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mariamarsbar's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual content and Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction and Death of parent
kagata's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
This book! This book is so beautifully written it is a pleasure to read. The story, the characters, you fall in love with them almost immediately. I loved this book and it is this kind of book you immediately want to go back and read it again. Read it, you will love it I’m sure!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
ender24's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
A entertaining and wonderful book. I’ve fallen in love with the world and it’s characters, and I can’t wait to read the next two books. I was not expecting the romance, but I feel like it did not impede the story in any way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Classism, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Drug use, Death, Domestic abuse, Torture, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, and Self harm
Minor: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Miscarriage, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
hopefulgoat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It was a solid four star until the end... Now it's largely got four stars because I'm feeling generous.
All in all, I enjoyed the book. The writing style appealed to me and the banter between the sisters was amusing and helped lighten the tone. The concept of the Thief Kingdom interested me and I hope it will be further fleshed out in the other Mousai books. The characters were likeable, although I feel like the Duke's evilness was exaggerated—I would have appreciated it if he'd had one or two positive traits.
The resolution of the smuggler plot line was a disappointment, albeit a predictable one. Since they hadn't spent much time fleshing out potential culprits, it meant that the reveal lacked impact. The book was more focused on the blossoming romance... It was cute, though rather cliché... And the sex scene felt unnecessary.
I feel like this was a good book and enjoyable read, but that's it. Worth reading but nothing exceptional.
All in all, I enjoyed the book. The writing style appealed to me and the banter between the sisters was amusing and helped lighten the tone. The concept of the Thief Kingdom interested me and I hope it will be further fleshed out in the other Mousai books. The characters were likeable, although I feel like the Duke's evilness was exaggerated—I would have appreciated it if he'd had one or two positive traits.
The resolution of the smuggler plot line was a disappointment, albeit a predictable one. Since they hadn't spent much time fleshing out potential culprits, it meant that the reveal lacked impact. The book was more focused on the blossoming romance... It was cute, though rather cliché... And the sex scene felt unnecessary.
I feel like this was a good book and enjoyable read, but that's it. Worth reading but nothing exceptional.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse
Minor: Sexual content and Death of parent
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
art_books_chemistry's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I'm a huge high/epic fantasy person and this scratched that itch well. I really enjoyed the world that E.J. Mellow built within this first book and am excited to read the second one. However, there are two short-comings for me with this novel.
First, I wish there were more details is some parts. There were certain characters whose scenes were written as if we know everything about them, when we in fact no little to nothing as the reader yet. I'm always happy to see a map at the beginning of a book but I also think georgraphy should also be well-explained in the text. I do a lot of audiobooks, though this one I read via Kindle Unlimited, and a map only available in a visual format is a flaw over audio.
Secondly, I found some of the dialogue to be awkward in spots. One of the MCs (all of whom are high class citizens in this world) said "G'night" at one point which just felt off-kilter to the rest of the higher brow style dialogue language. I also had to roll my eyes at the use of "Sticks" as an expletive. The entire cast after the prologue is 19+ and I cannot understand why sticks of all words even is an expletive in this world.
Overall, I really enjoyed the storyline, there were some clever plot points I haven't seen done this way in other books. If you want a completely wrapped story in one book, however, you may not want this as only one of the two major plot lines is resolved in the conclusion.
Definitely recommend for fantasy lovers! It's also technically a slow burn romance with the smallest amount of spice for those looking for that!
First, I wish there were more details is some parts. There were certain characters whose scenes were written as if we know everything about them, when we in fact no little to nothing as the reader yet. I'm always happy to see a map at the beginning of a book but I also think georgraphy should also be well-explained in the text. I do a lot of audiobooks, though this one I read via Kindle Unlimited, and a map only available in a visual format is a flaw over audio.
Secondly, I found some of the dialogue to be awkward in spots. One of the MCs (all of whom are high class citizens in this world) said "G'night" at one point which just felt off-kilter to the rest of the higher brow style dialogue language. I also had to roll my eyes at the use of "Sticks" as an expletive. The entire cast after the prologue is 19+ and I cannot understand why sticks of all words even is an expletive in this world.
Overall, I really enjoyed the storyline, there were some clever plot points I haven't seen done this way in other books. If you want a completely wrapped story in one book, however, you may not want this as only one of the two major plot lines is resolved in the conclusion.
Definitely recommend for fantasy lovers! It's also technically a slow burn romance with the smallest amount of spice for those looking for that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Addiction, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
emmasrambles's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Drug use, and Grief
maddiereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
3.75
This didn’t really hit for me until well into the second half, but the banter in this is top notch!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
escapismforlife's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved the world and the sisters, Arabessa, Niya,and Larkyra. The Basette sisters dynamic is special. Their magic and how they use it is what makes their relationship in their seceret and public life unique, for lack of a better term.
This first book was very much centered on a different kingdom of Lachlan. One that the youngest sister Larkyrya made lighter. By following her heart to fall in love on a mission with Darius the lord despite what she's been raised to do in the Thief Kingdom. Which is a creepy yet cool setting compared to Jabari.
I love their relationship and how it occurred despite the conflict taking a back burner.
Anyways, the plot of the where the series is headed made me continue onto the next book. It was wrapped up nice enough but left a lot open where you have to continue on.
This first book was very much centered on a different kingdom of Lachlan. One that the youngest sister Larkyrya made lighter. By following her heart to fall in love on a mission with Darius the lord despite what she's been raised to do in the Thief Kingdom. Which is a creepy yet cool setting compared to Jabari.
I love their relationship and how it occurred despite the conflict taking a back burner.
Anyways, the plot of the where the series is headed made me continue onto the next book. It was wrapped up nice enough but left a lot open where you have to continue on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Abandonment, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Confinement, Gaslighting, Murder, Sexual content, and Torture
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