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knittyreader's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
It took a great while for me to get into this book. That mostly had to do with the pace being not exactly slow, but ... It is so dense with worldbuilding and such that while I read about a fifth of the book in one go, once I put it down because dinner happened, I had a hard time coming back to it. I also didn't like Sasha that much. She came across as very privileged and sheltered, and snobby about that, although I do realize she had to work hard to get at that point in her dancing career. She never seemed to have given a single thought to the life of the other dancers f.i.
After about a third in, the story picked up though. Sasha started to care, and while she went through a lot, the story went to practically one world of the two, which made the storytelling less dense and better rounded out. The magic in this book, and the way it works, the hierarchical system, it was worked out so well that it almost seemed real.
It took a great while for me to get into this book. That mostly had to do with the pace being not exactly slow, but ... It is so dense with worldbuilding and such that while I read about a fifth of the book in one go, once I put it down because dinner happened, I had a hard time coming back to it. I also didn't like Sasha that much. She came across as very privileged and sheltered, and snobby about that, although I do realize she had to work hard to get at that point in her dancing career. She never seemed to have given a single thought to the life of the other dancers f.i.
After about a third in, the story picked up though. Sasha started to care, and while she went through a lot, the story went to practically one world of the two, which made the storytelling less dense and better rounded out. The magic in this book, and the way it works, the hierarchical system, it was worked out so well that it almost seemed real.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Chalice and the Crown started off on an interesting note. In it, you will meet Sasha. She is a Russian ballerina who is dealing with the usual things in life: stress, nightmares, and her grandmother is dying. Her dream is to be in the performance of Swan Lake but her spot in the show comes at a price.
Ever since she started practicing for the show, her nightmares started and increased. She sometimes even jumps into a hallucination or two while being awake. Honestly, I would've freaked out after the first one but somehow Sasha just keeps on going. Mostly because she doesn't want the world to know about it. She doesn't want to end up like her mother.
This book dove into all kinds of darkness and I loved it all. There's just something about dark books in October that makes me smile. I mean, so much happens in this book and Kassandra did an excellent job diving into those hard topics: racism, mental illness, cruelty - animal and human alike. I mean I almost choked on my wine when I got to some parts but I kept turning the page because this book was completely addicting.
In the end, I definitely enjoyed and loved this book. I look forward to the next one by this author.
The Chalice and the Crown started off on an interesting note. In it, you will meet Sasha. She is a Russian ballerina who is dealing with the usual things in life: stress, nightmares, and her grandmother is dying. Her dream is to be in the performance of Swan Lake but her spot in the show comes at a price.
Ever since she started practicing for the show, her nightmares started and increased. She sometimes even jumps into a hallucination or two while being awake. Honestly, I would've freaked out after the first one but somehow Sasha just keeps on going. Mostly because she doesn't want the world to know about it. She doesn't want to end up like her mother.
This book dove into all kinds of darkness and I loved it all. There's just something about dark books in October that makes me smile. I mean, so much happens in this book and Kassandra did an excellent job diving into those hard topics: racism, mental illness, cruelty - animal and human alike. I mean I almost choked on my wine when I got to some parts but I kept turning the page because this book was completely addicting.
In the end, I definitely enjoyed and loved this book. I look forward to the next one by this author.
lookingformarissa's review against another edition
4.0
First things first. This cover is STUNNING.
Now that that is out of the way, I want to share that this was a wonderfully written novel. I have been in a bit of a reading slump, but this book was able to capture my attention and really suck me into this beautifully created fictional world. This book has a darkness that permeates, but that's part of what I loved about it. It felt real and raw, even with the more fantastical basis.
It presents mental struggles in a way that people can relate and connect to. At the same time, we get to see such strong female characters, and I absolutely adored that. We need more characters that are flawed and struggle but are still brave and strong while being vulnerable. Humans are all of those things and more.
This book really delves into how humans cope, what we can really consider real or not-real when certain things feel so real to us, and human connection.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Now that that is out of the way, I want to share that this was a wonderfully written novel. I have been in a bit of a reading slump, but this book was able to capture my attention and really suck me into this beautifully created fictional world. This book has a darkness that permeates, but that's part of what I loved about it. It felt real and raw, even with the more fantastical basis.
It presents mental struggles in a way that people can relate and connect to. At the same time, we get to see such strong female characters, and I absolutely adored that. We need more characters that are flawed and struggle but are still brave and strong while being vulnerable. Humans are all of those things and more.
This book really delves into how humans cope, what we can really consider real or not-real when certain things feel so real to us, and human connection.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
greeheat1's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a very picky reader and would prefer to reread books I already love than try somthing new. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. It was a little confusing at first and I had a lot of questions I wanted answers to. As I kept reading I got my answers and a wonderful story. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy novels.
auburnedge's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. This is one dark fantasy read. I appreciate that the author gave content warnings in the front of the book. It is one of my favorite things that authors are doing now. If I had gone in blind I don't think I would have made it past the first few pages.
The read follows Sasha who is torn between two places. Nightmares rule her sleep and seep over into her waking life. In these nightmares she is a slave and it is a cruel place. She remembers that she is a dancer and this is the thing that really helps to create a safe space in those cruel times. I would classify this as a dark fantasy and you can feel the oppression in the writing. It feels like a nightmare and if you aren't prepared to feel that way.
There is a slight off side romance that isn't crucial to the plot. The characters are more left to your imagination for how they look as well as the world building. A lot you need to fill in with the small details given. For a lot of the book it is great since it lets you imagine your own nightmare scene.
I would suggest this for those who enjoy a darker theme and to feel like they are in a nightmare. I would equate it to Ghost in the Shell.
The read follows Sasha who is torn between two places. Nightmares rule her sleep and seep over into her waking life. In these nightmares she is a slave and it is a cruel place. She remembers that she is a dancer and this is the thing that really helps to create a safe space in those cruel times. I would classify this as a dark fantasy and you can feel the oppression in the writing. It feels like a nightmare and if you aren't prepared to feel that way.
There is a slight off side romance that isn't crucial to the plot. The characters are more left to your imagination for how they look as well as the world building. A lot you need to fill in with the small details given. For a lot of the book it is great since it lets you imagine your own nightmare scene.
I would suggest this for those who enjoy a darker theme and to feel like they are in a nightmare. I would equate it to Ghost in the Shell.
lenoirleon's review against another edition
2.0
I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
The idea of this book-alternating between our world and a fantasy type world where docile, mindless "thralls" are kept as servants-is unique. However, I couldn't get engaged with the book or feel bad for the main character, so it was tough going to get through the book.
The idea of this book-alternating between our world and a fantasy type world where docile, mindless "thralls" are kept as servants-is unique. However, I couldn't get engaged with the book or feel bad for the main character, so it was tough going to get through the book.
chellseed's review against another edition
5.0
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Wow. This book took me on a wild ride. I went into this book not knowing what to expect.
The Chalice and the Crown is a book that gets very dark at times. Our main character is Sasha Nikolayeva, a ballerina following in her Mother, and Grandmothers footsteps. She has been chosen to be the lead in Swan Lake, and as pressure builds we see a bit of Black Swan style psychological pressure, as Sasha’s mind starts to unravel she struggles with memory loss and understanding what is real and what isn’t. She finds herself in a whole other world where she, and others like her are no more than slaves., or “Thralls” mindless, and obedient, these slaves exist solely to do the bidding of those that own them. The people in the City of Roses have no idea that underneath, these slaves are real people.
I really had a lot of feelings reading this book. First, I need to praise the author for a job well done, while reading this I really felt that fear, and terror while Sasha was breaking down. The tension felt so heavy. Throughout the book I felt like I was holding my breath through moments of suspense. I also want to mention that although this book started out by having subtle similarities of some of the themes found in Black Swan, it quickly transformed into something beautifully original. I would love to see more in this world!!
Wow. This book took me on a wild ride. I went into this book not knowing what to expect.
The Chalice and the Crown is a book that gets very dark at times. Our main character is Sasha Nikolayeva, a ballerina following in her Mother, and Grandmothers footsteps. She has been chosen to be the lead in Swan Lake, and as pressure builds we see a bit of Black Swan style psychological pressure, as Sasha’s mind starts to unravel she struggles with memory loss and understanding what is real and what isn’t. She finds herself in a whole other world where she, and others like her are no more than slaves., or “Thralls” mindless, and obedient, these slaves exist solely to do the bidding of those that own them. The people in the City of Roses have no idea that underneath, these slaves are real people.
I really had a lot of feelings reading this book. First, I need to praise the author for a job well done, while reading this I really felt that fear, and terror while Sasha was breaking down. The tension felt so heavy. Throughout the book I felt like I was holding my breath through moments of suspense. I also want to mention that although this book started out by having subtle similarities of some of the themes found in Black Swan, it quickly transformed into something beautifully original. I would love to see more in this world!!
danylle's review against another edition
2.0
I had a hard time finishing this book. The main character is hard to bond with, the plot is ok, the pace of the book is slower than it should have been and it jumps around too much.
nushreadsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book.
This was definitely an interesting book. I loved the uncertainty, the fear of descending into madness, the desperation to cling to life. It had a strong start but after a while my enthusiasm for this story petered out.
I think the progression of the plot was quite jumpy and abrupt - there were a few times that I thought that the characters would reveal a large plot point only to have the conversation or chapter end without a revelation.
Overall, this was a interesting book, but I needed the plot to have flown a lot more smother than it had.
This was definitely an interesting book. I loved the uncertainty, the fear of descending into madness, the desperation to cling to life. It had a strong start but after a while my enthusiasm for this story petered out.
I think the progression of the plot was quite jumpy and abrupt - there were a few times that I thought that the characters would reveal a large plot point only to have the conversation or chapter end without a revelation.
Overall, this was a interesting book, but I needed the plot to have flown a lot more smother than it had.
bibliophiliadk's review against another edition
4.0
DARK FANTASY THAT EXPLORES THE LINE BETWEEN MAGIC AND INSANITY
This was a hauntingly dark book that had me guessing a lot of the time. I am a fan of dark fantasy and this was probably some of the darkest I have read in a long time.
This was a hauntingly dark book that had me guessing a lot of the time. I am a fan of dark fantasy and this was probably some of the darkest I have read in a long time.
"Something dark, something dangerous has been stalking me from the shadows of sleep and it's getting closer"
- Sasha