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gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thank you to the author, publishers and BookSirens for an e-arc. All opinions remain 100% my own.
This gave me Princess Diaries vibes and I enjoyed that aspect, but with a magical quality.
However, for a shorter book, the main bulk of the story (the excitement for me), took too long to happen, over half way through before the reveal and even when that occured I couldn't help but be brought up short by the amount of grammatical flaws (e.g. Pg 37 repeated the whole scene again, about the bath?) and the irritations I had with the characters.
The only character I really liked was Basil and he was a bit of a wet lettuce. David was interesting to start and I liked his strong sense of justice but it quickly warped into him just picking a fight for the sake of it and never trying to listen to anyone's side. Also a random thing, but the way some of the interactions between Basil and David went almost felt like soft core flirting. I think it was mainly due to the level of blushing and embarrassment that usually is depicted in teenagers that like each other romantically, so this kept putting me off, even though I'm sure that was just a me thing (bit hey, I was on my guard - I just read 2 books that blind sided me with close relations getting too familiar with each other).
I wasn't keen on all the secrets - it fueled frustration for me and I don't think the mum particularly was pushed hard enough to open up about a lot of things that so clearly impacted David.
I enjoyed the early portion of this book, the inital rekindling of familial ties and the exploration of the castle and magic, but it was all a shallow level of enjoyment for me.
As I neared to the ending, it didn't feel like a conclusion was brewing and felt like it just abruptly ended, but due to my up and down feelings for the story, I don't currently have any plans of picking up the sequel, unfortunately.
This gave me Princess Diaries vibes and I enjoyed that aspect, but with a magical quality.
However, for a shorter book, the main bulk of the story (the excitement for me), took too long to happen, over half way through before the reveal and even when that occured I couldn't help but be brought up short by the amount of grammatical flaws (e.g. Pg 37 repeated the whole scene again, about the bath?) and the irritations I had with the characters.
The only character I really liked was Basil and he was a bit of a wet lettuce. David was interesting to start and I liked his strong sense of justice but it quickly warped into him just picking a fight for the sake of it and never trying to listen to anyone's side. Also a random thing, but the way some of the interactions between Basil and David went almost felt like soft core flirting. I think it was mainly due to the level of blushing and embarrassment that usually is depicted in teenagers that like each other romantically, so this kept putting me off, even though I'm sure that was just a me thing (bit hey, I was on my guard - I just read 2 books that blind sided me with close relations getting too familiar with each other).
I wasn't keen on all the secrets - it fueled frustration for me and I don't think the mum particularly was pushed hard enough to open up about a lot of things that so clearly impacted David.
I enjoyed the early portion of this book, the inital rekindling of familial ties and the exploration of the castle and magic, but it was all a shallow level of enjoyment for me.
As I neared to the ending, it didn't feel like a conclusion was brewing and felt like it just abruptly ended, but due to my up and down feelings for the story, I don't currently have any plans of picking up the sequel, unfortunately.
jess_o612's review against another edition
3.0
The synopsis for this book is what first made me interested in giving this book a try. The story is interesting but, at times, I found the pacing a bit slow and off. I really wish there were more hints about David's abilities and those of the other characters in the book earlier on and leading up to when you discover the truth near the end of the book to continue to entice the reader, help with world building, and the overall suspense of the story.
I did have some difficulty remember how old David was because his mannerisms made me think he was much younger than stated in the book. Overall, the characters were unique and I can see a lot more character development happening in book two.
I would be interested in seeing what new discoveries David makes, of himself and this new life he finds himself in. Also, so curious what will happen after the reunion and what exactly David and Basil get up to afterwards.
(Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
I did have some difficulty remember how old David was because his mannerisms made me think he was much younger than stated in the book. Overall, the characters were unique and I can see a lot more character development happening in book two.
I would be interested in seeing what new discoveries David makes, of himself and this new life he finds himself in. Also, so curious what will happen after the reunion and what exactly David and Basil get up to afterwards.
(Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
lady_moon's review against another edition
Overall, there was no complexity whatsoever. The writing, the characters, the plot - all were too simplistic and lacked three-dimensionality. I love siblings dynamics but I found myself uncaring for David and Basil's relationship. It just felt rather... shallow? I wish there to be more build up to David's feelings about his dad and brother before we actually meet them, a few flashbacks perhaps? But just being told how he feels with almost zero back up to that didn't do it for me.
Also, for a book that is marked as fantasy horror, both things come rather late? Yes, we get some hints here and there, but for them to start coming for real around the 60% mark is a little too late in my opinion.
I was excited to read about casual queer MC, in a book that doesn't center romantic/sexual relationship. But at some point I realized that there isn't something to keep me going anymore? I tried to push through it because the book isn't too long, but I decided against it. The book isn't working for me and I don't want to force myself to finish it and then leave a low rating.
I sincerely thank the authors and BookSirens for the free copy and the chance to read the story. The thrust in doing that is greatly appreciated. I'm sorry I couldn't give more positive feedback.
Also, for a book that is marked as fantasy horror, both things come rather late? Yes, we get some hints here and there, but for them to start coming for real around the 60% mark is a little too late in my opinion.
I was excited to read about casual queer MC, in a book that doesn't center romantic/sexual relationship. But at some point I realized that there isn't something to keep me going anymore? I tried to push through it because the book isn't too long, but I decided against it. The book isn't working for me and I don't want to force myself to finish it and then leave a low rating.
I sincerely thank the authors and BookSirens for the free copy and the chance to read the story. The thrust in doing that is greatly appreciated. I'm sorry I couldn't give more positive feedback.
carlaabra's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
readingchristine's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Rating 3.5/5 stars
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It's YA with some magical realism and a lot of world building. At first the pace seems a little slow, but as soon as you get to the ground work of the story it pulls you in. I found myself wanting to learn more about David and his brother Basil, and more about all the secrets his family was keeping.
I liked that David felt like a very real teenager and he was pulled in a bunch of different directions. We got to see through his eyes how jarring it can be to step into a situation where you don't know much and people are actively hiding things from you.
I feel like we are just seeing the beginning of this story and by the end I wanted to see a little more. It feels like a debut novel and would benefit from being a little more flushed out and some of the pacing at the beginning. Overall, I am excited to see what happens to this story as it gets more developed. It feels like there is a lot of potential for it.
If you enjoy YA with some magic and subterfuge I would recommend picking this book up.
Thanks to BookSirens and the author(s) for providing me with a copy.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It's YA with some magical realism and a lot of world building. At first the pace seems a little slow, but as soon as you get to the ground work of the story it pulls you in. I found myself wanting to learn more about David and his brother Basil, and more about all the secrets his family was keeping.
I liked that David felt like a very real teenager and he was pulled in a bunch of different directions. We got to see through his eyes how jarring it can be to step into a situation where you don't know much and people are actively hiding things from you.
I feel like we are just seeing the beginning of this story and by the end I wanted to see a little more. It feels like a debut novel and would benefit from being a little more flushed out and some of the pacing at the beginning. Overall, I am excited to see what happens to this story as it gets more developed. It feels like there is a lot of potential for it.
If you enjoy YA with some magic and subterfuge I would recommend picking this book up.
Thanks to BookSirens and the author(s) for providing me with a copy.
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