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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I'm honestly mad at myself for not reading this sooner. Marillier is a master of fantasy whether it's adult fiction or YA. Romantic and magical.
I really enjoyed this book, a very interesting take on two different fairy tales; frog prince and dancing princesses
I love Juliet Marillier’s writing and her wonderful twist on fairytales. I am little disappointed in this story. I thought it was a creative twist on the Twelve Dancing Princesses combined with The Frog Prince. It took so long for the main plot of the story to get going. It was frustrating to see the main character, Jenna, constantly holding herself back and taking so long to figure out the mysteries. Since this is a YA novel, I expected the pace to be faster.
Reading past Juliet Mariller, I know she likes to layer the story, making it wonderful and satisfying to read more. I didn’t have that experience with this book. I felt she wasn’t sure how she wanted to direct the plot and was figuring it out as she went along. The last few chapters were the most interesting and exciting. I wish she’d given more time in developing the other characters other than Jenna and GoGu and involving them in the story and giving all the sisters a little more agency. There were so many little teasers and tidbits at the end, I wonder how the story could’ve been had she truly integrated them into the story.
I do appreciate Juliet Mariller’s forward, feminist lense on these familiar fairytales and glee she seamlessly blends them in this book. As always, appreciate the creation of strong female characters. I like the focus on the notion romantic relationships aren’t built on fireworks and passion, but quiet friendship and trust. The ending was simple, happy, bittersweet, but also a way new stories could start. Overall, a charming novel, but not a standout work.
Reading past Juliet Mariller, I know she likes to layer the story, making it wonderful and satisfying to read more. I didn’t have that experience with this book. I felt she wasn’t sure how she wanted to direct the plot and was figuring it out as she went along. The last few chapters were the most interesting and exciting. I wish she’d given more time in developing the other characters other than Jenna and GoGu and involving them in the story and giving all the sisters a little more agency. There were so many little teasers and tidbits at the end, I wonder how the story could’ve been had she truly integrated them into the story.
I do appreciate Juliet Mariller’s forward, feminist lense on these familiar fairytales and glee she seamlessly blends them in this book. As always, appreciate the creation of strong female characters. I like the focus on the notion romantic relationships aren’t built on fireworks and passion, but quiet friendship and trust. The ending was simple, happy, bittersweet, but also a way new stories could start. Overall, a charming novel, but not a standout work.
adventurous
mysterious
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
Marries cousin frog?
I have thought about this book alot so I have changed by rating to 4* - It was whimsical and it inspired me
I have thought about this book alot so I have changed by rating to 4* - It was whimsical and it inspired me
Beautifully written young adult fantasy. Really gripping with characters that jump out of the page. Would love to read more fantasy from this author.
This book was good. It is not the author's best work though. For most of the time when I was reading it I couldn't put the novel down but at the end it was a little slow, since the ending of the book is the most important in my opinion this made the book lose a star in my rating. The author is amazing though and her characters are always full what I love most about her writing is that sometimes you really wonder how the characters are going to get out of the mess their in and you really don't know how the conflict can be resolved. I want to read the second one too, though because I just can't get enough of this author.