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A review by karly_rose_reads
The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I am a sucker for a beautifully crafted, faerie world and Mary E. Pearson creates one within The Courting of Bristol Keats. This is the author's adult romantic fantasy debut and book one in an incomplete duology.
What to expect:
🗝️ Adult romantic fantasy
🗝️ 3rd person, multi POV
🗝️ Fae, demigods & magical creatures
🗝️ Mystery, secrets & betrayal
🗝️ Reluctant allies
🗝️ Secret identities
🗝️ Forbidden romance
🗝️ Slow burn with lighter spice (not super detailed/explicit)
I have to admit—two things ultimately convinced me to request this eARC: the gorgeous cover/limited edition stenciled edges and Adalyn Grace's (author of the Belladonna trilogy) glowing review. I'm so glad I was approved for an eARC because I found this book unique, fantastical, and romantic.
Not only does Mary E. Pearson create a beautiful world, but I appreciate the complexity of her characters. Although I found the switching of POVs a bit confusing—the POVs are not clearly stated at the top of each chapter and she sometimes switches perspectives within a chapter—I was able to adjust about 30% in. I hope she takes the time to develop side characters that have had POVs (such as Eris and Melizan) in book 2.
I love that the author chose to pair the forbidden romance with a slow burn so it felt believable. While the anticipated spice scenes weren't overly explicit, I found them tasteful and not distracting from the overall plot. This is a romantic fantasy, so the fantasy is ultimately in the forefront.
This is a long book and I can see it deterring some readers, but I'm the type of reader who regularly reads 500+ page books. I would say three things really lengthen this story, Mary E. Pearson:
👉 Provides a lot of background for context
👉 Loves to give thoughtful details
👉 Builds character personalities and relationships through "micro moments" (e.g., dancing in the forest, training lessons, day-to-day life)
While I found the ending to be a bit abrupt—I wouldn't necessarily call it a cliffhanger—I am looking forward to the next book and plan on completing this duology. I can't wait for more readers to get their hands on this book November 12, 2024.
A sincere thank you to Flatiron Books for an eARC through NetGalley.
What to expect:
🗝️ Adult romantic fantasy
🗝️ 3rd person, multi POV
🗝️ Fae, demigods & magical creatures
🗝️ Mystery, secrets & betrayal
🗝️ Reluctant allies
🗝️ Secret identities
🗝️ Forbidden romance
🗝️ Slow burn with lighter spice (not super detailed/explicit)
I have to admit—two things ultimately convinced me to request this eARC: the gorgeous cover/limited edition stenciled edges and Adalyn Grace's (author of the Belladonna trilogy) glowing review. I'm so glad I was approved for an eARC because I found this book unique, fantastical, and romantic.
Not only does Mary E. Pearson create a beautiful world, but I appreciate the complexity of her characters. Although I found the switching of POVs a bit confusing—the POVs are not clearly stated at the top of each chapter and she sometimes switches perspectives within a chapter—I was able to adjust about 30% in. I hope she takes the time to develop side characters that have had POVs (such as Eris and Melizan) in book 2.
I love that the author chose to pair the forbidden romance with a slow burn so it felt believable. While the anticipated spice scenes weren't overly explicit, I found them tasteful and not distracting from the overall plot. This is a romantic fantasy, so the fantasy is ultimately in the forefront.
This is a long book and I can see it deterring some readers, but I'm the type of reader who regularly reads 500+ page books. I would say three things really lengthen this story, Mary E. Pearson:
👉 Provides a lot of background for context
👉 Loves to give thoughtful details
👉 Builds character personalities and relationships through "micro moments" (e.g., dancing in the forest, training lessons, day-to-day life)
While I found the ending to be a bit abrupt—I wouldn't necessarily call it a cliffhanger—I am looking forward to the next book and plan on completing this duology. I can't wait for more readers to get their hands on this book November 12, 2024.
A sincere thank you to Flatiron Books for an eARC through NetGalley.