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theaceofpages's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
"Well, picture me as a popped party balloon. Picture me as a stone made of foam, incapable of smashing a single window. That’s the sort of tired I am."
Seraphina feels the need to investigate after her sister, Eff, ends up in a coma after getting involved with what Seraphina is sure is a cult. She decides to leave her life of odd jobs (including pet sitter and princess for hire) and her rather demanding cat to try find answers, and hopefully not get sucked into the cult herself (she is less naive than her sister, afterall).
Ooh I absolutely loved the setting! An abandoned goblin amusement park is such a great idea and I'd love to explore such a place. Although I'm sure it would be very creepy (even without a probable cult that may or may not have tried to kill someone I care about). It very much gave me Night Circus vibes (although the style is very different) and was one of the strongest parts of the book. The mood shift between the earlier chapters and the main story were amazing. I mean, it went from princessy and pink and parties to rust, cults and a dark mystery. I found myself thinking about this a couple of times while reading and it was definitely well executed.
While I loved the wandering style of the story, I was a little annoyed by the ending. A lot of things happened very suddenly. It felt out of place and didn't answer a lot of questions. I would have appreciated the events building up a little more slowly with more time for answers. I also had a similar annoyance when Seraphina changed her mind what felt like too quickly about something (nothing major, but it felt odd).
I recieved a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. As always, all views are my own.
Some notes on some content warnings:
Seraphina feels the need to investigate after her sister, Eff, ends up in a coma after getting involved with what Seraphina is sure is a cult. She decides to leave her life of odd jobs (including pet sitter and princess for hire) and her rather demanding cat to try find answers, and hopefully not get sucked into the cult herself (she is less naive than her sister, afterall).
Ooh I absolutely loved the setting! An abandoned goblin amusement park is such a great idea and I'd love to explore such a place. Although I'm sure it would be very creepy (even without a probable cult that may or may not have tried to kill someone I care about). It very much gave me Night Circus vibes (although the style is very different) and was one of the strongest parts of the book. The mood shift between the earlier chapters and the main story were amazing. I mean, it went from princessy and pink and parties to rust, cults and a dark mystery. I found myself thinking about this a couple of times while reading and it was definitely well executed.
While I loved the wandering style of the story, I was a little annoyed by the ending. A lot of things happened very suddenly. It felt out of place and didn't answer a lot of questions. I would have appreciated the events building up a little more slowly with more time for answers. I also had a similar annoyance when Seraphina changed her mind what felt like too quickly about something (nothing major, but it felt odd).
I recieved a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. As always, all views are my own.
Some notes on some content warnings:
- Medical content:
Mentions of her sister's coma and father's cancer treatment - Cancer/death of parent:
Father's treatment/condition is discussed in some detail but it's only mentioned afterwards that it was cancer. Mostly just that he looked sick and tired. - Domestic abuse:
Mentions of a past relationship - Animal death/cruelty:
Live mice are fed to a snake
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Blood, Death of parent, and Violence
poisoned_icecream's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Animal death and Animal cruelty
katejoanna's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
An unexpectedly bizarre novel, definitely a unique idea and reading this is an experience in itself. Jeremy has a way of pulling you into the story and a sense of tumbling down the rabbit hole as you read, there really is no better explanation than that.
The anthropomorphic spoon popping up and having its own mini-stories was just brilliant, I absolutely loved that as well
(GO TEAM SPOON 🥄)!!
I was sent this one as an ARC and in all honestly probably wouldn’t have picked it up as a normal read, yet I’m so glad I did. It was interesting to say the least.
I feel like this is a story and characters that will stick with me and keep me wondering.
It started out a little confusing (though really, as if the whole book wasn’t…), I really wasn’t sure what was happening at first.
I really like the characters voice/narration but don’t personally like the writing style, it’s not bad at all, in fact it is very well done, however just not really the style for me.
Never the less I did get used to it and it works really well for this book actually, keeping the reader on their toes and stumbling along right there with the characters.
This was quirky, warm and funny with enthralling story telling, full of interesting twists and expertly crafted.
Definitely a trip and a little crazy in the best way!
This was surprisingly lighthearted for something that still remains creepy and serious.
Great colourful description, especially with setting scenes and bringing the animatronics, rides and carnival to life in your mind.
It’s one of those books you want to instantly turn over and start at the beginning again, rereading until you’ve picked it apart and seen it from every angle, desperate to figure it out.
I’m still not sure I fully understand it.
Trigger warning- I really didn’t like the live feeding reference in regards to looking after someone’s pet snakes. It was unnecessary especially since they literally mention frozen thawed rodents and you can tell the author has the knowledge behind animal care to know better.
My only real complaint is not really having anything explained and figured out, though the ending leaves an intriguing ambiguity.
Most things are wrapped up, but my biggest questions still go unanswered…
It’s so going to bug me.
The anthropomorphic spoon popping up and having its own mini-stories was just brilliant, I absolutely loved that as well
(GO TEAM SPOON 🥄)!!
I was sent this one as an ARC and in all honestly probably wouldn’t have picked it up as a normal read, yet I’m so glad I did. It was interesting to say the least.
I feel like this is a story and characters that will stick with me and keep me wondering.
It started out a little confusing (though really, as if the whole book wasn’t…), I really wasn’t sure what was happening at first.
I really like the characters voice/narration but don’t personally like the writing style, it’s not bad at all, in fact it is very well done, however just not really the style for me.
Never the less I did get used to it and it works really well for this book actually, keeping the reader on their toes and stumbling along right there with the characters.
This was quirky, warm and funny with enthralling story telling, full of interesting twists and expertly crafted.
Definitely a trip and a little crazy in the best way!
This was surprisingly lighthearted for something that still remains creepy and serious.
Great colourful description, especially with setting scenes and bringing the animatronics, rides and carnival to life in your mind.
It’s one of those books you want to instantly turn over and start at the beginning again, rereading until you’ve picked it apart and seen it from every angle, desperate to figure it out.
I’m still not sure I fully understand it.
Trigger warning- I really didn’t like the live feeding reference in regards to looking after someone’s pet snakes. It was unnecessary especially since they literally mention frozen thawed rodents and you can tell the author has the knowledge behind animal care to know better.
My only real complaint is not really having anything explained and figured out, though the ending leaves an intriguing ambiguity.
Most things are wrapped up, but my biggest questions still go unanswered…
It’s so going to bug me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident, Domestic abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, and Gore
Mention of live feeding to snakes
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