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emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Firstly, I wanna say, I did enjoy this debut novel. It made me laugh & cry, but I also got bored at times when it dragged. I opted for 4 Stars because I had fun and I will continue the series. I'm also softer on debut novels because authors are still perfecting their craft.
Yes, it's long, but guys, it's also a cozy romantasy.
Cozy fantasy by nature has low stakes & slice of life feel good vibes. There might be a little tension, some jabs to the gut, but overall it gives a safe vibe which some people need/prefer. Romantsey just means romance was the main focus among action in a fantasy setting. But a cozy romantasy and romantasy and fantasy with a dash of romance are all 3 very different things; this here is cozy romantasy.
Clearly, For Whom The Belle Tolls was marketed wrong, because I can easily see how this book would both aggravate and delight different kinds of fantasy readers. But it's by no means your fault for not knowing, what genre this book is because the synopsis is absolute trash.
While the synopsis isn't wrong (Lily does work in the afterlife & meets a demon named Bel and yeah there is technically a war brewing), it does lead readers into thinking they are going to get this action pack fantasy set in the afterlife with an epic battle scene that the couple will conquer together. Like no. I'm sorry guys, but that's not what happened or what this book sets out to be (seriously the synopsis needs to be rewritten).
Honestly, if you are not enjoying the pace/easy tone the book is already setting after/during chapter 9/10 then yeah, that's a good place to stop, because it doesn't really shift much later. However if you liking the chill vibes, fucking go for it.
So here's a handy list to see if this book is up your alley.
✅️Cozy romantasy
✅️Religious trauma/healing
✅️Adoption/talk about being unable to conceive children*
✅️Slice of afterlife
✅️A sweet friends to lovers romance
✅️Healing from religious/parential trauma
✅️Found family
✅️Low stakes/drama
✅️Fanfiction-eque (which no hate, I do adore it).
✅️Nerdish references
✅️Pace yourself books
This might be for you. If you prefer:
🚫High stakes
🚫Daring fights with swords & wits
🚫Intriguing political fantasy
🚫Relationship Drama
🚫Fast plot
🚫Iconic villains
Don't panic, there are other books out there for you, just maybe skip this one.
In the end I did really like this book, but I just wish it finds its people. I'm pleased to see it has found some of its demographic but, given how some people really hated this book as well, clearly marketing has failed it.**
*I stand by this scene. I think it's very powerful because not everyone can have kids, but still wants them and, while those people may have adopted/fostered kids, it doesn't mean they love the child they DO have any less, or they still can't FEEL that loss of never having their own.
I've seen a lot of mothers shit on & called selfish/uncaring because they have those natural feelings. Just like some women really don't want kids (which is their right & good for them), some women also really do want to have big families (which is also their right & good for them), but of those women, there are plenty that can't have children for reasons.
So often fantasy or romance books gloss over the woman wanting a child, getting one and then finding happiness. Like yes, that's true, you can find bliss, but so is that sense of loss. So, while it hurts to read, I am so happy that section was included here as this shit needs to be normalized and addressed in more books.
**It occurred to me after I wrote this that you could love cozy fantasy and still hate this and vice versa. It is just more likely you will enjoy this if you prefer cozy fantasy over high fantasy books. I live by the "not every book was written for you, but it could be" motto.***
***and yes, I know this review is almost as long as the book, lol, but I just have a lot of thoughts & Goodreads has yet to set a word limit for me to attempt to breach.
Yes, it's long, but guys, it's also a cozy romantasy.
Cozy fantasy by nature has low stakes & slice of life feel good vibes. There might be a little tension, some jabs to the gut, but overall it gives a safe vibe which some people need/prefer. Romantsey just means romance was the main focus among action in a fantasy setting. But a cozy romantasy and romantasy and fantasy with a dash of romance are all 3 very different things; this here is cozy romantasy.
Clearly, For Whom The Belle Tolls was marketed wrong, because I can easily see how this book would both aggravate and delight different kinds of fantasy readers. But it's by no means your fault for not knowing, what genre this book is because the synopsis is absolute trash.
While the synopsis isn't wrong (Lily does work in the afterlife & meets a demon named Bel and yeah there is technically a war brewing), it does lead readers into thinking they are going to get this action pack fantasy set in the afterlife with an epic battle scene that the couple will conquer together. Like no. I'm sorry guys, but that's not what happened or what this book sets out to be (seriously the synopsis needs to be rewritten).
Honestly, if you are not enjoying the pace/easy tone the book is already setting after/during chapter 9/10 then yeah, that's a good place to stop, because it doesn't really shift much later. However if you liking the chill vibes, fucking go for it.
So here's a handy list to see if this book is up your alley.
✅️Cozy romantasy
✅️Religious trauma/healing
✅️Adoption/talk about being unable to conceive children*
✅️Slice of afterlife
✅️A sweet friends to lovers romance
✅️Healing from religious/parential trauma
✅️Found family
✅️Low stakes/drama
✅️Fanfiction-eque (which no hate, I do adore it).
✅️Nerdish references
✅️Pace yourself books
This might be for you. If you prefer:
🚫High stakes
🚫Daring fights with swords & wits
🚫Intriguing political fantasy
🚫Relationship Drama
🚫Fast plot
🚫Iconic villains
Don't panic, there are other books out there for you, just maybe skip this one.
In the end I did really like this book, but I just wish it finds its people. I'm pleased to see it has found some of its demographic but, given how some people really hated this book as well, clearly marketing has failed it.**
*I stand by this scene. I think it's very powerful because not everyone can have kids, but still wants them and, while those people may have adopted/fostered kids, it doesn't mean they love the child they DO have any less, or they still can't FEEL that loss of never having their own.
I've seen a lot of mothers shit on & called selfish/uncaring because they have those natural feelings. Just like some women really don't want kids (which is their right & good for them), some women also really do want to have big families (which is also their right & good for them), but of those women, there are plenty that can't have children for reasons.
So often fantasy or romance books gloss over the woman wanting a child, getting one and then finding happiness. Like yes, that's true, you can find bliss, but so is that sense of loss. So, while it hurts to read, I am so happy that section was included here as this shit needs to be normalized and addressed in more books.
**It occurred to me after I wrote this that you could love cozy fantasy and still hate this and vice versa. It is just more likely you will enjoy this if you prefer cozy fantasy over high fantasy books. I live by the "not every book was written for you, but it could be" motto.***
***and yes, I know this review is almost as long as the book, lol, but I just have a lot of thoughts & Goodreads has yet to set a word limit for me to attempt to breach.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness
Moderate: Child death, Grief, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, War
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, War
Moderate: Child death, Terminal illness, Pregnancy
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Pedophilia, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Alcohol
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
This is the most gorgeous story I've read in a while. It has adventure, self discovery, trauma, romance, fun, and wonderful character development. I can actually see myself reading it again in years to come. Absolutely brilliant.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Omg this is the perfect mix of found family and complex family dynamics. The way it deals with religion and religious trauma is new and engaging. I laughed, cried, and reevaluated the way I viewed the world. It was a genuine joy to read and I found myself deeply connecting to the fmc. I will say if you are extremely religious this book is probably not for you. But if you have some unhealed wounds from the church this book will make you feel very seen!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Gore, Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Very emotional story, I had to put it down many times and take a break. Several parts (especially the beginning) are very heavy depictions of the main character dying from cancer. I had more than a few existential crises reading this one.
I really enjoyed all of the depictions of afterlives, covering literally every belief system.
I really enjoyed all of the depictions of afterlives, covering literally every belief system.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, War