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kathleenmcg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Homophobia, and Classism
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Violence and Death of parent
dashboardlights24601's review against another edition
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Gun violence
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual content, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
redheadorganist'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
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence and Sexual content
weraamanda's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
"And Valentine wondered when he was going to get used to kissing. If it would ever feel like an ordinary thing, as it seemingly did, or could, to others. But he wasn't sure he wanted that either. There was too much magic here, and he had never allowed his life to admit the possibility of magic before."
Aaaaah this book! This book. Wow. Okay. Well. I sort of loved this book. It had its flaws, for sure, but overall this was an absolutely delightful read. As a non-native English speaker I did, in fact, struggle a little with the language at first. There were a lot of words I hadn't even heard of before, but I got the hang of it rather quickly.
About half-way through the book though, I almost lost my interest to continue anymore.
I felt so much compassion for Valentine. He was trying to do the right thing, or what he believed was right, yet he kept being belittled and stomped over all the time. I'm not sure did Bonny deserve him, but I do think he got his act somewhat together the closer we got to the end. His sister, Belle, however, was the absolute worst, most awful person I've read about in a while. I hate that the otherwise nice plot was so centered around her and her childish behaviour. Didn't like it, but I endured it. She was truly a quite horrible person. All of this could've been solved with a simple conversation, but that was apparently too much to be asked, and she decided to run away. I mean, really? How old is she, twelve? Ugh.
Valentine's mom is absolutely lovely and I want to read more of her. I also grew to love Valentine - he was a bit awkward and sort of an idiot, but he was essentially just very kind. A man driven by a sense of duty he thought he had to fulfill, but who forgot to seek for things that made him happy. And then, we also have Bonny. He, well, also had his moments, for sure.
Overall I'd say that Alexis Hall has never, ever disappointed me, and that is the case with this book too. I got more than I expected, and that's well enough for me. I don't think I'll ever grow tired of the way Alexis writes - it's unquestionably captivating to me. The dialogue is also extremely entertaining to read.
Was this his best work? Probably not. Would I read it again? Yes, undoubtedly so. I will also very gladly read any other instalments this series might get.
Graphic: Gun violence and Sexual content
breadbees'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
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Classism
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Outing, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
shaipanda's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
It’s so over the top and so insane but in all the best ways imo
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Blood
Moderate: Confinement and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent
pey333's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexism and Injury/Injury detail
cappuccino_yuki_teddy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence
purplepenning's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
The grumpy/sunshine combo is gold. I disagree with reviewers who felt Bonny Mr. Sunshine was overly mean to His Grace Valentine Grumpy Pants, but he was certainly in an unenviable position between his best friend and sister, His Grace, and his own, you know, precarious existence. And while a zero to 100 relationship for a demisexual main character doesn't quite work for me, I also disagree that His Grace was "just fine the way he was, oh em gee, just leave him alone already." He was not quietly content — he was miserably unaware and misguided and headed for further misery. Most of the side characters are great, though the satirized gothic heroine sister is just grating. And the plot is, well, a careening mess that's somewhat too driven by the bullying sexism of the day, anachronistic overcorrections, and aro understandings clashing with gothic dramatics, but mostly it's just a vehicle for fun shenanigans in the countryside. It's all undeniably over the top, British, queer, chaotic, funny, annoying, graphic, and sometimes genuinely touching and lovely.
Graphic: Gun violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Sexism, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Alcohol, and Classism
There are also a couple of key scenes (very sweet) that feature bees, and some brief talk/imaginings of spiders