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ravia14's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Child abuse
Minor: Violence, Child death, and Pregnancy
blueyedwonder's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Homophobia and Miscarriage
Minor: War, Violence, and Vomit
jems_'s review against another edition
4.75
Okay, how do I describe this? I‘m honestly still a bit giddy after finishing this. It was funny, cozy and entertaining to read. Despite it being over 600 pages long, it still contained enough material to entertain me thoroughly.
The characters were all unique and lovely and I came to love most of them a lot. The themes of home and food were heartwarming and mouthwatering respectively and I was just very happy to read this.
I love cozy witchy stories and this was just that, albeit having some points of tension and some more difficult topics in it.
Frankly, I knew I would like this book from the moment Kraken and Eric were introduced. I suppose I have a sweet spot for cats and sweet little children.
There were points in this book where it might’ve felt a tiiiny bit too immature and the kind of miscommunication in it positively infuriated me towards the later parts of the book but none of that can justify me lowering my rating much more right now. I liked this far too much.
The characters were all unique and lovely and I came to love most of them a lot. The themes of home and food were heartwarming and mouthwatering respectively and I was just very happy to read this.
I love cozy witchy stories and this was just that, albeit having some points of tension and some more difficult topics in it.
Frankly, I knew I would like this book from the moment Kraken and Eric were introduced. I suppose I have a sweet spot for cats and sweet little children.
There were points in this book where it might’ve felt a tiiiny bit too immature and the kind of miscommunication in it positively infuriated me towards the later parts of the book but none of that can justify me lowering my rating much more right now. I liked this far too much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Miscarriage, and Alcoholism
Minor: Homophobia
bridge_to_narnia's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-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
3.75
A light-hearted story about a house witch whose powers get him embroiled in political intrigue/plots to save the kingdom. While it sounds heavy, every moment is an easy read. There were some plots that I found annoying like the thickheadedness of Fin not trying to improve his station for love (they all told him it would be possible and he was all woe is me I suck, over and over again. It was exhausting) . Overall, an enjoyable read, but warning THE PLOT DOES NOT FINISH IN THIS BOOK.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
While heavy topics are mentioned, it’s usually in a throw-away line (like a tragic backstory) or immediately taken care of in a easy going manner.emerentina's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Blood, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Violence, Child death, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Addiction, Racial slurs, Vomit, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Minor: War
litwitchcore's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy and Bullying
Minor: Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, Abandonment, War, Sexual harassment, and Child abuse
tayleigh's review against another edition
5.0
This book was just lovely. It was like a warm hug in a book.
This book follows Fin who is a house witch starting a new job at the royal household’s kitchen. Witches were persecuted for a long time but it was deemed illegal 50 years prior to the start of this story. Most witches are tied to a certain element but a few witches have been born with different abilities which some witches seem as defective. Fin’s magic is one of those and can only use his magic inside a place he considers his home and his magic is to protect and care for a home but cooking is his passion.
Fin has an abrasive personality that tends to rub people the wrong way but also endears them to his antics and brand of chaos. Due to this he ends up insulting some knights and as punishment the knights are sent to work under his as dishwashers and vegetables peelers. He also gains the attention of the young prince and viscountess with his blunt personality.
We learn about Fin’s rough life growing up and his reluctance to tell people about his magic while he makes new friends and found family with the kitchen staff.
This book follows Fin who is a house witch starting a new job at the royal household’s kitchen. Witches were persecuted for a long time but it was deemed illegal 50 years prior to the start of this story. Most witches are tied to a certain element but a few witches have been born with different abilities which some witches seem as defective. Fin’s magic is one of those and can only use his magic inside a place he considers his home and his magic is to protect and care for a home but cooking is his passion.
Fin has an abrasive personality that tends to rub people the wrong way but also endears them to his antics and brand of chaos. Due to this he ends up insulting some knights and as punishment the knights are sent to work under his as dishwashers and vegetables peelers. He also gains the attention of the young prince and viscountess with his blunt personality.
We learn about Fin’s rough life growing up and his reluctance to tell people about his magic while he makes new friends and found family with the kitchen staff.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Minor: Miscarriage
kmi's review
2.5
Popcorn-y but disappointing after reflection. Strong TW alcohol.
This book would have been so much better if the MC was a woman and the romance lesbian. Also if it had been a sober novel. It suffered a lot in my mind from fanfic syndrome, with POVs and chapters that seem to have nothing to do in the story but were there as if placed on a dare. There's an animal companion/familiar that is entirely useless. The MC has a stronger bond with the basil growing on his windowsill that with his cat that's supposed to be like a part of his soul! Also the cat POV are a bit insufferable and pointless, they absolutely don't advance the plot one bit.
And finally, my biggest gripe: nothing happens outside of the constant scenes of drinking and drunk men. Alcohol has such a big role in this book, and so unchallenged, it's really uncomfortable. The main love interest is drinking vodka every hour it seems. Like, that's called alcoholism, and maybe if it was a conflict of the book I could understand? But this felt like the idea of alcohol as written by a 16yo who has never been in an alcohol-heavy environment. Would have deserved a huge TW in my opinion. Also the parts addressing the possibility of gay romance are super clunky.
Overall, quite disappointing...
This book would have been so much better if the MC was a woman and the romance lesbian. Also if it had been a sober novel. It suffered a lot in my mind from fanfic syndrome, with POVs and chapters that seem to have nothing to do in the story but were there as if placed on a dare. There's an animal companion/familiar that is entirely useless. The MC has a stronger bond with the basil growing on his windowsill that with his cat that's supposed to be like a part of his soul! Also the cat POV are a bit insufferable and pointless, they absolutely don't advance the plot one bit.
And finally, my biggest gripe: nothing happens outside of the constant scenes of drinking and drunk men. Alcohol has such a big role in this book, and so unchallenged, it's really uncomfortable. The main love interest is drinking vodka every hour it seems. Like, that's called alcoholism, and maybe if it was a conflict of the book I could understand? But this felt like the idea of alcohol as written by a 16yo who has never been in an alcohol-heavy environment. Would have deserved a huge TW in my opinion. Also the parts addressing the possibility of gay romance are super clunky.
Overall, quite disappointing...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Moderate: Hate crime, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Homophobia, and Sexual harassment
bookish_gamer_girl's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
This book was such a pleasant surprise, and a wonderful way to wrap up my reading year in 2023. I can't wait to read books 2 and 3 and find out what's next for my favorite characters!
Content Warnings
Minor: Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
alwaysshure's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
there were a couple points where I didn't agree with the characters thinking something was hilarious and I didn't love the way queerness was used (didn't dislike it, just... didn't love it) but mostly, the vibes were just so absolutely what I wanted. I was between 4.75 and 5 stars, and I think overall, it earned the 5 for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Violence, and Domestic abuse