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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
3.5 stars
A quick, almost lighthearted story that deals with serious issues, set in a fantasy-esque echo of our world.
- the LGBT+ rep, which was abundant and felt natural
- Snap, because he was adorable and deserves all the mentions (and sheep bells)
- the small nod towards fairy tales not always having to end in a romantic kind of HEA
What I thought could have been better:
- the writing style felt a bit choppy sometimes
- I wish Violet's aroace identity and the issues he faces with that had a bit more of a solid role; the random flirting thing felt like just that: random
- the world building, particularly the setting, was a bit empty for me (though that might be because this is a novella)
Things that were fun, IMO:
- the overall theme of a knightwho is not really a knight and a kleptomaniac dragon teaming up together and becoming friends is just... yes.
- to share stories and information with everyone, the spiders built a web around the world; they made a world-wide web (excuse me while I laugh a little hysterically in the corner)
- Violet is this novella's version of Bilbo Baggins and you can't convince me otherwise
Merged review:
3.5 stars
A quick, almost lighthearted story that deals with serious issues, set in a fantasy-esque echo of our world.
- the LGBT+ rep, which was abundant and felt natural
- Snap, because he was adorable and deserves all the mentions (and sheep bells)
- the small nod towards fairy tales not always having to end in a romantic kind of HEA
What I thought could have been better:
- the writing style felt a bit choppy sometimes
- I wish Violet's aroace identity and the issues he faces with that had a bit more of a solid role; the random flirting thing felt like just that: random
- the world building, particularly the setting, was a bit empty for me (though that might be because this is a novella)
Things that were fun, IMO:
- the overall theme of a knightwho is not really a knight and a kleptomaniac dragon teaming up together and becoming friends is just... yes.
- to share stories and information with everyone, the spiders built a web around the world; they made a world-wide web (excuse me while I laugh a little hysterically in the corner)
- Violet is this novella's version of Bilbo Baggins and you can't convince me otherwise
A quick, almost lighthearted story that deals with serious issues, set in a fantasy-esque echo of our world.
Spoiler
What I really liked:- the LGBT+ rep, which was abundant and felt natural
- Snap, because he was adorable and deserves all the mentions (and sheep bells)
- the small nod towards fairy tales not always having to end in a romantic kind of HEA
What I thought could have been better:
- the writing style felt a bit choppy sometimes
- I wish Violet's aroace identity and the issues he faces with that had a bit more of a solid role; the random flirting thing felt like just that: random
- the world building, particularly the setting, was a bit empty for me (though that might be because this is a novella)
Things that were fun, IMO:
- the overall theme of a knight
- to share stories and information with everyone, the spiders built a web around the world; they made a world-wide web (excuse me while I laugh a little hysterically in the corner)
- Violet is this novella's version of Bilbo Baggins and you can't convince me otherwise
Merged review:
3.5 stars
A quick, almost lighthearted story that deals with serious issues, set in a fantasy-esque echo of our world.
Spoiler
What I really liked:- the LGBT+ rep, which was abundant and felt natural
- Snap, because he was adorable and deserves all the mentions (and sheep bells)
- the small nod towards fairy tales not always having to end in a romantic kind of HEA
What I thought could have been better:
- the writing style felt a bit choppy sometimes
- I wish Violet's aroace identity and the issues he faces with that had a bit more of a solid role; the random flirting thing felt like just that: random
- the world building, particularly the setting, was a bit empty for me (though that might be because this is a novella)
Things that were fun, IMO:
- the overall theme of a knight
- to share stories and information with everyone, the spiders built a web around the world; they made a world-wide web (excuse me while I laugh a little hysterically in the corner)
- Violet is this novella's version of Bilbo Baggins and you can't convince me otherwise
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Very wholesome, quick read. I liked the characters and the dragon was especially charming.
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
hopeful
lighthearted
This is definitely a book aimed for a younger audience, and I think it's a 5-star read for the right age group; I'd read this to a kid in elementary or middle school for sure. For myself, I prefer a slightly more adult fairy tale with a bit less of an overt message. But honestly, I love to see a moral that focused specifically on gender-presentation acceptance. Not just a generic, "be yourself", but specifically embrace the gender presentation and sexual orientation that best fits you, and offer support to those in your life who are exploring.
The world is a pretty standard fantasy small town and Sir Violet's quest involves the classic "homebody must leave the comforts of home for the wilderness" trope. I enjoyed the visit with the spiders and what came of that encounter; it was clever enough that a kid would really be delighted when they make the connection. The dragon was benignly cunning, I liked him a lot and his eventual backstory. Everyone in this story does some growing and overcoming misconceptions and miscommunications. It's sweet and often humorous.
The world is a pretty standard fantasy small town and Sir Violet's quest involves the classic "homebody must leave the comforts of home for the wilderness" trope. I enjoyed the visit with the spiders and what came of that encounter; it was clever enough that a kid would really be delighted when they make the connection. The dragon was benignly cunning, I liked him a lot and his eventual backstory. Everyone in this story does some growing and overcoming misconceptions and miscommunications. It's sweet and often humorous.
a lovely little read :) also aroace representation i love to see it
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
It took me an embarrassingly long time to realise that the soon-to-be-worldwide literal spider web was a parallel for the world wide web haha
A nice little story where the drama and tension is mainly due to bad luck/mistakes/misunderstanding/jumping to conclusions, so quite wholesome
Being aimed at all ages, maybe not subtle/subtextual enough for my personal taste
A nice little story where the drama and tension is mainly due to bad luck/mistakes/misunderstanding/jumping to conclusions, so quite wholesome
Being aimed at all ages, maybe not subtle/subtextual enough for my personal taste
Content Warnings
Minor: Transphobia
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Hmm honestly not sure what to make of this. I don't quite know who it's aimed at but I assume kids, i.e. not me. It was kind of sweet but super simply written and the story wasn't very engaging. Essentially it felt like it was trying so hard to be diverse and inclusive that all the other components of what makes a good book suffered. It was readable but I just didn't feel invested in it at all.
I liked the parallel of literal spider webs representing the power of the internet to connect people who are different/isolated/marginalised and make them feel less alone.
I was a bit unnerved by the Welsh in the title with no other reference to Wales (other than featuring a dragon), welshness or what it meant. I don't think the author is Welsh?
I liked the parallel of literal spider webs representing the power of the internet to connect people who are different/isolated/marginalised and make them feel less alone.
I was a bit unnerved by the Welsh in the title with no other reference to Wales (other than featuring a dragon), welshness or what it meant. I don't think the author is Welsh?
emotional
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:
No