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magellen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The twist on a twist on a twist just...it feels like a beta reader should have gone 'this one works the best, lean into THIS angle' and instead the author piled up everything that ever crossed her mind. The cast sprawls, the descriptions drag on without being punchy, and any moment the mc knows herself is overridden, made malleable by others to progress the plot.
I've seen this described as an example of unreliable narrator - ehhhh I disagree. Literally all you need to know is in the narration. Information is not withheld by the narrator, the narrator's opinion does not color the facts, there is nothing unreliable about it. If people use 'unreliable narrator' I can see it applied to a couple endgame chapters where there's a gaslighting, but again, it's not unreliable narration, it is an mc set up to have no self when challenged by others.
It's a ya romance with gothic overlay. Does what it says on the tin, but by the end you are apt to be exhausted by the pivot twist pivot turn of the back third.
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
merle_bookdragon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Definitely an interesting and more sinister take on the fairy tale of the 12 dancing princesses and it thoroughly messed with my head. When I thought I had figured out what was real and what was an illusion the whole thing was tipped over its head again.
I truly am happy that Cassius turned back up. I was scared for a while at the beginning that he might be the bad guy but I quickly he wasn't. Morella being the evil stepmother fit much better into the fairy tale but I thought maybe it would be a different take. It wasn't, but that's okay. I'm just happy that Verity lives because damn that girl had a rough time and I'm glad Cassius saved her.
ALSO so happy that Annaleigh got to be Keeper of Light at the end. It suits her so well and I think she will have a good future with Cassius there. Or at least that's what I'm imagining for them.
“Oh my darling Annaleigh, remember when you let the turtles go? Some things can't be kept." He cupped my cheek, and my tears trickled down his fingers. "Be brave. Be strong. You'll always have my whole heart.”
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death of parent
sporkalexisse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I think it will be read mostly for the plot because I didn't get attached to the characters as much as I would like to. But I still liked Annaleigh and ofc Cassius, my half-god love.
My sweet Verity, I just wanna hug you. You didn't deserve every single one of those bad experiences.
Hi, fisher rip.
My favorite name out of all of them is Ligeia. (Fisher makes sense but…. huh? Hannah? why?)
Thanks so much for the rec france my sweet little book recommendator
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Blood, and Pregnancy
shannasbooksnhooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was a fun book, and I'm glad I decided to give it another shot.
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Body horror and Pregnancy
Despite this, I will say that it was a bit curious how Annaleigh kept relying on the men in her life - mainly Ortun (her dad), Fisher, and Cassius. However, it did make sense because she's probably, at most, in her late teens and not entirely sure how to handle the situation she was in. Additionally, her reliance on Fisher and Cassius seemed driven by the fact that her family - Ortun, Morella (stepmother), and her sisters - were not listening to her or her concerns. Fisher and Cassius appeared to be the only ones taking her concerns seriously.mysterymom40's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Blood, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Misogyny
slvt4b00ks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
snowmuzu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The romance in this book was not my favorite. Annaleigh seemed to instantly love Cassius for no other reason than his attractive face (not that I can fault her for that). There was little growth in their relationship, and the kiss scenes did not move me.
Additionally, the ending of the book was too obvious. I guessed most of the ending about a quarter of the way in.
Despite my criticisms, Craig's writing was easy to digest, and the mystery of Eulalie's death was compelling enough to keep me mildly interested for most of the book.
Moderate: Death, Gore, and Death of parent
Minor: Body horror, Blood, and Pregnancy
anielabooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Gore, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol
katvou's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Gore, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content and Toxic friendship
ka_ke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail