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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I started this at around 13:00 and finished by 16:00 with some stops along the way.
First of all, I want to say I did enjoy the tale but I don't think it's as innovative as everyone seems to praise. I can't understand why it won the novella but alas that's the world of publishing (of Hugo awards) I must say Tor is nailing them. In 2021 there wasn't even other contenders. Sorry besides the point I know.
She did what per example Christina Henry has being doing for over 10 years. Grabbing fairytales tropes and twisting them up to horror or even different settings. Again I don't mean to be rude - it's a wonderful tale, really love Toadling and her story. The Loneliness was palpable and the walls of seclusion sometimes we put up really take their toll on life. I also enjoyed the Saracen Knight - which I found funny since it linked to Sir Palamedes (sometimes portrayed as a Saracen Knight) and also because Knights were titles use in western Europe thing - there is no knights in Islam. The equivalent would be Janissaries for Islam - Boyar for Russian (Slavs), Samurai (Japan) Praetorian Guard (Roma) among others. If you are ready to write how racist I am , please tell me of a knight outside of Western Europe or a Order of Knights (like Order of Knights Templar, Order of Teutonic Knights etc).
The story itself was good. I enjoy the twist in the end and felt anxious when she decided to leave. I think the final confrontation was quite easy - but I guess it was fine at the same time because the focus was not the "sleeping" beauty but the Toadling story.
Either way - 76/100
First of all, I want to say I did enjoy the tale but I don't think it's as innovative as everyone seems to praise. I can't understand why it won the novella but alas that's the world of publishing (of Hugo awards) I must say Tor is nailing them. In 2021 there wasn't even other contenders. Sorry besides the point I know.
She did what per example Christina Henry has being doing for over 10 years. Grabbing fairytales tropes and twisting them up to horror or even different settings. Again I don't mean to be rude - it's a wonderful tale, really love Toadling and her story. The Loneliness was palpable and the walls of seclusion sometimes we put up really take their toll on life. I also enjoyed the Saracen Knight - which I found funny since it linked to Sir Palamedes (sometimes portrayed as a Saracen Knight) and also because Knights were titles use in western Europe thing - there is no knights in Islam. The equivalent would be Janissaries for Islam - Boyar for Russian (Slavs), Samurai (Japan) Praetorian Guard (Roma) among others. If you are ready to write how racist I am , please tell me of a knight outside of Western Europe or a Order of Knights (like Order of Knights Templar, Order of Teutonic Knights etc).
The story itself was good. I enjoy the twist in the end and felt anxious when she decided to leave. I think the final confrontation was quite easy - but I guess it was fine at the same time because the focus was not the "sleeping" beauty but the Toadling story.
Either way - 76/100
Sleeping beauty retelling. None of the creepy SA, all of the fairy tale magic, with some extra folk tale monsters thrown in for good measure. Loved the inclusion of the less pretty creature, the Muslim knight, and a fun twist on a classic.
Fun and quick read.
Fun and quick read.
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
tense
fast-paced
Brooooo this one hurt my heart. I love a really meandering, sad story and this was exactly that. (5 stars = loved it)
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Interesting twist on Sleeping Beauty.
A beautiful, simple fairytale retelling with changlings. The cover makes it seem darker than it is truely.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Yes