Reviews

Jasmyn by Alex Bell

victoria58's review against another edition

3.0

This really seemed like a book I'd love - an unusual blending of contemporary fiction and fairy tale set in various European countries. But it all didn't really click. The writing was good, but the characters felt flat and uninteresting and the fantastical elements are introduced and accepted far too easily by the mundane protagonist.

That said, it's still an enjoyable and easy to read novel which shouldn't take up too much of your time.

jujelly's review against another edition

5.0

it certainly couldve been executed better, others might say. but i really dont care. for some reason, i just fell in love with this concept. and it might not be the most extravagant one, or the most convoluted one, but throughout the whole book, i just kept wanting to continue to read. for some reason, i just really, really like this.

lalauren04's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars for Jasmyn. I absolutely loved this book; the writing is fab, the plot was strong, and the setting was fabulous. I could really picture the story and the surroundings in my head. I loved the characters and the story's progression was just right. The cover is pretty spectacular too! Alex Bell is definitely an author to watch, if this book is anything to go by.

r_gale's review against another edition

emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Imaginative story, interesting characters. 

flijn's review

3.0

You have never heard a story quite like this one. I can hear you protesting already but, the fact is, it doesn't matter how old you are, how many books you've read, how many things you've seen... this story will be new to you.

Well, of course, in the most literal sense I have not heard this story before. But in fact, it does matter how many books you've read. A statement like this should be made very carefully, even when it is the protagonist talking and not the author. Because when this is the first thing I read, I think of J.K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, and Lev Grossman, to name just a few; which means my standards (if not expectations) are staggeringly high.

Therefore, I am disappointed. Not because this book is bad; it is a smooth ride of mystery, magic, faeries and castles; and some things are quite original. But it is not unique in the darkness of its magic, it is certainly not the darkest example of magical tales ever written. Nor is it particularly haunting; it is too one-dimensional to really make you check the stairs to the basement uneasily, or to start pondering human nature.

Points, though, to the main character for doing sensible things. Weird situation #1 happens? Jasmyn chalks it up to grief/coincidence. Weird situation #2 happens and a stranger threatens her? She calls the police and spends the night at her parents'.
On the other hand: she gets a bit too 'damsel-in-distress'-y for my taste, but at least she is aware of it herself. And I suppose it is a staple in this genre that a beautiful/special young woman mesmirizes others with her looks, all the while thinking she is nothing special/very hideous. The constant reminders about the main characers' looks made this a little too much like a Harlequin romance.

To end on a positive note: just look at this. Schloss Neuschwanstein, Bavaria, Germany. It's a real place, and I like how fact and fiction came together here.

rachel_abby_reads's review

3.0

Interesting book and concept generally, although I figured out part of the surprise quite early on. The language was mostly benign (although there was a section of extremity in which the f-bomb got dropped a handful of times) and absolutely nothing sexual. It caught my attention, I read it more or less straight through, neglecting to feed my kids dinner last night.

It isn't quite a variation on Swan Lake, but it does deal with swans, transformation, faery, Mad King Ludwig, and Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. Also, the characters are British. (I say that because it isn't inherently obvious at the beginning, and it helped me with some of the word choices, although I didn't ever really get used to the author's use of "whilst.")

bibliobethreads's review

Great book, found the dark side of fairytales very exciting and loved that the action never stopped! Looking forward to more books from this author, highly recommended!

lost_luna's review against another edition

3.0

Somewhere between a 3 and a 3.5 star read.
I loved the start of this book. It was so intriguing and mysterious and I couldn't put it down. However by about 100 pages in I had guessed the ending and my enthusiasm started to disappear.
I did really enjoy this book and the plot was new with a twist on a fairytale that was really interesting.
All in all a good book that I would definitely recommend.

miramanga's review against another edition

4.0

I was gripped by this magical, emotional story. I didn't like the way it ended, I felt everything was all quite abrupt but couldn't fault it for anything else.

pamelas's review against another edition

4.0

This was a nice bit of escapism for me. An enchanting and unique plot and an unusual tie-in to a fable/legend/fairy tale I had never heard of. Thanks, Scott, for the recommendation!