A Mage's Guide to Human Familiars

I did enjoy this book but there were several things that were, like, mildly irritating, idk why. I think maybe because I enjoyed the world and the characters so much and I wanted to just love everything. The one major issue I had is that I hate the concept of a bond/link/fate/destiny/mate etc, whatever the label might be for an external force that engenders affection and/or love. I liked how the relationships were handled and I really liked all the characters, main or otherwise, but that concept really bothers me.

Minor annoyances: the not-communicating-with-each-other is my least favorite trope because it's so frustrating. Granted my own brain doesn't let me silently ruminate over problems. I have to talk about them because secrets feel like lies and I hate lies, so maybe this is relatable for other people but I never buy it.

Untimely interruptions are also annoying when they keep occurring but are easier to get over than the communication issue.

There is a lot of thinking in this book (and very little steam, for my fellow steamers). All the, "How should I tell so-and-so this? How can I approach that?" back and forth. Just say it already.

There is also frequent repetition, like someone will blow-dry their hair because they don't like how it feels wet, and then later on they'll blow-dry their hair because they don't like how it feels wet. Like, not a big deal but no need to state the "why" again. Or, Character 1: "Let's put a warding spell on the entrance and call it quits for the day." Character 2, same page: " Let's put a warding spell up and call it quits for the day." Or, " I think today's going to be worse. The farther in ... More danger ... Going to be worse. I guarantee it." "How do you think it'll be?" "Worse." Gah.

All that said, it was a fun read. The trendy slang was mostly charming, and I liked how the world-specific stuff was easy to understand right away. Probs won't be reading any more books by this author, though, not that they're hurting for fans based on Amazon/Goodreads reviews.

A new series from an author who consistently writes funny romps, and this one doesn't disappoint. Was a smidge strange because I've read the human familiar series under her YA pen name, so I kept trying to compare them. There are similarities: a mage whose magic is constantly keeping their body functioning; a human familiar who loves nothing more than running into danger; the general feel of the various characters on their team. But they've been remolded in such a way that this is a different book entirely. Very much looking forward to the rest of the series.