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tsukk's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Perfectly average.
It's the same kind of lighthearted story that you could find in a hallmark movie, so if you like something that doesn't ask much of you to chill, this could be it depending on your triggers.
There's little complexity, the plot twists are obvious since the first time they are hinted at, to the point that I spent several chapters wondering if they shouldn't have revealed them already, and the characters are a bit flat and/or stereotypical, especially the mothers. I think it's also worth to be noted that some doors got open, only to not deliver.I thought, especially seeing the length of the book, that Mariel would "heal" the demon plane so they can live without souls, seeing how everything is put in place for it since the first moment, but I saw another review saying there's a sequel coming up later this year, so my prediction is that that's gonna be delivered in the next book
That said, the author did plan out what she was trying to do and that is obvious. She did set down the basis for everything, the therapy talk and the mothers' toxic behaviour are obviously researched, and the beats were put in place with a surgeon's precision to explain every action and reaction, but it just kind of... falls a bit flat. It doesn't really flow and feels quite forced at times. That said,my biggest grievance is the lack of accountability for Mariel on her part in some of the conflicts. I understand why, but if the dynamic between her and Oz were to stay the same, I can see them turning into her parents in the end.
As I said, the book is easy to read, perfect to pass the time when you don't wanna think or read something heavy, but it comes with its flaws.
It's the same kind of lighthearted story that you could find in a hallmark movie, so if you like something that doesn't ask much of you to chill, this could be it depending on your triggers.
There's little complexity, the plot twists are obvious since the first time they are hinted at, to the point that I spent several chapters wondering if they shouldn't have revealed them already, and the characters are a bit flat and/or stereotypical, especially the mothers. I think it's also worth to be noted that some doors got open, only to not deliver.
That said, the author did plan out what she was trying to do and that is obvious. She did set down the basis for everything, the therapy talk and the mothers' toxic behaviour are obviously researched, and the beats were put in place with a surgeon's precision to explain every action and reaction, but it just kind of... falls a bit flat. It doesn't really flow and feels quite forced at times. That said,
As I said, the book is easy to read, perfect to pass the time when you don't wanna think or read something heavy, but it comes with its flaws.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Animal death
btwnprintedpgs's review
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Gore, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Drug use, Pregnancy, and Death
wilybooklover's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.0
This was an intriguing premise that had a lot of potential, but sadly fell a bit flat for me.
Both of the main characters felt quite two-dimensional and lacking in depth. Mariel even reminded me of a teenager at times. The secondary characters were even more shallow and felt like caricatures or cardboard cut-outs. I found myself unable to become immersed in the story because it just felt noticeably fake, especially with respect to the dialogue. The humour was more cringe and juvenile than actually funny and the third-act breakup was incredibly unnecessary given the conflict and drama already happening in the last third of the book. There were also a lot of editing mistakes (like, several per chapter) — things like missing punctuation, words smashed together, and uncapitalised names/places. I expect better editing from a traditionally published book. [This is for the UK digital version.]
Both of the main characters felt quite two-dimensional and lacking in depth. Mariel even reminded me of a teenager at times. The secondary characters were even more shallow and felt like caricatures or cardboard cut-outs. I found myself unable to become immersed in the story because it just felt noticeably fake, especially with respect to the dialogue. The humour was more cringe and juvenile than actually funny and the third-act breakup was incredibly unnecessary given the conflict and drama already happening in the last third of the book. There were also a lot of editing mistakes (like, several per chapter) — things like missing punctuation, words smashed together, and uncapitalised names/places. I expect better editing from a traditionally published book. [This is for the UK digital version.]
There were a few plus points, however. I enjoyed the world-building, which was fun and detailed without being overexplained. The plant magic/affinity was especially nice; I loved how Mariel’s plants would comfort her. I loved that Mariel was plus-size but there was no plot point or issues surrounding it; she just was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Animal death, Death, and Violence
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Cancer, and Classism
micaelamariem's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was such a cute lighthearted fluffy (and spicy) fake dating book with magic!! I mean honestly what more could you need???
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Animal death, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Bullying
mrsmishler's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Animal death
chaoticace's review against another edition
FMC is too naive and doesn’t seems to have the brain capacity or the critical thinking of a 28yo.
Would have been ok with discovering every little mystery thanks to a good build up but it was more of a obvious kinda things and the result weren’t that important. Maybe the whole « electric power came from the soul you ingested » had been developed after 80% but it seems little worthless considering the main mystery -rotting forest- is from the unresolved bargain and most likely didn’t need more power from Oz
Would have been ok with discovering every little mystery thanks to a good build up but it was more of a obvious kinda things and the result weren’t that important.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Animal death and Blood
greymalkin's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I love the premise and I started out liking Mariel and her friends, they were really let down by the author choices with character and plots. While I completely understand that Mariel's toxic upbringing made her create some self-sabotaging habits, it was very frustrating to see her lash out cruelly at basically everyone who loved and cared for her but not at those who were causing her harm. There was a lot of tell and not show. She's supposed to be sweet and fun and passive and a great baker and a great friend. I saw no evidence of this, particularly the baking part. The solution for her magic issues was disappointing. The solution with the souls was disappointing. The resolution with her parents was VERY disappointing. The plotline with Azeroth was almost totally pointless. 3/4 of the way into the book Ozroth is like "I'll just ignore hundreds of years of experience and assume that Azeroth will suddenly become chill and reasonable". I didn't feel any romantic chemistry between anyone except possibly Themmie and Ozroth, and Diantha and Calladia's mom. It was just lust and some basic kindness between Mariel and Ozroth. Which can be fine but not for the "love is the solution" plan that the ending hinges on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Animal death
wishbea's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Animal death and Toxic friendship
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Sexism, Alcohol, Bullying, Classism, and Cursing
analenegrace's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I can't believe this is probably Reylo Fanfic!?!?!
This book was hilarious and had me actively giggling at many parts. The universe Hawley creates was fun and fleshed out. I love that it was grounded in certain parts of reality (American healthcare and academia had me screaming) but also kept its magical elements front and center.
Mariel and Oz were fun characters with a unique plot, although I wish the book had taken place over a longer period as I'm not a huge fan of insta-love. The side characters were all a bit flat but I do want to read the sequel since the villain of this book is seemingly the love interest in the next!
Also, some of the silliest things in this book that had me screaming: Richard Nixon selling his soul to the devil and Watergate being a result. The magic doctorate, and Oz's dad getting beheaded during the French Revolution.
This book was hilarious and had me actively giggling at many parts. The universe Hawley creates was fun and fleshed out. I love that it was grounded in certain parts of reality (American healthcare and academia had me screaming) but also kept its magical elements front and center.
Mariel and Oz were fun characters with a unique plot, although I wish the book had taken place over a longer period as I'm not a huge fan of insta-love. The side characters were all a bit flat but I do want to read the sequel since
Also, some of the silliest things in this book that had me screaming:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Classism, and Animal death
alastaire's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Animal death and Death
Minor: Classism, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, and Drug abuse
Main character's narcissistic mother is highly verbally emotionally abusive and manipulative.