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shannonvonpesach's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
I love this book! I understand the hype so much more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
plsnotanotherdamselindistress's review against another edition
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I am intrigued by the storyline and am considering reading the next book to see if I was right regarding my assumptions...BUT...I did feel like the characters lacked depth...
because even though the fMC is constantly described as a romantic and why she is that way she seems rather emotionless at times which may be because of the third person narrator who can make it hard to relate or feel with the MC...
on the topic of the third person narrator...
If this narrator has to be the choice don't give your fMC a name like Evangeline, beautiful name, but the min. 3 times per pages she is referred to as Evangeline absolutely destroys the reading flow. At least give her a nickname...honestly if the fMC would be referred to as Eve/Eva for at least half if the time it would cut down the number of pages to probably 350.
It also honestly felt like this book was only an introduction as we don't get much worldbuilding or explanations regarding anything geographical, political or societal in this fantasy world but for it simply being an introduction to the characters it lacks the deeply getting to know the characters.
Also what was that plottwist at the end? It felt completely forced the way it was constructed (there really were ways to make it not as frustrating or frustrating in a good way as in I want to continue reading)
What I did like:
- morally grey and imperfect(thus maybe less relatable) MCs
- a nice slowburn
because even though the fMC is constantly described as a romantic and why she is that way she seems rather emotionless at times which may be because of the third person narrator who can make it hard to relate or feel with the MC...
on the topic of the third person narrator...
If this narrator has to be the choice don't give your fMC a name like Evangeline, beautiful name, but the min. 3 times per pages she is referred to as Evangeline absolutely destroys the reading flow. At least give her a nickname...honestly if the fMC would be referred to as Eve/Eva for at least half if the time it would cut down the number of pages to probably 350.
It also honestly felt like this book was only an introduction as we don't get much worldbuilding or explanations regarding anything geographical, political or societal in this fantasy world but for it simply being an introduction to the characters it lacks the deeply getting to know the characters.
What I did like:
- morally grey and imperfect(thus maybe less relatable) MCs
- a nice slowburn
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual harassment
c_l_ara's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, Blood, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Death of parent
m4rtt4's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The beginning was promising, but then the story felt dragging, and all of a sudden there was this action-packed ending where too much happened yet it felt too convenient as most of the loose ends were given a little too perfect resolution. I really liked the world and its vibes, but I wish the story didn't read so much like a childrens' book — I do know that this is YA, it's not supposed to be as 'serious' as 'adult' books, but most of the YA I've read hasn't felt like this, even the first Harry Potter was way better in that sense and it's supposed to be for literal children.
I never understood why Evangeline was so deeply in love with Luc, their (past) relationship wasn't explained nearly as much as it should have. Also the 'unnecessary' guys (others than Jacks) were taken care of a little too conveniently — I mean, could you maybe have resolved the unspoken relationship issues by some other way than killing off Apollo and making Luc become a vampire? Yes, you don't have to think about a guy if he's a literal monster or doesn't exist anymore, but having them discuss things deeply with Evangeline would have helped this book reach the (emotional) maturity it so desperately needed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Death, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Murder, and Violence
moanareads's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Murder, Bullying, Body shaming, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
bectothebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
fast-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Confinement
caprisun44444's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
If you have read the caraval series and loved it this book is especially in the behinning just amazing. The characters that show up and the storys you know from carval made me so excited.
Since i got to knew jacks in carval i really couldn’t stop thinking about him. Like how can a character be portrayed so briliant . I was switching from he’s extremely attractive to what a toxic mf how did we fall for him again. And thats whats so brilliant. Stephanie garber can manage to fully protray how it feels to have a manipilative/toxic person beside you. And i haven’t even read the second book (the ballad of never after) so i don’t know if he really is toxic or a good one after all. Never the less i really enjoyed reading this book and i’m m so excited to see how the story continues.
Since i got to knew jacks in carval i really couldn’t stop thinking about him. Like how can a character be portrayed so briliant . I was switching from he’s extremely attractive to what a toxic mf how did we fall for him again. And thats whats so brilliant. Stephanie garber can manage to fully protray how it feels to have a manipilative/toxic person beside you. And i haven’t even read the second book (the ballad of never after) so i don’t know if he really is toxic or a good one after all. Never the less i really enjoyed reading this book and i’m m so excited to see how the story continues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
amre23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Death, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Torture, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Classism, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Self harm, and Torture
restlessreason17's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
(Note: I read this before reading Caraval [didn't even know these were connected until reading reviews]; idk if that'll affect the way I thought about the book)
Most of the book just felt really forgettable?? I don't know why, but nothing really...stuck. I couldn't visualize anything beyond Jacks, who was described again and again and again, and Evangeline. I have NO idea what any iconic landmarks look like (descriptions were light for some reason?? Like why wasn't the literal castle given more details, especially when she's ENGAGED TO MARRY THE PRINCE???)
Also. Someone please explain that cemetery scene. 🤮 I hated that. WHY DID HE TOUCH HER LIKE THAT? SHE DIDN'T LIKE HIM AT A L L??? BRO WAS WHISPERING AND LICKING HER NECK AND SAYING "I WANT TO BITE YOU" WHILE ONE FINGER WENT INTO HER CORSET??? AND HE HELD HER SO CLOSE?? SHE DIDN'T AGREE TO THIS AT ALL?? AND WHAT ABOUT THAT FIRST NIGHT OF THE BIG BALL THING?? S T O P
And oh gosh. The plot was SO convoluted imo. first you think it's Jacks, then Marisol, and then it's Apollo's brother??? Like??? Bestie where was the foreshadowing? You played it so heavy-handed with Marisol being the possible culprit, but we met Tiberius ONCE. ONCE before Apollo dies, and ONCE after. I don't understand.
Is Jacks supposed to be the love interest? I sure hope he's not. I literally couldn't tell. He's LITERALLY USING HER and more often than not he's portrayed as sexy boy. No. Literally no.
That's all :)
Most of the book just felt really forgettable?? I don't know why, but nothing really...stuck. I couldn't visualize anything beyond Jacks, who was described again and again and again, and Evangeline. I have NO idea what any iconic landmarks look like (descriptions were light for some reason?? Like why wasn't the literal castle given more details, especially when she's ENGAGED TO MARRY THE PRINCE???)
Also. Someone please explain that cemetery scene. 🤮 I hated that.
And oh gosh. The plot was SO convoluted imo.
Is Jacks supposed to be the love interest? I sure hope he's not. I literally couldn't tell. He's LITERALLY USING HER and more often than not he's portrayed as sexy boy. No. Literally no.
That's all :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
tak_everlasting's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This feels like someone read The Cruel Prince and said "I could write that!"
Spoiler alert, Garber could not.
Every interesting aspect of this book has been done better elsewhere, and the whole thing felt like a collection of interesting premises that are never explored. There was no depth to the characters or their relationships, there is absolutely no set up and pay off, and the emotionally abused girl is villified.
Defending the clunky writing style by saying that it's "YA" is an insult to young adult books everywhere. The writing style doesn't convey emotions well and holds back the story from reaching it's full potential, stripping the tension from many places by infodumping in the middle of action scenes, and skipping over any bonding time these characters may have had with one another. It's bad writing, and you can call it that.
Spoiler alert, Garber could not.
Every interesting aspect of this book has been done better elsewhere, and the whole thing felt like a collection of interesting premises that are never explored. There was no depth to the characters or their relationships, there is absolutely no set up and pay off, and the emotionally abused girl is villified.
Defending the clunky writing style by saying that it's "YA" is an insult to young adult books everywhere. The writing style doesn't convey emotions well and holds back the story from reaching it's full potential, stripping the tension from many places by infodumping in the middle of action scenes, and skipping over any bonding time these characters may have had with one another. It's bad writing, and you can call it that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Violence, Emotional abuse, and Confinement