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chunky_punks_kindle 's review for:
The Secret Romantic's Book of Magic
by Megan Bannen, Melissa Marr, Paul Kane, Marie O'Regan, Katherine Arden, Hannah Nicole Maehrer, Kelley Armstrong, A C Wise, Kelly Andrew, Olivie Blake, Angela Slatter, Tasha Suri, Kamilah Cole
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
A lovely anthology full of magic and love. All of the featured authors were new to me although I've heard of some of them I'd never actually read their work. Glad to say I now have. I really enjoyed this collection, it's a good palate cleanser for the heavier high fantasy/romantasy books out there.
Overall 4 stars after averaging out my rating for each story below.
The Fall Guy: Olivia Blake - 3* Fast paced, felt like an excerpt from the middle of a novel as apposed to a short story.
The Dubious Women of Mirador: Melissa Marr - 4* Interesting story, very short enemies to lovers/fated mates plot.
Until December: Kelly Andrew - 5* - More Sci-Fi than fantasy, but loved it all the same. Addie Laure/Our Infinite Fates vibes.
The King's Witch: Tasha Suri - 5* Good world building, well paced with chapters split between current time and flashbacks. I really enjoyed this one.
Designated Virgin Sacrifice: Kelley Armstrong -5* Favorite one so far! Absolutely loved the twist in this one, for a short story it was really gripping and so well paced.
Second class magic: Kamilah Cole - 3 stars, interesting magic system for a short story, good academic rivals to lovers plot, felt a little bit rushed and disjointed but otherwise a nice little sapphic romance.
Bamboo, Ink, Paper, Clay: Eliza Chan - 3* Loved the magic system in this one, very unique, but otherwise really struggled to get through it and almost skipped it all together a couple of times. Well written, beautiful ending, just slow for me personally.
Slay the Princess, Save the Dragon: A.C Wise - 4* Whirlwind of an academic rivals to lovers story. I really enjoyed this one, fast paced and sweet, ending on a lovely little cliffhanger.
San't Marten's Book of Mild Melancholy: A.G. Slatter - 4* I was a little bit confused by the world building at the start, it felt like too much for a short story, but once it actually got into the plot and the magic I really enjoyed it.
Good Deeds and Their Magical Punishments: Megan Bannen - 5* - Adored this story so much, easiest 5* in this whole anthology. My favorite of them all.
The Larkspur: Megan Bannen - 3* Cozy fantasy vibes but I was a little bit bored with the MCs self pity, it fell a bit flat for me and didn't give his character much depth. I'm not a huge fan of the 'Woe is me' character profile.
Rosebud: Katherine Arden - 3* A beautiful story but closer to gothic/paranormal that romantasy.
Overall 4 stars after averaging out my rating for each story below.
The Fall Guy: Olivia Blake - 3* Fast paced, felt like an excerpt from the middle of a novel as apposed to a short story.
The Dubious Women of Mirador: Melissa Marr - 4* Interesting story, very short enemies to lovers/fated mates plot.
Until December: Kelly Andrew - 5* - More Sci-Fi than fantasy, but loved it all the same. Addie Laure/Our Infinite Fates vibes.
The King's Witch: Tasha Suri - 5* Good world building, well paced with chapters split between current time and flashbacks. I really enjoyed this one.
Designated Virgin Sacrifice: Kelley Armstrong -5* Favorite one so far! Absolutely loved the twist in this one, for a short story it was really gripping and so well paced.
Second class magic: Kamilah Cole - 3 stars, interesting magic system for a short story, good academic rivals to lovers plot, felt a little bit rushed and disjointed but otherwise a nice little sapphic romance.
Bamboo, Ink, Paper, Clay: Eliza Chan - 3* Loved the magic system in this one, very unique, but otherwise really struggled to get through it and almost skipped it all together a couple of times. Well written, beautiful ending, just slow for me personally.
Slay the Princess, Save the Dragon: A.C Wise - 4* Whirlwind of an academic rivals to lovers story. I really enjoyed this one, fast paced and sweet, ending on a lovely little cliffhanger.
San't Marten's Book of Mild Melancholy: A.G. Slatter - 4* I was a little bit confused by the world building at the start, it felt like too much for a short story, but once it actually got into the plot and the magic I really enjoyed it.
Good Deeds and Their Magical Punishments: Megan Bannen - 5* - Adored this story so much, easiest 5* in this whole anthology. My favorite of them all.
The Larkspur: Megan Bannen - 3* Cozy fantasy vibes but I was a little bit bored with the MCs self pity, it fell a bit flat for me and didn't give his character much depth. I'm not a huge fan of the 'Woe is me' character profile.
Rosebud: Katherine Arden - 3* A beautiful story but closer to gothic/paranormal that romantasy.