You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
HS & up
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Murder, Pregnancy
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
Leah is a good protagonist who, for a teenager, is living in a space where purity and good are convoluted. Through her interactions in a mystical world does she finally see that there are multiple ways to be good and bad mistakes don't make you a bad person.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Murder, Pregnancy
Moderate: Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Medical trauma
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
"I can bear it no longer! Goblin King! Goblin King! Wherever you may be, take this child of mine far away from me!"
At the start, I was put in mind of "Labyrinth," and I wasn't disappointed to find myself reading a darker, contemporary story that was still very much sister to that movie in theme. Still, I was glad to find this wasn't just a copy of that famed movie, and this book very much stands on its own two feet as a well thought and original work.
The story never quite struck a 'horror' chord for me. It wasn't visceral enough.
Whilst I didn't love it, I enjoyed it. If I hadn't seen the ending coming, I probably would have given it another star. Unfortunately, once I had my suspicions, I found the placid pace set by the narrative started to drag ever-so-slightly and I wanted the Leah to come out of the story stronger than she did in the end.
At the start, I was put in mind of "Labyrinth," and I wasn't disappointed to find myself reading a darker, contemporary story that was still very much sister to that movie in theme. Still, I was glad to find this wasn't just a copy of that famed movie, and this book very much stands on its own two feet as a well thought and original work.
The story never quite struck a 'horror' chord for me. It wasn't visceral enough.
Whilst I didn't love it, I enjoyed it. If I hadn't seen the ending coming, I probably would have given it another star. Unfortunately, once I had my suspicions, I found the placid pace set by the narrative started to drag ever-so-slightly and I wanted the Leah to come out of the story stronger than she did in the end.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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:
Complicated
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
This is a difficult one for me to review because I feel like this is a good book but not necessarily my thing.
Bovalino does some great things here: Leah is a very believable heroine, the social commentary of the book is interesting and the eerie and melancholic tones through the book make for a dreamlike folktale quality.
However, for me this book just took a looooong time to get going and as much as I enjoyed the tone of the book the worldbuilding was somewhat lack lustre and at times confusing. I was left very much wanting more from the romance in this book but I have been reading a lot of romantasy lately which could've influenced my expectations. Lastly I would like to point out this book is definitely not giving labyrinth vibes beyond the initial childnapping!
Overall a good spooky autumn read but it wouldn't be my go to on recommendations
Bovalino does some great things here: Leah is a very believable heroine, the social commentary of the book is interesting and the eerie and melancholic tones through the book make for a dreamlike folktale quality.
However, for me this book just took a looooong time to get going and as much as I enjoyed the tone of the book the worldbuilding was somewhat lack lustre and at times confusing. I was left very much wanting more from the romance in this book but I have been reading a lot of romantasy lately which could've influenced my expectations. Lastly I would like to point out this book is definitely not giving labyrinth vibes beyond the initial childnapping!
Overall a good spooky autumn read but it wouldn't be my go to on recommendations