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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I enjoyed this but not as much as I wanted to. I took a nice week long pause in the middle but did end up finishing. It had a pleasant ending.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Yes
Lovely YA novel featuring not only a retelling of 12 dancing princesses, but also princess and the frog. The world was rich and authentic, even the wildwood filled with dark “eldritch terrors” feels as if it could just be walked right into. Would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a sweet, cozy romantasy or fairy tale retelling
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was my favorite book when I was a teen, and so I decided to re-read it as an adult.
I really liked it! I loved the wimsy and magic of the book, the mysteriousness of the other kingdom, and the myths/folklore of eastern Europe.
However, books made before the #meetoo movement often have problematic material. This one is relatively benign - Jena thinks she has mismanaged everything and heaps shame on herself, and Tati wastes away from true love. As an adult, I know that Jena didn't mismanage it - she was up against the rigid patriarchal structure of her time. But a kid wouldn't know that - and I wish someone in authority in the book had told Jena she'd done all she could and had done a good job.
Unfortunately nothing salvages the ridiculous Tati story line. Which is a shame, because I really love tati and feel the author did an injustice to portray her like that.
I really liked it! I loved the wimsy and magic of the book, the mysteriousness of the other kingdom, and the myths/folklore of eastern Europe.
However, books made before the #meetoo movement often have problematic material. This one is relatively benign - Jena thinks she has mismanaged everything and heaps shame on herself, and Tati wastes away from true love. As an adult, I know that Jena didn't mismanage it - she was up against the rigid patriarchal structure of her time. But a kid wouldn't know that - and I wish someone in authority in the book had told Jena she'd done all she could and had done a good job.
Unfortunately nothing salvages the ridiculous Tati story line. Which is a shame, because I really love tati and feel the author did an injustice to portray her like that.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Torture
Sexual assault: Cezar gropes Jena, and it's clearly unwanted. I'm not sure it's "assault" but it could be hard for younger readers
Torture: they imply they torture a dwarf because he's from the other kingdom
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story is a five star story for me and always has been. This rating refers specifically to the narration/audio version. It was my first time listening to this story and it just didn’t have the same emotional weight and connection as when I read it in print. I think some books are better as audio and some as print- this is a print one for me.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Complicated