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illyrian_wings's review against another edition
1.0
I'm giving a low rating because I genuinely did not like the story; and can't think of much positive to say about it. I was excited to read this because of the reviews, but the book really didn't deliver. I love horror, but did not find this book scary, creepy, or even unsettling. It read like a B rated horror flick with predictable jump scares. There is A LOT of death (including minors), which can get depressing, so TW. Worse than that, the FMC is unlikable. I found her to be a spineless doormat.
The plot has A LOT going on and although it all comes together in the end, the journey there was rough. There was so much filler about dancing, shoes, breakfast, and other boring topics that just repeated over and over. The horror aspects felt random and thrown in; and it always seemed like every character was concerned over the wrong thing. Like we just kept ignoring the elephant in the room. Also, these sisters genuinely had zero hobbies or interests aside from dancing and finding a man. Like hello your family is DYING.
Don't get me started on the LI, what a cheeseball. Fisher was a better, more likeable character, and I was upset with how his role played out. Cassius did not do it for me and his whole backstory was wild. The reviews kept saying "slow burn" -- WHERE. This was "insta-love" and Anna Leigh was ready to risk it all the second she saw him.
SPOILERS*
Ok, so there was one part that was really decent. That whole bit with Morella giving birth to satans spawn and Viscardi showing up -- that was interesting. I found myself being so intrigued by Viscardi, almost lulled into his trickery and ready to make a bargain myself. I wish that the author had completely cut out Kosamaras (why even add her?) and just focused more on Viscardi. It could've been a creepy story about a trickster deity who picks off the sisters one by one, instead of adding gods/half gods and random information that didn't add anything to the story. Oh well.
The plot has A LOT going on and although it all comes together in the end, the journey there was rough. There was so much filler about dancing, shoes, breakfast, and other boring topics that just repeated over and over. The horror aspects felt random and thrown in; and it always seemed like every character was concerned over the wrong thing. Like we just kept ignoring the elephant in the room. Also, these sisters genuinely had zero hobbies or interests aside from dancing and finding a man. Like hello your family is DYING.
Don't get me started on the LI, what a cheeseball. Fisher was a better, more likeable character, and I was upset with how his role played out. Cassius did not do it for me and his whole backstory was wild. The reviews kept saying "slow burn" -- WHERE. This was "insta-love" and Anna Leigh was ready to risk it all the second she saw him.
SPOILERS*
Ok, so there was one part that was really decent. That whole bit with Morella giving birth to satans spawn and Viscardi showing up -- that was interesting. I found myself being so intrigued by Viscardi, almost lulled into his trickery and ready to make a bargain myself. I wish that the author had completely cut out Kosamaras (why even add her?) and just focused more on Viscardi. It could've been a creepy story about a trickster deity who picks off the sisters one by one, instead of adding gods/half gods and random information that didn't add anything to the story. Oh well.
emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this twisted fairytale that had a core of the 12 dancing princesses but really was its own story. The characters were wonderful and the sea descriptions so vivid I could almost taste the sea winds. I was totally immersed in this story and could not set it down. It had surprises and twists that were eye widening but not quite nightmare inducing. I am going to look up more of this author as the story was so well put together I need to read another one by them.
neminaf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
drymming's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating 3.5 stars
I removed half a star for the bad romance, half a star for the forgettable side characters, and half a star for the predictable plot twist.
I removed half a star for the bad romance, half a star for the forgettable side characters, and half a star for the predictable plot twist.
shaunashares's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, and Body horror
Moderate: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
littlemissdynamite's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
shanthecitygirl's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
There is a weird micro-genre I am noticing in YA Fantasy/Romantasy. I have taken to calling it "Teenage Girl and her Supernatural Boyfriend solve a murder mystery." Of the several books in this area, this one I liked the most. It almost feels more like a gothic mystery than a standard fantasy. The ending didn't totally come together for me, but it was a pretty decent story overall.
mamabird1320's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0