This was a cute, light read that I enjoyed, it just didn’t go quite as deep into the romance or fae elements as I was hoping, and I think it’s brought me to the realization that probably most regency era books aren’t really my thing. However, if you’re looking for a light, regency-era fae story with a light, sweet romance and solid audiobook narration, this may be for you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐½
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Okay. This book was totally right up my alley. In some ways this almost felt like a straight-up retelling of “You’ve Got Mail” in a quirky magical setting with undertakers and zombies, but at about the 50% mark it veers firmly into its own territory. Enjoyed the setting, enjoyed the main characters, the lovable side characters, and You’ve Got Mail is one of my favorite movies of all time, so I was totally here for the parallels. Solid five stars with a cozy vibe, an interesting world, great narration, and a unique flavor.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Loved the writing style, loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches (the author’s first book that’s unrelated but has similar vibes), and love the cozy magical world, but the premise and characters didn’t grab me here. I wasn’t feeling the chemistry between the characters and though it was well-foreshadowed, I didn’t love the resolution. (no rating)
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It is so very rare that I start a book expecting not to like it and end up loving it. I legitimately cannot remember the last time it happened, but this book completely won me over. The silly enemies-vs-lovers, the witty pitch-perfect banter, an intriguing premise, likable, flawed characters, great writing, and a goofy sort of darkness. I still wish I hadn’t known beforehand that this started as fan fiction because at first I feel like I was trying to guess what everything was originally and it kept me from getting engaged right away, but that aside, I totally think this book stands great on its own, and I can’t wait to read the sequel! Recommended for anyone looking for a goofy enemies-to-lovers vibe in a fantasy setting.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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This was definitely a five-star read for me! I enjoyed the way the world unfolded, the secrets were uncovered, and the characters definitely stood out. Though I definitely predicted a few of the twists, they came off very satisfying. It was grittier than I was expecting, and I wish Kiva had been a little more active in the trial and the climax, but I’m curious (and a little apprehensive) to see where the sequel takes us. Definitely recommended for anyone looking for a fresh, well-written YA fantasy that’s a little on the darker side.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Finished reading this aloud to my 7-year-old & 9-year-old for their bookdragon club. At page 50, I wasn’t sure they were going to make it. (I forgot how slowly it starts. Like seriously it takes the 50-page first chapter to get out of the living room, and three pages of it is Thorin just giving this massive 3-page info dump of all info dumps that’s like: “here’s everything that’s happened for the last century.”)
But by the end, this was their favorite book we read all summer. They all had a great time gushing about it at the book club meeting, so it turned out to be an awesome one to end on. (We also watched some clips of both the animated Hobbit movie and the Peter Jackson movies, and they were a little appalled how unfaithful the PJ’s Eagle scene was to the original material, purists that they are. In general, I think it’ll be some time before they’re ready for the Peter Jackson trilogy.)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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What I liked:
– Beautiful writing.
– The world-building! I loved the idea of courier post between worlds.
– Loved the magic system beaded on calligraphy & ink
– Tristan & Nan! I loved how the side characters popped from the page
– A nice mystery that keeps you guessing
What I didn’t like:
– Maeve wasn’t my favorite protagonist. I didn’t dislike her, but I wished she’d played a more active role in events.
– Slower pace than I usually prefer (but keep in mind I like my books breakneck.)
Recommended for those looking for a fantasy that feels fresh with a sweet, slowburn romance subplot
⭐⭐⭐⭐½
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So this book reads like vampires + Hunger Games. I liked the characters, it kept my attention throughout, the narration is great, and the twists, while not totally unexpected, were executed well. Honestly, I finished this book approximately five seconds ago, and I’m processing on my keyboard here as I try to figure out why this wasn’t a five-star read for me. I feel like it should be, but maybe I’m just in a reading slump? I don’t know, but I probably won’t pick up the sequel. I can only assume I’ve been broken as a reader somehow. That said, if you like vampires, dystopia, dark magic, and a little spice, you’ll probably love this one.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Loved the dark atmosphere, heartwarming themes, sweet romance, and strong found family in this enchanting fantasy with super strong Howl’s Moving Castle vibes. Definitely recommend for fantasy fans looking for a mix of gothic and cozy! And the audiobook is narrated by Carol Beth Anderson who is just absolutely lovely!
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Loved the hook and the premise, but I thought we lost a lot of tension in the middle. I feel like I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I would’ve liked, and I got a little frustrated with the characters not really utilizing the powerful books to their full potential. Or taking steps to defend / protect themselves when someone is actively trying to un-alive them over the course of years. I nearly DNF’d a couple times, but came back to it at the encouragement of a friend. To be fair, the full-circle elements of time travel were satisfying and the narrator was great.
⭐⭐⭐½
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