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lackyducks's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
An incredibly light-hearted read with delightfully lovable characters. The plot is predictable and feels, aptly, like cozying up in bed.
I loved the historic magic realism setting. It's fairly loose, so not suitable for anybody looking for in-depth research into the setting. But the inclusion of magic is woven well through the book and something I would've loved to see explored more - especially in a societal setting.
The characters were an absolute delight. Alphonse's introduction was quick to endear him to me. Though sometimes airheaded characters can be frustrating, I found his hijacks amusing. It's hard not to love him, even if he is a bit oblivious. It's clear his heart is firmly in the right place throughout the book. Jacobi is also a strong side character, though he comes into his own more as the story goes on. Aaliyah steals scenes from the moment she enters them and her dry humour was a perfect complement to Alphonse.
Speaking of, the humour throughout the book was hilarious. So many of the jokes had me sharing with friends and laughing aloud. The chapter titles were fun on their own! The interactions between characters was a delight - even Alphonse's mother.
The plot, whilst predictable, did have a few turns I didn't expect! One was a perfectly enjoyable trope, whilst the other made me genuinely excited once I realised where it was heading.
The epilogue really tied together the book for me. These characters feel like people I'd love to follow through many other adventures and stories.
I loved the historic magic realism setting. It's fairly loose, so not suitable for anybody looking for in-depth research into the setting. But the inclusion of magic is woven well through the book and something I would've loved to see explored more - especially in a societal setting.
The characters were an absolute delight. Alphonse's introduction was quick to endear him to me. Though sometimes airheaded characters can be frustrating, I found his hijacks amusing. It's hard not to love him, even if he is a bit oblivious. It's clear his heart is firmly in the right place throughout the book. Jacobi is also a strong side character, though he comes into his own more as the story goes on. Aaliyah steals scenes from the moment she enters them and her dry humour was a perfect complement to Alphonse.
Speaking of, the humour throughout the book was hilarious. So many of the jokes had me sharing with friends and laughing aloud. The chapter titles were fun on their own! The interactions between characters was a delight - even Alphonse's mother.
The plot, whilst predictable, did have a few turns I didn't expect! One was a perfectly enjoyable trope, whilst the other made me genuinely excited once I realised where it was heading.
The epilogue really tied together the book for me. These characters feel like people I'd love to follow through many other adventures and stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Drug use
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Racism
Minor: Sexism
The sexism of the world is mentioned briefly in exposition and the racism occurs in one conversation.purplepenning's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Incredibly sweet, fantasy-lite, character-driven, British historical (early 1900s) romance novella. Cozy escapist comfort read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, and Classism
Minor: Racism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
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