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souryaescape's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-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
akookieforyou's review against another edition
3.0
*3.5*
"Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It's disgusting, and I can't stop.”
This was my first time reading a book about fairies, so I don't have much to compare this to in that regard. I have however, read a decent amount of books with monarchies and royals (Red Queen, The Selection, The Captive Prince). This story was decent, nothing to insanely different from others, but definitely not abhorrent. Sometimes it became really predictable, and I feel it could've done a better job with a lot of the politics, as I found them not too fascinating. I also think that the main character felt too similar to other girls in these situations (I'm looking at you Mare). I didn't particularly like the Red Queen series, so I sincerely hope this trilogy can improve as it goes on, instead of the quality worsening to the point that I feel like I can no longer continue it.
There were some things I actually really enjoyed about this book, hence the three and a half star rating. For one, I really liked the world that was set up (even if it does seem pretty awful at times), the magic was interesting as well as the design of the characters. I think the premise of the story was pretty good, and I felt that the majority of the story kept me intrigued enough to want to continue. And lastly, but certainly not least, is Carden. He's probably the best thing about this entire book. I absolutely adore layered, unique, and slightly broken characters, and he was definitely all of these things, and more. I knew right away that he wasn't as he seemed to be, and as the story carried on I just liked him more and more. I'm really excited to see where this character can go in the future.
"Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It's disgusting, and I can't stop.”
This was my first time reading a book about fairies, so I don't have much to compare this to in that regard. I have however, read a decent amount of books with monarchies and royals (Red Queen, The Selection, The Captive Prince). This story was decent, nothing to insanely different from others, but definitely not abhorrent. Sometimes it became really predictable, and I feel it could've done a better job with a lot of the politics, as I found them not too fascinating. I also think that the main character felt too similar to other girls in these situations (I'm looking at you Mare). I didn't particularly like the Red Queen series, so I sincerely hope this trilogy can improve as it goes on, instead of the quality worsening to the point that I feel like I can no longer continue it.
There were some things I actually really enjoyed about this book, hence the three and a half star rating. For one, I really liked the world that was set up (even if it does seem pretty awful at times), the magic was interesting as well as the design of the characters. I think the premise of the story was pretty good, and I felt that the majority of the story kept me intrigued enough to want to continue. And lastly, but certainly not least, is Carden. He's probably the best thing about this entire book. I absolutely adore layered, unique, and slightly broken characters, and he was definitely all of these things, and more. I knew right away that he wasn't as he seemed to be, and as the story carried on I just liked him more and more. I'm really excited to see where this character can go in the future.
kirii's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
geggal's review
4.0
Really enjoyed this story though Jude felt lacking for me at times.
The world building was great, it felt nicely fleshed out and understandable as things slowly unfolded and the picture became clearer.
Excited to see what awaits Jude and Cardan in the next one
The world building was great, it felt nicely fleshed out and understandable as things slowly unfolded and the picture became clearer.
Excited to see what awaits Jude and Cardan in the next one
notmle's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hellfiremoon8's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Absolutely fantastic read I love Jude as a character so much! Didn’t see the twist coming at the end I was gobsmacked excited to read the next, I feel this world of Fae is very different for any other I have read but I love it
halfbloodcity's review against another edition
3.0
12/04/2018
I'm giving this 3 stars, mainly because I think the plot was mildly intersting but in the end I never got what I was expecting. Maybe my problem was the high expectatons I got after all the hype and the amount of people I saw in love with this. I actually liked Holly's writing style but I thoutgh that the plot twists where a bit obvious.
Then, I was expecting the Fae to be more viscious (maybe I was too influenced by the image I got after reading The Call by Peadar O'Guilin); and in the end there's basically Madoc and Valerian who like violence but the rest of them, to me, seem more like jealous kids fighting for a crown. And yes, there's different kinds of violence and bad character and you can see how they treat each other and how far they could go but with 90% of them I never truly believed they could just go and skim you alive or something equally as bad. In the end it's nothing more than court games and politics and never pure visciousness and bloodshed. And I get that when writing a trilogy (?) you can't throw all your cards to the wind but still, I think there was something lacking.
I really was expecting something else - 3 to 3.5 stars - review to come
I'm giving this 3 stars, mainly because I think the plot was mildly intersting but in the end I never got what I was expecting. Maybe my problem was the high expectatons I got after all the hype and the amount of people I saw in love with this. I actually liked Holly's writing style but I thoutgh that the plot twists where a bit obvious.
Then, I was expecting the Fae to be more viscious (maybe I was too influenced by the image I got after reading The Call by Peadar O'Guilin); and in the end there's basically Madoc and Valerian who like violence but the rest of them, to me, seem more like jealous kids fighting for a crown. And yes, there's different kinds of violence and bad character and you can see how they treat each other and how far they could go but with 90% of them I never truly believed they could just go and skim you alive or something equally as bad. In the end it's nothing more than court games and politics and never pure visciousness and bloodshed. And I get that when writing a trilogy (?) you can't throw all your cards to the wind but still, I think there was something lacking.
All in all, the plot line and everything I saw were promising a great book but I set myself up for a fall. I got a bit disappointed. And this is it for my non spoilery review or else I'll get carried away with all the spoilers ...
10/04/2018
I really was expecting something else - 3 to 3.5 stars - review to come
cleon2008's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thebookfaes's review against another edition
4.0
whimsical, hateful fae bullies human because she’s too slay
laplusbelle's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Good book but a tad disappointed. Marketed as an enemies-to-lovers and there is only a tiny crush at the end.