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max_the_lesbrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a fantastically spooky take on "The Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti originally published in 1862. Bovalino excels that creating a grim and intriguing atmosphere that really pulls you in. While the dual-timeline storytelling style was a bit confusing at times, overall it really worked to intervene the different characters and stories going on.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys darker fairytales or just wants a good spooky YA book to settle down with.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys darker fairytales or just wants a good spooky YA book to settle down with.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
seairra's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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? N/A
4.25
borbasb's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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
sabine_beans's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
5.0
Themes come and go in the publishing world and it seems that right now stories based on the Goblin Market get their chance to shine. I personally didn't grow up with the story of the Goblin Market, but during my studies I learned the songs this book was inspired by and YA literature did the rest. I was therefore quite excited about this book when I found it on Netgalley and I'm really thankful that the publisher granted my request and gave me an arc.
What I love most about this book is the atmosphere and the suspense. Bovalino starts with a prologue that immediately grabbed all my attention, but it took a while before we actually got to see the Goblin Market. And by making us wait, making us grow more and more curious, making us more and more excited about its beauty and its darkness, it was also easy to understand how those girls, aware of the dangers and risks, still end up visiting the Market.
I do have to admit that I personally would have loved to see a little more of the beauty of the market. We got to see the horrors, quite detailed and quite sickening at times, but since all our heroines are so aware of the dangers and can't be tricked to really enjoy the market, we never get to experience the beauty, the reason why so many people end up hurt or killed in the end. Adding that, or giving us a side story showing us, would have made this book even more perfect!
Although there was some romance in the book I also really loved that the romance never dominated the story. This story wasn't about romance. It was about witchcraft and friendship. About the power of intelligence. It was about girls sticking up for each other and fighting for each other. And it didn't really matter if that was because they loved each other romantically or were simply friends. It showed us mostly how beautiful female friendships and sisterhood can be.
I somehow hope Bovalino returns to this world one day, so do me a favor: get the book and beg her to write more!
What I love most about this book is the atmosphere and the suspense. Bovalino starts with a prologue that immediately grabbed all my attention, but it took a while before we actually got to see the Goblin Market. And by making us wait, making us grow more and more curious, making us more and more excited about its beauty and its darkness, it was also easy to understand how those girls, aware of the dangers and risks, still end up visiting the Market.
I do have to admit that I personally would have loved to see a little more of the beauty of the market. We got to see the horrors, quite detailed and quite sickening at times, but since all our heroines are so aware of the dangers and can't be tricked to really enjoy the market, we never get to experience the beauty, the reason why so many people end up hurt or killed in the end. Adding that, or giving us a side story showing us, would have made this book even more perfect!
Although there was some romance in the book I also really loved that the romance never dominated the story. This story wasn't about romance. It was about witchcraft and friendship. About the power of intelligence. It was about girls sticking up for each other and fighting for each other. And it didn't really matter if that was because they loved each other romantically or were simply friends. It showed us mostly how beautiful female friendships and sisterhood can be.
I somehow hope Bovalino returns to this world one day, so do me a favor: get the book and beg her to write more!
erincataldi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I absolutely loved the setting and the premise. The world building was top tier - unfortunately for me, I didn't care about the main plot. I loved the idea of a market, an inbetween place full of goblins and horrors. It was truly intriguing and it reminded me of a darker labyrinth. I wanted Jareth to pop out so bad! Instead a girl, living thousands of miles away finds out about it when her aunt is taken there. Her mother rushes back to York to try and rescue her and Lou finally finds out what her mother and aunt had been hiding from her all her life. When her mom and aunt were her age they too entered the market and ended up killing a goblin and getting banned from their coven of witches (oh yeah - she also finds out she comes from a coven). A lot of plot holes but I truly loved the setting. So dark and creepy!
renmochizuki's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This book was so disappointing. I love how we are offering horror for YA and think that if someone was getting into horror, this would be a good book. However, I thought this was the most annoying book I have ever read. The world developement is none existant. The characters just explain over and over how the market is bad, but they don't really go into why. They do not explain this pull, this need to do something bad. I know this based off another story, however, you can't assume the reader knows the other story. Maybe I just missed the meaning, but I kept waiting for more indepth on this market, and nothing came of it. You do see the market, but why would you want to go there?? I also thought that the aunt as a younger witch was so annoying. She has nothing to her and as an adult, she doesn't have anything to her either. Just a disappointing read. I wanted to love this book and I read it during summer which fit the story since it takes place during the summer, but I just did not like this.
cyndqls's review against another edition
3.5
the goblin market was fun and i enjoyed the atmosphere, though there were some parts where i could feel my attention waning, and it hasn't stuck in my head very long. still, i had fun.
gloomynomad's review against another edition
4.0
Ugh. This was so good, it inspired me to make an illustration for it!
"Not Good for Maidens" by Tori Bovalino is inspired by a poem called "Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti (which I recently read & fell in love!)
This book is an enchanting and whimsical tale that captivated my imagination from beginning to end. With its delightful blend of fantasy, mystery, and magical undertones, this book truly casts a spell on its readers.
From the very first pages, I was transported into a world where magic and folklore collide, seamlessly woven into the fabric of everyday life. Bovalino's storytelling is a masterful blend of light-heartedness and darkness, as she effortlessly brings together the mundane and the mystical.
The protagonist, a young and courageous girl named named Lou, stole my heart with her determination and spirited nature. I found myself rooting for her as she embarked on a perilous quest to her aunt Neela. Lou encounters mythical creatures, dangerous scenario, a mysterious realm that kept me eagerly turning the pages.
One of the aspects I truly adored about this book is the author's rich and vivid world-building. The magical undertones are intricately integrated into the setting, creating a sense of wonder and enchantment. Bovalino's descriptive prose painted vibrant landscapes and brought to life mystical beings, immersing me in a world that felt both familiar and extraordinary.
The pacing of the story was perfectly balanced, alternating between moments of heart-pounding action and quiet introspection. The plot unfolded with twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat and eager to uncover the secrets that lay hidden within the pages. Bovalino expertly crafted a narrative that seamlessly blended mystery, adventure, and heartfelt moments of love.
Furthermore, the themes explored in "Not Good for Maidens" touched upon the power of the under dog, the importance of family, and love. These profound messages resonated deeply with me, reminding me of the transformative nature of embracing our own magical potential.
In conclusion, "Not Good for Maidens" is a mesmerizing and enchanting read that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking a magical escape. Tori Bovalino's masterful storytelling, coupled with the book's rich world-building and endearing characters, make it an absolute delight. Prepare to be whisked away on a captivating journey filled with wonder, mystery, and the magic that lies within us all.
"Not Good for Maidens" by Tori Bovalino is inspired by a poem called "Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti (which I recently read & fell in love!)
This book is an enchanting and whimsical tale that captivated my imagination from beginning to end. With its delightful blend of fantasy, mystery, and magical undertones, this book truly casts a spell on its readers.
From the very first pages, I was transported into a world where magic and folklore collide, seamlessly woven into the fabric of everyday life. Bovalino's storytelling is a masterful blend of light-heartedness and darkness, as she effortlessly brings together the mundane and the mystical.
The protagonist, a young and courageous girl named named Lou, stole my heart with her determination and spirited nature. I found myself rooting for her as she embarked on a perilous quest to her aunt Neela. Lou encounters mythical creatures, dangerous scenario, a mysterious realm that kept me eagerly turning the pages.
One of the aspects I truly adored about this book is the author's rich and vivid world-building. The magical undertones are intricately integrated into the setting, creating a sense of wonder and enchantment. Bovalino's descriptive prose painted vibrant landscapes and brought to life mystical beings, immersing me in a world that felt both familiar and extraordinary.
The pacing of the story was perfectly balanced, alternating between moments of heart-pounding action and quiet introspection. The plot unfolded with twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat and eager to uncover the secrets that lay hidden within the pages. Bovalino expertly crafted a narrative that seamlessly blended mystery, adventure, and heartfelt moments of love.
Furthermore, the themes explored in "Not Good for Maidens" touched upon the power of the under dog, the importance of family, and love. These profound messages resonated deeply with me, reminding me of the transformative nature of embracing our own magical potential.
In conclusion, "Not Good for Maidens" is a mesmerizing and enchanting read that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking a magical escape. Tori Bovalino's masterful storytelling, coupled with the book's rich world-building and endearing characters, make it an absolute delight. Prepare to be whisked away on a captivating journey filled with wonder, mystery, and the magic that lies within us all.