Reviews

Burning Roses by S.L. Huang

manaledi's review against another edition

3.0

This novella was incredibly quick to read. It says 156 pages but it felt even shorter than that. It had an interesting mishmash of retellings of very common fairytales put together in a clever way.

smrj's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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? Yes

3.0

enteka's review against another edition

2.0

Kleptomanics, talking animals, monsters, Stockholm syndrome, betrayals (plural), queer romance, trauma (plural), the moon, a rifle, and a bow. Something was incoherent, pacing weird to me. Too dramatic? Too melodramatic? Just not to my tastes, maybe? I'm not sure.

I think saving people was the excuse. I wanted to feel powerful. I wanted to feel like nothing could ever hurt me again.

bookwrm526's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

kaywhiteley's review against another edition

4.0

Love the blend of folklore and new fiction, as well as the addition of queer people and their families. I just wish that the book was overall longer, as it read more like a short story but seemed to have so much more to explore.

_christinacreads's review against another edition

4.0

West meets East fairytale mashup Adult Fantasy featuring older, very flawed and world weary bisexual FMCs in a queer normworld as they look back on their past, the trauma they passed on to their children. Highly feminist, NB author, poignant and thought provoking. Loved how this was brought all together at the end.

littearacy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

ubepandesol's review against another edition

What a fantastic fairytale-salad this is.
Also: IT'S SAPPHIC! EVERYONE SAPPHIC <3

ehmannky's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

4.5

A retelling of Red Riding Hood and Hu Yi that goes together so well. I had no idea that this novella was the third in a series, but I don't think you actually need to have any background knowledge before you read it. It's all about redemption and the harm we can cause to our families and if it's possible to fix it. Beautifully written. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Death, Gun violence, and Violence

ke11yn_'s review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious fast-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? Yes

4.0