wineomatic > Recent Status Updates

I think the beginning of the book, right before the library burning, needed to have more description in order for Kiela’s trauma response to be more impactful.

The pacing has been fairly consistent throughout. It’s reading as cozy and it reminds me of Diana Wynne Jones-style writing.

The first exchange between Sean and Dina, he is unnecessarily and comically hostile. It’s so awkwardly and unrealistically written. Reminds me of high schoolers trying to write what they imagine adult conversation to be.

I can relate to the introvert vibes…

The pacing of the beginning of this story grabbed my attention. So far the world building is light, not much on the geography or magic system yet. The world seems archaic, so the words “okay” and “protein” were a bit jarring. Perhaps Gerardus Johannes Mulder exists in this world and proteomics is a part of the magic system?

A first kiss happening after one character vomited is unfortunate. I’m not into it.

I’m enjoying this so far. My only confusion is why did humans think they could take a being like Pestilence out with guns? It doesn’t make sense for something earthly to be able to kill an apocalyptic angel.

I’m at the “big reveal” part and I’m having trouble envisioning the environment they are in. Also it’s like some of the characters vanished from the scene. Ishtvan’s reaction makes him look sort or unintelligent. He’s a talented warrior but doesn’t detect a human transforming into a bear the size of a horse behind him.

It’s just a bunch of traveling through the woods that is very detached from the purpose of the mission, which is to find the supernatural killer. Also the captured nuns. I forgot why they were even traveling because it’s just an onward slog with internal monologue and conversation that does little to serve the plot.

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!