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tsked_off's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Grief and Gaslighting
Minor: Racism and Sexism
rorikae's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
'The Last Tale of the Flower Bride' by Roshani Chokshi is an atmospheric and fairy tale infused story that follows two characters interactions with the same mysterious and manipulative woman.
In the current storyline, the Bridegroom has married Indigo, a beguiling woman with a mysterious past that she asks the bridegroom not to ask about. When she is called back to her home to see her dying aunt, her secrets begin to unravel.
Woven between the Bridegroom's story is the story of Azure, Indigo's childhood friend who tells about their childhood and the special place that the two created. Influenced by the fae and fairy tales, the girl's relationship is codependent and isolates them from their peers.
Chokshi has created the perfect, atmospheric story centered around secrets, friendship, and codependency. The mystery is woven throughout the story and Chokshi's evocative writing not only captures the different character's relationships with Indigo but also how Indigo sees the world even without ever hearing her side of the story. It is dripping with myth and folklore not only in its influences and the characters' interests but also in the imagery that Chokshi evokes.
It's wonderfully told on audio, which added to the atmosphere. I cannot recommend this book enough, especially for people looking for a folklore inspired, gothic tale dripping in mystery.
In the current storyline, the Bridegroom has married Indigo, a beguiling woman with a mysterious past that she asks the bridegroom not to ask about. When she is called back to her home to see her dying aunt, her secrets begin to unravel.
Woven between the Bridegroom's story is the story of Azure, Indigo's childhood friend who tells about their childhood and the special place that the two created. Influenced by the fae and fairy tales, the girl's relationship is codependent and isolates them from their peers.
Chokshi has created the perfect, atmospheric story centered around secrets, friendship, and codependency. The mystery is woven throughout the story and Chokshi's evocative writing not only captures the different character's relationships with Indigo but also how Indigo sees the world even without ever hearing her side of the story. It is dripping with myth and folklore not only in its influences and the characters' interests but also in the imagery that Chokshi evokes.
It's wonderfully told on audio, which added to the atmosphere. I cannot recommend this book enough, especially for people looking for a folklore inspired, gothic tale dripping in mystery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
ddnreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
WHAT WAS THAT?!!
Mesmerising lyrical writing, this book revolves around the dynamic of a married couple under one condition: the bridegroom shouldn't pry into his wife past at all cost.
Until a condition brought them together into the House of Dreams. The wife's childhood house. This is where the secrets unfolded telling about two girls found their way into adulthood, from believing into fairies and otherworld, and acted upon those beliefs.
Mesmerising lyrical writing, this book revolves around the dynamic of a married couple under one condition: the bridegroom shouldn't pry into his wife past at all cost.
Until a condition brought them together into the House of Dreams. The wife's childhood house. This is where the secrets unfolded telling about two girls found their way into adulthood, from believing into fairies and otherworld, and acted upon those beliefs.
"I thought you love us. Or maybe I just don't understand your love."
Giving a gothic dark vibe, the story was told in riddles. We were to see beyond what was written. It tackled the issue about a broken home, domestic abuse, pedo step father, and a obsessive psychopath kinda best friend.
This was a very dark coming of age stories. When RC said it's about how the marriage comprises the monsters in the past, I felt that.
"We're two blues, the heat seam of dusk and dawn. We share a sky, if not a soul, and yet we are cut out the same shape."
"Only grief can make time change its tempo like that, expand seconds to centuries, with only our eyes marking the distance crossed."
I love how the author weaved the philosophical ideas of teens turned into adulthood. What shaped them and what those years means.
The characters' trait was so intriguing. The condition that they have to put through shaped what they are. The TOXICITY was heavy.
However, I can't shake the feeling of relief when I finished. I love how the story ended.
(I just really wish the stepfather rott in hell somewhere)
If you're into atmospheric dark romance, gothic mysterious vibe with alluring writing, tales about love and finding oneself, coming of age (teens and married), and the subtle line between fairy tale and reality, give this book a gođź’–
The characters' trait was so intriguing. The condition that they have to put through shaped what they are. The TOXICITY was heavy.
However, I can't shake the feeling of relief when I finished. I love how the story ended.
(I just really wish the stepfather rott in hell somewhere)
If you're into atmospheric dark romance, gothic mysterious vibe with alluring writing, tales about love and finding oneself, coming of age (teens and married), and the subtle line between fairy tale and reality, give this book a gođź’–
"All marriage possess their own tongue. It is a lexicon discovered in that space between clipped sentences. Its poetry can be heard in the rustle of blankets as you shift to curl around the other in silent apology."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, and Grief
hellodebbies's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Loved the book, characters and story ! It makes me think again and again of all the possible outcome of the situation they were in, I loved the dual pov (And I am not fond of those usually) I only wished we got more of Bridegroom's story and background in his chapters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, and Toxic friendship
astralbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Child abuse and Child death
poppywarphan's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Characters: 3/10
Enjoyment: 3/10
Plot: 5/10
Worldbuilding: 4/10
Writing: 7/10
Plot: 5/10
Worldbuilding: 4/10
Writing: 7/10
I’d say this was like a gothic fairytale mystery. Everything felt like a fever dream. The writing style was definitely not my preferred style. It felt like the words kept going in circles. Not as in being repetitive, but as in going on this roundabout way to express something but ending up back at the beginning. I appreciate the effort put into the writing, a lot of people will probably find it beautiful, but it was just too much for me.
The worldbuilding was just a big question mark. I was confused about the fantasy elements. When magic was described, I couldn’t tell if it was meant literally or figuratively. Additionally, I had no idea whether this Otherworld mentioned was actually real, or most of the things mentioned as a matter of fact.
The characters were boring. I didn’t care about any of them except for, maybe, Azure in the past. The relationship between Indigo and the bridegroom felt artificial. The friendship between Indigo and Azure was unhealthy.
Everyone was obsessed with the supernatural. The bridegroom studied magic, mythology, and folklore because he remembered having a brother who apparently did not exist. Azure and Indigo bonded over the fae. They were convinced they were a part of them and belonged elsewhere. Indigo took that obsession too far.
Everyone was obsessed with the supernatural. The bridegroom studied magic, mythology, and folklore because he remembered having a brother who apparently did not exist. Azure and Indigo bonded over the fae. They were convinced they were a part of them and belonged elsewhere. Indigo took that obsession too far.
The plot was extremely slow. Almost everything was merely told, and most of the page space was filled with descriptions.
The author said this is her best work. If that is the case, I don’t think her books are for me. I don’t understand metaphorical gibberish. That’s a me problem. I chose to read this first because it was the shortest of my arcs, yet it felt so long.
Arc provided by publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Arc provided by publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Blood, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
tinybluepixel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Alcohol