Scan barcode
persephone_19's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Repetitive. Clunky dialogue, very awkward at times. Over-explained a lot, but under-explained important plot elements. It got to the point where I was reading only dialogue and skipping whole pages. Love the idea, especially the idea of the magic system. It just needs work. I think it'll be better for younger people who don't care about that stuff and people that like somewhat cheesy romance. Also, I just found the main character's need for martyrdom really really annoying
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Self harm, Blood, Vomit, and Death of parent
rebthack's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Self harm, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
abutler's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent
natreviews's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
So I got this book from Owlcrate and I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. The story is nice and simple, but is also dark. It's a mix of a couple of different fairy tales (Beauty and the Beast and
The Myth of Hades and Persephone were the ones I picked up on), and twists it with it's own story.
The main weaknesses in this book is the time jumping can be a bit confusing (not the worst I've read, but a lot of character feeling changes happen in those time jumps) and the enemies to lovers trope isn't great. After reading books like Queen Takes Rose and Survival Instincts, I'm worried that the straights aren't getting the same level of quality with this trope. It's mainly I hate him, but he's hot so might as well rather than anything being developed over time.
I saw that this is planned to be a series, so I might just have to pick up the next book whenever it comes out.
The main weaknesses in this book is the time jumping can be a bit confusing (not the worst I've read, but a lot of character feeling changes happen in those time jumps) and the enemies to lovers trope isn't great. After reading books like Queen Takes Rose and Survival Instincts, I'm worried that the straights aren't getting the same level of quality with this trope. It's mainly I hate him, but he's hot so might as well rather than anything being developed over time.
I saw that this is planned to be a series, so I might just have to pick up the next book whenever it comes out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Grief, and Death of parent
travelthrupages's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Ahhhhhhh that cliff hanger!!! And the next one isn't out until LATE 2022!!
Oh man, I requested this book from Netgalley based on the cover. Not something I usually do, but this one was just too beautiful to pass up. I am so glad I did and that I was chosen to read an advanced e-copy. This is such an amazingly written and well thought out fantasy. I was getting slight ACOTAR and Shadow and Bone vibes while reading (definitely saw Kaz as the Rowan, not going to lie). I was also getting Beauty and the Beast retelling vibes in the beginning too.
We have a bad ass group of female characters. Obviously our main character, Violeta, after making some choice decisions with the Lord Under, comes to find her power. But what is going to happen to her!? Man, this is why I have a love/hate relationship with reading newly published books that are going to be a series.
I really loved that there was representation in this as well.
Overall I am really excited for more people to read this. I am also excited to see where the next book is going and it will definitely be on my most anticipated releases list for next year!
Oh man, I requested this book from Netgalley based on the cover. Not something I usually do, but this one was just too beautiful to pass up. I am so glad I did and that I was chosen to read an advanced e-copy. This is such an amazingly written and well thought out fantasy. I was getting slight ACOTAR and Shadow and Bone vibes while reading (definitely saw Kaz as the Rowan, not going to lie). I was also getting Beauty and the Beast retelling vibes in the beginning too.
We have a bad ass group of female characters. Obviously our main character, Violeta, after making some choice decisions with the Lord Under, comes to find her power. But what is going to happen to her!? Man, this is why I have a love/hate relationship with reading newly published books that are going to be a series.
I really loved that there was representation in this as well.
Overall I am really excited for more people to read this. I am also excited to see where the next book is going and it will definitely be on my most anticipated releases list for next year!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Self harm, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Grief, and Death of parent
caseythereader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Self harm, Sexual content, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
dracula's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
If Crimson Peak had a YA sibling? Lakesedge is that, in every gloriously dark, beautiful way. We are introduced to Leta and her brother Arien, siblings plagued by an abusive adoptive mother and the loss of their biological parents. Yet, an even darker, more ominous threat looms. Arien possesses a seemingly dark magic that threatens to unravel the fraction of peace her and Arien can muster and when his magic captures the attention of a local legend, things only worsen.
What begins as a monster story turns into so much more and I devoured page after page. Lyndall Clipstone writes in a hauntingly addictive manner, delivering aesthetics and depth with ease. All of the characters within Lakesedge are complex, dealing with their own struggles, and it's impossible to not feel for them all. The estate that is the setting for much of the book is mysterious, as is the curse that plagues it. Rowan, a character who we're told to mistrust, is no less intruiging. The romance that forms the heart of this book is beautiful and rivaled only by the friendships and found family that forms.
Hailing from my own home state, I'm overjoyed to have loved this book and cannot wait for the conclusion.
What begins as a monster story turns into so much more and I devoured page after page. Lyndall Clipstone writes in a hauntingly addictive manner, delivering aesthetics and depth with ease. All of the characters within Lakesedge are complex, dealing with their own struggles, and it's impossible to not feel for them all. The estate that is the setting for much of the book is mysterious, as is the curse that plagues it. Rowan, a character who we're told to mistrust, is no less intruiging. The romance that forms the heart of this book is beautiful and rivaled only by the friendships and found family that forms.
Hailing from my own home state, I'm overjoyed to have loved this book and cannot wait for the conclusion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Death of parent
Self-harm is in the form of physical sacrifices. If there are further content warnings, please let me know and I'll amend immediately.themixedpages's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Self harm, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Vomit, and Suicide attempt