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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I almost stopped listening to this many times. It's 11 discs (403 pgs), and (I assume) because the story is set in Transylvania, the narrator speaks in a slightly affected eastern European accent (which isn't always consistent). She also has an airy voice which, to me, doesn't quite jive with the protagonist/narrating character's personality. This felt like a standard fairytale, with the primary twist being the setting and presence of the "night people."
But, about 5 or 6 discs in, I started getting into it. Probably because I anticipated the primary twist and enjoyed seeing it play out. Some of the elements (cousins can marry? and interesting depictions of human-animal intimacy) made me a bit queasy, but once I got over those things, I enjoyed the lush tale for what it is. Secondary characters are fun, though sometimes frustrating. The cover is a bit hypnotizing - very lush with lots of detail. The girl on the front looks wrong to me, but that's pretty normal. Solid fairytale if you get through the rather slow start. Maybe I would have ripped through that part faster if I hadn't been listening to it.
I also like that the sequel(s) seem to focus on different sisters in the family - nice as they definitely fade into the background of this story.
But, about 5 or 6 discs in, I started getting into it. Probably because I anticipated the primary twist and enjoyed seeing it play out. Some of the elements (cousins can marry? and interesting depictions of human-animal intimacy) made me a bit queasy, but once I got over those things, I enjoyed the lush tale for what it is. Secondary characters are fun, though sometimes frustrating. The cover is a bit hypnotizing - very lush with lots of detail. The girl on the front looks wrong to me, but that's pretty normal. Solid fairytale if you get through the rather slow start. Maybe I would have ripped through that part faster if I hadn't been listening to it.
I also like that the sequel(s) seem to focus on different sisters in the family - nice as they definitely fade into the background of this story.
Overall a pleasant story, in places somewhat irritating and something bugged me about the weirdly controlling and somewhat manipulative behaviour of the frog. There were some things I didn't entirely anticipate and the way some plot points were revealed felt unnecessarily delayed and didn't build tension. The apparent heroine wasn't really, things sort of happened to her and it wasn't until close to the end when the larger drama had moved towards resolution that she did something. Couldn't get excited about an incestuous relationship even when it was packaged as a grand love story. I enjoyed the descriptions of things such as order of events in a full moon evening and quite a few of the other realm characters had great personalities though weren't seen much. It would have been fun to know more from the housekeeper's POV as I suspect 5 girls may not have really been as sneaky as they think and the knowledge of people who've lived so many years in the castle and grounds is something I'd like to read more on.
The audiobook narration was quite distracting and at times quite irksome. Accents came and went, cutesy voices were used inconsistently between the sisters depending on who was in various scenes. Pronunciation of the family castle name for example was said in at least 3 different ways.
The audiobook narration was quite distracting and at times quite irksome. Accents came and went, cutesy voices were used inconsistently between the sisters depending on who was in various scenes. Pronunciation of the family castle name for example was said in at least 3 different ways.
French & English reviews
Encore un coup de cœur pour Juliet Marillier x)
Après l'Irlande, c'est au tour de la Roumanie sur fond de folklore slave <3
Ce que j'ai particulièrement aimé :
- magnifiquement écrit, j'ai eu l'impression de lire un véritable conte de fées
- l'univers entre magie et réalité, avec tous ces personnages ambigus, ces intrigues, ces secrets ... <3 Très Fae <3
- les personnages : j'ai absolument adoré Jena et ses sœurs (grosse préférence pour Jena et une grosse envie de gifler Tati xD) mais aussi la romance entre Costi et Jena subtile et tout en douceur <3
- les méchants qui m'ont ravi : Cezar tellement en colère et qui veut tout contrôler mais aussi le sombre mais beau Tadeusz très ambigu (qui m'a fait pensé à mon Roi des Gobelins préféré <3)
Tellement hâte de lire le prochain livre avec Paula <3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another huge love at first read for Juliet Marillier x)
After Ireland, it is the turn of Romania on the background of Slavic folklore <3
What I particularly liked :
- beautifully written, I had the impression to read a real fairy tale
- the universe between magic and reality, with all these ambiguous characters, these intrigues, these secrets ... <3 Très Fae <3
- the characters : I absolutely adored Jena and her sisters (big preference for Jena and a big desire to slap Tati xD) but also the romance between Costi and Jena subtle and smooth and cute <3
- the villains who have delighted me : Cezar so angry and who wants to control everything but also the dark but beautiful Tadeusz very ambiguous (which made me think of my favorite Goblin King <3)
So eager to read the next book with Paula <3
Encore un coup de cœur pour Juliet Marillier x)
Après l'Irlande, c'est au tour de la Roumanie sur fond de folklore slave <3
Ce que j'ai particulièrement aimé :
- magnifiquement écrit, j'ai eu l'impression de lire un véritable conte de fées
- l'univers entre magie et réalité, avec tous ces personnages ambigus, ces intrigues, ces secrets ... <3 Très Fae <3
- les personnages : j'ai absolument adoré Jena et ses sœurs (grosse préférence pour Jena et une grosse envie de gifler Tati xD) mais aussi la romance entre Costi et Jena subtile et tout en douceur <3
- les méchants qui m'ont ravi : Cezar tellement en colère et qui veut tout contrôler mais aussi le sombre mais beau Tadeusz très ambigu (qui m'a fait pensé à mon Roi des Gobelins préféré <3)
Tellement hâte de lire le prochain livre avec Paula <3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another huge love at first read for Juliet Marillier x)
After Ireland, it is the turn of Romania on the background of Slavic folklore <3
What I particularly liked :
- beautifully written, I had the impression to read a real fairy tale
- the universe between magic and reality, with all these ambiguous characters, these intrigues, these secrets ... <3 Très Fae <3
- the characters : I absolutely adored Jena and her sisters (big preference for Jena and a big desire to slap Tati xD) but also the romance between Costi and Jena subtle and smooth and cute <3
- the villains who have delighted me : Cezar so angry and who wants to control everything but also the dark but beautiful Tadeusz very ambiguous (which made me think of my favorite Goblin King <3)
So eager to read the next book with Paula <3
I would actually rate this around a 4.35. I didn't really like the writing style, especially in the beginning, but as I grew used to it I liked it a bit more.
I loved the story — true love and magic and... sigh. It was addictive. Of course, I got mad a lot because the time period was a completely misogynistic and patriarchal era. However, this also makes me like the sisters more, for actually being strong women and girls despite this.
This book has also set me to the desire of a frog that can talk to me.
I loved the story — true love and magic and... sigh. It was addictive. Of course, I got mad a lot because the time period was a completely misogynistic and patriarchal era. However, this also makes me like the sisters more, for actually being strong women and girls despite this.
This book has also set me to the desire of a frog that can talk to me.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
Surprisingly, a fantastic read. An enchanting story line and lovable characters
OHh this book its intermixed and almsot perfect i love !!!!!
This was so enchanting and beautiful. It was a fairytale that breathed youth, wonder, and love. I would give this to my daughter to read in 15-20 years.
Juliet Marillier did so well in crafting such a diverse array of personalities, I think specifically with the sisters. Jena was sensible, though she didn't always make the best choices when she became fearful. Tatiana was the picture of a pure-hearted princess who is dying of true love. More could be said of the other girls, too. I loved them, and I loved Gogu, of course. How Marillier wrapped everything up was so pure, sweet, and romantic. It made me tenderly happy.
I am now itching to read the companion novel!
Juliet Marillier did so well in crafting such a diverse array of personalities, I think specifically with the sisters. Jena was sensible, though she didn't always make the best choices when she became fearful. Tatiana was the picture of a pure-hearted princess who is dying of true love. More could be said of the other girls, too. I loved them, and I loved Gogu, of course. How Marillier wrapped everything up was so pure, sweet, and romantic. It made me tenderly happy.
I am now itching to read the companion novel!
So whimsical! Such a fun blend of various fairytales and folklore.