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Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Confinement, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, Death of parent
Graphic: Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Violence, Murder
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Blood, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Medical content, Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Physical abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Trafficking
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Classism
If you've read the original Grimm Brother's tale, all the plot twists in this book won't come as a massive shock to you - but don't let that stop you from picking it up. This retelling is so beautifully crafted, so well told, and full of real-world truths. It feels like an original tale, and really holds its own. There's so much to love about this book, but I think my favorite things about it were Alyrra's character, and her relationship with Falala and her new found family. The world was so easy to get lost into, too.
GAH. I need more people to talk about this book. Please read it.
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse
Moderate: Animal death, Trafficking
Minor: Rape
I liked being in Thorn’s head and learning/understanding why she feels the way she feels about the things happening to her. In a discussion with other readers, some people thought she was too passive at first, but I feel like the way she was treated by her family/peers very much justified her choices and actions (or lack thereof).
I also loved the discussion about justice. I don’t think I’m good enough at writing reviews to articulate my feelings but I liked the different perspectives and the characters questioning what justice meant.
Not sure how I felt about the Lady. I like her character but I’m not sure about some things (which again I am unable to articulate 😭).
I also liked the relationship between Thorn and the prince.
I feel like the ending was a bit abrupt though? I feel like there’s more to the story? But there are other books in the Dauntless Path series right? Even though they focus on different characters? I’m still a little unsure about that.
Edit: I just read the synopsis for Theft and ok ok ok I’m excited to continue!
Moderate: Death
Minor: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape
There are some pretty glaring flaws, though, not least of which is that the first person perspective is so narrow that we don’t get enough information about the prince, the magic he uses or is affected by, to make the ending really impactful. Likewise, more world-building was needed to add weight to the story, and I’m confused by the near complete lack of body dysmorphia despite Alyrra spending 95% of the book in someone else’s body—you’d think that would at least be alarming.
My rating is rounded up for how much I enjoyed my reading experience because, honestly, a perfectly paced book goes a long way—I couldn’t put this down. And this was a great retelling of The Goose Girl, which is one of my favorite fairytales.
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Blood
Minor: Alcoholism, Slavery, Trafficking
Graphic: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief
Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Kidnapping