Reviews with content warning for Suicide - A Winter's Promise

An interesting introduction to this world. I would have liked a little more world-building; we are kind of thrown into the deep end with this world and not given a lot of backstory or direction. I like Ophelia and I liked following her on her journey. And the court intrigue was fun and I want to learn more about that. It was a bit of a slog in the middle and they spent a lot of time at the Citeceleste that I think could have been cut down. But I am intrigued by the relationship between Thorn and Ophelia and I am interested in learning more about their powers.

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bookswithgracie's review

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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

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sydapel's review

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adventurous dark mysterious slow-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? No

4.0

Beware, she's a slllooowww burn folks. Requires massive patience and attention, but the way Davis manges to create a staggeringly vast and yet detailed world is incredible to experience. Like Ophelia, you are thrown into this world with no warning or pretext, lost to the alliances and dangers with no life vest. The "weakness" of the main character is frustrating at times, but to see her begin to find her voice and her determination to see her own way in life is wholly satisfying.

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viktorsboy's review

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mysterious slow-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No

1.0

Nothing happens- no plot until the last 20%, no character development the entire book. Repetitive writing style- we get it, she’s clumsy, he’s tall. Those are their only personality traits. This book is incapable of standing alone- it was all just one incredibly long and boring setup for the rest of the series. I will not be reading the rest though, because I just can’t read more of an author who writes an entire book of set up. I feel like I was led on. There was no resolution at all at the end of this book, no tension resolved, no climax.

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ellies_reading_again's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

This book is filled with conspiracy. The characters all have secrets and alliances are rare. Each chapter brings new information about the world that is explored, the relationship between the characters, and the scheming yet it feels like the story drags. I would not recommend this book to people who are used to read fantastic stories with strong world building. However, I understand why it could be appealing to middle grade or YA readers.

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masonposte's review

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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.

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shadereads's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-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

4.0

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