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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
"I might have given the king exactly what he wanted with my spell. A wife he can stare at but never have to speak to. A literal trophy on his lawn. A group of daughters so broken down and fragile that they are somehow more alluring than the strong, healthy, unenchanted princesses in other kingdoms."
This was a powerful fairytale story about women's agency in a patriarchal kingdom. We follow Jane, the eldest of 5 enchanted princesses, and Reagan, the witch who cast the spell that enchanted them. They must work together to break the spell, but in the process there's a lot to unpack about the kingdom and the injustices that take place under the King's rule.
It was a really interesting story and had a really impactful meaning. I rooted for these girls as they worked to learn about themselves, their kingdom, and the magic of Ever.
It did unravel slowly, but I feel this story's strength lies in its meaning rather than a quick plot. It's something to tread slowly through and take it in, not one that keeps you flipping pages with a fast paced plot.
It was a shorter fantasy, and for that it's not full of world-building or detailed backstory. But like I said before, this doesn't feel like a fantasy that needs that, it feels like more an allegorical fairytale with purpose.
Although that being said, it feels like it's missing something to keep me from absolutely loving this. It was a great story, but I think it maybe packed in too much for this tale. I would've liked to know the sisters a bit more. With there being 5 of them, plus still having Raegan's side of the character and her family, there were a lot of characters. This could've been especially powerful to have a bit less characters and more focus could go to the main ones.
*ARC received on NetGalley for honest review*
This was a powerful fairytale story about women's agency in a patriarchal kingdom. We follow Jane, the eldest of 5 enchanted princesses, and Reagan, the witch who cast the spell that enchanted them. They must work together to break the spell, but in the process there's a lot to unpack about the kingdom and the injustices that take place under the King's rule.
It was a really interesting story and had a really impactful meaning. I rooted for these girls as they worked to learn about themselves, their kingdom, and the magic of Ever.
It did unravel slowly, but I feel this story's strength lies in its meaning rather than a quick plot. It's something to tread slowly through and take it in, not one that keeps you flipping pages with a fast paced plot.
It was a shorter fantasy, and for that it's not full of world-building or detailed backstory. But like I said before, this doesn't feel like a fantasy that needs that, it feels like more an allegorical fairytale with purpose.
Although that being said, it feels like it's missing something to keep me from absolutely loving this. It was a great story, but I think it maybe packed in too much for this tale. I would've liked to know the sisters a bit more. With there being 5 of them, plus still having Raegan's side of the character and her family, there were a lot of characters. This could've been especially powerful to have a bit less characters and more focus could go to the main ones.
*ARC received on NetGalley for honest review*
4.5 stars
There is a lot to unpack inside my head after reading this book, it made quite an impression on me. Having suffered with an eating disorder and been a victim of sexual assault, I knew this book would be a hard read going into it. I did not foresee my inability to write a cohesive review for this book after I was finished reading it. I am going to try to put my thoughts into words though.
I’m going to start with Reagan, because I feel like her character goes through the least growth throughout this book. In the beginning she is angry, and rightfully so as we find out later. She has just found out something that has shattered her world and she is out for revenge and to punish the person responsible. She doesn’t think before she acts, and she sets the events of this whole book in motion. As a witch, she casts a spell to harm the people who the king loves most, his daughters, thinking that that will cause him the most amount of pain. We later find out how much this backfires on her. Through the book, Reagan continues to be angry and act without thinking, it isn’t until the end when she realizes how much she monumentally screwed up, and has a small redemption arc.
Jane, who is the other main character, goes through a very large amount of changes from beginning to end of the book. When the book first starts, a curse is begin placed upon her and her sisters, the curse of without. Once she turns 13 she will have to go without being able to eat until she has the chance to break the curse. She wastes away to practically nothing because she cannot die until the curse turns true. She learns the fact that her father did and continues to sexual assault women, and that that is the reason for the curse. Plus, she discovers that she also has magic. Through all this, her character continues to grow and realize the wrongdoings that are happening to her, her sister, their servants, and the people of their country all because of how awful her father is.
This book is about smashing the patriarchy and feminism, and while I get that, I feel the themes could have been even stronger. I wanted to see Jane become stronger and stand up for herself more, I wanted all of Reagan’s rage to be rightfully targeted, and I wanted to see the towns people rise up and support their queens more. I still love this book but I wanted it to be more.
There is a lot to unpack inside my head after reading this book, it made quite an impression on me. Having suffered with an eating disorder and been a victim of sexual assault, I knew this book would be a hard read going into it. I did not foresee my inability to write a cohesive review for this book after I was finished reading it. I am going to try to put my thoughts into words though.
I’m going to start with Reagan, because I feel like her character goes through the least growth throughout this book. In the beginning she is angry, and rightfully so as we find out later. She has just found out something that has shattered her world and she is out for revenge and to punish the person responsible. She doesn’t think before she acts, and she sets the events of this whole book in motion. As a witch, she casts a spell to harm the people who the king loves most, his daughters, thinking that that will cause him the most amount of pain. We later find out how much this backfires on her. Through the book, Reagan continues to be angry and act without thinking, it isn’t until the end when she realizes how much she monumentally screwed up, and has a small redemption arc.
Jane, who is the other main character, goes through a very large amount of changes from beginning to end of the book. When the book first starts, a curse is begin placed upon her and her sisters, the curse of without. Once she turns 13 she will have to go without being able to eat until she has the chance to break the curse. She wastes away to practically nothing because she cannot die until the curse turns true. She learns the fact that her father did and continues to sexual assault women, and that that is the reason for the curse. Plus, she discovers that she also has magic. Through all this, her character continues to grow and realize the wrongdoings that are happening to her, her sister, their servants, and the people of their country all because of how awful her father is.
This book is about smashing the patriarchy and feminism, and while I get that, I feel the themes could have been even stronger. I wanted to see Jane become stronger and stand up for herself more, I wanted all of Reagan’s rage to be rightfully targeted, and I wanted to see the towns people rise up and support their queens more. I still love this book but I wanted it to be more.
This book touched on some very important topics and subject matter in a respectful way. There was key lessons to be learned throughout the story. Despite this, at times I was really confused. The quest to break the curse plot line appeared to be all over the place at time, and at other times it was completely ignored. The two main characters were interesting to read from although at the beginning it was hard to distinguish between the two. There was also an immediate switch between hating each other to “we must save the world together bestie” and I was really confused with how we got to that point. Overall I think this book was a solid read, it has its flaws but it still reminded something which captures very difficult subjects and highlights it in a very informative and respectful manner.
Loveable characters:
No
How on earth are there only 500 people in Ever? It can’t be a kingdom with so little people. Also, they don’t have a military, so how did they fight in the war unless it was a militia? I feel like the kingdom should’ve revolted much earlier.
Jane’s sisters’ characters, especially Eden, were neglected. I wasn't attached to their characters and didn’t feel like they mattered. I would’ve like if it spoke more about how the princesses did after the curse was lifted. It was just like a jump cut past the interesting stuff.
Oh wow. Just wow. Firstly, I haven't read a story like this at all. I love the acceptance of a gender spectrum. I love the content warning at the beginning of the book. I love that one of the princesses was born a prince. I love the world-building and the price of magic. I love that this book addresses classism and sexism, rape and eating disorders, while having a fantastic tale of finding yourself and setting yourself free.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very, very cute. I loved how it had a very positive message for women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. I loved how the author used "gender spectrum" a lot and put a trigger warning on the first page of the book. The writing was all over the place in certain chapters and I didn't love how it changed perspectives, but overall it was very cute and the plot was good.
4.5 stars People need to read this book.
I have never been so thoroughly enraged by a book I enjoyed so much. This world is a world where women are second class citizens, where to hurt a woman is acceptable as long as you have a title. I was enraged reading about the king, the scenes with the other nobility. The way they prefer the princesses suffering because when they're weak they can't say no. The undermining of princess Jane, calling her hysterical especially hit home, because how many times as a woman have I been called a bitch, hysterical, over-reacting, because I was angry and spoke up about my mistreatment. It's a sad reality too many women still face today. The narrative of this book is so important, an I am overjoyed to see more fantasy novels tackling difficult topics.
The only reason I can't give this book a full 5 stars is because of the Reagan narrative. The way everyone treats her for casting her spell, like shes some bloody moron. She was thirteen and had just found out her mother had been hurt! Who wouldn't react a little rashly. Yes the spell was not thought out but you cant expect a thirteen your old to be the epitome of perfection. Her grandmother even cast a worse spell when she was much older yet still judges Reagan so harshly for her mistakes. Then theres Abbott, always pissy about something. He asks Reagan to get the princesses to come into Ever for the way to break their spell. She makes it happen and hes still not happy. Just seems like people who were supposed to be understanding kept piling on Reagan, telling her every decision she made was wrong while refusing to tell her why or what they actually want from her. It was infuriating!
I have never been so thoroughly enraged by a book I enjoyed so much. This world is a world where women are second class citizens, where to hurt a woman is acceptable as long as you have a title. I was enraged reading about the king, the scenes with the other nobility. The way they prefer the princesses suffering because when they're weak they can't say no. The undermining of princess Jane, calling her hysterical especially hit home, because how many times as a woman have I been called a bitch, hysterical, over-reacting, because I was angry and spoke up about my mistreatment. It's a sad reality too many women still face today. The narrative of this book is so important, an I am overjoyed to see more fantasy novels tackling difficult topics.
The only reason I can't give this book a full 5 stars is because of the Reagan narrative. The way everyone treats her for casting her spell, like shes some bloody moron. She was thirteen and had just found out her mother had been hurt! Who wouldn't react a little rashly. Yes the spell was not thought out but you cant expect a thirteen your old to be the epitome of perfection. Her grandmother even cast a worse spell when she was much older yet still judges Reagan so harshly for her mistakes. Then theres Abbott, always pissy about something. He asks Reagan to get the princesses to come into Ever for the way to break their spell. She makes it happen and hes still not happy. Just seems like people who were supposed to be understanding kept piling on Reagan, telling her every decision she made was wrong while refusing to tell her why or what they actually want from her. It was infuriating!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Grief
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Trafficking