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lilbookdreamer's review against another edition
5.0
For such a short story, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. The lessons to be learned in this book were very clear and so touching. I loved the writing style and adored all of the characters so very much. It's so easy to find yourself living there with all the characters and being a part of their lives over the few days the book takes place. Will absolutely read again.
medievalthymes's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars
this probably would have been 4 stars, if not higher, if the MC didn’t spend literally half the book baking a pie
this probably would have been 4 stars, if not higher, if the MC didn’t spend literally half the book baking a pie
katieb_93's review against another edition
5.0
This is my all time FAVORITE book! I can't begin to explain how quickly this quiet little village, strong girl and Lord Death stole my heart. Absolutely wonderful! I read it in just a few hours and have since read it 7 or 8 more times. I. Love. This. Book!
sundragon28's review against another edition
4.0
This is the story of a 16 year old girl name Keturah who loves to spin a good tale, and who one day stumbles into a fantastic story of her own. A quest for true love along with discovering the true meaning of friendship, and the importance of enjoying and embracing life, makes this story one in a million.
This book is great! I was enchanted after the first chapter. It keeps you engaged and wanting to read more. The setting and the characters really play off each other and work to weave a spell of their own on the reader. This is not your typical fairy tale but it is definitely worth the read!
This book is great! I was enchanted after the first chapter. It keeps you engaged and wanting to read more. The setting and the characters really play off each other and work to weave a spell of their own on the reader. This is not your typical fairy tale but it is definitely worth the read!
littlebookterror's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
in its concept, I adore this. An old-school Western fantasy world with a small town, a lord residing over it, surrounded by a forest. A young girl unwilling to die yet also unwilling to burden anyone else with that end who bargains with Death. A romance.
Yet while I loved her and her interactions with her grandmother and her two friends, essentially the entire plot surrounding the town, I struggle to see the romance since she falls in love with a person she barely spends any times with? With the time restraint due to her impending death, I found it hard to believe that it all worked itself out so quickly. It's sweet and I certainly think they fit together - but it's not like we actually see that on-page.
But the ending, her dower, was beautifully written.
It reminded me bit of a younger version of Spinning Silver in terms of the romantic subplot and The Seventh Bride in the writing and atmosphere.
Yet while I loved her and her interactions with her grandmother and her two friends, essentially the entire plot surrounding the town, I struggle to see the romance since she falls in love with a person she barely spends any times with? With the time restraint due to her impending death, I found it hard to believe that it all worked itself out so quickly. It's sweet and I certainly think they fit together - but it's not like we actually see that on-page.
But the ending, her dower, was beautifully written.
It reminded me bit of a younger version of Spinning Silver in terms of the romantic subplot and The Seventh Bride in the writing and atmosphere.
darbar's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun little story. I wish it were longer. However, for searching for her true love Keturah seems to be interested in the world around her very much. I don't remember much about the secondary characters, really no one was very memorable. But I did enjoy this, and since it was a reread, it's safe to say I will probably read it again!
duriangray's review against another edition
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
withthebanned's review against another edition
4.0
Originally reviewed on Books Take You Places
From my updates you can see a few things, first, I read this book in one day. Second, it is obvious that I thought that the writing was beautiful and I have since bought my own copy so that I can take notes during my inevitable re-read.
Many things happen in this story and the plot is all interwoven as Keturah spends each day talking her way out of Death’s grasp. As Keturah struggles to save those she holds dear, she begins to lose herself to Death’s embrace. Over time, Keturah learns that death is a part of life, and there cannot be one without the other. She learns what it means to truly live, and what is worth fighting for, and that sometimes life doesn’t turn out quite how you thought it would.
“The girl knew that quarrels would come because their lives were intertwined – how passionately one defends a heart that is vulnerable.”
The novel is very straight forward and reads as if it is being heard around a campfire. There are no questions or twists in the plot, and things happen as you would expect. It is the setting that really drew me in, as I was reading, I couldn’t help but think of dark forests filled with fog and hard to place noises. It was reminiscent of Sleepy Hollow in the way that it made me feel chills along my spine with the barest hint of dark shadows.
I did have a tiny bit of confusion and frustration over the format of the book. You see, it is presented in a way that show Keturah as the teller of the tale and as the main character in the narration. Therefore, at the end of the novel, looking back on the events that befell her, the reader is presented with a moment of confusion: If Keturah is telling this tale to a group, how can it be as true as she promises? What really happened to Keturah? Additionally, I wanted more. I wanted more of Keturah, and Lord Death. As I turned the last page, I desperately wanted to know what happened to the duo. Due to it’s narration, the ending brought me up short and I couldn’t help but feel frustration and bittersweet emotion over the conclusion.
Keturah and Lord Death was written in a way that brought you along on a beautiful journey of growth, discovery, and love. It read much like 1001 Nights, leading you along, one step at a time. It has made it’s way into one of my favorite novels of all time, and I highly recommend it.
From my updates you can see a few things, first, I read this book in one day. Second, it is obvious that I thought that the writing was beautiful and I have since bought my own copy so that I can take notes during my inevitable re-read.
Many things happen in this story and the plot is all interwoven as Keturah spends each day talking her way out of Death’s grasp. As Keturah struggles to save those she holds dear, she begins to lose herself to Death’s embrace. Over time, Keturah learns that death is a part of life, and there cannot be one without the other. She learns what it means to truly live, and what is worth fighting for, and that sometimes life doesn’t turn out quite how you thought it would.
“The girl knew that quarrels would come because their lives were intertwined – how passionately one defends a heart that is vulnerable.”
The novel is very straight forward and reads as if it is being heard around a campfire. There are no questions or twists in the plot, and things happen as you would expect. It is the setting that really drew me in, as I was reading, I couldn’t help but think of dark forests filled with fog and hard to place noises. It was reminiscent of Sleepy Hollow in the way that it made me feel chills along my spine with the barest hint of dark shadows.
I did have a tiny bit of confusion and frustration over the format of the book. You see, it is presented in a way that show Keturah as the teller of the tale and as the main character in the narration. Therefore, at the end of the novel, looking back on the events that befell her, the reader is presented with a moment of confusion: If Keturah is telling this tale to a group, how can it be as true as she promises? What really happened to Keturah? Additionally, I wanted more. I wanted more of Keturah, and Lord Death. As I turned the last page, I desperately wanted to know what happened to the duo. Due to it’s narration, the ending brought me up short and I couldn’t help but feel frustration and bittersweet emotion over the conclusion.
Keturah and Lord Death was written in a way that brought you along on a beautiful journey of growth, discovery, and love. It read much like 1001 Nights, leading you along, one step at a time. It has made it’s way into one of my favorite novels of all time, and I highly recommend it.
kaffebeanz's review against another edition
4.0
My actual rating wavers between 3.5 and 4 because this book was a bit of a mixed bag for me. On the one hand I absolutely loved this portrayal of Death and adored every interaction between him and Keturah. On the other hand the pacing was a problem for me, as were a few aspects of plot and character development. All in all it was a fun read which had some very enjoyable moments, even if there were a few things I struggled with.
chanizzle's review against another edition
2.0
A new take on the tale of Sheherezade. It was an ok story but it didn't really pull me in. One part I didn't understand: