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12dejamoo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really enjoyed this book! Just so much fun the whole way through and lots of parts that genuinely made me laugh. The setting is so unique and the fact that the author did actually live in the Tower of London makes it feel more authentic which is fun. I loved the fun cast of side characters, although I will mention that it's impossible to keep track of them all. There is the one scene where we meet the group of like seven or eight guards and even as I was reading it I forgot all the facts about each of them. Not that it was needed for the story, but it was more the general vibe of the group which I loved than any individual personalities.
I think the romance was actually not the strongest romance I've ever come across. That being said, I did totally buy it and I liked both Freddie and Maggie a lot. There were plenty of scenes that gave that squealy/squirmy/throw the book across the room/cuteness feeling, but I think it was drawn out a little too long. They don't kiss until the 90% mark and that felt a little too late for me personally.
Also an absolute metric tonne of things happen in this book. From Tinder dates to ex-boyfriends to family drama, you kind of get it all. And I almost think maybe you could have got rid of the Tinder dates especially and it still have worked well. And the way the Oliver date ends kind of made me really sad (even though he wasn't perfect I KNOW but he was sweet).
I also really need to STOP reading books where they're late to work. Waking up once work has already started. Like bloody hell. I do not need this stress in my life because I've done that too many times in my life and it's the worst thing.
Special note for the multiple nights where a lot of alcohol is consumed and I always hate reading about their hangovers in the morning. It's like having a second-hand hangover. I hate it.
Spoilery bits...
There's no real theme to these spoilers just some random thoughts. I liked Mhari and Katie a lot but I think they were introduced a little too late into the book to have much of an impact.
The ravenmaster was a slightly random character. I get the idea of her but adding the psychic element into the book felt like a whole other thing.
The scene after the fancy evening where Maggie cries in her room broke my whole heart and I think even if I'd hated a lot else about the book (which I absolutely didn't), that scene would have made it worth it.
The scene where she finally goes to kiss him and does it all in front of everyone and he holds her tight I just loved it so much! I wish it had come a tiny bit sooner though!
I think the romance was actually not the strongest romance I've ever come across. That being said, I did totally buy it and I liked both Freddie and Maggie a lot. There were plenty of scenes that gave that squealy/squirmy/throw the book across the room/cuteness feeling, but I think it was drawn out a little too long. They don't kiss until the 90% mark and that felt a little too late for me personally.
Also an absolute metric tonne of things happen in this book. From Tinder dates to ex-boyfriends to family drama, you kind of get it all. And I almost think maybe you could have got rid of the Tinder dates especially and it still have worked well. And the way the Oliver date ends kind of made me really sad (even though he wasn't perfect I KNOW but he was sweet).
I also really need to STOP reading books where they're late to work. Waking up once work has already started. Like bloody hell. I do not need this stress in my life because I've done that too many times in my life and it's the worst thing.
Special note for the multiple nights where a lot of alcohol is consumed and I always hate reading about their hangovers in the morning. It's like having a second-hand hangover. I hate it.
Spoilery bits...
The ravenmaster was a slightly random character. I get the idea of her but adding the psychic element into the book felt like a whole other thing.
The scene after the fancy evening where Maggie cries in her room broke my whole heart and I think even if I'd hated a lot else about the book (which I absolutely didn't), that scene would have made it worth it.
The scene where she finally goes to kiss him and does it all in front of everyone and he holds her tight I just loved it so much! I wish it had come a tiny bit sooner though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia
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