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bibliophilicjester's review
3.0
3.5 stars!
This installment was significantly better!! The first two were really enjoyable, but this one felt a little different. More solid? I think I’m going to have a tough time wording it properly.
I felt like I got to know all the characters a bit better in this book. They felt a little distant and flat in the first two books, but this one really let each character have their own thing, in a way. (Well, most of them). I liked seeing Munro away from Eilidh. It made their bond seem more like a deep soul bond, not just Munro’s blind obsession with Eilidh. I also really like the direction this series is going with all the druids.
I also really like the way things always seem to work out for Munro and Eilidh, but it doesn’t seem contrived. All the things that work out either happen naturally, due to others or the two characters themselves, or it’s because the characters grow and adapt to each new situation.
The entire plot line with Rory and Flùranach was really interesting and uncomfortable, but in a good way, of that makes sense? I’d imagine it’s a controversial scene, but I liked what Drummond did when Munro was questioning Flùranach/trying to sort of talk her down. He compared her forced bond with Rory to rape. I somewhat recently learned that forced oral sex (for lack of a better term) also falls under the classification(?) of rape. It kind of changed the way I thought about it, and maybe that’s why I understood the comparison here. Rape is about power, control. It’s about deciding you want something and deciding to take it whether the other person agrees. It strips the other person of their free will and choice in that moment. I’m sure some people won’t be okay with that bit, but it made a lot of sense to me. I also think that argument is what made Flùranach come to the decision to sever the bond on her own. Her character made me really uncomfortable, but she showed real personal growth toward the end of this book. I hope she plays a part in later books.
When Griogair admits he loves Eilidh, I sort of realized it was a love triangle, and I was weirdly okay with it. But as Eilidh, Griogair, and Munro grow and the triangle developed...I thought maybe it’s less of a love triangle than a polyamorous relationship. Or, a series of them? I’m not sure what the right terminology would be. I still don’t trust Griogair at all, but I enjoy his character, and I really like how he and Munro kind of bonded over loving the same woman. Either that or he was guilty of all the things 😂 I thought for sure he was involved in the treachery of this book because Eilidh literally conjured Munro’s appearance on him so they could sneak around. I’m still not convinced he wasn’t involved. But I kind of like having a tricky character I don’t trust?! It makes me theorize while I’m reading, which is something I enjoy!
As for things I didn’t like...meh? The rating is more of a comparison to various other books I’ve rated. I’m kind of stingy with ratings, but this one sits well. Sometimes the pacing feels weird. I don’t think a short book really has time to drag, and I don’t think this one did. All the books in this series so far feel like the length is just right. I do enjoy the buildup throughout, but the climax in all the books feels a bit rushed. Like everything comes together, villains monologue and admit guilt, and then we get a few scenes that tie up loose ends but also leave me eager to read the next installment. I was confused after the second book about queen cadhla, but now I see it was meant to be confusing. I’m definitely more open to embracing the confusion now, lol.
I’m really enjoying how this world keeps expanding and plots keep getting more intricate. I very much appreciate that Drummond has made the series six short books - maybe it’s the urban fantasy bit, but lots of high fantasy I’ve read recently has felt really poorly thought out concerning each installment. Often, last books are HUGE and contain way more bullshit than is necessary. I enjoy witty banter and sarcasm as much as any other reader, but I need it to have a purpose. I’m more of a plot-driven reader. Characters saying clever things doesn’t pull me in. Anyway, I’m on a tangential rant... I like the short books. I like that it’s a longer series so nothing feels rushed, but I’m impressed because nothing seems too drawn out either.
I’m excited to keep reading!! I feel like this series has been a guilty pleasure, in that I have two huge books I should be reading/finishing, but I keep going back to these!! Damn fae books are SO addictive!!!!
This installment was significantly better!! The first two were really enjoyable, but this one felt a little different. More solid? I think I’m going to have a tough time wording it properly.
I felt like I got to know all the characters a bit better in this book. They felt a little distant and flat in the first two books, but this one really let each character have their own thing, in a way. (Well, most of them). I liked seeing Munro away from Eilidh. It made their bond seem more like a deep soul bond, not just Munro’s blind obsession with Eilidh. I also really like the direction this series is going with all the druids.
I also really like the way things always seem to work out for Munro and Eilidh, but it doesn’t seem contrived. All the things that work out either happen naturally, due to others or the two characters themselves, or it’s because the characters grow and adapt to each new situation.
The entire plot line with Rory and Flùranach was really interesting and uncomfortable, but in a good way, of that makes sense? I’d imagine it’s a controversial scene, but I liked what Drummond did when Munro was questioning Flùranach/trying to sort of talk her down. He compared her forced bond with Rory to rape. I somewhat recently learned that forced oral sex (for lack of a better term) also falls under the classification(?) of rape. It kind of changed the way I thought about it, and maybe that’s why I understood the comparison here. Rape is about power, control. It’s about deciding you want something and deciding to take it whether the other person agrees. It strips the other person of their free will and choice in that moment. I’m sure some people won’t be okay with that bit, but it made a lot of sense to me. I also think that argument is what made Flùranach come to the decision to sever the bond on her own. Her character made me really uncomfortable, but she showed real personal growth toward the end of this book. I hope she plays a part in later books.
When Griogair admits he loves Eilidh, I sort of realized it was a love triangle, and I was weirdly okay with it. But as Eilidh, Griogair, and Munro grow and the triangle developed...I thought maybe it’s less of a love triangle than a polyamorous relationship. Or, a series of them? I’m not sure what the right terminology would be. I still don’t trust Griogair at all, but I enjoy his character, and I really like how he and Munro kind of bonded over loving the same woman. Either that or he was guilty of all the things 😂 I thought for sure he was involved in the treachery of this book because Eilidh literally conjured Munro’s appearance on him so they could sneak around. I’m still not convinced he wasn’t involved. But I kind of like having a tricky character I don’t trust?! It makes me theorize while I’m reading, which is something I enjoy!
As for things I didn’t like...meh? The rating is more of a comparison to various other books I’ve rated. I’m kind of stingy with ratings, but this one sits well. Sometimes the pacing feels weird. I don’t think a short book really has time to drag, and I don’t think this one did. All the books in this series so far feel like the length is just right. I do enjoy the buildup throughout, but the climax in all the books feels a bit rushed. Like everything comes together, villains monologue and admit guilt, and then we get a few scenes that tie up loose ends but also leave me eager to read the next installment. I was confused after the second book about queen cadhla, but now I see it was meant to be confusing. I’m definitely more open to embracing the confusion now, lol.
I’m really enjoying how this world keeps expanding and plots keep getting more intricate. I very much appreciate that Drummond has made the series six short books - maybe it’s the urban fantasy bit, but lots of high fantasy I’ve read recently has felt really poorly thought out concerning each installment. Often, last books are HUGE and contain way more bullshit than is necessary. I enjoy witty banter and sarcasm as much as any other reader, but I need it to have a purpose. I’m more of a plot-driven reader. Characters saying clever things doesn’t pull me in. Anyway, I’m on a tangential rant... I like the short books. I like that it’s a longer series so nothing feels rushed, but I’m impressed because nothing seems too drawn out either.
I’m excited to keep reading!! I feel like this series has been a guilty pleasure, in that I have two huge books I should be reading/finishing, but I keep going back to these!! Damn fae books are SO addictive!!!!
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