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rutabaga_amelia's review
With all the magic I'm not sure why so many characters need to be alcoholics. Almost every scene had alcohol in it. It felt very unnecessary to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Alcoholism
elliott_the_clementine's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Toxic relationship
raptorq's review
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity
bree_h_reads's review against another edition
I had a hard time getting invested in the MC and couldn’t really find much interest in the love interest. I am however willing to chalk this up to not being in the right mood for this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
magic_multicolored_miracle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Very sweet and heartfelt exploration of the idea of home, and going back to the place that made you, hidden beneath a veneer of magical challenges, vengeance, and new love.
Unfortunately, the current-pop-culture references and repetitive prose end up hurting the story as much as helping, making it into something that won't stand the test of time. And anyone going into the book excited for the Gauntlet Trials will be sorely disappointed, as each of them is relegated to only a flash in the pan/single chapter, and they all sort of feel the same.
Overall a pleasant read, but not anything to write home about.
Unfortunately, the current-pop-culture references and repetitive prose end up hurting the story as much as helping, making it into something that won't stand the test of time. And anyone going into the book excited for the Gauntlet Trials will be sorely disappointed, as each of them is relegated to only a flash in the pan/single chapter, and they all sort of feel the same.
Overall a pleasant read, but not anything to write home about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
theverycraftyvegan's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
5 stars for this wonderfully witchy book! Reading about Emmy Harlow’s return to Thistle Grove was magical, reading about why she left made me mad, and reading about what happens after her return had me smiling.
All the different relationships between the characters was lovely and angering at the same time. Some people were good and kind, others were complicated, and some were just the worst and I loved to hate them!
I can’t wait to continue with this series!
All the different relationships between the characters was lovely and angering at the same time. Some people were good and kind, others were complicated, and some were just the worst and I loved to hate them!
I can’t wait to continue with this series!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Infidelity, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Cursing, and Toxic relationship
cecetomas's review
adventurous
funny
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
This was a really fun October read. The reviews talking about it being a Triwizard Tournament are totally right but I actually enjoyed that a lot.
I liked the character dynamics a lot- they were complex and evolved well without being too intense or heavy, especially between Emmy and Linden. Seeing platonic friendship be just as, if not more, important than romantic relationships is really valuable and something that I don't think gets enough attention.
Garrett being an important part of Emmy's backstory but not a main character or part of her growth made me really happy. Given that the book is a sapphic story, I liked that her story didn't hinge on a man.
The writing felt a little juvenile and I wish there was more intricate imagery but generally I would recommend as a fun festive read.
I liked the character dynamics a lot- they were complex and evolved well without being too intense or heavy, especially between Emmy and Linden. Seeing platonic friendship be just as, if not more, important than romantic relationships is really valuable and something that I don't think gets enough attention.
Garrett being an important part of Emmy's backstory but not a main character or part of her growth made me really happy. Given that the book is a sapphic story, I liked that her story didn't hinge on a man.
The writing felt a little juvenile and I wish there was more intricate imagery but generally I would recommend as a fun festive read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol, and Infidelity
merryfaith's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, and Cursing
annorabrady's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
I really enjoyed this book – so much so that I plowed right through it. There were some cringeworthy uses of slang that will quickly date the story, though most of them happened at the beginning of the story and can therefore be overlooked as a measure of Emmy's mask.
The story started out very much like John Tucker Must Die (which isn't a criticism because who doesn't love a good cheater gets played story) though I do appreciate that the story and characters followed a natural progression of healing wounds and building community outside of the revenge plot. But the similarities end there.
I love the mending of relationships, healing of trauma, and building of communities that happen in the story. I also love that everything feels earned, even the elements of the stories that could, with less skilled writing, come off as contrived plot conveniences and overused tropes.
The story started out very much like John Tucker Must Die (which isn't a criticism because who doesn't love a good cheater gets played story) though I do appreciate that the story and characters followed a natural progression of healing wounds and building community outside of the revenge plot. But the similarities end there.
I love the mending of relationships, healing of trauma, and building of communities that happen in the story. I also love that everything feels earned, even the elements of the stories that could, with less skilled writing, come off as contrived plot conveniences and overused tropes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
augustar14's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Classism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Bullying and Body horror