I have very mixed feelings for this book.
The LGBTQ+ rep was fantastic and I loved the overall story, including the fantastic twist at the end which even I didn't manage to predict. However, it didn't feel very "fleshed out" in terms of explaining the magic system. We are told that magic can only be created by a rare handful of individuals, so the average joe has to rely on potions and charms to give them magical powers. However, I didn't understand how these magical items are constructed without the use of new magic - a topic that could perhaps have been explained in more detail. The pacing felt a little choppy as well, with some anticipated scenes being over far too quickly but those with more general chit-chat seemed to have more focus on.
Overall I did enjoy it, and I think I will be picking up the next in the series when it is released, but it certainly wasn't anything super special, unfortunately.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and Readers First for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The LGBTQ+ rep was fantastic and I loved the overall story, including the fantastic twist at the end which even I didn't manage to predict. However, it didn't feel very "fleshed out" in terms of explaining the magic system. We are told that magic can only be created by a rare handful of individuals, so the average joe has to rely on potions and charms to give them magical powers. However, I didn't understand how these magical items are constructed without the use of new magic - a topic that could perhaps have been explained in more detail. The pacing felt a little choppy as well, with some anticipated scenes being over far too quickly but those with more general chit-chat seemed to have more focus on.
Overall I did enjoy it, and I think I will be picking up the next in the series when it is released, but it certainly wasn't anything super special, unfortunately.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and Readers First for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.