Scan barcode
natvcampos's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Violence
katreadswaytoomuch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Self harm, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
safety_pin's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Hate crime, and Murder
Minor: Self harm and Vomit
doggipet's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Violence
Minor: Blood, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Slavery, Stalking, and Suicide
itwassomethingabout's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Antisemitism and Self harm
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
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
4.0
[second read, February 2023]
Rating raised from 3 stars to 4.
Why do I give all the best books lower ratings, and all the worst books higher ones?
Seriously though. This might not be one of my all-time favorites, but upon revisiting it, I’ve realized it’s still absolutely DELIGHTFUL to read. Seeing Jude’s descent into moral ambiguity, and all of the earliest signs that, already, Cardan is the biggest simp for her? Watching them bicker and banter and one-up each other? It’s just so much fun!
And don’t even get me started on how completely hilarious it is to witness Jude repeatedly misinterpret everything Cardan says and does. I didn’t notice this the first time, but like. It’s actually so obvious how fast he catches feels. Their every interaction is peak entertainment, truly.
Looking through my old review, I’m stunned by just how differently I feel this time around.And by how much of a fool I was at 17.
“The best way to sum up my thoughts would be wasted potential”?
A) Rude.
B) Not even remotely true. Holly Black is actually so clever for this.
“I liked the world-building, but I wanted more from it”?
I actually think Elfhame is fascinating. Terrifying, yes, but still fascinating.
“I liked Jude, but she never really had a plan and she was kind of whiny”?
The only whiny one here is past me, clearly. Jude is iconic.
“I liked Locke”?
FOOL.
“As for Cardan, he can walk into a volcano”?
FOOL.
“Needless to say, I don’t ship Jude and Cardan”?
FOOL.
Someone get me a time machine, because I was clearly born in the wrong time and missed my calling as a court jester.
Seriously though. The bit about Cardan was particularly painful to read, seeing as I’ve now found the light and know he’s an absolute cinnamon roll. He needs to be kept away from any and all volcanoes. He needs a hug.
And I most certainly do ship Jude and Cardan. I love them so much.
[first read, June 2018]
People say you either love this book or you hate it. Personally, I’m in the middle. It was an average read, and a disappointing one.
The best way to sum up my thoughts would be wasted potential. This book could’ve been great, but it just fell short. And I didn’t ever really *feel* anything? At all? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I liked the world-building, laughable as the name Faerieland may be. However, I wanted more from it.
I liked Jude, but she never really had a plan and she was kind of whiny. I think she could’ve used more character development, aside from growing more and more brutal.
I liked Jude’s relationship with her sisters, but I wanted more from it. Her interactions with Taryn did nothing but create drama, in my opinion, and Vivi was practically absent until she could help further a scheme.
The prologue intrigued me. I thought that starting a story with a murder would mean a consistently quicker pace and plenty of twists, but I was wrong. I wanted more action from the story. A lot of things seemed impromptu and not very entertaining, up until the last 65 pages.
And what even was the point of all that trash between Jude and Cardan and his crew??? The world may never know. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I liked Locke. I liked Jude and Locke’s relationship. I was disappointed when that twist came up, but not surprised.
As for Cardan, he can walk into a volcano. I’m sorry he had a trash family and a rough childhood and that he was abused. I am. It sucks. But being abused doesn’t excuse being abusive. He was rotten from the start, and to me there was really no improvement.
Needless to say, I don’t ship Jude and Cardan. Nope.
I liked the end, particularly the Target scene. I think the sequel could be interesting, given Jude and Cardan’s last interaction, but I don’t know. I won’t be reading it.
The theme here is me wanting more. If more things were elaborated upon, I think this could’ve been a good book. I think I would’ve liked it. As it stands, I didn’t dislike it. I was rather neutral, and found it underwhelming.
And that’s all I think there is to say about that.
Representation:
Rating raised from 3 stars to 4.
Why do I give all the best books lower ratings, and all the worst books higher ones?
Seriously though. This might not be one of my all-time favorites, but upon revisiting it, I’ve realized it’s still absolutely DELIGHTFUL to read. Seeing Jude’s descent into moral ambiguity, and all of the earliest signs that, already, Cardan is the biggest simp for her? Watching them bicker and banter and one-up each other? It’s just so much fun!
And don’t even get me started on how completely hilarious it is to witness Jude repeatedly misinterpret everything Cardan says and does. I didn’t notice this the first time, but like. It’s actually so obvious how fast he catches feels. Their every interaction is peak entertainment, truly.
Looking through my old review, I’m stunned by just how differently I feel this time around.
“The best way to sum up my thoughts would be wasted potential”?
A) Rude.
B) Not even remotely true. Holly Black is actually so clever for this.
“I liked the world-building, but I wanted more from it”?
I actually think Elfhame is fascinating. Terrifying, yes, but still fascinating.
“I liked Jude, but she never really had a plan and she was kind of whiny”?
The only whiny one here is past me, clearly. Jude is iconic.
“I liked Locke”?
FOOL.
“As for Cardan, he can walk into a volcano”?
FOOL.
“Needless to say, I don’t ship Jude and Cardan”?
FOOL.
Someone get me a time machine, because I was clearly born in the wrong time and missed my calling as a court jester.
Seriously though. The bit about Cardan was particularly painful to read, seeing as I’ve now found the light and know he’s an absolute cinnamon roll. He needs to be kept away from any and all volcanoes. He needs a hug.
And I most certainly do ship Jude and Cardan. I love them so much.
[first read, June 2018]
People say you either love this book or you hate it. Personally, I’m in the middle. It was an average read, and a disappointing one.
The best way to sum up my thoughts would be wasted potential. This book could’ve been great, but it just fell short. And I didn’t ever really *feel* anything? At all? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I liked the world-building, laughable as the name Faerieland may be. However, I wanted more from it.
I liked Jude, but she never really had a plan and she was kind of whiny. I think she could’ve used more character development, aside from growing more and more brutal.
I liked Jude’s relationship with her sisters, but I wanted more from it. Her interactions with Taryn did nothing but create drama, in my opinion, and Vivi was practically absent until she could help further a scheme.
The prologue intrigued me. I thought that starting a story with a murder would mean a consistently quicker pace and plenty of twists, but I was wrong. I wanted more action from the story. A lot of things seemed impromptu and not very entertaining, up until the last 65 pages.
And what even was the point of all that trash between Jude and Cardan and his crew??? The world may never know. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I liked Locke. I liked Jude and Locke’s relationship. I was disappointed when that twist came up, but not surprised.
As for Cardan, he can walk into a volcano. I’m sorry he had a trash family and a rough childhood and that he was abused. I am. It sucks. But being abused doesn’t excuse being abusive. He was rotten from the start, and to me there was really no improvement.
Needless to say, I don’t ship Jude and Cardan. Nope.
I liked the end, particularly the Target scene. I think the sequel could be interesting, given Jude and Cardan’s last interaction, but I don’t know. I won’t be reading it.
The theme here is me wanting more. If more things were elaborated upon, I think this could’ve been a good book. I think I would’ve liked it. As it stands, I didn’t dislike it. I was rather neutral, and found it underwhelming.
And that’s all I think there is to say about that.
Representation:
- bisexual side character in a sapphic relationship
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Bullying, Death, Self harm, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Drug use and Suicide
Self-harm: Jude stabs herself through the hand (coercion) and repeatedly consumes various poisons (willingly). Parent death: both of Jude’s parents are killed on-page in the prologue. Physical abuse: Jude witnesses another character get beaten by someone in their family. Suicide: committed by an extremely minor side character, but on-page nonetheless. She drowns. Drug use: occasional use of fantasy drugs by side characters. There’s also a scene where Jude is drugged and acts against her will, though the situation doesn’t escalate to anything worse.
More...