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katieinca's review against another edition
3.0
I think "dreamlike" is an apt description. It was often charming, sometimes mildly off-putting.
xeyra1's review against another edition
4.0
I cannot say this one was one of my favourites by this author. I confess that it really didn't grab me much at the beginning and there were times when, during the reading, I became confused. McKillip's writing is beautiful but her metaphors and her symbolism and her flowery dialogue and descriptions in this book would occasionally confuse me and I got lost.
This does not mean I didn't like the book, though, because after a while I started immersing myself in the story, started feeling for the characters (Saro was an especially favourite of mine), loving them and being frustrated by them at times, wanting to know how things would end up for them. I liked the end; it was a fitting one, it had a bittersweet taste to it. It was not the easiest novel to read, no, but I enjoyed it nonetheless, just not as much as the other novels by this author I've had the pleasure of reading recently.
This does not mean I didn't like the book, though, because after a while I started immersing myself in the story, started feeling for the characters (Saro was an especially favourite of mine), loving them and being frustrated by them at times, wanting to know how things would end up for them. I liked the end; it was a fitting one, it had a bittersweet taste to it. It was not the easiest novel to read, no, but I enjoyed it nonetheless, just not as much as the other novels by this author I've had the pleasure of reading recently.
sam_skogrand's review
slow-paced
3.0
Honestly, this book kind of bored me. In the past, I've enjoyed McKillip's work, but not this time. Despite her lovely use of language, the plot often felt stunted and there was a lot of repetition. Much of it actually felt like trying to read a muddled dream. I know some people liked this effect, but it just didn't work for me. To each their own, I guess.
My favorite parts were of Saro in the kitchen. It isn't enough though. Oh well, I'll still continue to read McKillip's books. I have a few that are still TBR.
My favorite parts were of Saro in the kitchen. It isn't enough though. Oh well, I'll still continue to read McKillip's books. I have a few that are still TBR.
humvee's review against another edition
5.0
A lovely tale is terrible and wonderful enchantment
Patricia McKillip wrote such wonderful stories filled with prose. Like a Miyazaki film, the magic is in small things rather than huge moments. In some small way, this story is about learning to find joy and love and curiosity in the world after experiencing terrible loss.
Patricia McKillip wrote such wonderful stories filled with prose. Like a Miyazaki film, the magic is in small things rather than huge moments. In some small way, this story is about learning to find joy and love and curiosity in the world after experiencing terrible loss.
kaatiba's review against another edition
5.0
More melancholy, darker than her other books, still excellent.
lilyevangeline's review against another edition
4.0
McKillip's books are everything I want in a fairytale retelling, but even better. Her characters, even side characters, are compelling and her villains seem to be rarely straightforward, but she never loses the OtherWorldliness of faery-land.
coriandercilantro's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely, contained, and a sweeping story of war and responsibility in the face of trauma and sadness. I found the segments with Saro working in the kitchen to be quite sensory, somewhat reminding me of the time I worked as a catering cook.
nafisa_tabassum's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
cornflower's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5