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princesspersephone's review against another edition
3.0
Overall 3.5 stars. Absolutely amazing writer with such vivid and cinematic prose. The story itself wasnt my cup of tea, though it was still quite captivating. The overall idea of the book is a magical insight into a secret family history, but there were parts of the book that lost my interest. Im looking forward to Julia Fine's next book since her writing was done so wonderfully.
yotesmcgoats's review against another edition
5.0
This book was a random grab, but I’m so glad I picked it up. This was a unique take on feminist fantasy literature and I can honestly say I have never read anything like it. This book is full of beautiful imagery. I loved the author’s description of the forest and I think she did a marvelous job creating symmetry between setting and characters.
missjessrose's review against another edition
2.0
I listened to this audio book and while the overall concept was intriguing, there were several things that confused me or pulled me out of the story world.
I had a hard time transitioning from the start of the book, which seemed more thought out, to the section where the main character gets kidnapped and tortured for seemingly months on end. This just seemed so harsh and was hard to believe that she could be held captive for “months” in that way — how dumb could she truly have been to really go along with this and fall into the bad guy’s scheme? Also once she escapes, how is it possible to just pick back up exactly where they left off in the search for her father as if no time passed?
Maybe I missed this, but I also had a hard time placing where and when this story was supposed to take place. Was it modern times (yes because they have cell phones, but then when she escapes she finds a pay phone…????? Those don’t exist anymore)? There were a few other details like this that threw me off and made me question the story world. Anyways, wanted to love this but ended up feeling just meh.
I had a hard time transitioning from the start of the book, which seemed more thought out, to the section where the main character gets kidnapped and tortured for seemingly months on end. This just seemed so harsh and was hard to believe that she could be held captive for “months” in that way — how dumb could she truly have been to really go along with this and fall into the bad guy’s scheme? Also once she escapes, how is it possible to just pick back up exactly where they left off in the search for her father as if no time passed?
Maybe I missed this, but I also had a hard time placing where and when this story was supposed to take place. Was it modern times (yes because they have cell phones, but then when she escapes she finds a pay phone…????? Those don’t exist anymore)? There were a few other details like this that threw me off and made me question the story world. Anyways, wanted to love this but ended up feeling just meh.
rose_android97's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lconrad15's review against another edition
4.0
Overall, an enjoyable read, but there were points when the plot gets a bit wonky. Also, it ends rather abruptly after such a long build up-I feel the end could definitely have been more climactic.
ailiscr32's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Torture
Minor: Blood, Child death, Cannibalism, Body horror, and Animal death
emnz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
A folklore inspired coming of age story, set against the legacy of family history and a curse.
audiopaladin's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
bailo2's review against another edition
3.0
Julia Fine is a damn fine writer. When she gets weird, bold, and freaky with her writing, it's sensuous and delicious. However, the story meanders from the meat of the story and Fine's strengths too frequently for my liking. It makes me wonder if this was a request from the publisher to make it more palatable for audiences (?), but either way, it leaves the pacing and prose feeling uneven.
I look forward to seeing what else she writes.
I look forward to seeing what else she writes.
yasmin4y's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0