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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Beautiful Maddening is captivating. It's a story where the roots of obsession and love are hopelessly twisted. When you have the power to nudge someone, to put a sparkle in your eye, how can you trust anyone's feelings? If we assume we've bewitched someone, then how can we know if their love is for real? If it's not just a passing spell, a flight of fancy, gone when the season ends? The Beautiful Maddening exists at this intersection. Not only does it ask whether we can trust anyone else, but it also explores whether we can trust our own feelings.
The Beautiful Maddening is captivating. It's a story where the roots of obsession and love are hopelessly twisted. When you have the power to nudge someone, to put a sparkle in your eye, how can you trust anyone's feelings? If we assume we've bewitched someone, then how can we know if their love is for real? If it's not just a passing spell, a flight of fancy, gone when the season ends? The Beautiful Maddening exists at this intersection. Not only does it ask whether we can trust anyone else, but it also explores whether we can trust our own feelings.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Heartbreak is a powerful thing," she says. "It casts spells and conjures up dangerous magic-I've seen it happen. Never stand in the way of someone with a broken heart," she warns. "It can curse a whole town. Never underestimate what heartbreak can do."
I have been a fan of Ernshaw's writing for many years, and this is the first book of hers that I really haven't enjoyed. But I will say that I think it's more a "me" thing than a book thing, and I think that there will be a perfect audience for the book out there...it just wasn't me. The writing was beautiful and dreamy and even poetic at times, so if you love flowery writing and magical romance then you may really enjoy this book. (For instance, if you loved Rachel Griffin's Bring Me Your Midnight, Stephanie Garber's Once Upon a Broken Heart series, and Adalyn Grace's Belladonna, this feels along the same lines in terms of writing and romantic plot.)
Some issues I had with the book were the insta-love, the nonstop ruminations about tulips and love and being cursed, minors being abandoned with no lawful repercussions, and the issues with consent or lack thereof that happened several times throughout the book. I felt like there wasn't enough depth to the characters, and I was hoping for more.
That being said, romantasy books often focus on the sweetness of the romance and not character/plot depth, so this may not be a deal-breaker for many of you romantasy girlies out there! This is a quiet story that feels bittersweet in its exploration of enchantment versus love, while the characters spend their every moment trying to discern between the two. The curse of the tulips was an interesting premise that forced confusion and obsessive longing into the narrative. I felt empathy for the main character as she wrestled with the uncertainty of not knowing what was illusion from the curse and what was real.
This book wasn't for me, but if you love quieter romantasy, it might be for you! Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for the advanced copy of the book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment
There isn't necessarily sexual abuse, but there is a lack of consent that is taken advantage of, so the lines are very gray in this book.
This is one of those books that I understand why not everyone loves it, but I still do. Lovely writing, interesting concept, magical realism, generational trauma... kind of slow and wordy... but I like it.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Thank you Simon Teen for the gifted e-ARC and Simon Audio for the audiobook.
A family’s curse tied to enchanted tulips causes locals to fall helplessly in love with anyone within the Goode bloodline.🌷
Shea Ernshaw delivers a haunting, atmospheric romantic fantasy for young adult readers. This was a slower, character focused story.
It was my first time reading Shea Ernshaw, and I think fans of modern young adult fantasy will enjoy this one. Perfect for a young adult reader looking for an angsty, romantic book with magical realism. I enjoyed the beautiful writing, and I highlighted many quotes. It was a little slow for me, but I did enjoy the overall atmosphere and darker tone.
I really enjoyed the narration on audio.
My rating: 3.75⭐️
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Everytime I read a Shea Ernshaw book I'm immediately transported to a gloomy and somewhat mysterious small town in the PNW. This author never fails to write a sweet, soft story - with a dash of whimsy, a splash of magical realism, and complete with a young and innocent, yearning love.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I get that this be a "vibey" book rather than a purpose-driven book but the vibes were not vibin'. This might be the most boring book I've read in the last 2 years. And that is saying A LOT. Sorry not sorry, but I'm gonna need these white authors to step it up a notch and try a little. Please. BIPOC authors try less. I know that's hard but COME ON. You've earned the right to be more mediocre than thos book.
I do not get road rage ever but this book gave me road rage. I honked TWICE while listening to it. And maybe partially it's because the Kobo app SUCKS FOR AUDIO IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY and on Android Auto it won't let you swap books easily and you get stuck at 1x speed because you can only control speed or volume on Android Auto for the KOBO APP ONLY. So I had to endure this painfully boring book while driving in annoying Toronto sports people traffic on my way home from a VERY GOOD COMEDY SHOW THAT DID HAVE ME IN A GOOD MOOD.
1 star for thos book and 0 stars for Kobo.
I do not get road rage ever but this book gave me road rage. I honked TWICE while listening to it. And maybe partially it's because the Kobo app SUCKS FOR AUDIO IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY and on Android Auto it won't let you swap books easily and you get stuck at 1x speed because you can only control speed or volume on Android Auto for the KOBO APP ONLY. So I had to endure this painfully boring book while driving in annoying Toronto sports people traffic on my way home from a VERY GOOD COMEDY SHOW THAT DID HAVE ME IN A GOOD MOOD.
1 star for thos book and 0 stars for Kobo.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Abandonment
Minor: Cursing, Death of parent