The Fascinators

"When I first started reading I honestly didn't understand why the reviews were so low. The close knit triad of friends were cackling fun and the fact that magic was involved had me hooked from the start. But I swear I could see the turning point as soon as it appeared. Almost as if another writer took hold and finished the novel. Bizarrely the writing was simple yet arranged in a awkward way that I had to reread sentences often.<br/><br/>Reading reviews myself I was really stunned to see this grouped in with Rainbow Rowell's Carry On. I feel like if your going to do that than you could literally group every heterosexual fantasy book you want with each other and it would be the same concept. There is a gay couple in each book and there is magic. That is were the similarities end.<br/><br/>What at first was perceived as a close group of forever friends crumbled to dust at a drop of a hat. This didn't make sense and the plot holes grew as the story went on. Such as, no rules to the magic, actually there was no magic system whatsoever. Everyone had it, no limits were set, no reason why someone was better at something than others. Even worse was that the magic they did use wasn't explained. So when I mentioned the writing being simple, it was due to the author supplying no structure that had to be followed. <br/><br/>Of course the old saying "With great power, comes great responsibility". The magic was in theory policed by a group but in all actually they never preformed their task to any ability. In this story you literally have a cult like group running amuck hurting and quite possibly killing people yet nothing is done about it. Without giving anything away the cult was dealing in a tremendous power that could someday be unrivaled and it's played off like meh it wasn't that bad. Again the plot holes were so blatantly obvious it's honestly making me a little aggravated thinking of it. <br/><br/>Even worse, a world full of magic users and no one teaching these children the craft not even their own parents. AND THEY COULD, VERY EASILY, KILL THEMSELVES OR SOMEONE ELSE. Anyone? Can you explain this to me? The story became even more abnormal due the fact that the magic felt entirely like witchcraft though this was never claimed to be so. Even with the strong religious feel of the south baring down on it still only demons and God played a roll.<br/><br/>I want to say some nice things because I did enjoy the story at first. They characters were light and fun and magic is always a beautiful thing to me. Sam depicting the way Delia would not use emojis was my favorite. But as chapters passed I noticed the lack of character descriptions and world building. The fun friendships turned fickle fast. The characters nor the plot was fully developed. Honestly every main character turned into someone I didn't not like or respect. Sam being selfish, James finicky and self righteous, and Delia completely inhumane.<br/><br/>The ending was beyond blasé. It shocked the hell out of me. Just all that happened for nothing. No justice served. Quite literally everyone going on with their lives like nothing happened. I was speechless. Thinking on it this story would have turned out much better if it stayed light and fluffy than whatever it was trying to replicate."

"This is one of my favorite books! I listened to the audiobook version and I was entertained through out the whole book. A few curse words in it but not too bad overall. I enjoyed the concept and found it really enjoyable. Definitely worth a read for 13+ readers. Highly recommend, 5/5 stars."

"really interesting plot and great worldbuilding! i love the way the author incorporates the magical aspect. overall a solid 10/10 queer romance book"

"This book was so good & honestly this is my favorite type of fantasy - magic that exists in the real world. (Soft fantasy?)<br/>I loved the characters, the overall plot & devoured the entire magic system!<br/>Butttt, when I got towards the end, I just felt like this book could have been so much bigger & better. I still have so many questions and I don’t think they’re going to get addressed. <br/>This needs to be a series!!"

"I liked it. The story was a good one and the characters were great. It seemed a bit rushed however. Still a good book for the plot. Definitely recommend. RANT: SPOILERS: I loved the book. But towards the end, James and Sam had more buildup than Denver and Sam. Would've loved to see a friends to lovers. Hopefully the sequel is better :)) "