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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
The world building seems very poor. This story could exist in a real life zoo and nothing would be different. I suspect that it’s not in a real zoo because then the author would have to do research. There’s like a totally made up world but no explanation of any of it? Also I’m 134 pages in and the main character keeps lusting after a man (with no buildup towards the female love interest) which is disappointing since this is marketed as a queer sapphic romance.
DNF at 30%. I was trying so hard to push through this book because I loved the concept of it being in a magical zoo SO MUCH, and PHOENIXES being an integral part of the plot?? I just wish that there was more of the cool magical animals rather than an adult woman acting like a teenager. I know it is sapphic as well even though I didn’t reach those parts. (All that I had read so far was her crush on this random man… who’s just some conventionally attractive guy. So boring.) And the girl who was to be her love interest is basically her “nemesis” and the main character doesn’t like her because what, she is pretty and has manicured nails and is good with people? I suppose she was a wee bit mean sometimes, I think she did call Aila (the MC) a loser once, but the extent to how much Aila judged her felt kind of extreme. Honestly, I just found Aila irritating (considering she is 28 years old) and didn’t care enough to see her character development arc. The whole novel is very character driven, and I was not interested by any of the characters.
The inner dialogue plus regular dialogue was not funny or silly to me where that was the intention, which was another thing that made Aila feel teenagery. The part that made me finally decide to stop reading:
He chuckled. “Seems like you’re always on top of things.”
“On top? I don’t know, I’ve always considered myself more of a…”
Aila froze.
Connor’s brows climbed higher. She didn’t. She did not nearly say that right when he was starting to talk to her like a normal person.
It’s just a bit too quirky try-hard for my taste. I could understand why people would enjoy this book, so I’m not discouraging reading it, however I don’t want to put my time into something I know is not for me.
The inner dialogue plus regular dialogue was not funny or silly to me where that was the intention, which was another thing that made Aila feel teenagery. The part that made me finally decide to stop reading:
He chuckled. “Seems like you’re always on top of things.”
“On top? I don’t know, I’ve always considered myself more of a…”
Aila froze.
Connor’s brows climbed higher. She didn’t. She did not nearly say that right when he was starting to talk to her like a normal person.
It’s just a bit too quirky try-hard for my taste. I could understand why people would enjoy this book, so I’m not discouraging reading it, however I don’t want to put my time into something I know is not for me.
lighthearted
tense
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It was a sweet book and an easy read. I didn't realise it was queer when I picked it up at the library so that was a pleasant surprise. I can't imagine anyone didn't see the twist coming, and I found Aila's head a tiring place to be with all that anxiety, but it was worth picking up.
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
This was an adorable, heartwarming little cozy fantasy about a "28 year old teen" as one comment so aptly put, her endangered birds of mythology, and a sweet queer romance. It's mostly character driven, so there are parts that feel like they drag a little bit, and yet the writing was so engaging that I was never bored and finished the entire thing within two sittings. The ending does pick up the pace quite a lot. For me, the "plot twist" reveal at the end was obvious; the entire villain and their game was just apparent to me from the beginning. But again, something about the writing of this book made me not even care. It was just cute and fun.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
emotional
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
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:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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
Fun, though very predictable, and sometimes it really plods along.