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nightmarebees's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.75
pleasantly surprised! i went into this both knowing that i liked hannah whitten’s writing in the nightshade books, but also that this was her debut, so for the first 1/3 of it i was really expecting just a fun low stakes 3 star read. there are some of the stumbling blocks i’ve seen in most debuts over the past couple years: repetitive phrases, slow or uneven pacing, worldbuilding not going as deep as it could have (i need a map…)
HOWEVER, getting into the second half, i actually found myself really invested! high points include:
- the sister relationship between red and neve being the most important thing to both of them
- red & eammon being a true slowww burn and that first kiss then being SO satisfying
- the politics/power dynamics back in valleydan actually got intriguing? it still could’ve done more but the little we got was well thought out
- woodsy forest body horror my love
i’m actually very excited to get into book 2
HOWEVER, getting into the second half, i actually found myself really invested! high points include:
- the sister relationship between red and neve being the most important thing to both of them
- red & eammon being a true slowww burn and that first kiss then being SO satisfying
- the politics/power dynamics back in valleydan actually got intriguing? it still could’ve done more but the little we got was well thought out
- woodsy forest body horror my love
i’m actually very excited to get into book 2
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Sexual content
thereadinghammock's review against another edition
Everyone just felt too edgy for their own good. I couldn't find the desire to care about how anyone's story really turned it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
carlyjoann's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The idea of this book was so interesting but it was confusing in execution for me. While the magic system was different and cool it wasn’t explained very well. I’m fine not knowing the whole story/lore right away and having it all unfold throughout but this felt like nothing and then everything all at once near the end. The two MC didn’t have much chemistry to me and I was not invested in their relationship much at all. Parts were predictable but I did get surprised a couple of things.
I’m on the fence if I will actually read the second book as of now.
I’m on the fence if I will actually read the second book as of now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
embersbooknook's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
This book was so fascinating. Really loved this twist in Little Red Riding Hood/Beauty & the Beast type shit. I loved the wood, Red’s character development, and her love story with Eammon. These characters were truly winning - although I did get VERY ANNOYED at Neve for being so naive. I know she wanted to save Red but GIRL COME ON.
Very very interested to see where the second book goes!! Great job with fascinating character development and a fresh, fascinating take on a familiar tale.
Very very interested to see where the second book goes!! Great job with fascinating character development and a fresh, fascinating take on a familiar tale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Mental illness, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
mokkekitty's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body horror and Blood
Minor: Death of parent
barnesbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I'd heard a lot of talk about this book a while ago, so I thought I'd give it a chance. The first half of it frustrated me because of the lack of information given to Red. It felt like it took a while for things to start happening. The second half of the book kept me enthralled and makes me want to read the next one. I like how the story mixes different fairy tales, like Little Red Riding Hood and Beauty and the Beast, without feeling cliche or like it's trying to include too much of each. The worldbuilding is unique. The narration could get repetitive at times. Overall I enjoyed the story and want to know what happens next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Self harm, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Murder, and Alcohol
fannehsm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Interesting story so far. I wouldn’t call this a romance because it’s such a small part, maybe a tiny slow burn.
It was a little frustrating that no one would tell anyone anything throughout. It was like the most annoying quiet form of the miscommunication trope ever. I hate that Ted would continually say she wanted to go to the woods, and Neve (and everyone else ever) would ignore her wants. Red also should’ve talked about her fears and reasoning.
The religious aspect played heavily and relied on tradition to keep it up. I feel it could've been more deeply mystical than how it was presented. The magic of the Wilderwood was the most endearing “character” to me. It was cute almost how she eventuallytalked back to the magic and got to make a choice in being rooted to the Wilderwood.
Overall interesting, but I’m not in love with any of the characters. I’ll be reading the second book just because I’m curious how they solve this, but honestly I’m not dying to jump back into this universe. Also Neve comes off as very childish, selfish, and willfully ignorant. Her role felt very “because the plot demands it!” So I’m not looking forward to her story. Ugh.
It was a little frustrating that no one would tell anyone anything throughout. It was like the most annoying quiet form of the miscommunication trope ever. I hate that Ted would continually say she wanted to go to the woods, and Neve (and everyone else ever) would ignore her wants. Red also should’ve talked about her fears and reasoning.
The religious aspect played heavily and relied on tradition to keep it up. I feel it could've been more deeply mystical than how it was presented. The magic of the Wilderwood was the most endearing “character” to me. It was cute almost how she eventually
Overall interesting, but I’m not in love with any of the characters. I’ll be reading the second book just because I’m curious how they solve this, but honestly I’m not dying to jump back into this universe. Also Neve comes off as very childish, selfish, and willfully ignorant. Her role felt very “because the plot demands it!” So I’m not looking forward to her story. Ugh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
yiayiakassi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
I think Whitten became enamored of the phrase "branch and bone" and tried to write a whole book around it.
Overall, it was a pretty lukewarm story, and I doubt I'll read the sequel.
Overall, it was a pretty lukewarm story, and I doubt I'll read the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Blood
kmf0023's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
nicetovietzyou's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I loved this book. The writing is heartbreakingly beautiful, and the author does an incredible job of putting a new spin on familiar fairy tale icons and patterns. As someone who is usually able to guess the plot points in a book, I was pleasantly surprised and content with the twists and turns. The only reason it didn’t get 5 stars is because there was a whisper of the miscommunication trope that I think could’ve been a smaller part. Overall, LOVED it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood