Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-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
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
Juliette Lucian-Sorel is the princess of Paris with praises and flowers showering at her feet. One day, a fateful visit changes her life, like a hurricane leaving nothing familiar in its path. Katarina Vyatka is at the center of this destruction, with her silence, cold eyes, and bloody satin ribbons. They all say beware of her...yet her heart yearns for the mysterious ballerina and to keep her safe from those who dare to harm her. However, life is never easy. Behind secrets, schemes, and heartbreak, Milena McKay weaves a story of choice and love in the 1980s in Paris that will certainly break your heart and piece it back together.
All the readers would say the same thing, but Reverence broke me entirely. Enough to storm our dear author’s DMs crying in pain. McKay has again proved one thing with Reverence. She is a damn genius and no one will refute that unless it is over my dead body. I mean it. Now, enough with the fangirling and back to the book, Mari.
Reverence can be described in two words, love and history.
First, let’s talk about love. McKay writes ice queens with the most fragile hearts that are guarded by walls as high as the Eiffel Tower. They are usually hated or feared, and people do not care enough to try to see who is behind the icy barrier. Sometimes the walls become higher because people are not worthy of cherishing the fragile heart behind the walls. However, if you have the chance (or should I say honor) to see behind these walls, they are the ones who love the hardest with all their broken hearts. Fear is usually the emotion that rules them, not selfishness. In fact, selflessness is shown in the love of McKay’s ice queens despite their fear. Katarina is one example. Despite the pain and pressure inflicted upon her for so long a time, she still finds the strength to endure and love. That love is based on an emotion that was the last in Pandora’s Box, an emotion that still shone brightly after all of these long days in the dark with dust and cobwebs piling upon it. I assure you that this emotion is the torch that will light the path of the angst and heartbreak that the world will put our two protagonists through. Love never dies and comes back in ways that feel right.
Now, what is the factor that caused the fear and heartbreak in the love of our two protagonists? History. History that was once a reality for certain people, for a certain generation. Milena McKay usually puts pieces of herself into the books she writes. In The Delicate Things We Make, she puts on paper what she has seen and experienced, which is the injustice of the world inflicted upon victims. In These Thin Lines, she puts a piece of who she is. In Reverence, she puts a piece of those who came before her, along with her experience of her younger days. As a person who lives in Korea, a country divided and still partly in fear of war because of the greed of two forces in motion during the Cold War, history means so much. I know that my generation and those after usually think history is static, something of the past. But it will never be static, since the endurance, fight, and survival of those who came before us are the foundation of where we live. Reverence reminds us of the heart, strength, and perseverance of the survivors and history.
I loved every word and letter of this book. Brava, Milena.
I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.
All the readers would say the same thing, but Reverence broke me entirely. Enough to storm our dear author’s DMs crying in pain. McKay has again proved one thing with Reverence. She is a damn genius and no one will refute that unless it is over my dead body. I mean it. Now, enough with the fangirling and back to the book, Mari.
Reverence can be described in two words, love and history.
First, let’s talk about love. McKay writes ice queens with the most fragile hearts that are guarded by walls as high as the Eiffel Tower. They are usually hated or feared, and people do not care enough to try to see who is behind the icy barrier. Sometimes the walls become higher because people are not worthy of cherishing the fragile heart behind the walls. However, if you have the chance (or should I say honor) to see behind these walls, they are the ones who love the hardest with all their broken hearts. Fear is usually the emotion that rules them, not selfishness. In fact, selflessness is shown in the love of McKay’s ice queens despite their fear. Katarina is one example. Despite the pain and pressure inflicted upon her for so long a time, she still finds the strength to endure and love. That love is based on an emotion that was the last in Pandora’s Box, an emotion that still shone brightly after all of these long days in the dark with dust and cobwebs piling upon it. I assure you that this emotion is the torch that will light the path of the angst and heartbreak that the world will put our two protagonists through. Love never dies and comes back in ways that feel right.
Now, what is the factor that caused the fear and heartbreak in the love of our two protagonists? History. History that was once a reality for certain people, for a certain generation. Milena McKay usually puts pieces of herself into the books she writes. In The Delicate Things We Make, she puts on paper what she has seen and experienced, which is the injustice of the world inflicted upon victims. In These Thin Lines, she puts a piece of who she is. In Reverence, she puts a piece of those who came before her, along with her experience of her younger days. As a person who lives in Korea, a country divided and still partly in fear of war because of the greed of two forces in motion during the Cold War, history means so much. I know that my generation and those after usually think history is static, something of the past. But it will never be static, since the endurance, fight, and survival of those who came before us are the foundation of where we live. Reverence reminds us of the heart, strength, and perseverance of the survivors and history.
I loved every word and letter of this book. Brava, Milena.
I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.
Juliette Lucian-Sorel is the princess of Paris with praises and flowers showering at her feet. One day, a fateful visit changes her life, like a hurricane leaving nothing familiar in its path. Katarina Vyatka is at the center of this destruction, with her silence, cold eyes, and bloody satin ribbons. They all say beware of her...yet her heart yearns for the mysterious ballerina and to keep her safe from those who dare to harm her. However, life is never easy. Behind secrets, schemes, and heartbreak, Milena McKay weaves a story of choice and love in the 1980s in Paris that will certainly break your heart and piece it back together.
All the readers would say the same thing, but Reverence broke me entirely. Enough to storm our dear author’s DMs crying in pain. McKay has again proved one thing with Reverence. She is a damn genius and no one will refute that unless it is over my dead body. I mean it. Now, enough with the fangirling and back to the book, Mari.
Reverence can be described in two words, love and history.
First, let’s talk about love. McKay writes ice queens with the most fragile hearts that are guarded by walls as high as the Eiffel Tower. They are usually hated or feared, and people do not care enough to try to see who is behind the icy barrier. Sometimes the walls become higher because people are not worthy of cherishing the fragile heart behind the walls. However, if you have the chance (or should I say honor) to see behind these walls, they are the ones who love the hardest with all their broken hearts. Fear is usually the emotion that rules them, not selfishness. In fact, selflessness is shown in the love of McKay’s ice queens despite their fear. Katarina is one example. Despite the pain and pressure inflicted upon her for so long a time, she still finds the strength to endure and love. That love is based on an emotion that was the last in Pandora’s Box, an emotion that still shone brightly after all of these long days in the dark with dust and cobwebs piling upon it. I assure you that this emotion is the torch that will light the path of the angst and heartbreak that the world will put our two protagonists through. Love never dies and comes back in ways that feel right.
Now, what is the factor that caused the fear and heartbreak in the love of our two protagonists? History. History that was once a reality for certain people, for a certain generation. Milena McKay usually puts pieces of herself into the books she writes. In The Delicate Things We Make, she puts on paper what she has seen and experienced, which is the injustice of the world inflicted upon victims. In These Thin Lines, she puts a piece of who she is. In Reverence, she puts a piece of those who came before her, along with her experience of her younger days. As a person who lives in Korea, a country divided and still partly in fear of war because of the greed of two forces in motion during the Cold War, history means so much. I know that my generation and those after usually think history is static, something of the past. But it will never be static, since the endurance, fight, and survival of those who came before us are the foundation of where we live. Reverence reminds us of the heart, strength, and perseverance of the survivors and history.
I loved every word and letter of this book. Brava, Milena.
I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.
All the readers would say the same thing, but Reverence broke me entirely. Enough to storm our dear author’s DMs crying in pain. McKay has again proved one thing with Reverence. She is a damn genius and no one will refute that unless it is over my dead body. I mean it. Now, enough with the fangirling and back to the book, Mari.
Reverence can be described in two words, love and history.
First, let’s talk about love. McKay writes ice queens with the most fragile hearts that are guarded by walls as high as the Eiffel Tower. They are usually hated or feared, and people do not care enough to try to see who is behind the icy barrier. Sometimes the walls become higher because people are not worthy of cherishing the fragile heart behind the walls. However, if you have the chance (or should I say honor) to see behind these walls, they are the ones who love the hardest with all their broken hearts. Fear is usually the emotion that rules them, not selfishness. In fact, selflessness is shown in the love of McKay’s ice queens despite their fear. Katarina is one example. Despite the pain and pressure inflicted upon her for so long a time, she still finds the strength to endure and love. That love is based on an emotion that was the last in Pandora’s Box, an emotion that still shone brightly after all of these long days in the dark with dust and cobwebs piling upon it. I assure you that this emotion is the torch that will light the path of the angst and heartbreak that the world will put our two protagonists through. Love never dies and comes back in ways that feel right.
Now, what is the factor that caused the fear and heartbreak in the love of our two protagonists? History. History that was once a reality for certain people, for a certain generation. Milena McKay usually puts pieces of herself into the books she writes. In The Delicate Things We Make, she puts on paper what she has seen and experienced, which is the injustice of the world inflicted upon victims. In These Thin Lines, she puts a piece of who she is. In Reverence, she puts a piece of those who came before her, along with her experience of her younger days. As a person who lives in Korea, a country divided and still partly in fear of war because of the greed of two forces in motion during the Cold War, history means so much. I know that my generation and those after usually think history is static, something of the past. But it will never be static, since the endurance, fight, and survival of those who came before us are the foundation of where we live. Reverence reminds us of the heart, strength, and perseverance of the survivors and history.
I loved every word and letter of this book. Brava, Milena.
I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.
challenging
emotional
medium-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
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Lesbophobia
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As happens often when I review an audiobook after reading the book, I believed I wouldn’t have much to add. And as often, I was wrong. I figured I’d shared all my thoughts on Reverence when it first came out. How much I love Katarina, who has joined Neve Blackthorne at the top of my Favourite Ice Queens chart; the tenderness I have for Juliette; how delighted I was to get to read some of Helena Moore’s backstory; how mad I was—still am— that Mila was right to write a certain heartbreaking scene; Jenifer Prince‘s gorgeous cover; how Reverence made me care for ballet. I mean, this book is the only reason I’m considering watching the Étoile TV series. And of course, Milena McKay‘s beautiful writing, the angst, the drama, the unconditional love.
I really thought that was all I had to say, especially since, as I explained recently in a video, I’ve been struggling with focus for over a year now. But then, as I reread my original review, I was surprised to see that I didn’t even mention Paris as not just a setting. It could be because that review was already way too long. It could also be that I forgot. Who knows. Anyway, if you’ve read any of McKay’s books, you know she takes research seriously. And you probably also know that she loves Paris. As it turns out, her BFF—yours truly—is French, and we’ve spent many days strolling through the City of Lights, both for fun and for said research. We walked the path that takes Juliette and Katrina from the apartment on Rue de Rivoli to Place de l’Opéra and Palais Garnier. We had lunch in the Jardin des Tuileries. We had hot chocolate several times at Angelina, one of my favourite places in the entire universe, full of childhood memories, since enriched with visits as an adult, with my own child of course, and now with Mila too. I may have a complicated relationship with Paris, the city where I was born, where I grew up, where I worked for the longest time, where I met the love of my life, where we raised our child, where we got married, and which I couldn’t wait to leave a few years ago, but it is still and will always be “my” city, the most beautiful city in the world. And so, to see this city appreciated like this, to find this love shared in a book, a book by someone I love, is a truly special experience.
As always, listening to Abby Craden bring these characters to life was a joy. She excels with older women, especially aloof, reserved ones. I’m perpetually in awe of her ability to make each of McKay’s Ice Queens sound different. Katarina’s voice isn’t DeVor’s voice, which isn’t Magdalene’s or Neve’s or Sabine’s. In Reverence, Abby Craden’s Katarina and Juliette are perfection, and I loved them especially together, where the contrast works best, the voices weaving together yet distinguishable from each other at all times.
I also enjoyed Francesca’s voice very much. I have no idea whether the accent is accurate, all I know is that it works. Another favourite is Helena. I don’t think I’m the only one who has been hoping for more Dr Moore since A Whisper of Solace. The brilliant mind who, while at times unsettled by Neve, never gave up on her, never was fooled by her evasion tactics. To be honest, I still want more. I do hope that she, someday, finds love too.
I mentioned Paris above. Milena McKay has this maddening tendency (I say this with love) to set stories in France, and I know I’ve been harsh sometimes in previous reviews about accents, especially about French accents. My own in English is far from perfect, and I don’t expect narrators to master every intonation and pronunciation in languages that aren’t theirs. I really don’t mind American characters saying French words with their own inflexions, unless the author describes them as speaking impeccable French with no accent. It’s more delicate with French characters but they’re rarely MCs, and I care more about understanding them than about the accuracy of their speech pattern. And that the main issue, for me, a failed attempt at an accent makes it more difficult for me to understand what is being said. My advice, as a listener: when in doubt, keep it light. That said, since so much of Reverence takes place in Paris, and since the city itself plays such a big part, Mila asked me to record the French words and names so she could send them to Abby. It makes a big difference, the narration is a lot more fluid, especially for street names and such. And it makes it even easier for me to recommend this audiobook with a lot of enthusiasm.
Video review: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKKK5GkxyoX/
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars