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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
What can I say: Cat Sebastian recommends it, I read it. The protagonists were endearingly grouchy, the arcs were sweet, it was silly and smutty, I laughed and felt genuinely moved by the characters, even if the style and particular rendition of fantasy worldbuilding aren’t what I’m most drawn to.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
What a lovely and unique book. This one pushed all the right buttons for me. The pacing was good, both in terms of the romance and the plot. There was just the right amount of tension and miscommunication between the two MCs. Both were likeable, interesting, mature and sympathetic. Finally, the world building was some of the most engaging I’ve read in recent years, and not because of the plot (though it was compelling enough), but because the author was able to tap into a real sense of otherness. The fantasy setting was distinctive and a little off-kilter, and the magic, strange, especially in the way it was expressed in each of the MCs. I read a lot, and so for a book to transport me so completely was a real gift.
3.5 stars for the book
5 stars for the audio.
Loved the beginning but felt like the second half was slow then the epilogue was rushed.
The world buiding is great.
I feel like we needed more from the romance aspect especially since everything happened in a matter of days.
The steam was .... steaming lol
5 stars for the audio.
Loved the beginning but felt like the second half was slow then the epilogue was rushed.
The world buiding is great.
I feel like we needed more from the romance aspect especially since everything happened in a matter of days.
The steam was .... steaming lol
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
Cute. Sweet. Smutty. A nice comfortable read. We need more of those for older MCs.
4.5 stars
That was lovely! I loved the idea of the worple horses! There’s not a lot of world building but it’s enough to carry the story.
That was lovely! I loved the idea of the worple horses! There’s not a lot of world building but it’s enough to carry the story.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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:
No
Read this on a reccomendation. Different, but in a good way. Full RTC.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Shitty title, shitty cover, surprisingly tender story. At the onset, I was regretting laying down an Audible credit for this book, but another reviewer had mentioned a slow start so I kept with it. I’m glad I did!
Firstly, you can tell the author loves horses. The way they’re described, how Fen cares for them, etc can only come from a horse person. The concept of a warple horse was interesting and contributed to the world building and magic system; the idea that each person’s magic expresses itself in ways unique to that person’s identity was really cool.
Morgrim and Fen both felt like fully rounded out people - especially Fen and his hatred of feeling laughed at or humiliated. It also came through clearly that those feelings stemmed from his shame over losing his livelihood and his perceived crimes. And Morgrim’s tunnel vision on regaining his magic and his OWN shame for not living up to expectations meshed nicely with Fen.
That said, the book started SO slowly, and the plot had some issues throughout on pacing. The ending was very neat - tying up every loose thread into a happy ending - and a lot happened very quickly where I think just a hopeful note could have sufficed versus a spoon-fed detail.
Firstly, you can tell the author loves horses. The way they’re described, how Fen cares for them, etc can only come from a horse person. The concept of a warple horse was interesting and contributed to the world building and magic system; the idea that each person’s magic expresses itself in ways unique to that person’s identity was really cool.
Morgrim and Fen both felt like fully rounded out people - especially Fen and his hatred of feeling laughed at or humiliated. It also came through clearly that those feelings stemmed from his shame over losing his livelihood and his perceived crimes. And Morgrim’s tunnel vision on regaining his magic and his OWN shame for not living up to expectations meshed nicely with Fen.
That said, the book started SO slowly, and the plot had some issues throughout on pacing. The ending was very neat - tying up every loose thread into a happy ending - and a lot happened very quickly where I think just a hopeful note could have sufficed versus a spoon-fed detail.
No doubt about it, this is my favorite story of 2021!! What an enthralling read! Truly a unique blend of romance, intrigue, danger, and magical adventures. I’m so in love with the characters and their world right now. My kingdom … for a worple horse!! The world the author paints is so richly detailed and a gripping mix of mystery, wonderful and confounding magic, and entrancingly realistic medieval touches. It’s different from, but has a similar imaginative, even whimsical feel to it as Neil Gaiman’s Stardust universe.
We get the entire story from Fenn’s perspective, which is a great way for Morgrim to hold on to his secrets just that little bit longer, and he takes full advantage! Oh dearest Morgrim, you darkly intriguing and cunning conundrum of a sorcerer, you.
Fenn is … everything! He’s so unexpectedly special. Not the type of man you’d expect to get embroiled in magical shenanigans. I love him so much! He is down on his luck, the very picture of downtrodden and heartbroken disappointment with life, quite ordinary on the outside but with the most beautiful, loving heart. I love how sincere he is, how very honest and down-to-earth. He deserves all the good things. Fenn’s deep love and care for horses, all horses, is one of the most touching things about the book. It defines him and is a constant throughout the story.
One of the many things that I adore about Fenn and Morgrim together is that they are both in their forties and bond over similar life experiences (up to a point) even though they ended up in very different places of power and wealth. Their personalities are very different but make them quite well-suited, and the power balance is not always what you’d expect, with both sweet and deliciously steamy moments as a result.
The prose and dialogue are both incredibly well-written, evocative and a pure joy for any lover of the written word to take in. I was especially moved by Fenn’s heartfelt and plain, pure way of speaking and the dialect that snuck in, signaling the difference in upbringing between him and Morgrim.
All the stars!!
We get the entire story from Fenn’s perspective, which is a great way for Morgrim to hold on to his secrets just that little bit longer, and he takes full advantage! Oh dearest Morgrim, you darkly intriguing and cunning conundrum of a sorcerer, you.
Fenn is … everything! He’s so unexpectedly special. Not the type of man you’d expect to get embroiled in magical shenanigans. I love him so much! He is down on his luck, the very picture of downtrodden and heartbroken disappointment with life, quite ordinary on the outside but with the most beautiful, loving heart. I love how sincere he is, how very honest and down-to-earth. He deserves all the good things. Fenn’s deep love and care for horses, all horses, is one of the most touching things about the book. It defines him and is a constant throughout the story.
One of the many things that I adore about Fenn and Morgrim together is that they are both in their forties and bond over similar life experiences (up to a point) even though they ended up in very different places of power and wealth. Their personalities are very different but make them quite well-suited, and the power balance is not always what you’d expect, with both sweet and deliciously steamy moments as a result.
The prose and dialogue are both incredibly well-written, evocative and a pure joy for any lover of the written word to take in. I was especially moved by Fenn’s heartfelt and plain, pure way of speaking and the dialect that snuck in, signaling the difference in upbringing between him and Morgrim.
All the stars!!
I just loved this! Flying horses and butt sex, a great combo. good world building, enough stakes to feel compelling without being too much of a downer or too anxiety producing.