tash9's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I had two frames of though after finishing this book
1.for women with femininist rage. Read this.
2.It's a bit repetitive in its messaging and it's framing of women in the story. And men just being well men. And all the women in the story being accepting of things. But that is the status quo in this world which we question from the outside but is understandable that characters within do not.
1.for women with femininist rage. Read this.
Spoiler
Even if the paid off is only the last page i found it very satisfying. Especially for the parallels between her and Sorrow2.It's a bit repetitive in its messaging and it's framing of women in the story. And men just being well men. And all the women in the story being accepting of things. But that is the status quo in this world which we question from the outside but is understandable that characters within do not.
hannahsvessel's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
Genuinely a terrible read. It’s feminism and criticism of patriarchy were about as deep as a shallow puddle, and though the author fancies herself to have Brechtian qualities of making people uncomfortable to make them consider, she really only made me uncomfortable in her extra and unnecessarily crude language.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Domestic abuse
Just… so bad.bookwife's review against another edition
2.0
What did I just read? I truly do not know how to rate this book. It was so weird!
katelynbursack's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
reading_ro's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- 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
1.75
msvenner's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was quite nuanced for a YA novel and I loved the message. The fantasy world was well drawn and interesting, if a bit predictable. I really like Elena K. Arnold's writing. I can see this book resonating with young readers just as well as her material for younger audiences.
abbiemens's review against another edition
2.0
I understand the endless metaphors and themes used throughout the novel are supposed to draw attention to how women are countlessly mishandled and abused in fairytales (and real life) but it was written in such a way that I was too angry throughout the novel to really enjoy it. Every character, male or female, worked against Ama in some fashion that it was just a constant onslaught of "women are weak, women are submissive, women can't do shit, women have no voice, etc etc". And then the "justice" for Ama happened in the span of the last couple sentences of the novel
ptaradactyl's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The flaws of the MC were not a huge plot issue, but the flaws of every other character were. It was interesting, but somehow unsatisfying.
annebennett1957's review against another edition
4.0
This fantasy novel is like a mash-up of fairy tale and #MeTooMovement. Emery is an abusive, awful person in the beautiful robes of a king. He attempts to rape Ama. He manipulates her mentally, and threatens her get his own way. Ama is isolated and lonely. She doesn't understand what is happening to her and she fights back as best she can. When she discovers the ovens in the deep basements of the castle where glass is blown into bowls and the all-knowing eyes, she finds an outlet for her creativity and warmth for her ever-cold bones. Finally, Ama has enough insight to challenge Emery's claim on her.
When my children were little I used to read a cute and funny picture book to them, The Paper Bag Princess. In this story the princess is supposed to be wowed by the Prince, who is a real dud. Eventually, this princess decides she can do much better on her own and tells him off. I kept thinking about this funny book while I read this very unfunny novel by Alana K. Arnold. Ama clearly needed to get to the point where she told off Emery and went her own way but could she do it?
When my children were little I used to read a cute and funny picture book to them, The Paper Bag Princess. In this story the princess is supposed to be wowed by the Prince, who is a real dud. Eventually, this princess decides she can do much better on her own and tells him off. I kept thinking about this funny book while I read this very unfunny novel by Alana K. Arnold. Ama clearly needed to get to the point where she told off Emery and went her own way but could she do it?