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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.
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!
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!
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!
teapotoccamy's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thank you to the author for hosting a giveaway of her debut novel on Storygraph. Here is an honest review in exchange for the copy won:
I'M MELTING I LOVE SENRIND AND CARITHWAY 💖
The characters are charming and incredibly lovable, the plot is engaging and it is so atmospheric! A combination of autumnal and wintry vibes, hot comforting drinks, magic both whimsical and dark and plenty of gay pining, the sweet sweet blossoming of affections sitting somewhere between enemies to lovers and friends to lovers.I'm still melting and internally gasping at every memory of key moments in the story, gosh book 2 when?
My only real gripe was I wished the first half of the book was more engaging; it was very atmospheric but the writing was not lyrical (?) enough to compensate for the slow plot progression. The second half of the book on the other hand was so well-paced but I did also feel like some of the various conflicts were resolved too quickly and cleanly.
Honestly, small nitpicks since this is Kaely Rose's debut novel! Ah I'm so excited to follow this story and Kaely's writing journey from here onwards 💖
I'M MELTING I LOVE SENRIND AND CARITHWAY 💖
The characters are charming and incredibly lovable, the plot is engaging and it is so atmospheric! A combination of autumnal and wintry vibes, hot comforting drinks, magic both whimsical and dark and plenty of gay pining, the sweet sweet blossoming of affections sitting somewhere between enemies to lovers and friends to lovers.I'm still melting and internally gasping at every memory of key moments in the story, gosh book 2 when?
My only real gripe was I wished the first half of the book was more engaging; it was very atmospheric but the writing was not lyrical (?) enough to compensate for the slow plot progression. The second half of the book on the other hand was so well-paced but I did also feel like some of the various conflicts were resolved too quickly and cleanly.
Honestly, small nitpicks since this is Kaely Rose's debut novel! Ah I'm so excited to follow this story and Kaely's writing journey from here onwards 💖
sapphiremarie's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
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