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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
Three words:
Magical. Talking. Horse.
Actual Review:
As I'm sitting there reading this book, I'm trying to figure out why it took me so long to read it. I've heard wonderful stuff about it and - unusually for me - I kind of have to agree.
This is not a fast paced story. And a few times I wanted to shake the main girl and tell her to quit being so darn passive. (More on that later.) But what it is is a cute little tale of a young woman coming into her own and growing to become something more than she was at the start.
The story is about Alyrra, an unwanted princess from a small country that has little to offer suitors. (Both the kingdom and the princess, apparently.) At this book's core is a character driven tale - the plot just churns away quietly in the corner for most of the story. But, make no mistakes, this is Alyrra's story.
She's…a little difficult for me to get used to. She's passive in most ways - though is oddly capable at defending herself if the need arises. She's emotionally reserved and that's why this book being in the first person works so well. Because taking her natural reservations into account plus the distance that a third person point-of-view usually causes, there would have been no way to get attached to Alyrra. As it is, I found myself liking her almost from the start.
Even if I did want to shake her from time to time. But that's only because I like my girls to be a little more…gung ho. Determined. Stubborn. Pushy. Alyrra is not. She's the one getting pushed around and that made liking her at times not the easiest thing in the world for me.
Also, I have to add, she's been abused. There's only a couple moments on page where you get to see her abuser and her together, but there's really a creepy feel. My main reason for mentioning this is because it's not forgotten. Once Alyrra get's out of reach of her abuser, she doesn't just magically heal.
It takes her time to trust certain people - especially people that are a little more volatile and/or remind her in some way of her abuser. I like this. I like that time is taken to let Alyrra heal at her own pace and come to trust people as she will.
I liked the romance but, don't think that is the point of this story because, while it is there, this is completely about Alyrra's growth as a person.
(Originally posted on my blog: pagesofstarlight.blogspot.com)
Magical. Talking. Horse.
Actual Review:
As I'm sitting there reading this book, I'm trying to figure out why it took me so long to read it. I've heard wonderful stuff about it and - unusually for me - I kind of have to agree.
This is not a fast paced story. And a few times I wanted to shake the main girl and tell her to quit being so darn passive. (More on that later.) But what it is is a cute little tale of a young woman coming into her own and growing to become something more than she was at the start.
The story is about Alyrra, an unwanted princess from a small country that has little to offer suitors. (Both the kingdom and the princess, apparently.) At this book's core is a character driven tale - the plot just churns away quietly in the corner for most of the story. But, make no mistakes, this is Alyrra's story.
She's…a little difficult for me to get used to. She's passive in most ways - though is oddly capable at defending herself if the need arises. She's emotionally reserved and that's why this book being in the first person works so well. Because taking her natural reservations into account plus the distance that a third person point-of-view usually causes, there would have been no way to get attached to Alyrra. As it is, I found myself liking her almost from the start.
Even if I did want to shake her from time to time. But that's only because I like my girls to be a little more…gung ho. Determined. Stubborn. Pushy. Alyrra is not. She's the one getting pushed around and that made liking her at times not the easiest thing in the world for me.
Also, I have to add, she's been abused. There's only a couple moments on page where you get to see her abuser and her together, but there's really a creepy feel. My main reason for mentioning this is because it's not forgotten. Once Alyrra get's out of reach of her abuser, she doesn't just magically heal.
It takes her time to trust certain people - especially people that are a little more volatile and/or remind her in some way of her abuser. I like this. I like that time is taken to let Alyrra heal at her own pace and come to trust people as she will.
I liked the romance but, don't think that is the point of this story because, while it is there, this is completely about Alyrra's growth as a person.
(Originally posted on my blog: pagesofstarlight.blogspot.com)
adventurous
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This retelling of The Goose Girl was pretty good , but also a little.... over complicated.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
DNF @ pg 86. I'm sad but this just hasn't caught my attention, and after not picking it up for over a week, I still have no desire to continue.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I have a weakness for adaptations of The Goose Girl and this has all the good bits but I felt the second half really petered out and the story felt like it couldn't decide what it wanted to be. Still it made me think and if you like adapted fairy tales I would give it a go.
I picked up this book at the GenCon author alley this year and it took me months to get through my TBR to it, and WOW it was worth the wait and I should not have waited! It’s gorgeous and painful and sweet and frightening and I’m so so happy I paused at the author’s table because this book is absolutely wonderful.
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I dnf'd at 60% only bc I didn't have it in me to finish