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lisas_library_factory's review against another edition
4.0
I was quite surprised how much I enjoyed this book, as I never delve into young adult fiction and fairy tale retellings before. It took me quite some time to realise when the acutal refence to Cinderella happened, but once it was there, I was excited to figure out how the plot went on. I especiall enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters Blue and Kellan, as well as their relationship with Kellan's sister Nessa. Parts of the story were a little bit too cheesy here and there but otherwise, this was quite a page-turner and I can imagine to read more of the Ravenspire series.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
5.0
It doesn't happen that often that each and every new book in a series is just as good, or maybe even better than the previous books. But this series has a very constant quality and each and every book so far has been nothing but absolutely amazing and perfection. The moment I start these books I just want to read and read and read until I finish. Because even though it are fairytale retellings and the ending is therefore kind of predictable, the books are very addictive.
Just like in the previous books Redwine has managed to create a very rich and magical world. She knows how to set the atmosphere and how to make this kingdom different from the other kingdoms we've already seen and explored. I love how small details can make a big difference and how I can almost smell and see the world she's crafting.
But not just the world is once again absolutely perfect, so is the plot. Redwine takes the well known elements that make up Cinderella en twists them in such a way that they fit in perfectly in this world and this story. And even though the fairytale is still very recognisable, it still feels fresh and original and exciting!
The best parts of Redwine's books are the characters however. Blue is the perfect Cinderella and everything I would want to be one day. But she's also layered and complicated and she feels real and fleshed out. The same goes for Kellan, who is every bit as charming as unique and earned himself a spot in my heart and on my list with bookish boyfriends!
I really can't wait for the next book!
Just like in the previous books Redwine has managed to create a very rich and magical world. She knows how to set the atmosphere and how to make this kingdom different from the other kingdoms we've already seen and explored. I love how small details can make a big difference and how I can almost smell and see the world she's crafting.
But not just the world is once again absolutely perfect, so is the plot. Redwine takes the well known elements that make up Cinderella en twists them in such a way that they fit in perfectly in this world and this story. And even though the fairytale is still very recognisable, it still feels fresh and original and exciting!
The best parts of Redwine's books are the characters however. Blue is the perfect Cinderella and everything I would want to be one day. But she's also layered and complicated and she feels real and fleshed out. The same goes for Kellan, who is every bit as charming as unique and earned himself a spot in my heart and on my list with bookish boyfriends!
I really can't wait for the next book!
whosevita's review against another edition
4.0
Yoooo this book series is soooo under appreciated. This book was so good and i can’t wait to read the otjerd
haniah__x's review against another edition
3.0
It was quite good while reading it, but on an afterthought, pretty repetitive and easily forgettable. In other words, it added nothing to me because I've read plenty of commoner meets prince books, and there was nothing remarkable about this as a YA fantasy book, or as a Cinderella retelling.
Read The Lunar Chronicles instead.
Read The Lunar Chronicles instead.
kaylasonlyheart's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
4.25
maryjessie's review against another edition
3.0
7/10 for me
what i liked -
-loved the cinderella retelling
-cozy world and characters that felt lived in
-stakes and deaths that grounded the story
-the romantic chemistry between our romantic childhood frenemies turned lovers!!
-exploration of trauma and found family
what wasn’t for me -
-setup and explanations felt predictable and dragged out for me at times, i ended up reading the first 275 pages, skipping to the last 30 and then filling in the middle because i felt like the plot was dragging behind my anticipation
-the protagonist’s (Blue) view on the world felt childish and self righteous in the beginning (was very interested in an exploration of classism in what seemed like in ill conceived idea to just make “fake” money and build whatever you want - didn’t see that idea fleshed out and matured)
-felt similarly about the antagonist’s plans in terms of maturity
what i liked -
-loved the cinderella retelling
-cozy world and characters that felt lived in
-stakes and deaths that grounded the story
-the romantic chemistry between our romantic childhood frenemies turned lovers!!
-exploration of trauma and found family
what wasn’t for me -
-setup and explanations felt predictable and dragged out for me at times, i ended up reading the first 275 pages, skipping to the last 30 and then filling in the middle because i felt like the plot was dragging behind my anticipation
-the protagonist’s (Blue) view on the world felt childish and self righteous in the beginning (was very interested in an exploration of classism in what seemed like in ill conceived idea to just make “fake” money and build whatever you want - didn’t see that idea fleshed out and matured)
-felt similarly about the antagonist’s plans in terms of maturity
eireen's review against another edition
5.0
Kurang dari 3 minggu, aku berhasil menyelesaikan 4 buku dari seri Ravenspire, membuktikan kalau memang aku suka dengan plot dan gaya bercerita C.J. Redwine di buku serinya ini.
Buku yang ke 4 ini adalah retelling dari dongeng Cinderella karangan Brother Grimm. Mungkin banyak yang belum tau, tapi cerita original Cinderella (asli karangan Brother Grimm, bukan yang tayang di Disney ya) sebenarnya jauh lebih gelap dan twisted daripada cerita Cinderella yang selama ini kita dengar dari kecil. Ceritanya seperti apa, boleh di google sendiriya. :)
Walaupun buku The Blood Spell ini adalah retelling dari Cinderella, tapi sebenarnya ada perbedaan signifikan dengan cerita originalnya. Seperticontohnya, Blue de la Cour (si Cinderella dalam buku ini) memiliki kekuatan sihir, ia berteman dekat dengan sang pangeran, dan ia pula lah yang mengalahkan seorang blood wraith. Dengan plot yang sedikit berbeda ini, justru membuat buku The Blood Spell layaknya sebuah cerita baru. Apalagi dengan background ibu tirinya yang dijelaskan juga di cerita ini kenapa ia bisa jadi sekejam itu. It brings something fresh and it’s definitely not the usual fairy tales.
Menurut aku buku ini definitely one of the best out of the series. I even like it better than the first book, The Shadow Queen. Buku ini lebih terasa emosional. Penggambaran emosi karakternya lebih jelas. Terutama bagian ketika keluarga Blue terbunuh. I almost cried on that scene.
Pertanyaan selanjutnya adalah apakah akan ada buku berikutnya? Karena kalau meihat peta dunia Ravenspire series ini, masih ada beberapa tempat atau kerajaan lain yang belum menjadi lokasi cerita baru seperti contohnya Morcant, Island of Ichil, Valle de Lume, dan Llorenyae. Karena The Blood Spell baru terbit tahun 2019 ini, hopefully by next year sudah akan ada buku baru ya dari seri ini.
Buku yang ke 4 ini adalah retelling dari dongeng Cinderella karangan Brother Grimm. Mungkin banyak yang belum tau, tapi cerita original Cinderella (asli karangan Brother Grimm, bukan yang tayang di Disney ya) sebenarnya jauh lebih gelap dan twisted daripada cerita Cinderella yang selama ini kita dengar dari kecil. Ceritanya seperti apa, boleh di google sendiriya. :)
Walaupun buku The Blood Spell ini adalah retelling dari Cinderella, tapi sebenarnya ada perbedaan signifikan dengan cerita originalnya. Seperticontohnya, Blue de la Cour (si Cinderella dalam buku ini) memiliki kekuatan sihir, ia berteman dekat dengan sang pangeran, dan ia pula lah yang mengalahkan seorang blood wraith. Dengan plot yang sedikit berbeda ini, justru membuat buku The Blood Spell layaknya sebuah cerita baru. Apalagi dengan background ibu tirinya yang dijelaskan juga di cerita ini kenapa ia bisa jadi sekejam itu. It brings something fresh and it’s definitely not the usual fairy tales.
Menurut aku buku ini definitely one of the best out of the series. I even like it better than the first book, The Shadow Queen. Buku ini lebih terasa emosional. Penggambaran emosi karakternya lebih jelas. Terutama bagian ketika keluarga Blue terbunuh. I almost cried on that scene.
Pertanyaan selanjutnya adalah apakah akan ada buku berikutnya? Karena kalau meihat peta dunia Ravenspire series ini, masih ada beberapa tempat atau kerajaan lain yang belum menjadi lokasi cerita baru seperti contohnya Morcant, Island of Ichil, Valle de Lume, dan Llorenyae. Karena The Blood Spell baru terbit tahun 2019 ini, hopefully by next year sudah akan ada buku baru ya dari seri ini.
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Just when I think I can't love the RAVENSPIRE books anymore, a new one comes out and proves me wrong! Cinderella retellings were never my favourite, but I will happily make an exception of my dear, beloved Blue!
The story had a great setting and new, fantastic characters. Each one was complex, even the villain, who nobody would disagree was the definition of wicked, had a sympathetic motivation for her actions. The plot moved at a good pace and I never felt bored, especially when the climax began and Blue turned out to be an even greater hero than I could have imagined. This story is also very heavy on romance, and I mention that only as a note. I have no complaints about it and definitely felt my heartstrings being tugged a little bit.
Blue is a wonderful lead character. She's sweet and strong and brave, even if she likes to follow the rules to a T. In contrast, Kellan is quite complicated, and not entirely the reckless prince he makes himself out to be. He has a big heart, and his chemistry with Blue is one of the things that made me adore the final few pages so much. I also have to sing the praises of Kellan's deaf sister Nessa, who is one of the most adorable little girls in fiction.
This truly did read like a fairytale, and is a far cry from the Disney classic. It is a lot darker with a ferocious monster and Blue's relationship with her adopted guardian is not a pretty one. I truly enjoyed the way magic was used in this story however, along with the winks at the classic.
I adored this story and am already waiting for the next RAVENSPIRE book. I can only imagine which fairy tale will be next! A must read if you like classic retellings, strong young woman, charming princes and princesses, and a giant heap of opposites-attract romance!
P.S.: When are we going to get a Hansel and Gretel story? They might only make cameos, but I love that duo and want more of them!
The story had a great setting and new, fantastic characters. Each one was complex, even the villain, who nobody would disagree was the definition of wicked, had a sympathetic motivation for her actions. The plot moved at a good pace and I never felt bored, especially when the climax began and Blue turned out to be an even greater hero than I could have imagined. This story is also very heavy on romance, and I mention that only as a note. I have no complaints about it and definitely felt my heartstrings being tugged a little bit.
Blue is a wonderful lead character. She's sweet and strong and brave, even if she likes to follow the rules to a T. In contrast, Kellan is quite complicated, and not entirely the reckless prince he makes himself out to be. He has a big heart, and his chemistry with Blue is one of the things that made me adore the final few pages so much. I also have to sing the praises of Kellan's deaf sister Nessa, who is one of the most adorable little girls in fiction.
This truly did read like a fairytale, and is a far cry from the Disney classic. It is a lot darker with a ferocious monster and Blue's relationship with her adopted guardian is not a pretty one. I truly enjoyed the way magic was used in this story however, along with the winks at the classic.
I adored this story and am already waiting for the next RAVENSPIRE book. I can only imagine which fairy tale will be next! A must read if you like classic retellings, strong young woman, charming princes and princesses, and a giant heap of opposites-attract romance!
P.S.: When are we going to get a Hansel and Gretel story? They might only make cameos, but I love that duo and want more of them!
melanie_books's review
4.0
Kellen returns to his home country of Balatava to face a betrothal to a daughter from one of the head families before he can ascend the throne. As he enters the political arena, he feels pressured and stifled by the games he has to play. He's also annoyed at Blue, his childhood nemesis, who is immune to his charms and keeps reminding him of his supposed shortcomings. Blue is a gifted alchemist whose family has always been close to the royal family though that doesn't mean that she is afraid to chastise the crown prince. But when her father is murdered, she learns that the prince may not be as irresponsible and irritating as she always thought.
I think that this was the best of the series. I'm not a huge "enemies to lovers" trope fan but I liked it in this context. The fact that they had this long history made the progression of enemies to friends to lovers more enjoyable. Blue & Kellan were great individually too: Blue was so selfless and continually thought to help and serve those around her. Kellan knew that for the good of his kingdom, he must put his own desires aside and as willing to do so without question. The Cinderella element of the story was subtle but well done.
Overall, I liked this series - the retellings we not overdone and the characters were given a lovely "freshening up."
I think that this was the best of the series. I'm not a huge "enemies to lovers" trope fan but I liked it in this context. The fact that they had this long history made the progression of enemies to friends to lovers more enjoyable. Blue & Kellan were great individually too: Blue was so selfless and continually thought to help and serve those around her. Kellan knew that for the good of his kingdom, he must put his own desires aside and as willing to do so without question. The Cinderella element of the story was subtle but well done.
Overall, I liked this series - the retellings we not overdone and the characters were given a lovely "freshening up."