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caroline_peacock's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Murder, Death of parent, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Grief, Cannibalism, Pregnancy, and Violence
Moderate: Vomit, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Suicide, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual content
millyfox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Pregnancy, Violence, Blood, and Child death
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Gore, Abandonment, Confinement, Animal death, Body horror, Blood, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Cannibalism, Child abuse, and Sexual content
jessyhayward's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Unfortunately, I have mixed views on this book. It was pretty good, but it wasn’t great, and the story really lagged in some areas. The book didn’t actually have to be that size, especially since a lot of the story is basically an internal monologue. So yeah, the pacing was strange. Another thing that disappointed me is the lack of world-building. For such an epic fantasy, it really didn’t tell you all that much about how and where the characters lived. This made it rather vague and somewhat forgettable. It almost felt like a dream, which could’ve been the intention for all I know, but still. I also did not really buy the romance between Serilda, our main character, and her love interest. It felt flat and didn’t really connect with me much.
That being said, I read it all in one day (and sitting) so it definitely wasn’t boring. The plot, while having strange pacing, is a cool and unique (as much as it can be) retelling of Rumplestiltskin. Serilda is an extremely interesting character with a personality I rarely see in fantasy books. Her backstory is even more interesting but I won’t mention that due to potential spoilers. Her dialogue and thoughts felt real and were enjoyable to read, which is the main reason I continued the story with the above dislikes. I loved that part. Gild is also uniquely characterised and has an adorable but mischievous personality that leaves a lot to be discovered (does this make sense?). I definitely liked his relationship and dialogue with Serilda, though certain parts of it were rather flat.
Also, this ends on a cliffhanger so be aware of that, especially if you haven’t bought the second book yet. Overall, I did like this book, despite a few of my complaints, and would probably read it again. I do hope that some things are improved in the sequel though.
Graphic: Confinement and Grief
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Violence, Pregnancy, and Death
Minor: Sexual content, Abandonment, Murder, and Death of parent
clairew97's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Abortion, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Body shaming, Violence, Torture, Cannibalism, Grief, Stalking, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Abandonment, Animal death, Death, Blood, and Body horror
outer_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed the first few chapters until right before the last few ones. Those where I enjoyed the introduction to the world, to the German Folklore creatures and not just Rumpelstiltskin. The writing was so good! It was the most atmospheric.
I also refused to believe that this was a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin! I refused! I had no knowledge of this book and have never read any works of Marissa Meyer until this one but have heard of and been in my wishlist for so long! And this made me want to keep on reading here amazing work because if this type of writing is the same within all of her books then I would be happily to swim in it.
The only complaint about that I have to give was the romance. I felt nothing towards it, there was no chemistry there but I understand it. These are two people who had never experienced romantic and yearning love ever, BECAUSE OF REASONS, and they share that common reason. Makes sense to me and I know it might not to others but I do wish to see more interactions between them, a chemistry build up and something to form together in the next book.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Murder, Abandonment, Kidnapping, Violence, Death, Slavery, and Child death
Moderate: Stalking, Torture, Grief, Genocide, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy
cassellwrites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Murder, Emotional abuse, Death, Blood, Animal cruelty, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Child death, and Bullying
k_galloway's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Death of parent, Colonisation, Slavery, Gore, and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal cruelty, Abandonment, and Abortion
maddox22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child death, Death, Slavery, Blood, Torture, Gore, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Kidnapping, and Sexual content
Seriously all the trigger warnings for child murderuranaishi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Blood, Cannibalism, Self harm, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Sexual content, and Suicide
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
thecatconstellation's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Blood, Child death, Death, Murder, Animal cruelty, Violence, Confinement, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Abortion, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Physical abuse
Minor: Sexual content