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kurie's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. When I picked it up off the shelf I wasn't expecting much past the interesting synopsis and beautiful cover but when I read it, it revealed so much more. Each sentence was beautifully written and every twist and turn of the plot kept me engaged and wanting more. The ending felt a little rushed to me but that is the only criticism I have for this wonderful story.
kitkatpanicattack's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I'm just going to create a new ending in my head that actually concludes the plot and wraps up the collective grief and love/individual grief and love dichotomy.
zanm's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
3.5
Strong beginning that never quite found its footing. Lots of well-written prose, but not enough actually being said. And a really bad ending. Just sucked.
banans13's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
trinitynoel's review against another edition
3.0
*a lil spoily*
I’d like to preface this review with a strong appreciation for the cover. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful work of art on a book in my life. And honestly I knew from the synopsis this wasn’t going to be a book I liked, but the cover made it absolutely impossible not to grab. I mean look at it!
And it went downhill from there. Like steep decline.
At the beginning of this book, Lorna was almost a celestial being to me. The writing and the descriptions gave me the perfect feeling, the one I knew the author wanted me to experience. But then Owen was introduced. He was great! Lorna suddenly wasn’t. Her nonchalance about their “relationship” filled me with disdain. I just hated it. But I understood. I mean she doesn’t want love, and she’s picked an incredibly safe option. So I kept reading.
Then she messes it all up. And the again. And like again. Lorna is the only reason I didn’t like this book. And maybe her lack of confidence when dealing with Delilah, her “best friend”. I saw a lack of continuity with her character. Someone so strong willed and strong minded was suddenly personality-less when dealing with people she’s know her whole life.
One other problem I had was the casual cheating. I just couldn’t enjoy it after that.
But not everything was wrong with this book. Lorna’s mom was brilliant! And Angelika was so perfectly molded that I could imagine her scent and her gait. She was brilliantly crafted and I give high regards to the author.
Overall, maybe give this a go. Especially if you’re into magical realism! It just wasn’t for me.
I’d like to preface this review with a strong appreciation for the cover. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful work of art on a book in my life. And honestly I knew from the synopsis this wasn’t going to be a book I liked, but the cover made it absolutely impossible not to grab. I mean look at it!
And it went downhill from there. Like steep decline.
At the beginning of this book, Lorna was almost a celestial being to me. The writing and the descriptions gave me the perfect feeling, the one I knew the author wanted me to experience. But then Owen was introduced. He was great! Lorna suddenly wasn’t. Her nonchalance about their “relationship” filled me with disdain. I just hated it. But I understood. I mean she doesn’t want love, and she’s picked an incredibly safe option. So I kept reading.
Then she messes it all up. And the again. And like again. Lorna is the only reason I didn’t like this book. And maybe her lack of confidence when dealing with Delilah, her “best friend”. I saw a lack of continuity with her character. Someone so strong willed and strong minded was suddenly personality-less when dealing with people she’s know her whole life.
One other problem I had was the casual cheating. I just couldn’t enjoy it after that.
But not everything was wrong with this book. Lorna’s mom was brilliant! And Angelika was so perfectly molded that I could imagine her scent and her gait. She was brilliantly crafted and I give high regards to the author.
Overall, maybe give this a go. Especially if you’re into magical realism! It just wasn’t for me.
katscribefever's review against another edition
4.0
Imagine trying to understand what love is when your cherished neighborhood tells you that your loving a man will lead to their death.
Experiencing this alternate-reality New York through the eyes of the Devonairre Street is both idyllic and hellish. The bonds they share are tested to the breaking point and beyond, as they strive to create identities for themselves apart from the Devonairre Street curse that claims to kill any man the women on the street fall in love with. I would recommend this book to fans of Wild Beauty, which was published later in the same year as this one, as they share a similar theme of the love of women spelling doom for the men they love.
Experiencing this alternate-reality New York through the eyes of the Devonairre Street is both idyllic and hellish. The bonds they share are tested to the breaking point and beyond, as they strive to create identities for themselves apart from the Devonairre Street curse that claims to kill any man the women on the street fall in love with. I would recommend this book to fans of Wild Beauty, which was published later in the same year as this one, as they share a similar theme of the love of women spelling doom for the men they love.
rachelwrites007's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, wow, wow. My goodness. For fans of Laura Ruby's BONE GAP.
rogankeira's review
1.0
(REVIEW FROM 2019)
I don't know whether to give this book 1 star or 4 stars.
WHY I GIVE THIS BOOK 1 STAR:
This book made me MAD. Like, swearing, tears-pouring-down-my-face, need-a-hug mad.
WHY I GIVE THIS BOOK 4 STARS:
I think it might have been trying to make me mad.
WHAT I KNOW: This book is difficult. Beware of triggers. You need strong mental health for this.
I don't know whether to give this book 1 star or 4 stars.
WHY I GIVE THIS BOOK 1 STAR:
This book made me MAD. Like, swearing, tears-pouring-down-my-face, need-a-hug mad.
WHY I GIVE THIS BOOK 4 STARS:
I think it might have been trying to make me mad.
WHAT I KNOW: This book is difficult. Beware of triggers. You need strong mental health for this.
runningonwords415's review against another edition
4.0
Breath-takingly beautiful. Writing, story, magic. Not a huge fan of suicide endings, which is the only reason this knocked down from a five star for me. But other than that, it's a heart-wrenching, honest take on love.