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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is a Sapphic retelling of the hunchback of Notre dame. I very much enjoyed this book. I mostly likely wouldn't reread it therefore it gets 3.75 because I did enjoy it. Did you miss Sapphic romance in the original? Did you wish there was actual magic? Then this one is for you! The Romani represented people in this book have elemental magic which I liked a lot.
This book is gender affirming Esmerelda's sibling's pronouns are they/them, This leads her to be able to offer the option of pronouns to Claude who has never had that happen to her/him. I want to leave this as a non-spoiler so that is all I will say.
This book is gender affirming Esmerelda's sibling's pronouns are they/them, This leads her to be able to offer the option of pronouns to Claude who has never had that happen to her/him. I want to leave this as a non-spoiler so that is all I will say.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
I’m not sure if my qualms are with romantasy as a genre or this book in particular, since I don’t tend to read this genre often.
The characters read a lot younger than they are. Very insta-love, and I’m not sure they have a real conversation getting to know each other as people at all before they’ve decided their purpose in life is to fuck each other.
The world-building is non-existent.
Claude’s moral stakes had already been trashed before the book even started.
The author mentioned this originated as a short story. I can see this being a fun, brief visit with these characters without having as much expectation for a lot of atmosphere or character development. I imagine the outline for this book being amazing, the potential is there-but it’d still make more sense to me to only attempt to retell Hunchback, instead of two classic books.
I will say the sex scenes were hot. But I was so frustrated by so much else.
The characters read a lot younger than they are. Very insta-love, and I’m not sure they have a real conversation getting to know each other as people at all before they’ve decided their purpose in life is to fuck each other.
The world-building is non-existent.
Claude’s moral stakes had already been trashed before the book even started.
The author mentioned this originated as a short story. I can see this being a fun, brief visit with these characters without having as much expectation for a lot of atmosphere or character development. I imagine the outline for this book being amazing, the potential is there-but it’d still make more sense to me to only attempt to retell Hunchback, instead of two classic books.
I will say the sex scenes were hot. But I was so frustrated by so much else.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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:
Complicated
I love a Hunchback of Notre Dame retelling! The story itself is so sweeping and beautiful and anytime an author treats it with love, I can’t stay away. This book was no exception.
Claude was such and interesting and nuanced character. They kept me pulled into the story and turning pages long after bedtime. I’m new to the world of sapphic romance but this one had me absolutely hooked.
I still have so many questions and I can’t wait for the continuation of Claude and Esmerelda’s story.
Claude was such and interesting and nuanced character. They kept me pulled into the story and turning pages long after bedtime. I’m new to the world of sapphic romance but this one had me absolutely hooked.
I still have so many questions and I can’t wait for the continuation of Claude and Esmerelda’s story.
adventurous
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:
Complicated
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Could not put it down! So excited to read this one and it did not disappoint
Overall, wish it was sexier. The drama and actual story is very interesting, I’m excited to maybe read the second one. It did feel like a lot was crammed into the first book but I understand it was a lot of exposition oh the world. Overall liked it!