Heyyy, so it kinda feels like I’m the only one who didn’t like this book. I really wanted to love it, but it just didn’t work for me. The plot felt very predictable, and the characters were quirky to the point of falling straight into stereotypes.

What bothered me the most, though, was the found family aspect. Instead of feeling organic, it felt more like a checklist you know? Each character has a clearly assigned a role, but without enough development or meaningful interactions to make the relationships feel earned.

That said, I absolutely loved Aunt Jasmine. I would die for her. She was easily the highlight of the book for me.

I know a lot of people find this kind of cozy fantasy comforting, so I’m genuinely curious, did anyone else feel the same way, or did it work for you?

Sera is much better person than I will ever be, because the way I would have throw Clemmie out 🙄 I know she is a realistic character with flaws and personality, but I want my cute cozy fantasy books to be without annoying weight of reality

Everyone on PageBound is out here writing poetic, soul-crushing quotes… Meanwhile I’m sitting here like: “Wow, this is technically about domestic violence and psychological manipulation and toxic immortality and toxic masculinity but my brain kept playing the Twilight baseball scene on loop.” ✨ Supermassive Black Hole instead of a heart energy and make it gothic trauma. ✨

Still, the book? Absolutely stunning babe. The atmosphere? Deliciously feral and intimate. Me? Emotionally wrecked but also weirdly vibing.

Honestly, I get why people highlight every second sentence. It’s that kind of book.

Wow. Just… wow. A magic system that works like coding? Absolutely yes. An older female MC who knows what she’s doing? Even better. Add in some privilege checks, a hint of dark academia, and an atmosphere that completely pulled me in.

Honestly, one of the highlights of everything I’ve finished this year. Now I am off to buy Sword of Kaigen.

I mean… we all know we are here for the smut and the dirty sex. But I genuinely didn’t expect dates? Actual conversations? Jokes that land? The banter is almost suspiciously wholesome. Sure, they met in the most unorthodox way imaginable, but hey, life’s weird like that. Sometimes romance starts where you were definitely not expecting it (like getting milked)