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the_wendybirb's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book can be pretty well divided into 2 parts - the first 50 chapters are short stories and original fairy tales, with some reoccurring characters. The second half still has a few stand alone stories, but the majority focus on those reoccurring characters and places, wrapping up a much larger story. I preferred the first half to the second, but altogether this was a lovely book I'll pick up again.
Minor spoiler/complaint- There's 2 short stories that feature girls wearing veils or headscarves of some kind. Both of those stories focus on the girls being oppressed by their families. It doesn't sit right with me to use this trope twice, especially considering that many modern veiled woman have been trying to share their veiling stories as a matter of choice and empowerment.
Minor spoiler/complaint- There's 2 short stories that feature girls wearing veils or headscarves of some kind. Both of those stories focus on the girls being oppressed by their families. It doesn't sit right with me to use this trope twice, especially considering that many modern veiled woman have been trying to share their veiling stories as a matter of choice and empowerment.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Sexual content and Torture
nauers_booknook's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.0
I have to say, this book was one of the most intriguing that I’ve ever come across. The detail is fantastic and you’re really able to picture the sensory details. I don’t really agree with the Lacewing King becoming blind, especially since we never find out if the Moth Kingdom was able to realize that the Clearwing Prince was his father. I understand that this led to him receiving the human eye from the beginning of the book, as well as the amber eye from his father, but I still want to know whether the Moths and the Butterflies resolved their issues. I think my favorite characters would have to be the Harlequin, the Barefoot Princess, the Honeycomb Queen, and the Hallowe’en King. The Harlequin literally got tricked into giving up its throne in Hel...all for the nectar of the Dream flower. That caused it to go insane and banished it to the world of the Silken Folk. I would consider it a pretty cool assassin. The Barefoot Princess was just an ordinary Sightless Folk girl, besides the fact that she was the Lacewing King’s granddaughter. The Lacewing King had grown to care for the girl and she had risked her life so many times to save him, only for him to accept the role of ruler of Death and Hel. I love how characters continue to recur throughout the book. I also love how all the stories connect and lead to the peaceful ending that each character deserves. I’m super happy that the Barefoot Princess (now queen) got to rule the Silken Folk with her queen (the Engine Driver) at her side. I think that fantasy lovers would really enjoy this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Torture
Minor: Sexual content