This novella only has 52 pages but it was 52 perfect pages. After reading book 1 in this series I was left wanting. I didn't like the FMC and I had so many questions about her background, I just wanted it to make sense.

Obviously this novella didn't make me like Fallon anymore since she's not really in it, however it did give me a better understanding of her background, which we were left wondering about after book 1. We also get a little more insight into Bronwen in this book as well as the Kingdom of Crows.

And then we end on the most delicious ending ever. Yes please. A+ work Olivia Wildenstein. I am going into book 2 much more excited than I was after book 1.

A little quote that actually had me chuckle out loud:

💬 "A shudder rattles me. The Cauldron couldn't possible have been of sound mind when it decided to make Cathal and me mates.

Not only could the man crush my larynx between his pinkies, but if he's massive everywhere...A wave of heat folds over me at the contemplation."

House of beating wings by Olivia Wildenstein

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

I want to preface this review by saying the story was really good and if it wasn't for the terrible FMC I would have given this first book a 4. I'm hoping Fallon will grow on me because right now I can't stand her. Fallon is annoyingly obsessed with the biggest red flag in fictional work and on top of that she's just worldly stupid. She never learns either, her stupidity just continues on for the entire book.

The writing also threw me off a bit. With a fantasy I don't expect words like "meet cute" or even the word "boob", it sounded so out of place.

The positives though, will encourage me to read book 2 and hopefully fall in love with the series. I enjoyed the world of Luce and enjoyed most of the characters. I am #TeamLorcan and I love the entire crow element of this series. I want to explore Fallon's background more and the new Kingdom of Crows.

I had two quotes that I enjoyed from this book:

💬 “‘…and the fragrance of your,’ he lowers his nose to the delicate skin between my earlobe, ‘cunt.’ I break out in goosebumps. Never would I have imagined my body reacting to that skeevy word with anything other than distaste. And yet, from Dante’s lips it sounds downright sensual.” When I first read this I thought, same girl, same. And then immediately hated him after this sex scene.

💬 “Gods, I thought I hated Lorcan but it pales for how I feel about Dante.” And of course after reading this, I once again thought...same girl, same.

A Place Called Perfect by Helena Duggan

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adventurous funny informative mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Happy Place by Emily Henry

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

The Curse of Ophelia by Nicole Platania

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adventurous slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

As the first book in the series I expected a lot of world building in the beginning and that's what it is. If you're hoping for that instant gratification then this may not be the book for you. If you go in knowing that though, I think this is going to be a next level series.

The first book was good. I enjoyed the world that Nicole had developed and I liked all the characters. I loved that there was a really great friend group and I'm sure we'll be able to explore their relationships and personalities more in future books.

The villain I guessed almost right away and I had assumed most of the plot. That didn't make me like it any less though because the characters were new, the plot was new, the magic system was new (and still not fully developed by the end of this book), the world is still being explained and I like that I have a new world to love and get to know! The enemy was in it for all the right reasons too.

I am 100000% team Tolek and am rooting for him and Ophelia forever. When Tolek talked about always coming in second my heart cried for him.

I'm looking forward to reading book 2 and seeing more of the world and characters develop!

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randeh's reviews 337 reviews

randeh's reviews
337 reviews