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bamboobones_rory's review
adventurous
medium-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
4.75
This was the queer rural mlm dysfunctional family rep I needed. Gay rural fantasy - feels like the urban fantasy genre but this one is set in rural areas and deals with complex family dynamics. I love to see a modern fantasy novel featuring gay men (or mlm) and witchcraft! Exciting fantasy plot but also address homophobia, racism, weird relations to class, shitty family and parents, and family tensions.
I loved the gay romance mixed in with fantasy plot so much! Main character was also hospitalized as young adult for mental health/magic, and has trauma due to that, at the hands of family.
I personally liked the portrayal of family tension and class and the complexity of it. Some family members are in a trailer park still, some are working white-collar jobs like doctors, and this is openly discussed. This isn't something I have read much of in other novels. I think I felt like these dynamics were one of the few times ever I've seen this in a fantasy novel.
Downside- I don't know how I feel about the lizard people in this book. I think it's just like a D&D race and not a dogwhistle but that might make someone else uncomfortable.
I loved the gay romance mixed in with fantasy plot so much! Main character was also hospitalized as young adult for mental health/magic, and has trauma due to that, at the hands of family.
I personally liked the portrayal of family tension and class and the complexity of it. Some family members are in a trailer park still, some are working white-collar jobs like doctors, and this is openly discussed. This isn't something I have read much of in other novels. I think I felt like these dynamics were one of the few times ever I've seen this in a fantasy novel.
Downside- I don't know how I feel about the lizard people in this book. I think it's just like a D&D race and not a dogwhistle but that might make someone else uncomfortable.
leonplaysintheuniverses's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Starts off with a bang, slows down, then ramps up. World building is always present. Reapers. Warlocks. Seers. Travelling from the spirit realm to the real world. Creatures. Hidden Beings among us.
Adam return to his family to help is possessed sister in law get the spirit to leave her body.
Adam return to his family to help is possessed sister in law get the spirit to leave her body.
olivarez's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.0
everyone_panic's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
3.75
katybug25's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
willow1113's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
timinbc's review
Meh. Adam was a good setup but not a very interesting character. He just becomes the guy who always goes straight forward, springing all the traps.
Vic just a generic hunk right out of the Stephanie Plum series.
Bobby's a generic dick brother.
The elves were done within the standard expectations of elves, and the three main ons fit together well. but the other supernaturals were right out of Ghostbusters. And ya can't mess with Death like that, not with anyone who's read Pratchett & Gaiman.
Then there's the low-temperature gay romance. Compulsory in modern publishing, and I'm OK with that, but here it takes up too much of the space and doesn't add to the plot.
Then at the end there's a whirlwind of who-done-what-to-whom-and-why and it's over. Not satisfying.
Vic just a generic hunk right out of the Stephanie Plum series.
Bobby's a generic dick brother.
The elves were done within the standard expectations of elves, and the three main ons fit together well. but the other supernaturals were right out of Ghostbusters. And ya can't mess with Death like that, not with anyone who's read Pratchett & Gaiman.
Then there's the low-temperature gay romance. Compulsory in modern publishing, and I'm OK with that, but here it takes up too much of the space and doesn't add to the plot.
Then at the end there's a whirlwind of who-done-what-to-whom-and-why and it's over. Not satisfying.
hannahkatew's review
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mmlk's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! It had some good humor, and left me wondering what the hell was going on the entire time! It definitely had some crazy twists I was not expecting at all and the cliffhanger it was left on has me really excited for the next Book! The only thing I’m not so sure about is the love triangle situation and the connection between Vic and Adam. Hopefully the next book goes more into depth about this so I can get some answers!