Welcome to this week’s Saturday Sips, where I’m diving into a few books that landed in the 3-star territory. Not bad, but not quite the standouts I was hoping for either. Each of these reads had their moments—whether it was an interesting premise, compelling characters, or an intriguing setting—but ultimately, they didn’t quite hit the mark for a higher rating. Grab a cup of your favorite drink and let’s talk about these books that had some good elements, but left me wanting a bit more.
A Harvest of Hearts
Andrea EamesA Harvest of Hearts by Andrea Aemes is a charming and whimsical fantasy with an engaging premise, but it didn’t fully connect with me on a character level. The story offers a delightful mix of magic, adventure, and an unconventional heroine, drawing clear inspiration from Howl’s Moving Castle. The worldbuilding is creative, and Foss’s journey from an ordinary village girl to someone entangled in powerful magic is compelling. However, while the plot kept me intrigued, I found it difficult to form a strong emotional bond with the characters, which left some of the story’s more heartfelt moments feeling distant. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read with a unique magical atmosphere, but it didn’t leave a deep impression.
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett is a charming tale with plenty of imaginative world-building, but unfortunately, it didn't quite resonate with me. The premise of a scholar who embarks on a journey to document the fae world sounded intriguing, and Fawcett's magical setting has a lot of potential. However, I found it hard to connect with the writing style, which felt a bit too distant and didn't fully draw me into the story. The characters, especially Emily, lacked the depth I was hoping for, leaving me feeling detached from the plot. While the fae lore was interesting and the book certainly had its whimsical moments, overall, it didn’t quite captivate me the way I expected. It’s a solid read for fans of magical adventures, but I was hoping for a bit more connection to both the characters and the narrative.
Reluctant Witch by Melissa Marr is a fun but ultimately just okay read. The story moves quickly and has some entertaining moments, but the characters and world-building feel underdeveloped, making it hard to fully invest in the stakes. While the mix of magic and romance has its charm, nothing stands out as particularly fresh or memorable. It’s an easy, light read for fans of witchy fiction, but it doesn’t leave a lasting impression.
The Floating World by Axie Oh offers a captivating premise full of potential, blending a dark, mysterious world with themes of memory, destiny, and hidden power. The story of Sunho, an ex-soldier living in the Under World, and Ren, a spirited acrobat wielding a dangerous silver light, is rich with intrigue. The setting is atmospheric, and the narrative is filled with moments of tension and discovery. However, I struggled to connect with the writing style, which felt a bit too distant for my taste. While I appreciated the world-building and the slow unfolding of the characters’ pasts, I found it difficult to engage with them on an emotional level. The romance and character dynamics, though present, didn’t quite resonate with me, and the pacing sometimes faltered. Overall, The Floating World has a lot of promise but didn't quite hit the mark for me. It’s a solid read for fans of epic fantasy, but I was hoping for a bit more emotional depth and connection to the characters.
