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likethepickle's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Minor: Child abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexual content
amberghinii's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Classism, Abandonment, Alcohol, Death, Dementia, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Animal death, and Sexual assault
horizonous's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Usually I'm not the biggest fan of flowery writing, but somehow it worked really well for me in this book. It creates this eerie, lush and dreamy, yet poisonous atmosphere, and I couldn't get enough of it. The descriptions of the House of Dreams were especially immaculate. I just really like it, when a setting comes to live as if it were its own character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Animal death
Moderate: Blood, Death, Infidelity, and Self harm
Minor: Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, and Child abuse
lowwi_owo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Pedophilia, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, and Sexual harassment
blackcatkai's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
CW: toxic friendships/relationships, ableism, emotional as well as physical abuse (against children and adults), gaslighting, death, violence, alcoholism, disordered eating, body/fat shaming, classism, sexual assault of a minor (mainly implied/mentioned: not overly graphic throughout majority of story), abandonment, trauma/mental illness, body horror
this was so beautifully written and really did feel like a faerie tale. it is very much a slower gothic read so definitely set expectations accordingly. its a story that deals with a few very heavy topics so heed any content warnings beforehand, as well. i really enjoyed the way chokshi interwove two main stories together with a common thread tying them together. you feel a lot for azure if no one else and really root for her against all odds. the bridegroom is a very interesting perspective to read from, especially as his sections are more in the now while azures are in the past until they both crash together in the end.
now some people will probably see the twist coming before you actually get to the reveal, but i dont think that necessarily takes away from the story as a whole. IS there magic? is it all just a ruse? ultimately its left a bit open-ended for the reader to decide and i really liked where it went in the end, it really got quite the roller coaster of emotions out of me. will definitely read more of chokshi's adult work going forward, shes a master!
this was so beautifully written and really did feel like a faerie tale. it is very much a slower gothic read so definitely set expectations accordingly. its a story that deals with a few very heavy topics so heed any content warnings beforehand, as well. i really enjoyed the way chokshi interwove two main stories together with a common thread tying them together. you feel a lot for azure if no one else and really root for her against all odds. the bridegroom is a very interesting perspective to read from, especially as his sections are more in the now while azures are in the past until they both crash together in the end.
now some people will probably see the twist coming before you actually get to the reveal, but i dont think that necessarily takes away from the story as a whole. IS there magic? is it all just a ruse? ultimately its left a bit open-ended for the reader to decide and i really liked where it went in the end, it really got quite the roller coaster of emotions out of me. will definitely read more of chokshi's adult work going forward, shes a master!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Classism, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Abandonment, Child death, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Self harm, Body horror, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Toxic friendship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Body shaming, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Fatphobia, and Medical content
Minor: Ableism
mooshake's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
what in the mental of ill
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Blood
thelittlestmermaid's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
* Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley *
I would like to start this review by saying that I had no idea what I was going into when I started this book. My brain essentially said "ooo pretty cover" and I was sold.
And following that, I'm not 100% certain how I feel about this book. I mostly enjoyed it but also found myself confused multiple times throughout the story. Maybe I'm just not smart enough to read books like this, but the writing was beautiful. Lovely imagery and the setting was very atmospheric. There were so many fairy tale and folklore references made, many of which I didn't know. But I enjoyed them! I love a good fairy tale.
Honestly the house made me think very much of Encanto? Just like. Not for kids.
I do think that going into this book knowing very little about it helped my reading experience. This is not a story you'll want spoiled! I didn't know where the heck it was going until I got there.
Despite my confusion, I enjoyed The Last Tale of the Flower Bride. The story was slow paced but in an enjoyable way. Sitting down and reading it in small segments was the ideal way for me to read it. This isn't a book I would recommend speed reading.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy a slower paced read, with elements of magic.
4 stars
I would like to start this review by saying that I had no idea what I was going into when I started this book. My brain essentially said "ooo pretty cover" and I was sold.
And following that, I'm not 100% certain how I feel about this book. I mostly enjoyed it but also found myself confused multiple times throughout the story. Maybe I'm just not smart enough to read books like this, but the writing was beautiful. Lovely imagery and the setting was very atmospheric. There were so many fairy tale and folklore references made, many of which I didn't know. But I enjoyed them! I love a good fairy tale.
Honestly the house made me think very much of Encanto? Just like. Not for kids.
I do think that going into this book knowing very little about it helped my reading experience. This is not a story you'll want spoiled! I didn't know where the heck it was going until I got there.
Despite my confusion, I enjoyed The Last Tale of the Flower Bride. The story was slow paced but in an enjoyable way. Sitting down and reading it in small segments was the ideal way for me to read it. This isn't a book I would recommend speed reading.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy a slower paced read, with elements of magic.
4 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Blood, Pedophilia, Violence, and Sexual content
saucy_bookdragon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
5.0
Review April 2023
"They know neither the contours of our hearts nor the cold hands that shaped them."
This is, in fact, Roshani Chokshi's most magical book.
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is an absolutely dreamy, mesmerizing story that starts off enchanting but gets darker as it goes. It swept me in and asked that I savor it, hence I didn't rush finishing it! I'd recommend going into it blind and not reading the rest of my review, though I don't include any major spoilers.
It's beautifully written, filled with lush metaphors and descriptions that often allude to and reference fairytales and mythology. I found myself constantly stopping to write down lines. It's a magical story that demands equally magical writing! Though some may find it confusing, I found the plot to be easy enough to keep up with and was only occasionally confused by some descriptions. The story reads like a contemporary written as if it were a fantasy!
The story is not only beautiful, but also tragic and haunting. Going beyond romance and into obsession. Going back and fourth between two timelines; one with an unnamed bridegroom who knows nothing about his wife's past, and another that tells the story between two girls who are obsessed with each other and 100% in love with each other romantically and this is one of the most homoerotic things I've ever read. Both of these timelines connected by the enigmatic Indigo. It's focused heavily on a small cast and character study, allowing the cast to be fleshed out as we learn more and more about Indigo's backstory.
I'd highly recommend Flower Bride to anyone looking for a gorgeous Gothic story. Especially those who are in love with fantasy, despite the lack of fantastical elements!
TWs: death, blood and gore, pedophilia including sexual touches and advances, grief, abuse both physical and emotional, cutting of palms for ritual purposes, alcohol consumption
Pre-review April 2022
I posted an Instagram story about being excited for this that Roshani Chokshi reposted and in her repost she said "strangely, this is my most magical book... without a drop of magic?" which considering that her previous stories have dealt with gods it's absolutely WILD that this is her most magical one. Can't wait to read it!
"They know neither the contours of our hearts nor the cold hands that shaped them."
This is, in fact, Roshani Chokshi's most magical book.
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is an absolutely dreamy, mesmerizing story that starts off enchanting but gets darker as it goes. It swept me in and asked that I savor it, hence I didn't rush finishing it! I'd recommend going into it blind and not reading the rest of my review, though I don't include any major spoilers.
It's beautifully written, filled with lush metaphors and descriptions that often allude to and reference fairytales and mythology. I found myself constantly stopping to write down lines. It's a magical story that demands equally magical writing! Though some may find it confusing, I found the plot to be easy enough to keep up with and was only occasionally confused by some descriptions. The story reads like a contemporary written as if it were a fantasy!
The story is not only beautiful, but also tragic and haunting. Going beyond romance and into obsession. Going back and fourth between two timelines; one with an unnamed bridegroom who knows nothing about his wife's past, and another that tells the story between two girls who are obsessed with each other and 100% in love with each other romantically and this is one of the most homoerotic things I've ever read. Both of these timelines connected by the enigmatic Indigo. It's focused heavily on a small cast and character study, allowing the cast to be fleshed out as we learn more and more about Indigo's backstory.
I'd highly recommend Flower Bride to anyone looking for a gorgeous Gothic story. Especially those who are in love with fantasy, despite the lack of fantastical elements!
TWs: death, blood and gore, pedophilia including sexual touches and advances, grief, abuse both physical and emotional, cutting of palms for ritual purposes, alcohol consumption
Pre-review April 2022
I posted an Instagram story about being excited for this that Roshani Chokshi reposted and in her repost she said "strangely, this is my most magical book... without a drop of magic?" which considering that her previous stories have dealt with gods it's absolutely WILD that this is her most magical one. Can't wait to read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol and Pedophilia
Minor: Death of parent, Self harm, and Drug use
ceeshay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Gun violence, Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, and Rape
tspice24's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Blood and Death
Minor: Adult/minor relationship