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A review by literaryintersections
Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It hurts me so badly to not have loved this. I’ve been beyond excited to read this book but it really fell short.
What I liked:
- parts of the world and magic system
- Finn - y’all be prepared that it takes AGES for him to be introduced but he’s what saved this
- parts of the ending (but it was so rushed)
- the library scenes felt like a book readers dream
- the diversity, the fact that these were all Black fae (although I’m still unsure what constitutes a light fae vs dark fae)
What I didn’t like:
- parts of this felt like Mac and the Fever series but not as good - the whole grimoire stuff was too similar without the depth
- the romance is actually so cringe. It’s like a YA that tries to be NA. The sex scene actually made me uncomfortable and felt hemmed in there to give some “spice” and romantasy vibes for TikTok
- the pacing. Sometimes it’s so slow and sometimes, like the end, it’s unbelievably rushed. This needed another round of edits and a better editor.
I will read the second book because the cliffhanger was fun. But I’m a little disappointed.
What I liked:
- parts of the world and magic system
- Finn - y’all be prepared that it takes AGES for him to be introduced but he’s what saved this
- parts of the ending (but it was so rushed)
- the library scenes felt like a book readers dream
- the diversity, the fact that these were all Black fae (although I’m still unsure what constitutes a light fae vs dark fae)
What I didn’t like:
- parts of this felt like Mac and the Fever series but not as good - the whole grimoire stuff was too similar without the depth
- the romance is actually so cringe. It’s like a YA that tries to be NA. The sex scene actually made me uncomfortable and felt hemmed in there to give some “spice” and romantasy vibes for TikTok
- the pacing. Sometimes it’s so slow and sometimes, like the end, it’s unbelievably rushed. This needed another round of edits and a better editor.
I will read the second book because the cliffhanger was fun. But I’m a little disappointed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence