Reviews

The Gifts That Bind Us by Caroline O'Donoghue

beckydr'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? Yes

4.75

For years I've been unable to grab on to either series' or YA so it came as a surprise when I picked up Caroline O Donahue's foray into the genre that I loved it enough to continue on. The characters are so well rounded, and Maeve's teenageness isn't irritating, it's grounded in a well explored and likeable character. Ro's journey in this book is also fantastic, playing with the process of growing up vs belief in magic. Also I'm a simple woman I like teen witch stuff. This is my Irish Buffy. 

novaturient_bibliophile's review

4.75

First of all, Maeve was still annoying. Especially towards the beginning of the book. I could not stand her. That’s really my only complaint, though. I love how the relationships developed and deepened and stood up to tests. The new characters (Manon and Miss Banbury) as well as the less developed characters (Lily, Aaron and Nuala) are all so beautifully multi-faceted as well. And the book is startlingly dark too, when compared to the cover art (and that’s why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover). Even when the plot wasn’t the best, I still found the book to be a captivating read. I was hooked, from beginning to end. And the title is so clever!
Plot-wise, it reminds me of the Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater, but in terms of the characters and relationships, it reminds me of Alice Oseman’s books.

ocean_delight's review

adventurous mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

leeisme23's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

plush86's review

adventurous emotional 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? Yes

3.75

vickyyyyx3's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

reefsharkie's review

adventurous dark 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? Yes

5.0

jozlynnez'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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

katie1031's review

4.0

I was hooked from the beginning of the first book, something about the writing style has had me blowing through these first two books. This is really such a fantastic story.

Plus I'll always have a sweet spot for urban fantasies with queer characters that discuss heavy topics, don't shy away from social issues, and let their main characters have real flaws to cover come

janienefe's review against another edition

mysterious 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

4.0