3.97 AVERAGE

jessica_flower's review

2.0
adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No

I expected more from this?

What kind of romance book is this supposed to be? There's witches and pirates in an alternate-universe Victorian England with magic, ancient powerful amulets and flying houses.

Separately, these are all things that I enjoy in a book. Mashed together like this, in this particular story . . . I was put off. And very confused as to what direction the story would take. I almost DNF'd it. This felt like fantasy romance crack wrapped in tight ribbons of strict Victorian moral and social etiquette, short flashbacks to childhood trauma, bustles on dresses, weapons hidden in clothing and several fancy decorated hats. And sudden flying projectiles every other page. 

The writing, particularly the dialogue between characters, is witty and sarcastically polite to the point of satire and almost to the point of ridicule. 

From an English lit perspective, yes this writing is fun and very self-aware of the genres it's mixing. There were a few very good lines which made me smile and even laugh.

The story is enjoyable enough but I just don't like it that much. The world building is so basic it's barely put together. The storyline goes way too fast and again, writes itself like fantasy romance crack. If a fun little romance crackfic is what you're looking for outside of AO3, this is a good pick for you.

This was delightful! 

Set in Victorian England, it is the story of very proper witch Charlotte (who insists witches aren’t real) and chaotic pirate Alex. 

The plot is bonkers and full of action and adventure. We have flying battlehouses and tea cups and everything in between. 

The language is so tongue in cheek and it had me giggling throughout. 

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden, who was great. I loved her very prim Charlotte and Alex’s Irish brogue. 
keeley's profile picture

keeley's review

2.75
adventurous funny lighthearted slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Good fun for fans of romantasy and the classics, a satire with tonnes of heart. 
adventurous funny medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
adventurous funny lighthearted 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
funny fast-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

tashtuck's review

3.25
funny lighthearted medium-paced

maegreads's review

3.0

Book was alright. I prefer other books by the same author.
I felt it went from lust to love, which frankly annoys me. I prefer rivals/reluctant allies to friends to lovers.
I felt like the main plot was just absent - a lot of focus on the lust story, and only in the last 100 pages was there suddenly quick character development.
Also banter was lacking in this book