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dragoninwinterfell 's review for:
Upon a Starlit Tide
by Kell Woods
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really wanted to love this book. The world-building is absolutely stunning, with rich detail and an immersive setting that pulled me in right away. But unfortunately, the main character and the romance fell completely flat, which made it hard to stay invested.
The protagonist had no real personality, and her choices felt more like plot devices than natural reactions. There were so many missed opportunities — great ideas that never fully developed because the story was stuck following a character who didn’t feel real. The romance, which should have been a strong emotional thread, lacked chemistry and depth.
It’s frustrating because there was so much potential here. If the character work had been as strong as the world-building, this could have been an incredible read. Instead, it just felt hollow. In short: Beautiful setting, disappointing execution.
The protagonist had no real personality, and her choices felt more like plot devices than natural reactions. There were so many missed opportunities — great ideas that never fully developed because the story was stuck following a character who didn’t feel real. The romance, which should have been a strong emotional thread, lacked chemistry and depth.
It’s frustrating because there was so much potential here. If the character work had been as strong as the world-building, this could have been an incredible read. Instead, it just felt hollow. In short: Beautiful setting, disappointing execution.