wineomatic > Recent Status Updates

It’s hard to envision what is happening in this book. I don’t perceive a tactile sense of geography or stakes. There’s no sensory anchor: no map in the mind, no sense of changing terrain, no reason for each stop to exist beyond “travel to the next event.”

The prologue is so delightfully gothic!

Made it through 60% on one day. It’s refreshing that an arranged marriage didn’t start as enemies to lovers only for the MCs to fold on their annoyance with one another. Ildiko’s intelligence is shown rather than told, though her reaction when she met the Kai queen had me side-eyeing because it seemed out of character.

How is it that Abraxus is both not humanoid enough for my taste yet more seems emotionally intelligent than Eve?

This does not make sense. They go from her desperately wanting to get him the anti-venom to her traipsing through the woods and observing and touching things like a child. This final shift doesn’t make sense and it’s making Eve look TSTL.

Initially I thought Eve seemed somewhat brave in the face of things but now she is dipping into making stupid decisions territory. Also Abraxus is not humanoid enough for this relationship to make sense.

I typically don’t enjoy books with zillennial humor but it’s counterbalanced by quite a bit of world building and interesting characters and and FMC that isn’t a snarky shrinking violet.

The first 20% is mainly setting up the friendship dynamic. It was a bit of a slow start and it’s apparent a man wrote these teenage girls because something about them doesn’t seem quite right.

Started running out of steam in chapter 8. This book drags.

I’ve forgotten who the character Mac is and now they’re supposed to be someone important. Obviously they left little impression on me.

At the 75% mark the story seems closer to wrapping up than it really is. I don’t understand how there is still 25%. In my opinion Aiden isn’t that great I think Joyce should just get her ass out of there and go to heaven.

Staring chapter 18 Aiden is giving me the ick. These “romance” scenes are not romantic. It doesn’t seem like a convincing couple. I’m considering not finishing.

Chapter 18 - Aidan is giving me the icks!

How is the MMC just now figuring out she is a witch. He’s beens seeing magic happen in through the whole book. How does he think the magic is happening?

Why does the mfc always tell the lead he “cleans up pretty well” every time they get dressed up? It’s been at least 3 times! Come up with something else!

Noemie reminds me of Princess Vespa from Spaceballs…

Omg this is the first time I’ve read in one of these novels that in forced proximity, one of the characters has the runs. And the fact that it’s the bratty princess is even better. She’s going to tear up that chamber pot…This is hilarious.

A surge surged?

The MFL is intolerable. She is indignant about being called cruel when she uses a slur against her bodyguard…I hope there is a character arc here.

Noemi acts like an immature spoiled brat. She kind of sucks. Only sticking around at this point for Gideon’s mysterious origins. He seems like a decent character - stoic and level-headed.

Ugh dumb move on the part of the MFL…if you think the canapé might have a negative curse on them, why would you bring it to a party at all? It’s not worth the risk. And it’s so predictable.

I wonder if the hexalitis is making her magic unpredictable?? Editor, please…

“Magical chaos” is overly used and it’s annoying.

MMC is an asshole and I’m doubting there will be a successful redemption arc.

Bael gives me red flag vibes because he seems to be a word twister and make assumptions about his communication. It’s the third act breakup but I feel pretty meh about him.

Barnaby is a mood and I am here for it.

I’ve completely lost interest in this…close to not finishing.

Omg the whipped cream scene I am 💀😂

Defeating the villain was too convenient