Scan barcode
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kaeliwolf's review against another edition
5.0
I was granted access to a NetGalley Earc of this masterpiece of a work of fiction/fantasy. As in The Nature of Witches the characters are painfully relatable and the tension is immaculately created. The entire story and real humanness of the characters and the story itself creates magic.
lishalynn813's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
deannasbookclub's review against another edition
2.0
An interesting concept but unfortunately I just didn’t enjoy how it was executed.
My first major issue with this story is the whole ‘he’s so mean to me but it’s okay because he likes me’ trope which I just think we should’ve moved past by now. In what world are we saying it’s okay for people to be genuinely horrible to others and justify it by saying it’s because they like them??
Second, Iris literally went to her mum to tell her how uncomfortable she was with Pike and yet she insists on forcing her to spend time with him. I mean don’t fire the guy because they don’t get on but at least don’t force her to go alone into the woods with a man who she has specifically told you she does not like and doesn’t feel safe with.
Finally, I didn’t realise just how big a focus this book would have on the romance. I usually wouldn’t mind but I just found some of the romance plot points (i.e the condom??) to be a bit random and out of place.
I personally wouldn’t recommend this book but I do think I will try another Rachel Griffin book in the future because I did enjoy the writing style.
My first major issue with this story is the whole ‘he’s so mean to me but it’s okay because he likes me’ trope which I just think we should’ve moved past by now. In what world are we saying it’s okay for people to be genuinely horrible to others and justify it by saying it’s because they like them??
Second, Iris literally went to her mum to tell her how uncomfortable she was with Pike and yet she insists on forcing her to spend time with him. I mean don’t fire the guy because they don’t get on but at least don’t force her to go alone into the woods with a man who she has specifically told you she does not like and doesn’t feel safe with.
Finally, I didn’t realise just how big a focus this book would have on the romance. I usually wouldn’t mind but I just found some of the romance plot points (i.e the condom??) to be a bit random and out of place.
I personally wouldn’t recommend this book but I do think I will try another Rachel Griffin book in the future because I did enjoy the writing style.
deannas_bookclub's review against another edition
2.0
An interesting concept but unfortunately I just didn’t enjoy how it was executed.
My first major issue with this story is the whole ‘he’s so mean to me but it’s okay because he likes me’ trope which I just think we should’ve moved past by now. In what world are we saying it’s okay for people to be genuinely horrible to others and justify it by saying it’s because they like them??
Second, Iris literally went to her mum to tell her how uncomfortable she was with Pike and yet she insists on forcing her to spend time with him. I mean don’t fire the guy because they don’t get on but at least don’t force her to go alone into the woods with a man who she has specifically told you she does not like and doesn’t feel safe with.
Finally, I didn’t realise just how big a focus this book would have on the romance. I usually wouldn’t mind but I just found some of the romance plot points (i.e the condom??) to be a bit random and out of place.
I personally wouldn’t recommend this book but I do think I will try another Rachel Griffin book in the future because I did enjoy the writing style.
My first major issue with this story is the whole ‘he’s so mean to me but it’s okay because he likes me’ trope which I just think we should’ve moved past by now. In what world are we saying it’s okay for people to be genuinely horrible to others and justify it by saying it’s because they like them??
Second, Iris literally went to her mum to tell her how uncomfortable she was with Pike and yet she insists on forcing her to spend time with him. I mean don’t fire the guy because they don’t get on but at least don’t force her to go alone into the woods with a man who she has specifically told you she does not like and doesn’t feel safe with.
Finally, I didn’t realise just how big a focus this book would have on the romance. I usually wouldn’t mind but I just found some of the romance plot points (i.e the condom??) to be a bit random and out of place.
I personally wouldn’t recommend this book but I do think I will try another Rachel Griffin book in the future because I did enjoy the writing style.
morganashley121's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
3.75
chaseberry's review against another edition
what if the person whos responsible for pikes troubled past was gay instead of a witch- would he hate all gay people? feels like he would
in all seriousness this is why i wish the rise of enemies to lovers had never happened. i believe base respect for identity has to be there first- else, it feels like oppressor x oppressed, it feels like cruelty, it feels like bigots are forgiven at the first "i'm sorry." enemies to lovers works when the conflict is where loyalties lie, when characters fuck up because they're flawed, what someone does instead of what they ARE. too many authors nowadays create the conflict around someone's identity offending their (usually male) love interest- to me, this a harmful portrayal of romance. of relationships. don't entertain someone who doesn't respect you.
in all seriousness this is why i wish the rise of enemies to lovers had never happened. i believe base respect for identity has to be there first- else, it feels like oppressor x oppressed, it feels like cruelty, it feels like bigots are forgiven at the first "i'm sorry." enemies to lovers works when the conflict is where loyalties lie, when characters fuck up because they're flawed, what someone does instead of what they ARE. too many authors nowadays create the conflict around someone's identity offending their (usually male) love interest- to me, this a harmful portrayal of romance. of relationships. don't entertain someone who doesn't respect you.
celestialbookwitch's review against another edition
5.0
Rachel Griffin has an incredible talent for drawing you into her stories with captivating worlds, characters and storyline. She takes you on an amazing journey making you feel for the characters and what’s going on in their respective lives! This book was so beautifully written I couldn’t put it down! This enemies to lovers YA had a great message of being true to who you are and not hiding because you’re scared of what others might think. Was a great book to end my 2023 reading journey!