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geets88's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
4.0
rusticreadingal's review against another edition
3.0
This was a charming read. It’s a collection of four short stories/novellas that follows new neighbors Leander Fabian, a necromancer who lives in a dark and foreboding castle, and Mia Brandt, an inventor who’s just moved to the neighborhood after a bad experience forced her and her father to leave their old one.
Mia was a fierce, stubborn, and independent woman who never backed down. She was set in her ways and had a bit of a prickly personality but was likable from the get-go. And her distaste for socializing was 100% relatable, at least for me. She was such a fun heroine to read about. My only complaint about her was her habit of constantly jumping to the wrong conclusion. It got kinda tedious after a while.
Leander was the very definition of tall, dark, and handsome. And the mysterious air around him just added to his intrigue. Him and Mia were great allies, but I never fully bought into their romance.
While this collection wasn't my favorite from this author, it was still an enjoyable read, especially the first two stories.
I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
Mia was a fierce, stubborn, and independent woman who never backed down. She was set in her ways and had a bit of a prickly personality but was likable from the get-go. And her distaste for socializing was 100% relatable, at least for me. She was such a fun heroine to read about. My only complaint about her was her habit of constantly jumping to the wrong conclusion. It got kinda tedious after a while.
Leander was the very definition of tall, dark, and handsome. And the mysterious air around him just added to his intrigue. Him and Mia were great allies, but I never fully bought into their romance.
While this collection wasn't my favorite from this author, it was still an enjoyable read, especially the first two stories.
I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
tessisreading2's review against another edition
3.0
Cute, relatively insubstantial fantasy romance short stories with an emphasis on accepting the unusual and found family - very sweet but not much to them, really.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
This is four novellas made into a book, and it does work well. It is just like 4 different longer chapters.
It's an 18th century world with magic and monsters , well beings, but some do want to wipe out everything different.
And Mia and her father moves into a little village. She is different and had to leave. Her nearest neighbor is an annoying necromancer (who is also hot.) In the first story they are bickering. Then they have a mission. And then there is also drama at the end with those idiots who do not like different.
Sure things happen fast because they are novellas in the end, but it work because there is not specific time of events.
Mia was cool, she could make anything mechanic, and there is a hidden thing to her too. As for Leander, sure he is a necromancer, but he seems like a decent guy. And this is a romance too so they will grow closer.
As for the end, well everyone is happy for now in their crazy little village. But I would like more from this world because it is really interesting, and those evil guys are still out there.
Cool world, interesting story and romance promised too.
It's an 18th century world with magic and monsters , well beings, but some do want to wipe out everything different.
And Mia and her father moves into a little village. She is different and had to leave. Her nearest neighbor is an annoying necromancer (who is also hot.) In the first story they are bickering. Then they have a mission. And then there is also drama at the end with those idiots who do not like different.
Sure things happen fast because they are novellas in the end, but it work because there is not specific time of events.
Mia was cool, she could make anything mechanic, and there is a hidden thing to her too. As for Leander, sure he is a necromancer, but he seems like a decent guy. And this is a romance too so they will grow closer.
As for the end, well everyone is happy for now in their crazy little village. But I would like more from this world because it is really interesting, and those evil guys are still out there.
Cool world, interesting story and romance promised too.
risamyers3's review against another edition
4.0
This story is set in a world where some people have magical abilities. After a bad incident, Mia has learned to protect herself and her father from those who would harm them. After a move, her new neighbor slowly works his way into her life and they become allies. This is their story.
Burgis is well known and loved for her children's and young adult fantasy fiction. This falls on the young adult to adult side of the spectrum. The tale is entertaining, but a bit young adult "angsty." If you like a good fantasy tale with strong female protagonists and are not afraid of some LGBTQ characters, it's an enjoyable read.
I received a free ARC of this book.
Burgis is well known and loved for her children's and young adult fantasy fiction. This falls on the young adult to adult side of the spectrum. The tale is entertaining, but a bit young adult "angsty." If you like a good fantasy tale with strong female protagonists and are not afraid of some LGBTQ characters, it's an enjoyable read.
I received a free ARC of this book.
lacewing's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
siavahda's review
4.0
HIGHLIGHTS
~finally a heroine who hates socializing as much as I do!!!
~necromancers are dedicated to the Aesthetic
~weaponised jewelry
~allies = heart-eyes
~THERE’S ONLY ONE BED
Okay.
Look.
Listen.
I opened up Good Neighbours (the omnibus, made up of a short story and three novellas previously published on Burgis’ Patreon) expecting fluff and silliness and a book I could just relax into. You know – the kind of book that is pure escapism and fun and has you grinning at the pages as you turn them.
And Good Neighbours has and is all of those things! There is fluff and silliness GALORE! There are undead monsters that are really more like puppies, and deserve all the petting and walkies they want; there are necromancers who are so very Extra they’ll have you cackling; there is delightful use of the Fake Marriage trope (with bonus there’s only one bed!); there is OPERA! And as usual, Burgis’ writing is just a relief to a tired or grey-feeling brain; it’s light and brisk and doesn’t make you work hard to keep up with what’s happening, without being so simplistic it becomes childish or boring.
When you’re just feeling knackered and overworked and, you know, *waves vaguely at everything*, you don’t want a big heavy book that demands you make your way through a mental labyrinth and possibly defeat a minotaur in order to properly appreciate it. You want a book that holds your hand and leads you along gently to somewhere interesting, and that’s exactly what Good Neighbours does.
Read the rest at Every Book a Doorway!
~finally a heroine who hates socializing as much as I do!!!
~necromancers are dedicated to the Aesthetic
~weaponised jewelry
~allies = heart-eyes
~THERE’S ONLY ONE BED
Okay.
Look.
Listen.
I opened up Good Neighbours (the omnibus, made up of a short story and three novellas previously published on Burgis’ Patreon) expecting fluff and silliness and a book I could just relax into. You know – the kind of book that is pure escapism and fun and has you grinning at the pages as you turn them.
Dad had always said I was a battering ram when it came to polite conversation.
And Good Neighbours has and is all of those things! There is fluff and silliness GALORE! There are undead monsters that are really more like puppies, and deserve all the petting and walkies they want; there are necromancers who are so very Extra they’ll have you cackling; there is delightful use of the Fake Marriage trope (with bonus there’s only one bed!); there is OPERA! And as usual, Burgis’ writing is just a relief to a tired or grey-feeling brain; it’s light and brisk and doesn’t make you work hard to keep up with what’s happening, without being so simplistic it becomes childish or boring.
When you’re just feeling knackered and overworked and, you know, *waves vaguely at everything*, you don’t want a big heavy book that demands you make your way through a mental labyrinth and possibly defeat a minotaur in order to properly appreciate it. You want a book that holds your hand and leads you along gently to somewhere interesting, and that’s exactly what Good Neighbours does.
Read the rest at Every Book a Doorway!
amenalf53's review against another edition
5.0
Like much of what Burgus writes, this book combines enthralling characters, interesting twists on magic, playful banter, a romantic relationship of mutual support, and side hints at actual social commentary. I deeply enjoyed all four stories — indeed, I wonder why I haven’t already read them! Definitely recommend.
blueshadow's review
2.0
2.5 stars
A light fantasy rom-com.... with lots of heavy themes of fighting for your life against severe discrimination against magic users.... which didn't at all fit into what I was expecting
The first and the beginning of the third story were lots of fun. The second story was fine, just not as much to my taste.
But most of the third story and all the fourth, dealing with the "purifiers" who want to eliminate the "unnaturals".... First, the heavy themes weren't what I wanted or expected when I picked up the book. Second, it doesn't make any sense. The magic users (by definition!) had extra abilities that normal humans didn't have. The author was forced to admit this because either the magic users won the battles, or the non-magic users had to (gasp!) have magical tools to win. Does. Not. Make. Sense.
Nevermind that humans love anything that makes their lives easier. Enslaving the magic users to make devices for non-magics? Yeah, that I could see. Torture, killing, and ostracising everything magical? Mayyyyybe.... but it would require careful world-building to make it fit.
Also, excessively preachy about it's various themes.
Really, too bad. The premise was excellent, the writing was pretty good (except for the preachy bits). It was too bad the author couldn't stick with the original idea, because that's what I wanted to read.
A light fantasy rom-com.... with lots of heavy themes of fighting for your life against severe discrimination against magic users.... which didn't at all fit into what I was expecting
The first and the beginning of the third story were lots of fun. The second story was fine, just not as much to my taste.
But most of the third story and all the fourth, dealing with the "purifiers" who want to eliminate the "unnaturals".... First, the heavy themes weren't what I wanted or expected when I picked up the book. Second, it doesn't make any sense. The magic users (by definition!) had extra abilities that normal humans didn't have. The author was forced to admit this because either the magic users won the battles, or the non-magic users had to (gasp!) have magical tools to win. Does. Not. Make. Sense.
Nevermind that humans love anything that makes their lives easier. Enslaving the magic users to make devices for non-magics? Yeah, that I could see. Torture, killing, and ostracising everything magical? Mayyyyybe.... but it would require careful world-building to make it fit.
Also, excessively preachy about it's various themes.
Really, too bad. The premise was excellent, the writing was pretty good (except for the preachy bits). It was too bad the author couldn't stick with the original idea, because that's what I wanted to read.
ckcombsdotcom's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
Memorable characters and clever plot twists make this a fun read and one I was eager to return to. I'm glad there is at least one spinoff novella with two of the side characters and honestly there could be more. Burgis has a gift for quirky intriguing character development.
Great for getting a lift on dark winter days.
Great for getting a lift on dark winter days.