Scan barcode
rafacolog's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Death
camiclarkbooks's review
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.”
If you read Holly Black’s “Folk of the Air” trilogy but wished it was just a little creepier, check out “Tithe.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Bullying, and Physical abuse
Minor: Classism, Cursing, Murder, and Eating disorder
cloudbooks's review
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture and Cursing
Minor: Slavery, Vomit, War, Grief, and Blood
qwib_reads's review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Body horror, Kidnapping, Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Racism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Infidelity, Alcohol, Blood, Racial slurs, and Rape
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
halfelfschollar's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Most of the spaces I see consumed by fey and fey adjacent characters in modern stories tend to avoid actual weird fucked up fairy shit. And while the main love interest is still technically a pretty person with pointed ears, the inclusion of the other fey in the book more than made up for it. The use of real fey lore in the book was something I really enjoyed as someone who really likes folktales.
While I wouldn't call Kaye an unlikable character she certainly isn't the type of lead that is for everyones tastes. She's not the type of character I relate to but her perspective works for the story at hand and that's why she's a good pick for the story. Her questioning of the world she's now presented with and emotional outbursts make sense for the character we are introduced to, a young girl who's had to grow up far too fast.
This book is heavy on the urban fantasy, so if that's not you're genre this is not the book for you. The book also includes underage drinking and drug use with some sexual content. The age difference between Kaye and Rioben is also something I personally dislike but is also often something inherent in fey stories.
While I wouldn't call Kaye an unlikable character she certainly isn't the type of lead that is for everyones tastes. She's not the type of character I relate to but her perspective works for the story at hand and that's why she's a good pick for the story. Her questioning of the world she's now presented with and emotional outbursts make sense for the character we are introduced to, a young girl who's had to grow up far too fast.
This book is heavy on the urban fantasy, so if that's not you're genre this is not the book for you. The book also includes underage drinking and drug use with some sexual content. The age difference between Kaye and Rioben is also something I personally dislike but is also often something inherent in fey stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Blood, Violence, Drug use, Child death, Murder, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Racism and Torture
directorpurry's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Blood, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia
mmefish's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, and Blood
Minor: Sexual violence, Animal death, Child death, Gore, and Sexual content
half_bloodreader's review against another edition
dark
Written in 3rd person, past tense.
Gritty almost edgy early 2000s YA type. I do not miss the writing from this time tbh, as a teen myself I disliked the teens from the edgy fiction era, I was always siding with the adults for good reason. I much prefer current YA.
It was still interesting to see how Black writes their dark fae fantasy, a good introduction to their writing. And I'm glad I read this before more recent works, or it might have been very disappointing. That being said, I couldn't care about most characters, though why was the only gay human character the one to go through that bs?
I hope The Folk of the Air lives up to its hype.
Oh, and fae can outright lie which is one of my pet peeves. Otherwise, many were too straightforward instead of cunning.
Oh, and fae can outright lie which is one of my pet peeves. Otherwise, many were too straightforward instead of cunning.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol and Blood
mollyanne624's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, and Violence
Moderate: Murder and Sexual assault
Minor: Grief, Homophobia, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
foldsea's review
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death