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allyens's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
missgarceau's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Zombies & Mages & Fae… Oh MY!!
It’s fast, it’s spicy, it’s action packed and multiple POV! Perfect little pick me up if you’re in the mood for that insta-love action/adventure Romantasy kind of fun!
The magic was interesting & going in blind, it definitely surprised me. I really enjoyed it. Couldn’t put it down.
It’s fast, it’s spicy, it’s action packed and multiple POV! Perfect little pick me up if you’re in the mood for that insta-love action/adventure Romantasy kind of fun!
The magic was interesting & going in blind, it definitely surprised me. I really enjoyed it. Couldn’t put it down.
bookish_aly_cat's review against another edition
4.0
As someone who loves retellings, this was a beautifully written romantic fantasy. This isn’t a book I would normally pick up, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I loved the main characters and the dynamic between their relationship. There is so much packed into this story! I will warn future readers, this book has some content warnings including: sex, blood and gore, and harsh language. If you are looking for a romantic retelling with a bit of spice this may be the book for you.
tinyelfarcanist's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
In the original legend, Princess Iseult (or Isolde) is escorted by a knight named Tristan for her marriage to a King. On their way there, they ingest a love potion, eliciting a forbidden affair between them.
In The Sparrow and the Oak Tree, Isolde is not a princess, but a courtly Sorceress. She’s not sent to marry, but with a darker mission of taking care of a mysterious child that arrived in the town of Perdition.
Isolde’s companion isn’t initially Tristan, but a mercenary who calls himself Bear. She is soon taken by a Fae, and the pact they make works as the “love potion” in this story. At first, it only compels them to get involved sexually, but their passion evolves into a different type of feeling; this leads to some insta-love mechanics that make the romance not fully work for me. But for a book that works on the premise of being impelled to act by stronger forces, it has a nice message on autonomy.
My favourite part was definitely Bear. He’s determined and smart and he worries Isolde is being coerced to get involved with the Fae. As the third wheel, he takes it upon himself to chaperone (and cockblock when necessary) and has a horse that at times appears to be more than that.
With melting zombies and horny Fae, this book certainly is something different. It’s funny and sexy and I really enjoyed it, but I would’ve liked some details to be explored more as some questions were left unanswered.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Murder, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexism, Rape, and Kidnapping
dustjacket_fullofmonsters's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
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