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nikita_00's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
This was a pretty enjoyable read. A cozy fantasy
The pace of the plot was just the right amount, and the romance was definitely well written. Worth the read
This was a pretty enjoyable read. A cozy fantasy
The pace of the plot was just the right amount, and the romance was definitely well written. Worth the read
wanderinglynn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
3.75
I started reading it and devoured it in one sitting. Sometimes you just read the right book at the right time.
This prose has a dreamlike and fairytale like feel. I love the contrasting atmosphere of the various fae lands and Whimsy with darker scenes and situations lurking underneath the fae glamour. I thought Isobel had good character development, although she came across as older than 17. And IMHO, I think the story would have been a bit stronger had she been in her twenties.
There were some plot issues but nothing so major, at least for me, that weren't overcome by the overarching story and the focus on art and immortality. Two things I wish had been developed more. First, her backstory, particularly what happened to her parents. I had questions that weren't answered and I think fleshing that out more might have helped the story. Second, the ending was a bit rushed and could have been executed better. I thought there could have been more done earlier in the story to bolster and provide more tension for the final battle, which did fizzle and was a bit unsatisfying.
But I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and the story.
This prose has a dreamlike and fairytale like feel. I love the contrasting atmosphere of the various fae lands and Whimsy with darker scenes and situations lurking underneath the fae glamour. I thought Isobel had good character development, although she came across as older than 17. And IMHO, I think the story would have been a bit stronger had she been in her twenties.
There were some plot issues but nothing so major, at least for me, that weren't overcome by the overarching story and the focus on art and immortality. Two things I wish had been developed more. First, her backstory, particularly what happened to her parents. I had questions that weren't answered and I think fleshing that out more might have helped the story. Second, the ending was a bit rushed and could have been executed better. I thought there could have been more done earlier in the story to bolster and provide more tension for the final battle, which did fizzle and was a bit unsatisfying.
But I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and the story.
ddarla's review against another edition
i wanted to enjoy this so much. but not right after the previous book i've read, i guess. i'd rather witness the relationship develop, not be told. all of it happened and i left with no care at all. maybe i will return to this sometime, or maybe not.
amanda_violet's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-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? No
3.25
asreadbykat's review against another edition
4.0
True Rating: 4/5 Stars
I can't lie: I have very quickly become a huge fan of Margaret Rogerson, in a way that hasn't happened in a very long time. I've enjoyed books, but I haven't found a recent author I would willingly auto-buy a book for...until now.
This is the third book I've read by Rogerson, and while it's probably #3 on my personal list of rating her works, that doesn't mean it was bad. That being said, it is obvious this was her debut novel, as it had some minor flaws that are absent from "Vespertine" and "Sorcery of Thorns."
While "Sorcery" did have a pretty fast romance, the romance in this book definitely beat it timing-wise. This felt very insta-love, and in any other novel I would have been annoyed. However, Rogerson as a writer seems aware of this, and does her best to make it as realistic and palatable as possible for all readers. So while I'm not a huge "insta-love" fan, I can put aside my dislike for it because of how much I enjoyed Rook and Isobel. Watching them interact and grow closer, respecting each other -it definitely made me appreciate the romance more. And Rook may or may not have made me swoon a bit in one particular scene.
Another thing that holds this back from a higher rating for me is the feeling of trying to squash a huge amount of lore and world-building into a small space. There are so many rules and laws regarding the fair folk, not to mention the worlds and their own intricacies. Again, Rogerson does her best to give us all the necessary information and detail, but it's difficult within the limited time of the novel. The resolution of the conflict also felt fairly rushed at the end.
But overall, I really did enjoy reading this just as much as her other works. The world is rich, the writing is absolutely fantastic, and the characters stole my heart and made me fall in love with them. It's a fun and fast read that isn't trying to do anything but give the reader a good time.
And it definitely succeeds.
TL;DR: Very obviously a debut novel, but still a great story with great writing.
I can't lie: I have very quickly become a huge fan of Margaret Rogerson, in a way that hasn't happened in a very long time. I've enjoyed books, but I haven't found a recent author I would willingly auto-buy a book for...until now.
This is the third book I've read by Rogerson, and while it's probably #3 on my personal list of rating her works, that doesn't mean it was bad. That being said, it is obvious this was her debut novel, as it had some minor flaws that are absent from "Vespertine" and "Sorcery of Thorns."
While "Sorcery" did have a pretty fast romance, the romance in this book definitely beat it timing-wise. This felt very insta-love, and in any other novel I would have been annoyed. However, Rogerson as a writer seems aware of this, and does her best to make it as realistic and palatable as possible for all readers. So while I'm not a huge "insta-love" fan, I can put aside my dislike for it because of how much I enjoyed Rook and Isobel. Watching them interact and grow closer, respecting each other -it definitely made me appreciate the romance more. And Rook may or may not have made me swoon a bit in one particular scene.
Another thing that holds this back from a higher rating for me is the feeling of trying to squash a huge amount of lore and world-building into a small space. There are so many rules and laws regarding the fair folk, not to mention the worlds and their own intricacies. Again, Rogerson does her best to give us all the necessary information and detail, but it's difficult within the limited time of the novel. The resolution of the conflict also felt fairly rushed at the end.
But overall, I really did enjoy reading this just as much as her other works. The world is rich, the writing is absolutely fantastic, and the characters stole my heart and made me fall in love with them. It's a fun and fast read that isn't trying to do anything but give the reader a good time.
And it definitely succeeds.
TL;DR: Very obviously a debut novel, but still a great story with great writing.
harleyrae's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn’t a bad book, but after the first 50ish pages, it had a really hard time holding my attention.
powderysweetgirly's review against another edition
DNF'ed. I just couldn't get into it! Didn't have as much expansion on the magic system and the world as I thought it would, which made it hard to enjoy. The romance was fine, but I just can't stand a supposedly 'strong female character' just going googly eyes over the love interest after knowing him for 3 seconds. And the most pressing question from this is, how tf do you draw sadness in someone's eyes? Like how!?
keyeung's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0