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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
I had almost forgotten I already had this book. Almost. Yesterday I was looking for a hardcover to read, to make room for the Fairyloot orders that came in this week, and then all of a sudden I rediscovered this one. I remember that I was quite curious about the story when I got the book, but I thought it would be fun to not read the blurb again before reading so I would be surprised with the kind of story I'd get!
And I was for sure surprised. I have to admit that the plot was a little chaotic and the mythology a little hard to follow. That's mostly because a lot of characters tell three or more incomplete or false versions of a tale before they start telling the truth or decide to just not say anything at all. Therefore the book also lacked a true arc leading somewhere. It somehow felt like the story didn't reach a real conclusion in the end. But hopefully that will change when the next book comes out!
However, I did really enjoy the writing style and the atmosphere, mostly because they were so beautifully in sync. Maybe it was hard to understand what was going on at times, but it was not hard to feel that something was happening and that it was dangerous or huge. The author clearly poured her emotions into every word and sentence and wrote from the heart and not so much from the mind. And that makes up for quite a lot!
Just like I really enjoyed the characters. Since a lot of them are twisting the truth or omitting a lot of information it's hard to feel like we've really gotten to know them, but now the air is cleared for the most part I think our characters will be able to grow more into themselves in the next book. After all, everything they feared happened, everything they were protecting either died or survived. They can now start healing and fixing.
I'm looking forward to it!
And I was for sure surprised. I have to admit that the plot was a little chaotic and the mythology a little hard to follow. That's mostly because a lot of characters tell three or more incomplete or false versions of a tale before they start telling the truth or decide to just not say anything at all. Therefore the book also lacked a true arc leading somewhere. It somehow felt like the story didn't reach a real conclusion in the end. But hopefully that will change when the next book comes out!
However, I did really enjoy the writing style and the atmosphere, mostly because they were so beautifully in sync. Maybe it was hard to understand what was going on at times, but it was not hard to feel that something was happening and that it was dangerous or huge. The author clearly poured her emotions into every word and sentence and wrote from the heart and not so much from the mind. And that makes up for quite a lot!
Just like I really enjoyed the characters. Since a lot of them are twisting the truth or omitting a lot of information it's hard to feel like we've really gotten to know them, but now the air is cleared for the most part I think our characters will be able to grow more into themselves in the next book. After all, everything they feared happened, everything they were protecting either died or survived. They can now start healing and fixing.
I'm looking forward to it!
swampbooks's review against another edition
2.0
This could have been a beautiful, eerie tale of a haunted estate, but it was not well-written and so fast-paced that you didn’t get a chance to really steep in the moody atmosphere.
The MC is just another Chosen One who is over-dramatic and cries over nothing yet is still determined to solve every problem on her own. Hobbies of hers include sticking her nose in places it doesn’t belong and making things worse to drive the plot. She also mentioned tasting things 52 times. Like literally 52 times.
There were an absurd amount of commas and clipped sentences, a writing style which gets a bit annoying to read. This really should have been a standalone but I guess the author wants to do a love triangle in book 2 because it was definitely going that way. Ugh. No thanks!
The MC is just another Chosen One who is over-dramatic and cries over nothing yet is still determined to solve every problem on her own. Hobbies of hers include sticking her nose in places it doesn’t belong and making things worse to drive the plot. She also mentioned tasting things 52 times. Like literally 52 times.
There were an absurd amount of commas and clipped sentences, a writing style which gets a bit annoying to read. This really should have been a standalone but I guess the author wants to do a love triangle in book 2 because it was definitely going that way. Ugh. No thanks!
cmdufresne's review
3.0
I really thought I'd love this book, and it was..... fine. The writing is good, there are some plot points that are interesting, and the characters are okay. But everything is just a little flat. The characters don't have a lot of depth, and the "Gothic atmosphere" is just a dusting over a pretty normal group of people. The last third is repetitive and long, and I found myself repeatedly saying out loud "...seriously?" And not in an "oh my gosh!" way, but in a "why would you make the story do that" way. Didn't realize till after it's because there is another book. Should have had a better ending and been a stand alone.
e_j_cook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
buttondragon's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I read this on a whim because it was available on audiobook and it was marked as LGBT and Gothic literature, both things i very much like. Personally, I don’t think it really fits either category. Really enjoyed the start of this book, but oh boy it dragged. Somewhere around the 30% mark I started noticing really repetitive descriptions and dialogue. The main character is… a bit annoying to be honest. Refuses help, wants to protect everyone else, even if accepting help would make things easier for everyone. Lots of passing mentions of side characters sexualities being queer, buuuut our main romance is still the usual guy and girl. Very little world building is done, and what there is doesn’t always track chapter to chapter. I’m sure some people will really enjoy this book, and I’d say go for it. Do keep in mind there is a LOT of (TW: Self Harm) cutting of the arms and wrists mentioned as means of handling an evil lake. Threw me for a loop a bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
rosie_reads_7's review against another edition
Very pretty writing, just felt disconnected from the characters and I’ve read this sort of story before in a way that suited me better.
kvnzie's review
4.0
this story was beautiful, atmospheric & perfect for fall! not to mention the owl crate exclusive bonus chapter made me love Rowan even more than i already did.