Kas

A New Favorite

Reviewed: 01-06-24

I love how fleshed out the two leads and the depths and detail that went into making them 3D characters. The supporting characters were pretty fleshed out too and it didn't feel like they were only included to move the plot along. I understood the attraction between the main two characters and was very happy it didn't boil down to 'they were both sooooo attractive how could they resist one another?'.

The representation of neurodivergence in this book is fantastic as well! As a person with ADHD, I found Madison very relatable and I appreciated the talk surrounding her struggles with it throughout her life and it was awesome that her loved ones didn't penalize her for it but came up with little things to help.

Excellent characters, character development, and story. This is a new favorite of mine!

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Quite Enjoyable but Missing Something(s)

Reviewed: 11-15-23

This story was highly enjoyable but it's missing a few things for me. It's in need of an outsider's perspective. The way almost all the characters are dismissive of why Emmy left and dismissive of her life outside of the town was frustrating. Even when some of the characters are listening to her about why she left/is hesitant to move back full time, the other characters keep centering themselves in her life and telling her she should move back because she belongs there.

I kept waiting for a found family conversation and it just never arrived. And the way everyone was dismissive of her but trying to convince her to move back to town based on their feelings didn't sit right with me. It felt like a lot of the characters were chanting "one of us, one of us" whenever they were talking to Emmy about her life outside of her hometown. Honestly, if I was friend of Emmy's from Chicago and she told me what was going on, I'd ask her if she wanted me to come get her or come out there as moral support.

The magic system was also missing something but maybe that's explained in the other books. I find it odd that Talia talks about being related to Baba Yaga but somehow Thistlegrove is the only place they're aware magic exists. Was there not magic in Russia too?

Overall, I did enjoy this book especially Jasper and Talia when she wasn't being the most unmovable and stubborn person.

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Woof. Not much magic or chemistry

Reviewed: 09-07-23

Struggled to get thru this one but was able to do it because the narration is great. The story not so much. Lots of underdeveloped characters, including the love interest. The book is highly misleading when it comes to what actually happened to the ex-best friend. I kept waiting for the actual story/plot to start, and it never really did. Oh, and there's no magic in this book. The main character is also very hard to cheer for and support

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Decent and By the Numbers Lesfic

Reviewed: 05-01-23

You're getting exactly what you think you're going to get with this read, which isn't a bad thing! The diversity inclusion was appreciated but very clunky and only pertaining to minor and background characters

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The Sapphic High Fantasy Story of Epic Proportions

Reviewed: 09-07-22

Trust me. Read this book. And then thank me once you're finished and you've already started it again.

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Dropped the ball towards the end

Reviewed: 09-23-21

The story is good and has interesting characters but the pacing is very off. The last 15% of the book is conflict between the two of them that's doesn't make sense because it's not addressed properly and it happens with about an hour of story left. The story could've greatly benefited from Flora's pov and having other personal conflicts that didn't only tie back to a romantic relationship.

It left me wanting way more than its able to give.

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Had me in the first half (spoilerish)

Reviewed: 06-09-21 Listener received this title free

This book reminded me of and brought back similar frustrations i experienced as a child reading some of RL Stine's Fearstreet books because a twist which takes place after the midway point of the book and feels out of character and purely for shock value especially after being in the character's head and pov and their being no hints to trace to the twist after its revealed.

Kinda reminds me of the season of Game of Thrones or M Night and the twists for shock value thrown into their stories. Felt kinda cheep but I did appreciate the cliffhanger of a moral dilemma at the very end.

I've read most of the author's other books and this one is probably my least favorite but that's saying a lot because I'd still reccomend it and the author's Soldier of Dorsa series is one of my favorite queer series

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1 person found this helpful

Engrossing Diverse Read

Reviewed: 06-04-21

10/10 would reccomend. this story immediately pulled me in and kept me captivated. the characters are very diverse too which is still something lacking in the genre so I was appreciative to find it here and it not be a focal point

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1 person found this helpful

Not Having Friends Trope

Reviewed: 11-05-20

I'm not exactly sure what it is with this genre and the characters not having any friends outside of the person they're attracted to and possibly family members but it's weird. It also sends a unhealthy message about relationships in general.

other than that the book was decent

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Slow and predictable but worth the listen

Reviewed: 10-20-20

the story for me was slow and predictable but it does a really good job of describing how grief can just cling to someone and warp how one views self and other.

I don't think it's accurate to call this a mystery because it's painfully obvious to the reader/listener who the stalker is but I think the point is the main character can't see it because she so wrapped up in her grief.

Anyways, definitely pick this one up if your looking for a diverse cast and accurate and blunt description of grief.

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