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rebeccazh's review against another edition
4.0
Mar 2021: reread in preparation of [b:The Theft of Sunlight|17317376|The Theft of Sunlight (Dauntless Path, #2)|Intisar Khanani|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1592799670l/17317376._SY75_.jpg|23985987]. i really liked this unique retelling of the goose girl fairytale and the themes of silence, strength and courage, and the dangers of being a woman in a patriarchal/misogynistic world. i'm always so sad when falada dies in these retellings
yuzujam's review against another edition
3.0
I loved Shannon Hale's retelling of the Goose Girl, but this was excellent as well. I didn't know the tale very well, so I simply thought that the two novels were too similar. Well, now that I know the details such as that the horse's head is hung and there is a "magical" wind are actually from the original tale, I understand the similarities.
It was still strange at some points.
[SPOILER]
...that because of what one person said, she decides to confess in front of the fire. I could see it happen, but it's rather strange. Also, I love the main character but I'm rather confused as to her personality. Is it realistic? (You might ask does it matter?) She started out so scared... but became brave relatively quickly. Meaning she was brave to begin with, but it was hiding?
Anyway, still an enjoyable read. There were some sweet and cute moments that made me go aw.
It was still strange at some points.
[SPOILER]
...that because of what one person said, she decides to confess in front of the fire. I could see it happen, but it's rather strange. Also, I love the main character but I'm rather confused as to her personality. Is it realistic? (You might ask does it matter?) She started out so scared... but became brave relatively quickly. Meaning she was brave to begin with, but it was hiding?
Anyway, still an enjoyable read. There were some sweet and cute moments that made me go aw.
edeneldred's review against another edition
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
1.0
1/5
I don't know what I was thinking going into this book. I was excited to read it, but I soon found out that it was just a drag. I know the lesson behind the story but I was expecting something more in a way from this retelling. It also seemed like it took me forever to finish.
I don't know what I was thinking going into this book. I was excited to read it, but I soon found out that it was just a drag. I know the lesson behind the story but I was expecting something more in a way from this retelling. It also seemed like it took me forever to finish.
alexandreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It has been so long since a book gives me this feeling of yearning to continue flipping through the pages. I should be studying but I stayed up until 2:36 am to finish this book. That is how much I love Thorn.
Such wonderful protagonist, characters. The villain resolution is a bit weak, admittedly. But Thorn/Alyrra and Kestrin slowburn simmering romance/courting are 💕💕💕💕
Not to mention her found family with Violet, Sage, Oak, Ash 🥹🥹🥹
This book makes me happy. So much.
Kudos to Intisar Khanani for such a beautifully written novel ♥️
Such wonderful protagonist, characters. The villain resolution is a bit weak, admittedly. But Thorn/Alyrra and Kestrin slowburn simmering romance/courting are 💕💕💕💕
Not to mention her found family with Violet, Sage, Oak, Ash 🥹🥹🥹
This book makes me happy. So much.
Kudos to Intisar Khanani for such a beautifully written novel ♥️
haileereads's review against another edition
4.0
This is a retelling of the Goose Girl. I liked the twists from the original and trying to guess how it would be tied back to it. I enjoyed the book overall but some of the themes are heavy as it focuses on the traumas from abuse and injustice.
annamickreads's review against another edition
4.0
Having only read one adaptation of the Grimm fairytale of the Goose Girl before, I didn't have a lot to compare to. There were a lot of similarities between this book and Shannon Hale's "The Goose Girl", which was my first introduction to the story of the Goose Girl, but also many differences. I appreciated the fact that the main character I believe (?) was nonwhite, while the villainess was white--that's not something you see very often in literature at all.
While most of the story was the one I remember and clearly following along the lines of the Grimm tale, I appreciated the different magic system in comparison to Hale's magic system. This magic system is focused less on the elemental aspects of the story, but more on political/court intrigue with a little magic thrown in. I loved 'Thorn''s determination and ferocity, and I think as a main character she is both relatable and smart.
In short: fun new adaptation of a rather obscure fairytale! I DEVOURED this book and found it pretty easy to read. The Goose Girl remains high on my list of all-time favorite fairytales.
While most of the story was the one I remember and clearly following along the lines of the Grimm tale, I appreciated the different magic system in comparison to Hale's magic system. This magic system is focused less on the elemental aspects of the story, but more on political/court intrigue with a little magic thrown in. I loved 'Thorn''s determination and ferocity, and I think as a main character she is both relatable and smart.
In short: fun new adaptation of a rather obscure fairytale! I DEVOURED this book and found it pretty easy to read. The Goose Girl remains high on my list of all-time favorite fairytales.
cosmopolitan's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 but the ending was disappointing. Why so anti-climatic.
sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up to 4.
A gorgeous retelling of the Goose Girl. Although I stumbled at times with the first person narration, and an occasional tendency for scenes to slip into another without a clear enough break, meaning I got a little lost, on the whole this is an extremely well-done tale and I'll be reading more of Khanahi in future.
A gorgeous retelling of the Goose Girl. Although I stumbled at times with the first person narration, and an occasional tendency for scenes to slip into another without a clear enough break, meaning I got a little lost, on the whole this is an extremely well-done tale and I'll be reading more of Khanahi in future.