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lastblossom's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Fae, magic and intrigue are all in here, but the reader's enjoyment will hang almost entirely on how they feel about the instalove trope.
Thoughts
MC and LI fall in instalove. I'm putting this here at the front because I wish I'd known. I saw "fantasy heist" and dove in headfirst, and I really should have looked before I leapt. Big oof on my part. This goes in the "it's not you, it's me" category, but instalove truly doesn't do it for me, and it is utterly baked into the plot. From the moment the MC and LI lay eyes on each other, they can't stop having feelings. Physical attraction, lust, and overwhelming longings. MC abandons her lifelong dream of a simple life in the hopes she can be useful to him. LI endangers a mission involving his friends and family just to make sure she's taken care of. Other characters even point out that this is very strange and somewhat dangerous behavior, but our leads simply cannot be apart. The narrative implies there's a magical connection about them being fated lovers that fuels this. I know it seems like I'm really hung up on this one plot point, but it permeates the book. Narration from both their POVs consistently dedicate time to their physical attraction and their desire to be together. Plot slows down in spaces just to gaze longingly at lips or rake eyes salaciously down the other person's body. The book does not want you to forget this is happening, and I surely did not.
Anyway, there is a daring heist in this, and I liked the rest of the cast a good deal. They've all got interesting personalities and varied backstories. There's also some twisty plot stuff near the end. So if you like soulmates/fated lovers and instantaneous attraction, you'll probably have a pretty good time.
Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Fae, magic and intrigue are all in here, but the reader's enjoyment will hang almost entirely on how they feel about the instalove trope.
Thoughts
MC and LI fall in instalove. I'm putting this here at the front because I wish I'd known. I saw "fantasy heist" and dove in headfirst, and I really should have looked before I leapt. Big oof on my part. This goes in the "it's not you, it's me" category, but instalove truly doesn't do it for me, and it is utterly baked into the plot. From the moment the MC and LI lay eyes on each other, they can't stop having feelings. Physical attraction, lust, and overwhelming longings. MC abandons her lifelong dream of a simple life in the hopes she can be useful to him. LI endangers a mission involving his friends and family just to make sure she's taken care of. Other characters even point out that this is very strange and somewhat dangerous behavior, but our leads simply cannot be apart. The narrative implies there's a magical connection about them being fated lovers that fuels this. I know it seems like I'm really hung up on this one plot point, but it permeates the book. Narration from both their POVs consistently dedicate time to their physical attraction and their desire to be together. Plot slows down in spaces just to gaze longingly at lips or rake eyes salaciously down the other person's body. The book does not want you to forget this is happening, and I surely did not.
Anyway, there is a daring heist in this, and I liked the rest of the cast a good deal. They've all got interesting personalities and varied backstories. There's also some twisty plot stuff near the end. So if you like soulmates/fated lovers and instantaneous attraction, you'll probably have a pretty good time.
Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual harassment, and Classism
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