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theghostly's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Physical abuse, and Child death
abotts27's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is definitely a dark, gothic story. There were quite a few mentions of self harm, so make sure to read the content warnings. Overall, I did find myself going back to this story repeatedly because I had so many questions, but I left the ending with some of the same questions.
I felt like the magic system fell a bit flat. It was very crucial to the plot, but I didn’t fully understand how it worked.
The main character was also my least favorite, and she was determined to make herself a martyr rather than opening up to anyone. I had hoped she would learn and grow from it more in the end.
That said, it was a compelling story and unique plot. I kept me interested, and I’m curious to see more from this author.
I felt like the magic system fell a bit flat. It was very crucial to the plot, but I didn’t fully understand how it worked.
The main character was also my least favorite, and she was determined to make herself a martyr rather than opening up to anyone. I had hoped she would learn and grow from it more in the end.
That said, it was a compelling story and unique plot. I kept me interested, and I’m curious to see more from this author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm and Child abuse
Minor: Suicide attempt
skyladoragono's review
mysterious
slow-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? No
2.5
I liked it enough to finish and continue on with the sequel, but something about the book just doesn't jive with me. I was promised a Labyrinth-inspired gothic fantasy romance, and I got a barely love-at-first-hate rivals to lovers, with a sense of the author actually being afraid to build the world they were creating, instead squeezing the lore out in little doses over just about every chapter of the book. Things only really pick up toward the end, in a, "Well I've read this far I may as well finish," kind of way, instead of out of any care for the characters or plot.
It does hit you in the face first chapter with the child abuse, and then again later on with the self harm, so reader beware of the content warnings.
It does hit you in the face first chapter with the child abuse, and then again later on with the self harm, so reader beware of the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Child abuse
czoltak's review
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Blood, Self harm, and Child abuse
fionamatilda's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Blood, Violence, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment, and Grief
maeverose's review against another edition
Idk why I thought I might like this. I’ve already established I hate YA fantasy.
TL;DR: Typical ya fantasy female mc, irritating love interest that has tension with her way too early, vague magic system
Violeta: She’s the exact same as so many other ya fantasy mcs I’ve read. Dumb (why was she convinced shadows that leave a physical mark on Arien’s skin were dreams? What??), rushing into trouble when she clearly knows less about what’s going on than the other characters, no personality other than ‘must protect brother’ and ‘I hate this mysterious scary evil man except I’m blushing at what he just said/did for some reason’. And why did she call her brother ‘my love’??? Ew
Lord Sylvanan/Rowan: Him being called ‘the monster’ over and over felt dumb to me. Like you’re trying to convince me he’s evil and scary and it’s not working. I just found him annoying. Also, I’m disfigured, and him being scarred felt like an attempt to make him seem ‘scarier/more evil’, which is an overdone, offensive and harmful trope. To be fair, I don’t remember the actual scar being described in a negative way, it’s more just the combination of ‘man whose supposedly done terrible things, is constantly referred to as ‘the monster’ and is generally just an asshole’ + the scarring, that feels questionable to me. Even if he’s redeemed or they explain why he’s scarred, that doesn’t justify it.
Violeta: She’s the exact same as so many other ya fantasy mcs I’ve read. Dumb (why was she convinced shadows that leave a physical mark on Arien’s skin were dreams? What??), rushing into trouble when she clearly knows less about what’s going on than the other characters, no personality other than ‘must protect brother’ and ‘I hate this mysterious scary evil man except I’m blushing at what he just said/did for some reason’. And why did she call her brother ‘my love’??? Ew
Lord Sylvanan/Rowan: Him being called ‘the monster’ over and over felt dumb to me. Like you’re trying to convince me he’s evil and scary and it’s not working. I just found him annoying. Also, I’m disfigured, and him being scarred felt like an attempt to make him seem ‘scarier/more evil’, which is an overdone, offensive and harmful trope. To be fair, I don’t remember the actual scar being described in a negative way, it’s more just the combination of ‘man whose supposedly done terrible things, is constantly referred to as ‘the monster’ and is generally just an asshole’ + the scarring, that feels questionable to me. Even if he’s redeemed or they explain why he’s scarred, that doesn’t justify it.
Storytelling: Why didn’t anyone explain to Violeta what they needed Arien for? Was there any reason for keeping that from her? Or was it just so that there’d be some mystery for the reader? Because it felt like an excuse for Violeta to interfere and be stupid, which I’m not exactly sure why that need to happen anyway.
Magic: It was very vague and didn’t feel well thought out. Maybe if I’d read further it would’ve been more fleshed out, but it just felt flimsy. Especially in chapter six, I think if you’re gonna have a high stakes scene like that the reader should probably know what the hell is going on. It just doesn’t have the same impact if I’m stuck on trying to picture what’s even happening. (It also didn’t help that I didn’t care about any of the characters).
I’ll end this very negative review on a positive note with a quote that I liked:
“Most of the windows are closed, and a thick tangle of ivy winds between the wooden shutters.
I’ll end this very negative review on a positive note with a quote that I liked:
“Most of the windows are closed, and a thick tangle of ivy winds between the wooden shutters.
The front door is carved with a raised pattern. I trace my fingers across it, over vines and leaves so delicate they could have been embroidered against the wood. The iron handle is carved, too.
An enormous ring shaped like a wreath, furled with leaves and bellflowers. When I put my hand against it, the cold press of iron makes me shiver.
But slowly, it begins to warm beneath my palm.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm
Minor: Ableism
inborinth's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
❝𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭?❞
Pesadillas que traspasan la realidad, recuerdos de magia y familiaridad, asesinatos y mansiones, creencias y oscuridad. Violeta está rodeada de aquellos rituales. Convive con la única familia que le queda, aunque algo perverso los aceche. Una magia tan sólida como la mismísima sangre atrapa sus sueños más profundos, pero, ¿son realmente sueños o una trampa? Caer en terror es lo único que conocen, encerrados en un hogar agonizante, alguien logra intervenir todo el dolor que han sufrido.
Lakesedge es un libro de culpa y perdón. De enfrentar verdades y recuerdos, miedos y criaturas horroríficas. Es una historia que reconoce la soledad, invertida en dos mundos tan catastróficamente parecidos. El sacrificio que los personajes deben enfrentar se torna aún más crudo, donde comienzan a hilarse la magia y el poder de algo mucho más temible que la verdad. Un ser que podría acabar con la luz del mundo, un ser que intercambia su oscuridad por lo que uno esté dispuesto a entregar. Pactos de sangre, podredumbre que acecha un hogar aniquilado de felicidad. Cada aspecto de esta historia es un rito de salvación.
Este libro tiene una prosa bellísima, cálida y mundana. El estilo gótico se cierne en cada capítulo y va creciendo a medida que la historia avanza, crece como una raíz. Es difícil abarcar cada parte del libro, pero admito que hubo aspectos del mismo que no lograron convencerme como esperaba. El intercambio romántico de los personajes, a pesar de haberlo disfrutado, lo sentí hueco. Lo presencié como algo brusco, rápido y hasta un tanto vacío. Tienen sus momentos de unión inquebrantable, pero tengo mis dudas al respecto. Tendré que enfrentar su continuación para formar una opinión más sólida en cuanto a su romance.
Pesadillas que traspasan la realidad, recuerdos de magia y familiaridad, asesinatos y mansiones, creencias y oscuridad. Violeta está rodeada de aquellos rituales. Convive con la única familia que le queda, aunque algo perverso los aceche. Una magia tan sólida como la mismísima sangre atrapa sus sueños más profundos, pero, ¿son realmente sueños o una trampa? Caer en terror es lo único que conocen, encerrados en un hogar agonizante, alguien logra intervenir todo el dolor que han sufrido.
Lakesedge es un libro de culpa y perdón. De enfrentar verdades y recuerdos, miedos y criaturas horroríficas. Es una historia que reconoce la soledad, invertida en dos mundos tan catastróficamente parecidos. El sacrificio que los personajes deben enfrentar se torna aún más crudo, donde comienzan a hilarse la magia y el poder de algo mucho más temible que la verdad. Un ser que podría acabar con la luz del mundo, un ser que intercambia su oscuridad por lo que uno esté dispuesto a entregar. Pactos de sangre, podredumbre que acecha un hogar aniquilado de felicidad. Cada aspecto de esta historia es un rito de salvación.
Este libro tiene una prosa bellísima, cálida y mundana. El estilo gótico se cierne en cada capítulo y va creciendo a medida que la historia avanza, crece como una raíz. Es difícil abarcar cada parte del libro, pero admito que hubo aspectos del mismo que no lograron convencerme como esperaba. El intercambio romántico de los personajes, a pesar de haberlo disfrutado, lo sentí hueco. Lo presencié como algo brusco, rápido y hasta un tanto vacío. Tienen sus momentos de unión inquebrantable, pero tengo mis dudas al respecto. Tendré que enfrentar su continuación para formar una opinión más sólida en cuanto a su romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Blood, Child abuse, and Death
jwhitlow91's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Death, Body horror, Self harm, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Vomit
Minor: Suicide attempt and Sexual content
yaoipaddle's review
biggest hint this book will suck: main character's name is violeta graceline.
if you like this book i beg you to read something else because this must be the only book you have read in your life. it's not even entertaining enough as a hate-read.
this book reads like what every edgy teen wrote in middle school, but we all grew up and knew it sucked and should never been a published book. this author didnt.
it feels like the author assumes the reader is an idiot and needs to be shown graphic child abuse at page 7 for us to understand that the adoptive mother is bad. there are so many ways to convey this info without functionally beating it us over the head with it. (sorry for the shit pun, not intended)
the main character is unloveable and irritating. the opening scene has her "saving" her brother from child abuse yet she follows it up with making him, with freshly burned and blistered hands, clean her wounds. ??????? do it yourself!!!
hey reader do you know how the main love interest is bad? because violeta literally calls him monster all the time for in my eyes zero reason. (yes i know the reason in universe but it seems like the least of violetas worries considering her brother is being engulfed in darkness and her whole thing is about how he is innocent even though people would consider him a monster.... girl!??!?!?!?!?!?!) but worry not reader, she makes sure to tell us he's attractive as soon as she sees him and in the following page too. also don't worry she makes sure to later on tell us that she herself is "curved and small"....... GIRL SHUT UPPPPPPPPPP
you already know where the story will go and how things will play out. nothing about this book is compelling or loveable. it's paced like garbage. has awful characters. an unloveable main character. a poorly built fantasy world. and zero good qualities.
normally id give a book 2 stars if it wasn't my taste but i figured someone else would enjoy it, but if youre going to read a ya fantasy or romance there is literally any number of books that is more worth your time, energy, and money. dont even borrow this from a library. it SUCKS.
if you like this book i beg you to read something else because this must be the only book you have read in your life. it's not even entertaining enough as a hate-read.
this book reads like what every edgy teen wrote in middle school, but we all grew up and knew it sucked and should never been a published book. this author didnt.
it feels like the author assumes the reader is an idiot and needs to be shown graphic child abuse at page 7 for us to understand that the adoptive mother is bad. there are so many ways to convey this info without functionally beating it us over the head with it. (sorry for the shit pun, not intended)
the main character is unloveable and irritating. the opening scene has her "saving" her brother from child abuse yet she follows it up with making him, with freshly burned and blistered hands, clean her wounds. ??????? do it yourself!!!
hey reader do you know how the main love interest is bad? because violeta literally calls him monster all the time for in my eyes zero reason. (yes i know the reason in universe but it seems like the least of violetas worries considering her brother is being engulfed in darkness and her whole thing is about how he is innocent even though people would consider him a monster.... girl!??!?!?!?!?!?!) but worry not reader, she makes sure to tell us he's attractive as soon as she sees him and in the following page too. also don't worry she makes sure to later on tell us that she herself is "curved and small"....... GIRL SHUT UPPPPPPPPPP
you already know where the story will go and how things will play out. nothing about this book is compelling or loveable. it's paced like garbage. has awful characters. an unloveable main character. a poorly built fantasy world. and zero good qualities.
normally id give a book 2 stars if it wasn't my taste but i figured someone else would enjoy it, but if youre going to read a ya fantasy or romance there is literally any number of books that is more worth your time, energy, and money. dont even borrow this from a library. it SUCKS.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Death of parent
hal33's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual content, and Blood