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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
First of all, I didn't realise that I've actually read The Goose Girl when I was little so I approached this book as a totally separate story. I would've given this book 4 stars if Alyrra was more compelling as a character because she was sort of bland and 5 stars if her relationship with the prince grow naturally. The prince is set up to be smart and wise and was able to sense something wrong with his bride early on but failed to make him connect with Alyrra. I didn't feel spark or anything. Just that he finds her interesting. But that interest alone is not enough to create romantic relationship, if that's what the author is trying to go for. Even if it isn't romantic, it is not enough for me to believe that Alyrra who longs to be free from oppression from her family would choose to stay. Based on my reading, she is not held against her will. Basically, if she asked for it, she may leave. But she choose to stay anyway. To help the prince which she felt no connection to other than she knew he's under death threat. I feel lacking in emotional catharsis that would make her desire to help him more believable. It worked in the original but as a fantasy novel, I wish the author could've done more.
I thought that it would be more interesting for Alyrra to leave the palace and pursue her freedom. But then, it won't be the story of The Goose Girl. I have to give credit to worldbuilding and atmospheric writing but the character writing is what lost to me.
I thought that it would be more interesting for Alyrra to leave the palace and pursue her freedom. But then, it won't be the story of The Goose Girl. I have to give credit to worldbuilding and atmospheric writing but the character writing is what lost to me.
library reads just hit different, and alyrrakestrin's dynamic was chefskiss; the book ended with how they could love each other and i think that's so beautiful. really well written, especially the worldbuilding and the plot and it deserves sm more love
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Yes
Wasn’t expecting Disney Princess fanfiction to be this good actually
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a well done retelling of The Goose Girl, but be warned that it captures all the brutality and evil that the story directly and indirectly allufes to.
I really liked this story. It's gentle, but also powerful. It is told from the viewpoint of Princess Alyrrah, a flawed, but worthy heroine.
It begins in her home, where her cold mother, the Queen, and her violent, terrible brother, as well as their small country's court, is greeting the ruler from another, larger, and far more powerful country. Although the Princess does her best to stay out of the way and not draw attention to herself, she eventually learns the King is there to discuss the the betrothal of his son to the quiet princess.
Everyone thinks it's odd: there are "better matches" to be had in several other, neighboring countries. The Queen accepts because she is greedy, and Alyrrah because she does what she is told to do. She leaves her home with the companion of her mother's choosing, a girl named Valka. Valka hates Alyrrah, as the two have known each other since childhood and Valka believes that Alyrrah betrayed her at one point.
Besides intriguing characters, this story has some magical elements, but the magic and the fantasy world don't take over. In fact, I didn't really notice them -- they were simply a piece of the story. The characters and the plot are the heavyweights, rather than the fantasy and the magic.
My favorite thing is that the author managed to tell the story in a quiet voice. There is not a ton of action, and there is not a whole lot of dialog. A great deal of the story happens in the Princess' head. She thinks a lot. But, it's not at all boring. Intisar Khanani has gained a fan!
It begins in her home, where her cold mother, the Queen, and her violent, terrible brother, as well as their small country's court, is greeting the ruler from another, larger, and far more powerful country. Although the Princess does her best to stay out of the way and not draw attention to herself, she eventually learns the King is there to discuss the the betrothal of his son to the quiet princess.
Everyone thinks it's odd: there are "better matches" to be had in several other, neighboring countries. The Queen accepts because she is greedy, and Alyrrah because she does what she is told to do. She leaves her home with the companion of her mother's choosing, a girl named Valka. Valka hates Alyrrah, as the two have known each other since childhood and Valka believes that Alyrrah betrayed her at one point.
Besides intriguing characters, this story has some magical elements, but the magic and the fantasy world don't take over. In fact, I didn't really notice them -- they were simply a piece of the story. The characters and the plot are the heavyweights, rather than the fantasy and the magic.
My favorite thing is that the author managed to tell the story in a quiet voice. There is not a ton of action, and there is not a whole lot of dialog. A great deal of the story happens in the Princess' head. She thinks a lot. But, it's not at all boring. Intisar Khanani has gained a fan!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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 stars ✨
“Perhaps I cannot fix everything in this moment. But I can do this: start somewhere and keep going.”
Thorn started a little rocky for me- it’s a little slower paced but after about 10 percent, I was fully invested. This was a retelling- I think I had read a version of The Goose Girl before, years ago while reading through some fables, but I didn’t remember it. So with that being said, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. The thing I liked the most about this book is the themes and lessons one can learn just by reading it. The main character grew so much by the end of the book, I literally wanted to stand up and clap for her. She overcomes so much and I was just a proud mama bear reader.
“Perhaps I cannot fix everything in this moment. But I can do this: start somewhere and keep going.”
Thorn started a little rocky for me- it’s a little slower paced but after about 10 percent, I was fully invested. This was a retelling- I think I had read a version of The Goose Girl before, years ago while reading through some fables, but I didn’t remember it. So with that being said, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. The thing I liked the most about this book is the themes and lessons one can learn just by reading it. The main character grew so much by the end of the book, I literally wanted to stand up and clap for her. She overcomes so much and I was just a proud mama bear reader.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Obsessed with this. I don't get the romance AT ALL but loved everything else.