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witmol's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Magic system was well thought out: I liked the interplay between precision and power as a reflection of the characters. The divide between codified learning (scholars, men etc) versus empirical learning (largely women) is well drawn and looks to be a pivotal part of how Edwin will proceed with his mission.
I like how the relationship grows and changes between Edwin and Robin but I often think it's in the foreground to what I feel is the main plot: the quest to find out who is behind Reggie's death and the bigger reason of why. There are also a lot of connections bubbling in the the background to do with minor characters (e.g. Lord Hawthorn, Maud, Addy and Kitty) that I feel will come to fruition in later books but in this novel they feel like red herrings.
I didn't realise this was part of a trilogy when I started so I'm really keen for the next couple of books. You can comfortably read this as a standalone, though.
The strangers-to-lovers dynamic between Edwin and Robin was nicely done, though there's probably about 30% more sex than necessary for plot/character development. Always love a good 'stoic loner inadvertently admits he's in love with an affable baronet when he doesn't know the baronet is listening' moment.
I like how the relationship grows and changes between Edwin and Robin but I often think it's in the foreground to what I feel is the main plot: the quest to find out who is behind Reggie's death and the bigger reason of why. There are also a lot of connections bubbling in the the background to do with minor characters (e.g. Lord Hawthorn, Maud, Addy and Kitty) that I feel will come to fruition in later books but in this novel they feel like red herrings.
I didn't realise this was part of a trilogy when I started so I'm really keen for the next couple of books. You can comfortably read this as a standalone, though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm
sarahmreads's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Robin Blyth is sucked into a position suddenly left vacant, only to find out by his coworker and liaison Edwin Courcey that there is indeed magic in this world. As much as Robin wants to leave this world, and Edwin wants to be rid of him, Robin is dragged right back when a curse is thrown on him. Now Edwin and Robin are forced to work together to not only remove this dangerous curse before it destroys Robin, but also face a potentially deadly threat to the magical world.
I'm gonna start this by saying that this story was beautiful. The world-building was extremely well done, especially when it came to the magic system. I've never read anything like it. Magic is done by cradling, and has a limit to its usage depending on who exactly is using it, because magic stores itself differently in everyone. Edwin, even though he's older, still has to use string because of his magical limitations. I can't tell you the last time I saw magic limit its users like this, and it's so refreshing. Furthermore, magic users can make blood pacts with land to inherit their power? Like what?! That's so cool! It blew my mind how much I loved this magic system. Also the writing style was very exquisite and stylistic, but could be a bit overwhelming at times.
Everything else, however, I'm not sure how I felt. I kind of liked Robin, but he was definitely the nobody that gets some minor greatness thrown onto him. Otherwise, he felt very bland at times. Now Edwin is a different story. I loved his character. I related to him a lot as he was the bookworm, studious child who felt limited by everything he did and was. And oh my god did that hit close to home. I related to him more than any other character in this book.
Robin and Edwin's relationship was not as much of a slowburn as I thought. First off, they definitely have some minor attraction towards one another when they meet, and then grows after about 20% of the way through the book. They actually like get together halfway through, and also be warned that there definitely is some spice here. It actually threw me off guard cause I was really not expecting that. But for me, I wish there was some more buildup than just physical attraction? It didn't really feel like there was much of an emotional one and I was a bit disappointed by that.
The plot was a bit iffy to me. I'm surprised that Robin didn't focus more on the whole "contract" thing at the beginning of the story after his curse, since that's the whole reason he's cursed in the first place. I get that they were trying to save his life before focusing on the bigger picture, but after Robin's curse is mostly figured out, the rest of the book felt... boring? Like we were given reasons to understand how dangerous the new plot point is, and sets it up for the rest of the series, but I didn't really feel like I cared? I get it's a threat to the magical world as we know it but I wanted a bit more.
While this book is described as a more magical version of Red, White and Royal Blue, I see it more as a more refined version of A Darker Shade of Magic, but just make it more academic and gay. I recommend checking this book out if you want a unique magic system.
I'm gonna start this by saying that this story was beautiful. The world-building was extremely well done, especially when it came to the magic system. I've never read anything like it. Magic is done by cradling, and has a limit to its usage depending on who exactly is using it, because magic stores itself differently in everyone. Edwin, even though he's older, still has to use string because of his magical limitations. I can't tell you the last time I saw magic limit its users like this, and it's so refreshing. Furthermore, magic users can make blood pacts with land to inherit their power? Like what?! That's so cool! It blew my mind how much I loved this magic system. Also the writing style was very exquisite and stylistic, but could be a bit overwhelming at times.
Everything else, however, I'm not sure how I felt. I kind of liked Robin, but he was definitely the nobody that gets some minor greatness thrown onto him. Otherwise, he felt very bland at times. Now Edwin is a different story. I loved his character. I related to him a lot as he was the bookworm, studious child who felt limited by everything he did and was. And oh my god did that hit close to home. I related to him more than any other character in this book.
Robin and Edwin's relationship was not as much of a slowburn as I thought. First off, they definitely have some minor attraction towards one another when they meet, and then grows after about 20% of the way through the book. They actually like get together halfway through, and also be warned that there definitely is some spice here. It actually threw me off guard cause I was really not expecting that. But for me, I wish there was some more buildup than just physical attraction? It didn't really feel like there was much of an emotional one and I was a bit disappointed by that.
The plot was a bit iffy to me. I'm surprised that Robin didn't focus more on the whole "contract" thing at the beginning of the story after his curse, since that's the whole reason he's cursed in the first place. I get that they were trying to save his life before focusing on the bigger picture, but after Robin's curse is mostly figured out, the rest of the book felt... boring? Like we were given reasons to understand how dangerous the new plot point is, and sets it up for the rest of the series, but I didn't really feel like I cared? I get it's a threat to the magical world as we know it but I wanted a bit more.
While this book is described as a more magical version of Red, White and Royal Blue, I see it more as a more refined version of A Darker Shade of Magic, but just make it more academic and gay. I recommend checking this book out if you want a unique magic system.
I received a copy of this book as an e-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. Any and all thoughts and opinions are mine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Self harm and Torture
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