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16kneidels's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Murder, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood and Fire/Fire injury
eni_iilorak's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Trafficking, Murder, Lesbophobia, Outing, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Police brutality, and Grief
scribblesandsuch's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
It was fine, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, the fairytale worldbuilding aspect was also kind of meh honestly
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, and Lesbophobia
adragoninspace's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Murder, Lesbophobia, and Classism
majesticisme's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Trafficking
The entire focus of this book is systemic womens’ oppression within a fairytale/kingdom/fantasy setting, so if that is a topic which is triggering to you then I suggest you do not read. Women are objectified, harassed, married against their will, etc. but of course described by the author in a negative way. A woman is decapitated as she is falsely accused of assisting the main character. Another thing that may be triggering is a brief horse death as well as a bunny death which is more detailed.ren_dragon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This was a fun story with a good amount of action and intrigue. However, the characters felt inconsistent and a bit flat. Their motivations didn’t make sense a lot of the time and it felt like their actions were dictated by what the plot required rather than being driven by their own internal and external conflicts. The romance felt very insta-lovey with little to no build up or development so it wasn’t satisfying for me.
The main protagonist had much more potential for growth than the plot allowed. She ultimately felt inconsistent and somewhat passive (ironically) after fleeing the ball and the city (which is what she has wanted to do her whole life) compared to before she was forced to run.
I did like that there were references to some of the older Grimm’s versions of Cinderella later in the story rather than just the Disney retelling.
Graphic: Sexism and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Homophobia
holiday7's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Kidnapping
bzliz's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
The world is pretty vivid in how horrible it is. Abuse of all kinds apparently runs rampant and people truly just ignore it in hopes that they won’t get executed for speaking out. Obviously some people aren’t chill with what’s going on but they keep to themselves for the most part because they’re punished if they do speak out. I liked Sophia’s connection with Luke but I wish it was more substantial- like they’d been friends for a while and he really had a reason to stick his neck out for her- because when he came to save her at the ball, it felt unnatural. Like he’s been protecting himself for so long but after a few sassy interactions he feels compelled to protect her so they can both be secretly gay together but still stuck in this horrible place. I’m also confused by Erin’s characterization. She breaks Sophia’s heart by refusing to run away out of her own sense of self preservation and wants to follow the King’s terrible laws, but she already broke rules and norms by having a relationship with Sophia. Someone that set on keeping themself safe doesn’t seem like they’d ever admit or act on any gay feelings.
I enjoyed the dynamic between Sophia and Constance, and I really liked Amina’s murky morality. Even though it was easy to guess at the “plot twist” of the prince’s secret to youth, I did not see Amina’s plot twist coming. Constance wasn’t a knight in shining armor; she was a solid foundation on which Sophia was able to build her own feelings of rebellion against tyranny and I think the message of “we can stand up to things that are wrong and also girls can save themselves” is a pretty good one to put out in the world.
Mind the content warnings, especially if you can’t stomach descriptions or discussions of misogyny, sexual assault, physical abuse and domestic violence, and implications of pedophilia.
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Slavery, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia
alyvia_jeane's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Misogyny
Moderate: Animal death, Pedophilia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Bullying
mila_21's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Murder