maggie_ackbooks's Reviews (170)

Bakewell builds an interesting world and characters. That said there are a few concerns with the story and world building:

1. There is lots of passive lgbt and racial representation. What I mean is that characters are mentioned to be lgbt and/or people of color and it has no impact on the story. You could change many characters identities and the scene/story would be the same. In some ways this is fine, it shouldn’t matter with minor characters and any representation is good right? But in other ways feels lazy like boxes being checked off. It bothered me slightly only because just about everyone is passively identified as a minority outside of the straight presenting white main couple. 

2. This is a YA novel and the characters are acting older then their prescribed age. Maybe it’s cause I’m reading this as someone in her late 20’s but the main characters did not act or behave like 15 to 16 year olds. 18-19, or hey, even 17 would have made more sense with their interactions

l maybe it’s a YA thing but he’s only 16 and is now her boss and guardian? Weird.

especially with regard to

how Xavier was punished. I understand actions have consequences but he’s 16? Losing his magic was way too drastic especially given his reasoning for trying to cure his sister’s depression. That’s like getting in an accident and being forbidden from being inside a car or vehicle again. It just didn’t sit right with me.

On a brighter note, I loved the description of magic and the flower language used in the book. Very cool.