sammy_nor's review against another edition
emotional
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Spoiler for how plot/character focused the book was during certain events:
Spoiler
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.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.
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.
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!
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
styxx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, War, Homophobia, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Vomit
allisonisbooked's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Homophobia, War, and Death
marvelous_mint's review against another edition
dark
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
4.0
This book has some great characters, and wonderfully funny dialogue, although they do sometimes speak more modernly than you would expect for the setting. However if your not looking for a historically accurate story and something more like "Our flag means death", it can easily be overlooked.
As for the plot, while I felt it did occasionally drag on in some places, I still enjoyed it.
As for the plot, while I felt it did occasionally drag on in some places, I still enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Addiction, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Death, and War
seren's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Death, Alcohol, Lesbophobia, and Sexism
30something_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Gwen and Art are NOT in love. But they agree to set their differences aside and pretend to be so everyone else will get off their backs about their engagement while simultaneously covering for one another as they pursue their own romantic interests. Gwen- the gallant lady-knight, Bridgette, and Arthur- well… he's never claimed to be the smartest guy when it comes to love.
This was such a fun little medieval romp filled with silliness and surprisingly heartwarming moments. It was as much about the blooming friendship between Arthur and Gwen as it was about their respective secret romances.
Warning though- at around the 70% mark, there is an extreme shift in tone (that kind of caught me off guard) so CWs for descriptions of graphic physical violence and recovery.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed this one! The audiobook was delightful, and the male narrator really nailed Arthur’s cheeky nature.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review*
This was such a fun little medieval romp filled with silliness and surprisingly heartwarming moments. It was as much about the blooming friendship between Arthur and Gwen as it was about their respective secret romances.
Warning though- at around the 70% mark, there is an extreme shift in tone (that kind of caught me off guard) so CWs for descriptions of graphic physical violence and recovery.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed this one! The audiobook was delightful, and the male narrator really nailed Arthur’s cheeky nature.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence and War
Minor: Death, Homophobia, and Death of parent