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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
2.5/5 stars
"This is the kind of love poets write about... My heart was learning a new rhythm, I am in love with her."
This book had an interesting concept. Some moments stood out more than others, especially the parts narrated by Lope. I liked her parts the most and deserved better. The bigger picture didn't fully land for me, sadly. I was curious going in (go sapphic stories), but I struggled to stay invested in the story.
The writing had a nice tone and the atmosphere was definitely there, but at the same time it felt like something was missing, and not the kind that has you longing for me...
I think the book had a lot of potential, and I can understand how it might work for someone else, but it ended up feeling more like a miss than a hit for me.
"This is the kind of love poets write about... My heart was learning a new rhythm, I am in love with her."
This book had an interesting concept. Some moments stood out more than others, especially the parts narrated by Lope. I liked her parts the most and deserved better. The bigger picture didn't fully land for me, sadly. I was curious going in (go sapphic stories), but I struggled to stay invested in the story.
The writing had a nice tone and the atmosphere was definitely there, but at the same time it felt like something was missing, and not the kind that has you longing for me...
I think the book had a lot of potential, and I can understand how it might work for someone else, but it ended up feeling more like a miss than a hit for me.
didn’t finish it before libby took it back. wasn’t really feeling it anyway, so that’s okay.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think where this book excels is in its writing. Bakewell is a great writer who does well in crafting fantasy worlds and lovely prose. Her imagery always reminds me of Ghibli-inspired worlds, which has made her popular in cozy fantasy.
I think my main problem with Where Shadows Bloom (and a lot of people's based on comments) is the MC Ofelia. I get that she is meant to be this innocent and perhaps naive girl, but to a certain extent it gets a little tiring. Especially when it comes to her romance with Lope, who also has a POV and is very likeable. I also didn't love the ending for the book.
Where Shadows Bloom - 3.5⭐/5
I think my main problem with Where Shadows Bloom (and a lot of people's based on comments) is the MC Ofelia. I get that she is meant to be this innocent and perhaps naive girl, but to a certain extent it gets a little tiring. Especially when it comes to her romance with Lope, who also has a POV and is very likeable. I also didn't love the ending for the book.
Where Shadows Bloom - 3.5⭐/5
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The conflict between the two main characters felt underdeveloped amd frustrating and made one of them less likeable. The miscommunication and one character jumping to conclusions so easily made it difficult for the reader to emphathise.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed the world and wished to know a bit more. The ending fell a bit flat for me. It would be something I'd like when I was younger. I adored the knight Lope and was annoyed with Ofelia often. I know it was apart of her naivety but she didn't trust Lope who she had known for years. I didn't care for them as a couple.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Not very deep and some character decisions were annoying, but it did keep me resting until the end.