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maryellen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Confinement, Pregnancy, and Sexism
bubbly_lara's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I absolutely adored this!! This was such a fun read and I was equally happy and sad to have finished the story. Beatrice and Ysbeta's stories are deeply touching and unfortunately still relevant today. Highly recommend for an inspiring, captivating, magical read with a dash of romance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Classism, and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol
claudiashelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I’d like to mention that this book is ideal for those who enjoy YA fantasy regency novels with strong female characters and interesting plots. ( It did an excellent job of showing gender inequity in a brand-new, interesting way. )
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but my apologies; I chose this book because of the captivating cover art. And surprisingly, I relished spending time in this book’s fantasy world. I believe that this book’s world-building and magic system are its greatest assets. Everything in this book is fascinating and alluring. This perspective on magic and the tension it generated regarding spirits residing in unborn infants and causing them to be born into the world, which would result in death and destruction, were both appealing to me.
This is a well-written fantasy book that is overall entertaining to read. This book contains some extremely moving lines, but the plot focuses more on how the MC will be able to maintain their magic. Also, this book’s solid magic system and convincing fantasy setting remind me of June Austen’s Britain but with magic. Although the story of Beatrice and Ianthe made me sob, I don’t really like instant love, which makes me feel a little strange. Overall, it’s worth reading.
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but my apologies; I chose this book because of the captivating cover art. And surprisingly, I relished spending time in this book’s fantasy world. I believe that this book’s world-building and magic system are its greatest assets. Everything in this book is fascinating and alluring. This perspective on magic and the tension it generated regarding spirits residing in unborn infants and causing them to be born into the world, which would result in death and destruction, were both appealing to me.
This is a well-written fantasy book that is overall entertaining to read. This book contains some extremely moving lines, but the plot focuses more on how the MC will be able to maintain their magic. Also, this book’s solid magic system and convincing fantasy setting remind me of June Austen’s Britain but with magic. Although the story of Beatrice and Ianthe made me sob, I don’t really like instant love, which makes me feel a little strange. Overall, it’s worth reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Misogyny, Sexism, and Confinement
bookishcori's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Unlike most things I read but this surprisingly worked for me. An entertaining fantasy regency romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Minor: Miscarriage
robin_reads's review
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A regency era fantasy novel about two women out in society, who are supposed to find husbands but don’t want that and try to find ways around it.
I like the main idea of the story but it felt like the characters were dense and dramatic for the drama of it all and I don’t like that very much. Same with the withholding of information and miscommunication that could’ve been solved so very easily.
The author has a good way of telling the story and I enjoyed the story for the most part. I was invested into the outcome, even when I got annoyed with the characters. It was partly predictable and the epilogue is very all-around happiness and Happy End, which I don’t always care for.
All in all, it was a solid read about women’s rights to their own bodies and magic and overcoming societal expectations.
I like the main idea of the story but it felt like the characters were dense and dramatic for the drama of it all and I don’t like that very much. Same with the withholding of information and miscommunication that could’ve been solved so very easily.
The author has a good way of telling the story and I enjoyed the story for the most part. I was invested into the outcome, even when I got annoyed with the characters. It was partly predictable and the epilogue is very all-around happiness and Happy End, which I don’t always care for.
All in all, it was a solid read about women’s rights to their own bodies and magic and overcoming societal expectations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Confinement and Pregnancy
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Miscarriage
blewballoon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.0
I really enjoyed this. I liked the main characters and the writing. I liked the magic. I do think the fantasy sexism was a little over the top, that's my biggest complaint. I did find a lot of things predictable, but I don't necessarily mind that. I prefer it over the narrative not being cohesive. I listened on audiobook and Moira Quirk is a delight. I really liked her spirit voice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Classism and Injury/Injury detail
graff_fuller's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Downton Abbey mashed with Indian Bollywood mashed with Djinns.
This is the way that I saw it as I was reading it. It may not be totally representative, but I think it is close.
As a father of two grown daughters...this book made me SO frustrated as I was reading it (not in the way it was written, but because of the actions of some of the supportive characters and the world that Beatrice was living in). If it had been a physical book...it might have been flung across the room. Ugh. The Obtuseness of Beatrice's father, Henrietta, one of the men that could be seen as the main antagonists for the sequence, etc.
As you can see, I enjoyed the book overall, but I felt fatherly affection for the main protagonist, Beatrice and her two main counterparts (un-named here, so as not to spoil any of the great scenes that provided their friendships).
Also, the minor spirit Nadi was such a breathe of fresh air, though at times, as Beatrice also felt, she needed to be reigned in...for her natural desire was to devour every new experience, whether that was cake, alcohol, or experience (without tact, most of the time). She (at least it seemed to have a femine voice, though I'm not totally sure that was said) seemed unbridled by convention of the times.
The wordbuilding was done gradually, but with a deft hand. I was invested in Beatrice's plight. I could see my own daughters in her role...and how I, at this moment in time (and when we were raising them) that we didn't not hold them back, but exhorted them to be WHATEVER they desired, be damned the world and its restrictions.
One of the devices that quells the ability of female magic made me furious. Since I am a HUGE fan of The Wheel of Time...the Seanchan have a "similar" device...and my rage against the idea of this, let alone the implimentation of it...made my blood boil.
And lastly, I want to say that the speech and the way it was done was genius. Also, the response of the collected male Mages was perfect. Ironic in a way.
So well written...and with its ability to "get to me", it was perfectly written for me.
In some ways, I wish there was a sequel, but maybe if there was a sequel...it might diminish the awesomeness of how it ended.
This is the way that I saw it as I was reading it. It may not be totally representative, but I think it is close.
As a father of two grown daughters...this book made me SO frustrated as I was reading it (not in the way it was written, but because of the actions of some of the supportive characters and the world that Beatrice was living in). If it had been a physical book...it might have been flung across the room. Ugh. The Obtuseness of Beatrice's father, Henrietta, one of the men that could be seen as the main antagonists for the sequence, etc.
As you can see, I enjoyed the book overall, but I felt fatherly affection for the main protagonist, Beatrice and her two main counterparts (un-named here, so as not to spoil any of the great scenes that provided their friendships).
Also, the minor spirit Nadi was such a breathe of fresh air, though at times, as Beatrice also felt, she needed to be reigned in...for her natural desire was to devour every new experience, whether that was cake, alcohol, or experience (without tact, most of the time). She (at least it seemed to have a femine voice, though I'm not totally sure that was said) seemed unbridled by convention of the times.
The wordbuilding was done gradually, but with a deft hand. I was invested in Beatrice's plight. I could see my own daughters in her role...and how I, at this moment in time (and when we were raising them) that we didn't not hold them back, but exhorted them to be WHATEVER they desired, be damned the world and its restrictions.
One of the devices that quells the ability of female magic made me furious. Since I am a HUGE fan of The Wheel of Time...the Seanchan have a "similar" device...and my rage against the idea of this, let alone the implimentation of it...made my blood boil.
And lastly, I want to say that the speech and the way it was done was genius. Also, the response of the collected male Mages was perfect. Ironic in a way.
So well written...and with its ability to "get to me", it was perfectly written for me.
In some ways, I wish there was a sequel, but maybe if there was a sequel...it might diminish the awesomeness of how it ended.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexism, Kidnapping, and Slavery
lovealwaysadi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Bullying, Child death, and Classism
greenlivingaudioworm's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Violence, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Sexism, and Slavery
schnaucl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
There was a lot I like about this book. The magic system and underground sisterhood of magic users were interesting, as were the politics and the characters. I would have liked to see more of the sisterhood though. I really liked how the sisterhood communicated and how (at least some) mothers taught their daughters how to decipher grimoires.
What didn't work for me was the romance, though full disclosure, love at first sight (or in this case, kiss) almost never does. Ianthe didn't seem to have much depth and I would have like to spend more time with Ysbeta and her passion for recovering lost magic. There's a single reference to a person not having an interest in men or women so I guess non straight people exist but there's no discussion of what that means. Presumably they're supposed to get involved in a heterosexual marriage and produce kids regardless. I'm also not big on kids generally so a society where women are always treated at pre-pregnant gives me hives. That said, there's surprisingly no discussion of contraception or abortificants. If the whole reason for the collar is the that a spirit might take over a fetus you'd think female presenting bodies would have a collar put on after the first period to be completely safe. That would negate the symbolism of it happening in connection with marriage, but still.
And of course, secretly telling women the secret of how to prevent spirits taking over a fetus while the men are distracted is a great symbolic moment, but since it requires the active participation of men who are clearly unwilling to make the sacrifice and given that women are still unable to own property and don't really have any more power than before I'm not sure what difference it would actually make, at least in Beatrice's homeland. Women could certainly incorporate the knowledge into grimoires. I guess we're supposed to be content with changing a couple of minds here and there and maybe decades from now it will be unacceptable to use a collar instead but that's a pretty depressing place to leave things.
What didn't work for me was the romance, though full disclosure, love at first sight (or in this case, kiss) almost never does. Ianthe didn't seem to have much depth and I would have like to spend more time with Ysbeta and her passion for recovering lost magic. There's a single reference to a person not having an interest in men or women so I guess non straight people exist but there's no discussion of what that means. Presumably they're supposed to get involved in a heterosexual marriage and produce kids regardless. I'm also not big on kids generally so a society where women are always treated at pre-pregnant gives me hives. That said, there's surprisingly no discussion of contraception or abortificants. If the whole reason for the collar is the that a spirit might take over a fetus you'd think female presenting bodies would have a collar put on after the first period to be completely safe. That would negate the symbolism of it happening in connection with marriage, but still.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, and Sexism