What happens when you mix steamy romance, a 7-foot-tall demon, and a plot that could have been scripted by a fairy tale's most irreverent cousin, you What happens when you mix steamy romance, a 7-foot-tall demon, and a plot that could have been scripted by a fairy tale's most irreverent cousin, you ask? You get this book, that’s what - and boy does it revel with gleeful abandon in its own absurdity.
Picture this: Our protagonist, Cinnamon (yes, her name is Cinnamon, while her siblings are named Cumin, Chili, and Cherry - don't ask me why Cherry is the only non-spice name; I spent the whole book thinking about it, and I still have no answer), has a few too many drinks and ends up saving Fallon, a towering demon who is both murderous and hot. If you've ever thought, "I wish romance novels had more supernatural proportions and less subtlety," this book is tailor-made for you.
The book embraces romance tropes with the enthusiasm of a teenager on BookTok. The age gap? A hundred years. The power imbalance? He's arguably one of the most powerful demons alive; she's a lowly human who has never had the need or desire to fight (and honestly, relatable). The size difference? He could probably use her as a footstool. The author fully acknowledges these clichés and pushes them to delightfully ridiculous extremes, making it clear that she's in on the joke - even if it still irritates me on principle (and it really, really does).
In terms of steam, this book doesn't just turn up the heat; it practically sets the pages on fire. This leans into erotica territory, so keep that in mind if explicit sex scenes are not your preference. I found the vocabulary a touch repetitive, and there were a few turn-offs for me, personally (Please stop calling full-grown women "good girls" during sex!! I'm begging you!!), but they weren't terrible by any means.
Cinnamon, our spunky heroine, is fun but a bit underdeveloped. The narrative gives her a funny voice and a few introspective moments about her sister and her lack of adventurous spirit due to grief and trauma, but I was craving more depth. As for Fallon, while his existence is an amalgamation of every possible romantic lead trope known to man, he is more affable than I initially expected - and I was surprised to find myself liking him. Until the last chapter or two, where his protective tendencies really jumped out, revealing controlling behaviour that would make any reader with a modicum of autonomy shiver.
Plot-wise, things move at a breakneck pace. Characters shift entire worldviews in an instant and major decisions are made with the kind of rapidity that only exists in fiction. And while the book tries to touch on some heavier themes, like the ethics of demon slavery, and why we require non-human animals to speak like us to acknowledge their sentience and personhood, it never delves too deeply—likely because the author's focus is firmly on the frothy, romantic fun (which is totally fine, to be fair).
Overall, That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon is a charming, tongue-in-cheek romance that's more about pleasure and fantasy than about groundbreaking literature. If you're looking for a light-hearted, steamy escapade that's self-aware enough to make you chortle, this book might just be your cup of tea. For those who crave more profound character development and more intricate plotting, it might feel like a fizzy soda with a smidgen too much bubble.
This was a beautiful book that just slightly missed the mark for me.
A River Enchanted immerses readers in a fantastical realm reminiscent of Scotland,This was a beautiful book that just slightly missed the mark for me.
A River Enchanted immerses readers in a fantastical realm reminiscent of Scotland, and this atmospheric backdrop is a highlight of the novel, evoking a sense of cozy romance and rugged beauty that is particularly appealing to those with a fondness for Scottish settings (of which I am one).
Ross's writing is engaging and descriptive, but while there are beautiful turns of phrase and evocative descriptions galore, the prose was not quite as lush as I had hoped for. When I picked this up, I was under the impression that this was Ross' first adult fantasy novel, but it seemed quite clear that Ross was restraining herself and her writing style to accommodate younger readers, which is unfortunate. I hope to read a true adult fantasy from Ross in the future to appreciate her unrestrained use of lyrical and intricate language!
The protagonist, Jack, initially seems a bit bland, but he grows more appealing as the story unfolds. His dynamic with his newly discovered sister adds depth to his character. However, it's Sidra who truly shines, her fierce love, compassion, determination, and strong will making her the most compelling character. Her interactions, particularly with her daughter and husband, are not just beautifully portrayed, but deeply emotionally resonant.
Ross excels in creating vivid and memorable secondary characters. Even those with brief appearances, like Alistair, left a lasting impression. This strong characterization faltered only with our central romantic pairing, which was glaringly evident in comparison to the peripheral characters. I found myself constantly wishing the book would leave Jack behind and focus solely on Sidra, and I found myself continually frustrated as a result.
The magic system, rooted in elemental spirits and creative expressions like music and weaving, is both imaginative and well-integrated into the story. I enjoyed the tension that came from the unpredictability of the spirits, their morally grey nature and opaque motivations, leaving the people on the island at risk and unsteady. The world-building draws on fairy tale and folklore elements, creating a rich tapestry of lore that enhances the narrative.
While the plot is engaging, it tends to be predictable. Many reveals are foreshadowed well in advance, but the story maintains a steady pace, with moments of tension and emotional intensity that kept me invested. The slow-burn romance is sweet, though it may not be central enough to the plot to classify this as Romantasy (rather than Fantasy with romance).
Despite my slight disappointment about the missed potential here, I will likely read on in the series as I found myself engaged and enjoying the reading experience from the first chapter to the last.
“Our hands can steal, or they can give. They can harm, or they can comfort. They can wound and kill, or they can heal and save. Which will you choose for your hands Torin?”
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of children/infants, loss of parents, kidnapping, blood, grief, murder
The hype for this book is intense, and all I want to say is...
Why are all y'all out here LYING???
Beautiful writing? Loveable characters?? Intrigue??? The hype for this book is intense, and all I want to say is...
Why are all y'all out here LYING???
Beautiful writing? Loveable characters?? Intrigue??? Stakes???? Romance????? A plot that isn't just Pokemon?????? Nary a one can be found here. Nary a one, I say!
First of all, this is not adult fantasy. Nope. Nada. The protagonist may be 20, and her love interest a bit older, but this reads like a poorly executed amalgamation of every other YA fantasy that's been flooding the market lately, with all of the excessive tropes to match. If you're a fan of this brand of YA fantasy (think Sarah J Maas and Fourth Wing), maybe this will work for you. But if you're looking for something truly adult, or even just unique and compelling, look elsewhere.
I will give Gillig an extra star for the magic system, which was interesting in and of itself (if severely underutilized). But a good magic system alone can't carry a fantasy book, especially when the world-building is as minimal and nonsensical as it is here. The constant insertion of references to trees (or characters just literally exclaiming "Trees!" ad nauseam) without any real consideration as to how their reverence for the aforementioned trees would shape their society left my eye twitching.
Speaking of eyes twitching, Elspeth, our 20-year-old protagonist, is the absolute worst. She's judgmental, helpless, and constantly assumes the worst of everyone. Her interactions are melodramatic and soap opera-esque, full of lingering glances and over-the-top angst. She has the maturity of a high school freshman and is one of the most petulant main characters I have ever had the displeasure to read about, throwing tantrums and just generally being a useless asshole to everyone around her at all times.
Ravyn is slightly less annoying, but Gillig's insistence on referring to him by his job title every other sentence had me ready to throw my Kobo across the room. Here's just a small sampling of what I had to suffer through just under 80 times over the course of this book:
“If my cheek took him aback, the Captain of the Destriers did not show it.”
“But I could not say the same thing about going head-to-head with the Captain of the Destriers a second time.”
“I clenched my jaw, hardly able to fathom that I, Elspeth Spindle, was willingly following the Captain of the Destriers into the King's castle.”
“The Captain of the Destriers ran his hand over his brow, impatience cutting through his low voice.”
“I had not meant to say it, there in the mist, alone with the Captain of the Destriers.”
“I watched the Captain of the Destriers make his way across the hall, his steps hurried.”
“He was a strange man, the Captain of the Destriers.”
“I tried to keep my mouth from moving to lessen the deep unease I felt to be trapped so near the Captain of the Destriers.”
*It would be one thing if this was all before she learned his name, but she was introduced to him officially after maybe the third time and just kept thinking of him by his job title for NO APPARENT REASON.*
As you can see, the writing is another point of contention. It's awkward, full of clunky sentences and weirdly placed phrases, and just so damn repetitive. The overuse of certain words and phrases, like "bramble" and "oil slick," stuck out like sore thumbs and don't get me started on Ravyn's gray eyes, which are mentioned a staggering 21 times in the first half alone.
“Ravyn Yew watched me with gray eyes, his head tilted to the side.”
“At first, the Captain said nothing, his gray eyes lost in the darkness twisting down my arm.”
“But as I watched Ravyn Yew's face, his gray eyes tracing the darkness in my veins…”
“When I did not move to follow him, he turned, his gray eyes unreadable.”
“Ravyn held it open for me, his gray eyes tight on my face.”
“The Captain of the Destriers watched me, his gray eyes momentarily lowering to my mouth.”
“The Captain leaned back in his chair, his gray eyes never leaving my face.”
“He watched me, something I could not read flashing in his gray eyes.”
“The Captain's gray eyes tightened on my face.”
“I looked at the Captain of the Destriers, his gray eyes full of me.”
“No sooner had our eyes met - a flash of gray -”
*Oh my god we get it!! His eyes are gray! Please just make it stop, I beg of you.*
And then there are the poems. Oh, the poems. Juvenile, simplistic, and honestly laughable. The "terrifying" 500-year-old monster spouts nursery rhyme-level poetry that's so bad it makes you wonder how he hasn't given up and picked up a new hobby at some point in the past few centuries.
“Yellow girl, soft and clean. Yellow girl, plain - unseen. Yellow girl, overlooked. Yellow girl, won't be Queen.”
*…?? Like, okay? Thanks for sharing I guess? Didn’t know I signed up for monster slam poetry, but cool.*
As for the "twists"—yeah, they were pretty obvious. The whole plot is telegraphed from the second page, and we're forced to wait hundreds of pages for our clueless protagonist to get with the frickin' program.
Oh, and that cliffhanger ending? Infuriating. If you want me to read the next book, just write a good book. Don't hold the ending hostage. It felt like a cheap trick to manipulate readers into buying the sequel, but it didn't work. I have zero interest in continuing this series.
Honestly, I'm shocked at how highly rated this is on Goodreads. The premise wasn't interesting, to begin with, but the potential of the magic system was entirely wasted. The writing remained subpar, the rhyming was atrocious, the characters were bland, and the tropes were piled on without care. Save yourself the time and effort—there are plenty of better books out there. This one? A complete and utter waste of time.
Watch me rant about all the ways this book let me down in my Romantasy reading vlog: https://youtu.be/c0BdT5DdPUA
Trigger/Content Warnings: violence, death, child abuse, loss of parents, blood, murder, child murder
This was such a breath of fresh air within the realm of YA Romantasy! From the get-go, the intricate world-building and layered plot hooked me. Sabaa This was such a breath of fresh air within the realm of YA Romantasy! From the get-go, the intricate world-building and layered plot hooked me. Sabaa Tahir has created such a rich and immersive world, exploring themes of colonization, oppression, and identity with depth and nuance. The setting is vivid, and the complex societal structures provide a realistic backdrop for the story.
But this is not simply a well-built world existing to allow us to interrogate the themes; this is also a deeply character-driven story replete with love, loss, resilience, and budding romance.
The characters are compelling and well-developed, with both Laia and Elias, the dual protagonists, bringing their own unique perspectives to the table as they fight their respective internal and external demons. Laia's journey of finding her source of inner strength and carving her own path is inspiring, while Elias, on the other hand, grapples with his identity and the oppressive regime he's complicit in, providing an interesting counterpoint to the exploration of freedom and self-determination.
My biggest frustration with the characters was Elias' misogynistic understanding of Helene - a reductive view of what it means to be a girl or woman despite their many years of deep friendship and close proximity. I enjoyed the progression of their dynamic over the course of the novel, but I could have done without the little sexist comments and odd objectification here and there (feeling a woman's curves through armour is just a tad ridiculous, sorry). The romantic elements were a touch cliche and very slow burn, but rather sweet all the same.
The prose was beautiful, and I'm thrilled to know this is only the first book in a series! I hope the rest of the instalments will live up to the high expectations this novel set.
Read for my Romantasy reading vlog: https://youtu.be/c0BdT5DdPUA (watch for a more detailed review including *clearly marked* spoilers)
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