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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
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
This book was one of my most anticipated the second I saw it on a NetGalley list which I was then was promptly rejected from. The concept seemed riveting and as a scientist I liked the idea that I’d have an idea of what Aurienne was talking about. I didn’t even know about Knightley’s Dramione fanfic background until closer to the release date.
Unfortunately, the story fell flat. There was next to no world building and what we do find out is discovered in a description list following the story. I also found it hard to place us in time. Like, we’re in an alternate UK, but all the iconic locations like London and Dublin still exist and then we’re introduced to random fictional locations. Additionally, some areas have zero power and then other places have all of the electrical power and “modern” innovations.
The relationship between Osric and Aurienne was supposed to be slow burn, this was more of a no burn. I really didn’t feel the connection between them beyond their banter and even that got to be overdone after awhile. And the language was so flowery at times I got lost in what was actually happening. We may have cracked open the thesaurus a few too many times with this one.
Will I read the next one? Sure, I can see the potential. But I won’t rush to read it like I tried to do with this one.
Unfortunately, the story fell flat. There was next to no world building and what we do find out is discovered in a description list following the story. I also found it hard to place us in time. Like, we’re in an alternate UK, but all the iconic locations like London and Dublin still exist and then we’re introduced to random fictional locations. Additionally, some areas have zero power and then other places have all of the electrical power and “modern” innovations.
The relationship between Osric and Aurienne was supposed to be slow burn, this was more of a no burn. I really didn’t feel the connection between them beyond their banter and even that got to be overdone after awhile. And the language was so flowery at times I got lost in what was actually happening. We may have cracked open the thesaurus a few too many times with this one.
Will I read the next one? Sure, I can see the potential. But I won’t rush to read it like I tried to do with this one.
funny
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
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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:
No
🆃🅷🅴 🅸🆁🆁🅴🆂🅸🆂🆃🅸🅱︎🅻🅴 🆄🆁🅶🅴 🆃🅾︎ 🅵🅰︎🅻🅻 🅵🅾︎🆁 🆈🅾︎🆄🆁 🅴🅽🅴🅼🆈
By: Brigitte Knightly
𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕜 𝕪𝕠𝕦 🫶🏻 @berkleyromance for free book and @prhaudio for the #gifted audiobook. #berkleypartner #berkley All opinions are my own.
𝕄𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 💭
This story is beautifully witty and smartly written with such an amazing slow burn. I was hooked right from the start. It’s enemies to lovers, which I always enjoy but it’s the humor and heart within and between these characters that makes this book so special. I truly loved it and can’t wait for book 2.
𝔸𝕦𝕕𝕚𝕠 ℕ𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤 🎧
I had access to both the physical book and the audio as I was reading this one but I couldn’t stop putting in my Airpods. I will absolutely be sticking with the audio for book 2 and can’t say enough about how wonderful the narrators, Heather Long and Thomas Judd are for this story. Highly recommend!
medium-paced
adventurous
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:
N/A
This was so much fun. The writing was also amazing. It was poetic in nature, in that the author was always inventing and playing with words and phrases. It reminded me of what Danez Smith does when they make new words. The book was so witty and clever. I loved the characters and the humor of the book. So excited for the next book.
dark
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I really liked the concept and the banter—an assassin buying his way to a cure from a brilliant STEM heroine is a fun setup. But the crude jokes were overwhelming; it wasn’t just one or two, but far too many for my taste. The ending also left me unsatisfied.
I’ve heard this is a rewrite of a Dramione fanfic, and I’m glad there’s no trace of Hermione or Draco—I’d rather not taint my childhood favorite series. That said, the premise still has potential, so I think I’ll give the next book in the series a try.
I’ve heard this is a rewrite of a Dramione fanfic, and I’m glad there’s no trace of Hermione or Draco—I’d rather not taint my childhood favorite series. That said, the premise still has potential, so I think I’ll give the next book in the series a try.