Thankyou to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was just such a charming, unexpectedly heartwarming read. I absolutely loved the found family at the heart of it, and the way the supernatural elements were woven in so naturally that these completely fantastical beings somehow felt incredibly real.

I especially loved the balance between cosy, comforting moments and enough actual stakes to make everything feel meaningful. I highlighted SO many quotes that struck a chord with me, which is always a good sign. There’s just something about this book that feels made for autumn: warm, a little strange, comforting without being saccharine, and full of heart.

Honestly, it was the right book at exactly the right time for me. 🍂

« Because if she had been who she was meant to be from the start, if she’d been allowed to just be herself, in fact if everyone involved was allowed to be their true authentic selves without fear of recourse or ridicule, none of this would have ever happened. »

This was such a weird book 😂 I enjoyed it some of it, but between the FBI investigation into the bizarre “Drifters” case, the supernatural elements and the increasingly disturbing body horror, I genuinely had no idea where it was going half the time. I’m not sure I could recommend it to anyone I know without them thinking I need help, and defo think anyone considering reading should check trigger warnings before proceeding.

That sex scene, though? Absolutely wild and not in a good way. Gross, disturbing and honestly something I could’ve lived without, and some of the other horror elements were… a lot. I did really like the ending. It didn’t wrap everything up in a ridiculously neat bow, but there was enough payoff and satisfaction to make it work. Definitely an odd one, but an interesting read!

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

6/5 ⭐️

As someone who has put far more hours into Baldur’s Gate 3 than I’d like to admit, and Astarion being my absolute favourite character, getting this as an ARC was basically Christmas morning. I am, quite frankly, unwell about this book.

I was a little nervous going in because I already knew and loved his story, but T. Kingfisher somehow managed to take the pieces I already knew and build on them in a way that felt completely true to Astarion while still giving me so much more. His backstory was devastating, the humour was perfect, and there was somehow this thread of hope running through all the darkness that absolutely destroyed me knowing part of what comes next.

It was funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, lusty, adventurous and exactly what I wanted it to be. I could genuinely devour an entire series just about him. Give me 500 more pages. Give me ten more books. I am not remotely ready to let him go.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5 rounded down to 3

This one was defo a mixed bag for me. I didn’t dislike it, but I also never felt particularly invested in it, partially because the PIV seemed to change so fast, just as you were settling into one characters story it would switch to the next, so I was pretty indifferent to most of the characters, although I did really like Nissa and her storyline with Auria.

The pacing was probably my biggest issue. Some parts felt so slow, whilst others felt really rushed, and the world building was confusing at times. I don’t usually struggle with multiple POV or complex world building either, so this did take me a bit by surprise. I found myself constantly having to stop and double check things, which kept pulling me out of the story.

I also felt like the writing style was noticeably different from Silvercloak, although I can’t quite put my finger on why. 🤷‍♀️

Overall, I enjoyed it enough to see where the next book goes, but unfortunately it didn’t quite pull me in like the first book did.