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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
There are some things in this book that I just can't get past and it would be unfair of me to finish it when I know already the review wouldn't be favorable.
Things I liked:
-Representation through the roof: disability, gender, sexuality, racial, etc.
-Changing Esmerelda to a magic user instead of using the Roma people.
-Making Quasimodo's appearance the least interesting thing about him
-The idea of the story and the driving action
Things I didn't like:
-The historical setting with incredibly modern language. There seemed to be no creative attempt to merge the two.
-Lack of overall connection to characters. This book was very tell instead of show when it came to emotions.
-Instalove.
-Zero tension surrounding the main relationship. Faux tension was attempted but it was rarely believable and it made the relationship too easy.
-I didn't care about anyone/anything. The writing was surprisingly dry and underdeveloped.
Things I liked:
-Representation through the roof: disability, gender, sexuality, racial, etc.
-Changing Esmerelda to a magic user instead of using the Roma people.
-Making Quasimodo's appearance the least interesting thing about him
-The idea of the story and the driving action
Things I didn't like:
-The historical setting with incredibly modern language. There seemed to be no creative attempt to merge the two.
-Lack of overall connection to characters. This book was very tell instead of show when it came to emotions.
-Instalove.
-Zero tension surrounding the main relationship. Faux tension was attempted but it was rarely believable and it made the relationship too easy.
-I didn't care about anyone/anything. The writing was surprisingly dry and underdeveloped.
I assumed that this was supposed to be a 16th-17th century setting. But the moment that the main character started worrying about what pronouns to use towards the other main character…was way too modern world for me.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, Outing, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
One of the things I appreciate the most about this author's writing is that their books can be quite dark, yet through sarcasm, quick wit, found family, etc I always walk away having had a good few chuckles and feeling kinda warm and fuzzy inside? Ahaha. Their books also manage to pull me out of slumps and this one was no different
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this one wasn’t for me. the disconnect between modern dialogue and historical (albeit fantastical) setting kept pulling me out of the story. it was probably one of the better ao3 AUs i’ve read, though.
Interesting concept. The nonbinary representation was genuinely really nice. I also appreciate that the minorities in the book were "mages" and not Roma people like in the original it felt very tactful. The magic system as a whole left a lot to be desired. Ultimately I just did not like the characters. Maybe I will finish this someday but probably not... Not a bad book at all I just kinda didn't care enough to finish it
Seeing a lot of my self in a character and reading spice that includes a non-binary person is incredible though the cliffhanger this is left on is CRIMINAL!
medium-paced
dark
emotional
tense
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