emilyrod811's review
emotional
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
5.0
oldandnewbooksmell's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
medium-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? No
4.0
Due to a curse put on him at birth, Senrind’s been forced to live stuck as a werewolf, unable to change into a human. With the help of his friend, Quinn, they go to a fortune teller who introduces them to a shapeshifting cat named Carithway.
Carithway can help him break the curse, but Senrind in return, must help Carithway out at his shop. Sentrind agrees and is thus thrown into a world of witches, spells, potions, and magic. As Sentrind tries to find answers to his past, he undercovers secrets from his father as well as something Carithway is hiding too. Was Senrind safer in his wolf form and now that he’s human - what can he do to help?
I’m not sure what it is with me stumbling upon cozy fantasies with found family tropes but I’m here for it and absolutely love it. The characters of this book are all so lovely and I’m a sucker for cats with magic, so Carithway could always make me smile.
With a lot of books, the main character gets everything bad thrown at them. But with this book, though there are trials and learning paths, Senrind seems to be doing well and it wasn’t filled with suspense and danger around every corner - hence why I’m calling it cozy fantasy. Sometimes that’s just what you need though.
There is a little romance in this book - but it’s just beginning, which I love because it seems very much more authentic and not rushed into in a few pages. This novel is marked as being #1 in the series, so I’m excited to see this relationship grow as well as the rest of the storyline continue.
This is a cozy read that would be perfect to snuggle up with in the fall - or honestly, you can be like me and read it right at the beginning of Summer and dream about the fall weather that’s mentioned in the book!
*Thank you Kaely Rose and The StoryGraph for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
lanid's review
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
Received in a StoryGraph giveaway
The characters were likable, though not overly compelling. The writing style was very clear but unnecessarily wordy and descriptive at times, and there are a few times where the POV switches characters mid-chapter that made it difficult to follow. It’s a pretty low-stakes story which made the slow pacing in the beginning hard to get through, but overall it was very sweet and has potential.
The characters were likable, though not overly compelling. The writing style was very clear but unnecessarily wordy and descriptive at times, and there are a few times where the POV switches characters mid-chapter that made it difficult to follow. It’s a pretty low-stakes story which made the slow pacing in the beginning hard to get through, but overall it was very sweet and has potential.
bookish_bry's review
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? No
3.5
I received this book in a giveaway on Storygraph. This was an enjoyable book overall. The pacing wasn't always perfect. The beginning sometimes seemed too slow and the end seemed far too fast. I enjoyed the characters and thought they were sweet. I think the world was interesting, but could have been developed a little bit more. It was a pretty low stakes book overall which isn't necessarily a criticism, but it is not an action packed fantasy book. I'd be interested in seeing what Kaely Rose does in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt
There is a bit of fantasy racism.kellyoneill's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mmarques's review
adventurous
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.25
I won this book in a StoryGraph giveaway.
This book is a cosy fantasy with a hint of romance. I found both main characters interesting and lovable. However, as a “cosy” book, the conflicts are too easily overcome for my tastes. For example, near the beginning of the book, we learn that Carithway significantly dislikes wolves, and Senrind is a wolf. Yet, they quickly get along well.
The opening of this book was a bit rough, as the POV switches rapidly between characters, but after the first chapter, the style improves.
This book is a cosy fantasy with a hint of romance. I found both main characters interesting and lovable. However, as a “cosy” book, the conflicts are too easily overcome for my tastes. For example, near the beginning of the book, we learn that Carithway significantly dislikes wolves, and Senrind is a wolf. Yet, they quickly get along well.
The opening of this book was a bit rough, as the POV switches rapidly between characters, but after the first chapter, the style improves.
sydneysbooknook's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I've never read a cozy fantasy before, but I believe this fits the definition. I won this book in a giveaway, so I didn't really have any expectations before reading it, and I'm so glad that I did! The Forbidden Spell was part fantasy, part mystery, and part love letter to cats (an amazing combination). I can't wait to read more from the author!
leafybibliophile's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this! I tried to win it in a giveaway but it ended up only being one dollar on Amazon, so I just couldn't resist.
The overall vibe and plot is fantastic. It's cozy, spooky and exactly what October feels like. The characters are precious, and I liked learning about the magic system a lot. I'm such a sucker for seeing shifters (astrals, as they're called in this case) that aren't wolves or cats, so this also made me happy!
The romance wasn't quite realized by the end, but it seems to be still building up, so I think this is intentional since this looks to be a series.
The author is an OC cultivator and this book is her baby, set out into the world. I can just tell, as an OC creator and lover myself!
My only gripe was that the writing style wasn't overly gorgeous or easy to read, but I can completely sympathize, especially since this is a debut publication! I think it's a very strong start, and for one last high point, I was able to find some concept sketches which I go absolutely feral for and loved seeing. I hope that there'll be a book 2, because I'll certainly be first in line!
The overall vibe and plot is fantastic. It's cozy, spooky and exactly what October feels like. The characters are precious, and I liked learning about the magic system a lot. I'm such a sucker for seeing shifters (astrals, as they're called in this case) that aren't wolves or cats, so this also made me happy!
The romance wasn't quite realized by the end, but it seems to be still building up, so I think this is intentional since this looks to be a series.
The author is an OC cultivator and this book is her baby, set out into the world. I can just tell, as an OC creator and lover myself!
My only gripe was that the writing style wasn't overly gorgeous or easy to read, but I can completely sympathize, especially since this is a debut publication! I think it's a very strong start, and for one last high point, I was able to find some concept sketches which I go absolutely feral for and loved seeing. I hope that there'll be a book 2, because I'll certainly be first in line!
imaginary_sauropod's review
Note: I received a copy of this book through a giveaway on Storygraph.
This book reads like a first draft. I could not keep track of all the inconsistencies in Sengrid’s backstory. He lives in the mountains but has boxes of possessions. His friend’s family promised to take him in and care for him, but he still lives in the mountains. He remembers a rug getting torn up by werewolf pups but he lives in the mountains. Then there is supposed to be cat vs wolf hate but both seem to not even care. And then sharing a room with a servant? Like why can’t he be an employee? It would make more sense for the cat’s economic class. And the non main characters feel like props instead of characters.
There is a great concept here, but it needed to be hashed out more.
This book reads like a first draft. I could not keep track of all the inconsistencies in Sengrid’s backstory. He lives in the mountains but has boxes of possessions. His friend’s family promised to take him in and care for him, but he still lives in the mountains. He remembers a rug getting torn up by werewolf pups but he lives in the mountains. Then there is supposed to be cat vs wolf hate but both seem to not even care. And then sharing a room with a servant? Like why can’t he be an employee? It would make more sense for the cat’s economic class. And the non main characters feel like props instead of characters.
There is a great concept here, but it needed to be hashed out more.
baya_111's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was the cutest book I'd read in a while! The main characters are interesting and I really liked how we slowly learn more and more about each of them. The writing can be quite poetic at time, I think I especially noticed it at the very beginning of the book as it wasn't something I was expecting. Like the beginning of the first chapter? Damn I had to re-read it because I had not expected to be pulled so hard into the universe.
I'm actually quite excited to see future work in this serie. I guess some parts are not a big surprise but that was more related to things being foreshadowed than them being cliché? Also it was still interesting to read how situation A went to situation B even if you knew that situation B would be the end result. There's still a couple of unknowns/questions one might have about the main characters at the end of book 1 but that also makes it all the more interesting for the next book.
So yeah, definitely recommanding this book!
Spoiler
There is some soft romantic-ish tension between the two main characters but mostly it's hinted at and sets up a good basis for future books. And honestly, I enjoyed the HECK out of this. Like give me more of that innocent getting to know each other that lasts more than three chapters like some other books do. Also it just makes so much more sense based on Senrind's life so yeah, I had so much appreciation for that. I really hope that future books of the serie will take their time with developping that relationship slowly!Spoiler
Also somehow I did not expect Senrind to turn up able to use magic and that was such a fucking twist? Idk if I should have seen it coming but it surprised me.I'm actually quite excited to see future work in this serie. I guess some parts are not a big surprise but that was more related to things being foreshadowed than them being cliché? Also it was still interesting to read how situation A went to situation B even if you knew that situation B would be the end result. There's still a couple of unknowns/questions one might have about the main characters at the end of book 1 but that also makes it all the more interesting for the next book.
So yeah, definitely recommanding this book!