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panels2pages's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.25
What a complete hot mess of a book. Imagine Harry Potter fanfiction that is made up of the largest stewpot of underdeveloped fantasy elements you've ever encountered. This is less of a "book one" in a very long series and more of a "part one," as I'll tell you now that there's absolutely no resolution to any issues raised in this book at all.
A fae-filled world that also features vampires, werewolves, dragons, peguses (pegusi?), and other fantastical creatures who feed off the weak. This is a leech-filled society perfectly content to bully and energy-rape anyone too weak to defend herself. But the four elements are also integral to the magic system... But also somehow the system is based on the zodiac? It's... a lot. But don't worry. You won't be bogged down by world-building as there's very very little of that.
I read this for a book club and after 13% of the book, considered quitting the book club and never speaking to those folks again. At 60% through I was changed. Forever warped by the promise of narrative redemption. Spoiler alert: I found none, but I was still compelled to finish the book. It read like 50 Shades of Grey or Twilight. You know it's bad, but it's easier to get off the ride by finishing it out, maybe. I don't know. I read it. I liked it at moments, but in that way you like McNuggets before they make you feel like a piece of garbage later.
I absolutely abhor the ways in which consent is repeatedly and overtly violated throughout this book. But it's also consciously justified as a completely acceptable way of life in fae-world.
Have I mentioned they have ipads with FaeBook? Or cars because who needs magic to travel in fairyland? I'm mad all over again. Read with caution.
A fae-filled world that also features vampires, werewolves, dragons, peguses (pegusi?), and other fantastical creatures who feed off the weak. This is a leech-filled society perfectly content to bully and energy-rape anyone too weak to defend herself. But the four elements are also integral to the magic system... But also somehow the system is based on the zodiac? It's... a lot. But don't worry. You won't be bogged down by world-building as there's very very little of that.
I read this for a book club and after 13% of the book, considered quitting the book club and never speaking to those folks again. At 60% through I was changed. Forever warped by the promise of narrative redemption. Spoiler alert: I found none, but I was still compelled to finish the book. It read like 50 Shades of Grey or Twilight. You know it's bad, but it's easier to get off the ride by finishing it out, maybe. I don't know. I read it. I liked it at moments, but in that way you like McNuggets before they make you feel like a piece of garbage later.
I absolutely abhor the ways in which consent is repeatedly and overtly violated throughout this book. But it's also consciously justified as a completely acceptable way of life in fae-world.
Have I mentioned they have ipads with FaeBook? Or cars because who needs magic to travel in fairyland? I'm mad all over again. Read with caution.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Violence
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