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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
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
What a lovely fantasy! This was layered, fun, and even (in some spots) a bit unpredictable. My advice is to not read any synopsis or summary before you read the book; it would have been fun to read without knowing the major plot elements ahead of time. It was not without its faults, and took me a few chapters to get into, but in the end I was simply reading for entertainment. It's a great book for that!
I think the aspect of this book that most aptly sums up my feelings about it is the fact that the main character’s older sister spends about half of the novel literally dying because she’s so in love with a sadboi Changeling. The only characters I remotely enjoyed in this novel were Jena (and then only sometimes) and her bookish sister Paula. Jena, the protagonist, divides her time between being clever and sensible and so utterly thickheaded that it amazes me she is the same character who I had just watched balancing account ledgers and spiritedly sparring with her nasty cousin Cezar.
The story is a loose retelling of two fairy tales, The Twelve Dancing Princesses and The Frog Prince set in 16th(?) century Transylvania. It very much reflects the time, with Jena and her sisters fighting for freedom against their cousin who has very limited patience for women’s rights (to put it nicely). Cezar was a dick, and while he lost out in the end it wasn’t quite as satisfying as I was hoping.
The novel in general just felt like a lot of expectations fallen short. I was most interested in the parts the sisters spent in the enchanted fairy realm, and even then the most fascinating part (to me), the garden of gargoyles, was only a passing detail.
Also, I just plain hate incest plotlines. It would have been nice for the protagonist to end up with ANYONE other than her cousin. Eugh.
The story is a loose retelling of two fairy tales, The Twelve Dancing Princesses and The Frog Prince set in 16th(?) century Transylvania. It very much reflects the time, with Jena and her sisters fighting for freedom against their cousin who has very limited patience for women’s rights (to put it nicely). Cezar was a dick, and while he lost out in the end it wasn’t quite as satisfying as I was hoping.
The novel in general just felt like a lot of expectations fallen short. I was most interested in the parts the sisters spent in the enchanted fairy realm, and even then the most fascinating part (to me), the garden of gargoyles, was only a passing detail.
Also, I just plain hate incest plotlines. It would have been nice for the protagonist to end up with ANYONE other than her cousin. Eugh.
This is the kind of literature I live for! Fairy tales twisted to fit an entirely new story, in a new place and culture that has been heavily researched. Beautiful writing. Fanciful narrative, so full of magic I longed to sink into the pages.
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
adventurous
hopeful
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
Just a perfect classic fairy tale. Gave me chills at the end. Left me with questions I don’t HAVE to have answers to. A blend of twelve dancing princesses meets the princess and the frog meets Dracula. Read it as a child, bought it for the cover art, gobbled it up these past few days. Felt like a reunion with a long lost friend. Really beautifully done.
After finishing the first chapter I was struggling to be interested in this fairy tale retelling. First of all, the 12 Dancing Princesses isn't my favorite and I've read that story retold before and been unimpressed. So I checked Goodreads to see if I should persevere. Luckily for me, I have a trusted friend who had high praise for this book despite not being a fantasy lover. I pressed on into the second chapter and it wasn't too long before I was completely engrossed.
Although I figured out what had happened to the cousins right away it didn't lessen my enjoyment of this read at all. In fact, I think it heightened it. Jena was so unaware of what was going on and Cezar was so maddening! I haven't been this emotional over a fictional story in a while and it was a pleasure. I liked all of the sisters except for Tati. I don't have a lot of patience with girls who waste away for love- but I see why the story was better for it in the end. I could have done without that side story anyway- although it was kind of great to see the differences between the two romances. The main draw for this one was Jena, Gogu & Cezar- they, along with the fabulous setting, were what made this book for me.
Although I figured out what had happened to the cousins right away it didn't lessen my enjoyment of this read at all. In fact, I think it heightened it. Jena was so unaware of what was going on and Cezar was so maddening! I haven't been this emotional over a fictional story in a while and it was a pleasure. I liked all of the sisters except for Tati. I don't have a lot of patience with girls who waste away for love- but I see why the story was better for it in the end. I could have done without that side story anyway- although it was kind of great to see the differences between the two romances. The main draw for this one was Jena, Gogu & Cezar- they, along with the fabulous setting, were what made this book for me.