Amy

Perfect.

This was quite good! Hoping it becomes a series

3.5

3.75

2.75 - cute but overly simplistic. Ended up skimming the last fifty pages.

Felt like a middle grade novel, writing and plot wise, and not because of the topic. Terrible representation of the realities of foster care as well.

2.5...this draggggged for me. Nope.

Gorgeously written but I do not recommend unless you feel like sobbing uncontrollably through the last 100 or so pages. This is why I do not read WWII books, important though it may be to recall the absolute horrors of this war. Quinn sugarcoats nothing yet still manages to infuse the whole story with a lightness that is hard to describe. The first half dragged a bit, 4.5.

I LOVE this series! So well done on audio.

I have...thoughts. At times quite annoying and in desperate need of some basic editing, the fact remains this got me out of a reading slump and I tore through the nearly 600 pages. I'll definitely continue the series when I need a brain escape.

Wow.

Oof. I felt that TOO MUCH but what a great book. 4.5

4.5 - it's clear Fonda Lee is an exceptional writer, and a genius at world building as well. I most likely will be continuing the series but good lord that took me so so so long to read. Super dense.

I loved this! Thanks to Meredith from Currently Reading for bringing it to the podcast some months back - I will absolutely be continuing the series.

2.5

What an incredibly well written tale of magic. Deftly plotted and some of the best world building I've ever seen. I hope we see more of this world in a future book - and last but not least...Hutchincraft ❤️

3.75 - loved the GBBO inspired setting; but in some places the editing choices (or lack thereof?) were rather annoying.

SO GOOD!!

3.75

3.5...this was better than most in the genre, but I think this type of book just isn't for me anymore. I enjoy a puzzle being solved in a classic mystery or even procedural, but this “troubled family with endless secrets” trope is not my jam.

Not what I was expecting.

Did Brit Bennett just become my favorite author? Wow. Six stars/five.

Very fun.

Meh. If you've ever listened to a true crime podcast in your life you'll know exactly what is happening here by the end of the prologue.

Wow, wow, wow!