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elly29's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.25
A delightful story, one that was so much fun to read during my tweenage-hood and perhaps more delightful on rereading it as an adult. It has all the things one loves in a good story: adventure, romance, magic, animals, sardonic quips, goodness and character growth.
I loved how Ani started: she tried to be what others wanted, and she failed. Then, she gets a chance to find out who she is, and goes from a state of low competency to high competency, eventually conquering fears and foes alike (though, with some human butchery and animal cruelty in the mix...). Sometimes, the story was so very difficult (ahem, all of Falada, all of Selia's unfair advantages). And that's what makes a great story.
Maybe this should be 5 stars.
I loved how Ani started: she tried to be what others wanted, and she failed. Then, she gets a chance to find out who she is, and goes from a state of low competency to high competency, eventually conquering fears and foes alike (though, with some human butchery and animal cruelty in the mix...). Sometimes, the story was so very difficult (ahem, all of Falada, all of Selia's unfair advantages). And that's what makes a great story.
Maybe this should be 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Animal cruelty, and Blood
Minor: Sexual harassment
fool_ofabook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
rwalker101's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"She was born Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, and she did not open her eyes for three days."
I have been trying for over a decade to speak into meaning how the tone of this book changes, and how that change in tone makes it a modern masterpiece. With this opening line, "She was born..." Hale opens up a fairytale. Ani's life is a fairytale, after all; gauzy and shimmery and perfect. She is a princess, surrounded by the gilded trappings of royalty, and she has an aunt to teach her of the wonders of magic. There is language in nature - in the wind, in the fire, on the tongues of creatures - and young Ani dreams of finding it all.
But then her aunt leaves, and Ani quickly comes to terms with the idea that her responsibilities as royalty will forever preclude her from living the peaceful, nature-speaking life she craves. But Hale doesn't change the tone. Not completely. Not yet. See, as Ani grows up and is forced to let go of her desires, Hale keeps the tone light and gauzy, still reminiscent of an old tale, but the camera focuses a little closer on Ani's point of view, making this world feel disconcerting, disconnected, dissociated. Ani is still living in a fairy tale, but it is no longer the fairy tale she wants, and it quickly becomes stifling, to both her and the reader.
But as Ani continues her journey, as she travels and faces hardship and makes new friends, we feel that scope slowly expanding. Ani starts looking beyond her own narrow sphere, seeing others for the first time in her life. She learns who to trust, falls in love, finds fulfilling work, makes friends, grows bolder. As these changes happen to Ani, we watch the tone grow to match it. No longer is this Ani's fairytale, this is Ani's story. She grows from disconnected puppet to woman before our eyes - and it's done so well through the tone alone that I find myself focusing on that over everything else almost every time.
I have been trying for over a decade to speak into meaning how the tone of this book changes, and how that change in tone makes it a modern masterpiece. With this opening line, "She was born..." Hale opens up a fairytale. Ani's life is a fairytale, after all; gauzy and shimmery and perfect. She is a princess, surrounded by the gilded trappings of royalty, and she has an aunt to teach her of the wonders of magic. There is language in nature - in the wind, in the fire, on the tongues of creatures - and young Ani dreams of finding it all.
But then her aunt leaves, and Ani quickly comes to terms with the idea that her responsibilities as royalty will forever preclude her from living the peaceful, nature-speaking life she craves. But Hale doesn't change the tone. Not completely. Not yet. See, as Ani grows up and is forced to let go of her desires, Hale keeps the tone light and gauzy, still reminiscent of an old tale, but the camera focuses a little closer on Ani's point of view, making this world feel disconcerting, disconnected, dissociated. Ani is still living in a fairy tale, but it is no longer the fairy tale she wants, and it quickly becomes stifling, to both her and the reader.
But as Ani continues her journey, as she travels and faces hardship and makes new friends, we feel that scope slowly expanding. Ani starts looking beyond her own narrow sphere, seeing others for the first time in her life. She learns who to trust, falls in love, finds fulfilling work, makes friends, grows bolder. As these changes happen to Ani, we watch the tone grow to match it. No longer is this Ani's fairytale, this is Ani's story. She grows from disconnected puppet to woman before our eyes - and it's done so well through the tone alone that I find myself focusing on that over everything else almost every time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Toxic friendship
quetzel90's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
I first listen to this on a road trip with my family. I quickly became a comfort novel for me. I find the story interesting enough to reread. To me it's coming home to an old friend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
There is a part where an animal companion dies.rini's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-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
I was rather amused at the kingdom of "Bayern" since that's the name of one of the states in Germany (called "Bavaria" in English), formerly a kingdom (or maybe a principality) back in ye olde days.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Violence
nickoliver's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-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
It took me by surprise just how much I loved this. The characters were wonderful, though I think I preferred the side characters a bit more than Ani herself? Especially Enna, Talone, and Geric were a delight. There was a romance, which I somehow didn't expect, but it was very light and also very sweet.
The writing was a bit of a challenge for me. It used a lot of comparisons, many of which were pretty creative, and while I liked them for the most part, I feel like they sometimes made it harder for me to picture certain scenes. Though I have to say that was more of a problem in the first half of the book; I think after a while, I got used to it.
Honestly, the only bad thing I can think of is that the story was a bit slow at times. It didn't really bother me, but some people might get bored by it.
The writing was a bit of a challenge for me. It used a lot of comparisons, many of which were pretty creative, and while I liked them for the most part, I feel like they sometimes made it harder for me to picture certain scenes. Though I have to say that was more of a problem in the first half of the book; I think after a while, I got used to it.
Honestly, the only bad thing I can think of is that the story was a bit slow at times. It didn't really bother me, but some people might get bored by it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Animal death and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty
bencaroline's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Grief
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Violence
Minor: Police brutality and Xenophobia
effectordinary's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
This book is a part of my personality <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Minor: Emotional abuse and Violence
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