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amandabethrose's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I love a good dual narrative book, and the spin Khalia Moreau put on this style was fascinating. The story follows two sisters. One, Laine, is the only whole surviving member of her family. Her parents were killed in the same car accident that left her sister, Alyssa, severely disabled, unable to care for herself, and nearly unable to communicate save a few garbled words here and there. She is barely holding it together in the real world, struggling to pay bills, coordinate her sister's care, and preserve her own mental health. Alyssa is trapped in a fantasy world where she thinks herself the younger princess of a kingdom where her parents are trapped in the Dark Forest and danger from a shadowy villain lurks.
The fantasy elements felt almost childish at times, but childish in the way that felt realistic to the imagination of a nineteen year old girl trapped inside her mind. It was the kind of flowery, escapism that felt real. The magic of her world bled over just enough to make you wonder - was the 'real world' completely free from the mysterious and the magical after all?
My one caveat to this book is that there should absolutely be a trigger warning for sexual assault of a disabled character. It is non-graphic and tastefully written, but putting the pieces together was still shocking and felt very, very dark.
With that in mind, I did otherwise find the story to be captivating and I could see it being made into a really compelling film or short series. The alternating POV from reality and fantasy would make for some amazing visuals!
The fantasy elements felt almost childish at times, but childish in the way that felt realistic to the imagination of a nineteen year old girl trapped inside her mind. It was the kind of flowery, escapism that felt real. The magic of her world bled over just enough to make you wonder - was the 'real world' completely free from the mysterious and the magical after all?
My one caveat to this book is that there should absolutely be a trigger warning for sexual assault of a disabled character. It is non-graphic and tastefully written, but putting the pieces together was still shocking and felt very, very dark.
With that in mind, I did otherwise find the story to be captivating and I could see it being made into a really compelling film or short series. The alternating POV from reality and fantasy would make for some amazing visuals!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Rape, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death
hooshka's review against another edition
2.5
The writing jumped around too much for me. I'm not one who likes starting a chapter and the characters are suddenly in a new place and then they have to explain how they got there.
smalltownbookmom's review
4.0
This was a wholly unique, genre-defying debut about the bond between two sisters who face a tragic family accident that kills their parents and has 18 year old Alyssa paralyzed, unable to communicate with her older sister Laine in the present. Alyssa in fact has a whole other life in an alternate fantasy universe where she is a princess with the kind of agency she doesn't have in the real world.
Told in alternating POVs, this book deals with some heavy topics from the burdens of being a caregiver to the vulnerabilities of disabled people subject to the unscrupulous practices of our very flawed healthcare system.
I loved the strong, Black female protagonists and look forward to reading whatever this author writes next! Recommended for fans of books like Laurie Frankel's One two three. This was also good on audio with dual narration by Jasmine Walker and Marlo Su.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary digital copy and Libro.fm for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!
⚠️CW: sexual abuse
Told in alternating POVs, this book deals with some heavy topics from the burdens of being a caregiver to the vulnerabilities of disabled people subject to the unscrupulous practices of our very flawed healthcare system.
I loved the strong, Black female protagonists and look forward to reading whatever this author writes next! Recommended for fans of books like Laurie Frankel's One two three. This was also good on audio with dual narration by Jasmine Walker and Marlo Su.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary digital copy and Libro.fm for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!
⚠️CW: sexual abuse
2treads's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I really enjoyed this debut featuring sisters. The twining of a contemporary world with a fantastical one was also well done, especially the disability rep.
In both worlds we see Laine struggle to take care of her sister who has been severely injured/cursed after their parents are taken. She barely has time for herself or romance and feels guilty for even thinking that she could find someone for her own. On the flip side, Alyssa is concerned about how her condition is hampering Laine and only wantsto be able to communicate both her love, appreciation, and fear.
The way Moreau uses the parallels of the contemporary and fantasy worked really well as readers are able to draw connections between the worlds. The infusion of her cultural folklore also made this read even more enjoyable.
In both worlds we see Laine struggle to take care of her sister who has been severely injured/cursed after their parents are taken. She barely has time for herself or romance and feels guilty for even thinking that she could find someone for her own. On the flip side, Alyssa is concerned about how her condition is hampering Laine and only wantsto be able to communicate both her love, appreciation, and fear.
The way Moreau uses the parallels of the contemporary and fantasy worked really well as readers are able to draw connections between the worlds. The infusion of her cultural folklore also made this read even more enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Grief
Minor: Death and Death of parent
danidsfavereads's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a heartbreaking and interesting read. I really enjoyed how the story was told. Each sister tells the story with Laine’s chapters rooted in reality, and Alyssa’s rooted in fantasy. The way the story weaves back and forth was engaging. I do wish the pacing was a little different, with a lot of stuff unfolding quickly at the end. But overall, a good book.
This book features a lot of heartbreak and cws including death of parents; sexual assault of disabled individual; anxiety and panic attack.
This book features a lot of heartbreak and cws including death of parents; sexual assault of disabled individual; anxiety and panic attack.
emilyisoverbooked's review
Thanks to GCP and Forever for the copy of this book!
Khalia Moreau's debut is such an innovative idea: two sisters trapped apart from each other, one in the contemporary world and one in a parallel fantasy world. The story is told in alternating POVs between the sisters, and walking through scenes from both of their POVs is fascinating becasue their realities are so different! There are lots of magical creatures included in this book and a dark prince. Note there's a sexual assault trigger warning.
Khalia Moreau's debut is such an innovative idea: two sisters trapped apart from each other, one in the contemporary world and one in a parallel fantasy world. The story is told in alternating POVs between the sisters, and walking through scenes from both of their POVs is fascinating becasue their realities are so different! There are lots of magical creatures included in this book and a dark prince. Note there's a sexual assault trigger warning.
trisha_thomas's review
4.0
A unique and original story. The story is told by two sisters and I found the two perspectives almost made this feel like two different books, different stories. Laine's world is the one we know. She's a bit prickly, working multiple jobs and fighting for care for her sister. Her sister, Alyssa, unable to communicate her thoughts and opinions to Laine, is in a world with kings, queens, and fairies. I had to pay extra attention to Alyssa's chapters, to marry what she was experiencing in her world and try to find the similarities to it in Laine's world (almost like translating it). I found the two worlds fascinating in the ways they were similar and the ways they were different. I like that everyone spoke in a different rhythm and cadence in Alyssa's world.
The plot, however, is deeply saddening. Each new reveal made me even more sad and I felt Laine's fire and anger. I felt Alyssa's want to fight and succeed.
My copy had discussion questions and in there, it asked if I wish it had ended different. A little, I do. It was all just so deeply saddening but a really fascinating, well-told story.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
The plot, however, is deeply saddening. Each new reveal made me even more sad and I felt Laine's fire and anger. I felt Alyssa's want to fight and succeed.
My copy had discussion questions and in there, it asked if I wish it had ended different. A little, I do. It was all just so deeply saddening but a really fascinating, well-told story.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
remibooks's review
Temp? DNF The audiobook for this is just not good IDK if the echo is supposed to be there I don't like it and the volume keeps shifting. might try in another format later
thebakerbookworm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.5
I loved this special story of two sisters, both fighting for their lives in their own way while unable to fully communicate with each other. The chapters alternate between Laine and Alyssa, and thus between reality and fantasy, in a way that I found captivating. You would hear about how something happened in one world and then see the effects of it in the other world, and it was never quite what I was expecting. Laine and Alyssa are both compelling leads that had my heart aching for them and rooting for their success.
This is a story about the bond of sisters and the vulnerabilities of disabled people, the stories we tell ourselves so that we can face tragedies and the realities that won't let us look away. Unique and easily readable, you won't want to put this one down.
And the audiobook has stunning narration!
Thank you so much to Libro.fm, Hachette Audio, and the author for my ALC!
This is a story about the bond of sisters and the vulnerabilities of disabled people, the stories we tell ourselves so that we can face tragedies and the realities that won't let us look away. Unique and easily readable, you won't want to put this one down.
And the audiobook has stunning narration!
Thank you so much to Libro.fm, Hachette Audio, and the author for my ALC!
creativeas_bookish_ed9's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0