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adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked the world building, the mystery and characters alone a lot. I was annoyed by their dialogue and like the first half of the book in general. Some of the stuff didnt sit super well but I’ll keep reading this series bc it’s fun
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Totally blown away! I hesitate to say it because the author hasn’t finished writing the series yet, but this might be my absolute favorite of all the SJM series.
I was skeptical about its genre being described as “urban fantasy,” but what that really describes is a unique world with both modern technology and magic. It might seem odd if you’re used to more traditional high fantasy settings, but not for long because magic and technology are both integral to the story.
A lot of reviews mention getting dragged down by the world-building, but I didn’t feel that way at all. There isn’t much you need to grasp to enjoy the main plot. It’s basically a detective story, which I also did not expect in any sort of “fantasy” book! The world-building stuff doesn’t take away from the mystery, and stuff that’s actually important gets reinforced often enough to let you pick up on it.
I thought the story moved at a decent pace throughout, but as with most SJM books the last 100-200 pages REALLY picked up the pace and I absolutely couldn’t put it down. My real-world responsibilities suddenly got super frustrating because of this book!
Parts of the ending were kind of cheesy but in a good way: you can recognize the tropes (hello, super long villain monologue!) but they unfold in a way that’s satisfying rather than predictable. At one point I found myself tearing up and then laughing with relief a few pages later. And unlike many “series” books, this one does stand on its own: I want to experience more of this world, but I can imagine the characters staying exactly where they end up too.
If you’ve read SJM’s other series, ACOTAR and ToG, you’ll find some fun easter eggs in this book too! Books and various magical items from those series are referenced, as well as certain creatures and magical abilities. The crossover is a nice bonus, not that I needed another reason to love this book.
I was skeptical about its genre being described as “urban fantasy,” but what that really describes is a unique world with both modern technology and magic. It might seem odd if you’re used to more traditional high fantasy settings, but not for long because magic and technology are both integral to the story.
A lot of reviews mention getting dragged down by the world-building, but I didn’t feel that way at all. There isn’t much you need to grasp to enjoy the main plot. It’s basically a detective story, which I also did not expect in any sort of “fantasy” book! The world-building stuff doesn’t take away from the mystery, and stuff that’s actually important gets reinforced often enough to let you pick up on it.
I thought the story moved at a decent pace throughout, but as with most SJM books the last 100-200 pages REALLY picked up the pace and I absolutely couldn’t put it down. My real-world responsibilities suddenly got super frustrating because of this book!
Parts of the ending were kind of cheesy but in a good way: you can recognize the tropes (hello, super long villain monologue!) but they unfold in a way that’s satisfying rather than predictable. At one point I found myself tearing up and then laughing with relief a few pages later. And unlike many “series” books, this one does stand on its own: I want to experience more of this world, but I can imagine the characters staying exactly where they end up too.
If you’ve read SJM’s other series, ACOTAR and ToG, you’ll find some fun easter eggs in this book too! Books and various magical items from those series are referenced, as well as certain creatures and magical abilities. The crossover is a nice bonus, not that I needed another reason to love this book.
Omfg this book. The beginning and the world building was iffy for me but the last 1/4 of this book just blew my fucking mind. ✨
I picked up this book 2 years ago and was like nah not for me
Here I am reading it and oh my god this book was a huge kick me in the balls, punch me in the face and absolutely shatter my heart perfect and soul destroying. I can’t believe I didn’t like this book the first time around because I fucking adored it this time and honestly my heart is so full and broken at the same time and I’m so happy that this book wasn’t just a huge smut fest like everyone told me it was for some reason.
Bryce and Hunts relationship is the most adorable and realistic thing and it hurts my heart so so much. They are so perfect and adorable and Hunt is the cutest little cinnamon roll and Bryce is an actual QUEEENNN like I’m obsessed with her she deserves the fucking world.
I will never be over this story or the characters and I’m dying to read book 2 and find out more about this amazing world and these glorious characters and what will happen next gosh who knows but I’m excited and scared and can’t fucking wait.
Here I am reading it and oh my god this book was a huge kick me in the balls, punch me in the face and absolutely shatter my heart perfect and soul destroying. I can’t believe I didn’t like this book the first time around because I fucking adored it this time and honestly my heart is so full and broken at the same time and I’m so happy that this book wasn’t just a huge smut fest like everyone told me it was for some reason.
Bryce and Hunts relationship is the most adorable and realistic thing and it hurts my heart so so much. They are so perfect and adorable and Hunt is the cutest little cinnamon roll and Bryce is an actual QUEEENNN like I’m obsessed with her she deserves the fucking world.
I will never be over this story or the characters and I’m dying to read book 2 and find out more about this amazing world and these glorious characters and what will happen next gosh who knows but I’m excited and scared and can’t fucking wait.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was looking forward to reading this, but have been waiting awhile since it's the last series by this author that I have not read. I heard she was getting ready to release another book and that I should get these finished since several series will tie together. This was more modern day, so I wasn't expecting to like the world as much as I did. The only downside was the main female character, she was just super immature. I don't know....just really annoying. That said, I will of course be reading the rest of the series and hope she gets less annoying. All the characters can't be Manon, I guess.
I’m actually shook and don’t think I can fully verbalise how I feel right now. Wow.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Took me a really long time to get into it but I did like the end portion. The lore and world building was clunky so it made it harder to follow/care about.
Kinda long for a whodunnit. The last 200-ish pages were the part that really hooked me. I'm glad I made the decision to take notes while reading since there was a lot of world building. I will definitely read the next book of the series.