Scan barcode
hue's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
1.0
The book is overwritten to the point it disturbs the story. Example; Maggie is treated with ill in Wickdon because she is Yu'adir. This is already mentioned in the first chapter, if I'm not mistaken, and since then repeated endlessly over and over again. By page 150 I'm bored of it. Tell me something else about her.
Another example; the narration, whether Maggie's or Wes's, somehow constantly repeats what has been told mere moments ago, just worded differently, though often not. It's exhausting, and it diminishes the earthly feel to these people that they might be real somewhere. They become paper at once, two-dimensional, plain characters. As mentioned before, I'm bored!
The dialogue is, for the lack of a better word, cringe at times. probably falls into the overwritten category but I found myself rolling my eyes or feeling secondhand embarrassment a bit too often for enjoyment. Bantering is fun to read, but constantly? No. They did not talk like two people would actually talk with each other, and definitely not the two people they were. Maggie would've shot him down quicker, if the writing was accurate, and Wes would fluster with her because she was the "sole" girl that did not immediately swoon at his words. Make it make sense.
The chemistry between them—the romance so to say—is not there. Wes just suddenly decided he doesn't find Maggie all that repulsive anymore? And Maggie, though initially despising everything about Wes and what he stood for, finds herself jealous over his charming behaviour towards others. Though it is stated she is jealous of how others see him opposed to her, but it doesn't explain all those instances where she reacts poorly when he's being flirty to another girl/lady that isn't her. It feels a lot like "they fall in love because one is a boy and the other is a girl, and because they've spent five seconds looking at each other". No? That's now how it works? They've just met, Maggie is a rough gal and Wes is a damn flirty squid, he'd probably ask a phone book on a date if it were female! Point being, it just isn't there, the romance.
Out of Wes's four sisters, only one has a personality; Mad. The other three are like caricatures with no soul. It's depressing. Why is there's four of them if only one is truly alive? Every now and then one of them says something different or does something that is slightly personal, but it isn't enough. They're easily forgettable. At least his Mum was well written, and well, Mad.
The sudden change in Maggie's personality (around page 270 maybe?) just ticks me off. She starts sounding like Wes which doesn't make sense at all. Her harshness isn't harsh anymore, and all she seems to think of is Wes, and not the fact that the Hunt holds literally everything of what she loves in a chokehold. For a story about the Hunt, there's very little of the Hunt. It's mostly them getting fluffy with each other, which is kinda meh even for a romance book. The setting was wonderful; why didn't the author take use of it?
So, despite the harshness of my words, I still enjoyed some of it. I loved the grey scenery, I loved Mr Halanan and his big, lovely heart as well as his protectiveness of Maggie. I loved Trouble, and I loved how he and Wes became quick buddies. I loved Maggie for being a strong girl who despite desperately wishing for her Mother's love stood strong by herself, with her hound and her duties, and shot like a queen. I adored her roughness, her quick annoyance, her solitude, and the grief that came with it. I loved the dinner scene at the Winters' house where Maggie was uncomfortably joined. I loved how she survived despite being an outcast. If the writing would've been consistent, I would've loved her to bits.
However, the Author does get a point for writing queer people that exist the way "everyone else" does. They're there but it isn't such a big deal. They aren't stereotypes. They're people. I loved that.
Graphic: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Racism, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Hate crime, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
recklessric's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Gun violence, Antisemitism, Racism, Classism, Animal death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, and Colonisation
Minor: Xenophobia and Sexual content
the_wandering_wisp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really like the idea of this world, the magical Hala, and the alchemy, but the magic of this realm leaves something to be desired. I wanted to know more about the legends and history of this world.
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Racism, and Abandonment
spellboundreader's review
- 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
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, Antisemitism, Classism, and Religious bigotry
ctara2123's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Abandonment, Death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, and Animal death
Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, and Sexual content
edamamebean's review
- 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
Graphic: Antisemitism, Gun violence, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Violence, Religious bigotry, Grief, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Child death, Alcohol, and Abandonment
laequiem's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Classism and Animal death
mfrank's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
blackcatkai's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
this was such a cute, sweet, slow burn romance with a bit of magic thrown in. it's written beautifully while also dealing with quite a few heavy topics. I loved it and would absolutely read from Saft again!
Graphic: Blood, Xenophobia, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Alcohol, Antisemitism, and Death
Moderate: Body horror, Gun violence, Grief, Mental illness, Abandonment, Violence, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual content and Ableism
ka_ke's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
It’s got good alchemy lore but oddly a significant amount of walmart brand christianity? I guess maybe it’s the authors way of recovering from some religious trauma.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Grief, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Racism, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual content, Child death, Toxic friendship, and Xenophobia