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rike125's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence and Alcohol
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Child death and Miscarriage
rorikae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ophelia is a reader, someone who has the power to read the history of an object with her fingers. Content to work in her family's museum, her life is upended when her family announces that she is to be wed to Thorn, the treasurer of Pole, a distant Ark. Ophelia is whisked away to a world she does not know that is drenched in snow and where she comes to understand that dangerous political plots boil under the surface. As she tries to understand her new home and the family she is joining, she is pulled into the politics of this society while attempting to hide her identity.
Dabos creates a unique world that she populates with a full spectrum of characters. Ophelia is an easy main character to root for, especially considering the other characters she is surrounded by, though she really comes into her own at the end of this first book. Dabos's descriptions create a lush world full of snow, excess, streets inside of buildings, and lots of mirrors. The world was instantly intriguing and one of the pieces that kept me interested throughout the book as we get to know more about Ophelia. Dabos also does a good job of bringing the reader into the same state as Ophelia, questioning the motivations of the characters that surround her as she slowly learns more about the Pole. Though the evocativeness of the writing was a high point, the writing did also wander. Dabos gives a full picture of the world sometimes to the detriment of the plot. Since this is a translated work, it is unclear to me if this is an issue with the translation or if it is true to the story in its original French as well.
I am interested in where the story goes next and will definitely be picking up the next installment. Dabos' worldbuilding is incredibly engaging and she has set up political plots and questions that I think will be explored more fully in the following books.
Moderate: Blood, Alcohol, Bullying, Classism, Grief, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, and Violence
Minor: Suicide, Death, and Child death
chiaraaaa's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Bullying, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Sexism, and Emotional abuse
japanasi's review against another edition
- 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
there’s little romance but I’m assuming it may follow in the sequels; it’s not exactly enemies to lovers but more like “mutual dislike” or indifference to lovers, probably, it’s a slow burn in any case (and we’re talking slow here)
in some parts it didn’t feel like YA novel while in others it certainly did (yay I’m being vague on purpose)
I very much enjoyed this book, I can’t wait to read the sequel(s)!
Moderate: Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Violence, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Death, and Physical abuse
Minor: Child death, Murder, and Sexual content
grizzlysnack's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, and Incest
Minor: Child death, Drug use, Sexual content, and Suicide
maira_h's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was absolutely charming! This book reminds me so much of Howl's Moving Castle with how the story flows, the writing style, the setting and the fashion.
I was prepared for the story to be just-vibes-and-no-plot where the pacing is slow but wow I was mesmerised by how the story unfolds. Sometimes when you're watching a Studio Ghibli movie, you're just really confused yet charmed by the bizzare things slowly unfolding that you can't help but continue on with the story. That's the feeling I'm getting.
Even though this is a translated work, it doesn't even feel like it. The writing was super addicting and easy to understand.
The setting and fashion itself is really whimsical, atmospheric and just super interesting. Like I said, this book reminds me of Howl's Moving Castle. Even though this book took place after the earth shatters into various pieces, this book felt like it took place in the Edwardian Era with a bit of technological advancement. It felt a bit steampunk-ish and overall super fascinating.
The characters are also absolutely charming. They are all distinct in their own right, not one being a bore at all. I was expecting Ophelia to be this shy girl but she proved to be quite firm when she wants to be. People always commented on how she's small, plain and how she needs to speak up when talking (honestly relatable). Despite that, her strength when dealing with court politics is absolutely charming. Also Thorn (the love interest) is really mysterious. Having finished this book, I honestly don't know whether his feelings for Ophelia is true or not, whether he actually manipulated her or not because he barely talked about himself. But I do believe that he's just misunderstood and I'm waiting for him and Ophelia to just talk it out.
This book exceeded my expectations. Really excited for the next one.
Minor: Violence
tooyu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Violence
paduckling's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
As for the content itself, I really like this book. I think I actually enjoyed it more this second time reading it because I was just so lost the first time around. Usually I enjoy not knowing much going into books but it’s a lot of world-building and characterization to handle and it left me kind of lost. I appreciate the nuance of all the main characters - no one is completely good or likable; they all have realistic flaws.
Moderate: Ableism, Physical abuse, Child death, Police brutality, Child abuse, Violence, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia
Minor: Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Alcohol, Pregnancy, and Infertility
for content warnings: there is use of the M-word by a particular character to refer to shorter people in a derogatory way. There is also fatphobia in the sense of conflating being overweight with indulging in excess as a commentary on societal structure.annikareads_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Death, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Torture
sydapel's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.0
Graphic: Violence and Physical abuse
Minor: Abortion, Suicide, and Child abuse