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calidareads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
madmads126's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? No
4.0
lilsreeds's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
SPOILERS
Fairy-tale retelling of Sleeping Beauty.
I was not the biggest fan of the main romance or Fi, one of the FMC. Shane and the secondary romance plot were more intriguing to me, Shane was a great character who provided bad-ass moments, as well as more emotional scenes and comedy. Briar-Rose grows to be more interesting by the very end, though he was merely fine for most of the book.
Worldbuilding was alright, not too much apart from naming the different countries around this world, but the most interesting part were the different methods the witches would use to perform magic, such as with plants, paper, or dreams. Side characters did not provide much, though Red and her romance was often very fun. The overall villain of the Spindle Witch was not particularly interesting or intimidating, unfortunately.
I also particularly enjoyed the flashback scene of Briar's where we see his family in the past just being happy together.
3.5/5, I will not be immediately going for the sequel.
Fairy-tale retelling of Sleeping Beauty.
I was not the biggest fan of the main romance or Fi, one of the FMC. Shane and the secondary romance plot were more intriguing to me, Shane was a great character who provided bad-ass moments, as well as more emotional scenes and comedy. Briar-Rose grows to be more interesting by the very end, though he was merely fine for most of the book.
Worldbuilding was alright, not too much apart from naming the different countries around this world, but the most interesting part were the different methods the witches would use to perform magic, such as with plants, paper, or dreams. Side characters did not provide much, though Red and her romance was often very fun. The overall villain of the Spindle Witch was not particularly interesting or intimidating, unfortunately.
I also particularly enjoyed the flashback scene of Briar's where we see his family in the past just being happy together.
3.5/5, I will not be immediately going for the sequel.
yanderbae's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Overall I enjoyed the fantasy vibe of this book, but too many elements left me wanting more. The characters felt too flat, despite repeatedly delving into their backstories, but their actions and dialogue just felt like a weak attempt to convince the reader of their personality, rather than actually having personality and depth. The action sequences also felt pretty weak and not as exciting as I would’ve hoped. The relationship between Briar and Fi was sweet, but I do feel it was pushed to “love” without me believing it as the reader. I wasn’t invested in Shane’s relationship either, even though that was the main reason I picked the book up.
If I come across the next book in the trilogy I will read it, but I’m not going out of my way to continue a story that mostly fizzled rather than sparked or ignited.
If I come across the next book in the trilogy I will read it, but I’m not going out of my way to continue a story that mostly fizzled rather than sparked or ignited.
bmzhang's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Enjoyed a lot! Checked out the next book by the time I was halfway through. Less pleased with the "ending" but I particularly loved all the parts showcasing Fi's treasure hunting
wyattseven's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
brittvdjx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sagecathybl0nde's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It took me SUCH a long time to finish this book. I’m kinda sad I’m finished it. It’s such a wonderful loveable book from start to finish. I was actually hooked every second I was reading this book it was so worth the long read. I’m gonna miss reading it on the bus.
The characters were so intense interesting and inspiring. Fi’s character development was truly remarkable. She was so incredibly well written I knew she was for sure my favourite. I don’t know about Shane did she have much character development? She clearly proved she’s strong but that was pretty much throughout the whole book. I would say she did change after she decided to accompany Fi. She never would have done it normally. She’s such a good character she’s so loveable I actually adored her chapters although I think I preferred Fi’s. Shane, i can relate to her which is even better because I love relatable characters. As for briar rose he had a good bit of character development surrounding his powers which honestly I loved. But in terms of his attitude and playful tone it never really changed until the end when we saw the vulnerable side if him in andar.
I really really want to know what happens to Fi and Shane with their families and the butterfly curse on Fi. And I hope the people sleeping in andar castle what up.
Fi and Briar’s relationship was my favourite thing in the whole book. It’s pretty typical of Fi to soften up to him that’s usually the plot but the writer made it so much better than just typical. I need me a briar rose he’s such a sweetheart I was sobbing at the end.
I actually GASPED at the plot twist too. I loved red I can’t believe she did that to Shane. I was so rooting for them. And actually I think the name red and the fact her pets were wolves is like a metaphor for little red riding hood except her and the wolf are friends kind of thing. A lot of the story connects to fairytales or children’s stories mostly but in a more intense mature way, I love it.
To conclude, such an amazing book, they need to make a movie of this. I don’t even know how more people haven’t read this. If you’re not much of a fantasy fan I wouldn’t recommend it actually. But I think it is one of my favourite books ever. I heard there’s a second book I’ll have to read.
The characters were so intense interesting and inspiring. Fi’s character development was truly remarkable. She was so incredibly well written I knew she was for sure my favourite. I don’t know about Shane did she have much character development? She clearly proved she’s strong but that was pretty much throughout the whole book. I would say she did change after she decided to accompany Fi. She never would have done it normally. She’s such a good character she’s so loveable I actually adored her chapters although I think I preferred Fi’s. Shane, i can relate to her which is even better because I love relatable characters. As for briar rose he had a good bit of character development surrounding his powers which honestly I loved. But in terms of his attitude and playful tone it never really changed until the end when we saw the vulnerable side if him in andar.
I really really want to know what happens to Fi and Shane with their families and the butterfly curse on Fi. And I hope the people sleeping in andar castle what up.
Fi and Briar’s relationship was my favourite thing in the whole book. It’s pretty typical of Fi to soften up to him that’s usually the plot but the writer made it so much better than just typical. I need me a briar rose he’s such a sweetheart I was sobbing at the end.
I actually GASPED at the plot twist too. I loved red I can’t believe she did that to Shane. I was so rooting for them. And actually I think the name red and the fact her pets were wolves is like a metaphor for little red riding hood except her and the wolf are friends kind of thing. A lot of the story connects to fairytales or children’s stories mostly but in a more intense mature way, I love it.
To conclude, such an amazing book, they need to make a movie of this. I don’t even know how more people haven’t read this. If you’re not much of a fantasy fan I wouldn’t recommend it actually. But I think it is one of my favourite books ever. I heard there’s a second book I’ll have to read.
jayykitty's review against another edition
4.0
I love a good gender swap on a classic story. There was incredible back story for the characters and I enjoyed the banter! Looking forward to the next one!
emrandom's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5