>> Buddy read with Haley!

I was so excited about the premise, but I found the execution lacking. There's more telling than showing, a lot of "for some reason she just knew/felt/thought X"; I really wasn't sold on the main romance, especially with

Spoiler

the characters flipflopping constantly — although it made some contextual sense in each situation, it felt more like prolonging the drama than developing the plot; I also didn't like the almost-obligatory heterosexual-best-friend-in-unrequited-love

.

And ironically, the lack of closure with the ending made me not want to pick up the second book.

content warnings:

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precanon death of loved ones, blood ritual,

rep:

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F/F main romance, WLW MCs

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CONVERSION: 8.13 / 15 = 3 stars

Prose: 4 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 4 / 10
Emotional Impact: 2 / 10
Development / Flow: 6 / 10
Setting: 8 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: N/A
Originality / Trope Execution: 3 / 5
Rereadability: N/A
Memorability: 3 / 5