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t0ast_and_t3a's Reviews (493)
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The imagery in this book was phenomenal—I felt like I was part of the bog from the beginning. The characters were individual and while they didn’t “grow” so much as finally settle into themselves, they were all intriguing—some odd, but intriguing.
The pace and plot were a bit off for me. At times it felt like the story was just too much and I couldn’t really get a good grasp on where it was going (which is something I loved, so not a negative thing).
In a nutshell, it’s weird and unpredictable, and I was here for it.
The pace and plot were a bit off for me. At times it felt like the story was just too much and I couldn’t really get a good grasp on where it was going (which is something I loved, so not a negative thing).
In a nutshell, it’s weird and unpredictable, and I was here for it.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love a good magical realism story, especially one with a romance. This has dual POV and a satisfying story arc. The lead up felt a little rushed for me, but the overall story was romantic and heartfelt. A bit more from the MMC leading up to the bigger plot is what I think was missing. I just kept thinking how, in all that time, how he didn’t go in search of some way to break the curse—this is a silly thing to think, I know, because love was the answer in the end, but I couldn’t help from wondering.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m the first person to defend Schwab when people ask for recs. “What mood are you in?” I ask. Because that’s what makes her a class-A storyteller—she has something for everyone.
This wasn’t 100% for me. Was it still “good”—yes, so many times, yes.
This is a story of rage, of HUNGER, of will. This is a story of accepting who you are. This is NOT a romance, not in the typical sense. It’s gothic. And it’s angry. And it’s real.
Pay attention to who’s telling what story. Pay attention to the overall theme. And pay attention to what ends,because you might be surprised to find out an ending is just another beginning.
This wasn’t 100% for me. Was it still “good”—yes, so many times, yes.
This is a story of rage, of HUNGER, of will. This is a story of accepting who you are. This is NOT a romance, not in the typical sense. It’s gothic. And it’s angry. And it’s real.
Pay attention to who’s telling what story. Pay attention to the overall theme. And pay attention to what ends,
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a little different from other Henry books, but just as entertaining. There’s a slowburn, some mystery, and a story within a story. The romance is top notch, with a grumpy/sunshine pairing.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was so intrigued by the cover and the brief description, but this ended up not being what I was expecting. I made it about 68% before I called it, hoping there’d be more of a premise to the story with such a unique and promising world. That said, it’s a cozy fantasy with found-family—there is a focus on trauma healing as well.
No hate for people this landed well with—I was hoping it would land for me but it just wasn’t what I was looking for.
No hate for people this landed well with—I was hoping it would land for me but it just wasn’t what I was looking for.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is teetering between a 2.5-3 the longer I think about it.
I love a slowburn about as much as I love a timeless romance, but I’m not exactly sure what the overall plot of this book was. The characters are written well enough that I understand their motives and intentions and wants/needs, but there are still so many questions.
All that time and we never met “The First” and were only introduced to his character in the last 15% of the book. Are they gods or no? They all ate a peach from the same tree, but their “abilities” are never really explained. The MMC gave her the peach to meddle where he couldn’t, but leaves her to live centuries alone, only checking in on occasion or when she’s in danger? Did he give her the peach because he wanted to use her against The First? Is there some long-con or coop these “gods” are planning to overthrow him?
I liked the writing, but to have no answers given to us in this first book makes me reconsider reading the second.
I love a slowburn about as much as I love a timeless romance, but I’m not exactly sure what the overall plot of this book was. The characters are written well enough that I understand their motives and intentions and wants/needs, but there are still so many questions.
All that time and we never met “The First” and were only introduced to his character in the last 15% of the book. Are they gods or no? They all ate a peach from the same tree, but their “abilities” are never really explained. The MMC gave her the peach to meddle where he couldn’t, but leaves her to live centuries alone, only checking in on occasion or when she’s in danger? Did he give her the peach because he wanted to use her against The First? Is there some long-con or coop these “gods” are planning to overthrow him?
I liked the writing, but to have no answers given to us in this first book makes me reconsider reading the second.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5🌟
I love when there’s a book within a book, and this had many books within the book. The antagonist, for me, was a bit too much—usually there’s a place in the plot where the antagonist is understood, where the line of their sadism blurs a bit and you see where they’re coming from (not accept, just understand better). This doesn’t happen in this book. I’m sure it’s intentional, but I could have still despised the character with more backstory.
The pace was slow for me. Even the “action” parts. But the writing made up for it—the world building, the characterizations, the imagery.
I wish this delivered more of its promise, with its comp titles and synopsis, but it fell a bit short for me overall. Still worth reading if you like magical realism and time travel, though!
I love when there’s a book within a book, and this had many books within the book. The antagonist, for me, was a bit too much—usually there’s a place in the plot where the antagonist is understood, where the line of their sadism blurs a bit and you see where they’re coming from (not accept, just understand better). This doesn’t happen in this book. I’m sure it’s intentional, but I could have still despised the character with more backstory.
The pace was slow for me. Even the “action” parts. But the writing made up for it—the world building, the characterizations, the imagery.
I wish this delivered more of its promise, with its comp titles and synopsis, but it fell a bit short for me overall. Still worth reading if you like magical realism and time travel, though!
I tried—I really did. But I read 62% and nothing significant happened. It was dialogue heavy, but maybe 10% of it was purposeful. I wasn’t attached to any of the characters, even that far in, so I just called it.