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paduckling's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The main thing that hung me up in this book is the translation. There are quite a few typos and sometimes the word choice just seems off, which I assume is a product of the translation from French to English. I would love to be able to read this book in its native language one day.
As for the content itself, I really like this book. I think I actually enjoyed it more this second time reading it because I was just so lost the first time around. Usually I enjoy not knowing much going into books but it’s a lot of world-building and characterization to handle and it left me kind of lost. I appreciate the nuance of all the main characters - no one is completely good or likable; they all have realistic flaws.
As for the content itself, I really like this book. I think I actually enjoyed it more this second time reading it because I was just so lost the first time around. Usually I enjoy not knowing much going into books but it’s a lot of world-building and characterization to handle and it left me kind of lost. I appreciate the nuance of all the main characters - no one is completely good or likable; they all have realistic flaws.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
for content warnings: there is use of the M-word by a particular character to refer to shorter people in a derogatory way. There is also fatphobia in the sense of conflating being overweight with indulging in excess as a commentary on societal structure.bookswithgracie's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Suicide
paolina's review against another edition
slow-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
2.0
Interesting setting, but that plodding plot was truly an exercise in misery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Death
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, and Classism
Minor: Miscarriage
customfitbooks's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This was fine. Neither my most favorite nor my least. I wish I could read this in the original language, I do think there were some things that got a bit lost in translation.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Rape
There was a lackadaisical mention by a side character about his ability to “deflower” the main character, though he insists she would “want him to” which felt rape-y to me - especially because his specific intention was to do it so her betrothed would no longer want her. Anyways. Her family and fiancée are also terrible and abusive emotionally (and sometimes physically) throughout.kellyhady's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Police brutality
Moderate: Child abuse
harmony822's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
thebookwormm's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I think this is a magical and beautifully written book and the world building was incredible. It is slow-paced, wich is why I found it a little boring at some points, but if you like slow-paced books, I think you'll like this one. (Spoiler! It was really sad how Ophelia was treated, and I honestly would just like to give her a hug)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
evelum's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Beautifully written. I suppose it just wasn't as character driven as I prefer. I didn't think there was anything wrong with the story, it just didn't engage me personally.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, and War
mutiny's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Gaslighting
masonposte's review
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
I just wanted… more from this book. More magic (the main character has very cool powers and we barely get to see them?!), more plot - we so often stuck disempowered with the Protagonist when nothing is happening. The promise of the plot was not delivered on. We barely see the so-called love interest we barely see the magic, we barely see the society of the pole. And even if Ophelia is asexual, which is the vibe I get, her husband to be treats her terribly and we barely get a reaction out of her! We don’t need love / romance for that relationship to play out but it just doesn’t.
I also don’t know what Ophelias goals were for most of the book so we really aimlessly in her head.
Then, maybe it’s just translation but there is so much incest reference. And there didn’t seem to be a point in it. Why is Berenile sensually looking at Thorn and her daughter in law? Holding her belly staring at him like she wants to be taken care of? Why does Ophelia read this as motherly? Tbh ate not even the half of it. Marrying cousins, having the baby of your ancestor, the absolute F.
Thorn is the main love/would be romantic interest and is barely present. We are told of danger we don’t see. Archibald is presented with a clear arc opportunity totally ignored. It’s so dull that getting used to someone is seen as a declaration of love?!
What was the point! Of any of it! There wasn’t a plot until 75% through - a reader needs goals.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Incest, and Physical abuse
Minor: Suicide