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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
[Spoiler Free]
A decent romance with a few contrivances, but otherwise just a nice old time! The polish Folktales and culture were a really fun setting and the characters are likable, so if you just want a cute story with a few darker supernatural romance aspects, this is probably your jam!
One critique though, is that the technology seen would imply it's an older time period in our world, but very modern phrases like "meet-cute" or "sky daddy" will occasionally materialize and psychic shock you out of nowhere. Granted all of these terms are localized around a specific character, so it could just be contributed to them be irreverent, but it does pull you out of the world a bit.
Also for anyone reading this book, be aware that the ending is kind of a cliffhanger? Several plot points related to character backstories are left VERY open-ended and just never resolved or revealed to the other characters, even though it is constantly baited that they will be. So if you really like a book where the majority of plot points are wrapped up nicely because there's no guaranteed sequel ... probably avoid this until that comes out. I enjoyed this book enough that I will very likely read the sequel, but it was very frustrating seeing that certain teased plot points just...never get resolved? Please keep this in mind when reading. Otherwise, would recommend if you like a slow-burn annoyance-to-lovers polish folktale Influenced supernatural Polycule(?).
A decent romance with a few contrivances, but otherwise just a nice old time! The polish Folktales and culture were a really fun setting and the characters are likable, so if you just want a cute story with a few darker supernatural romance aspects, this is probably your jam!
One critique though, is that the technology seen would imply it's an older time period in our world, but very modern phrases like "meet-cute" or "sky daddy" will occasionally materialize and psychic shock you out of nowhere. Granted all of these terms are localized around a specific character, so it could just be contributed to them be irreverent, but it does pull you out of the world a bit.
Also for anyone reading this book, be aware that the ending is kind of a cliffhanger? Several plot points related to character backstories are left VERY open-ended and just never resolved or revealed to the other characters, even though it is constantly baited that they will be. So if you really like a book where the majority of plot points are wrapped up nicely because there's no guaranteed sequel ... probably avoid this until that comes out. I enjoyed this book enough that I will very likely read the sequel, but it was very frustrating seeing that certain teased plot points just...never get resolved? Please keep this in mind when reading. Otherwise, would recommend if you like a slow-burn annoyance-to-lovers polish folktale Influenced supernatural Polycule(?).
This book left me feeling really uncomfortable and weirded out with its message. I don't usually write my reviews like this, but I need to share these thoughts. Fair warning, there are spoilers below, but nothing you couldn't guess from the first half of the book.
Listen, I like polyamory, but this is a YA novel and I don't think teens are emotionally mature enough to be in polyamorous relationships. These characters feel really young and their behavior and thoughts match that. Maybe you disagree, that's alright, I won't fight you on this, because my real problem here is that the romance is set up between Gisela (a water nymph), Kazik (an exorcist) and Aleksey (who's actually a forest demon of undisclosed age possessing the body of Aleksey, the human boy, and pretending to be him).
I'm sorry, but does that not feel weird to you?
For the author to write something trying so hard explain polyamory to a younger audience as a normal thing, while having a demon who's activelly controlling the body of a teen and pretending to be him, be the one to come up with the idea for the three of them to be together and even use Aleksey's body to actually kiss one of them... Again, I'm sorry, but that made me very uncomfortable.
Of course, I have no way of knowing what was passing through Alicia Jasinska's head when she was writing this. I don't know what her intention was, and maybe, as This Fatal Kiss is only the first book in a series, she'll give a better explanation for this in the sequel, or maybe she'll fix it somehow. But as it stands, I can only give it 1 star.
Listen, I like polyamory, but this is a YA novel and I don't think teens are emotionally mature enough to be in polyamorous relationships. These characters feel really young and their behavior and thoughts match that. Maybe you disagree, that's alright, I won't fight you on this, because my real problem here is that the romance is set up between Gisela (a water nymph), Kazik (an exorcist) and Aleksey (who's actually a forest demon of undisclosed age possessing the body of Aleksey, the human boy, and pretending to be him).
I'm sorry, but does that not feel weird to you?
For the author to write something trying so hard explain polyamory to a younger audience as a normal thing, while having a demon who's activelly controlling the body of a teen and pretending to be him, be the one to come up with the idea for the three of them to be together and even use Aleksey's body to actually kiss one of them... Again, I'm sorry, but that made me very uncomfortable.
Of course, I have no way of knowing what was passing through Alicia Jasinska's head when she was writing this. I don't know what her intention was, and maybe, as This Fatal Kiss is only the first book in a series, she'll give a better explanation for this in the sequel, or maybe she'll fix it somehow. But as it stands, I can only give it 1 star.
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
This was an interesting story and I enjoyed it, however the ending left quite a few threads loose.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the fluffy whimsical read I needed it to be. The characters were adorable had good banter and I loved the female friendships. Overall, just rather wholesome.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes