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hdcamp's review
dark
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This has all the charm (and darkness and unexpected gore) of a fairy tale, and that's exactly why I loved it. I always enjoy pretending I'm an academic of some kind who gets to do field research for a living, so it was nice to step into Emily's shoes for a while. Reading about her work, about her professional goals, her hopes of having her encyclopaedia published, was all just really lovely. There's something cozy about this kind of life that's wildly appealing, and it shone through in all it's glory. Sometimes that glory includes dealing with other academics, but what are you going to do?
The setting itself was vivid and well crafted. When the book came to an end and Emily and Bambleby made to leave Hranfsvik behind, I felt her nostalgia and sadness with her. But this was a great book to read with a warm drink and a roaring fire - the cold winter weather in this book is visceral, and as someone who enjoys winter, I loved being immersed in the biting chill of Ljosland.* The people and their culture were just as well crafted as their home. The cast of secondary and tertiary characters is decently large, but each of them were distinct and I never had trouble remembering who was who.
From the start I knew that Wendell Bambleby was going to become the love interest (it's tagged as a fantasy romance, I don't think this is a spoiler). If you're interested in slow-burn romances, this takes the cake - the two are mostly just friends through the whole thing, friends who (on Emily's side) frequently comment on the enticing quality of their friend's hair, and how generally beautiful they are. The romance was also remarkably clean, which I really appreciated (there're some references to sex, but the characters barely kiss, much less think about the romance actually happening).
The real hero of this story is Shadow, who was definitely not a normal dog, which I'd suspected, but still Man's Best Friend in the face of all kinds of faerie nonsense. 🥇 What a good boy.
*Someday I will move to a little cabin on an island near the Arctic Circle, and then I will be truly happy.
The setting itself was vivid and well crafted. When the book came to an end and Emily and Bambleby made to leave Hranfsvik behind, I felt her nostalgia and sadness with her. But this was a great book to read with a warm drink and a roaring fire - the cold winter weather in this book is visceral, and as someone who enjoys winter, I loved being immersed in the biting chill of Ljosland.* The people and their culture were just as well crafted as their home. The cast of secondary and tertiary characters is decently large, but each of them were distinct and I never had trouble remembering who was who.
From the start I knew that Wendell Bambleby was going to become the love interest (it's tagged as a fantasy romance, I don't think this is a spoiler). If you're interested in slow-burn romances, this takes the cake - the two are mostly just friends through the whole thing, friends who (on Emily's side) frequently comment on the enticing quality of their friend's hair, and how generally beautiful they are. The romance was also remarkably clean, which I really appreciated (there're some references to sex, but the characters barely kiss, much less think about the romance actually happening).
The real hero of this story is Shadow, who was
*Someday I will move to a little cabin on an island near the Arctic Circle, and then I will be truly happy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Body horror, and Blood
Passing, vague mentions of sex a few times. Only kissing actually takes place, and it is brief.wonderbeastlett's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was one of my favorites for 2023. It is a fantasy and is very well written. The sequel comes out in January 2024.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror
There is a moment where we see some body horror from one of the fairies in the book.jaynovara's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Animal death, Body horror, and Child abuse
xapoptosisx's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
This book omg amazing. Soft cozy academia fantasy with grumpy x sunshine and 'touch her you die' and fairies. Emily is also 100% autistic, I'm not sure if that's something the author has said and I've never seen anyone else saying that she is but reading it she absolutely is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Body horror, Death, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, and Blood
Minor: War, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
rowanrelph's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Grief, and Body horror
Minor: Alcohol
solarel's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is such a uniquely written book. It’s smart and interesting like reading an uncovered diary you’re not supposed to see.
There were some parts in the first third I found a little boring but overall it was a smooth and fascinating read. Tons of vocabulary I was unfamiliar with though.
If you were one of those kids with the Fairyology or Dragonology books, this is for you.
There were some parts in the first third I found a little boring but overall it was a smooth and fascinating read. Tons of vocabulary I was unfamiliar with though.
If you were one of those kids with the Fairyology or Dragonology books, this is for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gaslighting, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Child abuse
The dog will be ok. Don’t worry. Someone cuts off an appendage to save themselves.aseel_reads's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
100% autistic rep and I really liked it!! Such a cute world and I loved our main interaction, excited to keep reading about this world!
Content Warnings
Minor: Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Animal death, Body horror, and Death
bookchatwithbeth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Murder
axel_p's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Classism, Confinement, Self harm, Blood, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
craftysnailtail's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Violence, Murder, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Gore, Emotional abuse, Death, Child abuse, Blood, and Body horror