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chilipenguin's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Do not listen to the audiobook! I listened to most of it for a series of long car rides and really couldn't stand the choices made for character voices and personalities. I swore the only way I was going to be happy with this book was if I finished reading the hardcopy, which I did.
A criticism for the book itself was how unfortunate and unnecessary it was that Edwin is outright said to be unattractive and not likely to be anyone's type. Along with that, Robin doesn't really go into why he is attracted to Edwin in a way that makes up for it. There is no explanation of traits that Edwin has above any other regular person that Robin likes. It's more because he's the only other tolerable man in the story and is exotic because he knows magic. I don't need a sexy rival jousting for Robin's affections trope, but I wanted something more meaningful in the reason for their fondness. There are plenty of cute parts and they are a lovely couple that I do care about. However, it starts off like the author is saying "this is a story about an objectively unattractive man and the guy who loves him anyway". For both queer people and those of us without socially standardized good looks, that's a shallow, thoughtless message to present for your queer MC. Just describe him factually and let the reader decide what they find attractive. Overcoming "ugliness" and getting the only other thoughtful, heroic suitor in the story because he's the only viable option is not what I'm here for.
Praise goes to near everything else. I had to overcome a strong distaste for the dialog and choices made in the audiobook version. But kudos for a limited magic system that doesn't make a lot of overpowered antagonists that are meant to be overcome as the main plot. It's still there a bit, and the feeling of helplessness comes up a lot. But there are still limits to the system and resources available to those with less power that makes the threats more reasonable and less like they escaped impossible scenarios just because the story needed them to. I think there are still story opportunities for the "powerless" to outwit the powerful in more creative ways which I hope to see in the sequels.
The sexy parts are fine. They are so few in number and spread out so much (no pun intended) that I caught myself realizing/remembering "oh, this is one of those stories that is going to mention c**k". But it's really inconsequential and just adds more to the "I like them as a couple, they're cute, and it makes sense to write about the full relationship experience" than anything super passionate or raunchy. I personally could have done with more, but the author does play more with the emotional risk of "going all the way" than physical risk or sexual intrigue, and I can appreciate that for everything else that made these characters the way they are. I don't know anything about the author's own preferences, but I'm going to expect more from any sapphic relationships in future stories given what I am assuming, for the time being, to be her own experiences.
A criticism for the book itself was how unfortunate and unnecessary it was that Edwin is outright said to be unattractive and not likely to be anyone's type. Along with that, Robin doesn't really go into why he is attracted to Edwin in a way that makes up for it. There is no explanation of traits that Edwin has above any other regular person that Robin likes. It's more because he's the only other tolerable man in the story and is exotic because he knows magic. I don't need a sexy rival jousting for Robin's affections trope, but I wanted something more meaningful in the reason for their fondness. There are plenty of cute parts and they are a lovely couple that I do care about. However, it starts off like the author is saying "this is a story about an objectively unattractive man and the guy who loves him anyway". For both queer people and those of us without socially standardized good looks, that's a shallow, thoughtless message to present for your queer MC. Just describe him factually and let the reader decide what they find attractive. Overcoming "ugliness" and getting the only other thoughtful, heroic suitor in the story because he's the only viable option is not what I'm here for.
Praise goes to near everything else. I had to overcome a strong distaste for the dialog and choices made in the audiobook version. But kudos for a limited magic system that doesn't make a lot of overpowered antagonists that are meant to be overcome as the main plot. It's still there a bit, and the feeling of helplessness comes up a lot. But there are still limits to the system and resources available to those with less power that makes the threats more reasonable and less like they escaped impossible scenarios just because the story needed them to. I think there are still story opportunities for the "powerless" to outwit the powerful in more creative ways which I hope to see in the sequels.
The sexy parts are fine. They are so few in number and spread out so much (no pun intended) that I caught myself realizing/remembering "oh, this is one of those stories that is going to mention c**k". But it's really inconsequential and just adds more to the "I like them as a couple, they're cute, and it makes sense to write about the full relationship experience" than anything super passionate or raunchy. I personally could have done with more, but the author does play more with the emotional risk of "going all the way" than physical risk or sexual intrigue, and I can appreciate that for everything else that made these characters the way they are. I don't know anything about the author's own preferences, but I'm going to expect more from any sapphic relationships in future stories given what I am assuming, for the time being, to be her own experiences.
ethias's review
5.0
Delightful and full of love! I loved the overarching theme of consent throughout the book. I really enjoyed the relationship they built over the course of the story. I liked the balance of plot and romance, and the plot itself was very engaging.
jacehan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
lilmonkey29's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
rainbowthani's review against another edition
adventurous
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
toucanpie's review against another edition
This has been on my TBR forever, but after Beth Woolsey raved about it it moved up to the top. Jordan bought me a copy in Cynthiana, at The Next Chapter and I read it over the next 3 days. It was a delight. I adored everything about it. Magic. Sweet boys. London. Mystery. All the good things.
santersgrotto's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
iffer's review against another edition
3.5
Though I liked both Robin and Edwin, as well as their backstories, and the way that they reached across each others' insecurities to build a relationship, this didn't engross me. I like the magic system, and this aspect of the setting has room to grow, but I wasn't hooked on reading it, even towards the end when the action picks up. Then again, British country novels examining the shittiness of aristocracy and social restrictions isn't usually my personal favorite which also could've contributed to my lukewarm response. I also raise my eyebrow at Edwin's new land-derived powers, with no allusions to colonization, land theft, or even subjugation of paganism in the British Isles (or the magical setting's equivalents).
reinydays's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual content
Moderate: Torture, Violence, Murder, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent and Alcohol