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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
God, I really hated this. The shallow, superficial protagonists are more worried about what type of boys they like than the fact that their family is full of potentially evil shapeshifters.
This book was so much fun! It was a light, quick read with a really fun story. I really liked the spunky heroines.
Society girls from New York City circa 1890, Dacia and Lou never desired to know more about their lineage, instead preferring to gossip about the mysterious Romanian family that they barely knew. But upon turning seventeen, the girls must return to their homeland to meet their relatives, find proper husbands, and—most terrifyingly—learn the deep family secrets of The Claw, The Wing, and The Smoke. The Florescus, after all, are shape-shifters, and it is time for Dacia and Lou to fulfill the prophecy that demands their acceptance of this fate... or fight against this cruel inheritance with all their might.
With a gorgeous Romanian setting, stunning Parisian gowns, and dark brooding young men, readers will be swept up by this epic adventure of two girls in a battle for their lives.
I love Jessica Day George, LOVE. Her Princess trilogy made me sooooo happy and this book while very different did as well. It was slow to start but once I got into the action of the story I couldn't put the book down. Dacia and Lou at the beginning are spoiled and weak and awful, especially Dacia, but as the story progresses their development is wonderful to read and makes perfect sense. I liked that Dacia and Lou and the reader find out most of the mystery very early on so that things aren't dragged out unnecessarily. Around half of the book was Dacia and Lou learning more about their family's history and how they now fit into it and the world as a whole. I liked that the author dealt with how much this change in their lives would affect them and she did it in such a realistic way it really was amazing to read. The setting was very cool especially since it made me realize I don't think I've ever read a book set in this area of the world, very strange to realize that to be honest. I loved the cultural references like food and dress etc that both educated me and informed so much of the characters and plot. The shapeshifting was way cool and had its own unique mythology that as someone who reads and watches a ton of supernatural media kept me interesting.
SPOILERS
The prince was so creepy and his treatment of Dacia was revolting. He really was completely crazy and power hungry it was really disturbing to read. I liked that the Claw eventually decided to side with Dacia, Lou and the King but I loved that the Wing didn't because it would have tied things up way too neatly. I didn't love that Lou's affections towards Theo changed so quickly even though I sort of knew it would happen. I wish that she has started to realize her affections were changing while she was the Smoke because it would have given her more time to get to know him and the way he seemed able to understand her as the Smoke would have been a more interesting revelation at that time. I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read the next book and almost definitely every other book Jessica Day George writes.
With a gorgeous Romanian setting, stunning Parisian gowns, and dark brooding young men, readers will be swept up by this epic adventure of two girls in a battle for their lives.
I love Jessica Day George, LOVE. Her Princess trilogy made me sooooo happy and this book while very different did as well. It was slow to start but once I got into the action of the story I couldn't put the book down. Dacia and Lou at the beginning are spoiled and weak and awful, especially Dacia, but as the story progresses their development is wonderful to read and makes perfect sense. I liked that Dacia and Lou and the reader find out most of the mystery very early on so that things aren't dragged out unnecessarily. Around half of the book was Dacia and Lou learning more about their family's history and how they now fit into it and the world as a whole. I liked that the author dealt with how much this change in their lives would affect them and she did it in such a realistic way it really was amazing to read. The setting was very cool especially since it made me realize I don't think I've ever read a book set in this area of the world, very strange to realize that to be honest. I loved the cultural references like food and dress etc that both educated me and informed so much of the characters and plot. The shapeshifting was way cool and had its own unique mythology that as someone who reads and watches a ton of supernatural media kept me interesting.
SPOILERS
The prince was so creepy and his treatment of Dacia was revolting. He really was completely crazy and power hungry it was really disturbing to read. I liked that the Claw eventually decided to side with Dacia, Lou and the King but I loved that the Wing didn't because it would have tied things up way too neatly. I didn't love that Lou's affections towards Theo changed so quickly even though I sort of knew it would happen. I wish that she has started to realize her affections were changing while she was the Smoke because it would have given her more time to get to know him and the way he seemed able to understand her as the Smoke would have been a more interesting revelation at that time. I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read the next book and almost definitely every other book Jessica Day George writes.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was reading this to fit a challenge prompt and wasn't expecting anything great. I was very pleasantly surprised with how captivating this story was. Recommended!
I really liked this book. I didn't exactly like the style of writing but it fit the story pretty well. I read this as an ARC so sometimes the sentences would just cut of, And I wouldn't known what was being said. I was also on vacation while I was reading it so I didn't have a whole lot of time to read It but I did make time to read, seeing at it is finished.
I loved how it was set in a different country, as well as time period. It was set in Romania in 1897. The way that the characters talked and dressed you could tell that it was set in a different time period. The two main characters, Dacia and Lousia-know as Lou- were pretty developed in the beginning, and experienced A LOT of change during the course of the book. Lou was shy and very self-conscious and Dacia was self-confident and had not an ounce of shyness in her. Closer to the end of the middle/end Dacia's and Lou's rolls switched. After the two girls found out that they were only in Romania to find out the family power and kill King Carol so that Prince Mihai could take the throne like he was supposed to, the girls rolls switched. Lou became really self-confident and was not shy anymore while Dacia became really self-conscious. Lou because The Smoke being the reason why she didn't care about her weight and curves and Dacia became the Claw being the reason she started becoming self-conscious because she turned into a wolf.
I absolutely loved the book and enjoyed reading it. I'm pretty sure that this is going to be a new series and can't wait to read the second book if it is.
I loved how it was set in a different country, as well as time period. It was set in Romania in 1897. The way that the characters talked and dressed you could tell that it was set in a different time period. The two main characters, Dacia and Lousia-know as Lou- were pretty developed in the beginning, and experienced A LOT of change during the course of the book. Lou was shy and very self-conscious and Dacia was self-confident and had not an ounce of shyness in her. Closer to the end of the middle/end Dacia's and Lou's rolls switched. After the two girls found out that they were only in Romania to find out the family power and kill King Carol so that Prince Mihai could take the throne like he was supposed to, the girls rolls switched. Lou became really self-confident and was not shy anymore while Dacia became really self-conscious. Lou because The Smoke being the reason why she didn't care about her weight and curves and Dacia became the Claw being the reason she started becoming self-conscious because she turned into a wolf.
I absolutely loved the book and enjoyed reading it. I'm pretty sure that this is going to be a new series and can't wait to read the second book if it is.
The thing that kept me from really loving this book is the quick fixes both in the plot and character development. It felt like the author had written herself into down a road she didn't mean to take at times, hence the quick fix you felt at certain points.
Entertaining first book in a series about cousins Dacia and Lou who find that their Romanian heritage holds some deep secrets and includes ties to the Dracul family. Set in 1800's.
Mihai can jump off a bridge, be poisoned, and have his head chopped off and I would still think he needs a worse death.
So there's a girl and her cousin who are also the best of friends who find out their family in Romania are hiding a LOT of secrets. Honestly this book was just such cheesey fun. Vampires! Werewolves!! Centuries old family prophecies!!!! Women coming into their own and developing their own strength!!!!! It's pretty damn fun. Doesn't hurt that I also have Romanian heritage, and for some reason that means I'm more game to read stuff like this... ? I dunno man. ANYWAY, it was totally worth it. Like I said, a lot of fun and also had some unexpected twists that I really didn't see coming. Be warned though, there are quite a few scenes of sexual assault/harassment which could be triggering for some people. Also the toxic family part. But if you can handle that, I'm sure you'll enjoy this like you enjoy eating food that is bad for you but it tastes so good so you can't resist.
https://hercommonplaceblog.wordpress.com/
https://hercommonplaceblog.wordpress.com/
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review
What a refreshing read!!! This is probably my new favorite of the year!! I couldn't put it down and finished it in one night. I don't have anything bad to say about it besides that I wish it was longer!
It follows Dacia and Lou who are cousins and the best of friends as they travel from New York to Romania to meet the rest of the very large family, The Florescus. Dacia and Lou are traveling separately and so at the start of each chapter they write letters to each other and the POVs change between the two. It really allows the story to flow really well. Dacia and Lou finally reach their ancestral home where they have more questions than answers surrounding what is going on with their extended family. Finally, their questions are answered one night and it changes everything. Lou has turned into something that hasn't been seen in generations and Dacia is shocked at her transformation and sees herself as a monster. It's up to these two girls to accept their family secret and save the royal family before the sun rises.
What I Liked:
Dacia and Lou are STRONG WOMEN CHARACTERS!!! I fell in love with both of them within the first chapters. Dacia is the wild child while Lou is quiet and gets nervous in certain situations but all that changes when their family secret is revealed. Don't want to give too much away.
The romance is slowly built up and no insta-love or love triangles. It was amazing! It also wasn't a main plot point either.
The pacing was done really well and it flowed with the changes of the POV.
The setting was also done well. I felt like I was there with Dacia and Lou.
No cliffhanger at the end but it also left it open for the next book.
It was a little dark at times...
What I wish for more of:
There is a secret society in the story and I would have liked to learn more about it but I'm thinking we might be in the next book.
I want more!!!!
I am thinking of actually buying this book because it was so refreshing and exciting and just all the feels!!!
What a refreshing read!!! This is probably my new favorite of the year!! I couldn't put it down and finished it in one night. I don't have anything bad to say about it besides that I wish it was longer!
It follows Dacia and Lou who are cousins and the best of friends as they travel from New York to Romania to meet the rest of the very large family, The Florescus. Dacia and Lou are traveling separately and so at the start of each chapter they write letters to each other and the POVs change between the two. It really allows the story to flow really well. Dacia and Lou finally reach their ancestral home where they have more questions than answers surrounding what is going on with their extended family. Finally, their questions are answered one night and it changes everything. Lou has turned into something that hasn't been seen in generations and Dacia is shocked at her transformation and sees herself as a monster. It's up to these two girls to accept their family secret and save the royal family before the sun rises.
What I Liked:
Dacia and Lou are STRONG WOMEN CHARACTERS!!! I fell in love with both of them within the first chapters. Dacia is the wild child while Lou is quiet and gets nervous in certain situations but all that changes when their family secret is revealed. Don't want to give too much away.
The romance is slowly built up and no insta-love or love triangles. It was amazing! It also wasn't a main plot point either.
The pacing was done really well and it flowed with the changes of the POV.
The setting was also done well. I felt like I was there with Dacia and Lou.
No cliffhanger at the end but it also left it open for the next book.
It was a little dark at times...
What I wish for more of:
There is a secret society in the story and I would have liked to learn more about it but I'm thinking we might be in the next book.
I want more!!!!
I am thinking of actually buying this book because it was so refreshing and exciting and just all the feels!!!