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Clover
Clover is a Young Adult Fantasy novel that reimagines the leprechaun trope, depicting them as handsome, powerful fairies—and not the little mischievous sprites of lore. It’s an adventure and a love story which touches on the themes of luck, coming of age, and crossing worlds.
When a handsome leprechaun reveals himself to Clover O’Leary on her eighteenth birthday, she is faced with three hard facts. One: he is the reason for her remarkably charmed life; Two: her luck has now taken a turn for the worse. Three: her name is a curse; a malicious gift from the powerful leprechaun who named her while she was still in the womb.
In order to get her life back and undo the evil spell, she must travel to Ireland to seek the only creature who may be able to help: the Seelie Queen. With her intriguing leprechaun in tow, Clover crosses into the Faerie Realm, where fairies and mythical creatures abound and where finding her luck may ultimately lead to finding her love.
When a handsome leprechaun reveals himself to Clover O’Leary on her eighteenth birthday, she is faced with three hard facts. One: he is the reason for her remarkably charmed life; Two: her luck has now taken a turn for the worse. Three: her name is a curse; a malicious gift from the powerful leprechaun who named her while she was still in the womb.
In order to get her life back and undo the evil spell, she must travel to Ireland to seek the only creature who may be able to help: the Seelie Queen. With her intriguing leprechaun in tow, Clover crosses into the Faerie Realm, where fairies and mythical creatures abound and where finding her luck may ultimately lead to finding her love.
270 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2020
5 people are currently reading
1770 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Kilpatrick
2 books32 followersNicole Kilpatrick is the award-winning author of the YA fantasy novels, Clover and Fae's Ascent. When not writing, she can be found lounging in a cabin by a river, curled up at home reading a book, or concocting recipes in her cozy kitchen in Brooklyn, where she lives with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
December 26, 2020
You know that feeling of disappointment when a book that you’d been really enjoying hits the 50% mark and just starts going downhill? That statement describes my feelings toward this book almost perfectly. I loved the first half, and then the second half made me want to stop reading.
Blurb
After her father accidentally gambled all of his luck away, the leprechaun he lost to “blesses” his daughter with 18 years of luck in exchange for naming her. Once Clover’s 18th birthday arrives, the leprechaun tasked with charming her luck appears to her, and they begin a quest to undo the evil spell.
I want to start this off by saying that I absolutely loved how Irish this felt. Full of redheads, Irish landscapes, and leprechauns, I loved it. And, even better, the leprechauns weren’t short little guys who guarded pots of gold. They were lucky faeries, and as attractive as could be. As someone who is Irish, I really enjoyed seeing that in this book.
Sadly, that’s one of the only things I liked about this book. It’s hard for me to enjoy a book when I dislike the protagonist, and I loathed Clover. She was ridiculously naive, made stupid decisions, and completely screwed things up multiple times. She felt one-dimensional, and irritated the heck out of me.
Sometimes, a romance can save a character I despise. That wasn’t the case in this story. Clover and Finn had no chemistry, and their relationship was slightly creepy. I didn’t necessarily mind the age gap, but I hated their interactions. I can’t stand love declarations in YA, and this one was worse than most. Not only did it felt like it was only there to move the plot along and cause conflict, it also felt extremely unrealistic.
My last problem with this was the way the plot moved along. In some books, every event feels natural and carefully planned. In Clover, it felt like the opposite. Things happened solely to cause conflict, and our characters acted like idiots just to move the plot forward.
This book had potential, but it really didn’t work with me. I can see why some people might love it, but I was irritated by too many things for that.
Thanks to Netgalley and Nicole Kilpatrick for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
Blurb
After her father accidentally gambled all of his luck away, the leprechaun he lost to “blesses” his daughter with 18 years of luck in exchange for naming her. Once Clover’s 18th birthday arrives, the leprechaun tasked with charming her luck appears to her, and they begin a quest to undo the evil spell.
I want to start this off by saying that I absolutely loved how Irish this felt. Full of redheads, Irish landscapes, and leprechauns, I loved it. And, even better, the leprechauns weren’t short little guys who guarded pots of gold. They were lucky faeries, and as attractive as could be. As someone who is Irish, I really enjoyed seeing that in this book.
Sadly, that’s one of the only things I liked about this book. It’s hard for me to enjoy a book when I dislike the protagonist, and I loathed Clover. She was ridiculously naive, made stupid decisions, and completely screwed things up multiple times. She felt one-dimensional, and irritated the heck out of me.
Sometimes, a romance can save a character I despise. That wasn’t the case in this story. Clover and Finn had no chemistry, and their relationship was slightly creepy. I didn’t necessarily mind the age gap, but I hated their interactions. I can’t stand love declarations in YA, and this one was worse than most. Not only did it felt like it was only there to move the plot along and cause conflict, it also felt extremely unrealistic.
My last problem with this was the way the plot moved along. In some books, every event feels natural and carefully planned. In Clover, it felt like the opposite. Things happened solely to cause conflict, and our characters acted like idiots just to move the plot forward.
This book had potential, but it really didn’t work with me. I can see why some people might love it, but I was irritated by too many things for that.
Thanks to Netgalley and Nicole Kilpatrick for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
Want to read
November 6, 2020leprechauns but handsome and more like high faeries?? all right
March 8, 2021
Rating: 4.5/5.0
Magical revelations and a satisfying ending ensure that fantasy readers will be swept away by this layered story of sacrifice, family, and sweet romance.
Read full review in the 2021 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Magical revelations and a satisfying ending ensure that fantasy readers will be swept away by this layered story of sacrifice, family, and sweet romance.
Read full review in the 2021 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
December 20, 2020
First of all, thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!
Clover is a book that that spins a tale of leprechauns, fairies and luck. I thought the book was a really easy read! I got through it in no time. I also loved the use of luck and leprechauns in the book, as it is not something I have seen in young adult fiction before.
The book did feel very cliche to me, which is something that can either be good or bad. I do feel like all the characters were very predictable, but not in a bad way. Despite the fact that the book read like a Wattpad fanfiction and played into so many stereotypes, I would say that it was still enjoyable. I would have liked to see more interesting and original characters, as the ones present, especially the main characters were very basic.
My favourite character was Momma Ruth! I loved her spunk and she was such a fun character to read about. I also really enjoyed Helena and Scobert’s dynamic and I would like to see more of them in future books!
Overall, this was a quick and cute read and if you don’t mind a cliche once in a while, I would say it’s worth a read.
Clover is a book that that spins a tale of leprechauns, fairies and luck. I thought the book was a really easy read! I got through it in no time. I also loved the use of luck and leprechauns in the book, as it is not something I have seen in young adult fiction before.
The book did feel very cliche to me, which is something that can either be good or bad. I do feel like all the characters were very predictable, but not in a bad way. Despite the fact that the book read like a Wattpad fanfiction and played into so many stereotypes, I would say that it was still enjoyable. I would have liked to see more interesting and original characters, as the ones present, especially the main characters were very basic.
My favourite character was Momma Ruth! I loved her spunk and she was such a fun character to read about. I also really enjoyed Helena and Scobert’s dynamic and I would like to see more of them in future books!
Overall, this was a quick and cute read and if you don’t mind a cliche once in a while, I would say it’s worth a read.
December 17, 2020
4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I admit this book was not what I expected but i'm not complaining. One thing is for sure I didn't expect to like it as much as much as I did. I really liked the characters & the story itself. I have always been a fan of faeries so it's no surprise I loved that aspect. I also loved the twists and yeah maybe they weren't exactly unpredictable but they were welcomed all the same.
This was a such a charming & fun read and I really hope it gets a sequel in the future, I would love to visit these characters & world again. I'm also hoping it gets an audiobook so I can experience it again in a new way.
Overall a captivating & fun easy read that I highly recommend.
I received a digital ARC via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I admit this book was not what I expected but i'm not complaining. One thing is for sure I didn't expect to like it as much as much as I did. I really liked the characters & the story itself. I have always been a fan of faeries so it's no surprise I loved that aspect. I also loved the twists and yeah maybe they weren't exactly unpredictable but they were welcomed all the same.
This was a such a charming & fun read and I really hope it gets a sequel in the future, I would love to visit these characters & world again. I'm also hoping it gets an audiobook so I can experience it again in a new way.
Overall a captivating & fun easy read that I highly recommend.
I received a digital ARC via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 23, 2020
Clover
by Nicole Kilpatrick
Melange Books
Fire & Ice Young Adult Books
Sci Fi & Fantasy | Teens & YA
This was an enjoyable read for me. There was enough adventure and world building to keep me interested, and the characters had enough life in them to get me invested. I feel the level of intrigue and evil plotting was appropriate for the Teens & YA category, without being too juvenile or too adult. I would recommend Clover to others and would be willing to read more of Nicole Kilpatrick's work in the future.
Thank you , to NetGalley and Melange Books for granting my wish and providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
by Nicole Kilpatrick
Melange Books
Fire & Ice Young Adult Books
Sci Fi & Fantasy | Teens & YA
This was an enjoyable read for me. There was enough adventure and world building to keep me interested, and the characters had enough life in them to get me invested. I feel the level of intrigue and evil plotting was appropriate for the Teens & YA category, without being too juvenile or too adult. I would recommend Clover to others and would be willing to read more of Nicole Kilpatrick's work in the future.
Thank you , to NetGalley and Melange Books for granting my wish and providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 7, 2020
Ms. Kilpatrick’s modern spin on faeries, leprechauns and their enchanted world is at once charming and fascinating. You quickly find yourself rooting for Clover, the spunky New York teenager, who until now, has been clueless to the source of her good fortune. On her journey to break the curse that has stolen her luck, Clover is joined by a captivating cast of characters (both faerie and human) who help her navigate the realm beyond the natural world. Twists, turns and unexpected revelations make Clover a page-turner that is sure to delight readers of all ages.
July 12, 2021
Gone with the fairies, but in a good way
Do I sense a new bestseller? Either way, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I not only loved Clover, our unlikely heroine, but I also fell in love with the colourful and rich world of the fairies. Not to mention our weirdly charming leprechaun.
The book had just the right amount of magic, intrigue, romance and action, all of which contributed to a faat paced, entertaining read that I would recommend to fans of going through the looking glass type of stories.
Do I sense a new bestseller? Either way, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I not only loved Clover, our unlikely heroine, but I also fell in love with the colourful and rich world of the fairies. Not to mention our weirdly charming leprechaun.
The book had just the right amount of magic, intrigue, romance and action, all of which contributed to a faat paced, entertaining read that I would recommend to fans of going through the looking glass type of stories.
November 7, 2020
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Clover in exchange for an honest review.
Clover spends the first 18 years of her life as a normal, if not extremely lucky girl. Or so she thinks. Unbeknownst to her, her now incarcerated father made a deal granting her 18 years of good luck granted at the hands of leprechaun guardian named Finn who's been tasked with watching over her. When Clover reaches her 18th birthday and the deal is coming to a close, Finn releases that the deal he was helping carry out may have been more sinister than he previously thought and does the unthinkable by revealing himself to Clover in an attempt to keep her safe.
This was all in all, a fun, unique take on your standard 'normal girl thrown into Faerie' story. The emphasis on leprechauns made it stand out from other similar stories in the genre and I liked the way the narrative was structured.
I get age gaps are kind of a given in the paranormal/magical-creature romance genre, but something about Finn having literally watched Clover grow up made me a tad uncomfy. I can normally suspend my disbelief and buy into the 'the fae age different so its not predatory!' but Finn originally falls for Clover through watching her grow up which obviously felt paternal so it shifting to romantic felt extra icky to me.
Clover spends the first 18 years of her life as a normal, if not extremely lucky girl. Or so she thinks. Unbeknownst to her, her now incarcerated father made a deal granting her 18 years of good luck granted at the hands of leprechaun guardian named Finn who's been tasked with watching over her. When Clover reaches her 18th birthday and the deal is coming to a close, Finn releases that the deal he was helping carry out may have been more sinister than he previously thought and does the unthinkable by revealing himself to Clover in an attempt to keep her safe.
This was all in all, a fun, unique take on your standard 'normal girl thrown into Faerie' story. The emphasis on leprechauns made it stand out from other similar stories in the genre and I liked the way the narrative was structured.
I get age gaps are kind of a given in the paranormal/magical-creature romance genre, but something about Finn having literally watched Clover grow up made me a tad uncomfy. I can normally suspend my disbelief and buy into the 'the fae age different so its not predatory!' but Finn originally falls for Clover through watching her grow up which obviously felt paternal so it shifting to romantic felt extra icky to me.
November 29, 2020
(I received an e-ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
I was immediately drawn to this book by its premise. We've all had our ups and downs with luck, and I think everyone would appreciate more providence in their lives. I was especially hoping to see whether the book would play with bad luck along with the good.
Unfortunately, I don't think the concepts were executed very well. The worldbuilding was okay, uncommon but not particularly spectacular. There are some info dumps to keep the reader updated with the lore which I'm ambivalent about.
Story-wise, it just wasn't anything to marvel over. Most things happened because the plot required it and many events and decisions didn't make sense to me.
The characters were flat and one-dimensional. They were so bland that it was hard to connect or feel any emotion for them. I especially disliked the way the female characters were written. Clover's romantic rivalry, so to speak, was unnecessary and pits girls against girls, which I despise. But other than that, nearly every woman in the story was connected to a man and those relationships were very much highlighted.
The writing was simplistic and, at times, stilted. What weirded me out the most was how it varied wildly in tone. Stylistically, I would have pegged this as a kids' story or aimed at the middle grades. But content-wise? Man, it was just so sexually suggestive. It's also highly nope to me that Clover's love interest is Finn, the person who has looked after her since she was an infant.
Overall, I feel like this book has an identity crisis. Perhaps this is down to weak editing. Or maybe the YA audience will love this because of prevailing trends thus far. But honestly, I was hoping for this book to break the mold and it didn't do that.
I was immediately drawn to this book by its premise. We've all had our ups and downs with luck, and I think everyone would appreciate more providence in their lives. I was especially hoping to see whether the book would play with bad luck along with the good.
Unfortunately, I don't think the concepts were executed very well. The worldbuilding was okay, uncommon but not particularly spectacular. There are some info dumps to keep the reader updated with the lore which I'm ambivalent about.
Story-wise, it just wasn't anything to marvel over. Most things happened because the plot required it and many events and decisions didn't make sense to me.
The characters were flat and one-dimensional. They were so bland that it was hard to connect or feel any emotion for them. I especially disliked the way the female characters were written. Clover's romantic rivalry, so to speak, was unnecessary and pits girls against girls, which I despise. But other than that, nearly every woman in the story was connected to a man and those relationships were very much highlighted.
The writing was simplistic and, at times, stilted. What weirded me out the most was how it varied wildly in tone. Stylistically, I would have pegged this as a kids' story or aimed at the middle grades. But content-wise? Man, it was just so sexually suggestive. It's also highly nope to me that Clover's love interest is Finn, the person who has looked after her since she was an infant.
Overall, I feel like this book has an identity crisis. Perhaps this is down to weak editing. Or maybe the YA audience will love this because of prevailing trends thus far. But honestly, I was hoping for this book to break the mold and it didn't do that.
March 16, 2024
Clover is a magical revelation ensuring you will be swept away by this layered story of sacrifice, family, and sweet romance. Clover is a book about leprechauns, fairies, and luck. I love the use of luck and leprechauns in the book, as it is not something I have seen much of before. It's the perfect read for St. Patrick's Day if you celebrate it. I felt this was a quick read, and it kept me on the edge of my seat to see what would happen next. Clover had good luck her entire life and then suddenly had none, which is a huge change to deal with. Then, she discovered that it was her dad's fault for making a horrible deal in a poker game. What a blow. I loved all the characters, the setting, and the bitterness of the fae world. Clover is a Debut novel and the first in the two-book series. I checked, and the author has not released anything else I could see, but I hope she does more cause I thoroughly enjoyed Clover and will check out book two.
November 9, 2020
Clover is a fun mix of urban fantasy and portal fantasy. An adventure that begins in New York City and Las Vegas and winds up in a magical otherworld of Ireland. In this book, leprechauns are smart and sexy fae, which makes for an interesting take on the mythology. The story has a lot of twists and goes back and forth from the story of the heroes to the story of the villains. There is a lot of action, adventure, and fighting. There's a variety of fantastic creatures, even some mermaid fae thrown in. I enjoyed this book a lot and think it will appeal to people who love fae stories with a light romance thrown in.
November 18, 2020
Let it be known that I have a weak spot when it comes to anything fae fantasy fiction and Clover was a wonderful surprise. Kilpatrick offers such a refreshing look into the leprechaun world. The characters were artistically thought out and her plot was captivating.
I look forward to reading more from Nicole Kilpatrick
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 14, 2021
This was a light and fun read at the beginning , but unfortunately it couldn’t really hold my attention, I just kept wanting to skip to the end, I always know I’m not really invested in a story if I want to skim it. I just couldn’t really connect to the characters, the bad guys (and I say that because that’s what they were ) were panto villain in nature. Just not good at all ultimately.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
March 27, 2022
Clover, what can I say.
I really enjoyed this book. It was gifted to me via audio format to listen too.
About leprechauns, fae both seelie and unseelie and mermaids.
Great world building and I did enjoy both the fmc and mmc characters. The narration is fabulous I really enjoyed this voice actor.
4 star listen
Book ends in a slight cliffhanger
I’m looking forward to book 2 when it comes to audio format.
I really enjoyed this book. It was gifted to me via audio format to listen too.
About leprechauns, fae both seelie and unseelie and mermaids.
Great world building and I did enjoy both the fmc and mmc characters. The narration is fabulous I really enjoyed this voice actor.
4 star listen
Book ends in a slight cliffhanger
I’m looking forward to book 2 when it comes to audio format.
November 16, 2020
Clover offers a unique spin on the magical world – with leprechauns unlike how they’ve been typically portrayed. Couldn’t help but be drawn into the story and fall in love with the characters. It’s an imaginative and exciting world that will make you want to read more. I’m definitely hoping for a second book! Would love to know what happens next and read more about the characters.
January 28, 2021
A magical debut novel with hot leprechauns? I’m here for it. Kilpatrick’s writing is atmospheric and the world she created magical. If you’re looking for a take filled with Faeries and Irish lore, Clover is the book for you.
March 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this!! Loved the world building and the time the author took to explain the different types of fae and magic. Lots of twists in the storyline but they all fit nicely together. The ending is so chaotic though lmao
Want to read
December 21, 2020*Received an arc from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review! Thank you!*
April 7, 2021
What a time
June 16, 2022
"Sometimes the best of luck can be the worst of curses." - Nicole Kilpatrick, Clover
A poker game with a leprechaun gone horribly wrong.
Misfortune and loss for a father.
A blessed, easy life for a young girl's first 18 years, but at what cost?
I'm not typically a fantasy reader, but Clover by Nicole Kilpatrick surprised me in the best way!
Full of magic, adventure, incredible world-building, and the perfect sprinkle of romance, this story and its characters absolutely pulled me in! Aside from main characters Clover and Finn (whom I really liked), I honestly think Momma Ruth and Tony might have been my favorites. I really took a liking to Scobert as well, and I loved secondary characters One-Eyed Edgar and Garrett too! Everyone had interesting and riveting backstories, and I felt like Nicole's masterful storytelling was suitably young adult, without becoming too juvenile or veering more into adult territory. Her ability to weave several plotlines together in a seemingly effortless way made Clover a very enjoyable read, and one that held my attention from Page 1 to the very end.
This was a unique, fresh listen that turned the traditional ideas of leprechauns and fairies on their heads, and Clover's personal growth plus the discovery of her own gifts, abilities, and confidence completely hooked me. I cannot wait to see where her story goes next!
Thank you so much to @npkilpatrick @fireandicebooks @audiobookwormpromotions and @audible for my gifted audio copy of this incredible book! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own, and were not influenced by this complementary book.
A poker game with a leprechaun gone horribly wrong.
Misfortune and loss for a father.
A blessed, easy life for a young girl's first 18 years, but at what cost?
I'm not typically a fantasy reader, but Clover by Nicole Kilpatrick surprised me in the best way!
Full of magic, adventure, incredible world-building, and the perfect sprinkle of romance, this story and its characters absolutely pulled me in! Aside from main characters Clover and Finn (whom I really liked), I honestly think Momma Ruth and Tony might have been my favorites. I really took a liking to Scobert as well, and I loved secondary characters One-Eyed Edgar and Garrett too! Everyone had interesting and riveting backstories, and I felt like Nicole's masterful storytelling was suitably young adult, without becoming too juvenile or veering more into adult territory. Her ability to weave several plotlines together in a seemingly effortless way made Clover a very enjoyable read, and one that held my attention from Page 1 to the very end.
This was a unique, fresh listen that turned the traditional ideas of leprechauns and fairies on their heads, and Clover's personal growth plus the discovery of her own gifts, abilities, and confidence completely hooked me. I cannot wait to see where her story goes next!
Thank you so much to @npkilpatrick @fireandicebooks @audiobookwormpromotions and @audible for my gifted audio copy of this incredible book! All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own, and were not influenced by this complementary book.
December 30, 2020
Vivid imagination well transposed into words. Will absorb you into its realm without realizing it. A hard to put down book. If you love J. K. Rowling, you’ll be following Nicole Kilpatrick.
June 28, 2021
*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
This book sounded interesting (which is why I requested it on NetGalley); however, the more I read it, the less I enjoyed it. It's not that the plot or overall story was bad. It was the execution that ruined it.
The writing somehow felt juvenile and outdated at the same time. I would expect something similar from a middle schooler, though there would be far fewer uses of things like "sweetie," "dearie," and "my, oh, my." It was full of cliches, used similes in copious amounts, and tried a bit too hard. The treatment of the Seelie and Unseelie courts in this book was also different from any other book I've ever read. I've always been given the impression that while the two courts contrast each other, they're not quite good or evil. I mean, they're fae--they're devious. But in this book, the Seelie faeries are portrayed as good, and the Unseelie faeries are portrayed as bad. They also have rather human-sounding names (Anthony, Liz, etc.).
Even the characters suffered from the same problems as the rest of the writing. The villains were stereotypical and somewhat melodramatic. The other characters were okay, albeit kind of bland. It has a sometimes awkward love story between a naive 18-year-old girl and a who-knows-how old leprechaun who admits he's been with many, many women throughout his life (but of course he's never loved anyone like he loves her). It's got the obligatory rivalry with another female character. It attempts to have a love triangle, but it feels like it's just tossed in there before it's conveniently resolved. In fact, several relationships randomly popped up at the end of the book.
As I approached the last 10% of the book, I consoled myself with the fact that at least it was a standalone book and would be resolved before the end, thus leaving me without any lingering questions. Apparently I was wrong. Either the author is/was planning a sequel, or she just didn't feel the need to actually resolve some pretty important plot points.
How it ends:
Note: Maybe some swearing. Awkward innuendo. Unenjoyable writing. Unresolved plot points.
This book sounded interesting (which is why I requested it on NetGalley); however, the more I read it, the less I enjoyed it. It's not that the plot or overall story was bad. It was the execution that ruined it.
The writing somehow felt juvenile and outdated at the same time. I would expect something similar from a middle schooler, though there would be far fewer uses of things like "sweetie," "dearie," and "my, oh, my." It was full of cliches, used similes in copious amounts, and tried a bit too hard. The treatment of the Seelie and Unseelie courts in this book was also different from any other book I've ever read. I've always been given the impression that while the two courts contrast each other, they're not quite good or evil. I mean, they're fae--they're devious. But in this book, the Seelie faeries are portrayed as good, and the Unseelie faeries are portrayed as bad. They also have rather human-sounding names (Anthony, Liz, etc.).
Even the characters suffered from the same problems as the rest of the writing. The villains were stereotypical and somewhat melodramatic. The other characters were okay, albeit kind of bland. It has a sometimes awkward love story between a naive 18-year-old girl and a who-knows-how old leprechaun who admits he's been with many, many women throughout his life (but of course he's never loved anyone like he loves her). It's got the obligatory rivalry with another female character. It attempts to have a love triangle, but it feels like it's just tossed in there before it's conveniently resolved. In fact, several relationships randomly popped up at the end of the book.
As I approached the last 10% of the book, I consoled myself with the fact that at least it was a standalone book and would be resolved before the end, thus leaving me without any lingering questions. Apparently I was wrong. Either the author is/was planning a sequel, or she just didn't feel the need to actually resolve some pretty important plot points.
How it ends:
Note: Maybe some swearing. Awkward innuendo. Unenjoyable writing. Unresolved plot points.
October 27, 2021
**RATING: 4.5 OUT OF 5 STARS**
CLOVER by Nicole Kilpatrick is a YA fantasy novel that follows Clover, a girl who has spent her entire life with luck. What she doesn’t know though is that on her eighteenth birthday, she will lose it all and discover a very handsome leprechaun, Finn, has been looking over her all these years. When Finn finds out that his longtime boss Alistair may have sinister plans for the girl, he vows to protect her, bringing Clover to the Seelie Court and Queen Helena. Getting there unscathed, however, is going to be difficult, but with a shapeshifting friend and a jilted clurichaun on their side, Alistair has severely underestimated his opponent.
To start with, I love a good Fae story, and I really enjoyed the Celtic folklore woven into this one. It gave the genre a fresh take, and in the same way TWILIGHT challenges the stereotypical vampire, this book challenges how we generally imagine leprechauns. Similar to the Cullens, leprechauns have to wear a strong glamour because they shine without it in a way that would be too much for a human to witness. In fact, leprechauns are devastatingly attractive and tall, contrary to popular belief, making Finn a swoon-worthy protagonist.
The greatest success of this novel is how intricately Kilpatrick weaves the plot while leaving plenty of room for the unexpected. Though I was able to guess at some plot developments, there were many moments in which I was pleasantly surprised, which can be difficult to do in this genre. Another of Kilpatrick’s strengths is that she’s great at creating characters we really root for. Even the smaller characters, such as Anna, have a clear backstory and distinctive traits, so it was easy to imagine existing in their world.
That being said, I would have loved to ship Finn and Clover more, but I found it a bit hard to reconcile knowing he was an adult while he watched over Clover, and then the minute she became of age, he essentially fell in love with her. The human-mythic creature-romance doesn’t normally bother me, but I had to work a little harder to get on board with this one. Still, I love both characters individually and admit they do have a lot of sweet scenes. Also, there’s a mini-love triangle, which is one of my favorite tropes to ever exist. However, it doesn’t occupy the main plot, so for those who don’t enjoy that, you won’t be too distracted by it.
Overall, I highly recommend CLOVER to those who want to be swept away to the lands of the fairies. The plot is smart, the characters are endearing, and the setting couldn’t be more magical. Literally.
Review originally published on YA Books Central: https://www.yabookscentral.com/yaindi...
CLOVER by Nicole Kilpatrick is a YA fantasy novel that follows Clover, a girl who has spent her entire life with luck. What she doesn’t know though is that on her eighteenth birthday, she will lose it all and discover a very handsome leprechaun, Finn, has been looking over her all these years. When Finn finds out that his longtime boss Alistair may have sinister plans for the girl, he vows to protect her, bringing Clover to the Seelie Court and Queen Helena. Getting there unscathed, however, is going to be difficult, but with a shapeshifting friend and a jilted clurichaun on their side, Alistair has severely underestimated his opponent.
To start with, I love a good Fae story, and I really enjoyed the Celtic folklore woven into this one. It gave the genre a fresh take, and in the same way TWILIGHT challenges the stereotypical vampire, this book challenges how we generally imagine leprechauns. Similar to the Cullens, leprechauns have to wear a strong glamour because they shine without it in a way that would be too much for a human to witness. In fact, leprechauns are devastatingly attractive and tall, contrary to popular belief, making Finn a swoon-worthy protagonist.
The greatest success of this novel is how intricately Kilpatrick weaves the plot while leaving plenty of room for the unexpected. Though I was able to guess at some plot developments, there were many moments in which I was pleasantly surprised, which can be difficult to do in this genre. Another of Kilpatrick’s strengths is that she’s great at creating characters we really root for. Even the smaller characters, such as Anna, have a clear backstory and distinctive traits, so it was easy to imagine existing in their world.
That being said, I would have loved to ship Finn and Clover more, but I found it a bit hard to reconcile knowing he was an adult while he watched over Clover, and then the minute she became of age, he essentially fell in love with her. The human-mythic creature-romance doesn’t normally bother me, but I had to work a little harder to get on board with this one. Still, I love both characters individually and admit they do have a lot of sweet scenes. Also, there’s a mini-love triangle, which is one of my favorite tropes to ever exist. However, it doesn’t occupy the main plot, so for those who don’t enjoy that, you won’t be too distracted by it.
Overall, I highly recommend CLOVER to those who want to be swept away to the lands of the fairies. The plot is smart, the characters are endearing, and the setting couldn’t be more magical. Literally.
Review originally published on YA Books Central: https://www.yabookscentral.com/yaindi...
December 16, 2021
I'd give this a 3.5. This was a light, fun YA fantasy-romance involving leprechauns, fairies, and Ireland. I don't read too much fiction involving leprechauns and fairies, but it was nonetheless fun. (If you're looking for wild, otherworldly fae that are incredibly dangerous, a la my sense of the fae in Jim Butcher's "Dresden Files", then this is probably not the boon for you.) I was hoping for more word play and having to mind what one says and promises, but alas, there was little of that.
Clover grows throughout the story, albeit she is a whiny teenager when it comes to having crucial conversations about a particular relationship. There were a few tenuous connections: The connection of Tony as her uncle and a Merrowfolk watching over her at the Brooklyn deli felt like it was a little too long in being revealed; the motivations of the fairy who helped break Nick out of jail; I also would've expected that Mira would've been Scaubert's daughter, thus making Clover Scaubert's granddaughter? (I'm not sure how to spell his name, as I listened to the audiobook. It was pretty easy to spot that Clover was special to her mother, but it was a long burn for that to come to fruition, and I was impatient for it. Plus, you'd think Queen Helena would've been powerful enough to sense the fae in Clover...
Sometimes the choice in chapter breaks was a little odd/concerning, or didn't make sense.
I listened to the book, and the narrator, Cassandra Alling, did a good and enthusiastic job. She has a voice for narration that is smooth and calming. Plus, she did accents from Brooklyn and Ireland (with a few Eastern European accents tossed in), and for the most part it believable and wasn't distracting. (Diana was my favorite.) Sometimes, though, it seemed like the accents bled. I expect in my fiction that there is Narrator Voice in a third-person omniscient story. But switching POV sometimes also seemed to switch the accent of the Narrator Voice. For example, when Tony received a call from his conch shell, the narration of the third-person omniscient took on a slight Brooklyn accent. I'm not sure if that's industry standard, but I noticed it and was distracted by it.
Additionally, the audio narration was a little hard to get into because at the beginning the sentences seemed to come right on the heels of one another, without a pause or breath -- like someone had taken a paragraph, cut out all the sentences, and rearranged and pasted them but forgot to add spaces between the periods and the first letter of the next sentence. It got better as the story went on -- either that occurred less, or I got used to it.
Clover grows throughout the story, albeit she is a whiny teenager when it comes to having crucial conversations about a particular relationship. There were a few tenuous connections: The connection of Tony as her uncle and a Merrowfolk watching over her at the Brooklyn deli felt like it was a little too long in being revealed; the motivations of the fairy who helped break Nick out of jail; I also would've expected that Mira would've been Scaubert's daughter, thus making Clover Scaubert's granddaughter? (I'm not sure how to spell his name, as I listened to the audiobook. It was pretty easy to spot that Clover was special to her mother, but it was a long burn for that to come to fruition, and I was impatient for it. Plus, you'd think Queen Helena would've been powerful enough to sense the fae in Clover...
Sometimes the choice in chapter breaks was a little odd/concerning, or didn't make sense.
I listened to the book, and the narrator, Cassandra Alling, did a good and enthusiastic job. She has a voice for narration that is smooth and calming. Plus, she did accents from Brooklyn and Ireland (with a few Eastern European accents tossed in), and for the most part it believable and wasn't distracting. (Diana was my favorite.) Sometimes, though, it seemed like the accents bled. I expect in my fiction that there is Narrator Voice in a third-person omniscient story. But switching POV sometimes also seemed to switch the accent of the Narrator Voice. For example, when Tony received a call from his conch shell, the narration of the third-person omniscient took on a slight Brooklyn accent. I'm not sure if that's industry standard, but I noticed it and was distracted by it.
Additionally, the audio narration was a little hard to get into because at the beginning the sentences seemed to come right on the heels of one another, without a pause or breath -- like someone had taken a paragraph, cut out all the sentences, and rearranged and pasted them but forgot to add spaces between the periods and the first letter of the next sentence. It got better as the story went on -- either that occurred less, or I got used to it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2020
Clover introduces the legend of the leprechaun in a new way. Clover has spent most of her life on the ultimate lucky streak. To her, this just a normal part of her life with everything going in her favor. Without even knowing it, her life's luck was bargained away before birth by her father to a scheming leprechaun. Clover's luck was only to last until her 18th birthday, and her guardian leprechaun, Finn, is finally done with helping her lucky streak. Just when he thought he could move on to a new assignment, Finn finds out that Clover could be in danger, and the deal on her life is more sinister than he thought. He has no choice but to do the unthinkable and reveal himself to Clover. They will race against all odds, with mythical creatures in tow, to make sure Clover's life gets back on track.
I've read a lot of YA in my time of being a bookworm so I've read a lot of YA fantasy in my time. Dragons? Yes. Witches? Of course. Fairies? Oh yeah! I can confidently say that the concept of leprechauns is something I've never read before, and I was excited to dive in.
Clover's life and its backstory were so interesting to read in the beginning. I can't imagine having 18 years of solid luck on my side to get me by. Now having it taken away just because you happened to have a birthday? Talk about starting adulthood on the wrong foot in the worst way. I loved that she was learning everything as it came to her so we went on a journey with her. I hate when novels attempt to give us the Perfect Main Character without ever trying too hard.
With that said, if I could describe this book in a few ways, I would say it would be perfect pitching this at Hallmark to make it into a new St. Patrick's Day-themed movie. It has that cheesy fluff aspect that we need to read every once in a while. It wasn't that difficult to unpack and I could determine the ending pretty early on. That doesn't mean it's not worth reading, but it's not spectacular by any means.
It could've been helped if some development happened in all aspects of this novel. That includes writing, character development for most of the characters, and also fleshing out some complexity in the story to not make it seem so straightforward. There were a lot of bits that felt unnecessary and only happened because the plot needed it. As I said, this was a good read, and I'm glad I got an eARC, but that's all I can say about it at the end of the day.
You can read my full review here.
My rating: 3.5/5
I've read a lot of YA in my time of being a bookworm so I've read a lot of YA fantasy in my time. Dragons? Yes. Witches? Of course. Fairies? Oh yeah! I can confidently say that the concept of leprechauns is something I've never read before, and I was excited to dive in.
Clover's life and its backstory were so interesting to read in the beginning. I can't imagine having 18 years of solid luck on my side to get me by. Now having it taken away just because you happened to have a birthday? Talk about starting adulthood on the wrong foot in the worst way. I loved that she was learning everything as it came to her so we went on a journey with her. I hate when novels attempt to give us the Perfect Main Character without ever trying too hard.
With that said, if I could describe this book in a few ways, I would say it would be perfect pitching this at Hallmark to make it into a new St. Patrick's Day-themed movie. It has that cheesy fluff aspect that we need to read every once in a while. It wasn't that difficult to unpack and I could determine the ending pretty early on. That doesn't mean it's not worth reading, but it's not spectacular by any means.
It could've been helped if some development happened in all aspects of this novel. That includes writing, character development for most of the characters, and also fleshing out some complexity in the story to not make it seem so straightforward. There were a lot of bits that felt unnecessary and only happened because the plot needed it. As I said, this was a good read, and I'm glad I got an eARC, but that's all I can say about it at the end of the day.
You can read my full review here.
My rating: 3.5/5
March 15, 2022
This book has disappointed me. It sounded like it was going to be so good because leprechauns. A girl who has eighteen years of solid good luck. It sounded brilliant but unfortunately for me that’s where the brilliance ended.
The ick factor kept creeping up higher in this book. I mean it would be understandable if we knew exactly how much older Finn was than Clover (like we know Edward is a hundred years old compared to Bella’s seventeen, still a little creepy, but at least we can attempt to justify it). I cannot justify this bizarre love rectangle (I don’t even know what shape it is supposed to be anymore because it felt like everyone was in love with someone who was in love with someone else). You have Kean, Liz, Finn, and Clover duking it out over who gets who. You have Alastair and his weird female sorceress person with Alastair marrying Clover. I mean this book is a mess when you try to untangle who is in love with who. Also who knows if Alastair is older or younger than Finn?
Clover, oh Clover, I cannot stand you child and I hope she dies a slow painful death in the next book (not like I’ll read it, but it makes dealing with Clover easier and I’m not normally one to wish a mc death). She. Is. Awful. Just because you have good luck for so many years does not give you the right to be an absolute b*tch to other people especially your father who is the only reason you have eighteen years of good luck. You could have been just like the rest of us.
Okay I’ll stop with the negatives because I’m afraid we’ll be here all year otherwise.
On to the positives: Mama Ruth, she did the best she could. Some of the world-building was cool.
Unfortunately, for my sanity, I had to skip most of the book otherwise I would commit a crime and figure some way to reach into the pages and kill Clover. I’m sure the bland characters would have come up with some other reason to continue the plot (what was the plot? I have no idea because I swear characters were there for the sake of being there).
Maybe you’ll have better luck than me reading this book (I seem to have the equivalency of Nick’s luck when reading it). I swear this book has an identity crisis and never would have pegged it as YA if we weren’t told it was YA. It does not read like a YA and more like middle grade except the mc is too old to be considered mg. Also the cover has me torn because it’s gorgeous but it’s also what I’d expect on a middle grade fantasy book not YA.
⭐️2.5
💧2
The ick factor kept creeping up higher in this book. I mean it would be understandable if we knew exactly how much older Finn was than Clover (like we know Edward is a hundred years old compared to Bella’s seventeen, still a little creepy, but at least we can attempt to justify it). I cannot justify this bizarre love rectangle (I don’t even know what shape it is supposed to be anymore because it felt like everyone was in love with someone who was in love with someone else). You have Kean, Liz, Finn, and Clover duking it out over who gets who. You have Alastair and his weird female sorceress person with Alastair marrying Clover. I mean this book is a mess when you try to untangle who is in love with who. Also who knows if Alastair is older or younger than Finn?
Clover, oh Clover, I cannot stand you child and I hope she dies a slow painful death in the next book (not like I’ll read it, but it makes dealing with Clover easier and I’m not normally one to wish a mc death). She. Is. Awful. Just because you have good luck for so many years does not give you the right to be an absolute b*tch to other people especially your father who is the only reason you have eighteen years of good luck. You could have been just like the rest of us.
Okay I’ll stop with the negatives because I’m afraid we’ll be here all year otherwise.
On to the positives: Mama Ruth, she did the best she could. Some of the world-building was cool.
Unfortunately, for my sanity, I had to skip most of the book otherwise I would commit a crime and figure some way to reach into the pages and kill Clover. I’m sure the bland characters would have come up with some other reason to continue the plot (what was the plot? I have no idea because I swear characters were there for the sake of being there).
Maybe you’ll have better luck than me reading this book (I seem to have the equivalency of Nick’s luck when reading it). I swear this book has an identity crisis and never would have pegged it as YA if we weren’t told it was YA. It does not read like a YA and more like middle grade except the mc is too old to be considered mg. Also the cover has me torn because it’s gorgeous but it’s also what I’d expect on a middle grade fantasy book not YA.
⭐️2.5
💧2
November 15, 2020
*I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Fire and Ice Books and Nicole Kilpatrick*
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS MINOR SPOILERS (however none are too big to ruin the main plotline)
Clover is a reimagination of the leprechaun trope, in this book they are not the short creatures that they are widely known as they are instead more like high fae. Clover has had eighteen years of good luck thanks to a leprechaun that her dad met before she was born. However, now it is her eighteen birthday and that luck is about to run out. As this leprechaun named her she is in danger of falling to the mercy of the dark magic used.
Teamed up with Finnegan Ryan, the leprechaun assigned to her for her good luck, she must travel to Ireland to seek the help of the Seelie queen. With her help, she will try to uncover the dark leprechaun’s plans and find a way out of the spell.
I really loved this twist on the classic leprechaun tale. The interpretation of this is probably the best thing about this book. It quite well-known now that I absolutely love a good fae story and this one is almost on par with some of my favourites.
One part that I really did not like and actually found a little bit creepy was the fact that Finn is in love with Clover. Now I bet you’re wondering why that is creepy. Well, Finn has watched over Clover since she was a baby which to me is a little unsettling. I really wanted to like them together because well the book really pushes you to, but it made me feel quite uncomfortable at times.
There are not really any characters that I didn’t particularly like, but this is mostly down to the fact that we don’t really get to know any of them very well. I’m guessing this is something that we will get more of in the second book as this one was definitely more of a setting up the plot line and character relationships kind of book. With that being said, I am looking forward to seeing what will happen in the next book and I’m excited to learn more about this interesting leprechaun twist.
Overall, Clover was a fun and interesting read which is perfect for anyone looking for an easy to follow story. It is a reasonably quick read and the plot one is one that should be of interest to anyone who loves books about the fae. Check out Clover when it is out on December 1st.
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS MINOR SPOILERS (however none are too big to ruin the main plotline)
Clover is a reimagination of the leprechaun trope, in this book they are not the short creatures that they are widely known as they are instead more like high fae. Clover has had eighteen years of good luck thanks to a leprechaun that her dad met before she was born. However, now it is her eighteen birthday and that luck is about to run out. As this leprechaun named her she is in danger of falling to the mercy of the dark magic used.
Teamed up with Finnegan Ryan, the leprechaun assigned to her for her good luck, she must travel to Ireland to seek the help of the Seelie queen. With her help, she will try to uncover the dark leprechaun’s plans and find a way out of the spell.
I really loved this twist on the classic leprechaun tale. The interpretation of this is probably the best thing about this book. It quite well-known now that I absolutely love a good fae story and this one is almost on par with some of my favourites.
One part that I really did not like and actually found a little bit creepy was the fact that Finn is in love with Clover. Now I bet you’re wondering why that is creepy. Well, Finn has watched over Clover since she was a baby which to me is a little unsettling. I really wanted to like them together because well the book really pushes you to, but it made me feel quite uncomfortable at times.
There are not really any characters that I didn’t particularly like, but this is mostly down to the fact that we don’t really get to know any of them very well. I’m guessing this is something that we will get more of in the second book as this one was definitely more of a setting up the plot line and character relationships kind of book. With that being said, I am looking forward to seeing what will happen in the next book and I’m excited to learn more about this interesting leprechaun twist.
Overall, Clover was a fun and interesting read which is perfect for anyone looking for an easy to follow story. It is a reasonably quick read and the plot one is one that should be of interest to anyone who loves books about the fae. Check out Clover when it is out on December 1st.
November 30, 2020
“Leprechauns are not twee beings dreamed up by the tourist board, but warriors of legend. That name comes from the Celtic god of commerce and war, Lugh. Their mission, their life’s work, is to protect the gold. What better way to hide it than to become a joke, a story nobody takes seriously?”
― Kathy Bryson, Fighting Mad
I was drawn to this book not only because of the beautiful cover but as a woman of Irish descent I was raised on tales of the fae and leprechauns and couldn't wait to see the author's take on these rich legends!
As soon as I opened the book and read the dedication "To my Dad, who was all the luck I ever needed" I knew I was in for a treat.
Colver is our main character, a woman who on her 18th birthday, suddenly finds herself without any luck. This after living a life blessed with the best of luck. . She is being raised by Momma Ruth, her paternal grandmother as her father is serving time in jail. Through a series of events, she meets the leprechaun Finn (a 6ft 4in heartthrob), who, unbeknownst to her, has been her magical guardian since she was born.. Clover learns that years ago, before she was even born, her father sold her naming to another fairy, Alistar, in order to repay a debt he owed. The currency was not money, however. It was luck. Now, Clover, Finn and other Fae beings must stop Alistair and his dark plans for Clover.
I enjoyed this book! It was a fun, fast read. I liked to see that the author had done some research on the fae, knowing the details about the Seelie and Unseelie courts. I liked that Clover was not perfect, that she had to learn as she went along. She wasn't just a natural-born assassin or a show-stopping beauty (as so many MC are described). She was an average young woman who was very relatable.
I can imagine this being made into a Hallmark St. Patrick's Day movie or perhaps on the Disney channel.
Thank you to the Publishers, Nicole Kilpatrick and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
― Kathy Bryson, Fighting Mad
I was drawn to this book not only because of the beautiful cover but as a woman of Irish descent I was raised on tales of the fae and leprechauns and couldn't wait to see the author's take on these rich legends!
As soon as I opened the book and read the dedication "To my Dad, who was all the luck I ever needed" I knew I was in for a treat.
Colver is our main character, a woman who on her 18th birthday, suddenly finds herself without any luck. This after living a life blessed with the best of luck. . She is being raised by Momma Ruth, her paternal grandmother as her father is serving time in jail. Through a series of events, she meets the leprechaun Finn (a 6ft 4in heartthrob), who, unbeknownst to her, has been her magical guardian since she was born.. Clover learns that years ago, before she was even born, her father sold her naming to another fairy, Alistar, in order to repay a debt he owed. The currency was not money, however. It was luck. Now, Clover, Finn and other Fae beings must stop Alistair and his dark plans for Clover.
I enjoyed this book! It was a fun, fast read. I liked to see that the author had done some research on the fae, knowing the details about the Seelie and Unseelie courts. I liked that Clover was not perfect, that she had to learn as she went along. She wasn't just a natural-born assassin or a show-stopping beauty (as so many MC are described). She was an average young woman who was very relatable.
I can imagine this being made into a Hallmark St. Patrick's Day movie or perhaps on the Disney channel.
Thank you to the Publishers, Nicole Kilpatrick and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 30, 2021
With thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed listening to this story, the narrator had an engaging quality of voice which made it easy to differentiate between the characters, and very simple to keep up with the story – on occasion, I could have done with a little more time between perspective changes, but that’s a very minor thing. I think my main criticism is that while the narrator showed an impressive range, the Irish accents were a struggle, and there were a lot of them to cover. However, other characters – for example Diana the cat and Mamma Ruth – were convincing and entertaining, and the narrator’s characterization helped me to visualise them clearly.
In terms of the story itself, the writing kept up a good pace, changing setting and moving between the human and the fairy world fluidly. The description was vivid, and although there were a lot of characters, it was easy to keep track of everyone. There were however some uncomfortable elements of the book for me, I felt that it suffered in the treatment of the relationships between women in places, the love triangle felt somewhat forced and unnecessary, and it seemed like many of the other female characters who were not in a maternal relationship with Clover were set up to be silly or frivolous gossips. Imagine how much stronger the message would have been if Clover had befriended her love rival instead? It also did seem that in many cases there were quite strong gender roles at play in terms of the jobs the characters had, for example, with it being unusual for the women to be warriors. I also was somewhat uncomfortable with the positive treatment of a character who threw about words like “whore” with regards to women and had committed a few murders in the past.
All in all, this was a pleasant enough listen that would appeal to an upper YA readership. I probably wouldn’t go back for the sequel, but would consider other works by the narrator and author.
I enjoyed listening to this story, the narrator had an engaging quality of voice which made it easy to differentiate between the characters, and very simple to keep up with the story – on occasion, I could have done with a little more time between perspective changes, but that’s a very minor thing. I think my main criticism is that while the narrator showed an impressive range, the Irish accents were a struggle, and there were a lot of them to cover. However, other characters – for example Diana the cat and Mamma Ruth – were convincing and entertaining, and the narrator’s characterization helped me to visualise them clearly.
In terms of the story itself, the writing kept up a good pace, changing setting and moving between the human and the fairy world fluidly. The description was vivid, and although there were a lot of characters, it was easy to keep track of everyone. There were however some uncomfortable elements of the book for me, I felt that it suffered in the treatment of the relationships between women in places, the love triangle felt somewhat forced and unnecessary, and it seemed like many of the other female characters who were not in a maternal relationship with Clover were set up to be silly or frivolous gossips. Imagine how much stronger the message would have been if Clover had befriended her love rival instead? It also did seem that in many cases there were quite strong gender roles at play in terms of the jobs the characters had, for example, with it being unusual for the women to be warriors. I also was somewhat uncomfortable with the positive treatment of a character who threw about words like “whore” with regards to women and had committed a few murders in the past.
All in all, this was a pleasant enough listen that would appeal to an upper YA readership. I probably wouldn’t go back for the sequel, but would consider other works by the narrator and author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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