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shaney_swift's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Kidnapping
sssssoup's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is one of my favorite books of all time. I read it for the first time a few years ago, and I’m so glad I decided the read it again for spooky season this year.
I’m a huge fan of the dark fairy tale aspect of the story. It’s very well developed and interesting, and I love how the author incorporated a story within a story; it’s not something you see very often.
The characters are what really sell it for me. Alice is a very well rounded and complex protagonist; she may not be the most likable character, but her story is engaging and I love how well developed her backstory is. Her memories from her childhood really help to develop her personality for the audience and a lot of depth to her. Finch is one of my favorite characters from recent YA because he’s entertaining and deep at the same time. Like Alice, his trauma and backstory are very well written and really help show his depth.
The writing style is fantastic as well and it’s beautiful to read. It feels very poetic and deep yet realistic at the same time.
I’m a huge fan of the dark fairy tale aspect of the story. It’s very well developed and interesting, and I love how the author incorporated a story within a story; it’s not something you see very often.
The characters are what really sell it for me. Alice is a very well rounded and complex protagonist; she may not be the most likable character, but her story is engaging and I love how well developed her backstory is. Her memories from her childhood really help to develop her personality for the audience and a lot of depth to her. Finch is one of my favorite characters from recent YA because he’s entertaining and deep at the same time. Like Alice, his trauma and backstory are very well written and really help show his depth.
The writing style is fantastic as well and it’s beautiful to read. It feels very poetic and deep yet realistic at the same time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cursing, and Mental illness
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Car accident, Child death, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide, and Stalking
frozengh03t's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
the start of the book is super boring, really the only thing good about this book is the ending, other wise it felt like it was being dragged out. like how a 9th grader will add in fancy words to their essay so get the word count higher
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Kidnapping, and Stalking
Minor: Drug use and Gun violence
mndy's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book put me in a big slump, most likely due to the poor world-building. It felt very crammed together, but I guess that's what you get for a shorter fantasy series. The whole fairy tale world element was a bit basic, but the book was somewhat enjoyable overall.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Racism
library_of_alexandra_'s review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I WANT MORE FINCH!
The first half of this book was great. The resolution was okay. The second half where Alice runs into weird fairytale things in a pile was confusing and excessive. I didn't know who I was supposed to remember and who I wasn't. I think it had lots of potential and a great premise, just didn't stick the landing.
The first half of this book was great. The resolution was okay. The second half where Alice runs into weird fairytale things in a pile was confusing and excessive. I didn't know who I was supposed to remember and who I wasn't. I think it had lots of potential and a great premise, just didn't stick the landing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Gun violence and Kidnapping
Minor: Suicide
anenbydragon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping and 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: Blood, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Racism
Minor: Pedophilia
millow333's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Kidnapping, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence
eve_reads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The mystery built around the “bad luck” that follows Alice was equal parts suspenseful and terrifying for the first half of the book. I was hooked on finding out who/what was the force behind it, but unfortunately the reveal was a bit lackluster for me.
⁕ The secondary characters were one-dimensional. I was also disappointed that the only development in the main character was explained away by magic.
⁕ The ending felt rushed and unearned.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ The mystery built around the “bad luck” that follows Alice was equal parts suspenseful and terrifying for the first half of the book. I was hooked on finding out who/what was the force behind it, but unfortunately the reveal was a bit lackluster for me.
⁕ The secondary characters were one-dimensional. I was also disappointed that the only development in the main character was explained away by magic.
⁕ The ending felt rushed and unearned.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Stalking, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Cursing, and Gore
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: Blood, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Kidnapping