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A review by unrealsonia
The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Before getting into the content of this book, a warning: it isn't a complete story. It's an alleged duology that is clearly actually one story cut in two - there are no resolved arcs in this book, it simply stops. Because of this, the pacing is very odd and there's no complete structure.
That said, it is also quite fun. The world-building is done with a light touch but makes for a satisfying setting, in a magical Britain (although the story focuses on England) which did not fall to the Norman Conquest. Magic users are mostly members of different orders, some focusing on doing good and others on killing for money. The titular enemies are a healer and an assassin, forced to work together when the assassin is struck with a seemingly incurable affliction. In return for healing he becomes involved in investigating the spread of a mysterious disease, being forced to spend more and more time with the healer as the intrigue ramps up. As the title makes clear, sexual tension starts to become a factor as they are compelled to get to know each other.
It turns out that this author is a well-known fanfiction author. Fanfic tropes - like everyone being bi/pansexual and continual snarky banter - are present, and although this is apparently not a reworking of an existing piece it does make sense that Knightley wrote a high profile Draco/Hermione story. However, this novel should appeal to a wider romantasy audience that isn't immersed in fandom. Some incongruously modern language does creep in but in a AU story with a vague timeline it's hard to be too strict.
I enjoyed it while i was reading it and would have given it a cheerful four stars if it had any kind of resolution. Unfortunately the non-finish and consequent structural failures lose a star for me. I came away from the book feeling somewhat cheated.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
That said, it is also quite fun. The world-building is done with a light touch but makes for a satisfying setting, in a magical Britain (although the story focuses on England) which did not fall to the Norman Conquest. Magic users are mostly members of different orders, some focusing on doing good and others on killing for money. The titular enemies are a healer and an assassin, forced to work together when the assassin is struck with a seemingly incurable affliction. In return for healing he becomes involved in investigating the spread of a mysterious disease, being forced to spend more and more time with the healer as the intrigue ramps up. As the title makes clear, sexual tension starts to become a factor as they are compelled to get to know each other.
It turns out that this author is a well-known fanfiction author. Fanfic tropes - like everyone being bi/pansexual and continual snarky banter - are present, and although this is apparently not a reworking of an existing piece it does make sense that Knightley wrote a high profile Draco/Hermione story. However, this novel should appeal to a wider romantasy audience that isn't immersed in fandom. Some incongruously modern language does creep in but in a AU story with a vague timeline it's hard to be too strict.
I enjoyed it while i was reading it and would have given it a cheerful four stars if it had any kind of resolution. Unfortunately the non-finish and consequent structural failures lose a star for me. I came away from the book feeling somewhat cheated.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Torture, Sexual harassment