wright_rendon_reads's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The best way I can describe this book is it has "Big Fish" (the movie) vibes. 

Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
All the main characters were pretty easy to like and all went through major changes, challenges, and development. Even side characters were fully fleshed out and had some of their own independent story. 

World Building: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book is Magical Realism so it's set in our world but with a little touch of magic. I wish there was a little explanation on how this family became enchanted but other than that it felt well researched and anchored in our world. 

Plot and Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I read this book in like 3 sittings. It was a really easy read. I don't usually like fiction books that kind of just talk about daily or realistic life. But I was so invested in the characters and the writing flowed so well. 

Themes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The theme of this book centers around love in all its forms (good and bad) from infatuation, obsession, lust, passion, motherly, sibling, friends, young love, loss. The list goes on. I also felt this book hit on generational trauma before it was cool as there is some obvious handing down and dealing with trauma. 

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rustmaiden's review

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emotional reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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ebuder's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

2.0


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smc15's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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quirksandcontradictions's review

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dark emotional mysterious 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? No

5.0

Yes yes yes yes yes.

ETA: I just reread this (about 5 years after my first read through) and I still think it's tremendous. Love the generational storytelling at the beginning, the magical realism, and the complicated characters. It's rooted in themes of love, pain, grief, motherhood, and--still, somehow--hope.

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