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anollylollymolly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I really wanted to like this book, but there were aspects of the story that made me feel so conflicted that I just couldn’t in the end.
I’m short, this story is about our MC Gemma- a beautiful, rich, young woman who comes from a human family that has both powerful social influence and magical abilities. Gemma, however, doesn’t have an affinity for magic and, in fact, feels great pain whenever she’s surrounded by it (which is practically always). She quickly meets our MMC, Talan, a foreigner who’s come to her family with hopes that they can help him get in the Queen’s good graces. Soon Talan and Gemma strike a deal to work together; Gemma will help Talan with his social standing and Talan will help Gemma ruin the reputation of her family’s great rivals, the Basks.
Overall, I liked the concept of the plot. It was unique and way darker than I was expecting. However, the world-building was seriously lacking and the romance felt very forced and phony. Throughout the whole book Gemma reflects upon folktales regarding Olden creatures but we never get solid anecdotes. Much of the story felt way too convenient and lacked impact.For example, we start getting clues that Gemma has Fae blood (which explains her bizarre powers) 70% of the way through the book AND it’s the first instance that we, the readers, even see mention of Fae at all.
Onto my gripes with the romance: it was rushed and unbelievable. At first I thought thatGemma and Talan would fall for each other slowly and there would be one magical moment near the middle/end of the book where it all came together and their feelings were finally voiced. Instead, they fell into a fake dating scheme that lasted for MAYBE 65 pages. After that they too quickly gave into their physical desires and I just wasn’t invested. 🤷🏻♀️ I might have been able to move on from the author rushing into the romance, but I couldn’t handle the dialogue between our characters. Whenever Talan spoke to Gemma it felt forced and it seemed far too intimate than their relationship deemed appropriate, particularly in the first half of the book. It just didn’t seem believable that two strangers would act the way they did. Wasn’t for me.
Despite my criticisms, I thought the concept was good! I just wish it was more fleshed out. It came off as being too ambitious.
I’m short, this story is about our MC Gemma- a beautiful, rich, young woman who comes from a human family that has both powerful social influence and magical abilities. Gemma, however, doesn’t have an affinity for magic and, in fact, feels great pain whenever she’s surrounded by it (which is practically always). She quickly meets our MMC, Talan, a foreigner who’s come to her family with hopes that they can help him get in the Queen’s good graces. Soon Talan and Gemma strike a deal to work together; Gemma will help Talan with his social standing and Talan will help Gemma ruin the reputation of her family’s great rivals, the Basks.
Overall, I liked the concept of the plot. It was unique and way darker than I was expecting. However, the world-building was seriously lacking and the romance felt very forced and phony. Throughout the whole book Gemma reflects upon folktales regarding Olden creatures but we never get solid anecdotes. Much of the story felt way too convenient and lacked impact.
Onto my gripes with the romance: it was rushed and unbelievable. At first I thought that
Despite my criticisms, I thought the concept was good! I just wish it was more fleshed out. It came off as being too ambitious.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
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