savvy999's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
This is how you do this particular enemies to lovers dynamic, it’s well crafted with the bite and bitterness that some academics have cultivated. There is an authentically riveting back and forth, with an effective use of the romance structure in the magic world. My one criticism is that it’s villain is somewhat underdeveloped, hopefully it will be expanded on in the future with other books. A strong first entry into what I hope is a series
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
no_mourners_'s review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Sexual content, Alcohol, Violence, Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Medical content, Grief, Child death, and Vomit
woweewhoa's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Minor: Classism and Death of parent
afellowreader_09's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
Love Rory. Love Teddy. I'm upset that Teddy couldn't go back to Cambridge bc he had to take care of Louisa. But I really love Rory and Teddy's relationship. Academic rivals to lovers>>>. I wonder where Gemma went and when she'll be back. Definitely read this book too early but still eagerly awaiting for answers to all unanswered questions in book 2!!! Lots of love<3.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death
faerieoftheforest's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
3.75
I picked this book up a month ago but could not get past the first few pages. The writing was unnecessarily verbose and dense. I feel like the author used way too many descriptors to the point that some scenes were confusing and muddled. I immediately dnfed but decided to try again. I picked up right where I left off the first time. I enjoyed the story much more than before after I got used to the writing. Despite the issues I had with it, this author is definitely talented and had some very beautifully written lines. I just think it needed better editing.
The main character, Aurelia, was a little insufferable in the beginning. A little bit of "woe is me"/"nobody has it harder than me" vibes. ✨ I felt that her hatred for Teddy was uncalled for. It was to the point of obsession really and it made me uncomfortable. She was very obviously projecting her own inadequacies and resentment onto him. They would bicker for seemingly no reason. I suppose this was the point though because it gave her an opportunity to grow and be more comfortable with vulnerability. Even though she frustrated me at times, I did honestly relate to her character. She is flawed but that's what makes her human. She and Teddy were really cute together once they stopped "hating" each other. Because of the slow burn, their love felt intense and genuine. The romance is easily the best part of the book and was very well done. 💞
The plot is basically non-existent/ underwhelming. It is a very slow-paced and character-driven story. It is quiet, cozy, and magical. It mostly takes place in a cottage in a small town so there is little to no action or adventure. If it had a stronger plot and antagonist I would have easily given this five stars! I recommend if you like witches, fall/wintertime, cottagecore, and/or academic rivals to lovers.
The main character, Aurelia, was a little insufferable in the beginning. A little bit of "woe is me"/"nobody has it harder than me" vibes. ✨ I felt that her hatred for Teddy was uncalled for. It was to the point of obsession really and it made me uncomfortable. She was very obviously projecting her own inadequacies and resentment onto him. They would bicker for seemingly no reason. I suppose this was the point though because it gave her an opportunity to grow and be more comfortable with vulnerability. Even though she frustrated me at times, I did honestly relate to her character. She is flawed but that's what makes her human. She and Teddy were really cute together once they stopped "hating" each other. Because of the slow burn, their love felt intense and genuine. The romance is easily the best part of the book and was very well done. 💞
The plot is basically non-existent/ underwhelming. It is a very slow-paced and character-driven story. It is quiet, cozy, and magical. It mostly takes place in a cottage in a small town so there is little to no action or adventure. If it had a stronger plot and antagonist I would have easily given this five stars! I recommend if you like witches, fall/wintertime, cottagecore, and/or academic rivals to lovers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Animal death, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Vomit
soniajoy98's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Cursing, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Classism, and Vomit
angelsfw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Murder
Moderate: Child death and Death
Minor: Cannibalism
butterbrioche's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
The writing was very beautiful. It’s what drew me in but there were just some things that I didn’t feel exactly worked for me. I will say Aurelia and Theodore’s E2L progression was really just that and it was slow as hell but it made a lot of sense.
Was getting howl vibes at one point from Theodore (iykyk).
I’m confused by some of the motivations of the characters but I understand that will be fleshed out in the next book.
Was getting howl vibes at one point from Theodore (iykyk).
I’m confused by some of the motivations of the characters but I understand that will be fleshed out in the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence and Body horror
sophmcgraw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Blood
Minor: Kidnapping, Child death, and Alcohol
shutupaboutbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
"That was the difference between men who grew up coddled, spoon fed success until hunger formed only from its loss, and women who'd reached success by clawing through their own flesh"
This book was just incredible. It's hard to put into words exactly how it made me feel but I'm going to try.
First of all, the prose. Agajanian weaves beautiful words with horrifying imagery, resulting in a tense and emotional atmosphere. She uses powerful metaphors to not only get the point across but to glue it to your brain. The way they wrote grief and misery had me feeling it right along with the characters.
Second, the characters. They are flawed and don't try to hide it. They let their flaws dictate their choices and do it unapologetically. That is until they help each other realize that there is more to them than just what they lack.
Lastly, the romance. It was so well developed. You felt their conflicting emotions right along with them. It felt natural and not at all forced. They had me crying so hard. I want someone to see me the way they saw each other.
All in all, it is a phenomenal book that everyone should read. I'm stunned this is her debut. I can' t wait for the sequel!
This book was just incredible. It's hard to put into words exactly how it made me feel but I'm going to try.
First of all, the prose. Agajanian weaves beautiful words with horrifying imagery, resulting in a tense and emotional atmosphere. She uses powerful metaphors to not only get the point across but to glue it to your brain. The way they wrote grief and misery had me feeling it right along with the characters.
Second, the characters. They are flawed and don't try to hide it. They let their flaws dictate their choices and do it unapologetically. That is until they help each other realize that there is more to them than just what they lack.
Lastly, the romance. It was so well developed. You felt their conflicting emotions right along with them. It felt natural and not at all forced. They had me crying so hard. I want someone to see me the way they saw each other.
All in all, it is a phenomenal book that everyone should read. I'm stunned this is her debut. I can' t wait for the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Eating disorder, Death, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content