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fantasynovel's review against another edition
3.0
I'm finally, finally, FINALLY done with this book!!! It was so boring!!!!!!! The only chapters I cared about were Gaela's and Regan's, and they had the fewest of anybody. This book took me a literal week to read, and I'm so glad it's finally over. The prose was beautiful, but at what cost??? The sense of relief I felt when I closed it was unprecedented. Thank GOD I'm done.
chloetaida's review against another edition
Wasn't drawn into the story, and wasn't feeling it. Might have simply been not in a reading mood im unsure.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
Where do I start my review, how do I describe this book? I don't think I've ever needed this long to actually finish a book, not because I didn't enjoy reading the book, not because I wasn't enchanted, or into the book, but simply because the book never stops being intimidating. Time after time I discovered that picking the book back up was the hardest part, because once I was reading I was enjoying everything this book has to offer.
The book is written in an almost Shakespearian language. The sentences are complicated, long and contain words I've never encountered in my life. I've heard from English natives it's already a challenge for them, you can imagine the challenge it was for me. Much slower than I'm used to I made my way through this story, but I did end up falling in love with it.
The multiple points of views, the detailed descriptions of everything, make it easy to connect to almost every character presented. I can't simply pinpoint any favorites, because they all had so much to offer, were rich and very real, with their strengths and weaknesses. I'm not sure if I'd say there were too many words, too many descriptions. I think I'd go with the writing style suiting the story.
The story was enchanting, magical, filled with intrige, political alliances, backstabbing and everything Shakespeare is known for. Maybe, maybe I should read more Shakespeare, because I really loved this story and how it unfolded, slowly, but clearly leading exactly to where it had to end.
It was an amazing reading experience and I wouldn't have wanted to miss it!
The book is written in an almost Shakespearian language. The sentences are complicated, long and contain words I've never encountered in my life. I've heard from English natives it's already a challenge for them, you can imagine the challenge it was for me. Much slower than I'm used to I made my way through this story, but I did end up falling in love with it.
The multiple points of views, the detailed descriptions of everything, make it easy to connect to almost every character presented. I can't simply pinpoint any favorites, because they all had so much to offer, were rich and very real, with their strengths and weaknesses. I'm not sure if I'd say there were too many words, too many descriptions. I think I'd go with the writing style suiting the story.
The story was enchanting, magical, filled with intrige, political alliances, backstabbing and everything Shakespeare is known for. Maybe, maybe I should read more Shakespeare, because I really loved this story and how it unfolded, slowly, but clearly leading exactly to where it had to end.
It was an amazing reading experience and I wouldn't have wanted to miss it!
rockwrengj's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting book. The story and setting are very unique, and it was very satisfying to have main characters of color in a fantasy book. It was a very good story, but I found it slow. Slow enough to considered putting it aside. By the last quarter of the book I found myself dissecting scenes for what could have been left out without damaging the story or plot-line.
erawebuilt's review against another edition
4.0
exquisite, evocative prose brought down by some honestly too slow pacing, but similarly bolstered by the time it takes to so meticulously lay out its characters. the three daughters, in particular, are all varied and memorable and nuanced. if you can tolerate the slow pace, it's a rewarding read with a vividly realized setting.
kltemplado's review against another edition
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lyndann's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Animal death, Murder, Religious bigotry, Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Misogyny
sirkt's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
nicholeb84's review
3.0
A fantasy retelling of King Lear? Being compared to A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones? Sign me up! Was it the 5 star novel I was hoping for? No, but it was rather close.
The writing is excellent. Tessa Gratton knows what she is doing and she does it well. The plot could have been fleshed out more - it was more about the characters and incessant backstory, rather than moving the plot forward. To be honest, nothing much happened for the first 50% or so of the novel, which really is a waste.
The characters could have all been fascinating, but they just...were by the end. Princess Elia and Ban the Fox were people I wanted to see more of, but most of the novel didn't focus on them. Princess Gaela, could have been amazing. But, ultimately Gaela was extremely disturbing at some points. Princess Regan, could have been amazing, but her story didn't really go where I hoped it would go. There are a lot of characters running around, but their stories don't really go anywhere interesting.
Overall, it's a great concept - it just wasn't what I wanted it to be.
The writing is excellent. Tessa Gratton knows what she is doing and she does it well. The plot could have been fleshed out more - it was more about the characters and incessant backstory, rather than moving the plot forward. To be honest, nothing much happened for the first 50% or so of the novel, which really is a waste.
The characters could have all been fascinating, but they just...were by the end. Princess Elia and Ban the Fox were people I wanted to see more of, but most of the novel didn't focus on them. Princess Gaela, could have been amazing. But, ultimately Gaela was extremely disturbing at some points. Princess Regan, could have been amazing, but her story didn't really go where I hoped it would go. There are a lot of characters running around, but their stories don't really go anywhere interesting.
Overall, it's a great concept - it just wasn't what I wanted it to be.