The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
pvbobrien's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
ophycore'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? No
4.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gore, Animal death, Kidnapping, Murder, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Blood, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Self harm
le3713's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
minanonim's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Blood, Violence, War, Murder, Torture, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Minor: Self harm, Gun violence, and Death of parent
norwegianforestreader'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Car accident, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, and Violence
monniebiloney's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
2.0
Merlin was awesome and was non-binary (not that Susan cared or acknowledge this fact, all Susan cared about was that Merlin was hot and looks like a play boy to her. What playboys do you know are debating about changing their physical body's from a male presentation one to a female presentation one Susan. Tell me.) I wish he (the character uses male pronouns in the book, and hasn't decided to switch yet) was the main character as everything about him was more compelling, such as the fact that Merlin was trying to investigate the murder of his MOTHER, while Y/N was looking for her daddy 🥺. I don't think Susan is a good love interest for Merlin, and they need someone who will acknowledge their gender identity, not just place their own expectations onto him. Susan likes Merlin because she thinks he's hot and a playboy, and no other reason and it's depressing. Like Susan, Merlin is a humana being. Treat him like one.
Minor: Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic relationship, Slavery, Religious bigotry, Murder, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Kidnapping, and Gun violence
mandkips's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Kidnapping, Gun violence, and Murder
Minor: Animal death
jessamine864'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? No
3.0
Minor: Mental illness, Kidnapping, and Gun violence
charlottebreads's review against another edition
4.75
Age Rating: 13+
- Susan was a nice main character. She made good life decisions.
- Vivien was also good, but I think she needed a few more things to separate her from Merlin. Her and Merlin's sibling relationship was fantastic though. I also kept calling her Viven for some reason.
- I though the romance was sidelined too much. It was brought up a few times via some half-hearted flirting/pining, but not enough for an actual relationship. It could have been improved with more pining, more angst, and more cute moments together.
- The magic system was really interesting. I liked that the left-handed and right-handed had different abilities, and that they used modern things as well as magical. There were also lots of interesting mythical creatures that I hadn't read about before. However, I thought that they could have used the hatpins more, because they were cool.
- I thought the villain twist was pretty good, however, I thought they needed a bit more motivation. We may find out more later (*hint hint, nudge nudge*), or maybe I missed something while reading.
- Obviously this book includes booksellers who love books, and books about books/booksellers/bookshops are always good.
- They mentioned lots of songs and story titles, so that was nice.
- Overall, I loved it. Nice balance of chaotic shenanigans and important stuff.
Graphic: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Cursing
maidmarianlib'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? No
5.0
Moderate: Animal death, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, and War