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jennitheghost's review against another edition
3.0
I struggled to finish this book but also I enjoyed a lot of parts of it. I think that there a large focus on romance etc, and a lot of the parts seemed very repetitive. But I liked the overall vibe of the story.
jmoranvb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
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
4.0
emotionalbookreport's review against another edition
3.0
3.25
It’s just my personal opinion and preference, but I’m a very character driven book lover? If that makes sense. Where the story here was immersive and interesting, it wasn’t strong enough for me to get past what an awful sister Laya is, and how both of them are so wishy-washy.
One of them is firm in her beliefs but has no self-esteem (granted she is only 17) but then when someone shows interest in her and her father isn’t there, watching like a hawk, she does things she knows are against what is “right”.
While the other sister thinks the beliefs of her family are outdated and has a more open mind, she says she loves her sister and would do anything for her, but then the first chance she gets she does exactly the opposite, gets herself in deep shit, then decides her sister knows nothing, says awful things to her, doesn’t believe her, refuses help when she needs it, but then when someone else saves her everything is fine?
I just didn’t believe their “sisterly love” AT ALL.
It’s just my personal opinion and preference, but I’m a very character driven book lover? If that makes sense. Where the story here was immersive and interesting, it wasn’t strong enough for me to get past what an awful sister Laya is, and how both of them are so wishy-washy.
One of them is firm in her beliefs but has no self-esteem (granted she is only 17) but then when someone shows interest in her and her father isn’t there, watching like a hawk, she does things she knows are against what is “right”.
While the other sister thinks the beliefs of her family are outdated and has a more open mind, she says she loves her sister and would do anything for her, but then the first chance she gets she does exactly the opposite, gets herself in deep shit, then decides her sister knows nothing, says awful things to her, doesn’t believe her, refuses help when she needs it, but then when someone else saves her everything is fine?
I just didn’t believe their “sisterly love” AT ALL.
hannahwoycik's review against another edition
1.0
Beautiful cover, but this book SUCKS. WHY does the author repeat words three times SO OFTEN. The characters suck. The writing sucks. The audiobook narrator isn’t great. I can’t believe I actually finished this. Absolute garbage.
kangrove's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime and Antisemitism
cassiewbee's review against another edition
3.0
3/5
This just wasn’t my kind of story. If you love stories written in verse, I suspect you might like this book more than I did, but it just wasn’t my thing.
I did appreciate the uniqueness of the story and the writing style. The dialogue felt a little stilted at points, but overall it gave an otherworldliness about it. It definitely felt very different to a lot of books I’ve read.
I was, however, disappointed by the setting. There was so much potential here to create a setting and atmosphere that would make you feel the otherworldliness. I was expecting a atmosphere closer to The Bear and the Nightingale, which is such a good example of truly making you feel the world. So much so that it basically becomes a character in its own right. But unfortunately I didn’t feel this from The Sisters of the Winter Wood.
Overall, it was a very slowed paced story that I just couldn’t connect with.
Thank you to Redhook Books and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this title to review!
This just wasn’t my kind of story. If you love stories written in verse, I suspect you might like this book more than I did, but it just wasn’t my thing.
I did appreciate the uniqueness of the story and the writing style. The dialogue felt a little stilted at points, but overall it gave an otherworldliness about it. It definitely felt very different to a lot of books I’ve read.
I was, however, disappointed by the setting. There was so much potential here to create a setting and atmosphere that would make you feel the otherworldliness. I was expecting a atmosphere closer to The Bear and the Nightingale, which is such a good example of truly making you feel the world. So much so that it basically becomes a character in its own right. But unfortunately I didn’t feel this from The Sisters of the Winter Wood.
Overall, it was a very slowed paced story that I just couldn’t connect with.
Thank you to Redhook Books and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this title to review!
theneverqueenreads's review against another edition
5.0
The Sisters of the Winter Wood thrums with magic and history. Two teenage sisters must face a lot of diversity when their parents have to leave town. Strange men arrive and free-spirited Laya is drawn to them. Liba is the more grounded of the two sisters, and she will do anything to keep Laya safe from these men. The sisters struggle with battles within themselves, and to top it all, the story is told during a hostile time for Jewish people. Rena Rossner does a beautiful job telling the two teens’ point of views. Liba’s perspective is strong prose while Laya’s is a flowing poem. I loved every bit of this book! I would recommend it to anyone who loves fairytales. Also, if you enjoy historical novels, you may also enjoy this!
drae's review against another edition
5.0
Great historical-fantasy novel that alternates between two narrative voices to keep up the suspense. I read it 50 pages at a time, and appreciated the detailed author's note and glossary which deepened the historical significance of the story.
crypticspren's review against another edition
3.0
I put this through CAWPILE and it SCRAPED a 3 star... I'm still not 100% sure it shouldn't be a 2.5...
This book started off so incredibly slowly and was not interesting at all. I originally described it to a friend as 'Like taking a bath... In lukewarm water, with no bath soak, bath bombs, candles, or anything remotely fun'. The reveal of the 'family secret' was poorly done and the writing was almost funny in how bad it was. After the first 100/150 pages, it did start to pick up though. I was interested to read about the Jew/non-Jew relations, and I found Liba's romance to be enjoyable to read. Laya on the other hand, was absolutely infuriating. From strangely formatted writing (I thought it would be poetry but it wasn't), to unbelievable and annoying behaviour... I hated her.
While the level of drama picked up towards the end, it ended rather abruptly and I was left completely unsatisfied... So the 3* is somewhat miraculous, I think.
This book started off so incredibly slowly and was not interesting at all. I originally described it to a friend as 'Like taking a bath... In lukewarm water, with no bath soak, bath bombs, candles, or anything remotely fun'. The reveal of the 'family secret' was poorly done and the writing was almost funny in how bad it was. After the first 100/150 pages, it did start to pick up though. I was interested to read about the Jew/non-Jew relations, and I found Liba's romance to be enjoyable to read. Laya on the other hand, was absolutely infuriating. From strangely formatted writing (I thought it would be poetry but it wasn't), to unbelievable and annoying behaviour... I hated her.
While the level of drama picked up towards the end, it ended rather abruptly and I was left completely unsatisfied... So the 3* is somewhat miraculous, I think.