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A review by discoverypaper
The Ballad of Smallhope and Pennyroyal by Jodi Taylor
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Overall I enjoyed this and finished it in a few days. Upon reflection, I did have quite a few complaints about it. I'll just spoiler the rest in case. The stakes were never high and the book had more telling rather than showing exposition than I normally like. Additionally, most conflicts resolved themselves within the same chapter they arose, or the one immediately following. Though I can see how this might be a "pro" for someone seeking a cozy story.
I found myself a bit conflicted by the end. Was it good story and did I enjoy it? Mostly yes, but the middle of the book was too much of a tropey "and then this happened, and then this happened, etc" and I think that's dragging my rating down. Also I wish the romance at the end wasn't so abruptly cut short. Although interesting as it's told from Pennyroyal's perspective, it felt incredibly rushed.
I found myself a bit conflicted by the end. Was it good story and did I enjoy it? Mostly yes, but the middle of the book was too much of a tropey "and then this happened, and then this happened, etc" and I think that's dragging my rating down. Also I wish the romance at the end wasn't so abruptly cut short. Although interesting as it's told from Pennyroyal's perspective, it felt incredibly rushed.