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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
A nice, fast read that I would classify as cozy-ish. I was hoping for a bit more from it, but I enjoyed it overall. The world was interesting and I thought the characters were sweet. There is a second book, but I probably won't read it (just because I don't particularly feel the need to).
I love these characters and I love the atmosphere of the wood. As is usually the case with novellas I just wanted a bit more to be fully drawn into the conflict and some character's motivations.
Tobias Flint is a Wild Man. He leads a quiet life, keeps his cabin and vegetable garden tidy, and takes care of his cat, Pearl. He also occasionally ventures out at night with his knives and his axe, and kills any monsters that have wandered into his territory. He doesn't have a lot to do with people. They're frightened by his size, his silence, and his otherworldly aura. Until Henry Silver comes into his life on a stormy night, unafraid and wait...flirting with him?
First, I just have to express my love for magical forests. They are so good. I swear, if you want to pull me into a setting wholeheartedly, make it a magical forest. There's just something about them that lends itself so wonderfully to that fairytale feel. I love their quiet magic, and that was definitely what laid the groundwork for me to love this novella.
The second piece of groundwork was the characters. First, Tobias, so big and gruff but secretly such a marshmallow. I love that trope. Then Silver, with his flirting and his care. The two of them just made me feel wrapped up in a warm blanket of sweetness. And though it takes a while for her show up, Mrs. Silver, badass monster-slaying mama, was fantastic as well. I loved her strength, but also her love. When I'm in love with the whole cast of characters, it's always such a good sign.
The story was the final component. A lot of times, novellas feel too short for me, not enough story to draw me in, but this one fit just perfectly. The action, when it happens, is intense enough to keep drawing you on, but also entirely framed by the emotional journey of the characters. That's the best action, in my opinion. Between these three elements, I basically devoured this novella. I'm only sad that I waited on it, but I guess it works out in the end, since now I can just read the whole duology as one thing.
First, I just have to express my love for magical forests. They are so good. I swear, if you want to pull me into a setting wholeheartedly, make it a magical forest. There's just something about them that lends itself so wonderfully to that fairytale feel. I love their quiet magic, and that was definitely what laid the groundwork for me to love this novella.
The second piece of groundwork was the characters. First, Tobias, so big and gruff but secretly such a marshmallow. I love that trope. Then Silver, with his flirting and his care. The two of them just made me feel wrapped up in a warm blanket of sweetness. And though it takes a while for her show up, Mrs. Silver, badass monster-slaying mama, was fantastic as well. I loved her strength, but also her love. When I'm in love with the whole cast of characters, it's always such a good sign.
The story was the final component. A lot of times, novellas feel too short for me, not enough story to draw me in, but this one fit just perfectly. The action, when it happens, is intense enough to keep drawing you on, but also entirely framed by the emotional journey of the characters. That's the best action, in my opinion. Between these three elements, I basically devoured this novella. I'm only sad that I waited on it, but I guess it works out in the end, since now I can just read the whole duology as one thing.
mysterious
Plot: Folklorist meets local forest legend in I guess Georgian/Regency-ish England? I get post-medieval not quite modern vibes here.
1. The writing in this book (especially when the woods are described) is very evocative. And it's a competent plot, with well-calculated ratios of myth and mystery and creepiness and compelling side characters (Mrs. Silver I want to know YOUR story; and Bramble is a delight) to keep me invested.
2. I'm a lot less convinced by the romance, but "it's not that it doesn't make sense and I accept that it is low-key, but the romance feels like a clumsy add-on" is a whole lot better than "half the book was spent on this crap and i want to burn something." *cough[b:Lord of Shadows|30312891|Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices, #2)|Cassandra Clare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479513427l/30312891._SY75_.jpg|19104295]cough*
3. I sort of feel like this is one case we could have (and should have) focused a lot more on the worldbuilding because the little of it that we got was a delight and I would have really loved to seen more.
4. The pacing is a little wonky, especially in the last third or so. And it likely doesn't help that the worldbuilding remains mostly unexplained. I mean yes- soft magic I get it feature and not a bug etc; but indulging in soft magic and setting limits for magic is not the same thing? We needed a bit more of the latter, maybe? (This complaint ties into the worldbuilding.)
1. The writing in this book (especially when the woods are described) is very evocative. And it's a competent plot, with well-calculated ratios of myth and mystery and creepiness and compelling side characters (Mrs. Silver I want to know YOUR story; and Bramble is a delight) to keep me invested.
2. I'm a lot less convinced by the romance, but "it's not that it doesn't make sense and I accept that it is low-key, but the romance feels like a clumsy add-on" is a whole lot better than "half the book was spent on this crap and i want to burn something." *cough[b:Lord of Shadows|30312891|Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices, #2)|Cassandra Clare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479513427l/30312891._SY75_.jpg|19104295]cough*
3. I sort of feel like this is one case we could have (and should have) focused a lot more on the worldbuilding because the little of it that we got was a delight and I would have really loved to seen more.
4. The pacing is a little wonky, especially in the last third or so. And it likely doesn't help that the worldbuilding remains mostly unexplained. I mean yes- soft magic I get it feature and not a bug etc; but indulging in soft magic and setting limits for magic is not the same thing? We needed a bit more of the latter, maybe? (This complaint ties into the worldbuilding.)
This book was very well written with compelling world building, I will be reading more by this author.
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Reread : still too short, but I would do the 5 stars now.
I was tempted with the "m/m green man romance" I must admit. But it's more than that : amazing fierce mom, letting go past relationship, moving on and especially a nice and comforting story. My only regret is the length : it's quite short and I would like to follow these characters for hundred pages more...
I was tempted with the "m/m green man romance" I must admit. But it's more than that : amazing fierce mom, letting go past relationship, moving on and especially a nice and comforting story. My only regret is the length : it's quite short and I would like to follow these characters for hundred pages more...