liamliayaum's reviews
273 reviews

Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.

So. Many. Questions. I understand that as a reader, you slowly get integrated into the world and plot. But things would be mentioned with no explanation and then kind of explained many pages later. Maybe "witch society" is explained later in the book but at a quarter in, all we know is it is ruled by some "high family", it's in New Orleans, and there are higher and lower families.

This book tells, not shows, which makes it difficult for me to visualize what is happening. Emma and Bastian are total one note characters. There is conflict, clearly, between Emma and Bastian but they agree too easily for two people who are supposed to hate each other.

The tropes are forced marriage, miscommunication, no communication and mean/abusive mother.

The author is fan of using ellipsis (...), way too many. There is odd phrasing that is almost like speaking to the reader. The POV switches between Bastian and Emma randomly. The speech in a sentence, without punctuation marks, also was weird to me.

Example:

"I have responsibilities" was what she finally opted for.

I am just annoyed and this isn't the book for me.

What Waits in the Woods by Terri Parlato

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted 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? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

In Charm's Way by Lana Harper

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

Back in a Spell by Lana Harper

Go to review page

emotional mysterious relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

MMC is Welsh, Irish, and Portuguese, nonbinary, he/they (although he was used almost exclusively in the story), pansexual
FMC is pansexual
A side character has MS.

Content Warnings