Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

Tithe by Holly Black

7 reviews

camiclarkbooks's review

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This was the first teen book I remember reading. It was dark and unsettling, showing the “true” side of Faerie instead of the Disney version to which we’ve grown accustomed. 

If you read Holly Black’s “Folk of the Air” trilogy but wished it was just a little creepier, check out “Tithe.” 

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cloudbooks's review

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dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I had banned Holly Black because I just couldn't read The Cruel Prince. But after reading this book, I'm thoroughly convinced I just didn't like the narration of The Cruel Prince.

The good:
Roiben and Lutie-Loo. I loved the layers of Roiben, the way he tries to present himself as dangerous when he's actually kind and gentle when he doesn't have to be anything else. I also really loved the way the faeries worked and how they deceived and played with humans. I loved the Kelpie and I desperately need more of deadly water horses! I also really loved the twist at the end. It was such a well placed twist that I hadn't seen coming! 

The bad:
The pacing is really strange and suffers from this being the first book by this author. It switches POV in the middle of a chapter for no reason except to explain the reader how the court works. It would have done wonders for the story if there was a chapter that showed Kaye's childhood. Most of the action involving the faeries from her childhood feel superficial because the reader has no reason to care for them. 

Overall, I would absolutely read this again! 

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qwib_reads's review

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adventurous dark funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0


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annasneddon's review

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

2.5


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mmefish's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Even though this was definitely weaker than “the Cruel Prince” (no wonder, with whole 16 years difference), I still enjoyed the story and the characters. The early 2000s vibes are strong, the faeries – as wicked as I like them. A fair amount of scenes and dialogues are awkwardly written (sudden changes in mood, kisses out of nowhere etc.), but with some polishing “Tithe” could hold up even today (though it certainly would never get published as YA).

Few things that bothered me:
1. Corny’s violent thoughts/behaviour (expressing the urge to hurt people, even his mother);
2. The age difference between Kaye and Roiben. He is clearly an adult man and she is sixteen. Made me feel icky every time I stopped to think about it, especially since they both act in accordance with their age.


P.S.: “She let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding” (x3)

Edit: thinking about this book after a few months, the depiction of homosexuality and race is definitely… not done well.

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mollyanne624's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0


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caylen's review

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0


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