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_wiz_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
Books about books are one of my favorite things, particularly when I really would love to read the book we're talking about. And Ivory Apples, one written by Adela Martin, sounds like one of those books. At first I thought that Adela/Maeve would be one of those who had spent their lives trying to get back to the world of Ivory Apples, but that's not what this is - it's about others trying to get into that world and her family trying to protect her. Which works, somewhat. There's more going on here but no spoilers. I just wish we heard more about the original story and less about Kate Burden.
eARC provided by publisher.
eARC provided by publisher.
bekahb101's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
2.5
I thought the premise for this book was really good, but it didn’t really live up to my expectations. The plot has some great moments, but comes across as very choppy and even incomplete overall. At times, I found myself unable to put it down, and at others I found myself counting the pages until the end of the chapter in the hope it would end. Glad I finished it, but it really was a very dissonant read.
mdpenguin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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 did not expect something quite so powerful and intense. And the story kind of kept going: there were so many easy places for it to resolve, but it played out in a much more rich and complicated plot than I expected. It was actually a little painful to read sometimes because of the hell the kids had to go through, but overall it was a pretty amazing book and really enjoyable to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Murder and Death
paurw's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a great read!
I want to thank Netgalley for providing me with a copy if this book, I certainly enjoyed it.
From the beginning was an eerie read, the misticism around Ivory Apples was super appealing, and the characters are interesting and engaging.
I started slowly, but once I got to the main conflict in the story, I couldn't stop reading, I was so angry that I wanted to throw the book (kindle) against the wall, but at the same time, I needed to keep reading.
I hated so much the villain in this book, and that was great and frustrating though.
The ending fell down for me, it was so clean so nice for everyone, that it didn't felt right.
I want to thank Netgalley for providing me with a copy if this book, I certainly enjoyed it.
From the beginning was an eerie read, the misticism around Ivory Apples was super appealing, and the characters are interesting and engaging.
I started slowly, but once I got to the main conflict in the story, I couldn't stop reading, I was so angry that I wanted to throw the book (kindle) against the wall, but at the same time, I needed to keep reading.
I hated so much the villain in this book, and that was great and frustrating though.
The ending fell down for me, it was so clean so nice for everyone, that it didn't felt right.
Spoiler
I NEEEDED for Kate to have what she deserved for all the terrible things she did through out the story u.urakkaussipsi's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent
wordnerdy's review against another edition
4.0
https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2019/09/2019-book-114.html
Goldstein's latest centers on young Ivy, the oldest of four sisters, whose great aunt is the reclusive author of a famous fantasy novel. But maybe it’s not all fantasy? And maybe the young woman befriending the girls isn’t what she seems? I found the narrative voice and Ivy's journey compelling, but felt that her sisters were underserved by the story (especially Amaranth). The end also felt a bit abrupt. I did like the fantastical elements a lot; this is a strong entry into the mysterious magical book genre. A-/B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released tomorrow.
Goldstein's latest centers on young Ivy, the oldest of four sisters, whose great aunt is the reclusive author of a famous fantasy novel. But maybe it’s not all fantasy? And maybe the young woman befriending the girls isn’t what she seems? I found the narrative voice and Ivy's journey compelling, but felt that her sisters were underserved by the story (especially Amaranth). The end also felt a bit abrupt. I did like the fantastical elements a lot; this is a strong entry into the mysterious magical book genre. A-/B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released tomorrow.
wittyandsarcasticbookclub's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you to Netgalley for providing this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This book will be released on October 15th.
Um…what did I just read? This book had such potential! I wanted to love it, but it left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. The thing is, I felt like this book was originally an idea for two separate books that kind of melded together into one book. The problem is, they didn’t mesh well.
Ivory’s great-aunt is a famous but reclusive author. No one outside the family knows where she lives now and she has no interest in responding to fan mail, answering questions about her work, or- really- discussing it at all. Ivory and her family- her father, and three sisters- visit on occasion. Usually, the kids wander around while Ivory’s dad goes over business things with their great-aunt.
On one such trip, Ivory comes across a shocking scene. It changes things for her, and affects her entire life afterward. Here’s the first issue I had with this book; aside from a few vague questions that aren’t satisfactorily answered, Ivory seems to accept this huge thing with very little issue. For me, it’d be a “Holy hand-grenade! What was that?”, type of thing, but she just kind of went with it.
Shortly after that, the kids meet a kind woman named Ms. Burden. Something about her bothers Ivory, but no one else shares her suspicions. Things progress, and Ms. Burden suddenly becomes much more involved in their lives. Ivory has to protect her great-aunt’s secret while figuring out what Ms. Burden’s ulterior motive is, assuming she actually has one.
At this point in the book, things start to get very choppy. There’s several chapters where not much happens at all. Ivory ends up kind of on her own, with no other characters to interact with. That would be fine if it led to some character growth. It really didn’t, though. By the time the book got back to the original narrative, I’d lost interest..
There were a lot of things that were just accepted, then never really explored throughout this book. It’s really too bad; there were some themes that could have been fascinating if they’d gotten a little more attention.
Ultimately, I think what this book really needed was to become two separate novels. On their own, each of the disparate ideas would have worked very well; they just didn’t get along.
Um…what did I just read? This book had such potential! I wanted to love it, but it left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. The thing is, I felt like this book was originally an idea for two separate books that kind of melded together into one book. The problem is, they didn’t mesh well.
Ivory’s great-aunt is a famous but reclusive author. No one outside the family knows where she lives now and she has no interest in responding to fan mail, answering questions about her work, or- really- discussing it at all. Ivory and her family- her father, and three sisters- visit on occasion. Usually, the kids wander around while Ivory’s dad goes over business things with their great-aunt.
On one such trip, Ivory comes across a shocking scene. It changes things for her, and affects her entire life afterward. Here’s the first issue I had with this book; aside from a few vague questions that aren’t satisfactorily answered, Ivory seems to accept this huge thing with very little issue. For me, it’d be a “Holy hand-grenade! What was that?”, type of thing, but she just kind of went with it.
Shortly after that, the kids meet a kind woman named Ms. Burden. Something about her bothers Ivory, but no one else shares her suspicions. Things progress, and Ms. Burden suddenly becomes much more involved in their lives. Ivory has to protect her great-aunt’s secret while figuring out what Ms. Burden’s ulterior motive is, assuming she actually has one.
At this point in the book, things start to get very choppy. There’s several chapters where not much happens at all. Ivory ends up kind of on her own, with no other characters to interact with. That would be fine if it led to some character growth. It really didn’t, though. By the time the book got back to the original narrative, I’d lost interest..
There were a lot of things that were just accepted, then never really explored throughout this book. It’s really too bad; there were some themes that could have been fascinating if they’d gotten a little more attention.
Ultimately, I think what this book really needed was to become two separate novels. On their own, each of the disparate ideas would have worked very well; they just didn’t get along.
books_r_fun's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. After reading a few chapters I was so engrossed I couldn't put it down. I read the whole thing in one sitting. It touches on a lot of dark and uncomfortable issues and really made me think. The main character Ivy goes through so many hard things throughout the story and her development was probably one of the best parts of the book. It's also filled with action and suspense. I also loved the ending. It wrapped up so beautifully. Honestly, I could go on forever and in much more detail, but am trying to leave a spoiler free review.
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
Let's say this is a 3,5 * because I'm in two minds about this novel. There're parts I loved and parts I found incredibly dreary.
It's well written, dark and it's hard to root for any of the characters as they're not very likeable.
The mix of mythology, urban fantasy not always works and I spent quite a lot of time thinking "OMG but they're so young and so traumatised".
Even if there're dreary parts I read it as fast as I could because I found the style of writing quite hypnotic.
At the end of the day I think is one of those you love or hate. In may case I'm the middle but I'd recommend it because it can be an interesting read.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It's well written, dark and it's hard to root for any of the characters as they're not very likeable.
The mix of mythology, urban fantasy not always works and I spent quite a lot of time thinking "OMG but they're so young and so traumatised".
Even if there're dreary parts I read it as fast as I could because I found the style of writing quite hypnotic.
At the end of the day I think is one of those you love or hate. In may case I'm the middle but I'd recommend it because it can be an interesting read.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine.