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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
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
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Out of all the fantasy I read, this book was very refreshing in a way. I love folklore, and while fantasy and folklore may appear to go hand in hand, what I find puts this book more into a fictional folklore is how the fae are not sexy. They are not desired. They are tricky and tretorous and not to be trusted. There were always so many red flags, and my thoughts on what was really going on was constantly shifting. I loved both of the main characters, and how their differences seemed to balance each other out. This book felt like a more academic series of unfortunate events in a way, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, Blood
Minor: Alcoholism
adventurous
dark
emotional
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
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
3.5
You don't have to pick up the sword.Survival is bravery too"
I am incredibly sad that it wasn't a 5 star for me, not that 3.5 is going to make it a bad book but I definitely had high hopes for it. Let me say that the idea of this book is incredible and the writing is exquisite with its poetic prose that is thought provoking at often times. The ambiance of gothic fairytale with a flare of folklore really worked well for the story, a slowly decaying mansion that is drowning day by day with a dark history in its past. I really enjoyed the first half of the book even though it is a slow start, Effy is such an intriguing character. Her inner turmoil and trauma plays the forefront of the plot which sometimes blurs the lines between reality and hallucinations, her pain weighs you down as much as it is intended because she is one of the silenced voices but Effy surprisingly draws strength from her silence and perseverance and would do anything to Survive the day.
I really enjoyed delving deep into her character and witnessing her beautiful arc towards the end of the story, It has a really powerful message in the folds of it's story that probably helps so many people feel "seen".It also sheds light on mental health issues and the social behaviors pertaining to it which is again a topic that should be discussed often
There is also another tangent to the plot with the folklore of fairy king and the changelings that comes from a book "Angharad" that seem to be another silent, inanimate protagonist in this book, there is a "story within the story" trope through out the book that further blurs the lines and plays tricks on your mind. I regarded this story as 1)Effy's personal growth 2)her and preston's end goal. I enjoyed the sweet, slow burn yet gentle romance between Preston and Effy and how his quiet reassuring presence helps her to reach her full potential in more than one occasion.
While I loved no#1, I had issues with the world building, so many of the elements introduced in the first half were left unexplored(like the sleeping writers, warring nations) accounting their presence to nothing in the end. The second half on the other hand is where I had most trouble with where everything started to get muddled up for me in regards to the plot like when the twist is revealed, It was more telling than showing.It all happens so abruptly and in its wake we are left with everything being resolved and our characters meeting their end goal before you know it. I merely think for being a stand-alone it ended on a dissatisfying note because I have so many questions.
Merged review:
3.5
You don't have to pick up the sword.Survival is bravery too"
I am incredibly sad that it wasn't a 5 star for me, not that 3.5 is going to make it a bad book but I definitely had high hopes for it. Let me say that the idea of this book is incredible and the writing is exquisite with its poetic prose that is thought provoking at often times. The ambiance of gothic fairytale with a flare of folklore really worked well for the story, a slowly decaying mansion that is drowning day by day with a dark history in its past. I really enjoyed the first half of the book even though it is a slow start, Effy is such an intriguing character. Her inner turmoil and trauma plays the forefront of the plot which sometimes blurs the lines between reality and hallucinations, her pain weighs you down as much as it is intended because she is one of the silenced voices but Effy surprisingly draws strength from her silence and perseverance and would do anything to Survive the day.
I really enjoyed delving deep into her character and witnessing her beautiful arc towards the end of the story, It has a really powerful message in the folds of it's story that probably helps so many people feel "seen".It also sheds light on mental health issues and the social behaviors pertaining to it which is again a topic that should be discussed often
There is also another tangent to the plot with the folklore of fairy king and the changelings that comes from a book "Angharad" that seem to be another silent, inanimate protagonist in this book, there is a "story within the story" trope through out the book that further blurs the lines and plays tricks on your mind. I regarded this story as 1)Effy's personal growth 2)her and preston's end goal. I enjoyed the sweet, slow burn yet gentle romance between Preston and Effy and how his quiet reassuring presence helps her to reach her full potential in more than one occasion.
While I loved no#1, I had issues with the world building, so many of the elements introduced in the first half were left unexplored(like the sleeping writers, warring nations) accounting their presence to nothing in the end. The second half on the other hand is where I had most trouble with where everything started to get muddled up for me in regards to the plot like when the twist is revealed, It was more telling than showing.It all happens so abruptly and in its wake we are left with everything being resolved and our characters meeting their end goal before you know it. I merely think for being a stand-alone it ended on a dissatisfying note because I have so many questions.
You don't have to pick up the sword.Survival is bravery too"
I am incredibly sad that it wasn't a 5 star for me, not that 3.5 is going to make it a bad book but I definitely had high hopes for it. Let me say that the idea of this book is incredible and the writing is exquisite with its poetic prose that is thought provoking at often times. The ambiance of gothic fairytale with a flare of folklore really worked well for the story, a slowly decaying mansion that is drowning day by day with a dark history in its past. I really enjoyed the first half of the book even though it is a slow start, Effy is such an intriguing character. Her inner turmoil and trauma plays the forefront of the plot which sometimes blurs the lines between reality and hallucinations, her pain weighs you down as much as it is intended because she is one of the silenced voices but Effy surprisingly draws strength from her silence and perseverance and would do anything to Survive the day.
I really enjoyed delving deep into her character and witnessing her beautiful arc towards the end of the story, It has a really powerful message in the folds of it's story that probably helps so many people feel "seen".It also sheds light on mental health issues and the social behaviors pertaining to it which is again a topic that should be discussed often
There is also another tangent to the plot with the folklore of fairy king and the changelings that comes from a book "Angharad" that seem to be another silent, inanimate protagonist in this book, there is a "story within the story" trope through out the book that further blurs the lines and plays tricks on your mind. I regarded this story as 1)Effy's personal growth 2)her and preston's end goal. I enjoyed the sweet, slow burn yet gentle romance between Preston and Effy and how his quiet reassuring presence helps her to reach her full potential in more than one occasion.
While I loved no#1, I had issues with the world building, so many of the elements introduced in the first half were left unexplored(like the sleeping writers, warring nations) accounting their presence to nothing in the end. The second half on the other hand is where I had most trouble with where everything started to get muddled up for me in regards to the plot like when the twist is revealed, It was more telling than showing.It all happens so abruptly and in its wake we are left with everything being resolved and our characters meeting their end goal before you know it. I merely think for being a stand-alone it ended on a dissatisfying note because I have so many questions.
Merged review:
3.5
You don't have to pick up the sword.Survival is bravery too"
I am incredibly sad that it wasn't a 5 star for me, not that 3.5 is going to make it a bad book but I definitely had high hopes for it. Let me say that the idea of this book is incredible and the writing is exquisite with its poetic prose that is thought provoking at often times. The ambiance of gothic fairytale with a flare of folklore really worked well for the story, a slowly decaying mansion that is drowning day by day with a dark history in its past. I really enjoyed the first half of the book even though it is a slow start, Effy is such an intriguing character. Her inner turmoil and trauma plays the forefront of the plot which sometimes blurs the lines between reality and hallucinations, her pain weighs you down as much as it is intended because she is one of the silenced voices but Effy surprisingly draws strength from her silence and perseverance and would do anything to Survive the day.
I really enjoyed delving deep into her character and witnessing her beautiful arc towards the end of the story, It has a really powerful message in the folds of it's story that probably helps so many people feel "seen".It also sheds light on mental health issues and the social behaviors pertaining to it which is again a topic that should be discussed often
There is also another tangent to the plot with the folklore of fairy king and the changelings that comes from a book "Angharad" that seem to be another silent, inanimate protagonist in this book, there is a "story within the story" trope through out the book that further blurs the lines and plays tricks on your mind. I regarded this story as 1)Effy's personal growth 2)her and preston's end goal. I enjoyed the sweet, slow burn yet gentle romance between Preston and Effy and how his quiet reassuring presence helps her to reach her full potential in more than one occasion.
While I loved no#1, I had issues with the world building, so many of the elements introduced in the first half were left unexplored(like the sleeping writers, warring nations) accounting their presence to nothing in the end. The second half on the other hand is where I had most trouble with where everything started to get muddled up for me in regards to the plot like when the twist is revealed, It was more telling than showing.It all happens so abruptly and in its wake we are left with everything being resolved and our characters meeting their end goal before you know it. I merely think for being a stand-alone it ended on a dissatisfying note because I have so many questions.