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avacadosocks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Addiction
Moderate: Mental illness and Body horror
teawiththefates's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book has all the elements that could have made it one of my favourites - cozy magic vibes, childhood friends to lovers trope, mental health exploration - but the execution of it all fell flat for me.
I wanted to like this book so much more than I did, but I had such a hard time accepting the way things progressed. The protagonist either needed to be angrier than she was (instead of getting over things without any conversation or much self reflection to justify her shrugging something off) or more understanding (instead of being overly judgmental of things clearly done with good intent), and my opinions on these never seemed to match up with her actual reactions as they happened. I found the book consistently frustrating because of this.
On top of that, the ending felt a little incomplete; based on what happened in the book I wanted a much more complex consideration of the merits of joining the ranks of organized magic and the amount of control they feel the right to, especially when I still think that while yes, the law was broken, the spirit of the vow made to their organization was not and the justice served was not particularly just, and this is only ever acknowledged in the most minimal way. I feel like this story needs a sequel where we get to follow characters as they fight for magical reform and providing better mental health care! <end spoiler>
I wanted to like this book so much more than I did, but I had such a hard time accepting the way things progressed. The protagonist either needed to be angrier than she was (instead of getting over things without any conversation or much self reflection to justify her shrugging something off) or more understanding (instead of being overly judgmental of things clearly done with good intent), and my opinions on these never seemed to match up with her actual reactions as they happened. I found the book consistently frustrating because of this.
On top of that, the ending felt a little incomplete; based on what happened in the book I wanted a much more complex consideration of
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Drug use, and Panic attacks/disorders
It’s all through a fantasy lens so the book often describes things in sort of a magical way, but the book deals with a lot of mental health - specifically anxiety and depression, and attempts toyessicookie's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
3.0
An interesting depiction of mental health in a world of magic, it was very exciting and intense in some parts! Other parts were a bit slower. I am curious about this fantasy world, i do hope to see a sequel.
I will issue a content/trigger warning for those with a fear of plants growing under their skin that is a recurring theme throughout the entire book.
I will issue a content/trigger warning for those with a fear of plants growing under their skin that is a recurring theme throughout the entire book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Mental illness, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Body horror
Minor: Emotional abuse and Child abuse
sabrielsbell's review against another edition
This book has such a beautiful cover and I really wanted to like it but there was nothing happening. The plot was so drawn out and and the spaces in between were filled with such repetitive writing that I found myself not wanting to pick it up. If I'm not invested by the 70% mark it isn't going to happen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Medical trauma, Death, Drug use, and Grief
the_rabble's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Overall, pretty sweet story with some distractingly dark edges that are incongruent with the vibe.
Clara and Xavier are great. Fun relationship there. Side characters are charming. Plot is rock solid engaging. Values are questionable- in a Roald Dahl sort of "kids are cannon fodder" way.
On page one you're dealing with someone with intense anxiety essentially being told she needs to get it together or get a magical lobotomy.
There's a lot of very charming flower magic and potion making, but damn, y'all, this is a rough one for anyone who's had to figure out their flavor of neurodiversity solo or interacted with a powerful system that has big feelings about your feelings. It's all vibes until a hammer drops.
I had a good time with the characters, but can't shake how these 16 year old kids are treated like wizened adults or are completely SOL. If the characters were older, this story would slap but it just seems like a world that's universally cool with child abuse.
[General Spoiler]These kids are treated like the actions between the ages of 11-16 define the rest of their lives, whether by failing training or getting minor things wrong. They are constantly threatened with the permanent loss of magic or a throttling of magic that would injure them for working with their feelings. We are told magic is emotions and even the "good guys" have an incredibly toxic control-based relationship with their feelings.
[Ending]One of the kids gets the magic lobotomy bc he did his job (a 16 year old with a medical job) but also accidentally created a drug. Which he cures the effects of. But he still has the lobotomy. Forever. After already having the throttle that injures him for using magic he's required to use with no supervision. All before his voice finishes dropping.
Additionally, the magical council responsible for this systemic child abuse commits a lot of procedural violations, but clearly has no appeals system.
This is a fun read because there's a lot of charm, the writing moves and breathes, centers a well-written friendship with progress that feels earned, emotional thoughtfulness, flower references and imagery that'll knock your socks off, and a smattering of queer representation.
But the moment you step back and see the characters as children, shit's dark.
Clara and Xavier are great. Fun relationship there. Side characters are charming. Plot is rock solid engaging. Values are questionable- in a Roald Dahl sort of "kids are cannon fodder" way.
On page one you're dealing with someone with intense anxiety essentially being told she needs to get it together or get a magical lobotomy.
There's a lot of very charming flower magic and potion making, but damn, y'all, this is a rough one for anyone who's had to figure out their flavor of neurodiversity solo or interacted with a powerful system that has big feelings about your feelings. It's all vibes until a hammer drops.
I had a good time with the characters, but can't shake how these 16 year old kids are treated like wizened adults or are completely SOL. If the characters were older, this story would slap but it just seems like a world that's universally cool with child abuse.
[General Spoiler]
[Ending]
This is a fun read because there's a lot of charm, the writing moves and breathes, centers a well-written friendship with progress that feels earned, emotional thoughtfulness, flower references and imagery that'll knock your socks off, and a smattering of queer representation.
But the moment you step back and see the characters as children, shit's dark.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Mental illness, Child abuse, and Abandonment
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Body horror, and Mental illness
Minor: Drug use, Abandonment, Medical content, Drug abuse, Terminal illness, and Bullying
zimmermanrl15's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Overall, I'd say it was an okay read. This book gave me Howl's Moving Castle vibes so many times while reading it which was great, but it felt too much like reading a Howl and Sophie fanfiction.
The plot and subplot felt a bit all over the place and some things that needed to be fleshed out some more were quickly rushed through. I think this story would have worked better as a series versus a standalone. I also feel like some of my gripes with the story may just be that I am an adult so I think a lot of elements of the story fall flat for me, but would be eaten up by someone of the intended audience.
All this said, I do think the Catherine could absolutely be a powerhouse in the cozy fantasy genre. I'd love to see an adult cozy fantasy from her in the future!
The plot and subplot felt a bit all over the place and some things that needed to be fleshed out some more were quickly rushed through. I think this story would have worked better as a series versus a standalone. I also feel like some of my gripes with the story may just be that I am an adult so I think a lot of elements of the story fall flat for me, but would be eaten up by someone of the intended audience.
All this said, I do think the Catherine could absolutely be a powerhouse in the cozy fantasy genre. I'd love to see an adult cozy fantasy from her in the future!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Drug abuse
Minor: Abandonment
mimmixoxo's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.75
I do agree with a lot of the comments that it feels as if something is missing or the end is underdeveloped especially with Clara’s mother. Overall a fun and quick read that helped me through my latest reading slump. (Although be wary of content warnings)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Addiction
Moderate: Body horror, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Vomit, and Chronic illness
lengelman's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness and Drug use