{"id":856,"date":"2024-10-31T12:00:17","date_gmt":"2024-10-31T12:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=856"},"modified":"2024-10-31T12:00:17","modified_gmt":"2024-10-31T12:00:17","slug":"this-will-be-fun-by-e-b-asher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=856","title":{"rendered":"This Will Be Fun by E.B. Asher"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this enchanting debut collaboration, This Will Be Fun, E.B. Asher (the pen name for authors Bridget Morrissey, Emily Wibberley, and Austin Siegemund-Broka) crafts a tale that masterfully weaves together elements of classic fantasy quests<\/a> with contemporary romance sensibilities. The result is a warm, witty, and occasionally heart-wrenching story about second chances, both in love and friendship.<\/p>\n

The Story<\/h3>\n

Ten years after saving the realm of Mythria from the evil Fraternal Order, four legendary heroes find themselves reunited for a royal wedding. But these aren\u2019t your typical fantasy protagonists\u2014they\u2019re broken, bitter, and haven\u2019t spoken to each other since their victory left them scarred in ways that had nothing to do with battle wounds.<\/p>\n

The narrative alternates between four distinctive perspectives:<\/p>\n

Beatrice, a gifted head magician haunted by guilt
\nElowen, a reclusive heart magician living in self-imposed exile
\nClare Grandhart, a former bandit turned celebrity trying to live up to impossible expectations
\nVandra, an assassin seeking redemption and a chance at love<\/p>\n

Writing Style & Craft<\/h3>\n

One of the most impressive aspects of This Will Be Fun<\/em> is how seamlessly three authors have managed to create a unified voice while maintaining distinct character perspectives. The prose sparkles with wit and warmth, particularly in the dialogue, which crackles with tension and unspoken history.<\/p>\n

Strengths:<\/h2>\n

Rich world-building that feels lived-in without overwhelming exposition
\nAuthentic character development that acknowledges past trauma
\nClever integration of modern sensibilities into a fantasy setting
\nWell-balanced humor that lightens heavy emotional moments<\/p>\n

Romance & Relationships<\/h3>\n

The romantic elements are expertly handled, particularly the slow-burn reconciliation<\/a> between Beatrice and Clare. Their chemistry jumps off the page, made more poignant by their shared history and mutual wounds. Similarly, the developing relationship between Elowen and Vandra offers a beautiful exploration of vulnerability and trust.<\/p>\n

World Building<\/h3>\n

Mythria is a richly realized setting that manages to feel both familiar and fresh. The magic system, based on head, heart, and hand magic, is particularly well-conceived, serving both plot and character development. The authors have created a world where magic feels both wondrous and practical, integrated naturally into everyday life.<\/p>\n

Critical Analysis<\/h3>\n

While the novel largely succeeds in its ambitious goals, there are some areas where it could have been strengthened:<\/p>\n

The pacing occasionally lags in the middle sections
\nSome secondary character arcs feel underdeveloped
\nThe villains, while effective, could have been more nuanced
\nCertain fantasy elements feel somewhat derivative of other works<\/p>\n

Themes & Depth<\/h3>\n

The novel explores several compelling themes:<\/p>\n

The weight of expectations and heroic legacy
\nThe cost of sacrifice and survivor\u2019s guilt
\nThe complexity of forgiveness and redemption<\/a>
\nThe courage required to be vulnerable<\/p>\n

Notable Moments<\/h3>\n

The novel shines brightest in its intimate character moments:<\/p>\n

The Truth or Dare scene that forces characters to confront their past
\nElowen\u2019s gradual emergence from isolation
\nClare\u2019s struggle with his public persona versus his true self
\nThe cleverly constructed magical system that reflects emotional states<\/p>\n

Target Audience<\/h3>\n

While marketed as a romantic fantasy, This Will Be Fun<\/em> will appeal to readers who enjoy:<\/p>\n

Character-driven narratives
\nFound family dynamics
\nSecond chance romances
\nQuest fantasy with modern sensibilities
\nStories about healing and redemption<\/p>\n

Comparable Works<\/h3>\n

Fans of the following will likely enjoy this novel:<\/p>\n

The House in the Cerulean Sea<\/em> by TJ Klune
\nA Court of Thorns and Roses<\/em><\/a> series by Sarah J. Maas
\nThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue<\/em><\/a> by V.E. Schwab<\/p>\n

Final Verdict<\/h3>\n

This Will Be Fun<\/em> delivers on its promise of both romance and adventure, while offering surprising emotional depth. Despite some minor flaws, it\u2019s a strong debut that announces E.B. Asher as a voice to watch in the romantic fantasy genre.<\/p>\n

Strengths<\/h3>\n

Engaging character dynamics
\nWell-crafted magic system
\nBalanced humor and emotional weight
\nStrong romantic elements
\nSatisfying character arcs<\/p>\n

Areas for Improvement<\/h3>\n

Pacing issues
\nSome predictable plot elements
\nOccasional overreliance on fantasy tropes
\nUneven villain development<\/p>\n

Reading Experience<\/h3>\n

The novel proves particularly immersive, drawing readers into its world with vivid descriptions and emotional authenticity. The alternating perspectives help maintain interest and provide a fuller understanding of the story\u2019s events and character motivations.<\/p>\n

Impact and Significance<\/h3>\n

In a genre often criticized for prioritizing either romance or fantasy elements at the expense of the other, This Will Be Fun<\/em> achieves a remarkable balance. It\u2019s a story that reminds us that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is let ourselves be loved, and that it\u2019s never too late to heal old wounds.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h3>\n

This Will Be Fun<\/em> is a charming and emotionally resonant novel that manages to feel both fresh and familiar. Despite its minor flaws, it succeeds in crafting a story that will leave readers satisfied and eager for more from this writing team. Its greatest strength lies in its understanding that the most important battles we fight aren\u2019t always against external enemies, but against our own fears and past hurts.<\/p>\n

For readers seeking a fantasy novel with heart, humor, and genuine emotional depth, This Will Be Fun<\/em> proves to be exactly what its title promises\u2014and then some.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In this enchanting debut collaboration, This Will Be Fun, E.B. Asher (the pen name for authors Bridget Morrissey, Emily Wibberley, and Austin Siegemund-Broka) crafts a tale that masterfully weaves together elements of classic fantasy quests with contemporary romance sensibilities. The result is a warm, witty, and occasionally heart-wrenching story about second chances, both in love […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-856","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/856"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=856"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/856\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=856"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=856"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=856"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}