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ourhandsfull's review against another edition
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
4.5
This Regency fantasy romance is perfect for fans of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries who wanted a little more romance and love Jane Austen. We have another intelligent FMC, who reads on the spectrum, a lovable eccentric MMC and their adventures with faeries and meddling mothers. I do not typically enjoy historical or regency era fiction, beyond Austen of course, nor do I typically like romance with no spice. However, this story drew me in and stole my heart. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was perfect, with good voices for every character that kept me in the story. I absolutely loved the whole experience.
I would like to caution sensitive readers about the bonus short story at the end, The Lord Sorcier. It does not have the same cozy tone as the book and centers around a war battles, including severe injuries, combat surgery and loss of limb. It’s graphic without sufficient story payoff. I wish I had skipped it.
I would like to caution sensitive readers about the bonus short story at the end, The Lord Sorcier. It does not have the same cozy tone as the book and centers around a war battles, including severe injuries, combat surgery and loss of limb. It’s graphic without sufficient story payoff. I wish I had skipped it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Child abuse, and Classism
seforana's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Bullying, Death, Classism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Grief, Child death, and Child abuse
blewballoon's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I had this book in my TBR for such a long time and kept putting it off, even though it sounded like something I would love. Maybe I was worried it wouldn't live up to the hype I had created for it, but I think it did. I had a delightful time listening to this story on audiobook. The narrator has just the right tone for a character like Dora and a story that is a sort of hybrid of a regency romance and a fairy tale. I was surprised at how much was packed into such a short book, and how it didn't feel like things moved overly quickly. I tend to prefer more of a slow burn romance, but even with the shorter time frame, I felt like Dora and Elias managed to spend enough moments together with meaningful conversation and shared experiences that the romance was natural.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Blood, Classism, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Child abuse, Pregnancy, War, and Murder
pvbobrien's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Ableism, Classism, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Kidnapping, War, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Violence
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, and Confinement
cozyscones's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Classism, and Ableism
Moderate: Child death, Child abuse, Violence, Kidnapping, and War
maddysbooks_'s review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
so cute!! this was bridgerton meets fantasy and i loved it. it was lighthearted and fun while also discussing classism and the way the upper class turns a blind eye to the hardships of the lower class.
i also appreciated how there was a happy ending, that was also kind of realistic and showed that even if you aren’t able to fix everything, the small bit you can help can still make a difference and be a change.
i also loved how the romance happened so organically and both characters stayed so true to themselves. it was just a very cute book, i would definitely recommend.
i also appreciated how there was a happy ending, that was also kind of realistic and showed that even if you aren’t able to fix everything, the small bit you can help can still make a difference and be a change.
i also loved how the romance happened so organically and both characters stayed so true to themselves. it was just a very cute book, i would definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
kate_arts's review
adventurous
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is cheesy but in all the best ways. I enjoyed the dialogue and how the characters interacted with each other. This book is definitely a mix between pride and prejudice and howl’s moving castle. Dora is strong minded in the same way as Lizzie and has similar thought processes as Sophie. I really liked how even though her cousin attempts to get her help she still solves her problem herself. I also enjoyed that even though she is perceived as “broken” she ends the book not necessarily “fixed”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Trafficking, and Classism
Moderate: Violence, War, and Child death
sustainably_lucia's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
This book is magical and whimsical but also profound and very real. I loved Dora’s perspective on things and I can relate to her being made to feel “other” or “less than” simply because she experiences the world differently than others. The writing was witty and thoughtful in how it examines parts of society that we often avoid looking at out of politeness. The time period and setting really suited the story and the message the author wanted to convey. I loved it from beginning to end!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Mental illness
Moderate: Death and Child death
Minor: War and Grief
valpuri's review
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Blood, War, Violence, Sexism, Physical abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, and Classism
Minor: Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, and Child death
beamsreads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a delight!
I loved our main character here. She showed so much growth throughout the book.
It did leave me wondering though if the story was meant to be some kind of representation? To represent those who maybe don’t show feelings in “socially acceptable” ways or who don’t know how to process typical emotions. But that’s the counselor in me of course. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment but it did leave me thinking about the intention of the story and how I would feel about it if that is the intention. I’m not sure I’d be as big of a fan.
All in all a cozy little romance.
I loved our main character here. She showed so much growth throughout the book.
It did leave me wondering though if the story was meant to be some kind of representation? To represent those who maybe don’t show feelings in “socially acceptable” ways or who don’t know how to process typical emotions. But that’s the counselor in me of course. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment but it did leave me thinking about the intention of the story and how I would feel about it if that is the intention. I’m not sure I’d be as big of a fan.
All in all a cozy little romance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism and Child abuse