A Look Like a Shiny Coin — Isolde Thorne & the Fate-Mark She Can't Hide | Romantasy Collection
What truly pulled me out of the story, though, were the representation choices. Nearly every major character was depicted as bisexual or bicurious, a detail that felt forced rather than naturally woven into the narrative. On top of that, the recurring degradation of people not of colour was jarring and unnecessary, detracting from the immersion and emotional resonance of the book. That said, the final chapters did deliver some of the energy and conflict I had been waiting for.
The ending hinted at the story’s potential—if only it had arrived much sooner. The idea behind the book is interesting, and the author clearly has a strong voice, but the story’s structure and tone made it difficult to enjoy fully.
Overall, An Arcane Inheritance earns a fair three stars from me. It’s beautifully written and conceptually creative, but I can’t recommend it wholeheartedly. If you’re patient with a very slow build and can look past some uncomfortable thematic choices, you may find more to appreciate than I did.
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