Scan barcode
hanniejar101's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
4.0
madelinemoore114's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.5
asreadbykat's review
5.0
True rating: 5/5 Stars
Content/Trigger Warnings: Death, non-descriptive violence, hints to racism (though no slurs are voiced)
My Thoughts
The last time I read a YA fantasy romance I enjoyed this much was in 2022 when I picked up "Cemetary Boys." I bought this book on a whim towards the end of October. Ghosts, autumn, bickering leads? I was intrigued instantly. But I had no idea I would love it as much as I did.
Cara and Zach had been enemies for as long as they can remember. Their feud is legendary, and the source of great entertainment at school. But Cara has more to worry about than a stupid boy; like her demanding mother, and her inherited powers as a ghost speaker. Powers her mother made her promise to never use or reveal to anyone. Things start to go wrong when Cara finds Zach's ghost next to his dead body, and she has to decide whether to stay true to her legacy and what (and who) she is, or follow her mother's plans. It leads her on an adventure she could have never predicted, and that could help her find her place in life -if it doesn't kill her, first.
First of all, I LOVED this romance. Rather than the insta-love that many YA novels use, we have a nice "enemies"-to-lovers romance that shows character development and progress, which works because we know the two involved have a past. I was laughing, groaning, and kicking my feet by the end of this because the romance was just that good. It's exactly the kind of romance I loved as a teenager, and I'm happy to see a new author employ it.
I also enjoyed the lore and the worlds in the story. Much of it is very obviously taken from Chinese mythology, appropriate given the main character's family is from China. But the idea of the Signet snakes, the Liminal world and thresholds was very intriguing. If I had to pick something I didn't like about the plot, it's that the adventure in those worlds went by too quickly. We the readers don't really get to explore these different worlds and what they are, but that doesn't take away from the story too much. Just be warned that if you're the kind of reader who wants a very in-depth, detailed version of the adventure, this may not be the book for you.
But by far one of my favorite parts of the book was the writing itself. Miranda Sun has an absolutely beautiful style and I can't even guess at how many lines or passages I tabbed simply because the writing was that good. The idea of death is referred to over and over in many different ways, thus keeping in theme with the story, and it's a joy to read it. It's even woven into what should be a purely happy part of the book, which I greatly appreciated. I can honestly say that I was surprised to see such beautiful writing in a debut novel.
Overall, I absolutely enjoyed this book and give it 5 stars because I can easily overlook any flaws I personally found. It won't be for everyone, and I'm sure there are things others won't like. But if you want a story about acceptance (by others and by yourself), love, death, and change, this may be something you're interested in.
Content/Trigger Warnings: Death, non-descriptive violence, hints to racism (though no slurs are voiced)
My Thoughts
The last time I read a YA fantasy romance I enjoyed this much was in 2022 when I picked up "Cemetary Boys." I bought this book on a whim towards the end of October. Ghosts, autumn, bickering leads? I was intrigued instantly. But I had no idea I would love it as much as I did.
Cara and Zach had been enemies for as long as they can remember. Their feud is legendary, and the source of great entertainment at school. But Cara has more to worry about than a stupid boy; like her demanding mother, and her inherited powers as a ghost speaker. Powers her mother made her promise to never use or reveal to anyone. Things start to go wrong when Cara finds Zach's ghost next to his dead body, and she has to decide whether to stay true to her legacy and what (and who) she is, or follow her mother's plans. It leads her on an adventure she could have never predicted, and that could help her find her place in life -if it doesn't kill her, first.
First of all, I LOVED this romance. Rather than the insta-love that many YA novels use, we have a nice "enemies"-to-lovers romance that shows character development and progress, which works because we know the two involved have a past. I was laughing, groaning, and kicking my feet by the end of this because the romance was just that good. It's exactly the kind of romance I loved as a teenager, and I'm happy to see a new author employ it.
I also enjoyed the lore and the worlds in the story. Much of it is very obviously taken from Chinese mythology, appropriate given the main character's family is from China. But the idea of the Signet snakes, the Liminal world and thresholds was very intriguing. If I had to pick something I didn't like about the plot, it's that the adventure in those worlds went by too quickly. We the readers don't really get to explore these different worlds and what they are, but that doesn't take away from the story too much. Just be warned that if you're the kind of reader who wants a very in-depth, detailed version of the adventure, this may not be the book for you.
But by far one of my favorite parts of the book was the writing itself. Miranda Sun has an absolutely beautiful style and I can't even guess at how many lines or passages I tabbed simply because the writing was that good. The idea of death is referred to over and over in many different ways, thus keeping in theme with the story, and it's a joy to read it. It's even woven into what should be a purely happy part of the book, which I greatly appreciated. I can honestly say that I was surprised to see such beautiful writing in a debut novel.
Overall, I absolutely enjoyed this book and give it 5 stars because I can easily overlook any flaws I personally found. It won't be for everyone, and I'm sure there are things others won't like. But if you want a story about acceptance (by others and by yourself), love, death, and change, this may be something you're interested in.
bookish_withsky's review
4.0
I'm not saying it was perfect or a life changing read. I am saying that I finished it in a day and had such a fantastic time.
thequillhand's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
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
5.0
magikspells's review against another edition
3.0
I think it was alright, but I think I liked the cover more than the story. I enjoyed the banter between the two main characters but the story and setting could have used some more work. There's a lot of things just glossed over.
I also don't know why there was an epilogue, the story was wrapped up and doesn't need more. If this is a series, I don't see why.
I also don't know why there was an epilogue, the story was wrapped up and doesn't need more. If this is a series, I don't see why.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
When I got an invitation to grab an e-arc for this book in my e-mail I didn't hesitate. Ghosts, haters to lovers and romance combined with fantasy: sign me up. However, I might have signed up to a few too many review copies and therefore I couldn't read this book as early as I had wanted. However, last Sunday it was finally time to dive into this story and to see if this was really the perfect book I had hoped it would be.
Let me start this review with saying that this book is much less of a romance than I had expected it to be. I don't think that's a bad thing. I don't think this book is meant to be a romance. I was just expecting more of a romance and I can imagine others might too. If you're afraid it's too romantic for you, you might wanna give this book a chance. If you're looking for a true romance you might want to find another book fitting that mood a little better.
Because this book is in every possible way a fantasy quest with a little romance. I was actually really surprised how many fantasy elements we encountered in this book. I don't wanna give too much away, part of the fun is that neither we nor the characters know exactly what will happen while trying to find the cure, but this book is exploring quite a few interesting settings and we're encountering quite a few interesting "monsters".
I also quite liked the mythology and all the explanations we got. How the ghost seeing works, how those powers work, what it means to either fight or embrace them. I also really liked how the romance was done. Firstly because it never took over the story and never tried to steal the spotlight. Also because it developed naturally and never felt really forced. I believed that these characters could go from annoying the hell out of each other to falling in love while being on their quest.
And even though the book could be read as a standalone, the epilogue clearly opens the door to a sequel. I'm already looking forward to it.
Let me start this review with saying that this book is much less of a romance than I had expected it to be. I don't think that's a bad thing. I don't think this book is meant to be a romance. I was just expecting more of a romance and I can imagine others might too. If you're afraid it's too romantic for you, you might wanna give this book a chance. If you're looking for a true romance you might want to find another book fitting that mood a little better.
Because this book is in every possible way a fantasy quest with a little romance. I was actually really surprised how many fantasy elements we encountered in this book. I don't wanna give too much away, part of the fun is that neither we nor the characters know exactly what will happen while trying to find the cure, but this book is exploring quite a few interesting settings and we're encountering quite a few interesting "monsters".
I also quite liked the mythology and all the explanations we got. How the ghost seeing works, how those powers work, what it means to either fight or embrace them. I also really liked how the romance was done. Firstly because it never took over the story and never tried to steal the spotlight. Also because it developed naturally and never felt really forced. I believed that these characters could go from annoying the hell out of each other to falling in love while being on their quest.
And even though the book could be read as a standalone, the epilogue clearly opens the door to a sequel. I'm already looking forward to it.
charliesbooks's review against another edition
funny
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
3.0
luisant19's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
bmcwilliams76's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
3.25