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mxgremlin's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Overall, this was delightful. The best I've felt after finishing a book in a really, really long time. Advertised as a slow burn, I found it more of a medium - the plot was actually interesting, the MCs grew more than a little, but overall I didn't see enough time pass between the love interests, enough content between them, to consider it a slow burn.
I was really surprised that this got a few laughs out of me! I'm much more likely to cringe or just kinda nod along like yeah that's.... amusing I guess, but I cackled a few times throughout the book. MMC and his friends were a delight to read about, and I'm so grateful that they weren't just cliché bros.
Speaking of... This thing had so many chances to fall back into the easy safety of using clichés we've (I refuse to speak for just myself) seen time and time again in fanfiction and published romance alike - dead parents, inheritance with no strings, supposedly ~27yo but acting like they're not yet even 20, etc. FMC has parents in here, y'all! And they're not cardboard! FMC has $$$$ but she and MMC have realistic interactions about it (he does not come from money). I don't know/remember if their ages are stated, but FMC owns a shop, so I'd assume mid 20s - and she acts how I'd expect someone of that age.
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism
apirlroge's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment and Death
potalian's review
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Pregnancy
spuki's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Abandonment
katiekeske's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death, Alcohol, Abandonment, and Alcoholism
words_and_dreams'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
5.0
This follows Elara 🧝♀️, our elven heroine who crafts amulets, wards and protections using her magic. Many people involving gangsters keep approaching her to get her to make a golem, something that can be used as a weapon. This is something that she is understandably unwilling to do due to the ethical issues involved.
Meanwhile she meets Levi, a landlocked Mer 🧜♂️ and attraction between them is pretty instant. He is at first scared of becoming involved with her as mermen mate for life and gain a permanent bond whether she stays with him or not. I loved how they overcome his issues with trust and open communication. I just wish that we had his POV too.
I loved how the heroine stood up for a downtrodden species and showed that there was another option to help whether it came at cost to her or not. Also adore Alara and Sidney's friendship.💖
There's great worldbuilding and we get to meet many different magical creatures. I also loved how the magic system worked and how different people had different gifts.
One question though....was the harpy okay??
Moderate: Sexual content and Death
Minor: Abandonment
thereadinghammock's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I love the supporting cast too! Levi's roommates, Grim and Jordan are a hoot and I love the friendly ribbing they give each other throughout the story. Sidney is Elara's ride or die and always happy to jump into the fray on behalf of her best friend; just don't spook her or she'll shift into her magpie form in a panic! The plot driving the undercurrent story has so many layers--sociopolitical, race relations, gangs/mafia/secret orders--there's almost so much that it's too much! But a lot of it I think is more world building for future books, along with setting up some of the plot opportunities for this story. It was a nice addition, since it gave the rest of the romance and love story some greater bearing than just "two people meet and fall in love. Isn't that nice?"
I can't wait for Magpies and Mayhem when it comes out to get more of the happy couple and to get Sidney her fun!
Oh my gods, and the baby surprise from Grim at the very end?? I about dies at his awkward exclamation of, "How did you not know!! It's your body!!"
Graphic: Addiction and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Racism, and War
Minor: Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and Stalking