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readsbymoonlight's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Grief
Moderate: Blood and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Child death
bluz19's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-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
This book turned out to be a lot better than I initially thought! I originally picked it up because I saw it on BOTM and had heard good things. This book comes from a place of family drama, magic, war, and enemies to lovers. They start off as rivals at the paper, gunning for the same job as columnist, though there is a lot of animosity there you can definitely see how the characters grow towards each other. It is a story of poor girl and rich boy with a slow burn story and a budding romance. It was so easy to fully soak this book in and I find myself pulling for their love story and happiness even though with a second book still left to read I knew it couldn’t be all rainbows for the characters. There are two main characters that we experience in this story, Roman Kitt and Iris Winnow. I think their story feels real and beautifully written. I think the way that the author allows us to experience the thoughts and emotions of both of these characters through both their letters to each other and their blurbs of thoughts and POVs really drive this story. We see from this story that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. I didn’t hate the female lead, much like I usually do. She seemed relatable and strong for the story but still very compassionate and caring, especially ending up on the front lines of the war. This is probably the most similar I have felt to a character which is great to see. Even the side characters in this book added to it, they didn’t seem partially written. They gave more life to the book and really was there to enhance the already great story.
I think my biggest issues with the book is that I wish the story of the gods was flushed out more. We hear more as the story goes on but I did want to take more time learning and understanding the world. We get the myths here and there but considering the entire war is because of the gods, I think it could’ve better explained overall. I did find myself yelling at Iris’ stubborn nature and the acts of their families very often but there’s truly not much that I can say I would change about this story. I think the writing was beautiful and on point. I think with the inclusion of war, the book shows how precious life is and how important it is to appreciate life and love. It teaches us to find the flowers growing from the concrete.
I think the biggest focus of all is the letters they write to one another. They are so intimate, so personable, and full of emotion. In every letter you can feel their emotion, whether anger, frustration, or loss.
I think if you enjoy war stories, love stories, enemies to lovers, with slight mentions of gods or magic, I think you will enjoy this book! I generally love more fantasy but this was a cute and wholesome book with bits of darkness. Prepare to be heartbroken by the ending of this because I now need to pick up book 2 asap to finish out this amazing duology and see what happens to Iris, Roman, the rest of the family, and the outcome of the war. I’m hoping that the second book will be just as great if not better than the first!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Minor: Alcoholism and Death of parent
saskiahill's review against another edition
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Abandonment, Blood, Car accident, Gore, Child death, Death of parent, Grief, War, Death, Gun violence, and Medical content
gpfot's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Gore, War, Grief, Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, Cursing, and Abandonment
abicaro17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Holy shit..... Well Rebecca Ross it's on sight girl! Iris is a reporter competing for a columnist spot against fellow reporter, Roman. As Iris writes letter to her brother who's away at war, she tucks them away inside her closet. These letter end up in the hands of her rival, Roman, who begins to write her back. As war tears across the country and propaganda and misinformation reigns supreme, Iris and Roman create a magical friendship through letters. I adore this story! It's just magical enough to be not realistic but not too crazy as to be hard to understand and follow. Iris is a strong and yet logical and likable character. She makes normal choices and thinks through her issues before jumping into action. Roman is adorable and this conclusion makes me mad af. Like gotta go read Ruthless Vows brb. My only issue with this book is that the start is slow and the world building isn't explained very well until later.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Body horror, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Murder, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Misogyny, Slavery, Alcoholism, Classism, Child death, Death, Kidnapping, Medical content, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Genocide, Addiction, Vomit, War, Alcohol, Violence, Gore, and Sexual content
purplepenning's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, War, Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Blood, Grief, and Classism
frannienhi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
filipa_maia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
This book was such a surprise! I was not expecting to become so invested in this characters and a story about war.
I like how strong Iris is, I like how fearless Kitt is, I like Attie, and Marisol - this book has bunch of interesting and unique characters.
I loved all the twists and turns the plot took, just when I thought I had everything figured out, something completely blindsided me and I was caught of guard.
I can't wait to read the second book, find out more about these Gods, about Forest and how it will all end.
I like how strong Iris is, I like how fearless Kitt is, I like Attie, and Marisol - this book has bunch of interesting and unique characters.
I loved all the twists and turns the plot took, just when I thought I had everything figured out, something completely blindsided me and I was caught of guard.
I can't wait to read the second book, find out more about these Gods, about Forest and how it will all end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Classism, Violence, War, Abandonment, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Blood, Gaslighting, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Gaslighting, and Addiction
piratically's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Blood
readyforit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, War, Violence, Classism, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism and Grief
Minor: Death of parent and Vomit
I think this book is loosely based on WWI war tactics so if that’s triggering for you, skip it