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knittyreader's review
5.0
I often like retellings of fairy tales, especially if they are good.
The characters were very real. Not one of them was perfect, and all blemishes, big and small, added to the story and it's twists and turns.
I received a free copy through Netgalley, in return for an honest review.
The characters were very real. Not one of them was perfect, and all blemishes, big and small, added to the story and it's twists and turns.
I received a free copy through Netgalley, in return for an honest review.
routergirl's review
3.0
Owl Eyes is a solid young adult fantasy book - a book that seems to hint that there may be more to come, and I'm likely to read them, to find out what happens to Nora. I wish the author had spent a bit more time on the magic in the book - while you get a taste of it, there could be so much more - maybe in the next one, if there is one! Overall an enjoyable read.
andyn5's review
3.0
A Cinderella re-telling that gave me more than I was expecting!
This Cinderella is a heroine that endures a lot, battles her own demons and comes out on the other side stronger and wiser. It's probably just as dark as the original story from the Grimm brothers. Eleanor, or Nora, is a likeable character who wants to figure out who she is. Her journey however is far from being easy, and she will need to choose if she can live with the consequences her choices or not.
The plot is dark but solid and it develops nicely. It was a fun read that I recommend it for those who like darker fairytale retellings!
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy.
This Cinderella is a heroine that endures a lot, battles her own demons and comes out on the other side stronger and wiser. It's probably just as dark as the original story from the Grimm brothers. Eleanor, or Nora, is a likeable character who wants to figure out who she is. Her journey however is far from being easy, and she will need to choose if she can live with the consequences her choices or not.
The plot is dark but solid and it develops nicely. It was a fun read that I recommend it for those who like darker fairytale retellings!
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy.
srwestvik's review
3.0
We’re all well acquainted with the tale of Cinderella, and retellings of the story abound. Sometimes they can go in directions that surprise and intrigue; other times they very much tread the same ground. Owl Eyes tells the story of Nora, a kitchen servant on a grand estate, the Runes, whose connections to the main house - and the knight who owns it - are fraught with old secrets, bad blood, and of course, magic. It's ultimately a well-written, straightforward story with intriguing side characters and an interesting world, though it doesn't bring anything particularly new or exciting to the table.
The Story and World
My first impressions of this story were definitely positive. The secret it began with was enticing, the larger world it hinted at was hugely intriguing. However, the story itself came to lack momentum. I found that my heart was never racing, desperate to know what happens. Nevertheless, the familial strife really drove this story home, and the last third was easily more enjoyable than the rest, because Nora began to have some agency (even if it was reckless agency). The midnight ball was retold in a very cunning way, to the point that I wish the rest of the book could have been more like it in intensity, character development, and worldbuilding.
The biggest sell - and biggest disappointment - for me in Owl Eyes was the world of Colandaria. The sense of time was hard to place - knights were present, yet I had the impression this took place after the time of knights was ended. However, the other aspects of the world were hugely intriguing, and I wish we'd seen more of it. In particular this applies to the magic system of the Kindred and the Border Wars. I feel like this could only have enriched Nora's personal storyline.
The Characters
Nora herself isn't a fantastic protagonist. I never felt any personal connection to her, but it was easy to sympathise. Within the first 20% of the book, she has a very traumatic experience that never leaves her. Only those parts of the story - when it was terribly dark and her circumstances tied so clearly with the secrets she was trying to pry open - made me care. Her internal storyline was very static. Certainly, she learned the secrets and resolved them for herself, but I think her attitudes to other characters, her way of thinking, didn't really face the same curve it ought to have.
I definitely preferred the side characters. At first I thought Jack, her friend, very temperamental and emotional - yet, he really grew on me through the book. He's really just a very empathetic boy who's had to stomach many personal losses. He does so much for others of his own accord, and very little for himself, so can you really fault him for being upset whenever things turn south for him, or whenever faced with ingratitude? The problem with first person limited narrative, I guess, is that we only see Jack through Nora's (often selfish) eyes. Ultimately, I don't feel like there was justice for his character by the end.
The other characters in the kitchen house were endearing enough. I personally loved the people of the neighbouring estate, the Vale - Sir Milton and his daughter Bess, and their household. I wish we could have met more of them! I feel like I was made to dislike Bess because Nora had that common YA syndrome of instantly disliking a pretty and capable girl (though to her credit she did come to like her in the end). I wish that image could've been changed.
Final Thoughts
I did enjoy Owl Eyes for what it was - I just believe it could have been so much more. I think the story was rendered so static because for a large part it was concerned with digging up the past, and everything else, while rich interesting, was diversionary. Those two words do well to sum up Owl Eyes - interesting, but diversionary. An enjoyable enough fantasy-lite read, at the end of the day.
The review posted here is abridged. Check it out the full version on my blog!
Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Story and World
My first impressions of this story were definitely positive. The secret it began with was enticing, the larger world it hinted at was hugely intriguing. However, the story itself came to lack momentum. I found that my heart was never racing, desperate to know what happens. Nevertheless, the familial strife really drove this story home, and the last third was easily more enjoyable than the rest, because Nora began to have some agency (even if it was reckless agency). The midnight ball was retold in a very cunning way, to the point that I wish the rest of the book could have been more like it in intensity, character development, and worldbuilding.
The biggest sell - and biggest disappointment - for me in Owl Eyes was the world of Colandaria. The sense of time was hard to place - knights were present, yet I had the impression this took place after the time of knights was ended. However, the other aspects of the world were hugely intriguing, and I wish we'd seen more of it. In particular this applies to the magic system of the Kindred and the Border Wars. I feel like this could only have enriched Nora's personal storyline.
The Characters
Nora herself isn't a fantastic protagonist. I never felt any personal connection to her, but it was easy to sympathise. Within the first 20% of the book, she has a very traumatic experience that never leaves her. Only those parts of the story - when it was terribly dark and her circumstances tied so clearly with the secrets she was trying to pry open - made me care. Her internal storyline was very static. Certainly, she learned the secrets and resolved them for herself, but I think her attitudes to other characters, her way of thinking, didn't really face the same curve it ought to have.
I definitely preferred the side characters. At first I thought Jack, her friend, very temperamental and emotional - yet, he really grew on me through the book. He's really just a very empathetic boy who's had to stomach many personal losses. He does so much for others of his own accord, and very little for himself, so can you really fault him for being upset whenever things turn south for him, or whenever faced with ingratitude? The problem with first person limited narrative, I guess, is that we only see Jack through Nora's (often selfish) eyes. Ultimately, I don't feel like there was justice for his character by the end.
The other characters in the kitchen house were endearing enough. I personally loved the people of the neighbouring estate, the Vale - Sir Milton and his daughter Bess, and their household. I wish we could have met more of them! I feel like I was made to dislike Bess because Nora had that common YA syndrome of instantly disliking a pretty and capable girl (though to her credit she did come to like her in the end). I wish that image could've been changed.
Final Thoughts
I did enjoy Owl Eyes for what it was - I just believe it could have been so much more. I think the story was rendered so static because for a large part it was concerned with digging up the past, and everything else, while rich interesting, was diversionary. Those two words do well to sum up Owl Eyes - interesting, but diversionary. An enjoyable enough fantasy-lite read, at the end of the day.
The review posted here is abridged. Check it out the full version on my blog!
Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
meganac's review
5.0
*I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review but I ended up getting to it late.*
Update: Upon reviewing, Molly Lazer sent me an email about my review and I have to say, that is great author connection. I approve and look forward to seeing what she comes out with next!
I certainly didn't expect so much from this book! A dark retelling of Cinderella, this is full of emotion, mystery, and magic. Admittedly the beginning was a bit slow, but when it got going, it really got going. I don't know why this isn't better known when it's so good.
The plot is strong. I guessed a lot of it, but I guess everything anyway. If you like retellings, Robin McKinley, or dark faerytales you will love this book. The characters are deep and unique. My only complaints is that Bess does altogether too much whispering (to the point of it being ridiculous) and that the era feels more 1700s than medieval. All in all, I'd definitely recommend.
Update: Upon reviewing, Molly Lazer sent me an email about my review and I have to say, that is great author connection. I approve and look forward to seeing what she comes out with next!
I certainly didn't expect so much from this book! A dark retelling of Cinderella, this is full of emotion, mystery, and magic. Admittedly the beginning was a bit slow, but when it got going, it really got going. I don't know why this isn't better known when it's so good.
The plot is strong. I guessed a lot of it, but I guess everything anyway. If you like retellings, Robin McKinley, or dark faerytales you will love this book. The characters are deep and unique. My only complaints is that Bess does altogether too much whispering (to the point of it being ridiculous) and that the era feels more 1700s than medieval. All in all, I'd definitely recommend.
courtofbingereading's review
3.0
Owl Eyes is a modern retelling of Cinderella. It has a darker tone to it rather than Disney's retelling--which helps it embody a true fairytale. From the very beginning, I was swept into the story through the world building and the strong voice of our protagonist, Nora. It did take awhile for the story to pick it, but once it did I was a goner. I was completely immersed in this dark, magical tale. The setting was set up beautifully, and amazingly detailed. The characters were extremely developed which is a feat that should be applauded. Oftentimes in debut novels some characters seem a bit flat, but they were wonderfully developed in this story. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves retellings of classic fairy tales!
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shh_reading85's review
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I know I have said this before but I honestly love fairy tale retellings. Even if some of them can be hits or misses. This book, in my opinion, is a definite hit.
Now, don't mistake this for the syrupy sweet Disney version of Cinderella. This is a darker, Gothic tale where the main character Nora is incredibly realistic; she let curiosity break her of the mould that would have truly held her back. Even at the cost of following in her mother's footsteps.
I really enjoyed that the love of her adoptive parents and her friendship with Jack was an anchor, and kept her from diving too deeply and learning what she needed to know about the outside world.
This was one of those stories that I wished didn't end, it was just that good. I will definitely revisit this story for years to come.
I received a copy of this book from the author for free and I am leaving a review voluntarily.
Now, don't mistake this for the syrupy sweet Disney version of Cinderella. This is a darker, Gothic tale where the main character Nora is incredibly realistic; she let curiosity break her of the mould that would have truly held her back. Even at the cost of following in her mother's footsteps.
I really enjoyed that the love of her adoptive parents and her friendship with Jack was an anchor, and kept her from diving too deeply and learning what she needed to know about the outside world.
This was one of those stories that I wished didn't end, it was just that good. I will definitely revisit this story for years to come.
I received a copy of this book from the author for free and I am leaving a review voluntarily.
jwood112's review
4.0
Owl Eyes is a modern retelling of Cinderella with an underlying darkness that embodies a true fairy tale. The sanguine Disney retellings that have become embedded in public memory fail to capture the grimness of a proper fairy tale. Lazer delivers a story which has the pace and presence of a traditional fairy tale. By doing so, it has share faults of a classic fairy tale - shallow side characters, light world-building, and a stunningly quick march through the concluding action of the story.
The writing is crisp, clear, and efficient. The story is familiar without losing the reader's interest.
The characters are stock, fairy tale characters with predictable behaviours and emotions. Nora, the protagonist, does not make herself likeable. Instead, she tells her story with all the difficulty of being a young adult in a twisted world.
The world is interesting, but we see very little of it. Lazer has the opportunity to explore this world through Jack's (Nora's sidekick) eyes in future stories.
I enjoyed this story as a quick read on a stormy night. Thank you to NetGalley and Fire and Ice YA for providing an eARC for my review.
The writing is crisp, clear, and efficient. The story is familiar without losing the reader's interest.
The characters are stock, fairy tale characters with predictable behaviours and emotions. Nora, the protagonist, does not make herself likeable. Instead, she tells her story with all the difficulty of being a young adult in a twisted world.
The world is interesting, but we see very little of it. Lazer has the opportunity to explore this world through Jack's (Nora's sidekick) eyes in future stories.
I enjoyed this story as a quick read on a stormy night. Thank you to NetGalley and Fire and Ice YA for providing an eARC for my review.
vikkiew87's review
4.0
I am a sucker for fairytale retellings. I didn’t know what to expect by this one. I was attracted purely because it had fairytale in the title. This is a dark take on Cinderella, which is one of my favourites.
The story has some heart-wrenching moments at the beginning, which made me feel emotional as the reader. These only made me want to read more to find out what was going to happen next.
I enjoyed finding out as I continued reading how magical this book is. I wasn’t really rooting for the main character but I found her likeable enough. We see Nora grow throughout this book. The adventures and dangers keep you on the edge of your seat throughout.
This is a beautiful story of love, life and loss. Molly Lazer has created a range of characters with warmth, depth and whom seem real to the reader.
This is a well written and entertaining story and I have to admire Molly Lazer for being brave enough to twist one of the best Disney stories. I really enjoyed this book, I would recommend this to other readers. I am curious if there are any plans to retell any of the other classics- I would definitely be willing to read them.
The story has some heart-wrenching moments at the beginning, which made me feel emotional as the reader. These only made me want to read more to find out what was going to happen next.
I enjoyed finding out as I continued reading how magical this book is. I wasn’t really rooting for the main character but I found her likeable enough. We see Nora grow throughout this book. The adventures and dangers keep you on the edge of your seat throughout.
This is a beautiful story of love, life and loss. Molly Lazer has created a range of characters with warmth, depth and whom seem real to the reader.
This is a well written and entertaining story and I have to admire Molly Lazer for being brave enough to twist one of the best Disney stories. I really enjoyed this book, I would recommend this to other readers. I am curious if there are any plans to retell any of the other classics- I would definitely be willing to read them.