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justkarlah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book gripped me by the throat only a couple of chapters in, and it didn't let go until I was done reading it.
I like Violet. She's a flawed FMC, selfish and greedy in a way that feels relatable at first, but quickly changes as you keep reading. I like that Violet is more of an anti-heroine, sometimes not caring enough (to the point where you question her actions), and the prince seems like the opposite, caring too much but not being able to do anything about it. It's a nice change of pace, to read about an FMC that makes you question whether you should root for her or not.
There's an enemies to lovers plotline, but it's a very rough, bumpy, rollercoaster ride. Honestly, it fits perfectly.
It has a great blend of magic, prophecies, and betrayal.
And that ending. Wow. I cannot wait for the sequel!
I like Violet. She's a flawed FMC, selfish and greedy in a way that feels relatable at first, but quickly changes as you keep reading. I like that Violet is more of an anti-heroine, sometimes not caring enough (to the point where you question her actions), and the prince seems like the opposite, caring too much but not being able to do anything about it. It's a nice change of pace, to read about an FMC that makes you question whether you should root for her or not.
There's an enemies to lovers plotline, but it's a very rough, bumpy, rollercoaster ride. Honestly, it fits perfectly.
It has a great blend of magic, prophecies, and betrayal.
And that ending. Wow. I cannot wait for the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Violence, Sexual content, and War
lcahi479's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
There were some things I really liked. I really liked the dark cottage-core kinda vibe. I liked the way Violet makes you feel so conflicted over her character. The characterization is quite strong.
The world building isn’t quite as strong theres little to no explanation for how things work. Also the resolution to the story isn’t quite satisfying. The love-hate relationship between Violet and the Prince is too much hate and not enough love. she tries to kill him for goodness sake and not at the beginning of the book! Right towards the end when there’s little time left for the relationship to heal. Somehow that’s not an issue for the prince/
I get that the bantery bickering is cute but also I feel as if there’s never a point they really like each other. They’re relationship is pure lust and it seems unrealistic the way it is idealized.
I did enjoy the story and it was a fun read but I wish Violet had more (ie ANY) redeeming qualities and that her relationship with the prince wasn’t so blatantly toxic.
The world building isn’t quite as strong theres little to no explanation for how things work. Also the resolution to the story isn’t quite satisfying. The love-hate relationship between Violet and the Prince is too much hate and not enough love.
I get that the bantery bickering is cute but also I feel as if there’s never a point they really like each other. They’re relationship is pure lust and it seems unrealistic the way it is idealized.
I did enjoy the story and it was a fun read but I wish Violet had more (ie ANY) redeeming qualities and that her relationship with the prince wasn’t so blatantly toxic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
readbyella_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Self harm, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Murder
frantically's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- 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
3.0
Ugh, I'm so torn on this book!
First off, the negatives: I couldn't stand Violet most of the time. There's a very fine line between being a "cool" anti-heroine character and being a pick-me girl and most of the time, she was the latter. There was so little build-up to her and Cyrus' relationship and their characterisation sometimes seemed to change at will.
But there was also a lot of stuff I loved! I wish this had been an adult or new adult fantasy because godddd, were those spicy scenes good. Like, came for the fantasy, stayed for the blood kink. In their makeout scenes, Cyrus & Violet had so much chemistry and especially towards the end, it really turned into a dark romance. Obsessed with that! I also enjoyed the magic system and the main villain.
I wish the next book would be more focused on Cyrus & Violet's relationship and less on the, a bit boring, plot. The writing was so beautiful and especially that last chapter makes me tempted to still read the next one 🤫
First off, the negatives: I couldn't stand Violet most of the time. There's a very fine line between being a "cool" anti-heroine character and being a pick-me girl and most of the time, she was the latter. There was so little build-up to her and Cyrus' relationship and their characterisation sometimes seemed to change at will.
But there was also a lot of stuff I loved! I wish this had been an adult or new adult fantasy because godddd, were those spicy scenes good. Like, came for the fantasy, stayed for the blood kink. In their makeout scenes, Cyrus & Violet had so much chemistry and especially towards the end, it really turned into a dark romance. Obsessed with that! I also enjoyed the magic system and the main villain.
I wish the next book would be more focused on Cyrus & Violet's relationship and less on the, a bit boring, plot. The writing was so beautiful and especially that last chapter makes me tempted to still read the next one 🤫
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Xenophobia, Self harm, Child abuse, and Classism
Minor: War and Death of parent
chattie_the_mad_chatter's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
To begin with this was a fun fantasy: a prickly cynical heroine; fun fortune telling magic; fate v fairies Enchanted Woods mystery. However the ending felt a bit messy and I struggled with some of the characters motives.
Loved the side characters of Camilla and Dante. A Camilla book I would read. But Violets motivations and end choices were very muddled in the final part. The opptunities for Cyrus and Violet to have chatacter growth remained lost in their powerplay pretty toxic relationship. The attraction, lust and hate aspects were covered, but the caring part was definitly missing.
Also missed any characterisation of the villain, which would have been enjoyable.
I think this is a not for me book sadly.
Loved the side characters of Camilla and Dante. A Camilla book I would read. But Violets motivations and end choices were very muddled in the final part. The opptunities for Cyrus and Violet to have chatacter growth remained lost in their powerplay pretty toxic relationship. The attraction, lust and hate aspects were covered, but the caring part was definitly missing.
Also missed any characterisation of the villain, which would have been enjoyable.
I think this is a not for me book sadly.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Blood, Murder, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
tak_everlasting's review against another edition
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
An insult to fairytales, anyone who has ever liked anyone romantically, and, most egregriously, me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Self harm, Sexual content, and Gore
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, War, Colonisation, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Violence, Drug use, and Addiction
kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Holy WOW. Oh my gosh I couldn’t put this down!! This is the BEST fairytale retelling I have EVER read. Wow I am… speechless. Is there a book two in the works? Has Gina Chen written anything else? I’m like… itching for more 😂 I need more. Period.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, War, Blood, Gore, Animal death, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Classism, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Sexual content
erica_reads_everything's review
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This book was cute, but not great. An easy read, it would be best for older teenagers. I think my main complaint is that the author put forth a lot of ideas that were wonderful, but didn’t see them all the way through. It felt like it was too fast, and that she could have explored some of the intricacies of the story in more detail.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Gore, Self harm, Blood, and Violence
Minor: Cursing, Death of parent, War, Sexual content, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
angiegeorge_reeds's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
There are several references to classic fairy tales that’s pretty fun. I enjoyed the mysterious side of things and the big reveals were very interesting. Some were predictable, but it was still a fun read. The reason this is 4 instead of 5 stars for me, even though I seriously couldn’t put it down, is because I feel like the love story side of it just didn’t fully add up. A love a good enemies-to-lovers, but it just felt more one sided for truly being lovers until the very end… idk felt toxic tbh
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, and Gore
amberspej's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content