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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this book, it was a fun fairytale read. :) I loved the storyline, Jena, Gogu, the younger sisters, the Other Kingdom... I loved the drama, the adventure, the love, the fantasy. But...the character I least liked was not Cezar but Tati. Ugghhh! She was like a limp noodle. Am I supposed to not like her? I know I'm supposed to not like, maybe pity Cezar but Tati? She had a few (scant few) moments where I liked her but other then that she bugged. But maybe that's me. Overall I really enjoyed the book and I will be reading #2 in the series. :)
12 dancing princesses + frog prince + vampires + fairies + witches + spunky bright girl with modern sensibilities = sparkling YA fantasy.
I wonder if there'll be a sequel.
I wonder if there'll be a sequel.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was expecting to really like this book. I've enjoyed Juliet Marillier's previous books and am a huge fan of young adult fantasy type fiction. This book was just... boring. I had to keep forcing myself to pick it up until I got 3/4 of the way through, when it finally picked up a little. I think the problem was there just wasn't enough development of the relationship between Gogo and Jena post-frog.
I am a huge fan of Marillier. And I have been since her first book came out in ’99. She combines my two favorite genres, which are fantasy and history, and always weaves a magical and educating tale. I read Wildwood Dancing a couple years ago and finally got around to reading Cybele’s Secret this month. A huge time gap, but I felt it was worth reviewing both because it was easy to pick back up and enter the world of Transylvania where five sisters grow up near a portal to the Other Kingdom. The Other Kingdom being that magical place where many of us fantasy geeks all long to fall prey to. Where old world deities, fae, and all manner of magical folk dwell.
In Wildwood Dancing, the book takes place in Transylvania and is the first book of the two book series. The sisters often sneak out and enter the Other Kingdom for dancing and merriment. The fae world always likes to meddle in humans’ lives and in both stories this is a constant. In Cybele’s Secret, the story revolves around only one of the five sisters, Paula, who takes a business trip with her father to Istanbul.
Marillier often has running themes in many of her books. You can usually count on there being a love story and a magical component of some sort. In addition, the Other Kingdom is usually lurking around waiting to set tests and challenges for the mortals that are meant to better them and help the mortals mature and find themselves. They often are historically researched as well for consistency because many of her stories deal with certain time periods and various cultures, like ancient Celts, Norse, or in this case ancient Turkish society.
If you enjoy romance, magic and danger then these books are probably for you. I am a bit biased with this author and have a hard time ever saying anything negative. She truly is a master at her craft and you will be enthralled and captured by her storytelling. I recommend not reading it right after a break up though, because it may make you a bit sour.
In Wildwood Dancing, the book takes place in Transylvania and is the first book of the two book series. The sisters often sneak out and enter the Other Kingdom for dancing and merriment. The fae world always likes to meddle in humans’ lives and in both stories this is a constant. In Cybele’s Secret, the story revolves around only one of the five sisters, Paula, who takes a business trip with her father to Istanbul.
Marillier often has running themes in many of her books. You can usually count on there being a love story and a magical component of some sort. In addition, the Other Kingdom is usually lurking around waiting to set tests and challenges for the mortals that are meant to better them and help the mortals mature and find themselves. They often are historically researched as well for consistency because many of her stories deal with certain time periods and various cultures, like ancient Celts, Norse, or in this case ancient Turkish society.
If you enjoy romance, magic and danger then these books are probably for you. I am a bit biased with this author and have a hard time ever saying anything negative. She truly is a master at her craft and you will be enthralled and captured by her storytelling. I recommend not reading it right after a break up though, because it may make you a bit sour.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Yes
i actually really liked this! i read this on the beach ☺ i thought the ending with her sister was so bittersweet though like ur telling me:
1.she fell in love with a dude she met once a month
2.she was so in love with him that she neglected her sisters and her OWN wellbeing
3. she leaves with him to this realm where she will never see her sisters ever again.
1.she fell in love with a dude she met once a month
2.she was so in love with him that she neglected her sisters and her OWN wellbeing
3. she leaves with him to this realm where she will never see her sisters ever again.
emotional
hopeful
tense
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