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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
OHHHH MY HEART!!! THIS IS NOT OKAY!!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!!
(Lope was my favorite)
(Lope was my favorite)
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
are you fucking serious
dark
emotional
slow-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
Although I know this isn’t supposed to be a one to one retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice i do feel like the inherent lack of tragedy sort of undercuts the emotion of the story. The challenge of not looking back and the inevitability of losing Eurydice does not exist in this story, but if you are a fan of happy endings this is the book for you. I think there was a distinct lack of loss even when you think it’s coming there seems to be a way to cheapen it like giving Lope and Ophelia a way to communicate when she chooses to stay in the Underworld .
I also think the first 60-70% of the story drags on for way too long. They wander around the palace aimlessly for what feels like a long time before diving into the real mystery. This made the last 30%ish feel rushed. We didn’t even get to see much of Marisol in the end, who was the reason Lope and Ophelia do any of this in the first place. I was hoping that maybe Marisol would be the “Persephone” stand-in and decide to stay in the Underworld for half the year, having fallen in love with the King of Shadows during her time there, which i thought would have been a really fitting ending. But nope.
All that said, it’s an amazing story on its own. I actually think any references to the original story of Orpheus and Eurydice weakens this book as a whole. The yearning is amazing, the world building is beautiful, and the mystery and reveal were compelling.
I also think the first 60-70% of the story drags on for way too long. They wander around the palace aimlessly for what feels like a long time before diving into the real mystery. This made the last 30%ish feel rushed. We didn’t even get to see much of Marisol in the end, who was the reason Lope and Ophelia do any of this in the first place. I was hoping that maybe Marisol would be the “Persephone” stand-in and decide to stay in the Underworld for half the year, having fallen in love with the King of Shadows during her time there, which i thought would have been a really fitting ending. But nope.
All that said, it’s an amazing story on its own. I actually think any references to the original story of Orpheus and Eurydice weakens this book as a whole. The yearning is amazing, the world building is beautiful, and the mystery and reveal were compelling.
medium-paced
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The pacing felt off to me, like the author was trying to do too much, but I’m not sure if that’s because I don’t read YA romantacy. The 13yo who recommended it to me LOVES this book!!!
I really adored this story it just fell a little short of a 5 star. It def has a good balance of regency and fantasy vibes. The sapphic relationship made me want to swoon. Very interesting concept and the ending made me tear up (out of happiness)
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes