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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 tojinjaritia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Body horror, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Gaslighting
clarabooksit's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
2.75
Great premise, loved the flower magic, zippy, easy read, but lacked substance and felt underdeveloped.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Addiction, Grief, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Violence
jamiebrito's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
This was not the cozy read I was expecting. I thought more Legends and Lattes/Cerulean Sea but this was more dark things happen with a sens of hope but I loved it! It was a beautiful story about mental health and accepting and loving who you are, no matter the flaw and the strength in the acceptance. The romance was so sweet as well. CW's(as listed in front of book)for absent parent, anxiety and depression, body horror, emesis, fantasy substance abuse, medical issues, and non-consensual enchantment. Buddy read with Ashley ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
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