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nikki_b's review
I really wanted to like this book. The summary, the cover... my expectations were high. But from the start, I didn't like any of the human characters at all. Especially once I got to the middle and the relationships started. The setting was beautiful and the goblin aspect was interesting. I wanted to know everything about Kit's family and the deal with the goblins. But, I didn't like Kit. Or Livy. Or Skye. Or Grady. And Skye/Grady really made me uncomfortable. The characters felt flat - especially Livy and Grady. Skye had some interesting moments, especially in the beginning with the descriptions of her struggling with the Goblin curse. So, with that said and lovely writing aside, I had to put this away and not finish it.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
mysterious_and_spooky's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
This books was extraordinarily flat. The initial premise seemed like it could be interesting but the characters were static, everything was easily predictable, it honestly kind of read like a juvenile fan fiction story. I didn’t feel like the characters really had reason to be infatuated with each other (with or without a curse) and the sisters didn’t really have any interactions that solidified them as being close or even interacting with each other in a way that indicates a story would be interesting to follow with them. The love interests are also equally boring and flat tbh the most depth you get is from Kit because he is the bearer of the curse. This book didn’t feel satisfying and I kept reading hoping I’d hit something that would make up for it and it was terribly disappointing. Ultimately this felt more like a very very rough first draft that needed more world building as well as plot and character development before it got published.
literarylover37's review
4.0
Thanks to Goodreads Giveaways for a signed copy of this book.
I liked the fantastical premise of this book and the basing off The Goblin Market poem. At first I thought it was YA but quickly figured out it's adult or New Adult with all of the hanky-panky that happens. In one update I called it 50 Shades of Goblin. Most of the whoopie is justified though based on the premise that two of the four MCs are under a Goblin spell and have become "mated" to each other.
This book grew on me as it went. I liked Livy and how strong a female character she was. My favorite part was reading about all of the things she had to do to save her friends and family. I would recommend this book to someone who wants something different with elements of fantasy.
I liked the fantastical premise of this book and the basing off The Goblin Market poem. At first I thought it was YA but quickly figured out it's adult or New Adult with all of the hanky-panky that happens. In one update I called it 50 Shades of Goblin. Most of the whoopie is justified though based on the premise that two of the four MCs are under a Goblin spell and have become "mated" to each other.
This book grew on me as it went. I liked Livy and how strong a female character she was. My favorite part was reading about all of the things she had to do to save her friends and family. I would recommend this book to someone who wants something different with elements of fantasy.
katemarlowe's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
alongreader's review
3.0
A creepy, sexy book with shades of Labyrinth and The Goblin Market. I enjoyed it, but I wasn't desperate to find out what would happen. I liked the goblins and Kit's liaison job.
Clever and well written.
Clever and well written.
curls's review
5.0
Atmospheric, eerie, and spooky. I loved this one. It wasn’t the fastest plot, but it was a slow build of a horror.
I loved and also giggled at the instalove as a curse.
I’d recommend this one if you’re in the mood for a contemporary fantasy that will make you never want to walk in the woods at night.
I loved and also giggled at the instalove as a curse.
I’d recommend this one if you’re in the mood for a contemporary fantasy that will make you never want to walk in the woods at night.
ghutter05's review
3.0
I really liked the beginning and the setup. It got a little slow in the middle, and began to focus more on the romance than the fantasy, but still enjoyable.
sarahl13's review
1.0
I was provided with an e-copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
1.5/5
I really, really wanted to like this book. With a beautiful cover and an intriguing plot, I had high hopes. The very first part of this book was promising, with an eerie atmosphere and a creepy forest filled with goblins. Unfortunately, the book fell flat after the first few chapters and it failed to capture me after that. I felt like I was forcing myself to read it and I had no desire to pick it up. The characters were so flat and the conversations between them were incredibly stilted. There was also just not enough goblins and magic for a book about goblins and magic. It took too long for anything to happen and when things finally started happening, I just didn't care anymore.
Overall, I was looking for something a bit more eerie and creepy with a much faster plot and better character development.
1.5/5
I really, really wanted to like this book. With a beautiful cover and an intriguing plot, I had high hopes. The very first part of this book was promising, with an eerie atmosphere and a creepy forest filled with goblins. Unfortunately, the book fell flat after the first few chapters and it failed to capture me after that. I felt like I was forcing myself to read it and I had no desire to pick it up. The characters were so flat and the conversations between them were incredibly stilted. There was also just not enough goblins and magic for a book about goblins and magic. It took too long for anything to happen and when things finally started happening, I just didn't care anymore.
Overall, I was looking for something a bit more eerie and creepy with a much faster plot and better character development.
jordannedunn's review
4.0
I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher, Central Avenue Publishing, in exchange for an honest review. I’d like to apologise for my tardiness in giving them that review, sincerely.
🌟🌟🌟.5
This is a dark, paranormal romance with a fairy tale atmosphere and an actual non-pathetic heroine to boot.
The intertwining of the two worlds, both our real world and this dark magical one was well done and the ‘liaison’ role between the two forces was original and intriguing though I wished we’d got to see a little more of Kit as a character. The pacing was good and it was refreshing to have such a satisfying ending for a fantasy standalone.
The first scene with Grady and Skye actually really tugged at my heartstrings, something about the way he treated and communicated with her and her own, albeit limited, responses just gave me the feels in a big way. I mean, it got rapidly less cute and innocent as you’ll see but that scene stuck with me.
Oddly, what I took most from this book is a strange insight to mental illness and depression. Though Skye’s illness is really a magical spell/curse the frustration and depression she experiences, as a result, is most definitely less than magical and I thought it was eloquently expressed and I found it interesting to see through her eyes.
One of my peeves with all books of this genre is the tendency for the characters to substitute sex for dealing with their problems and there’s some of that here but it’s definitely not as problematic as other books I’ve read and certainly less vulgar.
Livy was a cool and I must say, unexpected female lead and as I said before, utterly non-pathetic which is great. She didn’t need anyone to come to save her, she just did what she had to and I respected her immensely for it. I did wish Kit had more of a role to play but he was still a good character.
This was a great read I demolished in one day but I’d have to emphasise it only stands this strongly alone – a sequel (unless it was mindblowing) would probably ruin it.
🌟🌟🌟.5
This is a dark, paranormal romance with a fairy tale atmosphere and an actual non-pathetic heroine to boot.
The intertwining of the two worlds, both our real world and this dark magical one was well done and the ‘liaison’ role between the two forces was original and intriguing though I wished we’d got to see a little more of Kit as a character. The pacing was good and it was refreshing to have such a satisfying ending for a fantasy standalone.
The first scene with Grady and Skye actually really tugged at my heartstrings, something about the way he treated and communicated with her and her own, albeit limited, responses just gave me the feels in a big way. I mean, it got rapidly less cute and innocent as you’ll see but that scene stuck with me.
Oddly, what I took most from this book is a strange insight to mental illness and depression. Though Skye’s illness is really a magical spell/curse the frustration and depression she experiences, as a result, is most definitely less than magical and I thought it was eloquently expressed and I found it interesting to see through her eyes.
One of my peeves with all books of this genre is the tendency for the characters to substitute sex for dealing with their problems and there’s some of that here but it’s definitely not as problematic as other books I’ve read and certainly less vulgar.
Livy was a cool and I must say, unexpected female lead and as I said before, utterly non-pathetic which is great. She didn’t need anyone to come to save her, she just did what she had to and I respected her immensely for it. I did wish Kit had more of a role to play but he was still a good character.
This was a great read I demolished in one day but I’d have to emphasise it only stands this strongly alone – a sequel (unless it was mindblowing) would probably ruin it.