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_readwithleo's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
biancakc's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
lauritauwu's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nicoleychi's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.75
A really good read! Just a bit too romancey for my taste, but the world building and characters were great! I really liked the subtle magic system and how it’s used in different portion of the world.
I also do relate to the problems Niamh faces, which made the reading a bit more personal.
I also do relate to the problems Niamh faces, which made the reading a bit more personal.
freemakd's review against another edition
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bonnerton's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.75
Honestly just a super enjoyable low stakes/low brow read for me. Perfect for summer days on the back patio and Bridgerton vibes.
jbsoutiere's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
kaylyn_loves_fantasy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Stars: 3.5/5
Writing/verbage: 4.5/5
Romance: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 5/5
Age: 13+
Review:
This book was great! Saft wove together the cultural traditions of a Regency-Era England with an intriguing fantasy plot!
Good:
Character relationships and personalities! Every character felt real and alive, and they each had their own speaking cadence and personal preferences.
Description of Cultural Traditions. I really enjoyed the integration of classic English traditions such as during the wedding ceremony.
Tension between Kit and Niamh. Their relationship left me begging for more! The tension throughout the book and ultimate resolution made for the perfect stand-alone romance.
The arc of feelings between characters. I liked how this was not rushed (as often happens in single books) and instead Kit and Niamh gradually developed feelings for each other.
Descriptions of Niamh power and how she used it. I really felt like I was in the moment with her using her magic!
Bad:
The ending. The whole book led up to a dramatic ending, with tons of foreshadowing at some huge battle in which Kit and Niamh come out victorious. This is why when I read the ending I was underwhelmed. It basically ended with a five minute battle in which no one died and people in the town didn’t even notice. I believe it could have ended more dramatically than that, maybe even made way for a sequel.
The lack of tragedy. The big overarching tragedy of the story was the fact that Niamh was dying slowly every time she used her magic. I was expecting some scene where Niamh had overexerted herself so much that she did almost die and yet they found some way to cure her of her disease forever. Instead, all that was given was one fainting scene. In the end, Niamh pretty much said ‘Oh well… I guess I’ll just die happy.’
Finally:
Overall this was a very interesting and enjoyable book which piqued my interest from the first to the last page. I do recommend this to fans of books such as Once Upon a Broken Heart/Caraval, The Cruel Prince, and Bone Criers Moon.
Writing/verbage: 4.5/5
Romance: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 5/5
Age: 13+
Review:
This book was great! Saft wove together the cultural traditions of a Regency-Era England with an intriguing fantasy plot!
Good:
Character relationships and personalities! Every character felt real and alive, and they each had their own speaking cadence and personal preferences.
Description of Cultural Traditions. I really enjoyed the integration of classic English traditions such as during the wedding ceremony.
Tension between Kit and Niamh. Their relationship left me begging for more! The tension throughout the book and ultimate resolution made for the perfect stand-alone romance.
The arc of feelings between characters. I liked how this was not rushed (as often happens in single books) and instead Kit and Niamh gradually developed feelings for each other.
Descriptions of Niamh power and how she used it. I really felt like I was in the moment with her using her magic!
Bad:
The ending. The whole book led up to a dramatic ending, with tons of foreshadowing at some huge battle in which Kit and Niamh come out victorious. This is why when I read the ending I was underwhelmed. It basically ended with a five minute battle in which no one died and people in the town didn’t even notice. I believe it could have ended more dramatically than that, maybe even made way for a sequel.
The lack of tragedy. The big overarching tragedy of the story was the fact that Niamh was dying slowly every time she used her magic. I was expecting some scene where Niamh had overexerted herself so much that she did almost die and yet they found some way to cure her of her disease forever. Instead, all that was given was one fainting scene. In the end, Niamh pretty much said ‘Oh well… I guess I’ll just die happy.’
Finally:
Overall this was a very interesting and enjoyable book which piqued my interest from the first to the last page. I do recommend this to fans of books such as Once Upon a Broken Heart/Caraval, The Cruel Prince, and Bone Criers Moon.