Reviews

It was so refreshing reading about a character with some decent common sense, and the author not making them do stupid things just to move the plot forward.

Like, at the start, when she dips her hand in a spring and thinks about bathing in it, but writes, "Yet it was dismissed quickly; I was not about to go frolicking about an unfamiliar country in a state of undress." And then when she chops her own finger off to break the king's enchantment? Okay, that last one isn't really common sense but it was still hard-core.

Emily and Wendell's interactions were so good. Their witty banter but the way they trust each other so much?

Like, when Emily says she'll help Wendell find a back door to his realm and, when he's confused as to why she would help him, she asks if he knows anybody else with as much an understanding of the Folk as she does, and he says no.

And then! And then Emily knows that Wendell's part of the Folk even though he couldn't tell her, and then Wendell knew Emily was under an enchantment even though she couldn't tell him! The parallels.

Really loved the section where Wendell took over writing in Emily's journal, and he wrote, "I shook you awake, and you said, 'Wendell!' in a way that I quite liked, nothing at all like your usual tone."

mrsadler's review against another edition

Go to review page

Was too slow for me right now, hoping to revisit in the future

idiotwraith's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing slow-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

3.25

alreadsitall's review against another edition

Go to review page

I don't know if it's the writing style, format, or what, but I couldn't get myself to care about the story or characters. I might try to come back at a later time.

lala38's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jessicastephenson's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Hmmmm I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I was intrigued enough to read this book continuously over a few days, but when I actually finished it I couldn't tell you what engaged me in the story. I did like the overall atmosphere of the book and the setting that it supposedly took place in. However I just felt like there was a disconnect with the setting described and the actual story.

To be honest, I didn't really like Emily all that much either - she's basically a helpless, grumpy, selfish academic when in reality I was hoping for a character who was more independent and actually seemed to care about the fairies she was researching. Also, I did not like Bambleby. I was surprised he was the love interest and definitely thought Emily would fall for one of the people from the village. Bambleby has no sense of care for women, and his declaration of love and marriage proposal seemed to come out of nowhere??? He didn't show any interest in Emily beforehand it seemed.

I didn't dislike this book enough for it to make me angry or dnf it, but as I'm writing this review I definitely realize I do not feel all that positively about it.

paigeeyyreadds's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny slow-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

More...