Scan barcode
themoodreader's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, War, Abandonment, Blood, Confinement, Death, and Violence
wardenred's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
On an island like Eidolonia, and especially on a property of Rosamund Highvalley’s, it was unwise to open mysterious boxes you’d found inside garden statues.
This was pretty different from what I expected, but a super enjoyable read regardless! I've seen this book billed as a Sleeping Beauty retelling across a few places; in my opinion, it's really not. There are some Sleeping Beauty-inspired bits for sure, but it's more like an original fairytale in many ways. But there's definitely a very strong fairytale vibe, not just because of all the fairies and magic, but in how it's all handled. The heroes face the gravest of threats every few chapters, constantly finding themselves on the brink of death, but it always works out in the end thanks to the power of love and its many facets—what could be more fairy-tale-like than this? At the same time, the end of the story makes it clear that while the main characters have earned the big glorious happy ending, they haven't exactly emerged from their trials unscathed. I appreciated that realistic touch, and how it did nothing to diminish the overall bright hopefulness of facing the future.
I also thought this would be primarily a romance with some fantasy adventure on the side, but I think this is more of a fantasy adventure with a prominent romantic storyline. The focus is very much on righting the wrongs of the past and saving the island. At the same time, the romance between Larkin and Merrick is of course crucial to the plot, and I really enjoyed how it was handled. The attraction between them sparks fairly early on and they both acknowledge it, to each other as well as to themselves. However, they take their time before they start letting it go anywhere, because they're such different people with backgrounds and values that seem barely compatible at a glance, and more importantly, they have incompatible goals for the future. Larkin wants to leave the island as soon as it's saved. Merrick can't imagine his life without the magic that doesn't exist outside of Eidolonia. They grow closer as they both confront some of their beliefs and display a willingness to achieve compromise. It was beautiful to follow. (Also: I can't quite put a finger on it, but I think I caught some Merthur vibes from this pairing??? I wonder if the author is familiar with that fandom!)
The writing style took a bit of getting used to for me. I started really enjoying it about 4 chapters in; before that, I actually debated DNF'ing (so glad I didn't give in to the urge). I think that's because the first few chapters are largely spent setting the stage, explaining the premise, and outlining the core parts of the worldbuilding. Some of it was heavy-handed at times, to be honest. However, as soon as the stage was set and the characters were free to pursue their goals, the story instantly got super fun and engaging.
Speaking of worldbuilding, it's pretty awesome. I liked how the setting both is and isn't part of our real world, being this liminal area that surrounds the fairy lands. I feel there's a great balance between hard magic bits, such as the rules for different types of witchcraft or for interacting with the fairies, and the more loose, fluid enchantments. The fairies here are probably among my favorite—exactly as wonderful and terrible as they should be. Lastly, as I always tend to do, I appreciated the diversity and queernomaritivity. It was especially great to see a prominent nonbinary character, who is also a parent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Death
Moderate: Genocide
booksthatburn's review
This has a particular blend of modernity and faery which I tend to not like generally but didn't realize this was going to be.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death, and War
Minor: Violence, Terminal illness, Mental illness, and Blood
thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Read: March 2021
I didn't expect to read this in about a day, but here we are. XD Was a little confusing at first, but I soon got sucked into Eidolonia and Merrick's and Larkin's stories. This gave off some Sleeping Beauty vibes, but if the dragon came back to life after waking the princess and they had to defeat it together. I loved the cultural/time clash between Merrick and Larkin and seeing so many fae. Also, hello casual non-binary rep ❤️ and a character with my name!
CW: non-consensual magic, death, drugging, imprisonment, grief
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Confinement and Death
alyxinthestars's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Lava Red Feather Blue by Molly Ringle is a fantasy novel that was published at the start of this month. It centres around two characters: Prince Larkin, a human royal who has been recently awoken after being put under a sleeping spell under duress for over two hundred years, and Merrick, a half-fae perfumer, descendant of the witch who put Larkin under the sleeping spell, and the man who wakes him entirely by accident. Waking Prince Larkin also wakes the fae Ula Kana, who is intent on destroying all humans on the island that they live on. Merrick and Larkin have to team up to defeat Ula Kana once and for all, venturing into the dangerous fae realm without any guarantee of their safe return.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. The story was interesting and gripping, with some interesting world building and a great cast of characters, including many openly queer characters which made my little queer heart happy. The exploration of the concept of love given the differences in the perception of time between fae and humans was also really interesting, as was the contrast between the life Larkin had known and life for the rest of the human or part human characters of the book.
Merrick and Larkin had some cute moments as a couple. I love the trope of one character facing or overcoming a fear they hold for another, and Ringle executed it beautifully. The only thing I would say is that as someone who is used to slow burn romances, their relationship seemed to progress a little fast to me. I would have liked some more time to really get to know them and understand why they love each other, but I still think that they compliment each other well as characters.
I would recommend Lava Red Feather Blue by Molly Ringle for fantasy fans looking for a high stakes story with a side of queer romance.
I was given a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Blood, Death, and Violence
More...