Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THIS IS A HISTORICAL GOTHIC FANTASY!! if you don’t hold that thought it can feel very easy to give this a pass over or lower rating but the gothic story in here is beautiful. the writing is perfectly flowery and I loved it!
if you liked the winternight trilogy you’d like this! (honestly had I not JUST finished that series myself this might even have a higher rating)
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Some of the prose in this book was achingly beautiful, but most of it was over wrought and dragged the story. The plot could have been really dynamic, but it lacked structure and form.
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I saw this book described in another review as “more vibes than plot”, which I absolutely agree with.
For me, though, it worked! I really enjoyed the vibe of this book- the very classic fairy tale feel with the Chicago setting, which is very nostalgic for me since I grew up there.
This is a great book if you’re in the mood for a dark, moody, fantasy story without a whole lot of specifics.
For me, though, it worked! I really enjoyed the vibe of this book- the very classic fairy tale feel with the Chicago setting, which is very nostalgic for me since I grew up there.
This is a great book if you’re in the mood for a dark, moody, fantasy story without a whole lot of specifics.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Don’t pick this up if you are looking for a fast paced fantasy!!!
The prose is very lofty and lyrical and it really slows down the pace of the book to make you sit with the magical moments and the thoughts/feelings of the main character. I found it really ethereal and sweeping, but could definitely see someone picking this up unprepared and in the wrong mindset. I recommend reading this slowly so every word and phrase can seep in.
The prose is very lofty and lyrical and it really slows down the pace of the book to make you sit with the magical moments and the thoughts/feelings of the main character. I found it really ethereal and sweeping, but could definitely see someone picking this up unprepared and in the wrong mindset. I recommend reading this slowly so every word and phrase can seep in.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with an ARC of this book. The release date is set for February 2023.
This novel follows a ballerina as she ascends in the ranks of her ballet group while also catching the attention of a rich patron. To say much more of the plot would be to spoil the heart of this story, so I’ll leave it there.
I found the language beautifully poetic, the imagery engrossing, and our main character Grace sympathetic. I was never quite sure where the story was heading, constantly surprised by the twists and turns. It’s The Black Swan meets Beauty and the Beast, lovely and tragic and beautiful and terrifying all at once.
If I have any complaints about this book it would be that it felt like a huge shift in tone and genre at about the 40% mark. It was jarring at first, but I quickly shifted my own expectations (that is, I abandoned them entirely) and continued on with an open mind. I was rewarded with a captivating story that I had not been expecting.
This novel follows a ballerina as she ascends in the ranks of her ballet group while also catching the attention of a rich patron. To say much more of the plot would be to spoil the heart of this story, so I’ll leave it there.
I found the language beautifully poetic, the imagery engrossing, and our main character Grace sympathetic. I was never quite sure where the story was heading, constantly surprised by the twists and turns. It’s The Black Swan meets Beauty and the Beast, lovely and tragic and beautiful and terrifying all at once.
If I have any complaints about this book it would be that it felt like a huge shift in tone and genre at about the 40% mark. It was jarring at first, but I quickly shifted my own expectations (that is, I abandoned them entirely) and continued on with an open mind. I was rewarded with a captivating story that I had not been expecting.