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jesspbh's review
Three narrators but none had distinctive voices leading to a very confusing read
barnesbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not always the biggest fan of high fantasy because it takes me a minute to understand the world, but I greatly enjoyed this book. I loved the magic system of the world and how each person had their own unique style. The meta of the major religion is sometimes a little jarring, but make sense for a world where books are the most important things.
The relationships between Tabby, Rhiannon, and Amane are wonderful to watch develop and grow. Mairead gave me the creeps from the get-go. The Stargroves' relationship is goals.
I really want to see Amane's oracle deck, and I would love to read all of the myths and folk tales for the world. McCloud did a fantastic job worldbuilding and I want to spend more time in it.
The relationships between Tabby, Rhiannon, and Amane are wonderful to watch develop and grow. Mairead gave me the creeps from the get-go. The Stargroves' relationship is goals.
I really want to see Amane's oracle deck, and I would love to read all of the myths and folk tales for the world. McCloud did a fantastic job worldbuilding and I want to spend more time in it.
amaralikecamera's review
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
5.0
I loved this cozy fantasy and have read it twice! If you want a world where neopronouns (e/em/eir) are standard, polyamory is practiced, and a magical library is the setting - this is your book!
solarpunkopossum's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
Loved it! Looking forward to reading more of Cedar McCloud's books.
mossymadi's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
- 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
This book absolutely made my heart sing. More books like this, please!!!!
Initially, I had a bit of difficulty with the use of neo-pronouns, but the story was so damn good that I just learned to love them — and I’m grateful for the use of them.
Go read this book, it’s such a delight. I can’t wait to buy the oracle deck and the physical copies of this book and the second one.
Initially, I had a bit of difficulty with the use of neo-pronouns, but the story was so damn good that I just learned to love them — and I’m grateful for the use of them.
Go read this book, it’s such a delight. I can’t wait to buy the oracle deck and the physical copies of this book and the second one.
mturner1334's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
frankijace's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
bluebreex's review against another edition
Interesting premise! Unfortunately I couldn't get into the writting style
chasingfireflies05's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sparklemaia's review against another edition
5.0
This book BLEW ME AWAY. Self-published books can be kind of a gamble, but this one is so, so, so good. If you have been looking for a book that feels like walking through a curtain strung with amethyst beads and silver bells into a dreamy incense-infused metaphysical bookshop on a rainy fall day with a steaming mug of tea in one hand and a rainbow umbrella in the other, this is the book you have been waiting for.
First: it's queer af, centered around a whole society of people who don't have the concept of a gender binary at all and use agender neopronouns, plus the story is full of lots of endearingly familiar queer themes like chosen family, qprs, trauma & healing, and intergenerational mentorship. The worldbuilding is a goddamn delight, with a magic system and theology so inventive that it caused me to suddenly drop the book several times and shout with joy at my very startled cat (sorry buddy) "ARE YOU SERIOUS, THIS IS SO F*ING GOOD." I mean, most of the story takes place in a MAGICAL LIBRARY where the books themselves have spirits and memories and dreams, there are glowing crystals and trailing plants and vibrant colors and fields of wildflowers and soft floor pillows everywhere, and I just want to live inside of this book, okay? You want sensorial storytelling, this book has got it: scents, sounds, textures, colors, flavors, energy signatures -- the world is rich and vivid and I swear I can actually smell it. The characters are crisply and lovingly rendered (and somehow I relate to almost all of them, but especially former child genius Rhee), with aro/ace & poly rep front and center without being Their Defining Features, as well as positive disability rep and a cast of characters with varying body shapes, ages, and races. This book intentionally and artfully addresses sensitive issues related to trauma and recovery, and at its core is a story of solidarity, hope, and healing. I loved loved loved it, and I implore every library in the world to buy at least one copy.
Also, something very cool is that one of the characters is a cartomancer, and the deck of Oracle cards that character uses to do magic ACTUALLY EXISTS, because the author MADE AN ENTIRE ORACLE DECK to accompany the book. How cool is that? So cool.
First: it's queer af, centered around a whole society of people who don't have the concept of a gender binary at all and use agender neopronouns, plus the story is full of lots of endearingly familiar queer themes like chosen family, qprs, trauma & healing, and intergenerational mentorship. The worldbuilding is a goddamn delight, with a magic system and theology so inventive that it caused me to suddenly drop the book several times and shout with joy at my very startled cat (sorry buddy) "ARE YOU SERIOUS, THIS IS SO F*ING GOOD." I mean, most of the story takes place in a MAGICAL LIBRARY where the books themselves have spirits and memories and dreams, there are glowing crystals and trailing plants and vibrant colors and fields of wildflowers and soft floor pillows everywhere, and I just want to live inside of this book, okay? You want sensorial storytelling, this book has got it: scents, sounds, textures, colors, flavors, energy signatures -- the world is rich and vivid and I swear I can actually smell it. The characters are crisply and lovingly rendered (and somehow I relate to almost all of them, but especially former child genius Rhee), with aro/ace & poly rep front and center without being Their Defining Features, as well as positive disability rep and a cast of characters with varying body shapes, ages, and races. This book intentionally and artfully addresses sensitive issues related to trauma and recovery, and at its core is a story of solidarity, hope, and healing. I loved loved loved it, and I implore every library in the world to buy at least one copy.
Also, something very cool is that one of the characters is a cartomancer, and the deck of Oracle cards that character uses to do magic ACTUALLY EXISTS, because the author MADE AN ENTIRE ORACLE DECK to accompany the book. How cool is that? So cool.