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adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Suicide
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Half Sick of Shadows was a really great retelling of Arthurian myth. It kept a lot of the adventure and magic that is typical of the genre, but added a few more modern sentiments like strong female characters and discussions of what it meant to be a strong female in that time period. I really enjoyed how the book was themed around how far one is willing to go to protect their friends or achieve a certain destiny. My only complaints are that knowing how the story was supposed to end made the book slog at times (especially with it jumping between past, present, and future), and I also wasn't a huge fan of the trope where women have to give up their power in order to further a man, but I guess that was the whole point the book was making anyway.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Suicide, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Misogyny, Blood, Grief, Colonisation
Minor: Infertility, Alcohol, Classism
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I absolutely adored this book! It's going on my list of top books of 2024. This is a feminist retelling of the King Arthur story from the perspective of The Lady of Shalott. I've been trying to find this again ever since I read Avalon High in high school. I loved this take on the story and I honestly loved the character of Elaine. I found her relatable, as someone with a tendency to not let others get too close. I can't recommend this enough to anyone who loves retellings!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, War, Injury/Injury detail
sad
tense
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I did not know going into this book that it was a tragedy and thats not really my thing, so i didnt love this one. Also was really confused by the constant switching between ‘fay’ and ‘fey’
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Infidelity, Misogyny, Grief, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, War