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albon's review against another edition
2.0
2020 review:
love me a book about how these ugly mean commoners should NOT revolt against the kind progressive nobles!!! the nobles have it hard too guys! yes they have enough to eat, can throw amazing parties every week, can take time of work whenever they want, but somtimes they have to attend meetings when they really want to study botany, and that's not fair.
(so big yikes all around. i kinda hated this book.)
love me a book about how these ugly mean commoners should NOT revolt against the kind progressive nobles!!! the nobles have it hard too guys! yes they have enough to eat, can throw amazing parties every week, can take time of work whenever they want, but somtimes they have to attend meetings when they really want to study botany, and that's not fair.
(so big yikes all around. i kinda hated this book.)
stormcatt's review against another edition
5.0
I got this as a daily kindle deal and wasn’t expecting much so I was pleasantly surprised. I was immediately pulled in, the characters are well written and I immediately empathized with the protagonist, even though she made some questionable choices. The author did a great job of building a world with a magical system that fit in perfectly. The ending was satisfying and I look forward to more.
adventuresofemilylu's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.75
sageling's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
nonesensed's review against another edition
5.0
Sophie owns an atelier where she makes dresses for well to-do women, sometimes with a magical charm for good luck sewn in, if the patron wishes for it and can pay. She's worked hard to get where she is and she'd very much like for things to keep chugging along on this forward, upward path, please and thank you. Sadly, her dear brother is prone to rocking boats. Always following his latest impulse, he's now joined in with talk of revolution. Maybe it would be good for the common people to have a say in what happens in the country - but Sophie fear the road there will run through the burning remains of the city.
Wonderfully thrilling story! Not mainly in the action-y sense (though we do get a couple of pulse pounding scenes where people need to fight or run for their lives) but in the "how will the main character react to/get out of this situation?"-way. All around a great read! We got interesting plot, a sweet romance that compliments and contrasts the main revolution plot, a believable villain you love to hate, a nuanced look at "both sides" of a revolution, and excellent world building. Can't wait to read book 2!
Wonderfully thrilling story! Not mainly in the action-y sense (though we do get a couple of pulse pounding scenes where people need to fight or run for their lives) but in the "how will the main character react to/get out of this situation?"-way. All around a great read! We got interesting plot, a sweet romance that compliments and contrasts the main revolution plot, a believable villain you love to hate, a nuanced look at "both sides" of a revolution, and excellent world building. Can't wait to read book 2!
carolynnolmstead_author's review against another edition
2.0
This started out as a great read. Great plot, interesting characters, a well-written villain, and a cute romance. I was so invested in this book! And then, the sweet little romance got graphic without any warning!
bethriley's review against another edition
5.0
Highly enjoyable read! I read a lot of fantasy, and this one was refreshing with its approach on magic through practical sewing and its integration in the non-magic world. I also appreciated that our main character, Sophie, who is gifted in the magical trade cares about more than just magic - she cares for her family, her career, her community, her independence, (and yes, a beau). I've read countless fantasy books about magical prodigies who are obsessed with magic, which are wondrous but can be tiring in their characters' easy infallibility. Sophie is grounded, is challenged by daily strife, and has to practice and study long hours to become slightly better than mediocre at magic. She's not starting at the top - she has a long road ahead of her to see where her potential flourishes or flounders. Very excited to see where this goes in the next book!
lalexvp's review against another edition
4.0
This book was the perfect blend of fantasy and historical fiction with a dash of romance (though I could have used more, personally). I will always find myself joyously lost in novels like these and this one was actually clever and well written with unique ideas.
However, our heroine was a bit too tunnel visioned and shortsighted for me, though attempts were made to explain this with her background. The biggest flaw was the time span - a whole lot happens in a very little time which doesn’t really allow for adequate or realistic character development. Lastly, it was fairly predictable.
Onto the 2nd in the series!
However, our heroine was a bit too tunnel visioned and shortsighted for me, though attempts were made to explain this with her background. The biggest flaw was the time span - a whole lot happens in a very little time which doesn’t really allow for adequate or realistic character development. Lastly, it was fairly predictable.
Onto the 2nd in the series!
lostinagoodbook's review against another edition
1.0
Disclaimer: I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It’s not often I feel the need to DNF a book. I always feel bad when it happens. This book was just not for me. I was excited by the idea.
Sign me up! A young, entrepreneurial woman who is able to sew charms into the clothes that she makes. I love that idea. I like to sew myself as a matter of fact, and my Christmas presents for friends always include a couple of homemade items. I wanted to see some magic. I wanted descriptions of lovely clothing interlaced with spells and artistry. That was my expectation. However, that is not what this book is about and that may be why I did not respond well to it.
There was no magic, at least not enough in the part I read. There was no artistry, at least not in the clothing as described. Torn lacked charm. Too much politics and not enough enchantment. It featured quite a few scenes of students fomenting rebellion in dark cafe corners than there was magic sewing needles. How shall I put it … if your favorite scene in Les Miserables was Red and Black, then this book might be for you, but I was promised A Heart Full of Love dammit! Who is to blame for that? The cover blurb writer? Maybe.
The book was not badly written, but it felt like a slog and I could not push myself to finish. Maybe you will like it better. Now excuse me, it’s time for a YouTube Les Miserables spiral.
Song for this book: Red and Black from Les Miserables
It’s not often I feel the need to DNF a book. I always feel bad when it happens. This book was just not for me. I was excited by the idea.
Sign me up! A young, entrepreneurial woman who is able to sew charms into the clothes that she makes. I love that idea. I like to sew myself as a matter of fact, and my Christmas presents for friends always include a couple of homemade items. I wanted to see some magic. I wanted descriptions of lovely clothing interlaced with spells and artistry. That was my expectation. However, that is not what this book is about and that may be why I did not respond well to it.
There was no magic, at least not enough in the part I read. There was no artistry, at least not in the clothing as described. Torn lacked charm. Too much politics and not enough enchantment. It featured quite a few scenes of students fomenting rebellion in dark cafe corners than there was magic sewing needles. How shall I put it … if your favorite scene in Les Miserables was Red and Black, then this book might be for you, but I was promised A Heart Full of Love dammit! Who is to blame for that? The cover blurb writer? Maybe.
The book was not badly written, but it felt like a slog and I could not push myself to finish. Maybe you will like it better. Now excuse me, it’s time for a YouTube Les Miserables spiral.
Song for this book: Red and Black from Les Miserables