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lavenderhimbo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I wanted to love this book, and I adored the prose and style as well as some of the characters. However, I felt like the magic/fantasy/politics were under explored for how cool they could have been. I was also uncomfortable with some of the themes around marriage and pregnancy. The queer relationship/character are also barely explored and do not feel very genuine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Antisemitism, Lesbophobia, and Murder
Moderate: Vomit, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Violence, and Sexual assault
bex_is_perplexed's review against another edition
5.0
Just wow. Loved it. As a Jewish woman, it was so refreshing to read a book that celebrates Jewishness so completely and magically. This is the representation in fantasy books that I've been searching for basically my whole life. I've read Rena's last book and it was also amazing but this one has really upped the game. I can't wait for what else she has in store!
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to this on audio, narrated by Ana Clements, and it just never grabbed my attention. I don't have any major complaints or praise for either the story or the narrator, I just found it easy to tune the whole thing out--and did.
The story rotates between three different narrators--the sisters, Hannah, Sarah, and Levana. As I dipped in and out of the audiobook, I had trouble remembering who was narrating each section. I don't always like multiple narrators but I think that might have worked well for this book.
There's a system of magic at play here but I wanted more of it. It's discussed a lot but not really used very often. Not that I noticed anyway.
I did enjoy hearing folk/fairy tales that I hadn't previously been exposed to.
I finished listening to this on Thursday and on Saturday I've already forgotten most of it. I can't give any specific reason for that. If you're interested, give it a try.
The story rotates between three different narrators--the sisters, Hannah, Sarah, and Levana. As I dipped in and out of the audiobook, I had trouble remembering who was narrating each section. I don't always like multiple narrators but I think that might have worked well for this book.
There's a system of magic at play here but I wanted more of it. It's discussed a lot but not really used very often. Not that I noticed anyway.
I did enjoy hearing folk/fairy tales that I hadn't previously been exposed to.
I finished listening to this on Thursday and on Saturday I've already forgotten most of it. I can't give any specific reason for that. If you're interested, give it a try.
eletricjb's review against another edition
2.0
I really loved all the ideas and folklore in this book—and even the story—but I did not like the execution. The writing was fine but somehow off-putting. Another, clear helpful review, my specialty!
random_shoes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
devrose's review against another edition
dark
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
I loved this book. The only reason I put it down last night was that I had to be up in the morning to transport rescue cats. There are so many layers of story woven in here and it’s done so well.
ctomps's review against another edition
3.0
I really loved this book until the ending. I realize part of this book is based on historical stuff but as a Jew I'm not interested in Jewish fairy tales with unhappy endings. I want Jewish stories with happy endings where people still practice their faith. I really loved the author's first book so this was disappointing.
beesteele's review against another edition
3.0
This is probably a 3.5 in the end.
I waited a little while after finishing this to decide on my rating. This book reminds me of Sistersong by Lucy Holland mixed with some of the folkloric aspects of The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid, but it didn’t deliver in the same way.
Things I liked: the premise of the story, the twists and turns, the three different points of view, and the way that magic was woven into a very real-life setting.
Things I struggled with: a lot of the terminology (I spent the first hundred pages flipping back to the glossary every page or so, which made progressing through the story slow-going).
I just ended up feeling like this book didn’t stick with me as much as I’d hoped it would. It’s such a gorgeous book, and I really like the idea of it. I’d still recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Sistersong in particular, although I don’t think it quite stacks up!
I waited a little while after finishing this to decide on my rating. This book reminds me of Sistersong by Lucy Holland mixed with some of the folkloric aspects of The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid, but it didn’t deliver in the same way.
Things I liked: the premise of the story, the twists and turns, the three different points of view, and the way that magic was woven into a very real-life setting.
Things I struggled with: a lot of the terminology (I spent the first hundred pages flipping back to the glossary every page or so, which made progressing through the story slow-going).
I just ended up feeling like this book didn’t stick with me as much as I’d hoped it would. It’s such a gorgeous book, and I really like the idea of it. I’d still recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Sistersong in particular, although I don’t think it quite stacks up!
soofsaphony's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
It was a beautiful read, but at times the stories within the overall plot felt quite disjointed. At the end the author explains all the historical events and fairy tales she weaved into this book, and I think that contributes quite a bit. Honestly, the level of research that went into the book is amazing, and it tells an important story of the persecution and the perseverence of Jews.
At times it felt like things happened or characters made certain decisions because that's how it happened in the source material, or it was needed to connect to the next story of the source material, and not necessarily because it made sense from the characters' perspective or personality.
Overall, definitely worth your while if you like historically-inspired fantasy with romance.
It was a beautiful read, but at times the stories within the overall plot felt quite disjointed. At the end the author explains all the historical events and fairy tales she weaved into this book, and I think that contributes quite a bit. Honestly, the level of research that went into the book is amazing, and it tells an important story of the persecution and the perseverence of Jews.
At times it felt like things happened or characters made certain decisions because that's how it happened in the source material, or it was needed to connect to the next story of the source material, and not necessarily because it made sense from the characters' perspective or personality.
Overall, definitely worth your while if you like historically-inspired fantasy with romance.
dewinter's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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