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restingconfusedface's review
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Characters: 86
World: 98
Plot: 78
Overall: 87
- strong female characters and friendships
- abusive parental figures
- spy/assassin
- the world makes me want to explore
- Balls and gowns
It’s a spy/assassin plot line in an expansive open world video game world with a dash of pride and prejudice and delightful characters.
There is something extremely delightful about this book. The world is fascinating and the way EJ Mellows writes it is transportive. This book feels like it could have easily been a video game with Kaipo being the fast travel option. The world feels like a critical role world. It is just delightful. And even with the rich and vibrant world it felt light like the world building didn’t slow you down like it often does for me making reading fantasy novels a bit more of a chore. Needless to say I’m obsessed with the world building. It was unique and gritty and dark while still being enchanting and beautiful and light. It was the perfect blend between the elegance of historical romance settings with their balls and gowns and castles and propriety and like a glorious expansive open world rpg like breath of the wild or xenoblade. And we’ve only seen a silver of this world in this book. I can not wait to see more with the second and third book.
The characters are delightful. Larkyra is funny and mischievous and adds so much levity to this book. Which sadly I’ve missed from a lot of the fantasy novels I’ve read. She is such a strong and kind heart that just makes me want to be her friend. Darius is cute and he seems like he’s constantly out of his depth when talking to Larkyra and her sisters. He reminds me of a stray kitten. I love the banter between Larkyra and Darius. And Naya is going to be such a fun next protagonist. And given how wonderful the development of all the characters thus far I am excited to learn more about some of the more stoic characters in the third book, Arabessa and Zimri.
That being said I found the romance plot line a bit lacking, I’m sorry that kind of hurt to say given all that I love about this book. It felt a bit rushed at the end like once the actual plot was taking a rest the romance subplot was like boom sex alright back to the murder. Not to say their relationship was not developed but I feel like their interactions were meant to develop either Larkyra or Darius individually but not them as a couple. Also given the historical setting I was expecting a bit more longing and pining and more tension.
And the plot was a tiny bit predictable.
World: 98
Plot: 78
Overall: 87
- strong female characters and friendships
- abusive parental figures
- spy/assassin
- the world makes me want to explore
- Balls and gowns
It’s a spy/assassin plot line in an expansive open world video game world with a dash of pride and prejudice and delightful characters.
There is something extremely delightful about this book. The world is fascinating and the way EJ Mellows writes it is transportive. This book feels like it could have easily been a video game with Kaipo being the fast travel option. The world feels like a critical role world. It is just delightful. And even with the rich and vibrant world it felt light like the world building didn’t slow you down like it often does for me making reading fantasy novels a bit more of a chore. Needless to say I’m obsessed with the world building. It was unique and gritty and dark while still being enchanting and beautiful and light. It was the perfect blend between the elegance of historical romance settings with their balls and gowns and castles and propriety and like a glorious expansive open world rpg like breath of the wild or xenoblade. And we’ve only seen a silver of this world in this book. I can not wait to see more with the second and third book.
The characters are delightful. Larkyra is funny and mischievous and adds so much levity to this book. Which sadly I’ve missed from a lot of the fantasy novels I’ve read. She is such a strong and kind heart that just makes me want to be her friend. Darius is cute and he seems like he’s constantly out of his depth when talking to Larkyra and her sisters. He reminds me of a stray kitten. I love the banter between Larkyra and Darius. And Naya is going to be such a fun next protagonist. And given how wonderful the development of all the characters thus far I am excited to learn more about some of the more stoic characters in the third book, Arabessa and Zimri.
That being said I found the romance plot line a bit lacking, I’m sorry that kind of hurt to say given all that I love about this book. It felt a bit rushed at the end like once the actual plot was taking a rest the romance subplot was like boom sex alright back to the murder. Not to say their relationship was not developed but I feel like their interactions were meant to develop either Larkyra or Darius individually but not them as a couple. Also given the historical setting I was expecting a bit more longing and pining and more tension.
And the plot was a tiny bit predictable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Violence, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, and Blood
wordsasnames's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
abookandaspotoftea's review
dark
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Torture, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
ka_ke's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book is irritatingly basic. There is no depth and no character growth. The name of the villain/love interest’s home is merely the product of lazy writing, and the plot itself is incredibly slow with little to know action.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Addiction, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Injury/Injury detail
30something_reads's review
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.0
This book had really thorough and unique world building. The magic system was so whimsical. I loved the sister's relationships and witty banter they shared. Larkyra and Darius's relationship was delightful to read- A slow burn romance that was so sweet. Overall, this book and the world of the Mousai is utterly charming. I am excited for the next book and to see Niya's story unfold.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual content
nannemonstera's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is more a romance in a fantastical setting and i wish we could see more from the whole whole and The Mousai but it was a great read nonetheless
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Physical abuse, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Death of parent and Death
marciemarie's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This was a fun read! I found the universe to be pretty original, and I really enjoyed the unique magic mechanics/world building. It’s well written and pretty quick to get through. The romance wasn’t my absolute favorite, but I’m glad it was in the book because it did improve it overall.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Death of parent, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Grief
bookkoookie's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Alcoholism
thereadinghammock's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.25
I love, love, loved the Bassette sisters and their supportive, and authentic sibling dynamic. Petty squabbles among themselves never once undermined the support, love, and trust they all have in each other. I actually used the notes feature on my Kindle for the first time pretty much ever and marked my theories and predictions (pretty much all of which turned out to be wrong, but that was entirely expected) because I was so enthralled by this book and needed to have those notes forever because reasons. While I don't mind the slow burn of Larkyra and Darius' romance, I would have liked a bit more of a stolen/secret romance between them, rather than just the last few chapters. As much as it played like a "will they/won't they" when we all knew they would, I wanted to see so much more between them! Though I did love that their first time together was literally the night before her engagement ball to his trash-human stepfather. It felt like the most wonderfully poetic "fuck you" to him I could imagine and it pleased me greatly.
The world of Aadlior is fascinating and I can't wait to dive back in with book 2 this fall as we follow Niya's story.
The world of Aadlior is fascinating and I can't wait to dive back in with book 2 this fall as we follow Niya's story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Self harm, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
Despite the pretty extensive explicit warnings, they were handled in such a way that as a reader, I did not feel truly uncomfortable while reading; however, it is important to know that gaslighting abuse from step-parent to child is a prominent theme through the book. While resolved by the end, and the character themself feeling vindicated, it's an important, but heavy plot line.
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