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shaun_trinh's Reviews (124)
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a cute, magical read. While I don't tend to like books where the main character is the type intentionally self-sabatoge themselves, as things progressed I got more and more content with it. But the first half of the story is HEAVY with it. So if you are prone to 2nd-hand embarassement like I am, beware, you have been warned.
I actually really enjoy the idea of using music (and musical instruments) as a medium for magic and that being uncommon in this world. So even though Loveage wasn't good at the common magic (grand magic) his story was still really fun to read about.
What I love about a lot of books is when they are fast and not a slog to get through and even for the self-sabatoging parts of the story, it never felt like I was stuck. This was definetly a character driven book and I think it was done well. Despite everything being focused on developing the two main characters, the world didn't feel dull at all. The background politics of the world pushed things forward, Sybilla and the bandits were fun and how the monsters reacted to spellsongs were enticing.
I was surprised that Loveage and Grim's antagonistic relationship wasn't resolved quickly and that it genuinely felt like actualy work and trial had to happen for them to make meaningful progress. They're very defined and contrasting characters to one another that were pretty funny in all honesty. Very much delinquent x dead-pan type of relationship and I'm happy where their relationship is left at the end of this book.
I'll be real in the first half of the book I expected the story to turn out that they got caught in the end and Grimm used the curse to betray sell out Loveage so he wouldn't get punished and cast out of the Fount and that would be the catelyst to start off book 2. Pleasently surprised that wasn't the case.
Edit: I forgot what his name was but im sus of that one guy who was friends with Grimm. Mark my words I bet that guy is gonna end up being a little bitch.
I actually really enjoy the idea of using music (and musical instruments) as a medium for magic and that being uncommon in this world. So even though Loveage wasn't good at the common magic (grand magic) his story was still really fun to read about.
What I love about a lot of books is when they are fast and not a slog to get through and even for the self-sabatoging parts of the story, it never felt like I was stuck. This was definetly a character driven book and I think it was done well. Despite everything being focused on developing the two main characters, the world didn't feel dull at all. The background politics of the world pushed things forward, Sybilla and the bandits were fun and how the monsters reacted to spellsongs were enticing.
I was surprised that Loveage and Grim's antagonistic relationship wasn't resolved quickly and that it genuinely felt like actualy work and trial had to happen for them to make meaningful progress. They're very defined and contrasting characters to one another that were pretty funny in all honesty. Very much delinquent x dead-pan type of relationship and I'm happy where their relationship is left at the end of this book.
I'll be real in the first half of the book I expected the story to turn out that they got caught in the end and Grimm used the curse to betray sell out Loveage so he wouldn't get punished and cast out of the Fount and that would be the catelyst to start off book 2. Pleasently surprised that wasn't the case.
Edit: I forgot what his name was but im sus of that one guy who was friends with Grimm. Mark my words I bet that guy is gonna end up being a little bitch.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very wholesome (until it wasn't wholesome) read about a former police officer reconnecting with someone they had taken under their wing and are now an officer themselves. There wasn't as much build up to them being an item as I had expected, but it was still really sweet and felt natural despite how quick we got to a confession. Very cute.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very wholesome and cutesy story, then escelated ever so quickly. Went through the motions of an 8+ volume series in 1. Was happily reading this innocent story in a barnes and noble and then BOOM NFSFW content within the last 5 pages. Im left in a state of shock. 3.5/5 stars.
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a romance book but i'll be real the family drama was waaaaaaaaaay better. I liked the romance, but if i was gonna fault the book for one thing it's gonna be the second-hand embarrasment I was subjected too in the latter half of the story, and that embarassment was always associated with the romance.
Family-wise I was expecting much but I really enjoyed the found family, blood vs water, and social class themes between Ellis' bio family and the Aubrey's. No lie I found myself being a little teary eyed reading about Ellis trying to fit in between her bio family where her Dad is an addict, her mom comes and goes just to steal their money, and how she feels guilty for living with the Aubrey's because their lives and standing is so different from all of her bio family's to the point where she doesn't feel like she fits in with either. Then there's all the drama with Ellis being sent away to California. I also really liked how Ellis's issues weren't put into a vaccum of 'oh she was hurt or wronged therefore she should be pitied in every situation', she had a right to be angry but she wasn't the only person who was having a hard time and she had to be reminded of that. It was all gooooooooood.
Plus I loved the brotherly relationship Ellis had with Dixon and Tucker.
I didn't dislike the romance, I liked everything that surronded it and how things around them affected their relationship, but when it was the two of them directly interacting with each other it'd lose me here and there. Lots of second hand embarassment to get through, ESPECIALLY AT THE END. They have all their family and friends over for the moms birthday, and one of the brothers pulls out a poem the male lead made about Ellis and read it out loud. That poem lasted like 3 pages and i have no clue what it said because I skipped it entirely.
Going in I wasn't sure how I felt about the story following two time lines (past/present), but it was actually really good as well. I thought I'd be annoyed waiting to get back to what was currently happening, but the flashbacks really did help build up the family and all of their relationships. At least until the latter half of the story where I started skimming more because I kept getting second hand embarassment.
Overall, thumbs up!
Family-wise I was expecting much but I really enjoyed the found family, blood vs water, and social class themes between Ellis' bio family and the Aubrey's. No lie I found myself being a little teary eyed reading about Ellis trying to fit in between her bio family where her Dad is an addict, her mom comes and goes just to steal their money, and how she feels guilty for living with the Aubrey's because their lives and standing is so different from all of her bio family's to the point where she doesn't feel like she fits in with either. Then there's all the drama with Ellis being sent away to California. I also really liked how Ellis's issues weren't put into a vaccum of 'oh she was hurt or wronged therefore she should be pitied in every situation', she had a right to be angry but she wasn't the only person who was having a hard time and she had to be reminded of that. It was all gooooooooood.
Plus I loved the brotherly relationship Ellis had with Dixon and Tucker.
I didn't dislike the romance, I liked everything that surronded it and how things around them affected their relationship, but when it was the two of them directly interacting with each other it'd lose me here and there. Lots of second hand embarassment to get through, ESPECIALLY AT THE END. They have all their family and friends over for the moms birthday, and one of the brothers pulls out a poem the male lead made about Ellis and read it out loud. That poem lasted like 3 pages and i have no clue what it said because I skipped it entirely.
Going in I wasn't sure how I felt about the story following two time lines (past/present), but it was actually really good as well. I thought I'd be annoyed waiting to get back to what was currently happening, but the flashbacks really did help build up the family and all of their relationships. At least until the latter half of the story where I started skimming more because I kept getting second hand embarassment.
Overall, thumbs up!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As a whole this wasn't that satisfying of an ending to the series as it didn't feel like a conclusion for most of the character. After 8 volumes with this cast I wish the final volume gave more time and weight to their characters and relationships as it was only Mafuyu and maybe Ugetsu who got a proper send off.
However, it was a completely heart wrenching and lovely end for Mafuyu's journey.
I'll miss his story.
However, it was a completely heart wrenching and lovely end for Mafuyu's journey.
I'll miss his story.