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l_black_33's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
3.0
When books are quick reads, it's easier to pick them up. So, this series has become my Wednesday afternoon series. Usually I have about two more hours to read then and so far the books could be read within that time easily. (Not sure if the same can be said about the next books, but that's an issue for next time!) And since the first two books in the series were quite entertaining, I was looking forward to get to this one.
And I have to admit that in a way this book felt a little underwhelming and I have some issues to pinpoint why. I think the main issue is that it never feels like this story is about Ursula. In the previous two books we really got to know the characters before we meet them in the movies and got a lot of background, here it wasn't the case. Ursula's history was told in two chapters and that was all we got to see of her past.
The biggest part of this book was about Princess Tulip, who we've met in the previous book, and the Odd Sisters and Circe. Don't get me wrong. I loved to see those characters again. I loved to see Tulip again and to see how her story continued after her experience with the Beast. I also really loved Circe and how the Odd Sisters do everything for her, even though they have no idea what doing good actually means. But it was not what I expected.
Combine that with the constant switching point of views in the middle of pages and the result is a book that had some trouble really grabbing me. I think what I missed most in this story, was focus. Although all the individual stories were interesting and although all the characters were nice, the story lacked focus. As if the author had trouble picking which of the storylines was most important. And I think especially Ursula, who should have been front and centre, deserved better.
However, I'm really looking forward to the next book still! 2 out of 3 were quite entertaining and nice, so the odds are still in my favor!
And I have to admit that in a way this book felt a little underwhelming and I have some issues to pinpoint why. I think the main issue is that it never feels like this story is about Ursula. In the previous two books we really got to know the characters before we meet them in the movies and got a lot of background, here it wasn't the case. Ursula's history was told in two chapters and that was all we got to see of her past.
The biggest part of this book was about Princess Tulip, who we've met in the previous book, and the Odd Sisters and Circe. Don't get me wrong. I loved to see those characters again. I loved to see Tulip again and to see how her story continued after her experience with the Beast. I also really loved Circe and how the Odd Sisters do everything for her, even though they have no idea what doing good actually means. But it was not what I expected.
Combine that with the constant switching point of views in the middle of pages and the result is a book that had some trouble really grabbing me. I think what I missed most in this story, was focus. Although all the individual stories were interesting and although all the characters were nice, the story lacked focus. As if the author had trouble picking which of the storylines was most important. And I think especially Ursula, who should have been front and centre, deserved better.
However, I'm really looking forward to the next book still! 2 out of 3 were quite entertaining and nice, so the odds are still in my favor!
undadarsea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
nieve24's review against another edition
4.0
This book is the third instalment of the villain series all about Ursula’s backstory and how she came to be so vengeful, full of hate and power hungry. I enjoyed this book particularly learning more about the relationship between Ursula and Triton, and how the string of events that unfolded throughout the progression of the book influenced who she became in the end.
I also loved that it made emotion from the characters such a vital part of the storytelling, allowing you to fully experience their minds and journeys! I also loved the originality the author showed in this book really making it her own, whilst delivering lots of little twists and turns to the story that kept you guessing and wrapped up in the mystery!!!
The ending of this book appears to set up the next instalment of the series which I am excited to read! I would definitely recommend this series overall as it offers enjoyable backstories for well known villains, often with a dark twist that gives you a different perspective on them !!!!
I also loved that it made emotion from the characters such a vital part of the storytelling, allowing you to fully experience their minds and journeys! I also loved the originality the author showed in this book really making it her own, whilst delivering lots of little twists and turns to the story that kept you guessing and wrapped up in the mystery!!!
The ending of this book appears to set up the next instalment of the series which I am excited to read! I would definitely recommend this series overall as it offers enjoyable backstories for well known villains, often with a dark twist that gives you a different perspective on them !!!!
penniew79's review against another edition
5.0
So I’ve been wanting to read this series. I did not realize til half way through this book that it was book 3. But I went ahead and finished it. I love Disney movies. These books give you the villains back stories, with some parts of the story that intertwine them all to each other. You also will get parts from the movies. This one even had one of the songs from The Little Mermaid. If you are a fan of Disney movies, I suggest you read this!
jade's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.0
cozywithsam's review against another edition
2.0
Not bad, but wasn't the biggest fan and was a little disappointed. I definitely thought some of this series was interesting, but not what I was expecting. I kinda had to force myself to finish it, and I listened to it on audible. Oof.
seregelda's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This series is terrible, trying to link all the villains together--it's a mess. At least this one stuck to the movie lore better than the last. But half the book is dealing with new characters for the sake of the series. It's just bad. Had to finish the first three books as they were a gift, but no more for me!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Bullying, and Death
cyanide_latte's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I'm not even sure where to start with this one.
I get that Valentino is weaving together some kind of overarching plotline through all these books, but at present I couldn't care less about the Odd Sisters, Circe, or Princess Tulip and her Nanny. They add nothing truly impactful to the story and I just don't care about any of them. I'm also not sure what the purpose is or giving them all these arbitrary connections to other characters, aside from trying to boost whatever that overarching plotline is.
Also, why the references to Baba Yaga? Leave her out of this, she doesn't deserve to be dragged into this nonsense.
I'd seen other reviews talk about frustration with the fact that Ursula feels like an afterthought in her own book, and I can agree with that. After a certain point in this book it stops being about her, and that's disappointing, especially with the set-up Serena Valentino tried giving her here. I know a lot of fans dislike this approach to Ursula's backstory because they feel like it negates everything from TLM2 and the existence of Morgana, and her and Ursula's mother favoring Ursula. Personally I do feel like it falls more in line with trying to write a Greek tragedy and weaving in that mythology to Triton and Ursula, and I can appreciate the effort made to bring in their relationship from the Broadway production and expand upon it like that. And the start to this book was strong.
But after a while it's like Ursula became an afterthought in her own book, and almost every word from her was just lifted from the movie. (Her entire song is just in here as parts of her dialogue.) I could have enjoyed this more (and heck, I was even half-sold on this interpretation of Triton, even with how awful it really made him,) but that really would have required more of her being in it and really focused on.
I get that Valentino is weaving together some kind of overarching plotline through all these books, but at present I couldn't care less about the Odd Sisters, Circe, or Princess Tulip and her Nanny. They add nothing truly impactful to the story and I just don't care about any of them. I'm also not sure what the purpose is or giving them all these arbitrary connections to other characters, aside from trying to boost whatever that overarching plotline is.
Also, why the references to Baba Yaga? Leave her out of this, she doesn't deserve to be dragged into this nonsense.
I'd seen other reviews talk about frustration with the fact that Ursula feels like an afterthought in her own book, and I can agree with that. After a certain point in this book it stops being about her, and that's disappointing, especially with the set-up Serena Valentino tried giving her here. I know a lot of fans dislike this approach to Ursula's backstory because they feel like it negates everything from TLM2 and the existence of Morgana, and her and Ursula's mother favoring Ursula. Personally I do feel like it falls more in line with trying to write a Greek tragedy and weaving in that mythology to Triton and Ursula, and I can appreciate the effort made to bring in their relationship from the Broadway production and expand upon it like that. And the start to this book was strong.
But after a while it's like Ursula became an afterthought in her own book, and almost every word from her was just lifted from the movie. (Her entire song is just in here as parts of her dialogue.) I could have enjoyed this more (and heck, I was even half-sold on this interpretation of Triton, even with how awful it really made him,) but that really would have required more of her being in it and really focused on.