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ainadei's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
The first half of this book was really good! I loved the politics and the main character's home and background, the different species of fae, and the library! However, Lore comes off as very naive and immature considering her past. She quickly falls in love with the first male fae who doesn't discriminate against her and I just couldn't see their chemistry at the pace they were moving. Their relationship also felt a lot more carnal than loving, though I think we were supposed to feel love. I also didn't know how to feel about meeting Finn more than half way through the story, especially when she had an essentially established romance with Asher, so I thought her showing interest in Finn was a little strange? And getting Gray back from the Queen seemed way too easy and a little rushed. Finally, the fox showing up and suddenly turning into a moth in the end seemed unnecessary to me, considering it hadn't been there in the story since the beginning. I'm not sure if I'm nitpicking but I really wanted to love this book!! I've never seen a cottage core-looking romantasy with so many people of color so all these discrepancies I felt with the story disappointed me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
hiashleynine's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
ashley_mrose530's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I wanted to love this book. The premise sounded so interesting and social media was saying how this book was so good, but it didn't live up to the hype for me. I liked it. But I didn't love it.
I liked Lore as a character. I thought she was sarcastic and funny and independent. But the romance really tried to ruin her to be honest. I thought her romance with Asher was way too fast and didn't work for me very well. They had one kiss and then didn't talk about it for weeks and then he left for months and when he came back she was acting like she was absolutely in love with him the whole time and they should never be separated again. And then the whole time he was gone, she was developing feelings for Fynn. That one I actually can get behind. It's more of a slow burn which I like and it actually felt like a genuine connection.And after reading the end of the book I know that he's probably the end-game love interest which makes me happy.
Besides the shotty romance, I felt like the plot was really choppy. Things would get exciting and good and then the danger would just disappear and it would be a waiting game. She's getting kidnapped by the fae but now it's months of just sitting in a library looking at old books. Oh, now she's finally running away from the fae and suddenly they're biding their time with some of his old friends where nothing really happens. And then it suddenly jumped to her rescuing her friend from the fae queen and then suddenly they were all at the other kingdom's palace to save all the humans. It was just really choppy and I felt like some of it didn't fit with the parts that came before it sometimes.
That being said, I did still enjoy the book and the plot twist at the end was good so I do want to read the next book when it comes out, I just hope it doesn't feel as choppy as this one did.
I liked Lore as a character. I thought she was sarcastic and funny and independent. But the romance really tried to ruin her to be honest. I thought her romance with Asher was way too fast and didn't work for me very well. They had one kiss and then didn't talk about it for weeks and then he left for months and when he came back she was acting like she was absolutely in love with him the whole time and they should never be separated again. And then the whole time he was gone, she was developing feelings for Fynn. That one I actually can get behind. It's more of a slow burn which I like and it actually felt like a genuine connection.
Besides the shotty romance, I felt like the plot was really choppy. Things would get exciting and good and then the danger would just disappear and it would be a waiting game. She's getting kidnapped by the fae but now it's months of just sitting in a library looking at old books. Oh, now she's finally running away from the fae and suddenly they're biding their time with some of his old friends where nothing really happens. And then it suddenly jumped to her rescuing her friend from the fae queen and then suddenly they were all at the other kingdom's palace to save all the humans. It was just really choppy and I felt like some of it didn't fit with the parts that came before it sometimes.
That being said, I did still enjoy the book and the plot twist at the end was good so I do want to read the next book when it comes out, I just hope it doesn't feel as choppy as this one did.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
howboutjane's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The plot of this book was SO GOOD and it had so much potential to be amazing. I did find though that the pace was slow and jarring throughout most of the book, making it a bit hard to get through. Pace picked up in the final section and the ending saw a TWIST I absolutely did not see coming. However, there's still many unanswered questions that, although I'm certain will be addressed in the next book, I wish were touched on more in this one. Would still recommend as it was good and I will be reading the next installment when it's out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Classism, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Confinement and Rape
jei_reads_sometimes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Classism, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Police brutality, Rape, Sexual violence, and Gaslighting
blakeandbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a romantasy debut from Sbrana! This was such a fun read. I loved the enchanted library and that she got to be engrossed with so many books… um, hello, this is my dream!! Lore slowly finds herself having feelings for 2 fae males, and a love triangle of sorts begins to form. I typically don’t enjoy love triangles, because they stress me out too much, but this one was written so well that I didn’t mind it at all!
There is a plot twist at the end that I was proud of myself for guessing part of it 🤣🤘🏼 but the other part I did not expect!! It ends on such a great cliffhanger. I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book in the series!
The found family aspect in this book is truly a slow burn. However, the connections and friendships that Lore makes, both old and new, create a bond that is loyal and fierce for one another! I am interested to see what happens to the crew with all of the new information we’ve been given 👀
This book comes out 2/27/24, so preorder now and add to your TBR!
What a romantasy debut from Sbrana! This was such a fun read. I loved the enchanted library and that she got to be engrossed with so many books… um, hello, this is my dream!! Lore slowly finds herself having feelings for 2 fae males, and a love triangle of sorts begins to form. I typically don’t enjoy love triangles, because they stress me out too much, but this one was written so well that I didn’t mind it at all!
There is a plot twist at the end that I was proud of myself for guessing part of it 🤣🤘🏼 but the other part I did not expect!! It ends on such a great cliffhanger. I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book in the series!
The found family aspect in this book is truly a slow burn. However, the connections and friendships that Lore makes, both old and new, create a bond that is loyal and fierce for one another! I am interested to see what happens to the crew with all of the new information we’ve been given 👀
This book comes out 2/27/24, so preorder now and add to your TBR!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Death
Moderate: Confinement, Pregnancy, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Alcohol, and Rape
cmmcgrath86's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
The description of this book was quite misleading, as it has several incredibly concerning elements near the end. It also felt like the magic system was weakly constructed and rushed; everything the main character needed, she found or stumbled into without much conflict.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Classism
Moderate: Rape, Confinement, and Pregnancy
s_holdthebus's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really want to rate this book 4 stars but there are just too many things I didn’t click with. I really like the premise and the bones are there for a good story!
However, the pacing felt off, the book itself needed a bit more editing, and we didn’t spend enough time developing the characters with the plot. We also spent very little time in the magical library which I was sad about, and what I thought was going to be the main premise of the book! The twist I very much saw coming but it does lead to what I hope is an interesting sequel.
For a debut novel, I think it’s still a good book. I hope the second book improves and I look forward to reading it!
However, the pacing felt off, the book itself needed a bit more editing, and we didn’t spend enough time developing the characters with the plot. We also spent very little time in the magical library which I was sad about, and what I thought was going to be the main premise of the book! The twist I very much saw coming but it does lead to what I hope is an interesting sequel.
For a debut novel, I think it’s still a good book. I hope the second book improves and I look forward to reading it!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
3.75
Content Warnings: violence, blood, death, murder, classism, and racism.
Mention of: kidnapping, slavery, death of loved ones, and rape.
***I received and e-ARC, ahead of release, through Netgalley***
From reading the summary of this book I knew I wanted...no needed to dive into the world and see what it was all about.
From the start it was easy to love and cheer for Lore.
I do feel the pacing was a bit off in this book...the first 3/4 feels like a lot of day to day things as we get to know Lore and the other cast of characters and then the last 1/4 of the book is like we're racing down the autobahn. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE everything about this story I just think maybe the last 1/4 should have been stretched out a bit more. This easily could have been a 500 page book and I would have devoured it and loved it just as much.
I do wish I had known in advance that it would be part of a series...the way it's advertised and labeled online was giving "standalone" vibes...so the entire time I was reading I was wondering how the heck they were going to wrap up the story...on to have it end on a ..." to be continued..." I'm guessing...it'll be a duology...though it's a bit to early to tell.
When this book releases next month I plan on purchasing it so I can reread it, possibly a few times, before book 2 inevitably releases.
If you're looking for a book that gives fall magical vibes with a strong leading lady who's fierce determination to bring peace and happiness to her people had me ready to go to battle...you won't want to pass on this book. 💜
Only read the below paragraph if you've read this book already! Major spoiler warnings below.
Okay, so I feel like Asher revealed himself entirely too early...AND I would have loved to see a slightly stronger relationship develop between Lore and Finn before this reveal...because I feel like going forward Finn may feel like a 2nd string pick...when really she's felt connected to him almost from their first meeting...and it was only his grumpiness keeping her from attempting a deeper connection...
Mention of: kidnapping, slavery, death of loved ones, and rape.
***I received and e-ARC, ahead of release, through Netgalley***
From reading the summary of this book I knew I wanted...no needed to dive into the world and see what it was all about.
From the start it was easy to love and cheer for Lore.
I do feel the pacing was a bit off in this book...the first 3/4 feels like a lot of day to day things as we get to know Lore and the other cast of characters and then the last 1/4 of the book is like we're racing down the autobahn. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE everything about this story I just think maybe the last 1/4 should have been stretched out a bit more. This easily could have been a 500 page book and I would have devoured it and loved it just as much.
I do wish I had known in advance that it would be part of a series...the way it's advertised and labeled online was giving "standalone" vibes...so the entire time I was reading I was wondering how the heck they were going to wrap up the story...on to have it end on a ..." to be continued..." I'm guessing...it'll be a duology...though it's a bit to early to tell.
When this book releases next month I plan on purchasing it so I can reread it, possibly a few times, before book 2 inevitably releases.
If you're looking for a book that gives fall magical vibes with a strong leading lady who's fierce determination to bring peace and happiness to her people had me ready to go to battle...you won't want to pass on this book. 💜
Only read the below paragraph if you've read this book already! Major spoiler warnings below.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Addiction, Classism, Racism, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Rape, Slavery, and Death of parent
dayofthetabi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I cannot overstate how much I loved this book. I was given the opportunity to read an arc from NetGalley and I will absolutely be buying this one for my personal collection.
It has fae. An enchanted library. The entire cast is people of color. You have high stakes and tense situations. It is beautiful. The only reason it isn’t a 5 is that some parts were distracting. A world of magic and horses with medieval style tech, but they know about adrenaline? Some of the dialogue was a little off, definitely a first novel.
But it was great and enjoyable. And I will read this one again and again.
It has fae. An enchanted library. The entire cast is people of color. You have high stakes and tense situations. It is beautiful. The only reason it isn’t a 5 is that some parts were distracting. A world of magic and horses with medieval style tech, but they know about adrenaline? Some of the dialogue was a little off, definitely a first novel.
But it was great and enjoyable. And I will read this one again and again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault