Reviews

This was an enjoyable read but there were some issues for me.

The plot was ok, but very slow and filled with info dumps that stopped my immersion into the world. The characters were also fine, though a bit one-dimensional.

Good points: the dragons were fun and the LGBTQA+ representation was well done.

Don't regret reading this, but not sure if I'll ever pick up the sequel

lenirlcosta's review against another edition

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2.0

I’m saddened to give this such a low rating. I love Jeans YouTube channel and this was one of my most anticipated reads this year (plus, I really wanted to support this self-pub) but it just wasn’t for me. I thought there was no subtlety to the prose, no depth to the characters, no chemistry in their interactions and, most importantly, there was basically no conflict. Besides the whole dragon egg hatching thing, which starts in the first chapter, nothing happens until the last 40 pages and then it’s over already. I wouldn’t have minded the slow pacing if at least the characters were more developed. To me, this read like a too long fairytale with snippets of adult scenes. In my opinion, it was much too obvious. For real, it was so obvious I spent the whole book trying to spot the red-hearing, trying to figure out who “really” was the villain because it just couldn’t be so simple. Turns out it could.

So yeah, this one was not for me. But I do wish Jean all the luck in her future writing endeavors. I’ll give them another go.

anna_m_k's review against another edition

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This can be described as a cozy fantasy, and I think that style of fantasy is just not for me. Additionally, there was too much telling not showing that made the characters feel more shallow than they are and it just never gripped me.

althea's review against another edition

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3.0

Cute, cottagecore adult sapphic fantasy novel! RTC!

maybelles's review against another edition

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Ran out of time on my loan :’(

cappuccino136's review

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hopeful mysterious relaxing medium-paced

4.0

Adairia is a foundling that has been raised and educated at the Albiyon University. She is happy in her academic world and has no particular desire to travel far and wide or to shake up her routine. One day, things drastically change. She is cleaning the display pedistal on which a dragon egg sits. It cracks, but she swears she did not touch it. Apparently, the dragon has chosen her to be it's companion and woken up to hatch. There has not been a dragon hatching in over 50 years. Everyone is very excited. Adairia is very nervous. Isla, a dragon companion, and Tearlach (dragon) arrive to help support Adairia and the soon-to-hatch dragonling.

This is a cozy, comforting fantasy set in a magical world that has moved past monarchy and is living in an egalitarian democratic society. There is a saphic romance (slightly steamy) and queerness is casually accepted. There is plenty of social/political comentary throughout and in the second half of the book a kind of mystery/conspiracy plot emerges. But even so, the tone is hopeful. Found family comes together and a possible solution is on the horizon. The atmosphere of the magical school and the wonder of the dragons is very enjoyable. There is worldbuilding, a lot of it connected to dragon lore. It does end with loose ends and this is planned to be a series. The characters are not deeply developed. I think that the point is about presenting a better society and optimistic message. The prose is straightforward and not showy. It reads very smoothly.

scoobyluce's review against another edition

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emotional funny mysterious 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? No

5.0

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