Absolutely brilliant

I love it when a narrator captures exactly how a main character should sound. And this narrator ABSOLUTELY NAILS the voice and heart and soul of Delaney.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Loved how 'real' this story felt

It's a new and unique magic system.
And the author sounded very knowledgeable about a wide range of topics.
I found the main character very interesting to read.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A fresh change on how magic happens

I normally don’t read or listen to a new series when there’s only 1 book out. But I’m glad I decided to this time and I can’t wait for the next! I really enjoy how the MC’s neuro-spicy mind works, I feel like I can relate in many ways. I also love the different take on how side acquires her ‘magic’ which she doesn’t believe could be magic of course. Eating rocks lol lol the author could’ve come up with so many different ways but I LOVE the connection of absorbing ‘rocks’ or minerals and gems to manifest powers.

My only complaint with the narrator is about the sections when she’s telling the narrative and not doing dialog. She is so monotone and speaks at like 2.5x speed. I find myself gasping for breath when she finally finishes what she’s saying. It’s like she challenges herself to not breathe and talk as fast as possible to get through a paragraph. I could understand the dialogue sections when Delaney is speaking in monotone to protect herself from feelings that she doesn’t understand. Maybe that’s just how this narrator speaks, I will have to remind myself to not hold my breath when she’s fast-talking through paragraphs and just breathe normally.

Other than that, you’ve got hunky hunky Heath and an adorable piggy named Topaz. What else could you possibly need?

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

LOVED IT!

I loved having a neurodivergent female lead character! I thought this novel was well planned, fun, and interesting. I also enjoyed the narration, which I listened to at 1.75 the regular speed.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

I was enjoying the the story.

Characters are entertaining & interesting. I cheched it out but the language smacked me in the face around chapter 3 or 4. Now I have to try to get a refund.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

The magic system!

I love the main character! She has a personality very similar to me. The story was so good, and all the characters were compelling even the minor ones. Rachel Rener has an amazing ability to bring science into all of her books, and this one is no exception, I laughed a lot, I learned so much, and I wish there was more of these characters!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

enjoyed such a different main character

It's great to read a book with an original idea. A neuro-spicy heroine is a refreshing change and the book was enjoyable to listen to. A few times the details got to me and what sometimes seemed like pushing the characters differences but with it being a first in a series there has to be a lot of world building. I'll definitely pick up future books.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Solid read

Some light spoilers:

I like that the main character is autistic, and I liked her perspective on things. The pig was pretty cute but a little too anthropomorphised for my tastes - him "shrugging" and "smiling" and things like that is too much for me, because I just can't picture a pig shrugging. Same with him like somehow opening vials and pouring them down an unconscious person's throat? Felt a little strange.

I enjoyed the magic system, though I wish she'd gone into more detail about it, as I found it fascinating. I haven't read anything quite like that, it was unique and cool.

I LOVE that neither of the main characters turned out to secretly be a godd***ed prince, princess, king or queen. Like thank GOD. I am so over reading books about royalty, so this had a lot going for it that these were, for the most part, regular people. I could've done without the hero somehow having a million connections and tons of money, but I guess that's a thing that a lot of people want from romances.

Unfortunately her smut scenes aren't really for me. She does a great job building anticipation, but I don't love the sex scenes she writes. I'm not sure why. They're not bad, they're just not very exciting for me. There's a lot of tongue kissing description that I found to be over-the-top, not enough description when you want it and too much when you don't, too much talking but not in a fun dirty talk kinda way. Not enough focus on how the character was feeling or what the hero was doing to her. I found myself wanting to get back to the plot - which is fine, I liked the plot, and personally prefer plot to smut if I had to choose.

Overall I enjoyed it! Fair warning that this is a Fantasy Romance, NOT a Romantic Fantasy (I. E. This book focuses on the romantic plotline as the main plot, with the rest of the plotlines being subplots, not the other way around.). I notice people, including audible, mix those two up very frequently. Fantasy Romance is not my preference of the two genres, but this book is a solid read for the Fantasy Romance genre.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Fun! Sweet! And completely cozy!

OMG! I thought that reading an ecopy of Amethyst & Alchemy was absolutely fantastic! And now having experienced the audio version I have been completely floored once more. The narrator—Lia Langola—is the epitome of what I imagined Delaney Stone sounded like. Her execution of Delaney’s quarks and mannerisms where completely perfect! And she really did a phenomenal job bringing Delaney to life.

Delaney is such a unique, brilliant, and interesting character that I wholeheartedly fell in love with. Add in Heath, Li, and Topie and this book was completely captivating and wonderful. The story was completely cozy with enough tension and angst to keep you needing to know more, and the rivals to lovers romance was completely unique and fresh in its execution.

All in all, this is a completely wonderful story, filled with unique and fantastic characters, extremely interesting and intriguing magic, enough swoon and spice to set you on fire, and the cutest little piggy sidekick you could imagine!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

amount of research

I liked the narrator she brought the characters to life. It was also nice to learn about minerals and some Chinese culture. Was intrigued by the concept of minerals having magical properties when ingested. Since this is is a review of the audio version forgive possible misspelling. Topie the emotional support pig was a great character. Also liked the faguts which I had never heard of before. Delaney's sense of humor works for me. While the romance wasn't fade to black it also wasn't super risque either at least not for me.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful