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A review by rachel_faerie
The Solstice Court by Jade Juniper
4.5
*I received an arc from the author in exchange for an honest review*
4.5 ⭐️ - A wildly endearing, heartfelt, cozy yet intense, and artfully crafted story.
Lets start with the characters:
These characters are SO well fleshed out. They make mistakes. They are flawed. They have desires and emotions. They act like teenagers are supposed to; they are resourceful, headstrong, and sometimes a little stupid. There is a found family aspect in here that is genuinely so well put together its almost as if you can feel apart of it. The three main characters are also so vastly different from one another, and each character is so dimensional, that I think no matter who you are you can find some aspect of these characters to relate to. I found myself relating to different pieces of multiple characters throughout the story. The relationships between each character, good or bad, is written in such a way that you cant help but root for and against them.
The main characters and the main/ important side characters are extremely well fleshed out, however there are a couple of side characters who, I'll admit, blend together and are mildly forgetable, but they didnt seem very important and it had no impact on the plot or story or my enjoyment.
(Also, Hanan my grumpy beloved manservant, you deserved more page time.)
The worldbuilding:
While I *do* think the world building WILL expand in future books, I think that this book set such a strong foundation. We learn quite a bit about the main Kingdom, Elastor, and a decent bit about Xenkesh, while the third of the Thrice kingdoms, Alora, is a bit more mysterious. Each kingdom does have its own magic system and they are so unique from one another, and unique in general. I think despite the magick of each Kingdom being so different from one another they blend together so well. They work in tandem and counter balance eachother, and I CANNOT wait to see more of this magick come into play in future books.
We learn quite a bit about the main setting, the castle in Elastor, and the surrounding city. However I do wish we saw more of the world at large, but once again, I know after reading this, that we will absolutely get that in the next 2 books so I am not at all bothered with having to wait. It feels like a slow reveal, a curtain being drawn back inch by inch to reveal the wider portrait. However that being said what we have seen so far is intriguing and whimsical. Forever wishing lunar lilies were REAL.
The writing in general:
I think as a debut author, Jade Juniper should be immensly proud of her work. There were a few quotes in here that hit me hard enough to give me absolute goosebumps/ chills. The prose was overall, so well written, it had its moment of purple flowery beauty, and it had its moments of snark and humor, there were also some very cleverly woven foreshadowing moments that blended in so seamlessly and I would not have noticed had I not alread read this book twice lol. I also think the moments that are intended to pack a punch, do so successfully, and the tender soft moments shine equally as bright.
Overall, The Solstice Court is a really endearing, cozy, politically charged, sneakily action packed, and masterfully crafted world and story. And I am ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT for book two... Did I mention the ending was insane?????????? <3
4.5 ⭐️ - A wildly endearing, heartfelt, cozy yet intense, and artfully crafted story.
Lets start with the characters:
These characters are SO well fleshed out. They make mistakes. They are flawed. They have desires and emotions. They act like teenagers are supposed to; they are resourceful, headstrong, and sometimes a little stupid. There is a found family aspect in here that is genuinely so well put together its almost as if you can feel apart of it. The three main characters are also so vastly different from one another, and each character is so dimensional, that I think no matter who you are you can find some aspect of these characters to relate to. I found myself relating to different pieces of multiple characters throughout the story. The relationships between each character, good or bad, is written in such a way that you cant help but root for and against them.
The main characters and the main/ important side characters are extremely well fleshed out, however there are a couple of side characters who, I'll admit, blend together and are mildly forgetable, but they didnt seem very important and it had no impact on the plot or story or my enjoyment.
(Also, Hanan my grumpy beloved manservant, you deserved more page time.)
The worldbuilding:
While I *do* think the world building WILL expand in future books, I think that this book set such a strong foundation. We learn quite a bit about the main Kingdom, Elastor, and a decent bit about Xenkesh, while the third of the Thrice kingdoms, Alora, is a bit more mysterious. Each kingdom does have its own magic system and they are so unique from one another, and unique in general. I think despite the magick of each Kingdom being so different from one another they blend together so well. They work in tandem and counter balance eachother, and I CANNOT wait to see more of this magick come into play in future books.
We learn quite a bit about the main setting, the castle in Elastor, and the surrounding city. However I do wish we saw more of the world at large, but once again, I know after reading this, that we will absolutely get that in the next 2 books so I am not at all bothered with having to wait. It feels like a slow reveal, a curtain being drawn back inch by inch to reveal the wider portrait. However that being said what we have seen so far is intriguing and whimsical. Forever wishing lunar lilies were REAL.
The writing in general:
I think as a debut author, Jade Juniper should be immensly proud of her work. There were a few quotes in here that hit me hard enough to give me absolute goosebumps/ chills. The prose was overall, so well written, it had its moment of purple flowery beauty, and it had its moments of snark and humor, there were also some very cleverly woven foreshadowing moments that blended in so seamlessly and I would not have noticed had I not alread read this book twice lol. I also think the moments that are intended to pack a punch, do so successfully, and the tender soft moments shine equally as bright.
Overall, The Solstice Court is a really endearing, cozy, politically charged, sneakily action packed, and masterfully crafted world and story. And I am ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT for book two... Did I mention the ending was insane?????????? <3