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onymousotter's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
the_alexeli's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a sweet book! I enjoyed it thoroughly. Reminiscent of the period dramas we know and love, it made me think of Northanger Abbey, Gigi, Pride & Prejudice and even Wuthering Hights as I read.
cloudedreads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
papernapkin's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 ⭐ Meh. Set in a fantasy world which is exactly like our world-- except for a smidgen of telekinesis, which has little significance in the story. A love triangle, with characters I didn’t give two figs about. Others have compared this to Austen, and I can only assume those people haven’t read Austen. The prose was well crafted for the most part (a bit overwrought in places), so I may pick up one of her other books. I recommend you do the same and skip this one.
psanders's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
creadsfantasy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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
4.75
vanessa_books26's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.25
tinybibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
My Review:⭐️⭐⭐⭐ / 5 stars
As a huge fan of Gods of Jade and Shad0w, I was so excited to read this re-released novel by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. From other reviews, it is a bit different from her other novel Mexican Gothic which I did not love as much as her GOJAS. First off, I love the cover art! The colors are just beautiful! Also, the writing is so captivating and hooks you in immediately. Nina has come to Loisail (a fictional city similar to Paris) for her first Grand Season to stay with her cousin and his wife Valerie, who is to coach her on how to behave in polite society. She needed to fit in with the “beautiful ones.” However, Nina is aloof, clumsy, and outspoken - the opposite of what society women are supposed to be like. On top of that, she collects beetles and practices her telekinetic ability, which is frowned upon. She meets Hector at a ball - who she has been a fan of for his magic/telekinesis shows and immediately falls head over heels. Hector has a big secret - and Nina soon discovers the past between Valerie and Hector.
I really loved this way more than I thought I would. Hector reminds me of a Gatsby who would find his way from rags to riches without familial help in order to be with the one he loves. Just as Daisy was kind of terrible in her own way, Valerie is such a great character to hate. She is vile, cold, and manipulative in every way - and poor Nina. I was so sad for her in the beginning and rooted for her and Hector through the end. I highly recommend - such a intriguing read!
Thank you to Tor Books and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
US Pub Date: This week - April 27, 2021!
As a huge fan of Gods of Jade and Shad0w, I was so excited to read this re-released novel by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. From other reviews, it is a bit different from her other novel Mexican Gothic which I did not love as much as her GOJAS. First off, I love the cover art! The colors are just beautiful! Also, the writing is so captivating and hooks you in immediately. Nina has come to Loisail (a fictional city similar to Paris) for her first Grand Season to stay with her cousin and his wife Valerie, who is to coach her on how to behave in polite society. She needed to fit in with the “beautiful ones.” However, Nina is aloof, clumsy, and outspoken - the opposite of what society women are supposed to be like. On top of that, she collects beetles and practices her telekinetic ability, which is frowned upon. She meets Hector at a ball - who she has been a fan of for his magic/telekinesis shows and immediately falls head over heels. Hector has a big secret - and Nina soon discovers the past between Valerie and Hector.
I really loved this way more than I thought I would. Hector reminds me of a Gatsby who would find his way from rags to riches without familial help in order to be with the one he loves. Just as Daisy was kind of terrible in her own way, Valerie is such a great character to hate. She is vile, cold, and manipulative in every way - and poor Nina. I was so sad for her in the beginning and rooted for her and Hector through the end. I highly recommend - such a intriguing read!
Thank you to Tor Books and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
US Pub Date: This week - April 27, 2021!
bbblondie's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stelle
Non mi fraintendete, il libro scorre molto bene e la scrittura è piacevole, ma ho trovato i personaggi estremamente piatti, con poco e nulla da raccontare. Inoltre credo che tutta quella storia della telecinesi poteva tranquillamente essere omessa perchè aggiunge ben poco alla trama. Inserire un elemento sovrannaturale in un contesto del genere, soprattutto se riguarda solo i due protagonisti, ha poco senso. Capisco dove l'autrice volesse arrivare, ma poteva tranquillamente arrivarci lo stesso in altri modi.
Anche la trama è abbastanza prevedibile, però se siete alla ricerca di qualcosa di non impegnato per passare il tempo e ben scritto secondo me potrebbe fare al caso vostro.
Non mi fraintendete, il libro scorre molto bene e la scrittura è piacevole, ma ho trovato i personaggi estremamente piatti, con poco e nulla da raccontare. Inoltre credo che tutta quella storia della telecinesi poteva tranquillamente essere omessa perchè aggiunge ben poco alla trama. Inserire un elemento sovrannaturale in un contesto del genere, soprattutto se riguarda solo i due protagonisti, ha poco senso. Capisco dove l'autrice volesse arrivare, ma poteva tranquillamente arrivarci lo stesso in altri modi.
Anche la trama è abbastanza prevedibile, però se siete alla ricerca di qualcosa di non impegnato per passare il tempo e ben scritto secondo me potrebbe fare al caso vostro.