I really wanted to love this. I tried look past the problematic elements and the wooden characters and just immerse myself in a sweeping fantasy world.

But then my least favourite trope (

time travel 😭

) reared its ugly head and I lost the ability to care. I get why it's a classic but it's just not worth trudging through 100 pages to finish. Alas!

This book is so cheesy but so, so fun. The romance toes well into cringe-worthy territory, but I was giggling and kicking my feet regardless. Yes, the MMC can turn into a goofy-ass giant flying tiger, and yes there are weirdly gendered aspects of Fey society, BUT the world and story were enthralling enough that I could look past it. 

I got 100 pages in and it felt like nothing was happening. I personally prefer MCs with a direct focus, which also may contribute to this feeling of the book just... wandering.

I also found the random fact spam and monster porn aspects kinda shoehorned in. Apparently there is such a thing as "too quirky" for me, eep.

I think mysteries just aren't my thing. There were so many elements of this story that I loved, but were left unresolved or treated somewhat shallowly -- Mavis' job, her relationship with her daughter, etc.. This is not a failing of the book; I simply prefer stories with a more character-driven focus.

Fast and enjoyable regardless!