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thegoblinempress's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
5.0
I received an eARC of Glass Coffin from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What a lovely, heartfelt finale to a series that deserves so much more love than it currently has. I'm annoyed it's taken me so long to read Glass Coffin because I loved it--I didn't like Such Big Teeth quite as much as I loved Darkwood and was a little worried Glass Coffin would disappoint me. But no other book could make me tear up over a spider.
With the powerful Huntsmen on the rise and their campaign against all magical beings growing, Gretel and her found family of fairy tale characters set off in search of the powerful Glass Witch with the hope that they can convince her to join their cause and defeat the Huntsmen for good. The Glass Witch, however, seems to be far more villain than hero.
There's so much to love about Glass Coffin and this series as a whole. I love Gabby Hutchinson Crouch's sense of humour - parts of this story are just plain daft, but they're so charming that the humour doesn't pull you out of the novel's more serious elements - and I love her take on fairy tale characters. Her version of Snow White, in particular, is one of my favourite versions of one of fairy tales' most famous characters. I've said before that this series feels more Shrek than Brothers Grimm, but it still has so much heart. I've loved this series as an adult, but oh my gosh I wish it had been around when I was a child.
I also deeply appreciate how casually queer normative these books are. I adore the relationship between Snow and Buttercup, in particular, and I think Buttercup is the heart of this series.That their revolution ultimately succeeds not because of their power and their weapons, but because Buttercup is unfailingly kind, says everything there is to know about this series.
I'm heartbroken that it's over, but I can't wait to buy hard copies for my shelves and read them over and over again. I love these books and I desperately want more people to read them.
What a lovely, heartfelt finale to a series that deserves so much more love than it currently has. I'm annoyed it's taken me so long to read Glass Coffin because I loved it--I didn't like Such Big Teeth quite as much as I loved Darkwood and was a little worried Glass Coffin would disappoint me. But no other book could make me tear up over a spider.
With the powerful Huntsmen on the rise and their campaign against all magical beings growing, Gretel and her found family of fairy tale characters set off in search of the powerful Glass Witch with the hope that they can convince her to join their cause and defeat the Huntsmen for good. The Glass Witch, however, seems to be far more villain than hero.
There's so much to love about Glass Coffin and this series as a whole. I love Gabby Hutchinson Crouch's sense of humour - parts of this story are just plain daft, but they're so charming that the humour doesn't pull you out of the novel's more serious elements - and I love her take on fairy tale characters. Her version of Snow White, in particular, is one of my favourite versions of one of fairy tales' most famous characters. I've said before that this series feels more Shrek than Brothers Grimm, but it still has so much heart. I've loved this series as an adult, but oh my gosh I wish it had been around when I was a child.
I also deeply appreciate how casually queer normative these books are. I adore the relationship between Snow and Buttercup, in particular, and I think Buttercup is the heart of this series.
I'm heartbroken that it's over, but I can't wait to buy hard copies for my shelves and read them over and over again. I love these books and I desperately want more people to read them.
alongreader's review against another edition
4.0
I'm struggling to think of some superlatives I didn't use on the first two books in this series! I may have to reuse the same ones ... this is clever, it's stonkingly funny, the character arcs are wonderfully rounded off and everything makes sense, in the end. (I am a little disappointed that Gretel didn't make one connection I did, but it's always easier from outside the story, isn't it.)
Some parts of this were so unexpected, but they make perfect sense in retrospect. I'm so sad this series is over ... I really thought it could go on for a good while yet ... but at the same time, I'm glad it stopped before the quality went down. This could easily have been overstuffed, with cameos thrown in just because they could be, and I'm glad they aren't. Everyone here is necessary. (Especially Trevor.) There's some clever ideas around power and morality, but they aren't shoved in the reader's face; we're allowed to draw our own conclusions, which is much better. These would make a great classroom read, there could be some fabulous discussions on them.
I'll miss this series very much, but I'm looking forward to seeing what else Gabby can come up with. It's going to be great, whatever it is.
Some parts of this were so unexpected, but they make perfect sense in retrospect. I'm so sad this series is over ... I really thought it could go on for a good while yet ... but at the same time, I'm glad it stopped before the quality went down. This could easily have been overstuffed, with cameos thrown in just because they could be, and I'm glad they aren't. Everyone here is necessary. (Especially Trevor.) There's some clever ideas around power and morality, but they aren't shoved in the reader's face; we're allowed to draw our own conclusions, which is much better. These would make a great classroom read, there could be some fabulous discussions on them.
I'll miss this series very much, but I'm looking forward to seeing what else Gabby can come up with. It's going to be great, whatever it is.
cara_p's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't finish this book, but it was personal taste rather than a reflection on the author.
I really liked the idea behind the story, it's the sort of book you'd get it you crossed the Once Upon a Time tv series with Terry Pratchett's writing. It's funny and clever, but I wasn't comfortable with some of the relationships in the book so I stopped reading.
I really liked the idea behind the story, it's the sort of book you'd get it you crossed the Once Upon a Time tv series with Terry Pratchett's writing. It's funny and clever, but I wasn't comfortable with some of the relationships in the book so I stopped reading.
zombehdoll's review
5.0
I feel like I keep repeating myself each time I review a book in this series, but the third book in the trilogy is just as wonderful and witty as the first two, and while I'm sorry that there is no more of the story left, it ended so satisfyingly and gave such heartwarming conclusions to each of the characters' arcs that they all get their own perfect happily-ever-afters. This whole series is utterly charming, funny, unique, and delightful, and this book tied everything up in a nice neat cake-y bow, complete with dwarf hair and leaves and inventions and axes and tiny hats and red capes and feathers and porridge and baskets and earth and even some glass. It's been such a treat to read, and I've already shared it with my own kids to read next. This series would also make great classroom reading, and while it's technically middle-grade it can be enjoyed by people of any age. Loads of fun!
colleen987's review against another edition
5.0
With Thanks to Duckworth Books and Gabby Hutchinson Crouch for an advance readers copy of the book.
4 1/2*
A very enjoyable, and unique fairy tale retelling.
This is the third of 3, and I hadn't read the first two however there is enough background to catch up pretty quickly. The writing is witty! That's the only real way I can put it, clever, laugh out loud funny with a note of sarcastic social commentary. I'm a big fan of this style of writing, (think Terry Pratchett, Jodi Taylor or Ben Aaronovitch) and I'm really happy to have found a new author to obsess over,
I loved this one enough to go out and purchase the pervious 2, i plan to binge read them all together.
4 1/2*
A very enjoyable, and unique fairy tale retelling.
This is the third of 3, and I hadn't read the first two however there is enough background to catch up pretty quickly. The writing is witty! That's the only real way I can put it, clever, laugh out loud funny with a note of sarcastic social commentary. I'm a big fan of this style of writing, (think Terry Pratchett, Jodi Taylor or Ben Aaronovitch) and I'm really happy to have found a new author to obsess over,
I loved this one enough to go out and purchase the pervious 2, i plan to binge read them all together.
annieb123's review against another edition
5.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Glass Coffin is the third book in the high fantasy Darkwood series by Gabby Hutchinson Crouch. Released 3rd June 2021 by Duckworth on their Farrago! imprint, it's 304 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately; it makes it so easy to find information with the search function.
I've enjoyed this series from the start. This is a strong female-led ensemble high fantasy with whimsy, humour, and a lot of heart. The cast is full of fractured fairy tale and fable tropes, alongside good vs. evil, the meaning of friendship & truth, and found family. I highly recommend reading the trilogy in order, but for readers who want to jump in, the author has included a handy list of dramatis personae at the beginning to get up to speed.
I've been consistently impressed with the quality of the writing throughout. This 3rd book has a more sombre feel with fewer laugh-out-loud moments, but there's still a healthy dose of whimsy and fun. The story arc is well engineered and, as stated earlier, quite capably written. The disparate story threads do culminate in a satisfying denouement and resolution. I hold out fond hopes, despite this being the third book in a trilogy (in the author's own words), that we will be able to revisit the world in future stories. If not, it's resolved well and fairly; but I do have hopes.
The language is clean, the spelling and vernacular are British/UK English (rubbish, honour, dwarves named Oi, etc), but shouldn't present any difficulties in context for readers in the USA. Highly recommended for readers of fantasy and humour. It's not (sadly) Pratchett, but it's in the same school of fantasy/humour and it made me go back and re-read the Discworld novels and that's a good thing.
Five stars for this installment and four and a half for the series overall.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Glass Coffin is the third book in the high fantasy Darkwood series by Gabby Hutchinson Crouch. Released 3rd June 2021 by Duckworth on their Farrago! imprint, it's 304 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately; it makes it so easy to find information with the search function.
I've enjoyed this series from the start. This is a strong female-led ensemble high fantasy with whimsy, humour, and a lot of heart. The cast is full of fractured fairy tale and fable tropes, alongside good vs. evil, the meaning of friendship & truth, and found family. I highly recommend reading the trilogy in order, but for readers who want to jump in, the author has included a handy list of dramatis personae at the beginning to get up to speed.
I've been consistently impressed with the quality of the writing throughout. This 3rd book has a more sombre feel with fewer laugh-out-loud moments, but there's still a healthy dose of whimsy and fun. The story arc is well engineered and, as stated earlier, quite capably written. The disparate story threads do culminate in a satisfying denouement and resolution. I hold out fond hopes, despite this being the third book in a trilogy (in the author's own words), that we will be able to revisit the world in future stories. If not, it's resolved well and fairly; but I do have hopes.
The language is clean, the spelling and vernacular are British/UK English (rubbish, honour, dwarves named Oi, etc), but shouldn't present any difficulties in context for readers in the USA. Highly recommended for readers of fantasy and humour. It's not (sadly) Pratchett, but it's in the same school of fantasy/humour and it made me go back and re-read the Discworld novels and that's a good thing.
Five stars for this installment and four and a half for the series overall.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
shelvesofstarlight's review
4.0
I really enjoyed the book even though I hadn't read the other books in the series (I didn't know it was a series when I started it) and honestly I think that the author deserves some extra kudos because of that lol. It was funny and wonderfully written with various threads that came together perfectly by the end.
The characters were brilliant, I really liked how they were based around traditional fairy tale characters but with changes that made them so much better. Plus, we had some awesome queer representation in here with two LGBTQ+ couples that feature prominently in the story so that also gives the book an extra boost. I adored the ragtag team that had been formed and the dynamics that existed between them as well as the different groups that formed throughout the course of the book as they split off and rejoined each other. I just thought that all the characters were brilliant and each had a well-defined characteristic that added to the team that had been formed as well as providing a grounding for their actions and I liked how that stayed consistent throughout.
I really liked how we got to follow several storylines that were all interconnected at once and then we saw how they all came together at the end to see the happy endings that everyone got to have. I thought that the story was well-paced and well constructed to keep my interest throughout by keeping enough mystery and excitement as the separate storylines progressed and then come together again by the end to form a very dramatic and satisfying conclusion. I really liked the fact that we were able to see what happened to everyone after the final confrontation because it really added to the fairy-tale type feel of the book
The writing was witty and engaging and I had such a great time reading this book. I would of course recommend reading the other books in the series first but you don't have to because the author calls back to the previous stories enough that you can understand the characters' previous adventures. If you want a funny, fairy-tale vibes book then this one is for you!
I was kindly provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review as part of a blog tour.
The characters were brilliant, I really liked how they were based around traditional fairy tale characters but with changes that made them so much better. Plus, we had some awesome queer representation in here with two LGBTQ+ couples that feature prominently in the story so that also gives the book an extra boost. I adored the ragtag team that had been formed and the dynamics that existed between them as well as the different groups that formed throughout the course of the book as they split off and rejoined each other. I just thought that all the characters were brilliant and each had a well-defined characteristic that added to the team that had been formed as well as providing a grounding for their actions and I liked how that stayed consistent throughout.
I really liked how we got to follow several storylines that were all interconnected at once and then we saw how they all came together at the end to see the happy endings that everyone got to have. I thought that the story was well-paced and well constructed to keep my interest throughout by keeping enough mystery and excitement as the separate storylines progressed and then come together again by the end to form a very dramatic and satisfying conclusion. I really liked the fact that we were able to see what happened to everyone after the final confrontation because it really added to the fairy-tale type feel of the book
The writing was witty and engaging and I had such a great time reading this book. I would of course recommend reading the other books in the series first but you don't have to because the author calls back to the previous stories enough that you can understand the characters' previous adventures. If you want a funny, fairy-tale vibes book then this one is for you!
I was kindly provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review as part of a blog tour.
louturnspages's review against another edition
3.0
I was given a free copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the third and final installment in Crouch's Darkwood series. I adored the first book, and I enjoyed the second one. This one, however, did not reach the potential the series set out with.
My primary issue with Glass Coffin is that this book delves much deeper into the personal relationships between several main characters and neglects the overarching narrative to do so. While there is nothing inherently wrong with a venture into romance or reflection, it felt out of place in this series that was written as a light-hearted, sarcastic fairy tale mash-up reminiscent of the work of Terry Pratchett or Douglas Adams. Unfortunately, the novel's increased focus on Snow's introspection and recognition of her feelings and Jack and Hex's oddly one-sided relationship, felt oddly incongruous with that original aim.
Additionally, as the interpersonal relationships became the main story, the primary storyline of the trilogy (the defeat of the Huntsman and the future of humans and magical beings alike), fell out of focus and felt like an afterthought. Instead of the exciting conclusion I was hoping for, this book ended with a couple of weddings (not unlike traditional fairytales) and a sidenote of overall resolution. I found myself disappointed.
Overall, Crouch's writing is extremely fun, and I greatly appreciate her ability to weave significant, cultural issues into a completely fantastical narrative. I would definitely try her books again in the future, but this one was an unfortunate conclusion to a series that could have been amazing.
This is the third and final installment in Crouch's Darkwood series. I adored the first book, and I enjoyed the second one. This one, however, did not reach the potential the series set out with.
My primary issue with Glass Coffin is that this book delves much deeper into the personal relationships between several main characters and neglects the overarching narrative to do so. While there is nothing inherently wrong with a venture into romance or reflection, it felt out of place in this series that was written as a light-hearted, sarcastic fairy tale mash-up reminiscent of the work of Terry Pratchett or Douglas Adams. Unfortunately, the novel's increased focus on Snow's introspection and recognition of her feelings and Jack and Hex's oddly one-sided relationship, felt oddly incongruous with that original aim.
Additionally, as the interpersonal relationships became the main story, the primary storyline of the trilogy (the defeat of the Huntsman and the future of humans and magical beings alike), fell out of focus and felt like an afterthought. Instead of the exciting conclusion I was hoping for, this book ended with a couple of weddings (not unlike traditional fairytales) and a sidenote of overall resolution. I found myself disappointed.
Overall, Crouch's writing is extremely fun, and I greatly appreciate her ability to weave significant, cultural issues into a completely fantastical narrative. I would definitely try her books again in the future, but this one was an unfortunate conclusion to a series that could have been amazing.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
Unfortunately this is the last novel in this great series and I'm sad.
It is an excellent story, full of humor and well written.
I loved the great characters and loved the storytelling. It's a bit less funny than the previous books but an excellent story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It is an excellent story, full of humor and well written.
I loved the great characters and loved the storytelling. It's a bit less funny than the previous books but an excellent story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine