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cobaltbookshelf's review
3.0
I liked plus size rep and found family aspect I found book to be interesting okay read.
poppyseedromance's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
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? It's complicated
3.75
somekindofmiriam's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
annamickreads's review
3.0
3.5 for sure!! I don't know what I expected going into this book but it definitely wasn't what I arrived at the end with — not a bad thing in the slightest, just way different expectation vs reality matchup!
The beginning of this story to me felt especially like a fairytale; little girls who could do magic adopted by a caretaker with mysterious motives? Absolutely screams "Rapunzel" to me. I thought the premise was very interesting and I more than appreciate the diversity in this book: size inclusivity, a range of sexualities represented, the majority of characters being BIPOC. The descriptions of characters and their powers were easily some of the best parts for me, especially Derry's talents with plants (but also who wouldn't love Violet's ability to glamor everything!?!?)
Very quickly the reader catches on that there's something wrong with the '1 dude raises 9 'orphans' in the woods' scenario, and I think a story where the children stand up to parental abuse is a story extremely worth telling. I love the sisterhood between all the characters and I really love Derry coming into her own in such a beautiful arc.
I don't know why I felt so much disconnect between the forest and the story. I couldn't tell if the forest was an antagonist, especially based on how terrifying (yet helpful!) Claire was. I honestly thought Claire would end up leading Derry astray, and that there would be some sort of dual-antagonist situation with Frank and Claire. I can absolutely appreciate the forest as its own entity with its own purposes, but especially after readers learn about the forest absorbing magic, I didn't know whether to be reassured or worried for Derry.
The beginning of this story to me felt especially like a fairytale; little girls who could do magic adopted by a caretaker with mysterious motives? Absolutely screams "Rapunzel" to me. I thought the premise was very interesting and I more than appreciate the diversity in this book: size inclusivity, a range of sexualities represented, the majority of characters being BIPOC. The descriptions of characters and their powers were easily some of the best parts for me, especially Derry's talents with plants (but also who wouldn't love Violet's ability to glamor everything!?!?)
Very quickly the reader catches on that there's something wrong with the '1 dude raises 9 'orphans' in the woods' scenario, and I think a story where the children stand up to parental abuse is a story extremely worth telling. I love the sisterhood between all the characters and I really love Derry coming into her own in such a beautiful arc.
I don't know why I felt so much disconnect between the forest and the story. I couldn't tell if the forest was an antagonist, especially based on how terrifying (yet helpful!) Claire was. I honestly thought Claire would end up leading Derry astray, and that there would be some sort of dual-antagonist situation with Frank and Claire. I can absolutely appreciate the forest as its own entity with its own purposes, but especially after readers learn about the forest absorbing magic, I didn't know whether to be reassured or worried for Derry.
danqie's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
anamustacho's review
3.0
This was not the dark magical story I was expecting but I don't mind. The lesson of finding one's strength to overcome hurdles is still beautiful.
I did feel like many parts were dragged and didn't always make sense. However, that may be excused by thcharacter's situation.
From the getgo I had to think of foster care or similar and even psychiatry insitutions. As we went on I realised in fact it was darker and worse. A man who lured these parent's kids with the promise to help and then raising said kids in a very secluded way. Making them depentant on him. Making them oblivious of the world out there. As you may have figured by now he mind fucked all of them or in other words physically and emotionally abused these kids for years.
You know who it reminds me of? Rapunzel's "mother".
Next there have been parts where terms where mentioned one after the other to describe sexuality or other topics which are trending right now about identity and it felt like it was just slapped in there to attract that audience. It wasn't necessary at all. It did not add any value to the story. None.
Another topic that was put in the spotlight is weight. All in all I do not mind it's actually refreshing to be represented and recognise struggles. But again it felt unnecessary, especially in life or death battle.
What was nice though is how finally near the end they find their strength through love to overcome the psychological cycle of abuse.
Topics: death, blood, abandonment, emotional abuse, physicall abuse, mental health, medication/drugging, importance of family/community
The rest will be filled with spoilers.
Our main character takes it upon herself to protect her "sisters" and rebels eventually killing their abuser Frank.
The dark, magical forest lures them and tried to "protect" by having them be in a magical coma. Only out main character was able to get them out.
One of which ends up being shot in the head by Frank. We only just gor her back and a few lines later she is dead. Body parts stuck to our main character's face.
Not to forget the other sister who was killed. Main character ignored her instincts. She could have saved this girl but anyways remember they have goke to so much abuse they are afraid and do not know better. Although that didn't stop her before to go out and search for her fav sister.
And them she finds her...too late...and for days she just goes back and does nothing. She does not know what to do and again is blinded by details as the forest also tells her.
After 5 days she figures it out. The pile of clothes in the basement full of blood.
What the author fails to mention is what L, the 1st who got killed, found out in his room to have enraged Frank to kill her. So we are left in the dark about that.
Anyways, the sisters go into his toom and find out about all the security camera's, the research files on them and all the "generations" before them, the death of some parents who are deep down the bottom of the lake in the forest.
And why all of this? Frank does it to stay immortal. Ah the typical villain motivation. Again, does this remind you of Rapunzel's story?
The girls partly separate, some to fijd family, others to moarn and find their own way and those who stay will turn this place into a save haven for other's like them.
I did feel like many parts were dragged and didn't always make sense. However, that may be excused by thcharacter's situation.
From the getgo I had to think of foster care or similar and even psychiatry insitutions. As we went on I realised in fact it was darker and worse. A man who lured these parent's kids with the promise to help and then raising said kids in a very secluded way. Making them depentant on him. Making them oblivious of the world out there. As you may have figured by now he mind fucked all of them or in other words physically and emotionally abused these kids for years.
You know who it reminds me of? Rapunzel's "mother".
Next there have been parts where terms where mentioned one after the other to describe sexuality or other topics which are trending right now about identity and it felt like it was just slapped in there to attract that audience. It wasn't necessary at all. It did not add any value to the story. None.
Another topic that was put in the spotlight is weight. All in all I do not mind it's actually refreshing to be represented and recognise struggles. But again it felt unnecessary, especially in life or death battle.
What was nice though is how finally near the end they find their strength through love to overcome the psychological cycle of abuse.
Topics: death, blood, abandonment, emotional abuse, physicall abuse, mental health, medication/drugging, importance of family/community
The rest will be filled with spoilers.
Our main character takes it upon herself to protect her "sisters" and rebels eventually killing their abuser Frank.
The dark, magical forest lures them and tried to "protect" by having them be in a magical coma. Only out main character was able to get them out.
One of which ends up being shot in the head by Frank. We only just gor her back and a few lines later she is dead. Body parts stuck to our main character's face.
Not to forget the other sister who was killed. Main character ignored her instincts. She could have saved this girl but anyways remember they have goke to so much abuse they are afraid and do not know better. Although that didn't stop her before to go out and search for her fav sister.
And them she finds her...too late...and for days she just goes back and does nothing. She does not know what to do and again is blinded by details as the forest also tells her.
After 5 days she figures it out. The pile of clothes in the basement full of blood.
What the author fails to mention is what L, the 1st who got killed, found out in his room to have enraged Frank to kill her. So we are left in the dark about that.
Anyways, the sisters go into his toom and find out about all the security camera's, the research files on them and all the "generations" before them, the death of some parents who are deep down the bottom of the lake in the forest.
And why all of this? Frank does it to stay immortal. Ah the typical villain motivation. Again, does this remind you of Rapunzel's story?
The girls partly separate, some to fijd family, others to moarn and find their own way and those who stay will turn this place into a save haven for other's like them.
whatsbeckyreading's review
DNF at page 94. TW: child abuse
Loved the potential with family of magic queer kids but the father figure's horrific treatment of them was too much for me.
Loved the potential with family of magic queer kids but the father figure's horrific treatment of them was too much for me.
thereadingchallengechallenge's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
mimi_chartier's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5