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mollyrook's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I think I would have liked this book more if I didn't have such enormously high standards for Tamsyn Muir after the Locked Tomb series. This book still gets four stars from me because I did like it a lot, and Muir can absolutely always make me laugh, but it isn't a book that's going to stick with me the way, say, Harrow the Ninth does.
My favourite thing in this book was the complicated emotions that Floralinda and Cobweb both feel about Cobweb's imprisonment. It felt, more than anything, like a commentary on an abusive relationship that isn't always abusive and therefore the person kept captive doesn't always want to leave. Even if Floralinda loves Cobweb and doesn't mean to do harm, she does do harm. I didn't love the ending,because I don't think Cobweb returning to Floralinda should have been viewed as a positive. Sure, Floralinda grew and changed, but she still held Cobweb against her will.
My favourite thing in this book was the complicated emotions that Floralinda and Cobweb both feel about Cobweb's imprisonment. It felt, more than anything, like a commentary on an abusive relationship that isn't always abusive and therefore the person kept captive doesn't always want to leave. Even if Floralinda loves Cobweb and doesn't mean to do harm, she does do harm. I didn't love the ending,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Emotional abuse
brianneh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Gore
szuum's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, and Gore
tostita's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I loved the first half of this book, which made the ending all the more disappointing.
What’s good: the voice, the wit, the scenario, the narration
What’s bad: Floralinda does not become empowered to be her real self; rather, she is broken and hardened by events into someone who is no more, and perhaps far less, her “real” self than the spoiled princess she started as. In the end she has become someone who turns to violence first, regardless of need, who now willingly upholds the same violent institution that imprisoned her in the first place. I also am not at all comfortable with the implication that one cannot be a girl and also be strong, or damaged, or anything less than softly pretty and meek, and that being tough and deviating from mainstream beauty standards makes one a “monster.” And then there is the uncomfortable incident where Floralinda forces agender Cobweb to choose whether to be a boy or a girl. I assumed the book would circle back around to that by the end and correct things, but it never did.
This book started off so well. I wish it hadn’t let me down in the end.
What’s good: the voice, the wit, the scenario, the narration
What’s bad: Floralinda does not become empowered to be her real self; rather, she is broken and hardened by events into someone who is no more, and perhaps far less, her “real” self than the spoiled princess she started as. In the end she has become someone who turns to violence first, regardless of need, who now willingly upholds the same violent institution that imprisoned her in the first place. I also am not at all comfortable with the implication that one cannot be a girl and also be strong, or damaged, or anything less than softly pretty and meek, and that being tough and deviating from mainstream beauty standards makes one a “monster.” And then there is the uncomfortable incident where Floralinda forces agender Cobweb to choose whether to be a boy or a girl. I assumed the book would circle back around to that by the end and correct things, but it never did.
This book started off so well. I wish it hadn’t let me down in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Animal death, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Suicide
mimeflower's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Toxic friendship, Animal death, Gore, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Medical content and Murder
sofipitch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was fun and entertaining
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Animal death, and Confinement
emmylux7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.25
the princess saves herself with a help of a fairy who likes science. what's not to like. this book was hysterical from beginning to end. I highly recommend the audiobook!!
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, and Gore
andloveistoolong's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, and Confinement
Moderate: Blood, Kidnapping, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Toxic relationship
alwaysshure's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Confinement
Minor: Transphobia
Transphobia:blewballoon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I listened to this on audiobook because I loved reading Gideon the Ninth by the same author, and I wanted to get a feel for this narrator since I know she (Moira Quirk) narrates The Locked Tomb series. First of all, Moira Quirk is fantastic and I'd listen to just about anything she narrated. As far as the story, it's an interesting examination of fairy-tale tropes. As might be expected if you've read anything else by Tamsyn Muir, it can be quite dark while also being sarcastic and humorous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, and Body horror
Minor: Vomit, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder