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caroline_peacock's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Murder, Death of parent, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Grief, Cannibalism, Pregnancy, and Violence
Moderate: Vomit, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Suicide, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual content
stacyhowe13'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? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gore, and Murder
faerylullaby'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
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Child death, Suicide, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Grief, Pregnancy, and Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual content
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
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
aseel_reads'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
Moderate: Kidnapping, Murder, Child death, Violence, Animal death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Blood, Death, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
ladyashlene'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
5.0
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Death, Child death, Death of parent, Grief, and Gore
Minor: Pregnancy and Sexual content
hermioneinravenclaw'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Grief, Animal death, Murder, Violence, War, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Child death, Blood, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Sexual content and Pregnancy
xtsukix's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
I found that this book had moments that were notably dark and grotesque, but that they didn’t necessarily FIT the book. Whenever they happened it would take me out of the book and have me wondering why it was necessary, I think purely because the suspense and tension was not kept throughout the book. The main cause of this, I think, is because the villain of this story is utterly underwhelming. He’s supposed to be cold, ruthless and cruel, but instead just comes across as a template for the evil character archetype. He has no real depth, his cruelty is seen few and far between and almost entirely happens offscreen, and although the book unravels his desires and what he wants, he really doesn’t showcase this himself at all, and seems utterly dispassionate about his desires.
I think all of the deaths that happened also happened offscreen, which created such a dissonance between the random moments of gore and the reality that the most horrific things were just told to us to have happened.
The mystery was interesting, although S feels like she’s ten steps behind the reader in understanding what’s going on. The romance was somewhat rushed and rooted in nothing but them both being alone and happening to find another person they can be with, no matter who that person is, which did not culminate in the most root-worthy or shippable romance, but it was not awful considering they were only together for about 5% of the book.
The book really picked up for the ending and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel, and seeing how the revelations play out, and if the various curses can be lifted. Also, it’s not often you see a ginger male romance lead, so that was very exciting. 10 points for that.
Also please do not let Gild’s real name be Rumpelstiltskin, I am praying for all that is good and holy.
Graphic: Death of parent, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Misogyny, Animal death, Body horror, Abortion, Blood, Kidnapping, Animal cruelty, Gore, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, and Sexism
Minor: Miscarriage, Vomit, Sexual content, and Bullying