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snchard's review against another edition
5.0
Genderfluid main character AND genderfluid love interest?! I love this magic system, and the politics, and how they blend together. This is the best. A+++
line's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
anxiousdaydreamer's review against another edition
5.0
This was really good. I really got invested in the characters quickly, and the setting was very nicely done. The whole story was so well written, I felt like I was watching a movie while reading this book. I can't wait to see if there will be a sequel.
justmeandmybooks_'s review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
This book was FANTASTIC.
Wait no, sorry, let me try again, I don't think I was clear enough. THIS BOOK WAS REALLY FANTASTIC AND AMAZING AND I LOVED IT SO SO SO MUCH GO READ THIS BOOK.
There we go. That was better.
What? I haven't convinced you to read it yet? Okay fine. Here is a list of (some of) the reasons why you need to read this book:
- The wonderful world building! I fell completely in love with this world. It felt so real and rich and complex. I wanted to know so much more about it, not because it was underdeveloped, but because it was incredibly well developed and focused only on a small amount of the world, leaving me desperate to know more. We were peeking into a small section of a much larger world. And I freaking loved that.
- The cool magic! I meant to lump this in with world building but then I rambled too much so now it's getting it's own section. I adored the magic system in this book! It was unique and dark and well thought out, and I was fascinated by it.
- The queer rep! During this book our main character Teo is questioning their gender identity (I don't know how exactly they identify, but they're very clearly not cis), and Teo's love interest Cielo is genderfluid(!!!).
- Teo! Teo is such a fantastic character and I really freaking love them! So is Cielo! Cielo is my favourite! They're such a wonderful character! I also love the dynamic these two have 😍😍
I will admit the pacing was pretty off, and the plot wasn't necessarily super strong either, but overall? I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH OH MY GOD!!! GO READ IT. YOU WON'T REGRET IT.
***Initial Reaction, January 28, 2019***
This book was so unique, and weird, and cool, and amazing and AHHHHHH I LOVED IT SO MUCH!! I had a few minor quibbles, but IT WAS SO GOOD. Go read it. Right now. RTC.
This book was FANTASTIC.
Wait no, sorry, let me try again, I don't think I was clear enough. THIS BOOK WAS REALLY FANTASTIC AND AMAZING AND I LOVED IT SO SO SO MUCH GO READ THIS BOOK.
There we go. That was better.
What? I haven't convinced you to read it yet? Okay fine. Here is a list of (some of) the reasons why you need to read this book:
- The wonderful world building! I fell completely in love with this world. It felt so real and rich and complex. I wanted to know so much more about it, not because it was underdeveloped, but because it was incredibly well developed and focused only on a small amount of the world, leaving me desperate to know more. We were peeking into a small section of a much larger world. And I freaking loved that.
- The cool magic! I meant to lump this in with world building but then I rambled too much so now it's getting it's own section. I adored the magic system in this book! It was unique and dark and well thought out, and I was fascinated by it.
- The queer rep! During this book our main character Teo is questioning their gender identity (I don't know how exactly they identify, but they're very clearly not cis), and Teo's love interest Cielo is genderfluid(!!!).
- Teo! Teo is such a fantastic character and I really freaking love them! So is Cielo! Cielo is my favourite! They're such a wonderful character! I also love the dynamic these two have 😍😍
I will admit the pacing was pretty off, and the plot wasn't necessarily super strong either, but overall? I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH OH MY GOD!!! GO READ IT. YOU WON'T REGRET IT.
***Initial Reaction, January 28, 2019***
This book was so unique, and weird, and cool, and amazing and AHHHHHH I LOVED IT SO MUCH!! I had a few minor quibbles, but IT WAS SO GOOD. Go read it. Right now. RTC.
morawynsmom's review against another edition
3.0
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, this book is unlike anything I have ever read. The setting was a beautiful, Italian-inspired world, I loved the feel of the five families, and the lush, lyrical descriptions. Teo and Cielo were such amazing characters, we got not one, but two gender fluid characters, and the author did a brilliant job with both of them and their struggles/ feelings/ thoughts when it came to their transformations and their romantic feelings. I gave this three stars because I feel like there were parts of the story that were not as fleshed out as they should have been, like the transformation of Teo's older brother into an Owl, the death of her younger brother and her feelings with that, the two girls who were building an army and their feelings, I cannot quite explain it but there was something left to be desired with this book and I wanted so much more. I wanted of the back-story of the Strega and more with Teo's family, or even Cielo's back story. I wanted more from Teo's own use of her magic and her feelings toward that. I will for sure pick up another book by this author, I think the rep and the magic and the beautiful world were amazing, but, like most YA books I have read recently, there was just something missing for me in this book.
First of all, this book is unlike anything I have ever read. The setting was a beautiful, Italian-inspired world, I loved the feel of the five families, and the lush, lyrical descriptions. Teo and Cielo were such amazing characters, we got not one, but two gender fluid characters, and the author did a brilliant job with both of them and their struggles/ feelings/ thoughts when it came to their transformations and their romantic feelings. I gave this three stars because I feel like there were parts of the story that were not as fleshed out as they should have been, like the transformation of Teo's older brother into an Owl, the death of her younger brother and her feelings with that, the two girls who were building an army and their feelings, I cannot quite explain it but there was something left to be desired with this book and I wanted so much more. I wanted of the back-story of the Strega and more with Teo's family, or even Cielo's back story. I wanted more from Teo's own use of her magic and her feelings toward that. I will for sure pick up another book by this author, I think the rep and the magic and the beautiful world were amazing, but, like most YA books I have read recently, there was just something missing for me in this book.
riverdogbookco's review against another edition
3.0
A gender-bending queer fantasy full of magic, political intrigue, and complicated family dynamics set in a 19th century Italian-inspired land.
dance64's review against another edition
3.0
I don't really have much to say. The magic system was intriguing, but the overall story wasn't something new. I did like the queer representation, and the genderfluid characters, but my feelings as a whole are lukewarm.
kjanie's review against another edition
2.0
2.5/5 stars
I REALLY wanted to love this book and am honestly so devastated that I didn't. I was looking for a good queer fantasy romance, and this is also about mafia in power and magic, so honestly thought I would love it. I felt like nothing was really developed as well as I wanted them to. The world, plot and magic in particular felt so lacking. Like the whole book felt like when you first start a book and don't know what's happening and are just waiting for things to be developed and explained....but they never were. The entire two stars that I gave this book was for the romance. While this also felt a bit rushed, I was also total trash for it (so nothing's new). I loved Teo and Cielo individually, but together they completed each other. The queer rep was fantastically handled and I honestly just loved all the scenes in which they were together. Yes, like the rest of the book some parts didn't really make sense and the relationship wasn't fully developed emotionally, but honestly I overlooked all of this. I just loved them so much. So I guess sense I was looking for a good queer romance, technically I got everything I asked for.
I REALLY wanted to love this book and am honestly so devastated that I didn't. I was looking for a good queer fantasy romance, and this is also about mafia in power and magic, so honestly thought I would love it. I felt like nothing was really developed as well as I wanted them to. The world, plot and magic in particular felt so lacking. Like the whole book felt like when you first start a book and don't know what's happening and are just waiting for things to be developed and explained....but they never were. The entire two stars that I gave this book was for the romance. While this also felt a bit rushed, I was also total trash for it (so nothing's new). I loved Teo and Cielo individually, but together they completed each other. The queer rep was fantastically handled and I honestly just loved all the scenes in which they were together. Yes, like the rest of the book some parts didn't really make sense and the relationship wasn't fully developed emotionally, but honestly I overlooked all of this. I just loved them so much. So I guess sense I was looking for a good queer romance, technically I got everything I asked for.