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katievh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Mental illness, and Drug use
ishouldreadthat's review
5.0
Originally posted to I Should Read That
For the past few years, I find myself looking forward to the latest installment in Joanne M. Harris’ Child Ballad novellas. Lovely, atmospheric, and such a treat to read, Pocketful of Crows and The Blue Salt Road have complimented my autumn reading perfectly! The latest installment, Orfeia, is just as gorgeous as the others, but with a bit of a twist.
While these novellas are all retellings of various Child Ballads, they each stand independently on their own, so there is no need to worry about reading the previous two books before diving into Orfeia. In fact, Orfeia is quite different from its predecessors, as this book takes place at least in part in the real world. It was a little strange to adjust to reading about the very real city of London (as well as its counterpart in the dream world) because I simply wasn’t expecting to see a familiar location, however she did a wonderful job of blending reality with fantasy and creating a story as lush and gorgeous as you would expect from her.
As wonderful as the fantasy setting and the story were, what really stood out to me is the deep character study of a grieving mother. Fay is a lonely, yet seemingly ordinary woman who is dealt the most tragic of blows when her 21-year-old daughter dies unexpectedly. Determined that her child is actually in the land of the fae, she will do anything to rescue her daughter and bring her back into our world. Orfeia is a deeply moving portrait of parental grief and the sacrifices a woman will make for her child, and it’s so fantastic.
Orfeia is a gorgeous addition to this series and I cannot recommend it more highly, although I would urge anyone who thinks they may struggle with the subject matter to approach with caution. Beautifully written and illustrated, this is absolutely a book that should be on your TBR for fall and winter reading.
4.5 out of 5 stars
For the past few years, I find myself looking forward to the latest installment in Joanne M. Harris’ Child Ballad novellas. Lovely, atmospheric, and such a treat to read, Pocketful of Crows and The Blue Salt Road have complimented my autumn reading perfectly! The latest installment, Orfeia, is just as gorgeous as the others, but with a bit of a twist.
While these novellas are all retellings of various Child Ballads, they each stand independently on their own, so there is no need to worry about reading the previous two books before diving into Orfeia. In fact, Orfeia is quite different from its predecessors, as this book takes place at least in part in the real world. It was a little strange to adjust to reading about the very real city of London (as well as its counterpart in the dream world) because I simply wasn’t expecting to see a familiar location, however she did a wonderful job of blending reality with fantasy and creating a story as lush and gorgeous as you would expect from her.
As wonderful as the fantasy setting and the story were, what really stood out to me is the deep character study of a grieving mother. Fay is a lonely, yet seemingly ordinary woman who is dealt the most tragic of blows when her 21-year-old daughter dies unexpectedly. Determined that her child is actually in the land of the fae, she will do anything to rescue her daughter and bring her back into our world. Orfeia is a deeply moving portrait of parental grief and the sacrifices a woman will make for her child, and it’s so fantastic.
Orfeia is a gorgeous addition to this series and I cannot recommend it more highly, although I would urge anyone who thinks they may struggle with the subject matter to approach with caution. Beautifully written and illustrated, this is absolutely a book that should be on your TBR for fall and winter reading.
4.5 out of 5 stars
spellscribe's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I don't know. Maybe it's me. I think I'd have liked it much more if it were novel length and had the chance to build a connection with Fay. As it was, it felt a little shallow and disjointed.
lydiathedragon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
_haggis_'s review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
lynwebster's review against another edition
4.0
Strange, beautiful, haunting. This one is all about the atmosphere and the emotion. Don't expect the usual kind of plot, even for a fairytale. Snatches of song, of tale, of allegory, all snared in moonbeams and cobwebs and overshadowed by the dry, shadowless land. If that last sentence just tries your patience, it's probably a hint that Orfeia isn't going to be to your taste. Personally I found it more powerful than I expected and it is staying with me.
steffhunter's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sean67's review
3.0
Strange fairy tale type story, which was shorter than it appears to be.
Very short chapters, and larger font, made it easy to read, however it was towards the banker side.
Quick light read, but probably something I won't remember by the end of 2021.
Very short chapters, and larger font, made it easy to read, however it was towards the banker side.
Quick light read, but probably something I won't remember by the end of 2021.
pebi_books's review against another edition
3.0
When we first meet Fay, her life has just shattered with the death (not disappearance) of her daughter. She then finds herself between her world and others in search of her daughter. The scenery is dreadful and feels gray. A lot of overgrown cityscapes with vines and random berries (like why would you eat that exactly?)
It's unlike any fairytale that I've read or heard of. But the author does mention on her website that it's a folklore-inspired novella based losely on two child ballads (The Elphin Knights and King Orfeo ) - I should admit that the mention of the ballads at the beginning of each chapter were lost to me - and its also based on the Orpheus myth (which I've never heard of).
We learn of the sacrifices people are willing to endure for their loved ones. We learn about the power of love, dreams and memory.
Topics:
- Love
- Family
- Sacrifice
- Courage
So beautifully written!!! I followed through the loss, the heartache, the hope, the dreams, the riddles and the conclusion!! However like most readers I couldn't feel any deeper connection to Fay. I probably felt something for the Shadowless man and his quest than I did for Fay's quest.
It's a wonderful story but I'm most obsessed with the cover!! Just gorgeous
It's unlike any fairytale that I've read or heard of. But the author does mention on her website that it's a folklore-inspired novella based losely on two child ballads (The Elphin Knights and King Orfeo ) - I should admit that the mention of the ballads at the beginning of each chapter were lost to me - and its also based on the Orpheus myth (which I've never heard of).
We learn of the sacrifices people are willing to endure for their loved ones. We learn about the power of love, dreams and memory.
Topics:
- Love
- Family
- Sacrifice
- Courage
So beautifully written!!! I followed through the loss, the heartache, the hope, the dreams, the riddles and the conclusion!! However like most readers I couldn't feel any deeper connection to Fay. I probably felt something for the Shadowless man and his quest than I did for Fay's quest.
It's a wonderful story but I'm most obsessed with the cover!! Just gorgeous
mirandakennedy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5