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btg's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.75
Oh this was a ride. I had so much fun reading this. What an enjoyable grumpy-and-sunshine romance with some hurt/comfort thrown in for good measure. Bonus points for the enemies to begruging ride-or-die friends arc I was not expecting to love.
Look, is the book well written? It depends on your definition of "well-written." There are noticeable issues that are probably the result of this being a debut novel. I felt bored in places, Evie's characterization in early chapters was inconsistent, and there were a lot of infodumps throughout the book that dragged the pacing. Was it extremely fun to read anyway? Oh, very much so. It follows fanfiction/emotional character beats as opposed to traditional plot structure beats, which means readers of fanfic or romance novels will likely be the target audience. Luckily that includes me. I fell in love with Evie and Trystan's dynamic, the wacky world building, and Maehrer's absolutely gut punching raw lines that come out of nowhere. Think of this book as the Fourth Wing of workplace comedy. It will not be everyone's cup of tea, but I will be back for the sequel.
Look, is the book well written? It depends on your definition of "well-written." There are noticeable issues that are probably the result of this being a debut novel. I felt bored in places, Evie's characterization in early chapters was inconsistent, and there were a lot of infodumps throughout the book that dragged the pacing. Was it extremely fun to read anyway? Oh, very much so. It follows fanfiction/emotional character beats as opposed to traditional plot structure beats, which means readers of fanfic or romance novels will likely be the target audience. Luckily that includes me. I fell in love with Evie and Trystan's dynamic, the wacky world building, and Maehrer's absolutely gut punching raw lines that come out of nowhere. Think of this book as the Fourth Wing of workplace comedy. It will not be everyone's cup of tea, but I will be back for the sequel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Confinement, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
fierygecko's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
So, I didn't enjoy this book, but I did find it entertaining. Evie is honestly very witty and funny, however I felt like the author was trying to convince me she's incapable for a good portion of the book? The Villain is a fun character, but I got very tired of him insisting he had no emotions whatsoever very fast. I also had to wait so long to discover his Traumatic Backstory that I didn't care much by the time we got there. The side characters are colourful and have unique backstories that are either explored or hinted at. The plot was very high stakes but somehow didn't feel important, even though it was actually interesting! I liked that the world-building didn't seem to matter that much, so it was simple, but it wasn't very straightforward. The magic system -part of the setting that does matter- is barely explained, except that many types of magic are "incredibly rare". Based on what I know from the second book, my gripes with Evie might be addressed, which is exciting, but I'm not sure if I'll read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content
princessdana36's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Violence
mzquirk's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Death
Moderate: Body horror, Chronic illness, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture
samanthasarg13's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
I loved this story, this is my second time reading it as i prepare to read the sequel. It stuck with me.
I love the office corporate of evil vibes. I love the characters, my favorite side characters are definitely Blade and Kingsley. It's so good and I love the reveal of who's the traitor because I didn't have a clue the first time. The second time, I annotated the clues which still weren't obvious but it was good and very well planned out!
I love the office corporate of evil vibes. I love the characters, my favorite side characters are definitely Blade and Kingsley. It's so good and I love the reveal of who's the traitor because I didn't have a clue the first time. The second time, I annotated the clues which still weren't obvious but it was good and very well planned out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Evie has trauma of an event that happened with her previous employer, Otto. He attacks her, she gets away, but not before he stabs her with a blade.larpar's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was such a fun read! I loved the cast of characters and laughed almost every time Kingsley appeared.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
lilavati's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book shouldn't work. I found the narrator's tone vaguely irritating for most of the book, and the writing hits me as trite. I swear I heard my old creative writing teacher's voice saying "show, don't tell" every few minutes.
But Yet.
Could I stop listening to this book? Also no. Why? I don't know! Despite all the reasons it shouldn't work - it does.
Excellent for someone in the mood for a slow-burn romance, but that's still a light read. But I mean slow - I think they kiss twice. It also ends on a bit of a cliff-hanger. I'm sure there'll be a happy ever after at the end of the third (yet to be released) book, but you don't hit it in this one.
But Yet.
Could I stop listening to this book? Also no. Why? I don't know! Despite all the reasons it shouldn't work - it does.
Excellent for someone in the mood for a slow-burn romance, but that's still a light read. But I mean slow - I think they kiss twice. It also ends on a bit of a cliff-hanger. I'm sure there'll be a happy ever after at the end of the third (yet to be released) book, but you don't hit it in this one.
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Murder
bear_ridge_tarot's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Evie Sage is too kindhearted to be the Assistant to a notorious high-ranking villain. With a father who is home sick and a younger sister to care for, she must do something to keep them fed. So when she has a mishap than lands her in the lap of Rennedawn’s most infamous villan and results in a job offer, who is she to refuse? Just as she’s getting used to severed heads and intern scatter days, she discovers a rat among the thieves. Now she must not only resist falling figuratively as well as literally for her boss, but also discover who is sabotaging all his (and her) hard work.
This was a quick paced and entertaining novel throughout it all. I loved Evie’s internal monologue. “Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.” The humor was perfection, if a little over the top, and the tension between Mr. Evil and Evie was thick enough to cut with a dagger hidden in a sleeve. I would have loved a bit more backstory for some of the supporting characters, but that is what sequels are for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Minor: Child death, Torture, and Abandonment
erindarlyn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
hbc72's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault