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literarypenguin's review against another edition
- 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
The plot of this book was so fantastic, a girl who had to navigate life in Regency England with only half her soul at a time where women were expected to remain pleasant and do what they were told. Dora was the complete opposite of this saying what was on her mind regardless of the social implications it would result in. I loved how Olivia handled Dora's lack of emotional responses, how she showed her handling complex emotions almost picturing them like a lantern inside of herself. That was beautiful imagery and one that will remain in my head for a long time. Vanessa was such a supportive family member and a much needed one after most of Dora's family weren't as caring to her condition as Vanessa was.
Dora and Elias's romance was the cutest thing I have ever read! The ballroom dancing star scene in particular was the most beautiful, magical, and romantic scene I have ever read in a book! Their banter and gradual development of feelings was so sweet, they were both people who were considered broken in this society but together they proved how whole they both were as people and together.
This book was delightful & a refreshing short read that I needed at this time! I am so glad I took the chance to read it and am curious to see if the other books in the series are just as wonderful as this one!
Graphic: Ableism and Classism
Minor: Child death
howdyjordan's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Child abuse and Classism
Minor: Ableism and Abandonment
kylieqrada's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Classism, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: War, Kidnapping, and Child abuse
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, and Violence
miss_berry315's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Add in an interesting plot, some magic and faeries, and strong-willed women and it will never go below 4 stars.
That being said, this book was going to have a 5 star rating from me, until the very last paragraph. Leading up to that, my cheeks were sore from smiling and I couldn't put it down, but I felt that the last paragraph was disappointing and took the wind out of my sails.
I read the author's blurb on here for her reasons (which will spoil things btw), but I didn't feel it was necessary to the story, and took away from everything else that had been built up through the story.
I will be happily ignoring the existence of that paragraph when looking back on this book. 🥰✨
Graphic: Confinement, Classism, and Child abuse
Moderate: Ableism and Blood
celeste_golds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Classism, Kidnapping, and Child abuse
Moderate: Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Death, and Blood
Minor: Slavery, Pregnancy, War, and Death of parent
rhall19's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Ableism and Classism
Minor: Blood
schadenfreudes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Classism and Murder
kbairbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Trafficking, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, War, Blood, Classism, Ableism, Violence, Bullying, Body horror, Slavery, Child death, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
risten's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Slavery, Classism, and Trafficking
Moderate: Medical content, Child abuse, Sexism, Ableism, Bullying, Murder, Blood, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and War
ourhandsfull's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.5
I would like to caution sensitive readers about the bonus short story at the end, The Lord Sorcier. It does not have the same cozy tone as the book and centers around a war battles, including severe injuries, combat surgery and loss of limb. It’s graphic without sufficient story payoff. I wish I had skipped it.
Moderate: Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Child abuse, and Classism