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cepbreed's review
- 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
4.5
"People want to ruin things that are clean and new. It's no fun stamping through old dirty snow."
“You would rather me eat your heart than look away in disgust?”
“Of course,” he breathed. “Every time.”
Ava Reid surprised me. Her detailed and atmospheric prose still hit the same sweet spots as in The Wolf and the Woodsman, but somehow Juniper & Thorn is vastly better. I'm trying desperately to pinpoint what exactly made her sophomore publication so much better and I'm not coming up with anything substantial. The characters were more compelling and I found myself falling for Sevas alongside Marlinchen. Parallelly, as she bloomed under his eye I found myself liking her more and more. Reid's worldbuilding was already impressive in The Wolf and the Woodsman, but she worked magic with an even smaller setting. Somehow constraining her descriptions to one estate (+occasional traipsing around the city) allowed her writing style to really shine. Everything flourished on the page and my immersion was heightened tenfold. Her attention to detail never fails to amaze. I'm not a dancer, but I know exactly what happens to professional dancers' feet, so her mentioning this feature of Sevas was wonderful to see. Oh my god, that exact scene was so UGH. Sevas embodies perfection, strength, and beauty. He exposed his shame to Marlinchen and she never once patronized him, only offering her unconditional acceptance no matter how stupid being insecure of your feet is when you're the principal dancer of a famous ballet.
I vanquish all reviews accusing this book of being "gross" or "overly sexualized." Those people just cannot understand how much Marlinchen means to the girls. To love someone/thing so much you need to consume it. To choose to put your head down and labor for the sake of others. To be pushed to your limits by that tolerance. If you've watched Yellowjackets you'll understand. She embodies girlhood. She is a woman forced to toil at the will of her father and thank him when he punishes her. She is looked down upon by those who are supposed to love her the most (her sisters) and still offers them only compliance. She got everything she deserved in the end and I completely stand behind her. Every woman has imagined that turning point, the one where they finally snap. Nothing was more satisfying to me than watching Marlinchen have that moment.
Ava Reid is the queen of Ethel Cain connoted books.
Songs:
- Strangers - Ethel Cain
- notre dame - Paris Paloma
- illicit affairs - Taylor Swift
Graphic: Classism, Antisemitism, Misogyny, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Eating disorder, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, and Sexual content
Moderate: Medical trauma, Mental illness, Violence, Medical content, Alcoholism, Vomit, Alcohol, and Body shaming
Minor: Pedophilia
oceanic_rabbit'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? Yes
3.75
The plot is brilliant, almost everything falls into place as the book draws to a close.
However, the constant breast imagery and a fixation on virginity etc was a little disconcerting and distracting at times. I want to benefit of the doubt though and say it was maybe an element of the dark tale to make you squirm.
Graphic: Xenophobia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Vomit, Violence, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, and Bullying
jessmlamb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, Body horror, Bullying, Sexual assault, Confinement, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Pedophilia
stefaniacg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail, and Bullying
emilypalah's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Vomit, Sexual content, Body horror, Bullying, and Sexual assault
_annika__'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, Violence, Death, Gaslighting, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Blood, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Addiction, Body horror, Confinement, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cannibalism, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
biokels's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Gore, Murder, Animal cruelty, Eating disorder, Sexual content, Violence, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Death, Pedophilia, and Xenophobia
racheyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The characters were good, and I enjoyed the dynamic displayed between the sisters and their abusive father. Unfortunately the opening to this book in my opinion just tried too hard in terms of the Prose and descriptions. It took me a few chapters to get used to the writing style, which is not the fault of the author, and it felt like everything needed a comparison description rather than it just being what it is. There were also times the descriptors of items, environment and feelings tried to be too clever and ultimately just sounding silly.
The relationship between Marlinchen and Sevas also seemed very hollow. Sure enough they were attracted to each other, which I don't think Marlinchen could say anything else about Sevas other than how attractive he was. Sevas also seemed to like her for some reason, other than he being attracted to her kindness and physical body, there didn't seem to be much more there either. Another relationship which could have had depth and gave it more of a place in the story, but never did.
Ultimately I felt the writing was very strong as I got used to it, other than a few points in terms of descriptors. The premise and story did not overstay its welcome in terms of length and it was creative for a retelling, but did not blow my mind.
I am very keen to read more from Ava as I felt she has an amazing mind and one day she will, without a doubt, write something which will be my next favourite book.
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gore
Moderate: Bullying, Gaslighting, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Death
costellar's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Graphic: Body horror, Cannibalism, Animal death, Death, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Murder, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Rape
Minor: Body shaming and Bullying
onthelam's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Pedophilia
Minor: Abortion, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, and Mental illness