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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I don't know what it is about this book. It's not my type; it's filled with things I'd roll my eyes at any other time: clichés, sappy fantasy, unlikely conversation... and yet. And yet, it totally captured my imagination.
Wildwood Dancing is both familiar and wondrously strange. It takes a lot of fairy-tale tradition and weaves it together in one seamless tapestry of color. Its pages are thick with winter, seclusion, cozy rooms and wild places, while through it all runs a definite atmosphere of magic and mystery. You will definetly recognize many of the elements of the wildwood from all your childhood fairy-tales, and you will certainly know what rules are at play here; but other things won't be so obvious, and that's what gives this book its edge.
What I truly loved about this book is the way that almost all fairy-tale folklore was here, from the most innocent to the most evil. And how Marillier didn't shy away from plunging the reader into the darkest recesses of that folklore. As children we read that the evil witch is evil, that vampires are bad, but we never get any closer than that. Here the heroine is plunged right into the dark side of fantasy, and she has to struggle with what that means.
Finally, what really trapped me was the feeling of the book. It was seeped in emotion, at times subtle and at others quite palpable: fear, tension, romance, exhuberation. Some scenes are completely etched in my mind, not in words but in beautiful images and and tense emotion. And an author who can do that is, in my opinion, quite talented.
Bumped up to 5 stars because, weeks after, I just can't untagle this story from my mind
Wildwood Dancing is both familiar and wondrously strange. It takes a lot of fairy-tale tradition and weaves it together in one seamless tapestry of color. Its pages are thick with winter, seclusion, cozy rooms and wild places, while through it all runs a definite atmosphere of magic and mystery. You will definetly recognize many of the elements of the wildwood from all your childhood fairy-tales, and you will certainly know what rules are at play here; but other things won't be so obvious, and that's what gives this book its edge.
What I truly loved about this book is the way that almost all fairy-tale folklore was here, from the most innocent to the most evil. And how Marillier didn't shy away from plunging the reader into the darkest recesses of that folklore. As children we read that the evil witch is evil, that vampires are bad, but we never get any closer than that. Here the heroine is plunged right into the dark side of fantasy, and she has to struggle with what that means.
Finally, what really trapped me was the feeling of the book. It was seeped in emotion, at times subtle and at others quite palpable: fear, tension, romance, exhuberation. Some scenes are completely etched in my mind, not in words but in beautiful images and and tense emotion. And an author who can do that is, in my opinion, quite talented.
Bumped up to 5 stars because, weeks after, I just can't untagle this story from my mind
I like the truth, even when it does trouble me.
If a man has to say trust me it's a sure sign you cannot. Trust him, that is. Trust is a thing you do without words.
Not all were joyful tales; we needed to acknowledge that love was not just kisses, smiles, and fulfillment, but also sacrifice, compromise, and hard work.
This was a lovely fairytale story, I particularly loved the sort-of dreamy atmosphere created by the writing style. The characters were interesting, and felt believable despite the fantastical elements. I enjoyed the plot as well, but the imagery and the characters really sold this book for me!
If a man has to say trust me it's a sure sign you cannot. Trust him, that is. Trust is a thing you do without words.
Not all were joyful tales; we needed to acknowledge that love was not just kisses, smiles, and fulfillment, but also sacrifice, compromise, and hard work.
This was a lovely fairytale story, I particularly loved the sort-of dreamy atmosphere created by the writing style. The characters were interesting, and felt believable despite the fantastical elements. I enjoyed the plot as well, but the imagery and the characters really sold this book for me!
This book was a little slow to start, but I really enjoyed it by the end.
I ended up liking this, but it felt like the story took forever to get going. I liked the characters, the tension between Cezar and Jena, etc. However, I hated, and I mean hated, Sorrow and Tatiana. I’m always on the lookout for love stories that actually portray healthy romantic attachment. Tatiana literally wastes away, refuses to eat, isolated herself from her sisters, and neglects her responsibilities. That’s not healthy, and to portray that kind of obsessive behavior as “true love” is really irresponsible.
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars, rounded up.
There were points when I was convinced that I was going to rate this 5-stars. I loved the Frog Prince retelling plotline. So much. (Well, the build-up and reveal was better than the actual conclusion, I think, but I loved it nonetheless. I'm also not going to touch on the whole frog-watching-Jena-undress-all-her-life thing.)
But UGH, the Tati/Stewart-from-Letterkenny romance just killed it for me. Tati literally starving herself for love was such a creepy, dysfunctional message. :/
There were points when I was convinced that I was going to rate this 5-stars. I loved the Frog Prince retelling plotline. So much. (Well, the build-up and reveal was better than the actual conclusion, I think, but I loved it nonetheless. I'm also not going to touch on the whole frog-watching-Jena-undress-all-her-life thing.)
But UGH, the Tati/Stewart-from-Letterkenny romance just killed it for me. Tati literally starving herself for love was such a creepy, dysfunctional message. :/
This was an interesting tale that was meandering in parts and too slow for me to fully enjoy. The writting style is very whimsical and heavy on the dream like fairytale elements
We are in a interesting setting, a family (father and 5 daughters) living a solitary life, but they have access to a portal that takes them to the realm of the Fey.
When their father becomes ill, he is forced to move away for the winter and the home becomes the responsability of the uncle and cousin who may have ulterior motives. The 5 sisters are spending their time learning, managing the home and exploring the realm of the fey.
When Jena, one of the sisters falls for a vampire, they are dropped in hot water.
We are in a interesting setting, a family (father and 5 daughters) living a solitary life, but they have access to a portal that takes them to the realm of the Fey.
When their father becomes ill, he is forced to move away for the winter and the home becomes the responsability of the uncle and cousin who may have ulterior motives. The 5 sisters are spending their time learning, managing the home and exploring the realm of the fey.
When Jena, one of the sisters falls for a vampire, they are dropped in hot water.
A cool twist on the 12 dancing princesses story.
This book was beautifully written and had a wonderful world. The cover makes my heart happy, and the retellings were just wonderful. I enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it.
Mostly because no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't wrap my head around the "Night People" because I feel vampires have nothing to offer in a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, at least in the world that was made up. Based in Transylvania they fit, but with the rest of the creatures, and the blending of the Frog Prince, they just felt stuck in for plot. I very much loved the writing, though. It was fluent and beautiful and fit well into the setting.
Also, Cezar is a dick.
Mostly because no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't wrap my head around the "Night People" because I feel vampires have nothing to offer in a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, at least in the world that was made up. Based in Transylvania they fit, but with the rest of the creatures, and the blending of the Frog Prince, they just felt stuck in for plot.
Spoiler
I still have no feelings towards Anastasia and Tadaeuz, and I feel like the plot would have been stronger without them. Also, I knew that Gogu was Costi after about 30 pages. Maybe I'm too into retellings and I saw through it but it was so very predictable.Also, Cezar is a dick.
I really enjoyed Marillier's use of fairy talea and myths to create this story. I also just absolutely love Marillier's writing style. i am completely enraptured every time!