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sadpendragon's reviews
238 reviews
Garlic & the Witch by Bree Paulsen
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
awh somehow even more wholesome than the first one. the art is really just exquisite
Garlic & the Vampire by Bree Paulsen
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
such a perfect cozy autumnal story and art! beautiful colours, the art exudes cozyness 🤎
La Vie de Guinevere by Paula Lafferty
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
WOW
Oh boy, where do I start?! This was genuinely such an entertaining and fun read. I would have read it all in one sitting, if I didn’t have boring life stuff, like work to do...smh.
This story was well written, fun and the characters were so enjoyable and loveable. There were complex relationships, sweet romances and I would even describe one of the bonds as queerplatonic—which I’m a sucker for—it felt so deep and genuine, like it went beyond friendship but still very much platonic; I have to say, the love and bonds between the characters are the jewel of this story!
Though the story, the world-building, was also fascinating. The way the author explained and played with the misinformation around “the dark ages” was interesting. It’s definitely more of a modern take on Arthuriana, but it worked well with the magical medieval setting created here. It doesn’t always take itself—and by that I mean the Arthurian lore—too seriously, and plays with it in fun ways; like the origin of the round table…no spoilers but let’s just say they were thinking of a different type of equality and it was pretty funny to make those modern connections in a medieval setting. It felt modern but not too out of place, a bit silly at times but in good amounts.
For my niche: I really believe BBCM fans will like the pace, adventure, romance, queerplatonic bonds and found family dynamics of this story!
Honestly, I was getting stresses out the last 20%, as I did not remember this being anything other than a standalone, and there was still so much to resolve and explore...but thank god this is planned as a series!!
Highly recommend for an escape into a wonderful world. I can’t wait to discover and uncover more of this magical world, the mysteries, and spend more time with these characters <3
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for gifting me an ARC. This is my honest review.
The only thing I would add is that it lacked diversity. Though descriptions aren't always too explicit so I guess you could imagine more ethnic diversity than probably intended.
Oh boy, where do I start?! This was genuinely such an entertaining and fun read. I would have read it all in one sitting, if I didn’t have boring life stuff, like work to do...smh.
This story was well written, fun and the characters were so enjoyable and loveable. There were complex relationships, sweet romances and I would even describe one of the bonds as queerplatonic—which I’m a sucker for—it felt so deep and genuine, like it went beyond friendship but still very much platonic; I have to say, the love and bonds between the characters are the jewel of this story!
Though the story, the world-building, was also fascinating. The way the author explained and played with the misinformation around “the dark ages” was interesting. It’s definitely more of a modern take on Arthuriana, but it worked well with the magical medieval setting created here. It doesn’t always take itself—and by that I mean the Arthurian lore—too seriously, and plays with it in fun ways; like the origin of the round table…no spoilers but let’s just say they were thinking of a different type of equality and it was pretty funny to make those modern connections in a medieval setting. It felt modern but not too out of place, a bit silly at times but in good amounts.
For my niche: I really believe BBCM fans will like the pace, adventure, romance, queerplatonic bonds and found family dynamics of this story!
Honestly, I was getting stresses out the last 20%, as I did not remember this being anything other than a standalone, and there was still so much to resolve and explore...but thank god this is planned as a series!!
Highly recommend for an escape into a wonderful world. I can’t wait to discover and uncover more of this magical world, the mysteries, and spend more time with these characters <3
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for gifting me an ARC. This is my honest review.
The only thing I would add is that it lacked diversity. Though descriptions aren't always too explicit so I guess you could imagine more ethnic diversity than probably intended.
This Fatal Kiss by Alicia Jasinska
it’s interesting that this story handled a lot of themes considered dark or for adult audiences while keeping it adapted enough for young adult readers; MI, SA, SH, suicide, revenge on abusers…it had darker themes while keeping its whimsical, funny and captivating vibes.
gisela was a great FMC, she was sooo charming, hilarious and sarcastic—as a way to cope with the hurt too—which i love in a MC but don’t often see in a female MC
it had GREAT grumpy x sunshine interactions; it was ridiculously entertaining and the romances felt genuine, the tension between them all was delicious and it had good built-up
i loved the incorporation of folklore, culture, a respect for nature and the way magic works and was a part of its users
anyways, WHERE IS BOOK TWO HELLO THAT UNRESOLVED ENDING HELP I NEED MORE I NEED MORE CONCLUSION I NEED TO KNOOOOOOOW AAAAHHHHhhgjklgl *definitely recommend*
—thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange of an honest review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i read this in a day and couldn’t/didn’t want to put it down—and that can only ever be a good thing
i really enjoyed how this story was built, the romance(s), the exploration of polyamory and feelings for different people, the casual bisexuality and the talks around biphobia/bi-pride and the subtle exploration of genderqueerness
i really enjoyed how this story was built, the romance(s), the exploration of polyamory and feelings for different people, the casual bisexuality and the talks around biphobia/bi-pride and the subtle exploration of genderqueerness
“Gisela didn’t feel strongly either way about her own gender. It was easier, really, to let everyone think of her as a girl rather than exhaust herself explaining that she didn’t always feel like one.”
it’s interesting that this story handled a lot of themes considered dark or for adult audiences while keeping it adapted enough for young adult readers; MI, SA, SH, suicide, revenge on abusers…it had darker themes while keeping its whimsical, funny and captivating vibes.
gisela was a great FMC, she was sooo charming, hilarious and sarcastic—as a way to cope with the hurt too—which i love in a MC but don’t often see in a female MC
it had GREAT grumpy x sunshine interactions; it was ridiculously entertaining and the romances felt genuine, the tension between them all was delicious and it had good built-up
i loved the incorporation of folklore, culture, a respect for nature and the way magic works and was a part of its users
anyways, WHERE IS BOOK TWO HELLO THAT UNRESOLVED ENDING HELP I NEED MORE I NEED MORE CONCLUSION I NEED TO KNOOOOOOOW AAAAHHHHhhgjklgl *definitely recommend*
—thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange of an honest review
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
this was lovely, i enjoy these type of more quiet slow and cozy books that focus on the mundane without feeling mundane. it’s touching and comforting. i especially enjoyed the first part, the second part was much more slow-paced but still moving.
Chivalry by Neil Gaiman
medium-paced
3.0
cute little story. the art nouveau medieval/fantasy panels where beautiful. pretty accurate and cute portrayal of an old lady i’d say. didn’t make me feel nothing too special personally though
Sir Morien: The Legend of a Knight of the Round Table by Kaliis Smith, Holly Black
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
sooooo cute!! great way to introduce sir morien and a bit of arthurian legend to kids it was adorable and well done. loved gawain’s SIDE EYE @ lancelot constantly x) the art was soft and warm <3
Minor Works of Meda by Juliette Caruso
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
i really enjoyed my time here, it was a fast-paced entertaining little fantasy.
it almost felt like a cozy fantasy, though there were some high stakes the pacing made it seem less heavy, this and the fact that there was a complex world-building happening behind the scenes; it almost has the setting of a high fantasy but the writing never truly over-explains anything, it could leave you wondering about some stuff sometimes but it also put the focus more on the characters rather than the fantasy setting and i kinda liked it.
i actually LOVED the FMC, and i screamed and clocked autism from the start (i think the author has described her as neurodivergent/spicy), and as someone who’s also neurodivergent i throughly enjoyed their portrayal of it.
i enjoyed the romance but i also kinda wanted more of it. i felt like it had great moments around the middle of the book but once the story started to wrap-up, i felt a bit more disconnected to them. which is how i feel in general—i think the book wrapped up a bit fast like all the action and the story progression happened in the last 20% rather quickly.
i do also feel like if the characters hadn’t mentioned their ages they kinda feel like young adult characters, though that didn’t bother me much.
overall really enjoyed it though, the writing is engaging and i would’ve read it in one setting had it not been for work, life, etc…
if you liked the story and romance in the wolf and the woodsman by ava reid you might like this one like me, i feel like they have similar vibes!
thank you netgalley and the publisher for offering me an ARC in return for an honest review
it almost felt like a cozy fantasy, though there were some high stakes the pacing made it seem less heavy, this and the fact that there was a complex world-building happening behind the scenes; it almost has the setting of a high fantasy but the writing never truly over-explains anything, it could leave you wondering about some stuff sometimes but it also put the focus more on the characters rather than the fantasy setting and i kinda liked it.
i actually LOVED the FMC, and i screamed and clocked autism from the start (i think the author has described her as neurodivergent/spicy), and as someone who’s also neurodivergent i throughly enjoyed their portrayal of it.
i enjoyed the romance but i also kinda wanted more of it. i felt like it had great moments around the middle of the book but once the story started to wrap-up, i felt a bit more disconnected to them. which is how i feel in general—i think the book wrapped up a bit fast like all the action and the story progression happened in the last 20% rather quickly.
i do also feel like if the characters hadn’t mentioned their ages they kinda feel like young adult characters, though that didn’t bother me much.
overall really enjoyed it though, the writing is engaging and i would’ve read it in one setting had it not been for work, life, etc…
if you liked the story and romance in the wolf and the woodsman by ava reid you might like this one like me, i feel like they have similar vibes!
thank you netgalley and the publisher for offering me an ARC in return for an honest review