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knlipke's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I enjoyed reading this book so much!! The story is unique, while tying in old tales of fae and the Orisha. I love Joan, James and everyone else! They’re great characters.
The ending was kind of abrupt. I understand there to be more books in the future of this series; however, it was just a little rushed for me. But the twist at the end was great!
Overall can’t wait to read more in the Forge and Fracture Saga
The ending was kind of abrupt. I understand there to be more books in the future of this series; however, it was just a little rushed for me. But the twist at the end was great!
Overall can’t wait to read more in the Forge and Fracture Saga
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death, Murder, Blood, Racism, and Racial slurs
larenlit's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
n her debut novel, Brittany N. Williams combines Shakespearean literature and Yoruba religion into a stunning YA adventure!
There was so much to love about this book from its diverse cast to inclusive romance. Joan, our protagonist, faces malevolent fae as they toy with her life and the lives of her fellow thespians. She must also face the reality of being a young, black woman in Shakespearean London while trying to save the lives of those she loves. Williams’s ability to intertwine elements of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Othello shows a lot of promise for the rest of this series. I really enjoyed her take on the Orisha, how they interact with their children, and their gifts. I hope to see more development of the magic system and character arcs in the next installment!
There were a few aspects of the story that I felt held it back from its full potential. The love triangle seemed a bit “instalove-esque” to me. Due to the rapid pacing of the book, there wasn’t much room left for the development of these relationships. The writing was occasionally choppy, which one might from a debut novel, and the plot did get a bit drowned out at times. It was just a lot of information all at once combined with a story that moved quite quickly.
*I find it important to recommend that you check out the TW as there is content you may want to avoid.*
Thank you to @TLCbooks and NetGalley for providing me a free audio arc of this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
levesc17's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This book had a lot to love, first and foremost, you can really feel the author’s love of Shakespeare shine through. There’s also: a girl with a sword, a bisexual love triangle, and magic! The plot had all the puzzle pieces that grab me. I felt that pace moved too briskly for me to really settle with the main characters internal dilemmas and the plot twists a bit predictable (because honestly teenagers are predictable, why don’t they communicate with their parents?!) HOWEVER, I am an adult reader and I am not the intended audience. I will happily gift this book to any middle school or high school reader in my life. I read an arc of this from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs, Violence, and Sexism
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