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oddduck's review
4.0
This was super cute and fun! I really loved the world of Sorcery of Thorns, so it was nice to return. It was great to learn more about the Thorn ancestors and see what Elisabeth is up to now. The plot was entertaining, if a touch cheesy, and I liked that a main focus was developing Elisabeth and Nathaniel's relationship more. Not super thrilled about the engagement at the end, but that's mostly a personal thing for me. I did like the epilogue with Silas at the end though. It was completely in character for him and in hindsight, I should have suspected.
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Grief, Death of parent, and Violence
krisalexcole's review
funny
lighthearted
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
Minor: Alcohol, Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, and Murder
readingwithkaitlyn's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I was very excited to step back into this world with these characters. There's a fondness I have for them with Elisabeth being a tall protagonist and Nathaniel being bisexual. Their personality dynamics were also a favorite of mine, and this novella really focuses in on that. It's less plot heavy and more so delving into their lives following the events of Sorcery of Thorns. The continuation of their story was something I did enjoy.
Although it is focused on Nathaniel, Elisabeth, and Silas, and it does have elements of that, I feel like the growing relationship between Elisabeth and Silas outshone Nathaniel and Elisabeth's. Anyone going into this with a fondness for Silas will probably be pleasantly surprised. For myself, I was hoping for more between Nathaniel and Elisabeth. It did impact my rating because there is a lot of story there between Elisabeth and Nathaniel but it felt lackluster in comparison. I was just wanting a little more. Something with more depth. I feel like if what the focus of this novella started sooner rather than halfway through it could have left more room for that to develop.
I also didn't rate as high because I was surprised by an ableist comment. I thought it would have great representation with Nathaniel having to use a cane to walk, until Silas eventually makes a comment about not being an "invalid." It's just a bit insensitive which took me out of the story for a bit. One thing this author can do is write beautifully, so surely there was another way for Silas to express how he is capable of doing work.
As a whole, the follow up into their lives is interesting and I think it will be perfect for fans who will obviously want more after Sorcery of Thorns.
I was very excited to step back into this world with these characters. There's a fondness I have for them with Elisabeth being a tall protagonist and Nathaniel being bisexual. Their personality dynamics were also a favorite of mine, and this novella really focuses in on that. It's less plot heavy and more so delving into their lives following the events of Sorcery of Thorns. The continuation of their story was something I did enjoy.
Although it is focused on Nathaniel, Elisabeth, and Silas, and it does have elements of that, I feel like the growing relationship between Elisabeth and Silas outshone Nathaniel and Elisabeth's. Anyone going into this with a fondness for Silas will probably be pleasantly surprised. For myself, I was hoping for more between Nathaniel and Elisabeth. It did impact my rating because there is a lot of story there between Elisabeth and Nathaniel but it felt lackluster in comparison. I was just wanting a little more. Something with more depth. I feel like if what the focus of this novella started sooner rather than halfway through it could have left more room for that to develop.
I also didn't rate as high because I was surprised by an ableist comment. I thought it would have great representation with Nathaniel having to use a cane to walk, until Silas eventually makes a comment about not being an "invalid." It's just a bit insensitive which took me out of the story for a bit. One thing this author can do is write beautifully, so surely there was another way for Silas to express how he is capable of doing work.
As a whole, the follow up into their lives is interesting and I think it will be perfect for fans who will obviously want more after Sorcery of Thorns.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm
Moderate: Alcohol and Ableism
Minor: Murder, Child death, Cannibalism, Death, and Death of parent
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