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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I expected it to be funnier. Instead it was a book about a couple who had been married for a year and barely talked to each other which caused a psychic entity to harass them in their own home. Then they talked about their issues and suddenly everything was okay. Seems to me they should have done some work on themselves before they got to this point. Everyone know good communication builds a solid foundation for a relationship. I was expecting humor. Instead I got married couple who ignores the obvious.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Odd Spirits is…fine. It makes decent use of the space, telling a story that more or less fits within the hundred or so pages of the novella. And the illustrations are gorgeous (though they feel slightly misaligned in where they fall in the book).
But, I don’t know…marriage in trouble is a hard sell for me. And even though I genuinely like Rhys and Moira’s relationship after Evocation, I still just struggled to get really invested in this spot of trouble for them. Especially when Odd Spirits is pretty light on both the magic and the push and pull with David that made Evocation so fun.
The one part of Odd Spirits I did wholeheartedly enjoy was seeing the early days of Moira and Rhys’ relationship. There’s something super charming about their kinda bumbling early days, that mix of interest and attraction and clashing magics. It’s easy to see why they fell hard for each other—and to see the early seeds of their future polyamory sprinkled in there.
I wouldn’t call Odd Spirits required reading for the Summoner’s Circle series, but if you like Rhys and Moira and their relationship, it’s a fun look into the early days of their marriage.
Odd Spirits: 3.5 stars
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
I would like to make a few comments about this novella. First, though it is a novella, it felt more substantial than a lot of full-length novels I've read. Which is to say, it's got a lot of depth going on. This has a lot to do with the relationship that Rhys and Moira have. It's fully fleshed out and feels authentic. For instance, I know a lot of readers are going to buck back against the bi-phobia, but I feel like the way it is handled was a touch of authenticity. What I mean is, it's not "bi-phobia" in an ugly and aggressive way. Instead, it's something the characters are learning about themselves and are trying to cope with in a healthy, if (literally) messy, way. (I've personally done a lot of therapy work and I tend to come across some set-backs in my conscious that are on an equal level of ugly and harmful to people I care about. But you can work through it!) So don't black list this book because some reviewers will cancel it; instead, read it for yourself to see how well it's handled!
The last thing I want to bring up is the way witchcraft is depicted in the book. This is to say "PERFECTLY." I myself have limited exposure to the "real thing," and it's adorably naive how a lot of authors (and cultures), erm, seem to think it really is. Moira is an exemplary witch. I know less about real magicians, so I can't comment on the authenticity of Rhys' work.
Lastly, I'll try to defend my 3⭐ rating - even though I enjoyed this book, I tend to give 5⭐'s for books that I can't forget during and after reading them, so that's a bit rare. 4⭐'s are for books that wow me technically
The last thing I want to bring up is the way witchcraft is depicted in the book. This is to say "PERFECTLY." I myself have limited exposure to the "real thing," and it's adorably naive how a lot of authors (and cultures), erm, seem to think it really is. Moira is an exemplary witch. I know less about real magicians, so I can't comment on the authenticity of Rhys' work.
Lastly, I'll try to defend my 3⭐ rating - even though I enjoyed this book, I tend to give 5⭐'s for books that I can't forget during and after reading them, so that's a bit rare. 4⭐'s are for books that wow me technically
This was such a good little novella! Getting an insight into Rhys and Moira made me appreciate them more and I flew through this
Holyyyy shit, I fucking hate these people.
Moira: I've decided my relationship with my husband is doomed because I absolutely refuse to put any effort into it, nor will I answer any questions he has about my practice, but I will constantly lie to him, deny reality, hide things, avoid him completely, and make sure to blame him for anything that has gone wrong. Also I'm biphobic!
Rhys: My wife is a perfect angel goddess and she's sooooo cool and any flaws she has are actually my flaws and it's totally fine for her to get mad at me all the time for not reading her mind and taking her at her word. Everything bad is all my fault except wait actually everything wrong in my relationship is somehow my ex-boyfriend's fault!
David: Jesus Christ people you asked for help so I'm trying to provide help. Sorry I don't like your crystals or whatever but your relationship problems are NOT my problem. Work on your damn selves.
Moira & Rhys: omg David you're the worst!!!! How dare you try to solve our haunting and tell us the truth!!!!!
2 stars for the atmosphere and world building and the glimpse of David. -100 stars for Moira and Rhys.
I was SO looking forward to reading Evocation but damn, I don't know if I can now.
Moira: I've decided my relationship with my husband is doomed because I absolutely refuse to put any effort into it, nor will I answer any questions he has about my practice, but I will constantly lie to him, deny reality, hide things, avoid him completely, and make sure to blame him for anything that has gone wrong. Also I'm biphobic!
Rhys: My wife is a perfect angel goddess and she's sooooo cool and any flaws she has are actually my flaws and it's totally fine for her to get mad at me all the time for not reading her mind and taking her at her word. Everything bad is all my fault except wait actually everything wrong in my relationship is somehow my ex-boyfriend's fault!
David: Jesus Christ people you asked for help so I'm trying to provide help. Sorry I don't like your crystals or whatever but your relationship problems are NOT my problem. Work on your damn selves.
Moira & Rhys: omg David you're the worst!!!! How dare you try to solve our haunting and tell us the truth!!!!!
2 stars for the atmosphere and world building and the glimpse of David. -100 stars for Moira and Rhys.
I was SO looking forward to reading Evocation but damn, I don't know if I can now.
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced