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kaylokay_'s review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
atamano's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
2.75
Moderate: Drug use, Grief, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Toxic relationship, Blood, and Classism
anracli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The FMC is immature, the MMC is paperthin, the FMC hardly views the MMC as a whole person (expecting him to still be the same as he was as a child), and the most interesting part of the story,
Did enjoy the casual existence of queer characters without comment save one scene where an apprentice says they appreciate their teacher having a shared identity.
Good for young readers who might be looking for a relatively easy introduction to media dealing with parental trauma and mental illness. Also good for those looking for a low stakes read with a happy ending, who are okay with several plot lines being left unresolved.
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Mental illness, and Abandonment
druzyquartz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Grief, and Abandonment
camiandkitread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Drug abuse, and Abandonment
Minor: Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
the_rabble's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
Clara and Xavier are great. Fun relationship there. Side characters are charming. Plot is rock solid engaging. Values are questionable- in a Roald Dahl sort of "kids are cannon fodder" way.
On page one you're dealing with someone with intense anxiety essentially being told she needs to get it together or get a magical lobotomy.
There's a lot of very charming flower magic and potion making, but damn, y'all, this is a rough one for anyone who's had to figure out their flavor of neurodiversity solo or interacted with a powerful system that has big feelings about your feelings. It's all vibes until a hammer drops.
I had a good time with the characters, but can't shake how these 16 year old kids are treated like wizened adults or are completely SOL. If the characters were older, this story would slap but it just seems like a world that's universally cool with child abuse.
[General Spoiler]
[Ending]
This is a fun read because there's a lot of charm, the writing moves and breathes, centers a well-written friendship with progress that feels earned, emotional thoughtfulness, flower references and imagery that'll knock your socks off, and a smattering of queer representation.
But the moment you step back and see the characters as children, shit's dark.
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, and Abandonment
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Body horror, Mental illness, and Vomit
Minor: Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Abandonment
zimmermanrl15's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The plot and subplot felt a bit all over the place and some things that needed to be fleshed out some more were quickly rushed through. I think this story would have worked better as a series versus a standalone. I also feel like some of my gripes with the story may just be that I am an adult so I think a lot of elements of the story fall flat for me, but would be eaten up by someone of the intended audience.
All this said, I do think the Catherine could absolutely be a powerhouse in the cozy fantasy genre. I'd love to see an adult cozy fantasy from her in the future!
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
Minor: Abandonment
dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
Graphic: Body horror and Medical content
Moderate: Abandonment
kayleenm7's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Minor: Mental illness and Abandonment