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punta's review against another edition
3.0
The last few chapters after the big reveal were so awkward to read.
That said I had an enjoyable time reading this, the historical fairy tale was intriguing and I liked the two main characters' chemistry since the beginning.
That said I had an enjoyable time reading this, the historical fairy tale was intriguing and I liked the two main characters' chemistry since the beginning.
trupti's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 4.25 rounded to 4
Jasmyn is a story built around a fairy tale that involves castles and swans and a certain secret something that makes the entire story revolve around itself. And that certain something is very unique and mystical.
The book jumps into action immediately, without wasting any time, at the end of the first chapter itself. At the end of Jasmyn’s husband’s funeral, 5 black swans fall from the sky. Everyone dismisses them as a consequence of some natural disaster or a disease (?, sorry don’t remember), but then things start to get more mysterious and confusing. Jasmyn comes to know things about her husbands past which she never knew existed. She goes on a journey with Bill, her husband’s brother, to find out the truth for herself.
Jasmyn is very different from the many fairy tale retellings I have read. But wait, Jasmyn is not a fairy tale retelling; it’s a story that revolves around a fairy tale, something so different and unique that I have to applaud the genius behind the story.
I really don’t want to give away much because I know that I enjoyed discovering a new secret, a new mystery after every few pages and I don’t want anyone else’s experience to lessen even by 1%. I thought there were a few loop holes in the story for almost 3/4 of the book, but trust me it all comes together in the end. And the end is as dramatic and grand as any action packed fantasy movie.
Read it if you enjoy fast paced mysteries and fairy tales. I’m not sure if I should tell which fairy tale it is for the fear of spoiling the book for you. Because as far as I know, it’s not a very well known one, it could be called more of a myth based around real places and people. But yes, this book will make you want to finish it in one sitting.
First posted at http://violetcrush.wordpress.com/2009/08/21/jasmyn-by-alex-bell/
Jasmyn is a story built around a fairy tale that involves castles and swans and a certain secret something that makes the entire story revolve around itself. And that certain something is very unique and mystical.
The book jumps into action immediately, without wasting any time, at the end of the first chapter itself. At the end of Jasmyn’s husband’s funeral, 5 black swans fall from the sky. Everyone dismisses them as a consequence of some natural disaster or a disease (?, sorry don’t remember), but then things start to get more mysterious and confusing. Jasmyn comes to know things about her husbands past which she never knew existed. She goes on a journey with Bill, her husband’s brother, to find out the truth for herself.
Jasmyn is very different from the many fairy tale retellings I have read. But wait, Jasmyn is not a fairy tale retelling; it’s a story that revolves around a fairy tale, something so different and unique that I have to applaud the genius behind the story.
I really don’t want to give away much because I know that I enjoyed discovering a new secret, a new mystery after every few pages and I don’t want anyone else’s experience to lessen even by 1%. I thought there were a few loop holes in the story for almost 3/4 of the book, but trust me it all comes together in the end. And the end is as dramatic and grand as any action packed fantasy movie.
Read it if you enjoy fast paced mysteries and fairy tales. I’m not sure if I should tell which fairy tale it is for the fear of spoiling the book for you. Because as far as I know, it’s not a very well known one, it could be called more of a myth based around real places and people. But yes, this book will make you want to finish it in one sitting.
First posted at http://violetcrush.wordpress.com/2009/08/21/jasmyn-by-alex-bell/
book_grinch's review
4.0
Loved the imagination, and all the elements behind this fairy tale/nightmare story.
Unfortunately the writing _for me _ wasn't as good as it could have been.
I would also have appreciated, more interaction and a little more development between the characters due to the nature of the story. Because in the end it just felt like something was missing.
But even so, i found the story so addictive that i have to give it a solid four stars.
Unfortunately the writing _for me _ wasn't as good as it could have been.
I would also have appreciated, more interaction and a little more development between the characters due to the nature of the story. Because in the end it just felt like something was missing.
But even so, i found the story so addictive that i have to give it a solid four stars.
jennyanydots's review against another edition
5.0
Swan knights and German fairytale castles. Strangely compelling, and stuck in my head for quite a while after I finished it. Opens with the funeral of Jasmyn's young husband, but when the ceremony is disrupted by 5 black swans falling dead at the graveside, her world starts to turn inside out.
bookishfifi's review against another edition
4.0
One of those books that you're really annoyed with yourself at for waiting so long to read it! Went and bought a copy before I'd finished the copy I borrowed from the library, it's a keeper!
wyvernfriend's review against another edition
4.0
When Jasmyn's husband dies it's bad enough but that's only the beginning of the strangeness that starts up, black swans fall dead into his grave to start with. Jasmyn is an albino, though without some of the light problems some albinos have. She then learns that he has secrets and things spiral out of control. As the story develops there begins to be magic and things happen that can't be explained by rational science. In order to defeat evil this magic has to be embraced and it has costs.
It's an interesting story of swans, fairytales, castles, a magic token and a broken violin. My biggest problem with it was a lack of depth, it didn't quite feel like the characters really felt about what was going on.
It's an interesting story of swans, fairytales, castles, a magic token and a broken violin. My biggest problem with it was a lack of depth, it didn't quite feel like the characters really felt about what was going on.
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