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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was creepy in the best possible way. The imagery was evocative, but not boring or excessive. The system of magic was unique and interesting without being overly complex or overwrought. It was sold to me as a gothic romantasy and while it does have a romance, I wouldn’t say that that was the focus. The focus was on the mystery of The Nightmare and Elspeth’s personal growth and on the quest to assemble the full deck of cards.
The twists were good. Predictable, but good. I have two main complaints. Spoilers.
The first being that Elspeth is generally lacking in personality. Her two main personality traits seem to be “cautious” and “suspicious.” But the closest she comes to having interests are the one time we see her make a flower crown with no flowers. She’s aloof and antisocial because of her circumstances, but you would expect such a person to have filled themselves with solo hobbies to compensate. My second complaint is the complete and utter pointlessness of the “fake courting” trope. They use it as an excuse to get Elspeth to castle Yew, but then is never relevant ever again. They never have to use it as a cover story because they get together for real before they ever go out in public again.
I did really enjoy the book. I did stay up too late reading because I couldn’t put it down. I will be reading the sequel. I’m trying not to have expectations regarding the plot because I don’t want to be upset if things don’t go the way I want them to.
The twists were good. Predictable, but good. I have two main complaints. Spoilers.
The first being that Elspeth is generally lacking in personality. Her two main personality traits seem to be “cautious” and “suspicious.” But the closest she comes to having interests are the one time we see her make a flower crown with no flowers. She’s aloof and antisocial because of her circumstances, but you would expect such a person to have filled themselves with solo hobbies to compensate. My second complaint is the complete and utter pointlessness of the “fake courting” trope. They use it as an excuse to get Elspeth to castle Yew, but then is never relevant ever again. They never have to use it as a cover story because they get together for real before they ever go out in public again.
I did really enjoy the book. I did stay up too late reading because I couldn’t put it down. I will be reading the sequel. I’m trying not to have expectations regarding the plot because I don’t want to be upset if things don’t go the way I want them to.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is so ridiculously bad. Plot hole upon plot hole, everything is confusing, and the character arcs are completely unearned. That said I will probably read the second one 🙈
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated