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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I will say first and foremost this is not a book I would typically read. While I enjoy fantasy I tend to enjoy more firmly adult fantasy genre books. However, it was still an enjoyable read and I think there are many things a wide audience will enjoy.
Starting with the things I genuinely loved and enjoyed about this book; the illustrations are beautiful and a wonderful accompaniment to the narrative, I felt they were carefully and lovingly placed within the narrative. Sometimes the illustrations were small flares to give nice visuals to descriptions. And other times the visuals were added to emphasize tension and the nature of relationships between characters. I loved the characters designs and the vibrance they being to the overall narrative.
The character dynamics grow and evolve in a way that is enjoyable and keeps the reader hooked. There is more than meets the eye to every last character revealed within the book. While they start off filling basic fantasy niche tropes for New Adult Fantasy over the course of the narrative they grow and become stronger emotionally and expressive as a cast. Each character has their own goals and drives, as well as meaningful and believable values. More is revealed with each page and it is an adventure that pays off sticking through the end of the narrative.
There are many twists and turns that are well revealed and breadcrumbed within, if one reads between the lines and has a skeptical eye for certain flags, then the reveals are believable and one sort of face palms and goes. Ah. Of course. Yeah that makes sense. The mysteries and larger goals for certain characters becomes more detailed and engaging as more information is revealed. The twists are executed well and makes the otherwise straightforward plot more rich and complex.
The only reason this is getting 4.5 stars instead of 5, is simply because some elements of the writing just really didn't vibe well with me. There was a slight incestuous one sided love affair that made me uncomfortable. But at the very least it gets resolved and is in no way glorified or romanticized. It is meant to be uncomfortable. And it did in fact make me uncomfortable. Success for the author on that.
Other minor gripes I had however were explained and expanded on. And while they may not be my particular paintbrush to stroke. They worked great for the narrative and I know many will adore it. This was a fun adventure of a read and a great lighthearted journey for me.
Starting with the things I genuinely loved and enjoyed about this book; the illustrations are beautiful and a wonderful accompaniment to the narrative, I felt they were carefully and lovingly placed within the narrative. Sometimes the illustrations were small flares to give nice visuals to descriptions. And other times the visuals were added to emphasize tension and the nature of relationships between characters. I loved the characters designs and the vibrance they being to the overall narrative.
The character dynamics grow and evolve in a way that is enjoyable and keeps the reader hooked. There is more than meets the eye to every last character revealed within the book. While they start off filling basic fantasy niche tropes for New Adult Fantasy over the course of the narrative they grow and become stronger emotionally and expressive as a cast. Each character has their own goals and drives, as well as meaningful and believable values. More is revealed with each page and it is an adventure that pays off sticking through the end of the narrative.
There are many twists and turns that are well revealed and breadcrumbed within, if one reads between the lines and has a skeptical eye for certain flags, then the reveals are believable and one sort of face palms and goes. Ah. Of course. Yeah that makes sense. The mysteries and larger goals for certain characters becomes more detailed and engaging as more information is revealed. The twists are executed well and makes the otherwise straightforward plot more rich and complex.
The only reason this is getting 4.5 stars instead of 5, is simply because some elements of the writing just really didn't vibe well with me. There was a slight incestuous one sided love affair that made me uncomfortable. But at the very least it gets resolved and is in no way glorified or romanticized. It is meant to be uncomfortable. And it did in fact make me uncomfortable. Success for the author on that.
Other minor gripes I had however were explained and expanded on. And while they may not be my particular paintbrush to stroke. They worked great for the narrative and I know many will adore it. This was a fun adventure of a read and a great lighthearted journey for me.
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a story brimming with eldritch horror and a love story that will rend your heart. I enjoyed everything about House of the Beast. From the struggles our duo went through to the world they live in and the beautiful illustrations through out done by Michelle Wong herself.
Alma and Aster were my favorite part of the story. Getting to see their interactions and how everything was playing out had me devouring this book. I was hoping for the best, but planning for the worst. Their story is still stuck in my brain days after finishing the book.
The description of the world Alma and Aster inhabit was very fascinating and dark. The different houses and the gods they worshipped was intriguing and I would have happily read more about that aspect. The Umbral plane was also very dark and had all the elements I love from the descriptions of the things found there and all the unsettling environments.
This story was beautiful and devastating. I look forward to adding this book to my collection and will be on the lookout for anything Michelle Wong does in the future, especially if it involves Alma and her world.
Thank you Netgalley as well as Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read this book.
Alma and Aster were my favorite part of the story. Getting to see their interactions and how everything was playing out had me devouring this book. I was hoping for the best, but planning for the worst. Their story is still stuck in my brain days after finishing the book.
The description of the world Alma and Aster inhabit was very fascinating and dark. The different houses and the gods they worshipped was intriguing and I would have happily read more about that aspect. The Umbral plane was also very dark and had all the elements I love from the descriptions of the things found there and all the unsettling environments.
This story was beautiful and devastating. I look forward to adding this book to my collection and will be on the lookout for anything Michelle Wong does in the future, especially if it involves Alma and her world.
Thank you Netgalley as well as Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read this book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
