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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
REP: disability, PoC | TWs: abuse
So, this was totally not what I expected from a Cinderella retelling, by that made it all the more exciting and entertaining. The connection between Blue and Kellan is so sweet - I enjoyed their enemies to lovers journey.
There were a lot of really well written characters in this story (I'm a sucker for a really interesting character - good or bad) and the world itself is phenomenal - possibly because this is number four in the RAVENSPIRE world. This was my first RAVENSPIRE novel, but everything made sense anyway - it being a standalone. However, I have been told it's better to read the four in order. Hansel and Gretel return, and there's mention of Javan from The Traitor Prince, so I'll have to do some back reading soon!
Now, back to the Cinderella story...I wasn't sure how it was going to be in any way connected, but we do get the evil 'stepmother,' stepsisters, and fairy grandmother. It's really only loosely related as far as retellings go, but enough so that you can see the main elements of the fairytale. My favorite part was Blue's power and inner strength. She is such a wonderful character who would have your back when you need her to be there for you. Her potions instructions to Nessa (Kellan's younger sister; also deaf) border are really sweet. Their friendship was unorthodox, yet beautiful. I loved that Blue learned sign language to be able to communicate with Nessa.
Something we soon discover is Blue has magic. She's something of an alchemist in her fathers apothecary shop, but her alchemy is more advanced thanks to the Fae blood that runs in her veins. She gets that from her mother's lineage - so, yes, Grandmere also has magic. When a seedy character gets into some trouble after realizing Blue may be able to create gold, some really sordid events are set in motion. Also, magic has been outlawed since the town discovered there was a blood wraith in their midst that had been feeding on the blood of children. It was Blue's mother who locked it away.
Finally, Kellan, our prince of the land. He's an interesting character. He has his flaws and a few haunting memories, but also a really good heart. When he returns home from boarding school, all he wants is to get out again, but it's time for him to grow up, choose a wife, and be the king. He knows he won't get to choose someone based on love, but rather needs to choose someone who will be able to give the kingdom a good alliance. So, one of the main families of the city would have to do. He becomes a major part of uncovering what's happening to the girls and who's taking the homeless children, as well as keeping Blue safe from her new guardian. A regular knight in shining armor ...swoon.
I was completely engrossed in this story start to finish and will definitely be reading the others. Definitely a FIVE STAR read for me.
So, this was totally not what I expected from a Cinderella retelling, by that made it all the more exciting and entertaining. The connection between Blue and Kellan is so sweet - I enjoyed their enemies to lovers journey.
There were a lot of really well written characters in this story (I'm a sucker for a really interesting character - good or bad) and the world itself is phenomenal - possibly because this is number four in the RAVENSPIRE world. This was my first RAVENSPIRE novel, but everything made sense anyway - it being a standalone. However, I have been told it's better to read the four in order. Hansel and Gretel return, and there's mention of Javan from The Traitor Prince, so I'll have to do some back reading soon!
Now, back to the Cinderella story...I wasn't sure how it was going to be in any way connected, but we do get the evil 'stepmother,' stepsisters, and fairy grandmother. It's really only loosely related as far as retellings go, but enough so that you can see the main elements of the fairytale. My favorite part was Blue's power and inner strength. She is such a wonderful character who would have your back when you need her to be there for you. Her potions instructions to Nessa (Kellan's younger sister; also deaf) border are really sweet. Their friendship was unorthodox, yet beautiful. I loved that Blue learned sign language to be able to communicate with Nessa.
Something we soon discover is Blue has magic. She's something of an alchemist in her fathers apothecary shop, but her alchemy is more advanced thanks to the Fae blood that runs in her veins. She gets that from her mother's lineage - so, yes, Grandmere also has magic. When a seedy character gets into some trouble after realizing Blue may be able to create gold, some really sordid events are set in motion. Also, magic has been outlawed since the town discovered there was a blood wraith in their midst that had been feeding on the blood of children. It was Blue's mother who locked it away.
Finally, Kellan, our prince of the land. He's an interesting character. He has his flaws and a few haunting memories, but also a really good heart. When he returns home from boarding school, all he wants is to get out again, but it's time for him to grow up, choose a wife, and be the king. He knows he won't get to choose someone based on love, but rather needs to choose someone who will be able to give the kingdom a good alliance. So, one of the main families of the city would have to do. He becomes a major part of uncovering what's happening to the girls and who's taking the homeless children, as well as keeping Blue safe from her new guardian. A regular knight in shining armor ...swoon.
I was completely engrossed in this story start to finish and will definitely be reading the others. Definitely a FIVE STAR read for me.
This is my second Cinderella retelling in two days and I think its one of my favorites. It has a very fairytale feel; evil violence, family secrets, magic and true love. Because I'm a mushy hopeless romantic at heart it was the best.
This is a nice retelling. I haven't read the other Ravenspire books but I might do and as they are stand alones, there shouldn't be an issue.
Blue is a strong likable lead and Kellan is a prince actually worth swooning for.
Blue is a strong likable lead and Kellan is a prince actually worth swooning for.
Retelling of Cinderella. Some repetition of thoughts by characters that seemed unnecessary, but otherwise an enthralling tale with just enough differences from the story we all know to keep you interested. Also, the narrator for the audiobook is one of my favorites.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
N/A
Because this fairy tale is more well-known, I already knew the main plot points. I thought that would make it less interesting, but it didn’t. I liked the story and the characters. The relationship between Blue and Nessa is so sweet.
The way Blue’s dad died felt a bit random to me, and it also seems a common recurrence in the Ravenspire Series. Not a single parent has survived in any of the books. So, at the end of the book, I was shocked to see that Adelene survived.
The plot twist at the end of the book felt rushed and was almost skipped over completely.It also seemed a bit careless to me that there was no protection at the gate of the Blood Wraith. If there had been someone on guard duty, no one would have been able to harm all the children for the last 16 years.
Another thing I want to point out is the whole guardianship issue with Dinah.Kellan tries to find a way to undo it and look into it. In the book, Dinah says that Blue's mother knew Dinah would be able to provide for Blue and that she would be taken care of. So when Blue was treated poorly and mistreated, someone should have mentioned that this was not what was agreed upon in the guardianship. It also seemed odd to me that a document so easily forged could stand against a relative closer to Blue, like her grandmother.
Besides all of that, I did like that Kellan was already introduced in the previous book and that there were references to the previous books.Like the monsters from Arkam coming through Balavata and the royals of Súndraille visiting.
The plot twist at the end of the book felt rushed and was almost skipped over completely.
Another thing I want to point out is the whole guardianship issue with Dinah.
Besides all of that, I did like that Kellan was already introduced in the previous book and that there were references to the previous books.
In my opinion one of the best books in the Ravenspire series. The childhood frenemies to lovers romance is *chef kiss*, and the book is full of beautifully diverse characters and amazing disability rep. When we are introduced to Nessa, Kellan’s sister who speaks ASL, I thought my heart was going to burst from happiness because we don’t see sign language representation in YA as often as we should.
The book didn’t get a 5 star from me because, like all the Ravenspire books, the first half is not as engaging as the second half of the book. Once you get to the halfway mark though, the book picks up and it is INCREDIBLE. I was unable to sleep until I finished the story and found out how it all ends.
Fingers crossed for a book 5!
The book didn’t get a 5 star from me because, like all the Ravenspire books, the first half is not as engaging as the second half of the book. Once you get to the halfway mark though, the book picks up and it is INCREDIBLE. I was unable to sleep until I finished the story and found out how it all ends.
Fingers crossed for a book 5!
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
No
This was actually a really good book. I thought it just would be one of those book i read and forgot after but it amazed me. I really loved how they helped each other and the end was really good.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated