Scan barcode
jadecolored's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexual content
beomundi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Death of parent and War
onthesamepage's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The most important thing to know is that this book is slow paced. And I don't mean that it dragged, just that we can spend many chapters following our characters as they travel through a forest and are confronted with obstacles on their journey. If that's not the kind of story you enjoy reading, then this book is probably not for you.
The world is based on Hungarian and Jewish history/myths, and a lot of the plot is about toxic nationalism. Gáspár, the titular woodsman and actually the prince, has a younger brother who is convinced that anyone who is "other" needs to be killed for their country to flourish. This includes the tribes who live in the forest and follow a pagan religion, but also the Yehuli, who are confined to a specific part of the city, and frequently persecuted. I don't know enough about Hungarian history to draw any kind of parallels, but I do find this exploration to be fascinating because of the parallels with Palestine and Israel, even though the roles are reversed in that case. I also really appreciated Évike's personal journey to figure out who she is and who she belongs to. As someone who is biracial, it's something I've always struggled with, because I don't quite fit within either culture. Évike's eagerness to learn more about her Yehuli heritage really endeared her to me.
I enjoyed the romance between Évike and Gáspár, but I wouldn't consider them a new favourite couple. The development from enemies to reluctant allies and then to lovers felt natural and unforced, and all of it done without the romance becoming the main focus of the story.
The writing is beautiful. It's descriptive without ever becoming purple, and I found great enjoyment in sinking into the words. I also especially loved the stories Évike tells Gáspár; the dynamic between them during those sections was fantastic to see, but I also just loved the fairytales themselves, which never ended quite the way you'd expect.
All in all a masterful book.
Graphic: Gore, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Torture
frankieclc's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Gore, Self harm, Torture, Violence, and Religious bigotry
gloommistress's review against another edition
- 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
Be sure to check all content warning before picking this novel up.
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Antisemitism
gemma_clare's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
moncuries's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think the beginning/first journey felt a little out of place/pointless apart from our characters getting to know one another. Went on a little long for me.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gore, Self harm, Violence, and Religious bigotry
ofbooksandechos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Antisemitism
Minor: Bullying, War, and Classism
lavender__'s review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Cursing, Gore, War, and Injury/Injury detail
urnkurtz's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Body horror and Gore
Moderate: Genocide and Self harm
Minor: Animal death and Death of parent