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whimsicalpandas's Reviews (14)
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Full Review
I did not expect to enjoy this duology as much as I did. It was touted as more romance than fantasy (at least that was my impression) and so I worried it would simply be a love story. And that, it is. But it’s written so beautifully, and so thoughtfully, that I didn’t care.
Ironically, that’s what I missed most in book two. Whereas book one unfurled the love between Iris and Roman with room for genuine character growth, book two leaned more heavily on plot. The quiet charm that defined the first book felt fleeting in the second.
Still, I’m glad I read it, because sometimes a love story this lovely is worth following to the very end.
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✨ Yearbook Superlatives Review ✨
🏆 Valedictorian (MVP): Morgie, lol.
🎭 Most Dramatic: Dacre. He’s always one step away from fuming and outrage. You’re a god. Keep it together.
📈 Most Improved: Technically Kitt, right? Because, you know… How the book started...
👻 Most Forgettable: I’m sorry, but Prindle.
💞 Couple Goals: Iris and Roman, obviously.
👑 Best Dressed: Roman (assuming he has access to his own wardrobe).
📚 Book Superlative: Most Likely to Make You Shed a Tear (or at Least Feel Something, You Monster).
⭐ Book GPA: A (4.5/5)
✒️ Yearbook Quote: “Even then, may I find your soul still sworn to mine.”
🏫 Club: Fantasy, Romantasy
I did not expect to enjoy this duology as much as I did. It was touted as more romance than fantasy (at least that was my impression) and so I worried it would simply be a love story. And that, it is. But it’s written so beautifully, and so thoughtfully, that I didn’t care.
Ironically, that’s what I missed most in book two. Whereas book one unfurled the love between Iris and Roman with room for genuine character growth, book two leaned more heavily on plot. The quiet charm that defined the first book felt fleeting in the second.
Still, I’m glad I read it, because sometimes a love story this lovely is worth following to the very end.
--
✨ Yearbook Superlatives Review ✨
🏆 Valedictorian (MVP): Morgie, lol.
🎭 Most Dramatic: Dacre. He’s always one step away from fuming and outrage. You’re a god. Keep it together.
📈 Most Improved: Technically Kitt, right? Because, you know… How the book started...
👻 Most Forgettable: I’m sorry, but Prindle.
💞 Couple Goals: Iris and Roman, obviously.
👑 Best Dressed: Roman (assuming he has access to his own wardrobe).
📚 Book Superlative: Most Likely to Make You Shed a Tear (or at Least Feel Something, You Monster).
⭐ Book GPA: A (4.5/5)
✒️ Yearbook Quote: “Even then, may I find your soul still sworn to mine.”
🏫 Club: Fantasy, Romantasy
medium-paced
medium-paced
The Library at Mount Char is uniquely bizarre in the best possible way. It’s the good kind of weird—the kind you’re drawn to. Remember when Kamala Harris called Donald Trump and JD Vance weird (rightfully so)? Yeah, not that kind of weird. That’s the kind you stay away from.
This is the kind of weird that creates bonds with others who are also, just a little weird. Needless to say: I’d recommend it. And the less you know going in, the better.
P.S. Ahem, Mr. Hawkins… where is your next book?!
This is the kind of weird that creates bonds with others who are also, just a little weird. Needless to say: I’d recommend it. And the less you know going in, the better.
P.S. Ahem, Mr. Hawkins… where is your next book?!
Full Review
So… book one is better than book two. There, I said it.
Some may disagree. Some may argue that the first book relied too heavily on Elspeth—who, let’s be honest, isn’t all that interesting—and as a result, the book is the weaker of the two, which is fair. But the story was never really about Elspeth, was it? It was about the Nightmare. (And trees).
The Nightmare is without a doubt the star of the show. In fact, the Nightmare to Elspeth is like Scarlett Johansson to Colin Jost on the red carpet: she gives us everything, while he just gives us… nothing. That’s right, the Nightmare is Scarlett Johansson. And that is, of course, the highest of compliments.
The Nightmare aside, the strength of book one (in my opinion) was that the love story felt secondary to the main plot. It unfolded quietly in the background rather than demanding center stage. Book two, however, doubled down on the romantasy, veering into cliché. On top of that, the plot twists were a tad predictable.
That said, the Nightmare and their surprisingly sassy self were enough to counteract the book’s weaknesses. I guess Elm was alright too, as was Ione. Jesper… was there, forever the fifth wheel. And Ravyn? A Broody McBroodster, through and through.
Overall, it’s a satisfying conclusion to the duology, even if it never quite reached the same highs as the first.
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✨ Yearbook Superlatives Review ✨
🏆 Valedictorian (MVP): Um, hello, the Nightmare. If anyone says differently, they’re lying. They are certainly not clever, nor good... Though they may be wary. They're probably wary.
🎭 Most Dramatic: Omg, Ravyn. Could we maybe try to not brood for a day? As the Nightmare put it: “It’s fraying my nerves, listening to him sigh.” Yes. Yes, it is.
📈 Most Improved: Emory. Does that count? I say it counts.
👻 Most Forgettable: The stepmother, the stepsisters, the aunt… and basically Ione and Elspeth’s entire extended family.
💕 Couple Goals: It's a tie between the wholesome Yew sibling dynamic (plus honorary sibling Elm) and the surprisingly tender paternal relationship between the Nightmare and Elspeth.
😂 Class Clown: Surprisingly, yet delightfully, the Nightmare. Who knew a centuries-old mysterious shadow entity could be so sassy? I surely didn't, but I am 100% here for it.
📚 Book Superlative: Most Likely to Sigh Dramatically (Ravyn Yew, obviously)
⭐ Book GPA: A– (4.25/5)
✒️ Yearbook Quote: “It’s hardly my fault, Elspeth, that I am constantly surrounded by idiots.”
✏️ Bonus Quote: “She says you’re stupid, Ravyn Yew.”
🏫 Club: Fantasy, Romantasy
So… book one is better than book two. There, I said it.
Some may disagree. Some may argue that the first book relied too heavily on Elspeth—who, let’s be honest, isn’t all that interesting—and as a result, the book is the weaker of the two, which is fair. But the story was never really about Elspeth, was it? It was about the Nightmare. (And trees).
The Nightmare is without a doubt the star of the show. In fact, the Nightmare to Elspeth is like Scarlett Johansson to Colin Jost on the red carpet: she gives us everything, while he just gives us… nothing. That’s right, the Nightmare is Scarlett Johansson. And that is, of course, the highest of compliments.
The Nightmare aside, the strength of book one (in my opinion) was that the love story felt secondary to the main plot. It unfolded quietly in the background rather than demanding center stage. Book two, however, doubled down on the romantasy, veering into cliché. On top of that, the plot twists were a tad predictable.
That said, the Nightmare and their surprisingly sassy self were enough to counteract the book’s weaknesses. I guess Elm was alright too, as was Ione. Jesper… was there, forever the fifth wheel. And Ravyn? A Broody McBroodster, through and through.
Overall, it’s a satisfying conclusion to the duology, even if it never quite reached the same highs as the first.
--
✨ Yearbook Superlatives Review ✨
🏆 Valedictorian (MVP): Um, hello, the Nightmare. If anyone says differently, they’re lying. They are certainly not clever, nor good... Though they may be wary. They're probably wary.
🎭 Most Dramatic: Omg, Ravyn. Could we maybe try to not brood for a day? As the Nightmare put it: “It’s fraying my nerves, listening to him sigh.” Yes. Yes, it is.
📈 Most Improved: Emory. Does that count? I say it counts.
👻 Most Forgettable: The stepmother, the stepsisters, the aunt… and basically Ione and Elspeth’s entire extended family.
💕 Couple Goals: It's a tie between the wholesome Yew sibling dynamic (plus honorary sibling Elm) and the surprisingly tender paternal relationship between the Nightmare and Elspeth.
😂 Class Clown: Surprisingly, yet delightfully, the Nightmare. Who knew a centuries-old mysterious shadow entity could be so sassy? I surely didn't, but I am 100% here for it.
📚 Book Superlative: Most Likely to Sigh Dramatically (Ravyn Yew, obviously)
⭐ Book GPA: A– (4.25/5)
✒️ Yearbook Quote: “It’s hardly my fault, Elspeth, that I am constantly surrounded by idiots.”
✏️ Bonus Quote: “She says you’re stupid, Ravyn Yew.”
🏫 Club: Fantasy, Romantasy
medium-paced