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queenpebbles's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
micaelacccc's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
I cannot say enough good things about this book! It's so adorable it had me giggling and kicking my feet, I want to read it again and again!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Emotional abuse and Abandonment
denois's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received an ARC and am leaving an unbiased review.
I greatly enjoyed this book. For the first time in many years, I stayed up all night reading it because I didn't want to stop to sleep, I wanted to find out what was happening. Don't let that make you think it takes a long time, I didn't start reading until about midnight and finished around 7. It's a quick read.
If you like rivals to friends to lovers, if you like fantasy settings, if you have wondered what the lives of NPCs were like in your ttrpg campaign (most similar to D&D, but probably cross applicable to others), if you like gay main characters, if you like the grumpy one becoming soft for the sunshiny one, if you like a cast of characters that includes nonbinary characters, mspec characters, wlw characters, old women who kick ass and make armor, and aroace characters, then this book will probably be very enjoyable for you.
It's not all sunshine and roses. Both of the main characters have some very difficult things to work through and one is dealing with some pretty significant tragic backstory. This is probably the one thing that I wish had a bit more time devoted to it to develop and resolve on page. I understand the word count restrictions in play and the pacing constraints, and I think that how it was handled is probably the best option that was strictly available. I personally would have enjoyed a bit more insight into the emotional journey for the character there, but it would have changed the pacing too much.
In addition to the tragic backstory issues, there are also dangerous adventures and misadventures and the risk of injury and death is quite real, which worked to keep me engaged in the story and worrying about the characters.
The love story is the main plot, but the subplots generally feel significant and developed enough that they don't feel incidental. They are reasonable things that would occur in the lives of the characters even if the love story plot wasn't happening. At the same time, they are woven together in a way that allows the subplots to move the main plot as well.
I greatly enjoyed this book. For the first time in many years, I stayed up all night reading it because I didn't want to stop to sleep, I wanted to find out what was happening. Don't let that make you think it takes a long time, I didn't start reading until about midnight and finished around 7. It's a quick read.
If you like rivals to friends to lovers, if you like fantasy settings, if you have wondered what the lives of NPCs were like in your ttrpg campaign (most similar to D&D, but probably cross applicable to others), if you like gay main characters, if you like the grumpy one becoming soft for the sunshiny one, if you like a cast of characters that includes nonbinary characters, mspec characters, wlw characters, old women who kick ass and make armor, and aroace characters, then this book will probably be very enjoyable for you.
It's not all sunshine and roses. Both of the main characters have some very difficult things to work through and one is dealing with some pretty significant tragic backstory. This is probably the one thing that I wish had a bit more time devoted to it to develop and resolve on page. I understand the word count restrictions in play and the pacing constraints, and I think that how it was handled is probably the best option that was strictly available. I personally would have enjoyed a bit more insight into the emotional journey for the character there, but it would have changed the pacing too much.
In addition to the tragic backstory issues, there are also dangerous adventures and misadventures and the risk of injury and death is quite real, which worked to keep me engaged in the story and worrying about the characters.
The love story is the main plot, but the subplots generally feel significant and developed enough that they don't feel incidental. They are reasonable things that would occur in the lives of the characters even if the love story plot wasn't happening. At the same time, they are woven together in a way that allows the subplots to move the main plot as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Abandonment, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Violence and Medical content
sarahlizzie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
Are we sure I can't give this 6/5 stars? Or more?
(I received a free copy of this book as an ARC reader, and I'm leaving this honest review voluntarily.)
I knocked back this book like it was a healing potion. Or a potion of coziness. Either way, I wanted every drop of it and I didn't want it to end.
The cast of characters is immediately likeable and relatable. The setting is vivid and interesting, but super easy to step into. I was grinning from page one and almost forgot to drink my coffee. Really vibrant imagery that conjures a stunning world of colour and smell.
Rarely have I related so hard to a character like I did Ambrose. I kept having to stop reading just to give him an invisible air hug. I think it's awesome how the author created a grumpy, anti-social protagonist and yet made him so likeable.
I told a friend that "Tom is so adorable I had to scream into a pillow about it".
This book is comforting, enchanting, and just lovely. I will be re-reading and re-reading until there's more.
(I received a free copy of this book as an ARC reader, and I'm leaving this honest review voluntarily.)
I knocked back this book like it was a healing potion. Or a potion of coziness. Either way, I wanted every drop of it and I didn't want it to end.
The cast of characters is immediately likeable and relatable. The setting is vivid and interesting, but super easy to step into. I was grinning from page one and almost forgot to drink my coffee. Really vibrant imagery that conjures a stunning world of colour and smell.
Rarely have I related so hard to a character like I did Ambrose. I kept having to stop reading just to give him an invisible air hug. I think it's awesome how the author created a grumpy, anti-social protagonist and yet made him so likeable.
I told a friend that "Tom is so adorable I had to scream into a pillow about it".
This book is comforting, enchanting, and just lovely. I will be re-reading and re-reading until there's more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Blood, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
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