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millah's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.0
I liked the main character and the aro rep. Nell seemed self centered to me at times, though, especially when she was so utterly blind to Pip's troubles and Parience's situation.
I liked that magic and queerness were normalised in this world, but the heteronormativity in other areas bugged me even more than in the first book.
All in all, I enjoyed a lot in this story, even if I wished we got to know the characters a bit better.
I liked that magic and queerness were normalised in this world, but the heteronormativity in other areas bugged me even more than in the first book.
All in all, I enjoyed a lot in this story, even if I wished we got to know the characters a bit better.
shksprsis's review
emotional
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
4.0
anna_brawn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I really liked the main character, but it was really tough witnessing her stay ignorant to the suffering of her friend Pip (and repeatedly make it worse through her ignorance, not realizing the abusive nature of his relationship with Jack and not offering any support but instead repeatedly pushing him toward Jack), and then for this to be not addressed further in this book. I get that the next book follows Pip's journey but it just seemed like this should be discussed also through Nell's perspective, and it felt almost violent that it wasn't - that she did not make amends or discuss anything with Pip in her own story, when her ignorance played such a big part.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Rape, and Trafficking
blueskyreview's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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? No
5.0
terriaminute's review
reflective
fast-paced
2.0
This story ends at 82%, the rest of the kindle file is previews of the other books. Sadly, the kindle version also has a lot of paragraph break mistakes. Like, a lot of them. It's distracting.
Nell is aromantic, which is great. But I skimmed parts of this not very long story because I kept being told things, rather than feeling them with Nell, and that's boring. Being aro is not boring.
I couldn't give this another star because I can't get past feeling like this whole story was just to set up Pip's story--and that's creepy. Nell didn't deserve that. This could've been a more compelling story in many ways. Very disappointing.
Nell is aromantic, which is great. But I skimmed parts of this not very long story because I kept being told things, rather than feeling them with Nell, and that's boring. Being aro is not boring.
I couldn't give this another star because I can't get past feeling like this whole story was just to set up Pip's story--and that's creepy. Nell didn't deserve that. This could've been a more compelling story in many ways. Very disappointing.
elliott_roi's review against another edition
4.5
One Good Turn is a very sweet and engaging story about Nell, a young woman with magical talent who works to better herself. I really liked all the characters, including the new characters of Nell and Pip, plus the returning characters from the first book. The world-building was also flawlessly done, with us learning alongside Nell in very interesting ways (like the different outings to see the way magic is used in jobs).
My only minor complaint is that some of the conflicts and challenges resolves a bit too easily.For example, Pip being rescued from jail and Jack happens all off-page by another character, and so didn't feel entirely satisfying to me. Although I know the next book focuses on Pip, so perhaps that story will be told there.
Overall it was a very cozy read and I can understand not wanting to drag out the conflicts too much. I loved the aromantic representation, as well, and will definitely be recommending this book far and wide.
My only minor complaint is that some of the conflicts and challenges resolves a bit too easily.
Overall it was a very cozy read and I can understand not wanting to drag out the conflicts too much. I loved the aromantic representation, as well, and will definitely be recommending this book far and wide.
violetlily13's review
emotional
hopeful
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
3.5
bellsb00ksandwritings's review against another edition
4.0
ONE GOOD TURN is the second book in the Meddle & Mend series, but can easily be read as a standalone. This time the main character of the story is Nell Birks, a reformed thief who longs for a life outside crime and poverty. Everything changes when she helps Mr. Kentworthy (yay for his return!) from a gang of thieves. Her new life is filled with good friends, luxury and the wonderful opportunity to work with magic.
I read One Good Turn as a buddy read. Once I started it was so difficult to stop that I finished it in one day (whoops), so we ended up chatting about it while my friend was reading. It was so much fun! One of the first things we both mentioned is that we love Sarah’s writing style. From page one it’s clear we’re in 19th-century London (except for the fact that it’s not exactly the London we know. It’s a better one, with magic and people who aren’t stupid about other people being queer), and that’s for a large part because of the way it’s written.
I think I spent at least half an hour spamming my friend about Pip (keywords: at least), because he’s the cutest and most precious character in character history. I won’t start again now, but I’m sure you can imagine how thrilled I was when I realised the next book is going to be about him! And then there’s Nell. I really liked her as well, and I loved that she’s an aromantic character. I’ve been searching for more books about aro/demi/greyromantic people lately, but found it hard to find them (recommendations are welcome!), so this was a nice surprise.
I think it’s clear I really liked One Good Turn and you should definitely read it! In the meantime, I’ll be sitting here waiting for the next book. Because I need more Pip. Right. Now.
I read One Good Turn as a buddy read. Once I started it was so difficult to stop that I finished it in one day (whoops), so we ended up chatting about it while my friend was reading. It was so much fun! One of the first things we both mentioned is that we love Sarah’s writing style. From page one it’s clear we’re in 19th-century London (except for the fact that it’s not exactly the London we know. It’s a better one, with magic and people who aren’t stupid about other people being queer), and that’s for a large part because of the way it’s written.
I think I spent at least half an hour spamming my friend about Pip (keywords: at least), because he’s the cutest and most precious character in character history. I won’t start again now, but I’m sure you can imagine how thrilled I was when I realised the next book is going to be about him! And then there’s Nell. I really liked her as well, and I loved that she’s an aromantic character. I’ve been searching for more books about aro/demi/greyromantic people lately, but found it hard to find them (recommendations are welcome!), so this was a nice surprise.
I think it’s clear I really liked One Good Turn and you should definitely read it! In the meantime, I’ll be sitting here waiting for the next book. Because I need more Pip. Right. Now.
readsknitsrepeats's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Loved to see the aroace rep but Nell wasn't my favorite character. She was a bit thoughtless of others. Overall I did enjoy it and was delighted to read more about the world and characters from the first book.