Larissa S.
The first half of this had me kicking my feet and giggling (5 stars!), while the second half...did not (2 stars). So I guess that comes out 3.5 stars?
This is heavy on the romance, but the fantasy side is definitely there, which I appreciate. The world is absurd and I still can't figure out if an autoduck is a car or a boat, but somehow it worked. And the characters and romance are great (for the first half). They both have their own problems and they're interesting characters. But halfway through it feels like the story needs them to fight, so they do.
Overall, all the little questions get answers in a decently satisfying way, so maybe I'll round it up to 4 stars. But I didn't end up loving like I thought I would.
The first half of this had me kicking my feet and giggling (5 stars!), while the second half...did not (2 stars). So I guess that comes out 3.5 stars?
This is heavy on the romance, but the fantasy side is definitely there, which I appreciate. The world is absurd and I still can't figure out if an autoduck is a car or a boat, but somehow it worked. And the characters and romance are great (for the first half). They both have their own problems and they're interesting characters. But halfway through it feels like the story needs them to fight, so they do.
Overall, all the little questions get answers in a decently satisfying way, so maybe I'll round it up to 4 stars. But I didn't end up loving like I thought I would.
There's a type of fantasy romance book where the story is so focused on the love interest that it almost feels like the characters are in a bubble. And I'm realizing I don't like these kinds of stories.
It's kind of hard to describe what I mean. Like, Leo is at school in the beginning, but the only time we really see him in class is when he's interacting with Grimm. It just makes the world feel very small.
On top of that, this is a slow burn in the sense that they don't even realize they like each other in this book. They'll obviously get together in a future book, since the story is SO focused on the two of them annoying each other. But don't go into this expecting the pay-off of them getting together.
There's a type of fantasy romance book where the story is so focused on the love interest that it almost feels like the characters are in a bubble. And I'm realizing I don't like these kinds of stories.
It's kind of hard to describe what I mean. Like, Leo is at school in the beginning, but the only time we really see him in class is when he's interacting with Grimm. It just makes the world feel very small.
On top of that, this is a slow burn in the sense that they don't even realize they like each other in this book. They'll obviously get together in a future book, since the story is SO focused on the two of them annoying each other. But don't go into this expecting the pay-off of them getting together.
This should have been published as middle grade, with the characters listed as 14. You wouldn't have to change a single other thing about it (maybe take out the brief reference to r*pe). The plot is very simple and I saw the twists coming from a mile away. Which isn't to say that it was bad, it just felt like it was for a younger audience.
This should have been published as middle grade, with the characters listed as 14. You wouldn't have to change a single other thing about it (maybe take out the brief reference to r*pe). The plot is very simple and I saw the twists coming from a mile away. Which isn't to say that it was bad, it just felt like it was for a younger audience.
I've seen other reviews describe this as really good fanfiction, and I think that's a pretty accurate description. The magic system & magic school are just here for vibes--this story is entirely about the romance. Arthur and Mika are cute and snarky and clueless, and have endless banter, like all good fanfiction couples.
My big complaint is that Mika has a girlfriend through most of the story, and the sort-of-cheating is pretty much ignored. If that's going to bother you, don't read this book.
I've seen other reviews describe this as really good fanfiction, and I think that's a pretty accurate description. The magic system & magic school are just here for vibes--this story is entirely about the romance. Arthur and Mika are cute and snarky and clueless, and have endless banter, like all good fanfiction couples.
My big complaint is that Mika has a girlfriend through most of the story, and the sort-of-cheating is pretty much ignored. If that's going to bother you, don't read this book.
The first half of this had me kicking my feet and giggling (5 stars!), while the second half...did not (2 stars). So I guess that comes out 3.5 stars?
This is heavy on the romance, but the fantasy side is definitely there, which I appreciate. The world is absurd and I still can't figure out if an autoduck is a car or a boat, but somehow it worked. And the characters and romance are great (for the first half). They both have their own problems and they're interesting characters. But halfway through it feels like the story needs them to fight, so they do.
Overall, all the little questions get answers in a decently satisfying way, so maybe I'll round it up to 4 stars. But I didn't end up loving like I thought I would.
The first half of this had me kicking my feet and giggling (5 stars!), while the second half...did not (2 stars). So I guess that comes out 3.5 stars?
This is heavy on the romance, but the fantasy side is definitely there, which I appreciate. The world is absurd and I still can't figure out if an autoduck is a car or a boat, but somehow it worked. And the characters and romance are great (for the first half). They both have their own problems and they're interesting characters. But halfway through it feels like the story needs them to fight, so they do.
Overall, all the little questions get answers in a decently satisfying way, so maybe I'll round it up to 4 stars. But I didn't end up loving like I thought I would.
This was such a strange, absurd little book. And I loved it.
This was such a strange, absurd little book. And I loved it.
I wouldn't say this is a perfect book, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Every time I put it down, I found myself picking it right back up again, needing to know what was going to happen. This book has great tension, and I could never predict what would happen next, or how Rune was going to get herself out of the various corners she finds herself in.
I do wish it had ended differently, but I'll definitely be picking up the next book when it comes out.
I wouldn't say this is a perfect book, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Every time I put it down, I found myself picking it right back up again, needing to know what was going to happen. This book has great tension, and I could never predict what would happen next, or how Rune was going to get herself out of the various corners she finds herself in.
I do wish it had ended differently, but I'll definitely be picking up the next book when it comes out.
I think if I had read this book as a teenager, it would have been one of those books that stayed with me. It's a simple moment in the life of a girl on the cusp of womanhood, and that simplicity is its strength.
I think if I had read this book as a teenager, it would have been one of those books that stayed with me. It's a simple moment in the life of a girl on the cusp of womanhood, and that simplicity is its strength.