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cole_tergeist_boo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
louloureadsbooks's review against another edition
Dnf on a plane somewhere over the Atlantic. 2 stars for what I read. Not good for maidens and not good for me.
Lots of promise but it didn't really work for me, quite slow. I didn't realise it was going to be two stories and forwards and backwards in time. Not my thing. I prefer more linear stories with a beginning, middle and an end. This dotted about, not only between Lou's timeline and her mother and aunt's history but also lots or harping back to Lou's recent history with her cousin. It was yawnsome and I didn't really care.
I didn't read very far so perhaps it comes later, but was there a reason for telling us that MC was ace beyond having an ace character? I've got no problem with it, other than it felt like a check box rather than an important part of the story. Maybe it is important later.
Overall not my cuppa.
Lots of promise but it didn't really work for me, quite slow. I didn't realise it was going to be two stories and forwards and backwards in time. Not my thing. I prefer more linear stories with a beginning, middle and an end. This dotted about, not only between Lou's timeline and her mother and aunt's history but also lots or harping back to Lou's recent history with her cousin. It was yawnsome and I didn't really care.
I didn't read very far so perhaps it comes later, but was there a reason for telling us that MC was ace beyond having an ace character? I've got no problem with it, other than it felt like a check box rather than an important part of the story. Maybe it is important later.
Overall not my cuppa.
saturndarling's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
claudiacantread's review against another edition
This book is published in May 2022 so I will post a review closer to the publication date on here. So review to come. If curious about getting it from Netgalley yourself, I will be posting my review on there.
Right? Is this how that works? I haven't had one this far out before lol
Thank you to Netgalley and Page Street Publishing for this eARC!
Right? Is this how that works? I haven't had one this far out before lol
Thank you to Netgalley and Page Street Publishing for this eARC!
sixxed's review against another edition
4.0
I'm really glad that I took a chance on this book. I've read Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti, although it's been many years and my opinions on things have changed. From what I can recall, Goblin Market was very interesting and I loved the story about Lizzie & Laura. The love of the two sisters going against the goblins who tempted them.
This is a retelling of Goblin Market (which I highly recommend if you haven't read it) and I think the author did a great job. I'd say, overall, that the characters are more diverse and really emphasizes the goblins as monsters. This version has romance, fantasy, horror, action, coming of age (in a way), and self-discovery. The story switches POV from Lou, who we follow for the majority of the story, and May. I liked Lou but May was my favorite. I enjoyed the romance elements a lot and the way the relationship between Eitra & May was done beautifully. I was definitely cheering for them once Eitra made her introduction.
The description of "the market" was also vivid, exciting & horrifying at the same time. You definitely get the feeling that this place is not good but you can see how people would be tempted to forget themselves here. There are several scenes that definitely stuck out in my mind but I won't post them so I can avoid spoiling the story.
I gave this 4 stars because it's definitely a memorable experience and I often lost myself while reading it. That's the sign of a great book to me.
Trigger warnings: body horror, gore, blood
This is a retelling of Goblin Market (which I highly recommend if you haven't read it) and I think the author did a great job. I'd say, overall, that the characters are more diverse and really emphasizes the goblins as monsters. This version has romance, fantasy, horror, action, coming of age (in a way), and self-discovery. The story switches POV from Lou, who we follow for the majority of the story, and May. I liked Lou but May was my favorite. I enjoyed the romance elements a lot and the way the relationship between Eitra & May was done beautifully. I was definitely cheering for them once Eitra made her introduction.
The description of "the market" was also vivid, exciting & horrifying at the same time. You definitely get the feeling that this place is not good but you can see how people would be tempted to forget themselves here. There are several scenes that definitely stuck out in my mind but I won't post them so I can avoid spoiling the story.
I gave this 4 stars because it's definitely a memorable experience and I often lost myself while reading it. That's the sign of a great book to me.
Trigger warnings: body horror, gore, blood
sabrinaslivingliterature's review against another edition
5.0
Publication Date :14th June 2022
Thank you Netgalley, Page Street Publishing and Tori Bovalino for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book, great pace definitely a page turner, almost made me miss my stop because I had to know what was happening. This is a retelling of The Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti and the way that its written is beautiful. The inclusion of "Scarborough Fair" is ingenious as its a proper earworm that got stuck in my head and kept me thinking about this book all day! I loved the inclusion of bi, lesbian and Ace characters and the star-crossed sapphic love story was brilliant. The group of strong women are all amazing, I wish there was more about Nana Tee and Joss but I loved all of the characters we got to know and I cant want wait to read more by this author!
Thank you Netgalley, Page Street Publishing and Tori Bovalino for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this book, great pace definitely a page turner, almost made me miss my stop because I had to know what was happening. This is a retelling of The Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti and the way that its written is beautiful. The inclusion of "Scarborough Fair" is ingenious as its a proper earworm that got stuck in my head and kept me thinking about this book all day! I loved the inclusion of bi, lesbian and Ace characters and the star-crossed sapphic love story was brilliant. The group of strong women are all amazing, I wish there was more about Nana Tee and Joss but I loved all of the characters we got to know and I cant want wait to read more by this author!
the_book_snek's review against another edition
4.0
Great start to spooky season, I will not be able to visit York without looking out for the market...
ginalucia's review against another edition
3.0
Not Good for Maidens is a fun yet unsettling standalone, perfect if you want a quick shot of adventure.
Lou has been left in the dark. She’s grown up in a world that seems normal, if not for her slightly eccentric mother and aunt. But when she finds out her other aunt has been lost to the goblin market, a world of magic and horror she’s been sheltered from, starts to reveal itself.
Not Good for Maidens starts with a punch and then slows right down. It’s this punchy opening that I feel weirdly lets the book down.
It sets a high bar for action and mystery, but we’re then dropped back to ground level way too fast. It then takes a while to build back up again. Which means everything after that first chapter just doesn’t grip you.
The build-up doesn't feel right, and it takes too long because we already pretty much know what happens and what the market is. We know more than the main character, so there are no stakes and no tension. We can't relate to her.
After a shaky start, it picks up, though. Once the main characters are together and the action starts, the book gets good. But I was close to DNFing before that point.
It becomes something intense, kind of real, mysterious, and very morish.
It does get a little repetitive. The book is about the market, so its descriptions of the market throughout can feel a little samey. Like, I've read it a few times before.
The juxtaposition of our main character's story with her aunt's actually works quite well in the second half of the book. Those two stories come together nicely to form a complete one.
Overall the book is a good one, and it would be even better without that first chapter - even though it was written so well.
3.5 stars
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
Lou has been left in the dark. She’s grown up in a world that seems normal, if not for her slightly eccentric mother and aunt. But when she finds out her other aunt has been lost to the goblin market, a world of magic and horror she’s been sheltered from, starts to reveal itself.
Not Good for Maidens starts with a punch and then slows right down. It’s this punchy opening that I feel weirdly lets the book down.
It sets a high bar for action and mystery, but we’re then dropped back to ground level way too fast. It then takes a while to build back up again. Which means everything after that first chapter just doesn’t grip you.
The build-up doesn't feel right, and it takes too long because we already pretty much know what happens and what the market is. We know more than the main character, so there are no stakes and no tension. We can't relate to her.
After a shaky start, it picks up, though. Once the main characters are together and the action starts, the book gets good. But I was close to DNFing before that point.
It becomes something intense, kind of real, mysterious, and very morish.
It does get a little repetitive. The book is about the market, so its descriptions of the market throughout can feel a little samey. Like, I've read it a few times before.
The juxtaposition of our main character's story with her aunt's actually works quite well in the second half of the book. Those two stories come together nicely to form a complete one.
Overall the book is a good one, and it would be even better without that first chapter - even though it was written so well.
3.5 stars
For more reviews and book recommendations, check out my YouTube channel
stewardofbooks's review against another edition
3.0
"Are you coming to the market, the market, the market?"
Tori Bovalino is a masterful storyteller. As you follow the Wickett women through the generations in their perpetual struggle against the cruel goblin market, the market grips you too. Years after some nameless incident hurt and changed her mother and aunt's lives, Lou finds herself up against the same nameless terror. The existence of the market has been hidden from her, but she still is not free of its terrible grip. As she struggles to come to grips with her family's painful past, she is thrust headlong into the age-old fight against the bloodthirsty goblin market. Can she make it out again?
This is the second retelling of Christina Rosetti's poem 'Goblin Market' I've read (both totally different) and this one definitely brings the horror of the market to life in a very real way. I enjoyed the multiple points of view from the different time-periods and thought that the two timelines wove into each other really well. I enjoyed the character development in both May and Lou. Parts of the book were a little too gory for me (personal taste) but it only added to the story. Some of the romance felt a little forced and rushed and it would have been nice to see a little more in-depth development of the relationship. The narration was a little slow and uniform, I would love to rather read this book myself. I don't enjoy horror as much as other genres but this was a fun introduction into fantasy horror - a first for me.
Tori Bovalino is a masterful storyteller. As you follow the Wickett women through the generations in their perpetual struggle against the cruel goblin market, the market grips you too. Years after some nameless incident hurt and changed her mother and aunt's lives, Lou finds herself up against the same nameless terror. The existence of the market has been hidden from her, but she still is not free of its terrible grip. As she struggles to come to grips with her family's painful past, she is thrust headlong into the age-old fight against the bloodthirsty goblin market. Can she make it out again?
This is the second retelling of Christina Rosetti's poem 'Goblin Market' I've read (both totally different) and this one definitely brings the horror of the market to life in a very real way. I enjoyed the multiple points of view from the different time-periods and thought that the two timelines wove into each other really well. I enjoyed the character development in both May and Lou. Parts of the book were a little too gory for me (personal taste) but it only added to the story. Some of the romance felt a little forced and rushed and it would have been nice to see a little more in-depth development of the relationship. The narration was a little slow and uniform, I would love to rather read this book myself. I don't enjoy horror as much as other genres but this was a fun introduction into fantasy horror - a first for me.