Reviews with content warning for Abandonment - A Rival Most Vial

If looking for something "similar" (not like) Legends and Lattes but with more sustenance, then I highly recommend picking up A Rival Most Vial. It has everything one would want in a cozy fantasy, but with a little more fantasy, low-stakes, and a lot more romance thrown in.

I was instantly enraptured in the world, the diverse cast of characters, and the low-stakes plot. For a cozy low-stakes fantasy, we were given a lot about the world and it was wonderful. I loved learning about all the creatures that existed in this world and how they interacted with each other. The dungeon and dragons vibes were coming to life and I was here for it.

And the characters are all cinnamon rolls that you want to bundle up and hold close, especially Ambrose. The character development between Ames and Eli really hit home and you got to see that slow progression from rivals to lovers (the best trope out there). With Ambrose, we got to see a lot behind his character. He comes off as a know-it-all with his nose in the air when it comes to his mastery in potion making. However, as we delve deeper into the book, we get more of his sad story and his true fear of abandonment.

Then with Eli we get this happy-go-lucky man who is excited for his new career path. However, we also see get to see him overcome his own woes of internalized fear of sticking with just one thing and fear of failure. But watching them grow together was what really hit home for me.

When a book makes me laugh, smile not stop, squeal over the romantic moments, and just make me feel things it becomes an instant favorite.

I can't wait to read more of what Ashwick writes in this world.

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thewordsdevourer's review

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted 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

3.75

this was a rly cute read! a rival most vial was my first cozy fantasy, and it was a fun, lighthearted read w/ a lot of heart and also grounded in relatable issues.

the characters are truly what make this book; not only ames and eli, but also the other characters particularly those on rosemont street, who all shine both individually and together. for the main couple, i enjoy the true enemies-to-lovers relationship and seeing them both develop and grow thruout the book; their internal issues and conflict are v much relatable and add depth to the story, and theyre a v cute couple who gives me butterflies. i also love the bond between everyone on rosemont st that truly envelops the found family trope; theyre super wholesome and heartwarming.

meanwhile, the writing flows nicely and is never an issue, fitting at all the right moments. as for the worldbuilding, for the immediate vicinity it's nice, giving the reader an atmosphere of the scar but it doesnt rly extend much beyond that to the other parts of the kingdom. perhaps ashwick will explore that more in the sequels. i do like the unique layout of the scar tho, and it's undeniable that the setting makes the book cozy as much as the characters.

i have one main issue w/ the book, however, w/ how it doesnt focus enough on the consequences of some characters' actions. thruout the novel, whenever sth happens the fault is often pinned on ames and he's called to apologize, w/ no mention of the party's part in the issue, namely dawn and - towards the end - eli. for the latter it ends too abruptly, w/ no mention of the hows and whys whatsoever of

his shop blowing up and the immediate aftermath of that is skipped

. dawn is the one that upsets me more tho, doing what she did despite being aware of ames' deeper issues, and instead it's only ames whos expected to plan a whole apology tour for trying to save her. she also doesnt seem to have changed at all from the incident, remaining an overachiever (or more like overcommitter) despite the consequences it could wreak on not only herself but those around her, and there's no discussion of her issues at all, which is disappointing.

in conclusion this novel does have its issues, but it's still an enjoyable, lighthearted read thats could make one feel both giddy and cozy. i look forward to the sequel!

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ettagrace's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

4.75

**I received a copy of this book from the author and volunteered to leave an honest review.**

The best word to describe this book is “Delightful.” It’s a quick, entertaining, and exciting read, perfect for if you need something cosy to curl up with in the car on your way to a mandatory family field trip. It takes place in a world inspired by your typical sword and sorcery fantasy settings, and takes a closer look at what the NPCs are doing while your party is off saving the world. The strength of the worldbuilding comes not from elaborate politics or original species, but from the charming minutia of daily life – the dumplings at a favorite tavern, mail getting postponed by griffin migrations, contending with the whims of the local government, which sinkhole to scavenge for the best moss, and of course, the eponymous rival potion shops vying for customers.

The protagonists each have unique and memorable personalities, voices, and mannerisms that make both sides of the rivalry sympathetic and lovable. There were a couple moments at the very beginning when I wished they would simply talk to each other like grownups, the not-quite-a-fight scene giving me a bit of secondhand embarrassment for poor Ambrose and his busted knuckles. However, their original misunderstandings stem from differences in their backstories you learn later in the book, which puts everything into perspective. Both of their arcs were heartfelt and well-resolved, and the romance was really fun to read as well, as they both come to terms with their feelings, and then navigate a new relationship with career plans in mind.

The side characters are also wonderful in their own ways. Dawn’s friendship with Ambrose is a driving side-plot, and it’s interesting to explore how these very different personalities interact and support each other. Banneker is wonderfully weird and confident in his role as comedic relief, as well as a supportive friend. Sherry and Grim are the protective parents of the ragtag found family. I found it a fun subversion that the orcish Grim works with delicate jewelry, while the little old lady is the village blacksmith and armorer. I also would be remiss to end this review without a mention of the fantastical technobabble about potion reagents and procedure, or the fantastic illustrations. As a chemistry nerd myself, it was a blast to read about people who do the fantasy-version of my line of work. Even the chapter titles are the steps in a potion recipie!

I highly recommend A Rival Most Vial, as well as R.K.’s other series, starting with The Stray Spirit!

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silentrequiem's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.5

This was utterly delightful. If you ever wondered about the lives of the shopkeepers in the high fantasy adventuring games, wonder no more. Ashwick creates a wonderful world featuring the shopkeepers of Rosemond Street, who cater to the adventuring parties trying their luck deep in the caves where their town is built, or farther afield. Ambrose runs the potion shop, and Eli opens up another potion shop directly across the street.

This is a cozy queer romance, enemies to friends to lovers, found family, high fantasy tale that I absolutely fell into. I loved the characters, who were very flawed, the absurd circumstances that have them forced to work together, and the sweet family of Rosemond Street who all look out for each other. I highly enjoyed this.

Review copy courtesy of the author via LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program. I am leaving a review voluntarily and received no compensation for the review.

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denois's review against another edition

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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.

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sarahlizzie's review against another edition

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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.

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