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kelsey_delacy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Kind of hard to read, but ultimately a good read!
jenhurst's review
2.0
2.5.
This book is really uneven. I really love the mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs but I find the rest of her books to be very hit or miss. This had potential since it’s a loose beauty and the beast retelling, which much like hades and Persephone is such a basic idea that it’s hard to screw up. Plus it has the green man and the hob are both underutilized aspects in fantasy. But I found the book struggling in what it wanted to be. Was this a fantasy? A romance? A romantic fantasy? The world building was very info dumpy and moved rather quickly but then the romance was extremely underdeveloped. The hob wasn’t even introduced until almost 40% in. I want to say I think it should’ve been longer to develop the romance more and showcase parts of the story but I’m not sure that would’ve solved the problems I had with the story. I felt like parts were really dragging and it felt too long in some ways already. Plus the hob isn’t a human or humanoid like vampires, werewolves, witches, shapeshifters. Why was that not discussed?
This book is really uneven. I really love the mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs but I find the rest of her books to be very hit or miss. This had potential since it’s a loose beauty and the beast retelling, which much like hades and Persephone is such a basic idea that it’s hard to screw up. Plus it has the green man and the hob are both underutilized aspects in fantasy. But I found the book struggling in what it wanted to be. Was this a fantasy? A romance? A romantic fantasy? The world building was very info dumpy and moved rather quickly but then the romance was extremely underdeveloped. The hob wasn’t even introduced until almost 40% in. I want to say I think it should’ve been longer to develop the romance more and showcase parts of the story but I’m not sure that would’ve solved the problems I had with the story. I felt like parts were really dragging and it felt too long in some ways already. Plus the hob isn’t a human or humanoid like vampires, werewolves, witches, shapeshifters. Why was that not discussed?
meganh123's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
knee's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jwells's review
Good as a fantasy, slightly queasy considered as a romance. Luckily it's VERY slow burn, and very clean/sweet. I'm not crazy about the element of the girl being forced to marry the monster as a sacrifice, to save her village. We are supposed to be okay with it because she conveniently falls in love with him. It all feels a bit dated to me.
I have a rule not to read romance novels written before 2000. Maybe I should extend it to include anything with a romance subplot, and update it to exclude anything written before 2010. Ugh.
I have a rule not to read romance novels written before 2000. Maybe I should extend it to include anything with a romance subplot, and update it to exclude anything written before 2010. Ugh.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
moocowimpi's review
4.0
This was an Oliver Twist tale, in that it left me asking 'Please sir, can I have some more?' Not that it was the worlds most awesome read, but it was so light hearted and pleasant.
indecisivesailorscout's review
5.0
Over a decade ago I gave this book one star because it was decidedly not what I was looking for as a teen newly obsessed with fantasy and adventure. This felt too slow! Too bland! Nothing was happening and I didn't enjoy it at all. However, I've learned a little bit of patience since then...and discovered that a truly good story can unfurl before your eyes if given enough time for its warmth and depth to sink into you. I'm very glad I decided to go back to this now, and found it to be exactly what I needed at this time in my life.
tani's review
3.0
I might have liked this better if I hadn't read other books by Patricia Briggs. As it is, it was kind of obvious to me that this was one of her earlier works, and although it was enjoyable in places, it also bored me in places. I had high expectations for this one, and although it wasn't horrible, it didn't live up to those expectations. I guess that's the way it goes sometimes.
heidenkind's review
5.0
Love, love love this twist on a beauty & the beast tale. I read it right after 9/11 and the similarity between the reactions of her characters to a disaster and the reaction of the country was just plain eerie.