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pandaaaaa14's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
nightresplendent's review against another edition
5.0
I read The Restless Girls by Jessie Burton on Thursday and it has just shot to the top of my Favourite Reads of 2018 list.
It is described by the author as her feminist revision, not retelling, of The Twelve Dancing Princesses by The Brothers Grimm and as this story was one of my absolute favourites growing up I knew I had to read it.
This is the fairytale we should be telling our daughters, nieces and granddaughters. We should teach them that the princesses can save themselves, that they dont need to be the damsel in distress to make men feel needed.
I may not be the target audience for this book, but I needed to read it. I can't wait to share it with my nieces. If you have any children in your life, it doesn't matter their gender, buy them this book.
The Restless Girls was gifted to me by Bloomsbury.
It is described by the author as her feminist revision, not retelling, of The Twelve Dancing Princesses by The Brothers Grimm and as this story was one of my absolute favourites growing up I knew I had to read it.
This is the fairytale we should be telling our daughters, nieces and granddaughters. We should teach them that the princesses can save themselves, that they dont need to be the damsel in distress to make men feel needed.
I may not be the target audience for this book, but I needed to read it. I can't wait to share it with my nieces. If you have any children in your life, it doesn't matter their gender, buy them this book.
The Restless Girls was gifted to me by Bloomsbury.
3wilcotroad's review
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
iris_garden's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
octygon's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely book! I am a sucker for fairy-tale adaptations, so I was predisposed to like this one from the start, but it did not disappoint. I will definitely be buying this for both libraries where I work. I also think it would be a great read-aloud--the language is lovely and it reads almost like a story being told between friends.
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
3.0
I borrowed this through borrow box on a whim when I wanted to try out reading on my phone again. This was the first time I've read anything by the author, although I have wanted to read her books for a while, and this was enjoyable.
It was a nice story, focusing on a feminism fairytale. I liked that it was advocating for young women being who they want to be, but (and I have to agree with a lot of the reviews I've read since finishing this book), I felt like it could have gone even futher in empowering and inspiring the characters and the audience. Especially because it was only really the oldest Princess that was truly striving for a better life and put all the hard work in, whilst the others didn't really help themselves. Yes, they weren't happy to be saved by a Prince, but I mean they still were waiting to be saved by someone, regardless.
I like how we had black princess, rather than a eurocentric narrative, but I also feel like that could have been an after thought to include in the illustrations (which were gorgeous in design, detail and style), because I personally felt like some of the way the characters were vaguely described, was in the perspective of a white character in mind.
It was a wordy middle grade, so I imagine it's probably better for 11+ maybe, although the story itself is still basic enough in tone. To be honest, it is a little confusing to properly gauge who it's appropriately aged for because of that conflict, but I still liked it.
Overall, a sweet story, but it could have done so much more.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
It was a nice story, focusing on a feminism fairytale. I liked that it was advocating for young women being who they want to be, but (and I have to agree with a lot of the reviews I've read since finishing this book), I felt like it could have gone even futher in empowering and inspiring the characters and the audience. Especially because it was only really the oldest Princess that was truly striving for a better life and put all the hard work in, whilst the others didn't really help themselves. Yes, they weren't happy to be saved by a Prince, but I mean they still were waiting to be saved by someone, regardless.
I like how we had black princess, rather than a eurocentric narrative, but I also feel like that could have been an after thought to include in the illustrations (which were gorgeous in design, detail and style), because I personally felt like some of the way the characters were vaguely described, was in the perspective of a white character in mind.
It was a wordy middle grade, so I imagine it's probably better for 11+ maybe, although the story itself is still basic enough in tone. To be honest, it is a little confusing to properly gauge who it's appropriately aged for because of that conflict, but I still liked it.
Overall, a sweet story, but it could have done so much more.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
panda_incognito's review against another edition
3.0
This retelling of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" features lovely illustrations, an uncommonly elegant narrative voice, and black girls as the main characters, but despite the book's unique charms, I can only give it three stars. The plot twist at the end is predictable from its inception, and worse, it is utterly absurd. As soon as I could see what was coming, it jerked me out of the otherwise enchanting story, and I lost all capacity to suspend disbelief. Because this book is so lovely and delightful in every other way, the weak and unbelievable climax is an even greater betrayal.
galexy_brain's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Car accident, Confinement, Sexism, Death of parent, Grief, and Misogyny
anakl's review
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0