feeling confused and conflicted about their sexuality, and by the end have accepted themselves but they never seem to go on this journey in the book and it comes out of nowhere. Bridget has no character growth whatsoever, and is barely developed in the first place.
- <b> Romantic plots </b>: I loved the premise for this book and was looking forward to some fun flirting and relationship drama, but again, this part of the book is severely underdeveloped. All of the characters start the book having a crush on their romantic interest already, but I think it would have been much more interesting if they all had organically fallen in love throughout the book. In addition, their romantic feelings had no foundations and if we had seen each character develop their emotions to one another throughout the book, it would have created much more believable romantic relationships that were actually worth feeling invested in. For example, Gwen and Bridget have never met but they are both crushing on each other - how/why did they fancy each other so much when they barely know one another? Also, when they all finally do get together, each couple hang out together about two times and by the end we're expected to believe they've each fallen in love with each other?? Towards the end, Gwen is even crying at the thought of Bridget leaving Camelot, but they had only kissed twice and never even had a substantial conversation together, how can you be that upset about someone you barely know!!!
- <b> Political tension/subplot </b>: In the second half of the book, the tone suddenly shifts from romcom to political drama, which is such a tonal shift it gave me whiplash. The romantic plots get sidelined to explored the political one instead, and whilst it had been hinted out throughout, it didn't have nearly enough build-up for this to be impactful.
I personally think this story should have been a duology with the first book building the romances between Gwen/Bridget and Gabriel/Arthur and breadcrumbing the political subplot, and then the second book being a full-on political drama which maybe tests these two relationships a bit more.
Overall, this book was easy to read, and I loved the premise and the references to Arthurian legend, but everything was too underdeveloped and rushed.
gaylandtoo's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
lex croucher i am obsessed with you
threefathoms's review against another edition
3.75
Gwen and Art are wonderful characters in a fun world, and I enjoyed cheering for them both the entire way. The build up to the climax felt good, but very quick resolution after that point felt off.