
Rating: 3 š
I love Alice Winters. I love urban fantasy. I usually love Alice Winters urban fantasy romances. So why was Nixing the End of the World by Alice Winters, while entertaining, not wholly enjoyable?
Thatās a question that has really been bothering me.
The story has Winters usual elements. A interesting plot, a likable main, albeit clueless character in Nix, some fascinating other beings the circle around him. But for me I believe the issue started immediately, and itās built within the story. Itās that old problem of honor, trust, friendship, and betrayal.
Here it becomes my issue with the book. Why? Because fundamental to this story is breaking the trust of someone who is supposed to be so close to you, theyāre almost a sibling. Itās is done here often, with all the processes at times of a person crumpling a bag of chips, and with the expectations that that person will immediately forgive you. Every single time.
Knows a person for most their lives, lies to them about the things that are essential to saving them, puts them in danger. Says basically oops. Over and over.
A number of characters. To Nix.
So whatās the message here a reader is to take away? While absorbing all the stuff about the new fantasy world, the characters, travel and Nixās mission⦠we get that everyone close to Nix essentially lies to him all the time, betrays him, has since he can remember. And the reader is supposed to connect with any or all of them?
Um no.
I donāt find anyone of them, outside of the cat and so called horse with antlers halfway personable.
His best friend since early childhood is probably the worst of them all. She consistently betrays his trust, has actually been a fraud in all their lives, and then no matter what sheās done, expects their relationship to continue on the same and instant forgiveness.
Which she gets.
The author apparently discarding the impact all the revelations would actually make on a person. Instead treating these issues as trivial notions, or something to be given mention but emotionally impactful? Narratively not.
Thereās exciting battles, mages and magic. A touch of romance. And the journey continues on with the note that Nix will still need to save the world.
All very well.
But first, thereās a foundation that needs to be fixed and more then a few characters in need of a make over in order for me to find this a place to be comfortable in.
I left this story, as I entered it. Unconnected and uninvolved in anyoneās lives and how the journey will out in the end.
If they donāt care that they canāt depend on those closest to them, why should I? Therein lies the crux.
If this seems like a story for you, continue forward. For me? Iām stopping here.
https://www.goodreads.com āŗ showNixing the End of the World by Alice Winters – Goodreads
Synopsis:
Nix
āYou are the savior of mankindā are the last words I ever expected to hear while nibbling on fries. The thing is, Iām not mankind saving material. I donāt even have magic (and just found out it exists). Iām the most boring, normal(ish) human ever.
Suddenly, Iām being tossed right into the middle of a fight that started years before I was even born, and then I get partnered up with Alastair, a quirky magical Guardian. He is rather attractive and sweet when heās not into the whole āwoe is me, I canāt let myself fall in love with youā nonsense. I mean, the moment he took my annoyingly judgmental grandma hostage, it was all over for me. I was hooked.
Now the only problem is⦠what exactly are we saving the world from?
Alastair
The moment I laid eyes on Nix, the naive yet easygoing human captivated my attention, and now Iām determined to protect him. But despite my amazing and majestic abilities, we might not make it out of this mess. Still, there must be a reason Nix was chosen. No, he doesnāt have pizazz and maybe he really doesnāt have magic, but heās also one of the strongest and kindest men Iāve ever met.
Now if I can just get him to stop throwing blankets at enemies, we might have a shot at this.
Nixing the End of the World contains a flaming “horse” with antlers who inexplicably appears when needed (or not), an interfering BFF who didnāt really mean to light the trunk on fire, a six-toed cat that looks like he put a claw in a socket, and an incubus who just wants a smoothie without anyone losing their clothes.