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onceuponabookcase's review against another edition
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
Quick fire review:
- When I first heard of The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert, I didn't think it was going to be my bag. I think I associated the Hinterland with a world of fae, and I really don't like stories about the fae. But when I read author Katrina Leno recommended it to readers who enjoyed her own book Horrid, I decided to give it a go. And I loved it!
- I loved the way Albert seamlessly manages to combine the contemporary with the fantasy/fairy tale in The Hazel Wood! It reminded me a little of The Waking Forest by Alyssa Wees in that regard, but Albert pulled it off better.
- Albert's writing style is very atmospheric, perfect for the fairy tale aspect of the story, especially when we get to the Hinterland, but it blends perfectly with the contemporary element. It's storytelling at it's best.
- I adored the world Albert created with the Hinterland. It's so imaginative! A fairy tale world where stories exist, like plays happening in front of you, but with characters who have no choice in their actions - despite not realising it. The story must play out. It was quite dark and distubing, and I loved how Albert showed us the reality of fairy tales, what they actually look like, how they affect the characters in the story, the disparaity to how fairy tales are told, and what the characters are going through.
- The Hazel Wood was absolutely gripping! Sinister, dark, but magical and beautiful, and completely brilliant!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Murder
Minor: Sexual violence
showmethestars's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Pedophilia
sarah_anne's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicide, and Blood
parchmentandflour's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The twist in the middle of the book did not get the proper time dedicated to it and then from there the characters were thrown aside and not really ever explained again.
I liked the world-building but I think it could have used a bit more exploration. It was a pretty short book, so adding additional chapters to build up the plot, especially in the second half of the book.
So, 3/5 and I would probably pick up the sequel in the future in hopes of getting the exploration I wanted from this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Kidnapping
beholderess's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Death
brynn_books's review against another edition
3.0
This book felt like a dream. I loved the world and everything but I just wasn’t as invested as I could have been with the overall story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
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