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sumia's review against another edition
I wasn't really immersed in the story, didn't care enough for the characters.
blreese's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? No
4.75
lesbianscully's review
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
3.5
cirrus_prince's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25
virtual_mammoth1013's review against another edition
5.0
This was almost the perfect book. My only issue was it ended a little abruptly, would love to have had one more chapter. But dang, was it an amazing read and a beautiful ride.
leanansidhes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
selenareads's review
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
orchidd's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Blood, Death, Homophobia, and Murder
sages_books's review against another edition
5.0
I was sent a copy of this book by Sebastian Northwell’s agent in exchange for an honest review!
Oak King, Holly King is a lovely story of queer love and resistance set in an atmospheric and engrossing light fantasy world. The story takes place in pre-industrial England, but it also has lots of scenes set in a parallel world based off fae lore.
This is a wonderful read if you’re looking for something like Holly Black’s books but queer. I really enjoyed that the author explored the sodomy laws that were present at the time but gave his characters a queer realm where they could be themselves without fear of persecution. When I picked up this book, I was pleasantly surprised by the themes of queer love that were so present, Oak King, Holly King is a definite celebration of queer love stories and I really enjoyed that aspect of the story.
Another thing I liked about this book was that the fantasy aspects weren’t too hard to grip. At the beginning I was slightly confused about the politics of the fae world, but after a bit I was able to grasp it better! Plus, all the fluffy scenes of the two mcs just living their lives were so cute and exactly what I needed!
Overall, I really liked Oak King, Holly King, I thought the mix of fantasy and historical fiction was really well done, and the exploration of queer love was *chefs kiss*! The only thing I wish had been different is the lack of BIPOC and female characters! If you’re looking for a light, gay story about fae and pre-industrial England, this book is for you!
Oak King, Holly King is a lovely story of queer love and resistance set in an atmospheric and engrossing light fantasy world. The story takes place in pre-industrial England, but it also has lots of scenes set in a parallel world based off fae lore.
This is a wonderful read if you’re looking for something like Holly Black’s books but queer. I really enjoyed that the author explored the sodomy laws that were present at the time but gave his characters a queer realm where they could be themselves without fear of persecution. When I picked up this book, I was pleasantly surprised by the themes of queer love that were so present, Oak King, Holly King is a definite celebration of queer love stories and I really enjoyed that aspect of the story.
Another thing I liked about this book was that the fantasy aspects weren’t too hard to grip. At the beginning I was slightly confused about the politics of the fae world, but after a bit I was able to grasp it better! Plus, all the fluffy scenes of the two mcs just living their lives were so cute and exactly what I needed!
Overall, I really liked Oak King, Holly King, I thought the mix of fantasy and historical fiction was really well done, and the exploration of queer love was *chefs kiss*! The only thing I wish had been different is the lack of BIPOC and female characters! If you’re looking for a light, gay story about fae and pre-industrial England, this book is for you!
purely_romantic's review against another edition
5.0
When I was in college one of my favourite courses was a Shakespeare class and, as we read plays like *As You Like It* and *A Midsummer Night’s Dream*, we discussed the concept of the “green world” and the “closed world”. The green world being the forest, the world away from human laws and conventions, where rigid traditions are turned on their heads, the impossible is possible, and where magic and fantastical elements allow characters to understand themselves on much deeper levels. Sebastian Nothwell’s novel felt much like an examination of such concepts as it following the story of simple London clerk Wren Lofthouse from Victorian London and his discovery of the magical fae realm and his gentle fae prince, Shrike.
What I think most fascinated me about Nothwell’s novel and his writing is his meandering prose. The book is in absolutely no rush and leisurely guides the reader through a story that, much like what was happening to Wren, travels at a dreamlike pace; sometimes full of action and sometimes lingering over rich descriptions and measured plot points. I don’t find this type of writing in romances often—even amongst fantasy—and after a while it was easy to sink into the robust atmosphere of the world. Both Wren and Shrike have separate challenges in the human world and the fae world and the story follows them as they assist each other in overcoming their respective situations, all the while exploring their growing relationship. The scenes between them were gentle and delicate, with a tender intimacy to them that matched the tone of the book, and I found myself really invested in the possibility of their future together.
For readers who love unhurried storytelling and the kind of book that both occupies and thematically portrays liminal spaces, I could not recommend this more. I was delighted to receive an ARC of *Oak King, Holly King* from the author and very much enjoyed reading it.
What I think most fascinated me about Nothwell’s novel and his writing is his meandering prose. The book is in absolutely no rush and leisurely guides the reader through a story that, much like what was happening to Wren, travels at a dreamlike pace; sometimes full of action and sometimes lingering over rich descriptions and measured plot points. I don’t find this type of writing in romances often—even amongst fantasy—and after a while it was easy to sink into the robust atmosphere of the world. Both Wren and Shrike have separate challenges in the human world and the fae world and the story follows them as they assist each other in overcoming their respective situations, all the while exploring their growing relationship. The scenes between them were gentle and delicate, with a tender intimacy to them that matched the tone of the book, and I found myself really invested in the possibility of their future together.
For readers who love unhurried storytelling and the kind of book that both occupies and thematically portrays liminal spaces, I could not recommend this more. I was delighted to receive an ARC of *Oak King, Holly King* from the author and very much enjoyed reading it.