I mean, Metias was already my favorite character (June and Day excluded) and this just enforced it. Nice short story, enjoyable.

4 Stars, -1 for plot

This feels very much like a classic, with the detailed descriptions that I really appreciate when Lu adds them to more riveting books, such as Skyhunter (there was one paragraph describing Talin's mother's hands and the memories that came with them, it was beautiful), but in this story the plot falls a bit short. Other than that I think she did a wonderful job of writing Nannerl and her hopes and dreams. You can tell she did a great job with the characters when you get really mad at Nannerl's father (there were a few instances when I wanted to rip his head off, but maybe that's just me). All in all, it's worth the read.

I don't usually like classics (just personal preference), but this is such a good series. Definitely top 10. Pros:
-If you read the books individually, they are pretty easy to get through since they aren't very thick.
-The world building is insane! So good, and to think that this came before all the wonderful modern day fantasies. His imagination must've been insane.
-The covers on some of the editions are beautiful
-One of my favorite narrator voices of all time
-The characters are relatable and (I think) well constructed
-The different books are tied in together very well even though they have different characters
-I didn't notice any plot holes / things that didn't make sense
-I really liked that when I was reading books further than the first one I would go "Oh I recognize that!" or "That makes sense!" and such reactions about how the books referenced each other.
Cons:
-The first, third, and fifth are a bit slower paced.
-If you don't pay attention (especially in the latter books) it can be quite confusing
-I can't think of any more except not very diverse, but it is an older book by an English author so that is understandable

This book made me laugh multiple times. I really enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers, and Lou is a witty protagonist. There is one steamy scene, and the scene is very well done, passionate but not earth shakingly so, and not crude/explicit either. Also, a redhead love interest? I AM HERE FOR IT. The plot is pretty average, I'm mostly here for the characters. When I read the blurb I was curious why they would want a witch and a witch hunter to get married. The thing is, the Archbishop doesn't know she's a witch

(except he does, but we don't know that until after the performance by the witches)

, and so she keeps the secret from Reid until it's too late. The ending was not a big cliffhanger, which I appreciate. Not a masterpiece, but enjoyable nonetheless.

It’s a beautiful book, but I wish it was more unique and had more of an interesting plot. I started reading it and realized that it was pretty boring, but I really like the main character and the prose was beautiful, so I read it anyway. Take this passage for example, page 260-261:

My goodbyes to Luc and Yseult had been built on hope, bound with embraces and poorly cracked jokes, crowned with smiles and thundering hearts.

Certain paragraphs like that one took my breath away, and Brienna’s perspective was interesting, she’s really observant and descriptive, as is seen here, page 271:

Yes, I had seen his profile on a copper, which had depicted him as handsome, mythically godlike. And he truly might have been handsome for a man in his mid-fifties, had the scorn not soured the lines on his face, trapping his expressions in sneers and frowns.

I would have enjoyed an epilogue that showed Brienna and Cartier a few years later,

They only kiss at the end it’s so infuriating lol, but at least that scene was satisfying

Other than that it’s a good fairytale/classic-like story, with vivid descriptions and characters. If you liked the Kingdom of Back you will probably like this book. -1 star for the plot being very traditional and the world building being mediocre