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shelbyswartzel's review
4.0
Captivating, Mysterious, and Suspenseful
This book has so many twists and turns even from the beginning. The ending confused me but it has left me longing for the next book! The story of a Fae prince and a human girl, their destiny's entertwined yet far apart.
This book has so many twists and turns even from the beginning. The ending confused me but it has left me longing for the next book! The story of a Fae prince and a human girl, their destiny's entertwined yet far apart.
swampbooks's review
1.0
I read this thinking it would be a hilariously bad rip-off of The Cruel Prince, but it wasn’t.
I mean, it was hilariously bad, just not a rip off of The Cruel Prince.
Yes, there are similarities. The name of Elfhame was taken and oh so cleverly reworked into Elf-hame. There was mention of a prince named Cardian? Which honestly just made me bust out laughing. And yeah, fae prince, but every other book coming out recently is about a fae prince so whatever.
The book is meant for adults yet the writing quality reads like it was intended for 7th graders. Perhaps this is meant to reflect how the main character has the emotional maturity of a 7th grader. I dunno. What I do know it that I’m very strong and brave for powering through it.
Edit: Just want to amend that Elfhame isn’t even an original concept by Holly Black. It dates back to 19th century Scottish folklore, generally used in reference to the Queen of Elfhame. Also spelled Elphame and Elf-hame. Ya learn something new every day!
I mean, it was hilariously bad, just not a rip off of The Cruel Prince.
Yes, there are similarities. The name of Elfhame was taken and oh so cleverly reworked into Elf-hame. There was mention of a prince named Cardian? Which honestly just made me bust out laughing. And yeah, fae prince, but every other book coming out recently is about a fae prince so whatever.
The book is meant for adults yet the writing quality reads like it was intended for 7th graders. Perhaps this is meant to reflect how the main character has the emotional maturity of a 7th grader. I dunno. What I do know it that I’m very strong and brave for powering through it.
Edit: Just want to amend that Elfhame isn’t even an original concept by Holly Black. It dates back to 19th century Scottish folklore, generally used in reference to the Queen of Elfhame. Also spelled Elphame and Elf-hame. Ya learn something new every day!
jessbrooks227's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
sammiekohl's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A great twist on Beauty and the Beast
melissa_leo01's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
anitak88's review
2.0
I was so disappointed in this book. It felt like I was reading the very first novel of a new author which in and of itself is not a bad thing. But it just felt very underdeveloped with regards to plot and characters. The main female characters in her dialogue got very repetitive and annoying at times. There was no real connection with any of the characters main or side at any point and the relationship both romantic and friendship-wise have seemed very rapid and forced. Also the dialogue was quite basic and at times a little bit childish I feel. So for these reasons and a few more I will not be reading the other two books in the series and I'm still deciding on whether or not I'll give the author another chance.
skyladawn's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
randomvlogs_withme's review
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
imxgu's review
2.0
umm… i don’t know what to think or how to feel about this book. a lot of it seems a little too inspired by other titles, and it seemed to heavily focus on that. the more original sounding ideas weren’t as focused on as i wish it was though. i feel like the man by day and beast by night thing would’ve worked without all these extra things in between.
the mentions of a “secret circle” screamed acotar too much for me. and i really dislike how 2d the characters felt. the main leads didn’t feel that thought out and the proclaimed attraction between them seemed forced. also, i didn’t like how everyone turned on her. it was very much a back and forth dance between the secret circle liking dani and then going back to “hating” her. dani also doesn’t seem like a strong character either. she can’t get a grip and her powers aren’t that well explained. how does she recharge? does she know when her powers are almost out? how were her powers better than the fae’s healing powers when the king went down?
overall this storyline was just everywhere and i felt a bit disappointed because it could’ve been such a cool story if the “inspirations” stayed as inspirations only. not sure if i’ll buy the rest of the series, honestly.
the mentions of a “secret circle” screamed acotar too much for me. and i really dislike how 2d the characters felt. the main leads didn’t feel that thought out and the proclaimed attraction between them seemed forced. also, i didn’t like how everyone turned on her. it was very much a back and forth dance between the secret circle liking dani and then going back to “hating” her. dani also doesn’t seem like a strong character either. she can’t get a grip and her powers aren’t that well explained. how does she recharge? does she know when her powers are almost out? how were her powers better than the fae’s healing powers when the king went down?
overall this storyline was just everywhere and i felt a bit disappointed because it could’ve been such a cool story if the “inspirations” stayed as inspirations only. not sure if i’ll buy the rest of the series, honestly.