Scan barcode
siglerbooknook'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
4.75
The side characters are wonderful. Each character felt like their own person, even those who were only in a few chapters. Harkness does a wonderful job writing witty banter. I caught myself laughing out loud at several points.
The unique take on witches, vampires, and demons was very enjoyable. I loved the world building and how myth and legend are woven so seemlessly into the story.
My only gripe was how secretive a few characters are. It feels like a few things would have been a lot less dangerous with honest communication. I also didn't like Matthew much at the beginning because he was so controlling, but that got better/more understandable as the story went along.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Infertility, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Stalking, Pregnancy, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
torturedreadersdept'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Miscarriage, and War
gillian_aftanas'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Infertility, Misogyny, and Sexual content
u2u's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Infertility, Violence, and Pregnancy
applesaucecreachur's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
because of how many similarities there are – Falling ridiculously fast for a vampire who watches the MC sleep, is controlling, and who constantly is explaining how dangerous of a predator he is (ya got that right, pal).
It took everything in me to be able to finish this thing. And I was SO excited about a lighthearted book of witchcraft! How do people enjoy it? Jeez.
... Although, that being said, I REALLY enjoyed the Bishops’ house. It was hands-down the best character. And Em and Sarah were actually a halfway-decent depiction of lesbians.
Graphic: Death, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Infertility and Miscarriage
stormwise's review against another edition
2.5
It's not that I entirely disliked this book - I'll be reading the sequels - but I spent a lot of time complaining about this book as I read it.
On paper this sounded right up my alley: a story that begins with a witch in a library? Nice. However this novel had a much heavier focus on romance than I expected - not necessarily a bad thing, I do like romance, but...
Also, if I had a penny for every time my mum recommended a 500+ page fantasy-romance novel that turned out to have multiple sex scenes in it, I'd have two pennies, which isn't a lot but it is weird that it's happened twice (the other one was Outlander which I read last year and, weirdly, have similar criticisms for).
The writing style was also a bit...long-winded. I love a good bit of descriptive writing but sometimes less truly is more and overly floral language just bogs down the scene.
My various grumbles aside, the overall plot was sufficiently compelling, dragged as it was through endless scenes of monotony which were fortunately bolstered by the intriguing cast of characters. I really liked the magic and the way the world worked with witches, vampires and daemons. I just wish Diana had spent less time taking naps or having decisions made for her... </spoiler >
Graphic: Confinement, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Infertility
massivepizzacrust's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Reread in 2020: I needed to get back to this because of *waves broadly* and I enjoyed it just the same this time around. I almost never reread but I needed something comforting and addictive for finals season.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, and Medical content
Minor: Child death, Infertility, and Toxic relationship