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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m so mad I read this.
Nothing like a little domestic violence before smashing.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a fun read and a great fit for any queer people out there who are recovering Catholics. The plot was engaging and well paced, though the world building and magic system left a lot to be desired. I thought the weaving together of Hunchback and Phantom of the Opera was fun and well done. I loved seeing non-binary and polyamorous representation, as well as healthy discussion and negotiation of both those things. Claude and Esmeralda are both traumatized and flawed and honestly tend to bring out the worst in each other, but I found myself rooting for them anyway. My biggest complaints are that I didn’t find either of them particular likeable and that neither of them had much growth over the story. Hopefully these things are fixed in the sequel(s)? The spicy scenes were good and the chemistry between Claude and Esmeralda was definitely there. 4/5 on the spiciness scale. I enjoyed it but not sure I liked it enough to read the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault
I understand that this is a therapeutic exercise for queer women to feel loved by the church. But I was uncomfortable with the character who was abusive and considered raping Esmeralda in every other version being put in that role. It was something I could not get out of my mind.
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
The story wasn’t making much sense to me. Esmeralda’s motivations are kind of unclear and the magic system doesn’t seem to have understandable rules. I didn’t feel any connection to the characters.
adventurous
emotional
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
It was a good story, just a little too slow for my liking
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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:
Yes
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The concept had promise, but failed to deliver. The main couple, while finally representing queer love, are incredibly unhealthy for one another. Esmeralda is reduced once again to a sex symbol instead of elaborated on for her poise, strength, and culture seen in the original novel. Claude is stubborn and borderline abusive as a partner. The ensemble characters are more interesting and dynamic, and they are hardly utilized except to magically fix plot holes.