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caitlinemccann's review
- 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
Graphic: Bullying, Torture, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Outing, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, Blood, and Body horror
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Chronic illness, and Stalking
asipofcozy's review
- 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? Yes
4.0
I loved how intricate and unique the magic system was. Basing the magic around cradles (a Childs game with string) and intricate hand moments and just the fact that the magic itself was quite complex. Not being able to use magic outside of a "contract", how humans are affected by magics and their contracts, and how there is a limit to the use.
I will say that at times, we needed more explanation on the magic system. It took me awhile to put together that the magic was using cradles to facilitate an action. Also, we were given information about the magic system quite late into the book, which would have helped explain a lot of moments and discussions that were had between the characters.
To quickly mention the writing style. The setting of this book is 1908 English and the author does a great job at portraying proper English of that particular time. That being said it felt jarring at times. Sometimes the sentences were quite strange and there were phrases that stuck out that I had no clue to the meaning. It's not necessarily a bad thing. It just took a moment to get into the writing style and the "proper" English of the time period. However, the first 50 pages were headache inducing.
The plot also had a lot of twists and turns. Moments that you thought were giving away parts of the plot only to find out you were quite wrong. There were a few moments that I was right in my assumptions but the whole mystery aspect - most of my guesses were wrong in that respect.
And then there was our beloved characters Robin and Edwin. Out of the two, I feel like Edwin had the most growth and that Robin was there to help him with that growth. When reading Edwin's backstory, the abuse that he faced and continues to face, and his fear of getting hurt - all I wanted to do was give him a big ole hug. He hides behind books and reason - while useful can leave you sheltered from the world and emotions...which he reflects on quite a lot. Robin had some development and had moments of privilege that he also acknowledges as fault.
The chemistry those two had, had me at the seat of my chair for a majority of the book (just saying).
I am definitely looking forward to picking up the rest of the series!
Moderate: Bullying, Vomit, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Classism, and Murder
Minor: Death, Suicide, Murder, Violence, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
heather_freshparchment's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Blood, Vomit, and Torture
cameronreads's review
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Outing, Bullying, Misogyny, and Murder
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, Homophobia, Vomit, Suicide, and Alcohol
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The rapport between Edwin and Robin slowly builds, lagging behind the intensity of each man’s buried attraction to the other. Robin adjusts pretty quickly to the existence of magic (a situation made much harder to ignore by the harsh nature of his introduction). Edwin’s focus is on trying to remove Robin’s curse, initially thinking of their acquaintance as very temporary and somewhat reversible. Much of the book is spent on Edwin’s family’s estate, with his siblings whose pranks range from frustrating to cruel.
The worldbuilding is pretty subtle about placing the era, the setting is one where magic exists within the otherwise real history of the British Isles. Since I wasn't trying very hard to place it I was content to know it's a while ago, but after the invention of cars. I'm sure there are clues to place it more precisely if I looked hard, but the story wasn't trying to trouble me with those. It did more with the ways that magic could be secret, and the key seems to be that (in England, specifically), it's tied up in old money and old families since magic is passed through bloodlines.
I enjoyed this immensely and will definitely read the rest of the series. The ending sets up a clear idea for the arc of the series, and I'll happily read more in this setting even if Edwin and Robin don't stay as the protagonists.
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Torture, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, Ableism, Homophobia, Chronic illness, Violence, Blood, Bullying, and Drug use
Minor: Self harm, Suicide, Child death, Death of parent, and Vomit
olijordan's review
- 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
4.25
The plot was amazing and though I found it hard to understand the magic system at first, you get the hang of it and you kinda expect that when you pick up a fantasy novel.
The book was amazing and I cannot wait to see where it takes the boys but regardless Miss Adelaide Morrissey will forever be my favourite character in this
My only fault was there was a lot of similes in the start which felt repetitive to continually read what it was “like” but the author very much found they’re groove after the first few chapters and it was beautiful and explicit which I appreciate
Graphic: Murder and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, and Bullying
Minor: Vomit
ellenwilberg's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexism, Sexual content, Vomit, and Violence
valpuri's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Outing, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Classism, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Grief, Racism, and Vomit
erynlasbelin's review
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Physical abuse, Murder, Sexism, Suicide, Torture, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, Kidnapping, Self harm, Cursing, and Ableism
Minor: Vomit, Colonisation, Outing, Classism, and Racism
jenthefictioner's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Although the enemies-to-lovers trope was well done, it felt a little underwhelming. They didn't quite feel like enemies in the beginning, but there is a fine line between what was here and abusive, so I can be okay with "a little underwhelming".
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Kidnapping, Sexual content, Vomit, Death of parent, Cursing, and Murder
Minor: Homophobia
The story's setting is during the very early years of the Edwardian era (1908), during which homosexuality was widely unaccepted.