Reviews with content warning for Violence - A Crown of Ivy and Glass

I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would. At first Gemma is a very unloveable character, but as you learn more about her and her family you begin to sympathize with her. I’m not completely sold on her character development though - the switch from selfish to self-sacrificing was a bit abrupt. But her pain and panic attacks and self-harm were more believably dealt with.

I really enjoyed the world building and magic system. The mystery about the family heritage is interesting enough to make me want to read more. Although I figured out both “twists” before they were revealed, there were enough questions about them that the reveals were still intriguing.

The romance was the weakest part for me. Especially given the twist, it makes little sense to me how they fell in love so fast. And there are several points where Gemma is way too instantly forgiving. It felt like there was conflict stirred up then rapidly waved aside. Talan is also a bit bland, weirdly. He should be the most flawed and contradictory character, but instead he’s just whatever Gemma needs him to be. More real flaws and conflict would’ve made the romance more believable and interesting.

Content Warnings

the_dana's review

Go to review page

challenging dark medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

jen_sten's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

My first Claire Legrand book. It was a good read, quite different. Very solid world building and light on the romance. The main character deals with panic attacks and self-harm - very interesting to see mental health be a major theme in a fantasy novel but it was done well.

Content Warnings

deedireads's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

TL;DR REVIEW:

A Crown of Ivy and Glass, an adult fantasy romance Giselle retelling, was definitely not perfect, but I had a ton of fun reading it and can’t wait for book two.

For you if: You’re looking for anxiety/chronic pain rep and love a steamy fantasy book.

FULL REVIEW:

I loved Claire Legrand’s Empirium trilogy (first book is Furyborn), so imagine how excited I was when I read in her newsletter that she’d sold a new adult fantasy romance trilogy where each book focuses on a different sister and retells a famous ballet. I DMed the publisher to put me on a galley list right away (to which they kindly said “it’s a little early lol”).

A Crown of Ivy and Glass was far from perfect, but I definitely had fun reading it. This one is a Giselle retelling and focuses on the youngest sister, Gemma.

The not-so-great parts: The pacing was inconsistent, with a much slower build and sudden change 75% of the way in. Gemma is vain and self-absorbed and not very likable, especially in the beginning. Legrand’s “once upon a time” prose style also takes some time to get used to until it stops feeling cheesy, as does Gemma and Talin’s insta-love.

And for the good parts: Gemma gives us some solid rep, including anxiety/panic attacks and severe chronic pain, which Legrand has said was extremely important to her. I loved that it was a Giselle retelling, and it managed to surprise me even so. The magic system feels novel and interesting. Oh, and steamy scenes be steamyyy.

The next book is going to be about Gemma’s eldest sister, Farin, and based on the glimpses we got in this book, I can already tell it’s going to be a fantastic romance. I’ll be eagerly awaiting it!

Content Warnings

nukie19's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This novel has a great premise but doesn't quite live up to it. It seems like Legrand was overambitious and couldn't decide what kind of book this was supposed to be - a romance, a dark fantasy, YA or adult? It was refreshing to read about a main character who is so different than usual due to her chronic pain, but she veers way too much into whiny and petulant teenager for a book that is billed as adult. It definitely has some pretty heavy steamy scenes but I didn't feel like this really was worth the length of the read. Save yourself and just stick with her other works.

Narration from Evelyn Rose was excellent. She was wonderful to listen to and I appreciated her subtle changes for each character.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an audiobook ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings

lizgriffinwords's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the early copy. I really struggled with how to rate this one and ultimately settled on a 3.5 star (because I liked it better than a book I recently rated 3 star).

I think this book successfully accomplished what it set out to accomplish / what it promised readers. ACOTAR comp. “Bridgerton with magic” in terms of prolific smut and regency-ish vibes. I’d go so far as to say From Blood and Ash, but with better worldbuilding and characters.

The problem is, NONE of the comps in that prior paragraph are my cup of tea, at all. So I am wildly not the target audience.

I did appreciate the main character’s struggles with chronic illness, panic attacks, and other mental health challenges. CW for suicidal thoughts.

If you’re not deterred by insta-lust and like your fantasy romance heavily peppered with spice, you might this one. I’m curious to see which of the other sisters the second book centers on — because neither of them seem as sex-obsessed as Gemma.

Content Warnings

taryn_g's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

More...