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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
This is a really beautifully written book. It’s dark academia, traditional faerie lore, and well paced. This book resonates with anyone who has survived trauma in any form because it’s a dark tale of belief and survival.
Some of my favorite quotes:
Some of my favorite quotes:
This book truly is Reid’s best to date. While dark academia isn’t usually my vibe, I think this is saved from many of the traps of the genre by instead taking place (mostly) in an old gothic manor, where academia is a shadow on the wall and a shackle on the main characters’ feet. The only thing I genuinely did not like was how contrived Effy’s and Preston’s “academic rivals” dialogue was before they got to know each other. Effy has terrible difficulty making cohesive arguments and instead becomes terribly xenophobic and expects that to stand in place of logic?? Preston starts off very self-important, but that’s totally in character with every male English major I ever encountered in college, so while I didn’t particularly like him at first, it at least made sense to me.
Now, where this story shines: eerily beautiful descriptions of decay and grime and other wholly gothic things; the monstrousness of sexism (particularly in academia) and the way it can gaslight victims into doubting their own experiences and discomforts; interwoven fairy tales and poetry; mental illness but also make it dark fairy tales.
Where I wanted more: magic, of course, since this is a society where there is both commonly accepted and summarily rejected magic; a little bit more about the relationship between the two countries that goes beyond Effy spewing xenophobic stereotypes and Preston reciting poetry in another language.
Now, where this story shines: eerily beautiful descriptions of decay and grime and other wholly gothic things; the monstrousness of sexism (particularly in academia) and the way it can gaslight victims into doubting their own experiences and discomforts; interwoven fairy tales and poetry; mental illness but also make it dark fairy tales.
Where I wanted more: magic, of course, since this is a society where there is both commonly accepted and summarily rejected magic; a little bit more about the relationship between the two countries that goes beyond Effy spewing xenophobic stereotypes and Preston reciting poetry in another language.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great setting, writing style and vibes. The build up to everything was really fun but once we finally made it to certain parts I felt a bit disappointed. I felt like something(!) was missing or maybe it got a bit too lore dumpey for me.
It was easy to get into this world and while the characters weren’t my favourites ever I’m excited to see how their story will continue.
It was easy to get into this world and while the characters weren’t my favourites ever I’m excited to see how their story will continue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual content
I honestly did enjoy the book. I wanted to know what would happen next, and see how it all came together. I did find some things a bit confusing:
1. the definition of “changeling” - how does being given a Saints name or being left out to die make you a “changeling”?
2. the cited quotes/sources - how did this add any value to the story?
3. The timeline - AD is generally used for “After Jesus Christ” but the story takes place in the 100-200s and there are cars and phone booths, but women had little to no rights? I really hard a hard time keeping track of *when* they were in time.
4. Angarrahad said she was willing to tell everyone the truth “let them come” but then did not give a statement to the tabloid slamming Effy and Preston or back them up
5. The racism was not handled well. Yes Effy apologized, but then it was just dropped. For those of us who grew up up with racism and bigotry, her comments about the Argantians (the war, Preston) were really hard to read. Preston must be a masochist because he forgave her instantly/fell for her while she was being a bigot. I could never date someone that was prejudice towards me, I wouldn’t be able to forget how they made me feel about where I come from. I am sad to see this topic not handled better in a modern day fantasy.
I have more to say, so will edit my review later. These are just my initial thoughts.
1. the definition of “changeling” - how does being given a Saints name or being left out to die make you a “changeling”?
2. the cited quotes/sources - how did this add any value to the story?
3. The timeline - AD is generally used for “After Jesus Christ” but the story takes place in the 100-200s and there are cars and phone booths, but women had little to no rights? I really hard a hard time keeping track of *when* they were in time.
4. Angarrahad said she was willing to tell everyone the truth “let them come” but then did not give a statement to the tabloid slamming Effy and Preston or back them up
5. The racism was not handled well. Yes Effy apologized, but then it was just dropped. For those of us who grew up up with racism and bigotry, her comments about the Argantians (the war, Preston) were really hard to read. Preston must be a masochist because he forgave her instantly/fell for her while she was being a bigot. I could never date someone that was prejudice towards me, I wouldn’t be able to forget how they made me feel about where I come from. I am sad to see this topic not handled better in a modern day fantasy.
I have more to say, so will edit my review later. These are just my initial thoughts.
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Blood, Car accident, Alcohol
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail