Hannah > Recent Status Updates

So, Leigh Bardugo writes something and I read it.
However.

-MC is super flat so far, downright boring
-I didn’t like the random inclusion of Jewish as one of her personality traits? Hopefully that comes into play again?
-The atmosphere is just miserable. I understand she’s not meant to be having fun but damn; almost not fun for me either
-The boss is a shitty person, but hopefully not also a bad character

The pacing is starting to feel a little weird?? Feels like a bunch of vignettes of life at the inn, which I don’t hate but I guess wasn’t expecting? Not sure. Still thoroughly enjoying it tho ~

Okay I adore this one
- beautifully evocative descriptions of magic
- surprisingly developed and detailed world and magic system
- disability representation
- tasteful mental health discourse; not too aggressive or too subtle
- decent chemistry between FMC and love interest
- well rounded and unique characters
- really great audio narration

Shaping up nicely, more interesting than anticipated. Narration of audiobook is decent with all the different accents, FMC has more personality than I originally thought which is good. The love interest is interesting so far and I don’t hate the representation of autism. Clemmie is goddamn annoying though lol

The “everyone come together and convince Finn he’s worthy of love” scene with the whole family was a bit much… there’s a disproportionate amount of relationship development for the crew and Finn. But maybe it just feels that way because I’m listening to it - not sure.

If this man’s mother doesn’t swoop in and save his ass from himself, I swear to god

Feels like the real story is in full swing now. The crew is developed and the relationship has enough interaction to feel more organic. Also shoutout to Hannah for being badass, and shoutout to our boy for finally making some friends and crafting a lil family 🥲

This book is a pleasant surprise in that it gives more than the cozy, lighthearted fantasy romp that it gets marketed as having. A secret bummer about that though is I wanted the cozy lighthearted romp more than the solid fantasy book it is - which is a weird thing to complain about.

More plot than anticipated, MC is a little flat but is starting to develop, if slowly. The voices used for Kraken and the other cats are…a choice. Don’t know how much I love it yet.

More castle intrigue so far than cozy kitchen witch adventure, but I don’t hate it

Cozy easy background listen - like Stardew Valley for your ears. I’m not overly invested but enjoy it well enough; recommend if you’re looking for cozy escapism without conflict.

To be fair, this book does a lot of things right for sure. I love the characters fiercely and the new perspective from Arthur is nice; the man behind the imposing magical force. The domestic moments are so wholesome, the timing of the humor is much better - I’ve enjoyed it but am overall a little disappointed with how it seems to have lost its way in the third quarter

I’m almost done and have a lot of thoughts, but mainly the following
- the narrator for the audiobook is actively horrendous and ruins incredibly beautiful moments by trying too hard and somehow not enough
- very, very, VERY preachy. I understand where it’s coming from but it feels like someone mansplaining human rights and I’m over it
- the whole resolution of the DICMY plot is ridiculous