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rubyredders's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Nice, short. Really fast read. Just a simple, uncomplicated read that didn't demand much from a reader. Cute but missable.
Picks up further on from where the last book left off, no rehashing, the story is happening right now keep up. The mash up of Cinderella and Snow White was alright but the main focus was on how Zinnia was running away from her problems and not confronting her worries; pushing away her friends, family and her real world in favour of diving into these other worlds to be a hero and give people their happy ending instead of confronting herself. Which yeah that's a totally worthwhile plot.
The romance was a bit too speedy for my taste. I definitely prefer more of a slow understanding, a friendship first or even a slow burn to an insta-attraction and three days later we are in love romance. It just doesn't vibe with me unless we're under extreme circumstances and then you gotta at least give em a week for those trauma bonding chemicals or what have you to kick it off. Three days??? All that's to say that it needed more time to cook and then I could've seen it working.
Picks up further on from where the last book left off, no rehashing, the story is happening right now keep up. The mash up of Cinderella and Snow White was alright but the main focus was on how Zinnia was running away from her problems and not confronting her worries; pushing away her friends, family and her real world in favour of diving into these other worlds to be a hero and give people their happy ending instead of confronting herself. Which yeah that's a totally worthwhile plot.
The romance was a bit too speedy for my taste. I definitely prefer more of a slow understanding, a friendship first or even a slow burn to an insta-attraction and three days later we are in love romance. It just doesn't vibe with me unless we're under extreme circumstances and then you gotta at least give em a week for those trauma bonding chemicals or what have you to kick it off. Three days??? All that's to say that it needed more time to cook and then I could've seen it working.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Terminal illness, Cannibalism, and Child abuse
nnylelocin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness, Child death, Infertility, Kidnapping, Grief, Misogyny, Terminal illness, and Death
kelisabeth's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Child abuse, Infertility, Alcohol, Cannibalism, Child death, Classism, Confinement, Death, and Sexism
readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Death
Minor: Vomit, Murder, and Domestic abuse
deerlybeloved's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A quick, yet delightfully enjoyable book that develops characters in a way where you're barely even conscious of how little time has past (well, little as compared to a full-length book). A Mirror Mended starts off where A Spindled Splintered left more questions, and shows the main character's evolution with humorous, yet deeply emotional inner-dialogue and character interactions.
Spoilers! Vague, but might give something away about the ending.
While I prefer queer romance where there is a guaranteed happy ending, I didn't find it off-putting when that was not assured here. The constant questioning of life, and knowing that one must die-- something seen heavily in the first book-- was heart-wrenching and beautiful.
Spoilers! Vague, but might give something away about the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Child abuse, and Torture
Minor: Rape
While not directly discussed, merely implied with the knowledge that most women will understand, subjects of misogyny and abuse of women, as well as sexual assault, are dealt with.wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, War, Vomit, Alcohol, Blood, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Terminal illness, Death, Child death, Cursing, Infertility, Kidnapping, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Confinement
maryellen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism and Confinement
Moderate: Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Confinement, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
4.75
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book!
A Mirror Mended is a sequel to the earlier novella, A Spindle Splintered. Zinnia's story continues as she hops from fairy tale to fairy tale to help rescue princesses. But this time, instead of another Sleeping Beauty Story, she somehow lands in Snow White--and face to face with the Evil Queen...who might not be as evil as everyone thinks.
I liked this one even better than A Spindle Splintered! I think Zinnia's character was able to develop a lot more in this one and I loved the added elements with the queen and her friends back home. This is a super quick read but it is definitely worth it. I'm looking forward to more Fractured Fables and more about the worlds that Harrow created!
A Mirror Mended is a sequel to the earlier novella, A Spindle Splintered. Zinnia's story continues as she hops from fairy tale to fairy tale to help rescue princesses. But this time, instead of another Sleeping Beauty Story, she somehow lands in Snow White--and face to face with the Evil Queen...who might not be as evil as everyone thinks.
I liked this one even better than A Spindle Splintered! I think Zinnia's character was able to develop a lot more in this one and I loved the added elements with the queen and her friends back home. This is a super quick read but it is definitely worth it. I'm looking forward to more Fractured Fables and more about the worlds that Harrow created!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Misogyny, Confinement, Infertility, Mental illness, and Sexism
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
brokenbodybitch's review
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
I loved this second part to the fractured fables series, the way the multiverse/fairytale take expanded into the second book was really well done. I was interested to see how this was going to continue, without it being the same book - but in a different font. In my opinion, I think this one was even better then the first, the world building and character building is incredibly detailed for the length; although, it does rely on the reader having some prior background knowledge of fairytale characters. I don't think the required background knowledge is actually a huge deterrent though, because it's all so surface level that you could just get it from movie trailers if you aren't familiar; the more unknown versions of the fairytales are explained well enough that you don't need to be a super fan to understand this book.
What I really love about the reader having some bias of fairytale characters going in the book though, is that Harrow uses that to her advantage by using that bias against the reader. Eva is a prime example of this and a great character in my opinion, the book starts with her being the villain - she is the EVIL QUEEN, solike literally a villain - and throughout the book you start to like her more and more and she ends up being referred to as Eva instead of evil queen. [Plus Zin literally falls for her and they hook up by the end of the book [fade to black] and I love their relationship and how it developed.] This book does a really interesting job of skewing the lines/making you analyze of who is good/evil and who actually needs saving, and I really enjoyed how they all contrasted off of each other to add to the story. The pre existing characters are also well done, I think at least, they aren't a main focus of the book necessarily but it is in the undertones influencing the plot which was cool and they come back in at just the right times. [my favourite is specifically Zellandine, but Charm/Sharm (sorry audiobook) made an appearance at a very good time as well]
What I really love about the reader having some bias of fairytale characters going in the book though, is that Harrow uses that to her advantage by using that bias against the reader. Eva is a prime example of this and a great character in my opinion, the book starts with her being the villain - she is the EVIL QUEEN, solike literally a villain - and throughout the book you start to like her more and more and she ends up being referred to as Eva instead of evil queen.
I can see where some people wouldn't like Zin but, personally I enjoyed her as a character; I thought she was funny enough🤷🏼. This may turn some people off but, it also sold a few people already; there are a few pop culture references. The particular one that I am obsessed with [and I've got some people with] is a referencece to the tiktok sound/video talking about the wizard of oz where the person yells 'ARE YOU GOING TO LOOK AT ME AND TELL ME IM WRONG?' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoWE4ssR3mU - and when it came up the first time I nearly fucking pissed myself [it gets references at least 2ce]. There is also a reference to Chidi Anagonye ['the hot nerd'] from the good place at some point but it's fairly - if you know you know - so its not obnoxious.
I honestly wouldn't hate to see this series continue, although I feel like it has a high risk of getting overdone and repetitive fairly quickly. HOWEVER if done right, which based off this one I think is possible, I think it could be a very cool series. (it would be interesting to see how Alix E. Harrow gets the 'message' that ties in with fairytales to not become tired, if it were to continue; but there are so many options for characters to add)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Kidnapping, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, Chronic illness, and Death
Moderate: Infertility, Blood, Confinement, Terminal illness, Mental illness, and Self harm
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
there was an un-consensual kiss between MC and another fairly main character
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