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bronzel'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: Death of parent, Child death, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Cannibalism, and Animal death
Minor: Sexual content
bookstakenzie's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
This retelling has added mythical and fantastical features to it that make it it's own story apart from the short classic we know. While the beginning is slow, I found my self very engaged when the plot started to pick up. There were many extra characters that didn't have to be there, but they brought the story padding and fleshes out the world. And while the twists in the book were easy to see coming, they were still earned by the characterization. I would highly recommend, especially if you enjoyed Heartless.
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Suicide attempt and Animal cruelty
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
passionatereader78's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Confinement, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Slavery, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Pregnancy
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
honuzbubbles'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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, Child death, Violence, and Confinement
Moderate: Torture, Slavery, Emotional abuse, and Forced institutionalization
catorureads's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Gore, and Child death
Moderate: Grief, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Torture, and Slavery
Minor: Vomit
sunrae_booknook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Murder, Suicide, Violence, Confinement, and Kidnapping
Minor: Animal cruelty, Pregnancy, Abortion, Gaslighting, Confinement, Slavery, and Panic attacks/disorders
reading_ani's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Confinement, Grief, Slavery, and Toxic relationship