Reviews with content warning for Violence - Minimum Wage Magic

I LOVED this book! It was recommended to me by my friend Fern and I’m so glad I read it. I was hooked and finished it within a day and started on the next one.

The main character was realistic and relatable, the love interest is funny

and I love a good “enemies to lovers” arc even though they haven’t gotten together, I ship them hard!

The twist caught me off guard but it wasn’t out of nowhere, either. It fit well within the story and made me want more, something I hope they continue to explore in the next book.

I loved the worldbuilding, it was explained in a way that made me feel up to date but wasn’t clunky or massive history lectures—though I would’ve gladly sat through some history lessons on the DFZ and how magic came to be in this world!

Content Warnings

bex_knighthunterbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This urban fantasy mystery was great fun. I loved being back in the DFZ with its mix of magic and technology. I really enjoyed Opal's perspective and voice, along with Nik (I shipped it!), and Sybil the AI assistant. The mystery was fast paced and kept me guessing, although I enjoyed most the reveals around Opal and Nik's backstories and lives more than the 'quest'. The tension was high, with lots of risk, potential reward and running all over the city. Given I was already in love with this setting, I loved being dropped back here and seeing a glimpse of how it has changed after the Heartstriker's series. Definitely looking forward to reading the rest of this spin-off series. I really love this for what it is - incredible fun and inventive with relatable spunky characters. However, it is lacking a few things I look for in my absolute favourite series, one of which is more exploration of theme - in this I'd have enjoyed more critique of capitalism and exploitation of low-wage workers and financial precarity - although I understand that isn't the type of book this was trying to be! Also, I would have liked more queerness, even if just in the background, as I would have expected it to be very visible in a city all about freedom (depending on what the rest of the world is like). And finally, the ethnic diversity feels quite surface level. Given the world is quite different to ours that is somewhat understandable but I'd have at least expected the main character to show more of her Korean background given she is a fairly recent immigrant (e.g. maybe she would speak to her AI in Korean?).

Content Warnings

metonymy's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Content Warnings

lookingmuchimproved's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious tense 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

This was an extremely fun read. I loved the descriptions of the Detroit Free Zone (the most magical place in the world where almost anything is legal) and how the author has tech and magic mingle in the same city, opposites but both big business. I love this world she created of gods and dragons that still feels a little bit like our world, even a little bit like what Detroit is actually like, but only if you squint really hard because it's so steeped in fantasy.

I especially love the characters. In Opal, Aaron has created the perfect underdog character that people naturally want to root in, and those initial feelings are only increased as we get to know her more rather than becoming disillusioned. It's not that she never messes up, but the things that are really important to her at the end of the day are values most of us can't exactly dismiss. Her motivations make sense, not selfless but not ruthless either . . . Opal is very human, our plucky underdog.

The other characters are great, too. Aaron is careful to give every character that Opal works with their own motivation which makes them feel real and independent of the main character. This is especially important with the individual she ends up working closely with throughout most of the book because his history, motivations, and tactics are all very different and separate from hers. It made both characters hold up equally well in the partnership without one taking over more than the other or just seeming like they are the accessory to the other.

I usually don't read sequels to books right away, but I have already purchased the next two books in this series because I'm super intrigued and need to read more about these characters.

Content Warnings

pandin's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny tense fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I wish it less tense, less dark, and less gritty, but I'll read the next books.

Content Warnings

More...