Reviews

So dull. Absolutely NOTHING happens for the first 50% of the book and when the plot finally starts moving, the same thing is rehashed until around around 85%. I wasn't a fan of the writing style and didn't feel invested in the characters. There is very little world building and there isn't much to explain why things are the way they are.

trin_ney18's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5/5
This book was totally swoon-worthy. It just makes me smile and I get this feeling in my throat where I just want to coo at it. I would give it a full 5 stars but there was one minor thing I would have changed. Despite that, I really think this book deserves more praise and attention.

What I Liked
- For a book written from a teenager's perspective, they were incredibly mature and able to focus on things that mattered when it came time. Obviously, they are going to have more immature interests but it wasn't always at the front of their minds when dangerous situations came about.
- This is not your typical werewolf and vampire book. First of all, there aren't even vampires. The development of the magic and powers was so enthralling. You could kind of predict some of what would happen but then the book would kind of twist it in a way that you weren't expecting. Which I loved immensely.
- Who knew that old-time men could be so enticing. Like, part of me wants to go back in time just so I can be courted and have men blush at the sight of my legs. But another part of me realizes how little rights I would have and the serious oppression of minority groups that still occurred at this time.
- The setting was so beautiful. Of course, this is a book and so I can't really see it but the book itself was descriptive (but not too much). I rarely see books set in Eastern (?) Europe, especially the smaller countries that resided or did reside there. A breath of fresh air.
- I am just so fond of this book and its characters. I want about 20 more novels set in this world and about the everyday lives of Lou and Dacia. It could be them shopping for ribbons and I would absolutely love it.
- The ending is where it really picks up. I had so much anxiety because there was so little book left and so much to be resolved. Kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

What I Didn't Like
- Nothing. I am very serious about this.
- Well, actually, I kind of wish the ending was a little more drawn out. It just felt very rushed at the end to get all these people talking to each other and resolving all the conflict.

chaos_tempest's review against another edition

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3.0

It took me what felt like forever to get into this book, like 75 pages, which is a lot for me. Every few pages I would set it down, even later in the book I had some problems staying interested. I eventually felt myself carrying about some of the characters, but mainly it was just hating Mihai. Lou and Dacia had a great relationship and I was regularly entertained by how snarky they could be, unfortunately that wasn't as much as I would have liked, at any given time one of them was introverted.

Now, please understand, I'm not saying that on the end I didn't enjoy this book, I really did. The unique setting, intriguing twist, Dacia and Lou's character development. I'm a little surprised that this is being called a standalone, I do feel that the ending left it wide open to be an interesting series. I'm going to be checking out Jessica Day George's other books to see how they compare.

fantasyreader223's review against another edition

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2.0

I have to say, I was pretty dissatisfied with this novel. I usually love everything this author writes, yet with this book, I find myself asking where the author was trying to go with the story. This book felt like a few 100 pages too long. The author took too long setting up the characters surroundings rather than staying focused on building the characters themselves. I found Dacia and Lou to be one dimensional and also very whiny. I cannot stand female protagonists that constantly complain and cry. I understand that this might make them seem more real, however, it can be a bit repetitive. I was surprised that Miss Jessica wrote such flimsy protagonists as she has written wonderful female characters such as Creel from the Dragon Slippers series or Princess Rose and Princess Petunia from A Midnight Ball. I just wish this story had held more substantial content. It has such potential!

mary_r_m's review against another edition

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5.0

Jessica Day George never disappoints.

This was way fun. I enjoyed the history mixed in with the fantasy. Excellent read!

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