Author: ellowyne

Genre: Fantasy

What I liked about this book:

This book was really fun to read. Sedgewick is undeniably an asshole. He treats Feyla like shit, he's got a terminal case of emotional constipation, and I tried REALLY REALLY HARD to hate him.

I also failed.

Sedgewick is a crotchety old man so frustrating to be around that I'm not sure how Feyla stands him, but he's likeable. I sort of hate him for it, but he is. I can see what she sees in him, even if he is really arrogant and kind of an ass. He's got heart, and he feels human, as human as someone can feel when they're hundreds of years old.

And Feyla embodies a strong female character. He literally couldn't survive without her. When he has no magic, she saves his ass. When he forgets his shit, she saves his ass. When he almost puts his foot in his mouth for the fifteen millionth time, she saves his ass. The entire book is basically Feyla saving Sedgewick from the stupid things he does. And through all of this, she has the strength to realize that she cannot fix him. She accepts him as he is, thorns and all.

The plot device between them with him having been burned before and not wanting her close to him because of it could have turned out stupid and cliche but it didn't because his reactions seem genuine. He's an ass, but he's an ass for a reason, and he has to fight pretty hard to be that way to the point where eventually, it falters.

I will say this is one of those romance novels thinly veiled with fantasy. This had the opportunity to be a bad book about a crotchety old man dating his younger secretary, and it wasn't. It's hilarious, the plot is well-constructed (if long), and I found myself doing that thing where I start skimming because I need to know what happens next, right now.

The world was also incredibly well-constructed. The author kept the fantasy low enough that I bought the magic system even though it wasn't described very well. I knew what everything looked like from Sedgewick's office to his cat. 

This was just really well done. Everyone should go read it.

What I did NOT like about this book:

The plot meanders a bit. The writing in places is also sloppy and could be pulled back in. I think the author could stand to cut some plot points (maybe the part with Creighton could be shortened a bit so I could know how the book ends already goddamnit). I think a proofread/edit/beta read would benefit this piece strongly.

The writing was smooth enough but I'd really like to see it polished until it glows. It's not far off.

Overall:

I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.

Rating:

9/10 because it needs cleaning up but was really entertaining. 8/10 because it's not finished and that's frustrating because it's preventing me from finding out the ending.