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sofiaswingstedt's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Fully enjoyable, easy read.
A little bit too plot-driven for my taste, but I still has fun reading it.
A little bit too plot-driven for my taste, but I still has fun reading it.
ari613's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
4.25
Such a fun, feel-good book! The description calling it cozy is 1000% accurate.
Pros:
¤Extremely loveable characters with truly distinct personalities (Please be my friend, Frankie!)
¤Wonderful sense of immersion in the world of the book, great visual descriptions
¤Diverse and positive LGBTQ+ representation. This is the first book I've read with an out nonbinary character, actually. There are cis gay men, a trans gay man, a nonbinary person, a possible lesbian couple, and more! I'm cis and straight-ish, but I think it was really lovely to see all these characters and relationships in a book, especially one where the characters are HAPPY and their identities aren't just a passing point or the sole motivation of their character.
¤So many fun fantasy situations/settings/themes!!
¤Magic!
¤Botany education poems
Cons:
¤The ending kind of tumbled around a bit. It felt like it sped up a lot, and then reached mostly a resolution, then the last few chapters felt a little stilted and tacked on. I like the continuation of the characters/story, but it didn't quite feel like it fit the main book narrative, especially the last one.
¤Minor plot holes/unexplained advances near the end (or maybe I missed something?)
¤I agree with another review I saw (here or on amazon) that wished there was more exploration of the 3 MCs powers and how they are unique and different, especially since it seemed like they got blended a bit at the end.
Overall, I had so much fun and happiness reading this book, and I desperately hope it will get sequel(s). I NEED more of these characters and this world, pleeeeeeeeeeeease!!!!!
Pros:
¤Extremely loveable characters with truly distinct personalities (Please be my friend, Frankie!)
¤Wonderful sense of immersion in the world of the book, great visual descriptions
¤Diverse and positive LGBTQ+ representation. This is the first book I've read with an out nonbinary character, actually. There are cis gay men, a trans gay man, a nonbinary person, a possible lesbian couple, and more! I'm cis and straight-ish, but I think it was really lovely to see all these characters and relationships in a book, especially one where the characters are HAPPY and their identities aren't just a passing point or the sole motivation of their character.
¤So many fun fantasy situations/settings/themes!!
¤Magic!
¤Botany education poems
Cons:
¤The ending kind of tumbled around a bit. It felt like it sped up a lot, and then reached mostly a resolution, then the last few chapters felt a little stilted and tacked on. I like the continuation of the characters/story, but it didn't quite feel like it fit the main book narrative, especially the last one.
¤Minor plot holes/unexplained advances near the end (or maybe I missed something?)
¤I agree with another review I saw (here or on amazon) that wished there was more exploration of the 3 MCs powers and how they are unique and different, especially since it seemed like they got blended a bit at the end.
Overall, I had so much fun and happiness reading this book, and I desperately hope it will get sequel(s). I NEED more of these characters and this world, pleeeeeeeeeeeease!!!!!
elensule's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was cute and a quick little read!
time4booksntea's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
averagewitch's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
ee1000's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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? No
3.25
I liked this book, I thought it was a cute, cozy fantasy and I really appreciated the representation here!
I liked our trio of characters, I liked how Mat, August, and Frankie bantered and teased each other. I felt like it made their relationship more authentic. I also was interested in the vastness of the world. There were a lot of different magic types, and a lot that could be done with stories here in the future.
I knocked the points down a bit because I felt like everyone jumped into a relationship rather quickly but I didn’t really feel like each couple had a ton of common ground. It felt more like just getting together with the person you spent the most time with rather than someone you truly connected to.
I also wanted a little more direction in the world. I felt like so many types of magic were covered that at the end I was struggling to keep track of everything and everyone! Focusing on a few types of magic would have made the plot a bit stronger.
Overall, I had a nice time reading this book. It’s cute and I see potential in future installments.
I liked our trio of characters, I liked how Mat, August, and Frankie bantered and teased each other. I felt like it made their relationship more authentic. I also was interested in the vastness of the world. There were a lot of different magic types, and a lot that could be done with stories here in the future.
I knocked the points down a bit because I felt like everyone jumped into a relationship rather quickly but I didn’t really feel like each couple had a ton of common ground. It felt more like just getting together with the person you spent the most time with rather than someone you truly connected to.
I also wanted a little more direction in the world. I felt like so many types of magic were covered that at the end I was struggling to keep track of everything and everyone! Focusing on a few types of magic would have made the plot a bit stronger.
Overall, I had a nice time reading this book. It’s cute and I see potential in future installments.
teabella's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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? No
3.5
Starts as a cute cozy read. Lots of laughs out loud moments (especially from Frankie). It started slow and then quickly moved into this magical world. There was a bit of stretching of imagination when it came to character responses and abilities.
I would have liked to see them play with their magic a bit more and discover more about the space they found themselves in before stumbling into danger and fixing it all. I'd also love to see the romantic relationships develop stronger.
I would have liked to see them play with their magic a bit more and discover more about the space they found themselves in before stumbling into danger and fixing it all. I'd also love to see the romantic relationships develop stronger.
luukdamen's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
soyboysimon's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Wanted so badly to love this book but constantly found myself just trying to get to the end of it. It has all of the elements I like in a story: magic, queers, strong friendships. What it doesn't have is a strong plot. Halfway through it and I'm still waiting for it to start. The problems resolve super quickly and then the last quarter of the book is spent tying up loose ends. I really wanted to like it, but it just felt so surface level and tropey. Could just be that it's not my cup of tea!