I picked up this book mostly because I LOVE this author's "Murderbot" books.

Not gonna lie, this was pretty hard to get into at first, in large part due to the book's completely lack of margins and line spacing lmaooo Could they have formatted this book any worse? 😭

There was also a lot of names and world building right at the beginning and I had to read the first few pages very slowly.

Once I got into it though, it turned out to be a pretty good book.

I think the concept was really unique and refreshing in a currently literary world full of assassin warrior princesses becoming the chosen among faeries / vampires / dragons.

I liked reading about everyone's relationships with each other, and it felt like we were learning about Raksura group dynamics along with our main character Moon.

The one thing I wish was different was how the Fell were portrayed. They felt very much like one dimensional villains; being evil just for the sake of it. I wanted a deeper purpose to the harm they caused.

I migghhhtt continue with the series but probably not until I've run out of everything I have to read haha.

(I forgot to write a review for this book and it's almost been a year... lol)

This is one of those horrors where the real horror is how abusive the family dynamics were. I hated Astrid's entire family and also Dora's (?) dad.

The execution of the actual horror elements were pretty creepy, but not creepy enough for me personally especially considering how much of the abuse I had to wade through.

The reveal was a bit anticlimactic and I feel like the solution to the problem was very rushed.

It's also weird that this book is a standalone because in my opinion, it was very much set up for a sequel. Without the promise of a sequel the ending just feels unfinished.

(Another book where I waited a year to write a review, oops lol)

I think the premise of this book was more interesting than its execution. Because Lauren kept switching husbands, every husband character felt very superficial. I liked the inclusion of the one husband who was actually in the same switching predicament as her, but I don't know how I feel about the conflict that ended up happening between them.

The ending felt rushed and the very dramatic conflict that happened felt very unnecessary. I understand the purpose of the conflict as a plot device, that Lauren had to eventually stop switching husbands and just be content with her life as is even if it's not perfect, yada, yada, yada, but it felt a bit abrupt and sloppy.

UGH I DON'T WANNA WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!!!

You know what would've ATE? If this book was dual POV. Oh man I wanna get into Sebastian's head SO BAD especially with how the ending was so vague on his feelings.

Cute wholesome fun adventure, would definitely recommend!

This was more wholesome than I expected it to be! I saw some mixed reviews so I was apprehensive but the story was genuinely so cute and sweet.

The humor won't be everyone's cup of tea and I did have to get used to it at first, but I ended up feeling that it matched the cute vibe of the book.

I really resonated with our MC (main crow) and felt each of his disappointments and sorrows deeply. (We are NOT going to talk about the loss at the very end in my mind he is still very much alive and did not die in vain 😭😭)

I think the undercurrent of hope present in this book really spoke to me. And I loved how we got that perspective of hope from a character that deeply loved the humans, despite the way they ultimately destroyed themselves and their world. (Let's also not talk about how they all perished because I feel like the cause the author gave was a little stupid haha)

Despite S.T.'s initial reluctance towards other animals, he can understand the beauty of a world unsullied by human hands, and there's both hope and grief in that feeling.

Not an earth shattering book but definitely a fun light hearted wholesome read. Would for sure recommend!

Monthly pick for my book club!

Unfortunately... I really hated this book. If not for the book club this would've been an immediate DNF for me.

I feel like the synopsis is SO misleading. It's less about a second chance queer romance and more about how the main character is stuck in an abusive relationship with her piece of shit husband. Like I came here to share in queer joy not to be reminded of how much men fucking suck. And he wasn't even an interesting man!!! Just another textbook male manipulator.

I also don't even know if I believed in the romance between Emily and Gen. They had so much history in high school and I feel like that was summarized a bit too much, so I didn't fully understand the connection between them as present day adults.

AND THOSE FUCK ASS KIDS!!! If there's one thing I hate about as much as men it's children lol I know it's not their fault, they were being manipulated by Jack and reacting to the abuse Jack put them through, yada yada yada, but I don't want to KNOW about it!!! I know children can be little shits please don't remind me.

I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE!!! Real Nevermoor fans know the struggle 😭😭

And thankfully it did NOT disappoint!

I've always loved the mystery aspects of the Nevermoor series and this one's mystery lives up to its predecessors. I usually accidentally spoil myself when it comes to mysteries but I'm so glad I didn't do it for this one because the reveal was so fun! And I loved the implication at the end that Morrigan was the ****** ***** the ****** needed to ******, hinting at the bigger and better things she will do later in the series.

I also can't wait to meet the *** behind every one of the Wundrous Arts.

Morrigan was more of a teenager than ever in this book, and I really felt the struggle between her and Jupiter this time around. It kind of annoyed me (why couldn't Jupiter just tell her the truth???) but I understand both sides so well, so it was even more frustrating.

Hopefully the wait time for the next book will not be as long... but if Jessica Townsend needs more time to properly cook, I will patiently wait.

Personal reflection

Going back to Morrigan's relationship with her guardian... I had to reread all the previous books to prepare for this newest addition, and I found myself more prone to anger at Jupiter than I previously had been. Like I couldn't see all his problematic behavior as cute and whimsical anymore and instead saw it as rage-inducing. One example is in the first book where he insists on calling Morrigan a nickname even though she tells him multiple times that she hates it. Maybe I'm just more sensitive during a time where trans people's rights are being stolen from them left and right, but that fundamental disrespect for her personhood just really got me.

Reflecting on my experience with this series now as opposed to several years ago, I think I've grown to be a more bitter and angrier person in general. Part of that is because I need to stop engaging in rage bait but another part of that is just a symptom of existing in our current world. I grieve a little for past me who viewed the world with more whimsy because there is a distinct lack of that now.