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thecatconstellation's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I went so back and forth with this book. There are parts that I really enjoyed and I will definitely read the second one. But at times it felt like this was dragging on, and I don’t particularly love any of the characters. I also found it at times just utterly depressing for no reason, like things being sad not for the plot but just to be sad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Blood, Child death, Death, Murder, Animal cruelty, Violence, Confinement, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Abortion, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Physical abuse
Minor: Sexual content
arthur_ant18's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Body horror, Death of parent, Child death, Animal death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Confinement, and Gore
Moderate: Slavery, Animal cruelty, Suicide, Pregnancy, Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
Minor: Abortion, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, War, and Sexual content
lewnie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Blessed by the god of fate, fortune, and stories, Serilda has always had a talent for telling outlandish tales. When one of her stories captures the interest of the savage Erlking and his ghastly Wild Hunt, Serilda must make her stories a reality or face death. Tasked with spinning straw into gold, Serilda makes a desperate bargain with a strange young man. But all magic has a price, and Serilda may not be ready to pay.
The good: I was so delighted by the prospect of a Rumpelstiltskin retelling and I did not expect this story to be as dark as it was, having read Meyer’s other YA. The world-building is superb and incredibly immersive. I had no problems with Serilda’s characterization. She has flaws, but she loves her family and her friends. She is also a bit of a firecracker, which is amusing and it is clear how she gets herself into trouble. Between her devotion to her loved ones and her spirited personality, I had no problems believing in her heroism. The Erlking is a terrifying villain and I really enjoyed what Meyer did with the Wild Hunt. There is horror and gore, but it isn’t incredibly off-putting.
The bad: There isn’t a lot of representation in this book. Everyone seems to be generally “tanned skinned” but not presented as people of color. The world itself is also clearly Western-based. There is one character presented as potentially bisexual, but that is not on-page nor is it confirmed by the character. The idea of bisexual or gay relationships seem to be accepted as somewhat normal, however there are no on-page same-sex relationships. That is really the biggest detractor for me in this novel.
Overall: I absolutely adore a long fantasy full of world-building and character development and at 500 pages, this is definitely a time commitment. However, I think the payoff is absolutely worthwhile. The twist on the classic Rumpelstiltskin fairytale is interesting and doesn’t feel overwrought. While I did see the twists coming, I don’t think that ruined anything about the story for me. I was invested in the characters and their stories throughout the entire novel and I will absolutely be reading the sequel. I wish there was a little more representation built into the world, though. With the darker themes and brief sexual content, I would suggest this for a little older teen audience than Meyer’s previous YA novels. I think this is a great transition for fantasy readers who are looking for something a little more ‘adult’ or adult readers looking for a less complicated fantasy read.
For fans of: Elizabeth Lim, Hafsah Faizal, Melissa Bashardoust
Rep.: off-page bisexual minor character.
CW: abandonment; abortion (mention); animal cruelty; animal death; blood; body horror; brief sexual content; cannibalism; child death; confinement; death; death of a parent; grief; gore; murder; pregnancy; torture; violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Gore, Violence, Confinement, Animal death, Death, Child death, Blood, Body horror, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment, Torture, and Cannibalism
Minor: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, and Pregnancy
kwkich's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
4.75
Weaving together folklore, mythology and a unique reimagining of a classic fairytale, Meyer solidifies her crowing as the queen of fairytale retellings! Creating a captivating tale of The Wild Hunt and the Alder King, curses, haunted castles, and mischievous poltergeists this tale is as enchanting as it is haunting. Part eerie mystery, part fantasy romance the story ebbs and flows with each new discovery. The fallout from each lie and the buildup to the next full moon becomes a grand adventure with twists and turns and unsolved mysteries around every corner!
Serilda, the miller’s daughter, is caught up in all of it. Gifted (or cursed) by the god of lies she is an outcast in her village. Not only for her unique eyes, the curse so plainly displayed on her face, but for her innate ability to fabricate enchanting tales out of thin air. Be they truth or lies, nobody is ever certain. Are these stories actually real? Or does she have the ability to create her own fortune and make a story become reality?
At this cross roads of real and imagined Serilda finds her fate entwined with the fearsome Erlking/Alder King. The tension and curiosity between Serilda and the Erlking in their first meeting under the full moon is beyond palpable and entrancing. Ruthless, devilishly handsome and cunning he is always one step ahead, while Serilda is trying desperately to pick up the pieces and save her life from his wicked hold.
In the midst of it all Serilda is introduced to Gild. The sweet and desperate intimacy that follows, the lack of judgement and safe haven they create is intensely sweet and endearing. The book is a rollercoaster ride of emotional highs and devastating lows, enough to break your heart. The third act revelation is, clearly hinted to throughout the story but no less saddening and poignant.
There are so many threads left hanging or cut short, yet to be resolved, so many ways the story could veer. It’s quite honestly nerve wracking. The ending is mostly resolved as a first act but most definitely halts on an open-ended precipice. The sequel, Cursed, cannot come soon enough!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Child death, Kidnapping, Abortion, and Suicidal thoughts
trippalli's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
5.0
Brutal but beautifully written classic horror fairytale with undead, monsters, witches and faery folk, tricks and tales of love and lost worlds .. Adventures and passing through the veil with the wild hunt under the full moons... Trigger warnings: children and innocents violently killed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Murder, Violence, Blood, Animal death, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Infertility, Abandonment, and Gaslighting
Minor: Abortion, Suicide attempt, Animal cruelty, Cannibalism, and Suicidal thoughts
amz1006's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
“Don’t look so discouraged,” said the boy. “You aren’t dead yet. That’s a distinct advantage over just about everyone else in this castle.”
This book ended my months long book dry spell (there’s a specific term for this but I can’t remember it). Although
This was not the most well written book and it was full of holes, I found the plot and story telling engrossing. There was also just a tad too much descriptions, and I found myself skimming a bit.
For some reason the romantic scenes in this book made me uncomfortable and I’m not entirely sure why. It may be because I thought their relationship happened too fast or something tho.
This was a unique retelling of Rumplstiltskin mixed with a little bit of Inkheart, I think. About a centuries old mysterious castle, a cursed boy, a cruel villain, and a girl who lies.
This book ended my months long book dry spell (there’s a specific term for this but I can’t remember it). Although
This was not the most well written book and it was full of holes, I found the plot and story telling engrossing. There was also just a tad too much descriptions, and I found myself skimming a bit.
For some reason the romantic scenes in this book made me uncomfortable and I’m not entirely sure why. It may be because I thought their relationship happened too fast or something tho.
This was a unique retelling of Rumplstiltskin mixed with a little bit of Inkheart, I think. About a centuries old mysterious castle, a cursed boy, a cruel villain, and a girl who lies.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
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