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A review by borrowers_bookshelf
Tim Te Maro and the Subterranean Heartsick Blues by H.S. Valley
5.0
When I tell you this book gave me ALLLL the warm fuzzies! The NZ setting, the enemies-to-lovers, the young queer love, the magic, it was all just so beautiful!
The characters in this book are so well written, and the development of Tim and Elliott’s relationship is just perfect. Enemies-to-lovers can sometimes be a bit hit and miss for me - it’s a trope I love, but there’s nothing worse than when it’s done poorly or rushed. But it was done so well in this book!
And then there’s the incredible NZ magic school setting. I absolutely love the way magic is tied to culture, and that Elliott’s magic is a little different since it’s from Europe not the Pacific. I think the way the magical lore is explained just enough for you to understand, but without being the main focus of the story, creates such a fun blend of fantasy and contemporary. You end up with a super delightful first-love kind of YA contemporary, but with magical influences impacting the budding relationship.
This is honestly the kind of book I never knew I wanted, but I now absolutely adore. I’m so glad that Kiwi teens have a book that reflects our country and cultures, and I think that’s a part of why this story left me feeling a little giddy with joy!
The characters in this book are so well written, and the development of Tim and Elliott’s relationship is just perfect. Enemies-to-lovers can sometimes be a bit hit and miss for me - it’s a trope I love, but there’s nothing worse than when it’s done poorly or rushed. But it was done so well in this book!
And then there’s the incredible NZ magic school setting. I absolutely love the way magic is tied to culture, and that Elliott’s magic is a little different since it’s from Europe not the Pacific. I think the way the magical lore is explained just enough for you to understand, but without being the main focus of the story, creates such a fun blend of fantasy and contemporary. You end up with a super delightful first-love kind of YA contemporary, but with magical influences impacting the budding relationship.
This is honestly the kind of book I never knew I wanted, but I now absolutely adore. I’m so glad that Kiwi teens have a book that reflects our country and cultures, and I think that’s a part of why this story left me feeling a little giddy with joy!