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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
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:
Yes
A story within a story. At first it was hard to understand the second story within the story, but once it begins to unravel a bit and connections are made, it was a well written interwoven narrative that leaped between times, locations, and cultures. Very fascinating.
the book transitions from 3rd person to 1st person in writing halfway through sentences sometimes, or from past tense to present (shes telling a story
I like its theory of modernity, as a resistance to change instead of progress
“i told her about you” (January writing in her journal) Addressing the diary?
I also hate the “and then he forgets everything” line of plot, because it serves no purpose. Like Samual and Jane just could have been further behind, waiting for her. or in jail. why erase memories? Also why not write “he remembers”
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Yes
This was an emotional adventure. I enjoyed the use of a story within a story to provide multiple perspectives. Harrow knows how to leave you looking for magic and beauty in every moment after reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexism, Blood, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation
Minor: Violence
An entertaining read about people who have the knack for finding hidden doors into other worlds and the various people who want to capitalize on that. Also, a cross-world love story.
I didn't quite latch onto it the way I expectex, but it's well done and worth reading.
I didn't quite latch onto it the way I expectex, but it's well done and worth reading.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
adored it, i’ve never read anything so fun, creative, and unique. everything is told so beautifully
Wow, I really loved this. Depending on whether I end up re-reading it in the future (likely) it may eventually be bumped up to five stars.
Beautifully written, this book is a love letter to storytelling, change, and carving out your identity in a world that demands compliance.
Beautifully written, this book is a love letter to storytelling, change, and carving out your identity in a world that demands compliance.
I was really excited about this after reading Starling House but it just didn't do it for me. The plot was really interesting but the pacing was weird and there wasn't a whole lot of action until the very end. The action of secondary characters was described in first person by the main character. Most of the relationships were described rather than experienced as well - we see January meet Jane and then just skip ahead a few years to after their relationship has had time to develop but we really don't see that happen on stage. Same with January's relationships with Samuel and Bad. The discussion of racial, socioeconomic, and gender disparities of the day was an interesting angle but it got really repetitive and one dimensional- I can only hear "good girl" and "temerarious" and "know your place" so many times in a single book.
I'll definitely continue reading Alix Harrow because I liked Starling House SO much but if this had been my introduction to the author I might not have continued.
I'll definitely continue reading Alix Harrow because I liked Starling House SO much but if this had been my introduction to the author I might not have continued.