Reviews with content warning for Pregnancy - Three Kings

Reviews tagging 'Pregnancy'

Three Kings by Freydís Moon

21 reviews

wardenred's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-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

4.0

It was strange, sharing the silence with a man who’d always fit into his life like an organ, and a man who’d wandered into their home like a leak or a bear—capable of causing invisible damage or very real, very visible problems.

I very much loved the prose and the vibes here. In many ways, it's like the ultimate cozy/cottagecore book, with so many descriptions that really pulled me in. All the scenes involving cooking, gardening, just hanging out in the lighthouse during storms, going to town on errands, and such were so immersive and character-focused and didn't feel like fluff at all.

I also loved the witchiness that permeated every part of the story—even the ones that weren't centered around resurrection spells or healing salves. And speaking of those actual magic scenes, they were so well done! I particularly enjoyed how the beginning was at once all "yes, witchcraft and necromancy are absolutely real" and somewhat ambiguous. Ethan certainly brought the seal back to life, but is Ethan correct believing the resurrected seal is a selkie? Or is Peter correct in assuming it's merely an animal? Even with the blurb making it clear that yes, there's a selkie here, that ambiguity was still very strong and I loved what it added to the story.

Unfortunately, when it came to the romance—the thing I was reading for—I felt somewhat let down. I came in expecting a poly love story, and what I got didn't fully read like one. Before Nico even joined the narrative properly, there was so much focus on Ethan and Peter's "marriage in crisis" situation that I was already reading it as a "marriage in crisis" romance, rooting for them to figure things out and reaffirm their bond. And Nico, eventually, just felt like a tool they were using to bring back the spark, and not a full person of his own and a full participant of the relationship. Part of it came from this pacing issue I've mentioned, part of it, simply from how a lot of the early-ish interactions between of them were handled and how much everything was about Ethan and Peter and their family. I felt like the narrative tried to switch gears closer to the end, but it was too late in the story for me to truly buy it.

Still, loved the vibes, loved the trans rep, loved the little coastal town and all the tiny subplots about its residents. Definitely interested in checking out the author's other works!

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talasterism's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

honestly was a bit blown off by how good it was ! im so not into pregnancy trope or the sex pollen or w/e its called trope, but this was just written so lovely, i especially loved the opening sentence of "Ethan Shaw carried two knives, one for lilies, the other for veins" like it already tells us so much about the character. the writing of this was so beautiful, i really really dig the style of "the comet the sea had coughed out" and "blushing like a damsel, still as a viper" and "who's to say that witchcraft isn't goodhood" and and and! also i just really had to read this book bc the premise sounded so close to my ocs (winnow being a bird, flying into the garden of a strongly established couple, all of them falling for each other after unturning him from a bird - like the details and vibes and setting are super different, but it is still close enough that it in the vaguest way can remind me of my favourite ocs agsdhfkj
short and sweet! my fave polyam book - oh and the smut was so good too, just very beuatifully / visually described, v tasteful ALSO i love the sea and the ! and the characters of course too, Ethan is such a lil shit and Peter is sOOO gah! lovely and kind but would snap u in half if u look at ethan wrong

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nloprest6318's review

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lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

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leahrosereads's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-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

NOTE: I will no longer be supporting Freydís Moon, their works (past or future) going forward. That said, I don't know if removing the fact that I've read their work is the right thing to do.

A lot of folks have been more heavily impacted by their deceit than me, and I want to make sure those voices are the ones heard at this time.

If I've recommended this author to you in the past, I'm sorry that you've potentially spent your money, energy, and emotions on a long con lie.

---------------------------

This cozy, queer, polyamorous romantasy has my heart and soul already on day 2 of the New Year. Ethan, Peter, and Nico separately and together were such stunning characters, each speaking to parts of my own personality in very honest ways. I loved them!

Honestly, everything about this story worked for me. It had a stunning setting and backdrop on a magic filled isolated Icelandic island that felt both transported in time and space, while still being modern and mundane. The characters, like I mentioned, were fantastic. They were nuanced and absolutely delightful. I loved Ethan's strength and understood his fears. Peter's gentle nature was everything, and Nico's otherworldly presence demanded space in my head and heart.

Plus the spice! It kept things real warm on a cool winter day.

Three Kings had me so invested in every moment from start to finish. I highly recommend if you love cozy fantasies and Achillean love stories!

Content Warnings

yourbookishbff's review

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hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

This is cozy magical realism/light fantasy at its absolute best. I love this blend of witchcraft and necromancy with cottage core, and I felt so soothed by the story. The romance itself actually deals with some heavier themes - specifically attempts to start a family and fears of infertility - and the relationship between our primary couple feels fully realized and tender. I appreciated the sharp edge the selkie brings to their seemingly idyllic life and the ways in which they have to navigate new desires and expectations. This is like a beautifully queer (and erotic) Practical Magic.

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