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jessbarton's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
An absolutely gorgeous read. A love letter to story telling in the form of a haunting fairytale fantasy.
I'm always a fan of a headstrong protagonist that loves stories as much as we (the readers) do, and Effy doesn't disappoint as a complex and curious young woman who has spent her entire life being made to believe she doesn't belong. "You don't have to take up a sword. Survival is bravery too."
Ava Reid's use of language is always compelling, but there is something particularly beautiful about her references to water and the sea in this book - capturing both its evasive fluidity and sheer seismic power with a delicate tone, respectful of its horrifying capabilities. It makes me desperately want to run away to the ocean and stare into the horizon for a while.
I'm always a fan of a headstrong protagonist that loves stories as much as we (the readers) do, and Effy doesn't disappoint as a complex and curious young woman who has spent her entire life being made to believe she doesn't belong. "You don't have to take up a sword. Survival is bravery too."
Ava Reid's use of language is always compelling, but there is something particularly beautiful about her references to water and the sea in this book - capturing both its evasive fluidity and sheer seismic power with a delicate tone, respectful of its horrifying capabilities. It makes me desperately want to run away to the ocean and stare into the horizon for a while.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
regankemp's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Gaslighting and Sexual harassment
nikki_loves_to_read's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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
3.0
I honestly don't know how I feel about this book. The way it is written doesn't make me care about anyone. The characters aren't bad, it's just for some reason everything seems flat and one-dimensional. It should have been a beautifully dark, gothic story however I was bored most of the time. I did like how it ended but I felt like it was too much to pay for an ok ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
arrufat13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There’s a couple of reasons this book isn’t five stars and I will explain, but I would definitely recommend. It has a powerful message and after, admittedly, struggling through the first few chapters I was invested. It’s worth finishing, and the people who DFR definitely missed out.
Now to my negligible reasons; at times I found the constant use of similes annoying and, although I loved that I was right—who doesn’t like being validated—the big reveal was predictable so at the same time it was somewhat disappointing.
Now to my negligible reasons; at times I found the constant use of similes annoying and, although I loved that I was right—who doesn’t like being validated—the big reveal was predictable so at the same time it was somewhat disappointing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, and Xenophobia
foxdance's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
It's a personal pet peeve of mine when a book with beautiful writing and impeccable vibes packs all of its explanations on wth was going on in the last chapter or two. Oh, and it's always a firsthand account from a character central to the events that appears at the very end.
I loved the writing and I loved Effy's character. Personally, I wanted to know more about the world, the Drowning, the Southern superstitions. About the two nations embroiled in war and reasons for it. This book has such an interesting backdrop, so much lore to explore. But I guess it would've been a very different story then.
I loved the writing and I loved Effy's character. Personally, I wanted to know more about the world, the Drowning, the Southern superstitions. About the two nations embroiled in war and reasons for it. This book has such an interesting backdrop, so much lore to explore. But I guess it would've been a very different story then.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
teaph's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Loved it but i had to take a point and a quarter off for having guessed the plot from very early on (one character’s name is a strong giveaway if you know your classics) but that’s probably what happens when you read often. Likewise, i found that sometimes the world building was a little clumsy (ex: i was taken aback when Preston mentioned his dad watching TV because it had not seemed to me that these existed in this world).
The underlying story is pretty in the face too but i found it refreshing and i know it’s a topic very rarely touched upon — even more so in YA stories — so I was glad (plus, reading some “i believe you”s felt so nice…).
I love Preston and it’s one of those instances were “hets deserve some rights 👀”.
Can’t wait to read the sequel, although this one wrapped up well enough to have been left as a stand alone.
The underlying story is pretty in the face too but i found it refreshing and i know it’s a topic very rarely touched upon — even more so in YA stories — so I was glad (plus, reading some “i believe you”s felt so nice…).
I love Preston and it’s one of those instances were “hets deserve some rights 👀”.
Can’t wait to read the sequel, although this one wrapped up well enough to have been left as a stand alone.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
brockoli's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Grief, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent and Deportation
bevlovesbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual assault
arialuna's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
I found myself enjoying this look into the power of folklore, and how even if some aspects of the story are unbelievable, there is always that underlying current of truth.
Effy, as a character, isn't usually my usual heroine — she's a lot more withdrawn and resigned to begin with. But as the story progresses, it becomes more apparent it is in response to a heavy amount of trauma she's gone through. Only thing I would've liked to see was her fighting back against her mother, because damn that woman deserved to be stood up to and told off.
Despite figuring out the plot twist early due to context clues, I had fun seeing what else could be thrown at me. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I hadn't figured out everything, and I still have more to explore!
Effy, as a character, isn't usually my usual heroine — she's a lot more withdrawn and resigned to begin with. But as the story progresses, it becomes more apparent it is in response to a heavy amount of trauma she's gone through. Only thing I would've liked to see was her fighting back against her mother, because damn that woman deserved to be stood up to and told off.
Despite figuring out the plot twist early due to context clues, I had fun seeing what else could be thrown at me. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I hadn't figured out everything, and I still have more to explore!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse and Car accident
reader_000100's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
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? N/A
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Abandonment