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coraotf's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault, Xenophobia, War, Physical abuse, Slavery, and Racism
spicycronereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
There is lots to like about this book. it has a very diverse cast, including racial and sexual diversity. Lore is a typical YA fantasy heroine who impetuously faces danger to save those she cares about. The magic system is interesting. The orders of Fae are novel and the tension between them adds some drama.
I say that Lore is a YA heroine, but I’m not actually sure this is supposed to be a YA book. It is maybe new adult based on Lore‘s age, the hints of SA, and the one spicy scene in the book. But Lore’s impetuousness, and the nature of the relationships between her and other characters lacks maturity.
There are four potential love interests, so it is less of a love triangle than a love pentagon? 😂 The chemistry and tension between these characters is a bit uneven. And sometimes we are told that feelings are developing rather than being shown that they are developing.
The plot takes some interesting twists, and some confusing twist and turns. The pacing is a bit off. Things that feel like they could be the focus of the entire novel are resolved pretty quickly. To give you a sense of this, there is no plot point that results in what I would consider graphic content warnings because they all stay at the surface and are resolved really quickly.
There’s just a lot crammed in there and while the sequels could take their time unraveling much of this, at the end, there’s an indication that it’s going to take another turn all together. And I was very surprised to see that it is part of a duology and not a longer series. Which suggests that answers and explanations to the many things that are going on may not be forthcoming.
There is some pining in the book. Finndryl does provide one or two almost-swoony moments. The spicy scene is not bad but it feels out of place. 🌶️
In terms of diversity, most of the characters are people of color. There are a few moments that hint that Lore is bi or pan. And one character seems to be definitely aro and possibly ace.
Overall, I was entertained. I will likely read the next book in the series. And I hope that the next one goes through some more extensive developmental editing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/🌶️
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent
Minor: Kidnapping, Addiction, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Trafficking
emilywemily6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Death, Blood, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Sexual content, Cursing, Alcohol, Gaslighting, and Police brutality
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
jaduhluhdabooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Minor: Sexual content and Rape
ivywwx's review
- 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
Moderate: Xenophobia, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Slavery
Minor: Rape
chipotlemayo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Moderate: Violence, Kidnapping, Blood, Death, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual violence, Pregnancy, and Rape
linnybear's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, Kidnapping, Violence, and Classism
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Alcohol
Minor: Pregnancy, Rape, and Death of parent
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Blood, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Confinement, and Classism
Minor: Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Rape
stitchbooks22's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The idea of an enchanted library, cottagecore and cosy vibes with magic for a book could’ve been so good, but was executed poorly. I’m very disappointed I can’t lie.
The only redeeming features were the small portion of the enchanted library we got as well as the characters of Isla, Gryph, Grey and the fox who were barely in it. Milo also seemed like a sweet kid and I liked him despite his also limited presence.
I have mixed feelings about Lore as she acted like an ungrateful brat at times, though could be wonderful at others. Finn is another character I have mixed feelings on, but he is growing on me.
Will I read the next one? Possibly. I would like to see some of the characters again and see if the duology can be redeemed. It’s a decision for a later date.
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Confinement, Death, Infertility, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Violence, Colonisation, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, War, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Classism, Murder, and Physical abuse
abby_can_read's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I had a wonderful time with this book. I loved the sentinel library. I thought the characters were good and I liked the friendships. Personally, I'm waiting for the romances to develop more. While I enjoyed the plot, I did find it predictable and I did see the twist at the end.
I struggled some with the worldbuilding regarding the magic system. I'm hoping that is something explained in the sequel. I also found the pacing to be difficult. There were some parts that were long and other parts that I wanted to read so it that were completely skipped over.
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Rape