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gewaechshausgeist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I usually don't enjoy fantasy, but this book has little world building and doesn't linger too long on the fantasy elements (like magic). It touches on heavier topics but it's still a fun read. I really enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Violence, Sexism, Domestic abuse, and Death
Minor: Homophobia, Rape, Sexual violence, and Gore
ehmannky's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is maybe one of the more inventive fairy tale retellings that I've ever read. I was impressed by the twists on the original story, and I loved that a Black queer girl was front and center in burning down the oppressive patriarchy around her. Sophia was wonderful as a protagonist, and I loved that she got to be scared even as she was brave.
The oppressive, claustrophobic patriarchal world felt right to me. Like, the narrowness of the world felt right for the structures. I also felt that the emphasis on good people being "good" is not enough. Like, Sophia's parents are "good" people, many of the random men she meets are good people, but their compliance with an oppressive, sexist system means they are complicit in women's suffering, even if they themselves are not actually doing the harm to women. Overall, a wonderful retelling, and one I would have devoured as an angry 16-year-old. I'm so glad queer teens get to have books like this.
The oppressive, claustrophobic patriarchal world felt right to me. Like, the narrowness of the world felt right for the structures. I also felt that the emphasis on good people being "good" is not enough. Like, Sophia's parents are "good" people, many of the random men she meets are good people, but their compliance with an oppressive, sexist system means they are complicit in women's suffering, even if they themselves are not actually doing the harm to women. Overall, a wonderful retelling, and one I would have devoured as an angry 16-year-old. I'm so glad queer teens get to have books like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Violence, Sexual violence, and Physical abuse
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