The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
nearbethexperience's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
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
4.5
SUCH a fun read. It was a really smart choice on the author's part to set the book in a post-Arthurian world, to be able to play with it and not be burdened by the actual myth. If you don't like anachronistic dialogue this book is not for you, but I thought it was fun and the Riverdale reference made me actually laugh out loud! I did feel the HEA ending was a little bit unearned but that is just the tiniest critique, and hey it's YA. Overall this book was a balm for my inner Arthurian nerd child!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, War, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Physical abuse
willthebean's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Sexism
cassielaj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
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
Easy 5 stars. Love love love this book. The story is new and exciting with enough references to Arthurian legend to make it somewhat familiar. It’s queer and lovely and wonderful, full of hilarious banter and mysterious court intrigue and the most delightful cast of central characters. I laughed. I cried. I was on the edge of my seat. I want to read it again.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Death, Alcohol, Murder, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Grief and Homophobia
nefariousbee's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
fast-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? No
3.75
an easy YA read. there are two romances in this book so there was not enough space to really dive into both. it's not necessary bad, it's just a thing that has to be done if you wanted to have an average length novel.
some things bothered me, like the way race was underdeveloped (that's not fair. not developed is better) even tho it was tapped into, the internalised homophobia, the domestic abuse, it was all laid there and then it didn't have time to get into in any meaningful way and that's a shame, really.
as it is now, it's an easy, sweet YA romance book inspired by the Arthurian myths. nothing more, but also nothing less
some things bothered me, like the way race was underdeveloped (that's not fair. not developed is better) even tho it was tapped into, the internalised homophobia, the domestic abuse, it was all laid there and then it didn't have time to get into in any meaningful way and that's a shame, really.
as it is now, it's an easy, sweet YA romance book inspired by the Arthurian myths. nothing more, but also nothing less
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Alcohol, Physical abuse, War, and Violence
Moderate: Medical trauma, Bullying, Vomit, Blood, and Gore
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
dododenise's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was fun! The more I read the better the dynamics between the characters became. From all of them being pretty annoying to building a beautiful found family.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Child abuse
bubbles_ishere's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
3.75
While I did really enjoy the book and the way the characters developed, I felt like it rushed at parts in order to have a lot of things happen.Â
I would have preferred further introspection from the characters before acting, but for people who like to read books where things "happen", this is a good choice.Â
The book very much feels like a romance that decides half way through that other plot events are more relevant and then decides to change genre.Â
Spoiler for how plot/character focused the book was during certain events:At first it felt like the book would focus further on the interpersonal relationships of the characters. In the beginning, a lot of time was spent on the characters panicking over being in situations. The first kisses of the couples got portrayed, after which the characters had to face various challenges to come to terms with their feelings. However, when it came to actually getting into a relationship or showing the conversations needed for that to happen the author skipped forward and just told the audience that the couples were now in functioning relationships, caused by a major plot event.Â
Personally, I would've preferred to see how the characters got to where they are, instead of being told that the threat of death made them realise their priorities and then see them kiss.
I really liked how the characters developed and got more loveable to the reader; their actions seemed to make sense in the context of their character, and the development of their actions made sense.Â
The romance itself felt a bit rushed to me, but it is still enjoyable, if somewhat frustrating because it doesn't go very in-depth and fails to resolve or address certain topics.
The book mentions a few tidbits that fans of Arthurian legends will recognise, which I thought was very nice.Â
All in all an enjoyable read, in my opinion this book would've been 5/5 stars had it been 200 pages longer and actually explored the relationships and worldbuilding further. But then again I really like high-fantasy and worldbuilding.
I would have preferred further introspection from the characters before acting, but for people who like to read books where things "happen", this is a good choice.Â
The book very much feels like a romance that decides half way through that other plot events are more relevant and then decides to change genre.Â
Spoiler for how plot/character focused the book was during certain events:
Personally, I would've preferred to see how the characters got to where they are, instead of being told that the threat of death made them realise their priorities and then see them kiss.
I really liked how the characters developed and got more loveable to the reader; their actions seemed to make sense in the context of their character, and the development of their actions made sense.Â
The romance itself felt a bit rushed to me, but it is still enjoyable, if somewhat frustrating because it doesn't go very in-depth and fails to resolve or address certain topics.
The book mentions a few tidbits that fans of Arthurian legends will recognise, which I thought was very nice.Â
All in all an enjoyable read, in my opinion this book would've been 5/5 stars had it been 200 pages longer and actually explored the relationships and worldbuilding further. But then again I really like high-fantasy and worldbuilding.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Alcoholism, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Outing, Sexism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Classism, Drug use, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, and Religious bigotry
arathi_saranya's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Emotional abuse
refrejarator's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
Aww. I laughed, I cried, I relieved my Merthur shipping days. This is the most beautiful, sweet, and tragically romantic book, and i can't wait to read from this author again!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Biphobia, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Homophobia, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Outing, Violence, and War
hanna's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was an absolutely adorable medieval-esque romance and I really had a lot of fun with it!Â
Still, sometimes it did feel like Chroucher themself wasn't really sure what they wanted this book to be — we've got the Monty Python/Shrek humor but also so many serious plot points about child abuse, war or questions on how to run a country and all mushed together it is a bit messy.
A main characters gets majorly injured in the third act and especially that made the pacing for that act really weird.
While I felt like Gwen and thus her relationship with Bridget got much more attention than Arthur and Gabriel, all the different relationships were still really enjoyable and I really liked how Croucher really leaned into the positive aspects of YA and made Gwen and Arthur's friendship equally as important as the romantic relationships.
Overall, nothing life-changing but still a really enjoyable read!
Still, sometimes it did feel like Chroucher themself wasn't really sure what they wanted this book to be — we've got the Monty Python/Shrek humor but also so many serious plot points about child abuse, war or questions on how to run a country and all mushed together it is a bit messy.
A main characters gets majorly injured in the third act and especially that made the pacing for that act really weird.
While I felt like Gwen and thus her relationship with Bridget got much more attention than Arthur and Gabriel, all the different relationships were still really enjoyable and I really liked how Croucher really leaned into the positive aspects of YA and made Gwen and Arthur's friendship equally as important as the romantic relationships.
Overall, nothing life-changing but still a really enjoyable read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Sexism, Death, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Blood and Animal cruelty
dhritigupta's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
this was a fun romp!! there was endless banter, found family shenanigans, lesbian knights (😳) — everything you’d want in a queer medieval rom com!! i think the pacing was a bit off though, and one of the relationships felt underdeveloped. and while the ending was sweet, it could have been more grounded
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Blood
Minor: Alcoholism