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llfoofaye's review against another edition
2.0
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway. I did not enjoy this book. There were so many typos and grammatical errors that made reading very frustrating. The story was meh and the ending anticlimactic.
littlebookterror's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
I love this cover but sadly I am not as in love with the content inside it.
The book offers an interesting premise (local mom realizing her son is magic and heir to a throne) yet it quickly dissolves into a predictable mess and odd choices.
I was immediately caught off guard by how some of the side characters talked, it read uncreatively evil and untrue as to how people usually express disdain? I don't mean the judgment on single motherhood or autistic parenting but how there wasn't even an attempt to fudge over their disinterest or veneers of a polite conversation.
And then Alicia made a lot of bizarre choices. From suddenly trying/not trying to find the bio father, to trusting/not trusting the strange elf in her house, to running/not running away. There wasn't rhyme or reason to her changes and I did not feel there was an attempt to make this interesting. She has such a lovely relationship with her child Kenny yet it's not used to explore tension (since he would like to learn magic) or sadness (since he doesn't know about how he was conceived) or just any other interesting dynamic. It doesn't get better once we enter the fae realm. Kenny's abilites are just too much! And all their problems just all kind of falls into line in a way that made me wonder why we are meant to care about the story when the book itself feels like it want's to be done with it to get to the next part. (There is no next part.)
The m/m romance was underdeveloped and could have been utilized so much better based on the ongoing plot. But I appreciated throughout all of this that Alicia is not questioning her aroace identity - she is not interesting in compromising and sure of her feelings on that matter.
Overall, the story is told in such a straightforward manner that the 3-act-structure is more like a little bumb than a proper rise and fall.
The book offers an interesting premise (local mom realizing her son is magic and heir to a throne) yet it quickly dissolves into a predictable mess and odd choices.
I was immediately caught off guard by how some of the side characters talked, it read uncreatively evil and untrue as to how people usually express disdain? I don't mean the judgment on single motherhood or autistic parenting but how there wasn't even an attempt to fudge over their disinterest or veneers of a polite conversation.
And then Alicia made a lot of bizarre choices. From suddenly trying/not trying to find the bio father, to trusting/not trusting the strange elf in her house, to running/not running away. There wasn't rhyme or reason to her changes and I did not feel there was an attempt to make this interesting. She has such a lovely relationship with her child Kenny yet it's not used to explore tension (since he would like to learn magic) or sadness (since he doesn't know about how he was conceived) or just any other interesting dynamic. It doesn't get better once we enter the fae realm. Kenny's abilites are just too much! And all their problems just all kind of falls into line in a way that made me wonder why we are meant to care about the story when the book itself feels like it want's to be done with it to get to the next part. (There is no next part.)
The m/m romance was underdeveloped and could have been utilized so much better based on the ongoing plot. But I appreciated throughout all of this that Alicia is not questioning her aroace identity - she is not interesting in compromising and sure of her feelings on that matter.
Overall, the story is told in such a straightforward manner that the 3-act-structure is more like a little bumb than a proper rise and fall.
valedeoro's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
silversparkles50's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Rape, Stalking, and Murder
Minor: Pregnancy and Injury/Injury detail
spacedragonshoard's review against another edition
4.0
Stars: 4
FMC: Alicia
MMC(s): none
Tropes: Own voice autism rep, motherly love, found family, aromantic/asexual rep, queer romance
> Reviewer add:
Perspective: Third, mostly from Alicia’s perspective
Plot or character driven: Both
Spicy scenes breakdown:
> Present? No.
Burn speed: No romance burn.
Can this be read as a stand-alone: Yes
Re-Readability: High.
Content/Trigger Warnings/Enticements: Peril, people being ableist, classism, s. Assault (past, referenced).
I received an advanced listener copy of this book, and this is my voluntary, honest review.
Weird things are happening around Alicia’s son, Kenny. They found out that his dad was an elf, with magic, and Kenny has inherited magical abilities. Meanwhile, his donor is up to nefarious deeds.
This was a really cute, non-spicy story. It’s full of motherly love, and you can tell that Alicia has been discriminated against even in a school environment, and she is not about to let that happen to her son. I am not sure if it’s true in the book, but in the audio version the narrator doesn’t really use contractions on spoken words by the characters which lends for an odd formality.
I really liked this, and I’m curious to read more about this world.
FMC: Alicia
MMC(s): none
Tropes: Own voice autism rep, motherly love, found family, aromantic/asexual rep, queer romance
> Reviewer add:
Perspective: Third, mostly from Alicia’s perspective
Plot or character driven: Both
Spicy scenes breakdown:
> Present? No.
Burn speed: No romance burn.
Can this be read as a stand-alone: Yes
Re-Readability: High.
Content/Trigger Warnings/Enticements: Peril, people being ableist, classism, s. Assault (past, referenced).
I received an advanced listener copy of this book, and this is my voluntary, honest review.
Weird things are happening around Alicia’s son, Kenny. They found out that his dad was an elf, with magic, and Kenny has inherited magical abilities. Meanwhile, his donor is up to nefarious deeds.
This was a really cute, non-spicy story. It’s full of motherly love, and you can tell that Alicia has been discriminated against even in a school environment, and she is not about to let that happen to her son. I am not sure if it’s true in the book, but in the audio version the narrator doesn’t really use contractions on spoken words by the characters which lends for an odd formality.
I really liked this, and I’m curious to read more about this world.
amenalf53's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars for a unique story
I devoured this book. It is from a unique perspective and describes very difficult aspects of the real world, from the struggles of the autistic main character (Alicia) to abuse to starvation and political tyranny, without flinching or sugarcoating. At the same time, it is a heartwarming story — in every place, from beginning to end, Alicia does what is best for her child, even when it is hard for her, and I admire her bravery and strength. Her perspective is vivid, so vivid that I could almost walk in her shoes, and I understood what she was saying certain things and why she was saying them. Alongside that, this book didn’t lack in the fantasy: the concept of the In-Between is fascinating and original, and the elven magic ideas complemented it. Excellent work.
I subtract half a star (though it’s rounded up to five online) for a few things that bothered me: some inconsistencies in how Kenny, Alicia’s son, and others were depicted, and an ending that felt a little rushed. At the same time, these characters did captivate me, and the ending felt both satisfying and real.
All in all, a book I definitely recommend, including to those who haven’t read ones with an ace and autistic rep and a M/M romance. This book is a great place to start expanding one’s viewpoint. I will be reading more from this author.
I devoured this book. It is from a unique perspective and describes very difficult aspects of the real world, from the struggles of the autistic main character (Alicia) to abuse to starvation and political tyranny, without flinching or sugarcoating. At the same time, it is a heartwarming story — in every place, from beginning to end, Alicia does what is best for her child, even when it is hard for her, and I admire her bravery and strength. Her perspective is vivid, so vivid that I could almost walk in her shoes, and I understood what she was saying certain things and why she was saying them. Alongside that, this book didn’t lack in the fantasy: the concept of the In-Between is fascinating and original, and the elven magic ideas complemented it. Excellent work.
I subtract half a star (though it’s rounded up to five online) for a few things that bothered me: some inconsistencies in how Kenny, Alicia’s son, and others were depicted, and an ending that felt a little rushed. At the same time, these characters did captivate me, and the ending felt both satisfying and real.
All in all, a book I definitely recommend, including to those who haven’t read ones with an ace and autistic rep and a M/M romance. This book is a great place to start expanding one’s viewpoint. I will be reading more from this author.
lalu's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I won this book in a StoryGraph giveaway and I'm grateful for the chance to read something outside my comfort zone as I usually buy traditionally published books and mostly read cishet authors (not intentionally, but they just make up the majority).
I enjoyed the first ~80% of the story a lot. I expected less fantasy elements but the concept of the In-Between was intriguing and I actually found myself wanting more information and more details about it.
What sometimes threw me off was the amount of mistakes. For Example I'm pretty sure the MC was first intended to be non-binary and then got changed to female at some point, since she was occasionally referred to with they/them pronouns; one character had two different spellings; and often there were just blatand grammar or spelling mistakes. The author said they had an editor and a proofreader... If I was the author, I'd want my money back!
But apart from that the majority of the story was very much enjoyable. However the ending was disappointing. What should have been this great climax full of suspense and high stakes was just boring. There wasa mad king who almost killed his own son but got literally stabbed in the back in the last moment . That should be a scene full of tension with the reader being unable to stop reading. But it just wasn't. That the aftermath of that was nothing but smooth sailing just felt too easy and the only hiccup being that the MC - who throughout the book stressed that she was not spontaneous at all - randomly starts pointing at whoever is closest to become her husband ... It just felt so inconsistent and rushed.
I just wish we could get like a revised edition with an ending that is worthy of the concept and the characters.
I enjoyed the first ~80% of the story a lot. I expected less fantasy elements but the concept of the In-Between was intriguing and I actually found myself wanting more information and more details about it.
What sometimes threw me off was the amount of mistakes. For Example I'm pretty sure the MC was first intended to be non-binary and then got changed to female at some point, since she was occasionally referred to with they/them pronouns; one character had two different spellings; and often there were just blatand grammar or spelling mistakes. The author said they had an editor and a proofreader... If I was the author, I'd want my money back!
But apart from that the majority of the story was very much enjoyable. However the ending was disappointing. What should have been this great climax full of suspense and high stakes was just boring. There was
I just wish we could get like a revised edition with an ending that is worthy of the concept and the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, and Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Rape, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Child death and Pregnancy
Blood, body horror, death, murder:ceecasey's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Really great concept. I loved the main character's point of view. The story plot was super interesting. I was definitely invested enough of the characters to see how it ended. Would read a sequel!
claireredd's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hoarderreader's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5