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eleina89's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.75
books_highlighters_me's review
3.0
The concept of mirrors used for travelling in the fae realm was unique and initially that’s what hooked me to the plot. The ‘love triangle’ was also very well formed and for a while it even had me fooled. The first half of the novel was exceptionally done and the plot was filled with good twists and turns. However, after the pieces started falling into place at around 60-70% through the book, the plot became very predictable and a bit cliche. The ending was sure a promising cliffhanger though. I’m still having mixed feelings about this one because some parts were utterly well written whereas some made me skim through it.
All in all, this one was a fine one time read for me.
All in all, this one was a fine one time read for me.
sassypantsreading's review
adventurous
dark
tense
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
5.0
The Other Side of the Mirror is so good! I loved the storyline, I loved the characters, and I really loved Bash and Eva. This book falls a bit on the dark side, with kidnapping and drugging. I can’t wait for the next book in the trilogy because that cliffhanger about did me in. It was a bit predictable, but that’s ok with me. The chemistry between Bash and Eva was legit, and the open door scenes were hot. Really well done overall.
I received an ARC of The Other Side of the Mirror from BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an ARC of The Other Side of the Mirror from BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
mkat1214's review
4.0
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read and review! This book had all my guilty pleasure tropes!!
-forced proximity
-one horse
-nonsexual cuddling and comfort
-fates mates
It has the sweetest MMC. He's protective and supportive. He's also described as looking completely different than most other books in this genre, which I appreciate! Was a lot of this recycled tropes and plots? Yes. But why change things that work? The tension and spice was *chef’s kiss* I enjoyed it very much. I need the next one ASAP. That cliffhanger sucked!
-forced proximity
-one horse
-nonsexual cuddling and comfort
-fates mates
It has the sweetest MMC. He's protective and supportive. He's also described as looking completely different than most other books in this genre, which I appreciate! Was a lot of this recycled tropes and plots? Yes. But why change things that work? The tension and spice was *chef’s kiss* I enjoyed it very much. I need the next one ASAP. That cliffhanger sucked!
moodymelthemoodreader's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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
3.0
This book was a little odd to me. The whole first 40-50% was a lot of staring and yearning, which gave a lot of Twilight vibes. Then it took a hard turn into sexually traumatic experiences.
The last half seemed more focused on the smut, which I thought was very soon considering what the FMC went through at the time. I didn’t agree with some of the choice words used there when it was supposed to be a romantic moment.
***** SPOILER BELOW******
It left off with the cliff hanger of the FMC left back in the very place that leads to sexually traumatic events. It just left me feeling very icky in these areas. There was an author’s note in the beginning.
The last half seemed more focused on the smut, which I thought was very soon considering what the FMC went through at the time. I didn’t agree with some of the choice words used there when it was supposed to be a romantic moment.
***** SPOILER BELOW******
It left off with the cliff hanger of the FMC left back in the very place that leads to sexually traumatic events. It just left me feeling very icky in these areas. There was an author’s note in the beginning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
auntieerrica's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Initially, I wasn’t sure about The Other Side of the Mirror, but once I got past the character introductions, info dumps, and trauma memories, I started to enjoy it. The action and ‘down the rabbit hole’ feel is what I expected and ended up liking the most about this book. We have some typical fae and fantasy tropes and a couple of predictable plot points, but overall, I liked the story, and the ending was great, which left me wanting the sequel sooner rather than later.
I want her best friend from the human world to be in the sequel!
I would have preferred to see more creativity and no info dump when she gets to the fae wilds in the beginning, but other than that, I highly recommend it for a quick and fun fantasy, romantasy, fae book.
Oh, and the spice? I was worried for a long while that there wouldn’t be any, and then how could this be called a romantasy? But when it happens, it HAPPENS.
4.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you NetGalley, City Owl Press, and Dana Evyn for the ARC!
caseyundercovers's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
**Thank you to NetGalley and Owl City Press for this ARC ebook in exchange for my review. All opinions and commentary are my own**
Do you like a Mary Sue main character? Do you like insta-love? Fated mates? Weak world building? Predictable twists? Massive amounts of exposition and info dumping? No? Me either.
But I did like the banter between the lead characters, the magic, and the overall story of The False King. I'm not a spice reader, but it's here if you're into that.
There was potential. It just could have been done so much better. I felt like there was nothing new about this story. So many pieces felt like they had been borrowed from other stories, 50 Shades, Beauty and the Beast, Outlander, The Vampire Diaries, Twilight, etc. Maybe that's just me. Also, once they bond/fall in love, everything goes from banter to mushy, and it was super cringe.
I nearly DNF'ed this book early on when big dummy main character says she is closed off from everyone, but just bonded with some random dude the day before over their love for matcha lattes and then immediately the next day tells him where her spare key is to let himself into her apartment.
I doubt I'd continue with the series, but I do have a question. Wtf happened to Quinn's story? Was she a fae or not? I'm disappointed.
Do you like a Mary Sue main character? Do you like insta-love? Fated mates? Weak world building? Predictable twists? Massive amounts of exposition and info dumping? No? Me either.
But I did like the banter between the lead characters, the magic, and the overall story of The False King. I'm not a spice reader, but it's here if you're into that.
There was potential. It just could have been done so much better. I felt like there was nothing new about this story. So many pieces felt like they had been borrowed from other stories, 50 Shades, Beauty and the Beast, Outlander, The Vampire Diaries, Twilight, etc. Maybe that's just me. Also, once they bond/fall in love, everything goes from banter to mushy, and it was super cringe.
I nearly DNF'ed this book early on when big dummy main character says she is closed off from everyone, but just bonded with some random dude the day before over their love for matcha lattes and then immediately the next day tells him where her spare key is to let himself into her apartment.
I doubt I'd continue with the series, but I do have a question. Wtf happened to Quinn's story? Was she a fae or not? I'm disappointed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
c8_19's review
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
1.0
I should have put this down immediately after the MC gave a total stranger her spare key in chapter two because it was quickly downhill from there. Like, this girl really had the audacity to casually grant access to her apartment to someone she'd only met 24 hours before but then, when she gets back home and senses something is "off," starts thinking about how her dad, with his military background and heightened survival skills, had taught her all about self-defense and how to have her wits about her at all times. So, obviously she'll be fine. Um, really? Really?? Any credibility I could have given her was immediately gone, and she did nothing to earn it back from there on.
The rest of the plot was a whole bunch of cliches, insta-love, and very transparent "twists." Thought this would be like Holly Black's The Folk of the Air trilogy but was severely let down.
The rest of the plot was a whole bunch of cliches, insta-love, and very transparent "twists." Thought this would be like Holly Black's The Folk of the Air trilogy but was severely let down.
brennadonahue's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Spicy!