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a_reader_obsessed's review
3.0
3.5 Hearts
A super sweet addition to the Magic Emporium series, where different authors contribute to a shared premise.
Here, Morli is a doomed prince. His family can’t accept his less than royal proclivities towards baking and force him on a mission to save an equally doomed princess who lays sleeping in a tower guarded by impervious brambles. Said mission is basically a failure before it even starts, but Morli is saved somehow as he’s magically revived in another dimension, falling into the human arms of Baxter.
Baxter is sad and lonely, stuck in his apartment due to Covid-19 regulations with nothing that really garners his interest or incites his passion. When he comes across a curious shop, Baxter’s forced to buy 3 magical feathers, and unbeknownst to him, his life will never be the same as he unwittingly wishes upon one of them for happiness. No one’s more shocked than Baxter, who finds an otherworldly naked man on his back porch.
What I liked about this quasi retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale is that both Baxter and Morli have been dealt a few shitty cards. However, a chance at perhaps being better, in doing the right thing, by stepping out of their comfort zones, they both find an inner strength and resolve they didn’t know was possible. Happiness needs to be fought for, and that includes not only finding something you love to do but also finding someone to love and share that life with.
Though quite simple (and not explicit), Fielding creates a plausible slow burn for our heroes who are very likeable. Fans will enjoy her foray into the fantasy paranormal where the Magic Emporium knows what’s best for all!
Thanks to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review
A super sweet addition to the Magic Emporium series, where different authors contribute to a shared premise.
Here, Morli is a doomed prince. His family can’t accept his less than royal proclivities towards baking and force him on a mission to save an equally doomed princess who lays sleeping in a tower guarded by impervious brambles. Said mission is basically a failure before it even starts, but Morli is saved somehow as he’s magically revived in another dimension, falling into the human arms of Baxter.
Baxter is sad and lonely, stuck in his apartment due to Covid-19 regulations with nothing that really garners his interest or incites his passion. When he comes across a curious shop, Baxter’s forced to buy 3 magical feathers, and unbeknownst to him, his life will never be the same as he unwittingly wishes upon one of them for happiness. No one’s more shocked than Baxter, who finds an otherworldly naked man on his back porch.
What I liked about this quasi retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale is that both Baxter and Morli have been dealt a few shitty cards. However, a chance at perhaps being better, in doing the right thing, by stepping out of their comfort zones, they both find an inner strength and resolve they didn’t know was possible. Happiness needs to be fought for, and that includes not only finding something you love to do but also finding someone to love and share that life with.
Though quite simple (and not explicit), Fielding creates a plausible slow burn for our heroes who are very likeable. Fans will enjoy her foray into the fantasy paranormal where the Magic Emporium knows what’s best for all!
Thanks to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review
mousegoddess's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Solid, cute read. Standalone.
teresab78's review
5.0
Fun adventure
4.5 stars
I was happy that this book took into account last year’s fires in California as well as the pandemic without making the book depressing. It added realism without sensationalism. I loved seeing Morli react to the modern world. There’s not a lot of on page sex but I didn’t really miss it; I felt the attraction and love between them well enough without it. This was interesting and I devoured it!
4.5 stars
I was happy that this book took into account last year’s fires in California as well as the pandemic without making the book depressing. It added realism without sensationalism. I loved seeing Morli react to the modern world. There’s not a lot of on page sex but I didn’t really miss it; I felt the attraction and love between them well enough without it. This was interesting and I devoured it!
b_nour's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
3.0
zelda75's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
The best story in this serie so far!
I’ve loved all in this book: the writing style, the story, both the main characters
The best story in this serie so far!
I’ve loved all in this book: the writing style, the story, both the main characters
cadiva's review against another edition
3.0
That was different!
Overall I think I actually liked it, but it was all over the place at one point and I couldn't quite make my mind up what story it was telling.
However, I did really like both Baxter and Morli and the idea of the narrative worked in most places, especially once they returned to the "fantasy" realms and left Baxter's San Francisco behind.
I didn't realise that Morli would literally be a muffin man though so that was quite the twist which was cute and disturbing all at once!
The action adventure, more traditional fairy tale telling bits after they returned and went to rescue the princess from the tower all over again was the best bit for me. I think I might have liked it more if the whole story had been more focused on that element.
The bits in the modern world, while sweet, seemed disconnected with the rest. The Epilogue was pretty cool though :D
Overall I think I actually liked it, but it was all over the place at one point and I couldn't quite make my mind up what story it was telling.
However, I did really like both Baxter and Morli and the idea of the narrative worked in most places, especially once they returned to the "fantasy" realms and left Baxter's San Francisco behind.
I didn't realise that Morli would literally be a muffin man though so that was quite the twist which was cute and disturbing all at once!
The action adventure, more traditional fairy tale telling bits after they returned and went to rescue the princess from the tower all over again was the best bit for me. I think I might have liked it more if the whole story had been more focused on that element.
The bits in the modern world, while sweet, seemed disconnected with the rest. The Epilogue was pretty cool though :D
cadiva's review
3.0
That was different!
Overall I think I actually liked it, but it was all over the place at one point and I couldn't quite make my mind up what story it was telling.
However, I did really like both Baxter and Morli and the idea of the narrative worked in most places, especially once they returned to the "fantasy" realms and left Baxter's San Francisco behind.
I didn't realise that Morli would literally be a muffin man though so that was quite the twist which was cute and disturbing all at once!
The action adventure, more traditional fairy tale telling bits after they returned and went to rescue the princess from the tower all over again was the best bit for me. I think I might have liked it more if the whole story had been more focused on that element.
The bits in the modern world, while sweet, seemed disconnected with the rest. The Epilogue was pretty cool though :D
Overall I think I actually liked it, but it was all over the place at one point and I couldn't quite make my mind up what story it was telling.
However, I did really like both Baxter and Morli and the idea of the narrative worked in most places, especially once they returned to the "fantasy" realms and left Baxter's San Francisco behind.
I didn't realise that Morli would literally be a muffin man though so that was quite the twist which was cute and disturbing all at once!
The action adventure, more traditional fairy tale telling bits after they returned and went to rescue the princess from the tower all over again was the best bit for me. I think I might have liked it more if the whole story had been more focused on that element.
The bits in the modern world, while sweet, seemed disconnected with the rest. The Epilogue was pretty cool though :D
terriaminute's review
DNF, abandoning it at 44% because neither character is interesting and the plot is very flat most of the time, and apparently I want more action in my fantasy. I feel weird because this author's one of my favorites. But oof, not this time.
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