Scan barcode
janeserenity's review against another edition
5.0
I won this book in a giveaway here on goodreads. It took me two days to finish it and I'm speechless. I've never read a book so beautifully written or so intricate. I recommend it to any fantasy lover. Great read!
wolfe212's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It was pleasantly surprising and filled with Magic and creatures I have never experienced before. This is not a book I would re-read right away, but is a book that will stay with me for awhile. Roshani Chokshi is a creative and unique writer that kept me entertained and wanting more.
liz56rose's review against another edition
2.0
I read "Death and Night" before I read this. This made the story easier to follow. But it made this story a let down.
arwinadrea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
hellocoda's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 out of 5 for me. Overall it was a very enjoyable story - a nice take on Hades and Persephone I haven't seen before.
Hades/Persephone aside, the setting really drew me in. I thoroughly enjoyed the world Chokshi set up. I really would've liked to see more of the Night Bazaar and different places in the Otherworld, but I suppose that's for possible upcoming books.
I'm usually not a huge fan of this kind of writing, but I actually didn't mind it in the context of this story. It's fantastical enough that the prose didn't seem too out of place. However, I often found myself having to backtrack to figure out how one character got into a room or pulled out a dagger because the sentence describing that movement was hidden somewhere in all the description.
Part 1 was a beautiful set up and story that kept me turning the pages, but something about Part 2 (especially the later chapters) didn't seem to do it for me. I struggled to keep up with the ending - everything happens in the course of two or three chapters - and I still can't decide if any of that counts as a type of deus-ex-machina or not. It just felt a little too easy.
Still, it's a good book with some really great storytelling.
Spoiler
Hades/Persephone aside, the setting really drew me in. I thoroughly enjoyed the world Chokshi set up. I really would've liked to see more of the Night Bazaar and different places in the Otherworld, but I suppose that's for possible upcoming books.
I'm usually not a huge fan of this kind of writing, but I actually didn't mind it in the context of this story. It's fantastical enough that the prose didn't seem too out of place. However, I often found myself having to backtrack to figure out how one character got into a room or pulled out a dagger because the sentence describing that movement was hidden somewhere in all the description.
Part 1 was a beautiful set up and story that kept me turning the pages, but something about Part 2 (especially the later chapters) didn't seem to do it for me. I struggled to keep up with the ending - everything happens in the course of two or three chapters - and I still can't decide if any of that counts as a type of deus-ex-machina or not. It just felt a little too easy.
Still, it's a good book with some really great storytelling.
celera's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
msnat5's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, the author does an excellent job describing the settings and it's so easy to imagine this fantastical dreamy landscape. The plot reminds me of The Odyssey in that the main character travels from place to place to meeting all sorts of magical creatures who challenge and help her get back to her prince. Her journey does become tiresome just in time for her to finally make it to her destination. I removed one star because the heroine was slightly annoying. I didn't know this book was part of a series until the end. Although it could certainly stand alone, there is so much left unanswered about who the heroine is and just how much power she has.
I for one like the flowery language often seen in this book. It makes sense for the time period this book is mean to take place in and it's incredibly beautiful. The prose reminds me of Memoirs of a Geisha.
I for one like the flowery language often seen in this book. It makes sense for the time period this book is mean to take place in and it's incredibly beautiful. The prose reminds me of Memoirs of a Geisha.
amyhungerford's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
The writing in this book is BEAUTIFUL! I was seriously surprised by how much I liked this book!
The writing in this book is BEAUTIFUL! I was seriously surprised by how much I liked this book!