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gabalodon's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this was incredible. Perfectly laid out, fascinating characters, loved the way the fairy tales were nestled in there. Rosa's and Hou Yi's relationship and their histories were so interesting and unique, and the way their similarities and contrasts were laid out was just so good. They're very unique protagonists in that they are middle-aged and have very rife backstories full of grief and bad decisions and bigotry, and it's unusual to have a story deal so extensively with the fallout of youthful mistakes, and how the memory of those mistakes can change between POVs, and how you even approach redemption after running for so long. The ending made me cry. I think this is the first novella I've read where I didn't feel like I needed or even wanted more - it's just kind of perfectly encapsulated the way it is.
ettuladyblue's review against another edition
3.0
Poetic prose but felt it could have fleshed the world out a bit more. You may find various fairytale references a bit too cutesy.
I am a sucker for children/parental forgiveness stories so decidedly biased on that front. Short, sweet and sappy.
I am a sucker for children/parental forgiveness stories so decidedly biased on that front. Short, sweet and sappy.
destobie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chaifanatic18's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
zaz's review against another edition
Very middle of the mark for me. A nice little read but I don’t think I got anything from it, however I think it’s very possible that I just wasn’t the target audience. I think maybe for older queer women and parents it could hit harder, or maybe there are elements of the mythology mentioned that I just didn’t recognise and couldn’t relate to.
corgimuffins's review against another edition
4.0
“and in rosa’s ear she heard the whisper of hou yi’s voice: ‘promise. together.’
rosa only had the tail end of a single lifetime, but she thought it might be just enough.”
tessaract's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dame_samara's review against another edition
4.0
This book has been calling to me since I brought it home from the library and once I began consuming it it was near impossible to put down.
Am I a sucker for fairy tale retellings? Most definitely, but I must say this book stretches far beyond what we typically think of as fairy tale retellings into something that I don't really have the words for. This book feels like it takes the archetypes we've come to know and takes them and turns it on it's head showing us that under the pretty wrapping those stories are dark and there are things such as trauma and abuse, we leave untouched because it can't be tied up into a cute little bow at The End.
It was nice to see this story look into the repercussions of the stories we cherish, but also being able to see older queer women depicted in fiction. Seeing them get to raise families and have lives and deal with the struggles their lives have left them with.
Would I recommend this book?
Yes, it's short, compelling, and a story you won't regret.
Am I a sucker for fairy tale retellings? Most definitely, but I must say this book stretches far beyond what we typically think of as fairy tale retellings into something that I don't really have the words for. This book feels like it takes the archetypes we've come to know and takes them and turns it on it's head showing us that under the pretty wrapping those stories are dark and there are things such as trauma and abuse, we leave untouched because it can't be tied up into a cute little bow at The End.
It was nice to see this story look into the repercussions of the stories we cherish, but also being able to see older queer women depicted in fiction. Seeing them get to raise families and have lives and deal with the struggles their lives have left them with.
Would I recommend this book?
Yes, it's short, compelling, and a story you won't regret.
tinynavajo's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting take on Red Riding Hood, need to find the first two and get the beginning of her story, but you don't need to have read the other two to enjoy this one. I am proof of that!