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valribeiro's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
2.0
sophles's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked this book, and loved that it was a new take on the Canterbury Tales (kinda the Canterbury Tales for those too weird or unconventional for Chaucer's Pilgrims.) The only thing that stops me loving this book entirely is the ending. It was so predictable and cliched, I found myself mentally pleading with the author for the last few chapters to not end it that way, let it all be a red herring. Alas, I was right. If it wasn't for that final 'revelation' this would probably be five starts. Instead it is four, as I am having to pretend the last chapter didn't happen. Give it a read, but then make up your own ending
jazzthecat's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
toorsdenote's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
- 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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Death, Suicide, Antisemitism, Murder, and Pandemic/Epidemic
melissab_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vegantrav's review against another edition
3.0
historical novel set during the time of the Black Death - book is advertised as being similar to the Canterbury Tales; however, it is not remotely like Chaucer's masterpiece - the nine travelers who navigate the English countryside in an attempt to escape the pestilence (as they call the Black Death) do NOT pass the time by regaling themselves with tales - yes, there are a handful of tales within this story, but only about a half-dozen; only a few of the characters actually do tell a tale, but what is more important here are the secrets and lies that the characters are hiding - the characters are fairly well developed, and the mystery of their lies is a source of great interest for the reader - SPOILER ALERT: the ending, though, involving Narigorm's seeming demise and subsequent return is, as other reviewers have pointed out, somewhat cliched and hackneyed - also, the failure of the author to give a reason for Narigorm's murderous manipulations really does leave the reader somewhat perplexed - yes, Maitland does hint, rather vaguely though, that Narigorm hates lies and liars, but why this would motivate a pre-pubescent little girl to try to murder others is never explained - despite some flaws, this is still a good read and was very enjoyable
jayyb's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Antisemitism