“I realized that it wasn’t you who scared me the most,” he whispered finally against my lips, looking at me through his lashes. “What scared me is wha“I realized that it wasn’t you who scared me the most,” he whispered finally against my lips, looking at me through his lashes. “What scared me is what would happen to me without you.”
Always seated for a congregation of Slavic characters!! We have Alina, Jacek (we don't even meet him, but listen, the name counts), Viktor, Boris, Nikolai aaaaand Luka. I wasn't actually expecting to get that many, even though I knew the main character's name from before I started reading, but I'm really happy.
So, I really enjoyed this book, but my God..THAT ENDING!!! I feel as if my whole soul has been ripped out of my body.
At the start the author tells us that basically these characters are not good, and to not expect them to be, but not gonna lie, I was still shocked when that really turned out to be the case. I was just vibing until those final few chapters and then I was like oh...OH.
There was a scene that was harder to read, and I'm sure there's a reason why it was included, so make sure to check the TWs at the start!! For me though it wasn't just that scene, but how a certain characters reacted to it, or rather their lack of reaction.
There better be some serious grovelling on their part in the next book because as is I'm not forgiving them, nope nope nope.
Other than that, it was pretty smooth sailing.
The story was interesting and reminded me a bit of The Lost Apothecary at the start, but better and darker. I loved seeing Alina mixing potions and testing them on unsuspecting evil men, AS SHE SHOULD!!!
We got both her PoV and that of Silas, I couldn't really tell you which one I liked better because they were both well written and funny too. Though I think Silas had the best/funniest lines overall, most of my highlights are just him being hilarious.
I loved how easily he got attached to Alina...like a leech (HA!), or a lost puppy. He just would not leave her alone and it was very endearing. I lived for his appearances and missed him when he wasn't there.
Their romance wasn't very healthy, but healthy is not what I was looking for when I picked this up so!! Romantic though, it sure was. I loved them together.
I also liked the side characters, and the proper gothic vibes. I even liked the (actual) ending, despite the cliffhanger. I think that was the best possible outcome and I'm excited to see where the story will go from here.
For a debut, this was great. I have no doubts that book two will hit 5 stars. Now if only it was already out. Cryyyyyy.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
"You are nearest and dearest and all the world to me. Our souls are knit into one, for all life and all time."
Upon rereading this, I'm realising it's "You are nearest and dearest and all the world to me. Our souls are knit into one, for all life and all time."
Upon rereading this, I'm realising it's actually a strong 4 on my rating scale rather than a 5 star as I have rated it previously. It's a bit slow with very little happening most of the time, and not all PoVs were equally compelling. But for a classic, it's very easy to read and it's still one of my favourites. ...more
Rereading this for the first time as an adult, it's still just as good. Even though I remembered most of it, it was nice to refresh my memory and follRereading this for the first time as an adult, it's still just as good. Even though I remembered most of it, it was nice to refresh my memory and follow Scrooge as he learns the true meaning of Christmas. Also, Tiny Tim!!...more