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danielagreads's review
4.0
I really loved the dynamics of Ironspark! The characters are so vibrant and lively, and I liked seeing the interaction of modern technology and research with ancient Welsh folklore. This book is also full of casual LGBT+ rep that is really refreshing to see (it even has a love triangle!) But the romance tends to take a backseat to the main plot. One thing I thought was really nice about the book, especially in the beginning, is that it really felt like a continuation of someone’s life when you’re dropped right in the middle of their story! Most books start at the beginning of the action but Ironspark begins close to the middle, referencing the Bryn’s past romances and adventures! Overall it was a fun, action-packed read full of fairies, folklore, and fighting!
obscurepages's review
3.0
The romance and the characters felt a little lackluster to me (or maybe I just wanted a lot of angst for the romance?? lol), but still, I gotta give kudos to this book and the author because it was action-packed and definitely entertaining! Full review will be posted soon as part of Ironspark Blog Tour hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. (Actual rating 3.5)
Find me elsewhere: Instagram | Twitter | Blog
Find me elsewhere: Instagram | Twitter | Blog
quirkybibliophile's review
4.0
There was so much to love in this book from the world-building to the characters and more. Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours, Netgalley, and SwoonReads for the advanced copy of the book so that I could participate in this book tour.
Thoughts and Themes: My favorite part of this book was the world building and the fantasy elements. I loved all the magic that was included throughout the book and how this world got more complex as you read on. I liked learning about all the different fae that Byrd and her friends encountered and how they all interacted amongst themselves. I thought it was great to see how they all were the same but also very different and some were good and others weren’t
Characters: I loved getting to learn about this world as Dom, Jasika, and Byrd learned new things about it. I enjoyed how the characters exploration of themselves and who they are goes along with them learning about the world they are living in.
There’s a scene in which Dom, Byrd, and Jasika are in the church discussing their sexualities which I really enjoyed. I liked how it was a casual conversation that they had with each other and thought the setting was spot on.
I loved that this book has asexual representation through Dom and I liked how he’s an asexual who has had sex before. I thought it was great that we got to see that asexuality presents differently for each person. I thought it was also nice to see that Jasika was still figuring things out and Byrd was between bi/pan. It was very refreshing to see them both kind of figuring things out and being okay with not knowing yet.
Writing Style: I liked that this book was told in first person perspective because you can see how everything affects Byrd but you don’t see how her actions affect others until its late.
Thoughts and Themes: My favorite part of this book was the world building and the fantasy elements. I loved all the magic that was included throughout the book and how this world got more complex as you read on. I liked learning about all the different fae that Byrd and her friends encountered and how they all interacted amongst themselves. I thought it was great to see how they all were the same but also very different and some were good and others weren’t
Characters: I loved getting to learn about this world as Dom, Jasika, and Byrd learned new things about it. I enjoyed how the characters exploration of themselves and who they are goes along with them learning about the world they are living in.
There’s a scene in which Dom, Byrd, and Jasika are in the church discussing their sexualities which I really enjoyed. I liked how it was a casual conversation that they had with each other and thought the setting was spot on.
I loved that this book has asexual representation through Dom and I liked how he’s an asexual who has had sex before. I thought it was great that we got to see that asexuality presents differently for each person. I thought it was also nice to see that Jasika was still figuring things out and Byrd was between bi/pan. It was very refreshing to see them both kind of figuring things out and being okay with not knowing yet.
Writing Style: I liked that this book was told in first person perspective because you can see how everything affects Byrd but you don’t see how her actions affect others until its late.
annarella's review
4.0
An excellent urban fantasy, well written and gripping.
I loved the world building, the character development and the solid plot that kept me hooked.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I loved the world building, the character development and the solid plot that kept me hooked.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
typedtruths's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
caidyn's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I received an ARC through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review!
CW: loss of a parent (past, not death), parent with a severe and persistent mental illness, PTSD, anxiety attacks, fire and burning something down, and general scenes of action and violence
4.5/5
Damn, I was hooked right from the start of this book. It was so much fun to read. The Welsh inspired fae fantasy that didn't glorify them, but showed them for the tricksters that they are. I read this at the same time as Ink & Sigil and, let me tell you, they worked really well together.
Bryn hasn't had an easy life. Her mother was kidnapped by the fae, her father was cursed with a mental illness, they moved to get away from it, and she's left taking care of her two brothers. All while trying to learn how to kill the fae that destroyed her family. Also, there's a love triangle that's lesbian and (although no one seems to be mentioning it so far) an ace male character. Do you know how hard it is to find a guy who's an ace on the page? Really hard! So, I was thrilled when the character explicitly said it.
This was a fun ride. I loved the mythology and finding things I was familiar with, then other things I wasn't since I'm not as knowledgeable on Welsh fae mythology. It was a really good book with strong friendships and supportive people. It gave me major Raven Cycle vibes (although, yes, I did DNF the series, but I might try it again now). That ending makes me wonder about whether this is going to turn into a series somehow, something I wouldn't be mad about at all.
Overall, a fantastic debut I plan on owning!
CW: loss of a parent (past, not death), parent with a severe and persistent mental illness, PTSD, anxiety attacks, fire and burning something down, and general scenes of action and violence
4.5/5
Damn, I was hooked right from the start of this book. It was so much fun to read. The Welsh inspired fae fantasy that didn't glorify them, but showed them for the tricksters that they are. I read this at the same time as Ink & Sigil and, let me tell you, they worked really well together.
Bryn hasn't had an easy life. Her mother was kidnapped by the fae, her father was cursed with a mental illness, they moved to get away from it, and she's left taking care of her two brothers. All while trying to learn how to kill the fae that destroyed her family. Also, there's a love triangle that's lesbian and (although no one seems to be mentioning it so far) an ace male character. Do you know how hard it is to find a guy who's an ace on the page? Really hard! So, I was thrilled when the character explicitly said it.
This was a fun ride. I loved the mythology and finding things I was familiar with, then other things I wasn't since I'm not as knowledgeable on Welsh fae mythology. It was a really good book with strong friendships and supportive people. It gave me major Raven Cycle vibes (although, yes, I did DNF the series, but I might try it again now). That ending makes me wonder about whether this is going to turn into a series somehow, something I wouldn't be mad about at all.
Overall, a fantastic debut I plan on owning!
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