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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
cal_jessamine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
burtini's review against another edition
2.0
This book is well written, a quick read and pleasant, however it didn’t leave me satisfied. Quite a lot of this book centres on misogyny and the patriarchy in the Kendrick family/business, there are quite a few strong female characters I liked getting to know, Persephone is an interesting character trying to find her way and I particularly enjoyed Hedwig who often gave men only the illusion she was answering to and obliging them. Hedwig is cunning and driven and gets sh*t done. That said, for a book that was so much about women trying to reclaim status and equality, there is such an awful exploitation in this book that goes so unresolved and by a female character that somehow lets it go unchallenged. In fact when asked how they would feel if said male character had hurt/killed, they reply “I’d love him no matter how he behaved”, it was disappointing to see excuses made by a character the book led me to believe was claiming herself. In fact anything empowering that comes from this book felt somewhat diminished by the romance and I do hate when characters don’t get what they deserve in books.
While I have said that I enjoyed the writing, i didn’t enjoy the pace and at times it feels out of place, again I refer to the romance, it starts off a slow suggestion and then catches you off guard by bursting straight into something, including a bizarre sex scene with language completely out of character. This book is set in modern day too and yet reads like it was set a long time ago, I had to keep reminding myself of this. Also, the thief of the doll was exactly who I thought it would be, which was disappointing :/
Similarly, for a book literally with the character as the title, there isn’t much to do with the Thief on the Winged Horse in the book, when he does appear he’s fascinating, I just feel like it was explored enough and was a wasted opportunity.
To conclude, I enjoyed Hedwig, I enjoyed that this was an easy read, I just wish the execution and ending had been more satisfying
While I have said that I enjoyed the writing, i didn’t enjoy the pace and at times it feels out of place, again I refer to the romance, it starts off a slow suggestion and then catches you off guard by bursting straight into something, including a bizarre sex scene with language completely out of character. This book is set in modern day too and yet reads like it was set a long time ago, I had to keep reminding myself of this. Also, the thief of the doll was exactly who I thought it would be, which was disappointing :/
Similarly, for a book literally with the character as the title, there isn’t much to do with the Thief on the Winged Horse in the book, when he does appear he’s fascinating, I just feel like it was explored enough and was a wasted opportunity.
To conclude, I enjoyed Hedwig, I enjoyed that this was an easy read, I just wish the execution and ending had been more satisfying
georgiarowe's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed the whimsy of this book
zoer03's review against another edition
5.0
What an utterly amazing, beautiful and brilliant book. This feels like stepping into wardrobe into another wonderful and magical world, or even falling down a rabbit hole and ending up in a gorgeous fantasy land. This story evokes so many great feelings of magic, courage and yes that little bit of strange feyness otherworldliness. I have fallen in love with all these characters and having it be set in Oxford makes it even more charming and enchanting. Read this wonderful book!!!!
angelamirode's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the plot. I would’ve never guessed who was the thief!
It was really catchy! The concept of enchanted dolls was original and the storytelling was easy to follow.
It was really catchy! The concept of enchanted dolls was original and the storytelling was easy to follow.
nina_rae_131's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Complicated
3.5
review to come
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Sexism, and Alcohol
Minor: Child death and Physical abuse
bianca4p's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rolandsquire's review against another edition
4.0
Kate Mascarenhas previous book ,’The Psychology of Time Travel’, was my favourite book of 2018 and was excited to get my hands on an advanced reading copy of her new book.
Set in Oxford it deals with the magical world of doll making amongst a tight knit family who fear outsiders taking their secrets. Like ‘Psychology of Time Travel’ there is a mystery at the heart of this story which even though set in present day feels timeless and made it slightly difficult to get a handle on the look and feel of the world.
Not as compelling as ‘Psychology of Time Travel’ but still a book I would recommend to anyone who last year enjoyed ‘The Binding’.
Set in Oxford it deals with the magical world of doll making amongst a tight knit family who fear outsiders taking their secrets. Like ‘Psychology of Time Travel’ there is a mystery at the heart of this story which even though set in present day feels timeless and made it slightly difficult to get a handle on the look and feel of the world.
Not as compelling as ‘Psychology of Time Travel’ but still a book I would recommend to anyone who last year enjoyed ‘The Binding’.
emilycooper's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
leilaxx's review against another edition
2.0
Ok, wow, first of all, I can't believe I finished this in like 5 hours. It was such a slow and dull read. I can't believe I managed to convince myself to complete it. I contemplated stopping, but I felt I had done so too many times this year.
Why not give it a chance?
The plot, let me just say, got lost on me quickly. It starts with the introduction of a mysterious stranger, claiming to be a long-lost relative of the Kendrick doll makers. He is set on working as an apprentice and planning to learn the secret craft of enchantments on the dolls. Next thing you know, two other POVs are introduced; the paid mourner doll is stolen and well. Soon, the world and magic of doll building became too incoherent and confusing for my focus.
The three different character POVs were useless. I felt so detached from them. They truly had no other personality or intriguing character traits or background besides all working for Conrad. It was just reading the same thing three times. I was so bored. The characters also had no connection to one another, neither to the reader nor the setting itself; all their perspectives were useless, and their acquaintance with one another made no sense.
More of my issues:
The original doll thief never properly gave their motive as to why they did it. I don't even remember who it was. Was it even uncovered or explained? Maybe it was, but I was so fed up that the last 100 pages blurred into one for me.
Larkins' motive washed over me, and he was all over the place.
The magic side of things did not make sense nor add up.
How old were our characters? What did they look like? It was hard trying to form an image in my head when barely any character description was provided.
The whole hex and magic doll-making enchanting skill. What was the purpose? How does it work? Why did the family secret not get leaked by anyone generations down? Are you all that loyal?
Briar and his drinking problems were probably the most prominent part of this novel. He was the main character because that was the only exciting thing happening.
The plot did NOT move forward or change throughout the 300-plus pages. The book was a constant return, like a circle of everyone repeating the same ideas, thoughts and brain.
There was no winged horse, lol.
Why not give it a chance?
The plot, let me just say, got lost on me quickly. It starts with the introduction of a mysterious stranger, claiming to be a long-lost relative of the Kendrick doll makers. He is set on working as an apprentice and planning to learn the secret craft of enchantments on the dolls. Next thing you know, two other POVs are introduced; the paid mourner doll is stolen and well. Soon, the world and magic of doll building became too incoherent and confusing for my focus.
The three different character POVs were useless. I felt so detached from them. They truly had no other personality or intriguing character traits or background besides all working for Conrad. It was just reading the same thing three times. I was so bored. The characters also had no connection to one another, neither to the reader nor the setting itself; all their perspectives were useless, and their acquaintance with one another made no sense.
More of my issues:
The original doll thief never properly gave their motive as to why they did it. I don't even remember who it was. Was it even uncovered or explained? Maybe it was, but I was so fed up that the last 100 pages blurred into one for me.
Larkins' motive washed over me, and he was all over the place.
The magic side of things did not make sense nor add up.
How old were our characters? What did they look like? It was hard trying to form an image in my head when barely any character description was provided.
The whole hex and magic doll-making enchanting skill. What was the purpose? How does it work? Why did the family secret not get leaked by anyone generations down? Are you all that loyal?
Briar and his drinking problems were probably the most prominent part of this novel. He was the main character because that was the only exciting thing happening.
The plot did NOT move forward or change throughout the 300-plus pages. The book was a constant return, like a circle of everyone repeating the same ideas, thoughts and brain.
There was no winged horse, lol.