Scan barcode
kimzeyk's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I’ve enjoyed some of the author’s later books, so I was excited about this one. I liked the concept overall, and the entwining of multiple lives was interesting.
For me, the parts aboutthe curse didn’t feel like they fit. I felt that Lucian’s role needed less explanation - every time they called him the administrator, it made it feel more like comic fantasy, á la Michael Moore. It seemed sort of shoehorned in as a way to have a third point in the love triangle.
I expected that Helen would be the most powerful of the four, but we never see that. I assumed she would bring Lucian back, but just before he reappears, she says she doesn’t use her powers because the cost is too great. It made the ending fall flat for me.
You can definitely see that Sayers has grown as a writer since this novel.
For me, the parts about
I expected that Helen would be the most powerful of the four, but we never see that. I assumed she would bring Lucian back, but just before he reappears, she says she doesn’t use her powers because the cost is too great. It made the ending fall flat for me.
You can definitely see that Sayers has grown as a writer since this novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Stalking, Suicide, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Domestic abuse, and Miscarriage
Minor: Vomit, War, Infertility, and Pregnancy
katiedalton's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I really really wanted to like this. The start was so strong. Loved the alternating perspectives of Helen and Juliet. Learning about the curse, the witch history.
It lost me when we went into each of Helen’s past lives in detail. Especially the point where they learn about the curse and in repetitive detail tell the reader what we learned in the first third of the book with Helen and Juliet’s stories.
The last third of the book picked up the pace but felt weird after the slow repetitive feeling of the middle section. Plus there was some weird out of character actions thrown in with Sandra. That felt very out of place with the rest of the story.
Pair that with a 3 hour long chapter (I listened to the audiobook) and none of the book flowed. It could’ve been amazing with a great editor or a new eye of “what the fuck is going on? Let’s rework this”
Also very graphic detailing of rape and sexual assault that I was not prepared for going into this book. That I would argue served no purpose to the overall storyline.
It lost me when we went into each of Helen’s past lives in detail. Especially the point where they learn about the curse and in repetitive detail tell the reader what we learned in the first third of the book with Helen and Juliet’s stories.
The last third of the book picked up the pace but felt weird after the slow repetitive feeling of the middle section. Plus there was some weird out of character actions thrown in with Sandra. That felt very out of place with the rest of the story.
Pair that with a 3 hour long chapter (I listened to the audiobook) and none of the book flowed. It could’ve been amazing with a great editor or a new eye of “what the fuck is going on? Let’s rework this”
Also very graphic detailing of rape and sexual assault that I was not prepared for going into this book. That I would argue served no purpose to the overall storyline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Gore, Death, and Abortion
Minor: War, Suicide, Murder, and Drug use
z0etar0twh's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I. Am. Blown. Away.
I swear I need like a day to process what I just read.
I swear I need like a day to process what I just read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexism, Death, and Sexual assault
Minor: Drug use and War
More...