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ladythana's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Medical trauma, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content, Hate crime, Death of parent, Violence, Sexism, Blood, and Vomit
Minor: Infertility and Pregnancy
ohnoitskylie's review
adventurous
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
An enjoyable fantasy-mystery read and world building that feels incredibly real. It is a bit more of a distant than close third person, so at times I did feel as I was being told about some events that happened to people rather than living it alongside the characters. That said, I did appreciate how the author changed up the writing style just a bit for each point of view. It made thing easier to follow and more interesting. Lastly, Tsira is one of my favorite fantasy characters now!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Gun violence, and Violence
tinyflame4's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Hate crime, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism, Bullying, Cursing, Hate crime, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, and Sexism
massivepizzacrust's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.0
An interesting idea and I enjoyed the setting and the plot. Onna's storyline was lovely, I could have kept reading about her developing her power. I really loved her initial illusion transformation and I kept thinking we were going to get an even better demonstration of her particular powers during the finale. But it was still cute and cozy.
However, I will never be able to enjoy Tsira and Jeckran's relationship. Tsira decided what was going to happen from the moment she laid her eyes on Jeckran. D/s relationships are still partnerships but this relationship was only Tsira deciding how things will happen and Jeckran putting up the mildest of fights that never get considered. When he says he's uncomfortable with something, Tsira rolls his eyes at him and thinks he's cute. Jeckran just happens to always give consent after the fact (except before the explicit non-con scene, which I did appreciate). How lucky for Tsira that she never oversteps his boundaries. Except she does and there are no consequences, even when Jeckran is so embarrassed he can't even look at her.
However, I will never be able to enjoy Tsira and Jeckran's relationship. Tsira decided what was going to happen from the moment she laid her eyes on Jeckran. D/s relationships are still partnerships but this relationship was only Tsira deciding how things will happen and Jeckran putting up the mildest of fights that never get considered. When he says he's uncomfortable with something, Tsira rolls his eyes at him and thinks he's cute. Jeckran just happens to always give consent after the fact (except before the explicit non-con scene, which I did appreciate). How lucky for Tsira that she never oversteps his boundaries. Except she does and there are no consequences, even when Jeckran is so embarrassed he can't even look at her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Racism, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
szuum's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Murder
Minor: Pregnancy
kidprezident's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Misogyny
ridesthesun's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I really am fascinated by the world built here; it was a very "show don't tell" style of worldbuilding, so while I felt a little lost at times in the beginning, my understanding of the world/magic/creatures grew very organically.
(New genders just dropped; female and male are out, dom and sub are in. It's actually fantastic and brilliant and so perfect for a fantasy world where you can do whatever you want, so why not broaden the gender world????)
This style of writing was so fun, and had a very subtle, dry humor that I really jivved with. And some unexpectedly *raw* lines that jumped out so well 🙌🏻🙌🏻
While the plot lines and the main mystery had some gaps and pacing issues, it worked out alright for the story, which overall felt more character focused than plot focused. The incomplete plot work is really the only thing that keeps this from being a 5 star for me.
AND THE CHARACTERS!!! lil Onna, brilliant angel baby. Jeckran, wonderful ridiculous scoundrel. Tsira, UTTER QUEEN AND LEGEND. They were so much fun. Their dynamics, especially Jeckran and Tsira's growing relationship, absolutely had me by the throat. I love me some mixed POVs, and this book handled that so well.
Also. The smut is hot as fuck. Cheers friends 👌🏻
(New genders just dropped; female and male are out, dom and sub are in. It's actually fantastic and brilliant and so perfect for a fantasy world where you can do whatever you want, so why not broaden the gender world????)
This style of writing was so fun, and had a very subtle, dry humor that I really jivved with. And some unexpectedly *raw* lines that jumped out so well 🙌🏻🙌🏻
While the plot lines and the main mystery had some gaps and pacing issues, it worked out alright for the story, which overall felt more character focused than plot focused. The incomplete plot work is really the only thing that keeps this from being a 5 star for me.
AND THE CHARACTERS!!! lil Onna, brilliant angel baby. Jeckran, wonderful ridiculous scoundrel. Tsira, UTTER QUEEN AND LEGEND. They were so much fun. Their dynamics, especially Jeckran and Tsira's growing relationship, absolutely had me by the throat. I love me some mixed POVs, and this book handled that so well.
Also. The smut is hot as fuck. Cheers friends 👌🏻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Death, Gun violence, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, Drug use, and Pregnancy
quasinaut's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.25
This novel contains two vastly different, alternating stories, which I'm not sure quite worked for me, even when I could see how they would intersect later in the book. I greatly enjoyed following Tsira and Jeckran's travels; it's always nice when an author can make a cross-country trek actually engaging, and seeing the pair interact with each other (and perpetually miscommunicate) was rather endearing.
I was a bit less intrigued by Onna's journey. I appreciate that the author didn't try to explain the magic system more -- that likely would have been overwhelming, boring, or both -- but I think it resulted in Onna seeming just too magically gifted, while also being unavoidably beautiful (did she ever meet a guy who didn't flirt with her?)
Overall, fantastic world building and fun character interactions. I'm looking forward to reading more by C. M. Waggoner.
Note: I alternated between the print book and the audiobook for the first half, but got pulled in by the print book and finished with that. The audio was very useful for hearing how names and places were pronounced!
I was a bit less intrigued by Onna's journey. I appreciate that the author didn't try to explain the magic system more -- that likely would have been overwhelming, boring, or both -- but I think it resulted in Onna seeming just too magically gifted, while also being unavoidably beautiful (did she ever meet a guy who didn't flirt with her?)
Overall, fantastic world building and fun character interactions. I'm looking forward to reading more by C. M. Waggoner.
Note: I alternated between the print book and the audiobook for the first half, but got pulled in by the print book and finished with that. The audio was very useful for hearing how names and places were pronounced!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Grief, Infertility, and Sexual content
Minor: Drug use and Pregnancy
sj_54's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was *chef's kiss* - at the intersection of fantasy, serial killer mystery, solid world-building, and lovably dramatic characters.
Pros:
What really shone were the characters. At first, as each chapter brought new people in, I was worried about getting lost amongst them. But their nuances were so well established that they were distinctive and recognizable (the audiobook narrator also did a FANTASTIC job of the individual voices). While the occasional trope surfaced (clever girl is passed over for academic admission by stuffy old white men, strong buff character is assumed to be male) each character's voice and actions helped mitigate the possibility of cliche.
While I was certainly not expecting it when the first 'f*ck' appeared, the language used helped to both separate the ways of speaking of different characters as well as making it more relatable and believable. But those that don't like strong language, head's up!
The world-building and magic system both showed evidence of a lot of energy and forethought. While it took some time to get acquainted with some terms and names thrown out casually, it did not detract from the story. Personally I thought it was a very clever magic system, but if you're not used to books with brand-new sets of magical rules, it might seem a bit odd or cumbersome at first.
Cons:
The ending was not really surprising? But it didn't take away much from the experience. Just wasn't particularly shocking or unexpected.
Also I want to know how Loga's story wraps up!!! Everyone else gets their happy ending!!!
Pros:
What really shone were the characters. At first, as each chapter brought new people in, I was worried about getting lost amongst them. But their nuances were so well established that they were distinctive and recognizable (the audiobook narrator also did a FANTASTIC job of the individual voices). While the occasional trope surfaced (clever girl is passed over for academic admission by stuffy old white men, strong buff character is assumed to be male) each character's voice and actions helped mitigate the possibility of cliche.
While I was certainly not expecting it when the first 'f*ck' appeared, the language used helped to both separate the ways of speaking of different characters as well as making it more relatable and believable. But those that don't like strong language, head's up!
The world-building and magic system both showed evidence of a lot of energy and forethought. While it took some time to get acquainted with some terms and names thrown out casually, it did not detract from the story. Personally I thought it was a very clever magic system, but if you're not used to books with brand-new sets of magical rules, it might seem a bit odd or cumbersome at first.
Cons:
The ending was not really surprising? But it didn't take away much from the experience. Just wasn't particularly shocking or unexpected.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Medical content, and Murder
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