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bookishkale's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I was expecting something different when I first picked up the book. I was prepared for enemies to lovers, but I thought that the book was going to be more of 'Young witch has to stay hidden in society, and to throw people off her trail, she starts seeing one of the people trying to kill her', so I was a little uninterested in the 'vigilante story with the heist, and trying to get information out of the male lover interest' but I was pleasantly surprised!
This book has a heavy lean on four stars for me. I liked the magic system, I think the consequences of the hard spells and some parts of it were interesting and made for a fun time. It's a blood-based magic system, and I thought it was smart of the author to utilize period blood. I liked Rune a lot, I can see where she grew and where she still is young. I liked her socialite life, I was intrigued by her story with her grandmother, and the responsiblity she takes on from that. The overall world has some good worldbuilding, and while the author struggles a little bit with some lore dumping, it does make sense so I can look past that. I felt like there was lots of imagery, and I wanted to see some art of her house, cause it sounds gorgeous. I think the ending of the book sells it for me, honestly. I had fun reading this, which makes what I didn't like easy to ignore.
I wasn't Gideon's biggest fan? I liked him a lot more at the end, but there were some things that I could have done without. He tends to lean a little too much on whiney BUT I may be being too harsh. I did enjoy the flirting and the banter. It's been a while since I read Enemies to Lovers that felt like there was some hatred and being hesitant while falling for each other. A little Insta lusty/insta love, so if you aren't fond of that, that's a heads up. Some of the secondary characters are forgettable. There is a sort of love triangle... but uh, I wouldn't worry too much about it by the end. There were some pacing things where I am not even sure how many days the book takes place over. The first 25% of the book or so seemed like it took place over 24 hours. I also just need the author to be a little more clear in the rough time period she's trying to take inspiration from, some of her language was too modern for the era I think she was trying to convey.
Overall, a fun romantasy enemies to lovers, with an interesting magic system around blood. You have some good banter, and a fun main couple. Some of the plot twists were a little obvious, but if you read a lot of this genre, I wouldn't be surprised if you can pick up things. I would also check out the content warnings, cause it's a little dark in some areas.
This book has a heavy lean on four stars for me. I liked the magic system, I think the consequences of the hard spells and some parts of it were interesting and made for a fun time. It's a blood-based magic system, and I thought it was smart of the author to utilize period blood. I liked Rune a lot, I can see where she grew and where she still is young. I liked her socialite life, I was intrigued by her story with her grandmother, and the responsiblity she takes on from that. The overall world has some good worldbuilding, and while the author struggles a little bit with some lore dumping, it does make sense so I can look past that. I felt like there was lots of imagery, and I wanted to see some art of her house, cause it sounds gorgeous. I think the ending of the book sells it for me, honestly. I had fun reading this, which makes what I didn't like easy to ignore.
I wasn't Gideon's biggest fan? I liked him a lot more at the end, but there were some things that I could have done without. He tends to lean a little too much on whiney BUT I may be being too harsh. I did enjoy the flirting and the banter. It's been a while since I read Enemies to Lovers that felt like there was some hatred and being hesitant while falling for each other. A little Insta lusty/insta love, so if you aren't fond of that, that's a heads up. Some of the secondary characters are forgettable. There is a sort of love triangle... but uh, I wouldn't worry too much about it by the end. There were some pacing things where I am not even sure how many days the book takes place over. The first 25% of the book or so seemed like it took place over 24 hours. I also just need the author to be a little more clear in the rough time period she's trying to take inspiration from, some of her language was too modern for the era I think she was trying to convey.
Overall, a fun romantasy enemies to lovers, with an interesting magic system around blood. You have some good banter, and a fun main couple. Some of the plot twists were a little obvious, but if you read a lot of this genre, I wouldn't be surprised if you can pick up things. I would also check out the content warnings, cause it's a little dark in some areas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Body horror
misswillacolyns's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Ugh! I can see why people only want to start series that are complete. Iβm devastated. Kristen, why do you have to mess with my emotions like this? I suppose it makes for a great story. I canβt wait to see how this enemies-to-lovers story unfolds. Until then, Iβll just be crying in a corner, practicing spells to stitch my heart back together.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Death
Minor: Child death, Murder, Violence, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, and Sexual assault
daisysbookmusings's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
MY NEW ALL TIME FAVOURITE BOOK
I have not devoured a book like that in SO long; I would look up and realise hours have passed. It was brilliantly fast-paced yet layered with complex emotions, character arcs and THAT FUCKING ENDING!!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE, it could have been 1000000 pages more and i would still have wanted more.
I have not devoured a book like that in SO long; I would look up and realise hours have passed. It was brilliantly fast-paced yet layered with complex emotions, character arcs and THAT FUCKING ENDING!!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE, it could have been 1000000 pages more and i would still have wanted more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Torture, and Sexual content
soniajoy98's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Torture, Death, Gun violence, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Grief, Murder, and Self harm
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Child death, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Classism, and Police brutality
Minor: Body horror, Toxic friendship, and Emotional abuse
mdal26's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Police brutality, Genocide, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Classism, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Torture, Blood, Child death, Gore, Self harm, Addiction, Drug abuse, War, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
randi_jo's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
Jesus, I don't know where to begin. I feel lied to and cheated - whoever marketed this book was probably a court assassin in a past life or something, slipping poison into goblets at celebration feasts.
Anyway there are so many trope icks in this book for me. I feel like the author singled me out, asked everything I hate in a book and then made this book but added playing with period blood. Just to list some of them:
π© Obviously the use of period blood, like ew. But ok plot reasons; don't do blood magic using self harm cuts because it makes you a target for witch hunts. Still ew.
π© Love triangle/hinge. MC must choose, oh no! One is the tall, dark, and brooding with a tragic past - physically strong! The other is lean, blonde, intellectual - her childhood friend! Ahh smell those tropes.
π© Oh yes, those two are brothers! Yesshe kisses them both!! And more! .
π© There is no mention of using protection in the smut scenes! This is YA! She lost her virginity! I don't care if it's not "realistic" it's fantasy! Use fake magic to prevent STDs! Sex safety for the Youth.
π© The fact that brosef Gideon feels the absolute NEED to have sex with someone to PROVE she has no scars is weird. Weirder, and CREEPY is that random ass chick Harrow keeps PUSHING FOR HIM TO HAVE SEX WITH HER? I know it's for PLOT AND ROMANCE reasons, but how fucking creepy?? Peer pressuring people into doing the deed is ew.
π© Why is there a duo named Gideon and Harrow, anyway? Is this a hat tilt to Muir's Locked Tomb series? It's distracting as fuck.
π© A bro literallydies and all people can say is "oopsies" and they leave it at that? Like no one blames anyone for this outright murder ? Not even a why the fuck did you DO that?? Just "she wasn't paying attention"? Christ.
π© The font! It's huge! I thought I had a large print book! Nothing crazy, but what a waste of paper. This book should not be anything over 300 pages. It's THAT large.
π© Short chapters. I don't think a single chapter was over 10 pages long. WITH HUGE FONT. I accidentally skipped an entire chapter because two pages got stuck together. Weirdly upsetting.
π© The plot was ridiculously easy to predict, and as much as I like to be right, reading for plot heavy books (because let's be honest, the characters here only exist to bang) is not one of them. To go into more spoilery areas...
Anyway there are so many trope icks in this book for me. I feel like the author singled me out, asked everything I hate in a book and then made this book but added playing with period blood. Just to list some of them:
π© Obviously the use of period blood, like ew. But ok plot reasons; don't do blood magic using self harm cuts because it makes you a target for witch hunts. Still ew.
π© Love triangle/hinge. MC must choose, oh no! One is the tall, dark, and brooding with a tragic past - physically strong! The other is lean, blonde, intellectual - her childhood friend! Ahh smell those tropes.
π© Oh yes, those two are brothers! Yes
π© There is no mention of using protection in the smut scenes! This is YA! She lost her virginity! I don't care if it's not "realistic" it's fantasy! Use fake magic to prevent STDs! Sex safety for the Youth.
π© The fact that brosef Gideon feels the absolute NEED to have sex with someone to PROVE she has no scars is weird. Weirder, and CREEPY is that random ass chick Harrow keeps PUSHING FOR HIM TO HAVE SEX WITH HER? I know it's for PLOT AND ROMANCE reasons, but how fucking creepy?? Peer pressuring people into doing the deed is ew.
π© Why is there a duo named Gideon and Harrow, anyway? Is this a hat tilt to Muir's Locked Tomb series? It's distracting as fuck.
π© A bro literally
π© The font! It's huge! I thought I had a large print book! Nothing crazy, but what a waste of paper. This book should not be anything over 300 pages. It's THAT large.
π© Short chapters. I don't think a single chapter was over 10 pages long. WITH HUGE FONT. I accidentally skipped an entire chapter because two pages got stuck together. Weirdly upsetting.
π© The plot was ridiculously easy to predict, and as much as I like to be right, reading for plot heavy books (because let's be honest, the characters here only exist to bang) is not one of them. To go into more spoilery areas...
It was obvious from early on that Cressida wasn't dead because Alex didn't kill her. She was literally the only character ever posed to be even a POSSIBLE villain. Literally who else could it be? The only other witches in the whole fucking story are Rune, who we have the POV of, and Seraphine who's in fucking prison lol. There was zero chance of Alex surviving this trope heavy book. Obviously he is an obstacle to the Rune/Gideon pairing and he needed to be gone! The second Rune accepted his proposal I knew he was dead. And I was right!! I'm a wizard! Verity was so obviously Cressida the second Cressida's mark appeared at the dinner scene. The entire book the prose was "he is so tempting but he is my enemy! I must save witches to atone for my grandma! Verity's perfume is stronk af. Why is Gideon so hot and dark and spicy? Wowowow." Like the second something other than sexual frustration and the repetitive BS about Rune trying to get herself killed or whatever, the foreshadowing hints become like BEACONS. This was solidified the very second it was Verity's face in the criminal sketch, making the probability of her being the villain from like 80% to 100%. Ugh.
The ending was ok. . . it left a lot to be answered in book 2, but to be honest I'll probably just mine reviews and summaries for what happens next, if I even remember by the time it comes out. I am just not interested in carving out even another day of time for this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Torture, and Rape
ceredonia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Child death, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Torture, and Alcoholism
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