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lanaekirby's review against another edition
4.0
God this book kinda ripped my heart out! First off, loved the premise. Angels are real. They have a hierarchy. You go to school to get all your training, and then when you're like 9-12 your wing bones pop and then you can start taking on "sinners" aka humans and work to help them change their ways and their sinner scores, when you do you earn feathers. And you must fill out your wings before a certain time and then ascend to Elysium. There is more hierarchy and jobs but that's the gist. Leigh is a sweet amazing girl who is doing an amazing job but wants to try and finish earning her feathers quickly to be considered as a candidate to become an archangels wife, so she takes on a triple (a sinner with a sinner score of 100). Cue our dark hard broody bad boy. This book is veryyyy reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. Fated lovers from two different worlds/families with everything stacked against them. I really enjoyed this book. The plot was great, the characters were wonderful, and it was a slow burn with some good spice. This book does not end with what I would consider a happily ever after, but there are more books so things better get answered!!
blyttz's review against another edition
5.0
Oh how I tell you this book had my giggling, kicking my feet up in the air, swooning for the chemistry and love between Leigh and Jarod and then absolutely ripping out my heart and bawling at the end of this book...just no words absolutely speechless. This book has my absolute heart, and I can't wait to continue the series❤️
abby9793's review
3.0
(3.5 stars.)
The acknowledgements says there's a reason for the ending, but I'm struggling to find it. Am I just dumb? Or is it a book 2 kind of thing? (Future Abbey: yes, I was just dumb, and it is a book 2 thing. It’s a Romeo and Juliet retelling… With layers in the following books.)
In Feather, we are introduced to a world of angels. Essentially, there's the classic trope of angels guiding humans to do the right thing and be better people, but Olivia creates a fun twist. Not only are their angel hierarchies, but every angel earns a certain amount of feathers for the people they successfully help. Each angel needs to hit a certain amount of feathers by a certain time, otherwise, they lose their wings. For our leading lady Leigh, she's got a month to earn 82 feathers so she can potentially marry this hotshot angel. And that is how she finds herself entangled with Jared, a parisian mafia boss, who's pretty much as morally screwed as you can get. At least according to angels. But as Leigh pesters Jared into becoming a little more redeemable, she slowly realizes she's doing it for him, not herself. And that means her wedding dreams turn a little topsy-turby.
Feather as a book feels like one big contradiction, (and I say that lovingly). Our main setting is a mafia base in Paris, with death, backstabbing deals, and bloodstained hands on full display. Yet, the read itself is so... cheerful? Sparkly? Not to get too poetic or everything, but the tone and style of this book reminds me of a light, bubbly champagne, which made it super easy to read, but is not what you'd expect from a mafia romance. I guess that's the power of angels, though. It really must be because despite this tonal contrast, I really enjoyed my read.
I feel like this story and world was just meant to be sunken into. It's not overly complicated, the characters are likeable with adequate layers and backstories, the story itself is well-paced. I don't think this read is particularly mind-blowing or philosophical, but not all stories need to be that. Sometimes, you just want a story you can be invested in and enjoy.
For me, Leigh was just that. My girl likes colorful heels, has the sweetest of sweet tooths, and loves herself a good romance novel. Girlie, join the party. Jared definitely pulls off that hard, don't frick with me vibes, and while his initial flirting moments didn't really do it for me, I definitely got on the Jared bandwagon by the midpoint. I think I just wished there was more exploring as to what it is that each of those two love so much about the other, you know? On the topic of more details, I wish our villain reveal got a little more build-up. I feel like he kinda just flipped a switch, and while his motives were fine and reasonable, I think it just felt a little... abrupt.
Overall, Feather is an easy, sparkly read. Minus the ending. I'll be honest, I'm struggling to see the thematic point, but that might just be me. I mean, I would totally reread this book, and I'm going on to the next, so take all of this as you will.
Celestial review - 4.5
Starlight review - 5
The acknowledgements says there's a reason for the ending, but I'm struggling to find it. Am I just dumb? Or is it a book 2 kind of thing? (Future Abbey: yes, I was just dumb, and it is a book 2 thing. It’s a Romeo and Juliet retelling… With layers in the following books.)
In Feather, we are introduced to a world of angels. Essentially, there's the classic trope of angels guiding humans to do the right thing and be better people, but Olivia creates a fun twist. Not only are their angel hierarchies, but every angel earns a certain amount of feathers for the people they successfully help. Each angel needs to hit a certain amount of feathers by a certain time, otherwise, they lose their wings. For our leading lady Leigh, she's got a month to earn 82 feathers so she can potentially marry this hotshot angel. And that is how she finds herself entangled with Jared, a parisian mafia boss, who's pretty much as morally screwed as you can get. At least according to angels. But as Leigh pesters Jared into becoming a little more redeemable, she slowly realizes she's doing it for him, not herself. And that means her wedding dreams turn a little topsy-turby.
Feather as a book feels like one big contradiction, (and I say that lovingly). Our main setting is a mafia base in Paris, with death, backstabbing deals, and bloodstained hands on full display. Yet, the read itself is so... cheerful? Sparkly? Not to get too poetic or everything, but the tone and style of this book reminds me of a light, bubbly champagne, which made it super easy to read, but is not what you'd expect from a mafia romance. I guess that's the power of angels, though. It really must be because despite this tonal contrast, I really enjoyed my read.
I feel like this story and world was just meant to be sunken into. It's not overly complicated, the characters are likeable with adequate layers and backstories, the story itself is well-paced. I don't think this read is particularly mind-blowing or philosophical, but not all stories need to be that. Sometimes, you just want a story you can be invested in and enjoy.
For me, Leigh was just that. My girl likes colorful heels, has the sweetest of sweet tooths, and loves herself a good romance novel. Girlie, join the party. Jared definitely pulls off that hard, don't frick with me vibes, and while his initial flirting moments didn't really do it for me, I definitely got on the Jared bandwagon by the midpoint. I think I just wished there was more exploring as to what it is that each of those two love so much about the other, you know? On the topic of more details, I wish our villain reveal got a little more build-up. I feel like he kinda just flipped a switch, and while his motives were fine and reasonable, I think it just felt a little... abrupt.
Overall, Feather is an easy, sparkly read. Minus the ending. I'll be honest, I'm struggling to see the thematic point, but that might just be me. I mean, I would totally reread this book, and I'm going on to the next, so take all of this as you will.
Celestial review - 4.5
Starlight review - 5
sherremcopeland's review
3.0
I liked the book, and the not so subtle connection to Romeo and juliet. I’ll definitely plan to read book 2, and hopefully I’ll like it more. This one was way too predictable (even if you take away the fact that it was a retelling or Romeo and Juliet, which I didn’t know until the end) . The FMC annoyed me the first half of the book with her naïveté. I get that her job was to see the best in everyone, but for someone who constantly deals with “sinners” you’d think she’d be a bit cautious and careful. Nope. She apparently trusts without caution. Spoiler ahead….. I’m also not a fan of books where people give up their powers, in this case her wings, for someone/something else.
booksandjules's review
4.0
I feel so betrayed. I loved this book but the ending ruined me. I became so caught up in the beautiful romance between Leigh/Feather and Jared and the captivating world of Elysium that I missed the tell-tale signs that this was a Romeo & Juliet style romance. I’ve always hated these types of romances (and Shakespeare in general) because they’re so dramatic, and everyone dies (violently and tragically, I might add) AND FOR WHAT?!?
tstroman's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
laurynpbatista's review against another edition
5.0
** This is a spoiler-free review of Olivia Wildenstein’s Feather**
I first came across Olivia Wildenstein’s Feather while perusing TikTok, and I KNEW I had to read it. I am a sucker for books with celestial beings, and also… tall, dark, and morally grey love interest? Yes please! This book is everything I want: enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, fantasy romance, and more!
This book follows angel Fletching Leigh, pronounced “lay”, as she races to finish collecting her feathers so that she can ascend to Elysium. Leigh takes on extremely difficult sinner Jarod Adler, leader of the Parisian Mob, and things very quickly get out of hand.
Leigh is smart, funny, and extremely passionate about saving people’s souls. She cares deeply for everyone around her, and you cannot help but love her, especially as she becomes increasingly flustered by Jarod’s charms and antics.
Jarod, a sinner with the worst score of “Triple” is hilarious. He is snarky, grumpy, and yet extremely charming. His flirtations with Leigh, and attempts to throw her off of her game had me in stitches. As the story progresses, you learn that Jarod is not all that he may seem, and then you start to swoon. Hard.
Wildenstein provides readers with a unique take on Angels centered around celestial lore, but with some unique changes. She provides rich and descriptive imagery that will make you want to experience *nearly* every single scene in the book.
The plot is engaging, funny, stressful, and romantic. The storyline is super dripping, and had me staying up until the wee hours of the night wanting to just continue on.
I would recommend this book to lovers of fantasy romance novels, and dark/morally grey love interests. It is perfect for fans of books like Jennifer L. Armentrout’s The Dark Elements series who are looking for something more adult. This book is not suitable for minors as it contains sexually explicit scenes and language. It also is important to note that this book contains a very difficult and emotional ending, so make sure that you read the trigger warnings before you dive in.
World-Building: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Romance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Writing Style: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I first came across Olivia Wildenstein’s Feather while perusing TikTok, and I KNEW I had to read it. I am a sucker for books with celestial beings, and also… tall, dark, and morally grey love interest? Yes please! This book is everything I want: enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, fantasy romance, and more!
This book follows angel Fletching Leigh, pronounced “lay”, as she races to finish collecting her feathers so that she can ascend to Elysium. Leigh takes on extremely difficult sinner Jarod Adler, leader of the Parisian Mob, and things very quickly get out of hand.
Leigh is smart, funny, and extremely passionate about saving people’s souls. She cares deeply for everyone around her, and you cannot help but love her, especially as she becomes increasingly flustered by Jarod’s charms and antics.
Jarod, a sinner with the worst score of “Triple” is hilarious. He is snarky, grumpy, and yet extremely charming. His flirtations with Leigh, and attempts to throw her off of her game had me in stitches. As the story progresses, you learn that Jarod is not all that he may seem, and then you start to swoon. Hard.
Wildenstein provides readers with a unique take on Angels centered around celestial lore, but with some unique changes. She provides rich and descriptive imagery that will make you want to experience *nearly* every single scene in the book.
The plot is engaging, funny, stressful, and romantic. The storyline is super dripping, and had me staying up until the wee hours of the night wanting to just continue on.
I would recommend this book to lovers of fantasy romance novels, and dark/morally grey love interests. It is perfect for fans of books like Jennifer L. Armentrout’s The Dark Elements series who are looking for something more adult. This book is not suitable for minors as it contains sexually explicit scenes and language. It also is important to note that this book contains a very difficult and emotional ending, so make sure that you read the trigger warnings before you dive in.
World-Building: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Romance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Writing Style: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️