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margaret_k30's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Grief
Moderate: Racism, Homophobia, Death, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Confinement, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, and Physical abuse
periwinkle_flora's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The novel felt like a fast-medium paced, simple indie film.
I agree with 2 things 2 others have said. The book is conversational and the book didn't feel like a warm hug.
but rather... a simple, light, and casual read.
Mika Moon has a rough life. Her family she finds, Ian, Ken, Lucie, Jamie, and the sisters, had rough lives too. Personality and backgrounds appear frequently throughout the chats between the cast.
We read what's happening to the characters. but we don't really feel what's happening to the characters.
We are told what's happened in their pasts, but we don't get transferred back in time, to see what it was like.
Personally, I would've preferred if the book showcased more emotional depth to make me feel something… versus briefly glowing over key relationships that make them who they are.
Another aspect that felt less cosy were the swearing – which in any other book *works*, but not here – and the shift in the main romance/ conflict towards the end.
Would I read it again? Likely not. Did it keep me engaged? Yes.
Overall:
A strong 3. (3|5).
I agree with 2 things 2 others have said. The book is conversational and the book didn't feel like a warm hug.
but rather... a simple, light, and casual read.
Mika Moon has a rough life. Her family she finds, Ian, Ken, Lucie, Jamie, and the sisters, had rough lives too. Personality and backgrounds appear frequently throughout the chats between the cast.
We read what's happening to the characters. but we don't really feel what's happening to the characters.
We are told what's happened in their pasts, but we don't get transferred back in time, to see what it was like.
Personally, I would've preferred if the book showcased more emotional depth to make me feel something… versus briefly glowing over key relationships that make them who they are.
Another aspect that felt less cosy were the swearing – which in any other book *works*, but not here – and the shift in the main romance/ conflict towards the end.
Would I read it again? Likely not. Did it keep me engaged? Yes.
Overall:
A strong 3. (3|5).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Grief, Sexual content, and Physical abuse
emfass's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Death, Sexual content, Child abuse, and Grief
Minor: Xenophobia
cassielaj's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
I finished this book with a literal tear in my eye. It is perfect, and I have nothing to say about it beyond that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Grief, and Xenophobia
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
elledanie's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, Cursing, Abandonment, Alcohol, Death, and Sexual content
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Death, Racism, Grief, and Homophobia
howlinglibraries's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
“It’s not always enough to go looking for the place we belong. Sometimes we need to make that place.”
I am a PUDDLE. This was one of the most wholesome, precious things I have read in my entire life. If you enjoy cozy fantasy tales with a bit of romance, a cast of very lovable characters, cottagecore vibes, and a heaping dose of found family, you absolutely need this on your radar because it includes all of that and more, and depicts it all brilliantly. I know I'm not the first to say this, but this book is absolutely a warm hug in the form of a book and I loved it.
“We’ve talked about this,” said Jamie mildly. “Murder can’t be your first choice every time you don’t like something.”
First of all, the dialogue in this book had me in giggles constantly. Between the kids' shenanigans, Ian's wildness, and Jamie's dry snark, I smiled so much reading this! But there's also a ton of sweetness and even some really delightful swoon-worthy moments, and I'm certainly able to admit I had tears in my eyes a few times near the end over how simply precious it all was.
It’s a leap of faith to love people and let yourself be loved.
Despite its warmth and cheer, this isn't only a happy tale; there's also a ton of time spent discussing trauma and how difficult it can make everyday life, much less learning to trust and care for people when you've developed a fear of abandonment or being used. I absolutely adored watching Mika heal from her past and learn to truly live despite her fears.
Cover to cover, I adored this sweet little fantasy book and I'm so incredibly happy that I picked it up (thank you to Misty for inviting me to buddy read it with you!). It's one of the sweetest and best things I've read this year and I can't wait for the next cozy fantasy release of Mandanna's!
Buddy read with Misty! ♥
✨ Representation: Mika is Indian, Rosetta is Black, Terracotta is Vietnamese, Altamira is Palestinian, Ian is gay, and Ken is Japanese and gay
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Homophobia, Grief, Child abuse, Alcohol, Xenophobia, and Racism
eni_iilorak's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, Grief, Death, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Murder, and Toxic relationship
amberinpieces's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Cursing
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Sexism, Alcohol, Death of parent, Death, Homophobia, and Grief
annorabrady's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
4.75
I loved the relationships formed in this book and that magic took more of an "every day" role than one usually sees in fantasy books. I also love that the development of relationships in this book was realistic. It didn't happen all at once and the interruptions to advancements were rooted in the characters' arcs rather than nonsense reasonings like "someone burst into the room and they never went back to their conversation" or whatever.
Also, I love that characters talked through their problems instead of just apologizing and moving on or deciding that "it didn't matter if they'd been hurt." There were real consequences to behaviors, words, and beliefs. And the characters had to face the consequences to move forward.
Also, I love that characters talked through their problems instead of just apologizing and moving on or deciding that "it didn't matter if they'd been hurt." There were real consequences to behaviors, words, and beliefs. And the characters had to face the consequences to move forward.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment, and Grief