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3.27 AVERAGE
3.27 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
mysterious
medium-paced
Thank you Del Rey and NetGalley for the eARC of Nocturne! All opinions in this review are my own.
Nocturne is a blend of Beauty and the Beast, The Phantom of the Opera, and the Hades/Persephone myth but set in Chicago in the 1930s. While it took me a little bit to get into because of the wordiness, I ended up really enjoying Nocturne! Retellings are always hit or miss for me so I was happy I liked this one! Nocturne is the perfect read for this winter season!
dark
mysterious
sad
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
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
From the beginning of the book, the author paints a dark atmosphere that matches the underlying theme of mortality and the afterlife. As I read through, it felt like a black-and-white movie playing through my head. I can certainly see elements from Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, and Hades and Persephone stories, but this book is not just a retelling or combination of those. I found it quite sad because the romantic plot didn't quite work out.
The author used the third person point of view through the eyes of Grace, the main character. I could sense the environment and the scene's atmosphere, but I got easily distracted when Grace dwelled on the past. The sudden shift of timeline made me lose my focus instead of staying engaged with the event currently taking place. It interrupted the story's natural flow.
I had some respect for Grace due to her resilience despite the sorrows in her life. I would have definitely liked to know more about Master La Rosa, the assumed Beast/Patron/Death.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey Books for the ARC of Nocturne in exchange for my honest review.
The author used the third person point of view through the eyes of Grace, the main character. I could sense the environment and the scene's atmosphere, but I got easily distracted when Grace dwelled on the past. The sudden shift of timeline made me lose my focus instead of staying engaged with the event currently taking place. It interrupted the story's natural flow.
I had some respect for Grace due to her resilience despite the sorrows in her life. I would have definitely liked to know more about Master La Rosa, the assumed Beast/Patron/Death.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey Books for the ARC of Nocturne in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to #Netgalley for the ARC! This was a highly anticipated read, and while I did enjoy it, it did fall a bit short. I love beautiful writing, prose, and imagery, but this was often complicated in descriptions. Don’t get me wrong, it was gorgeous, but it made me tired at times. I enjoyed the dark, fantastical elements. Overall, I really enjoyed it, just not a favorite like I had hoped!
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Weird, strange, and extremely beautiful
2.5/5
So the author is very talented. Wees understands the power of words and rhythms and imagery. The story overall just didn't connect for me. I loved the beginning, it felt like Phantom of the Opera. This quickly devolves into more Beauty and the Beast or Hades and Persephone. I lost interest and contemplated not finishing the book multiple times.
So the author is very talented. Wees understands the power of words and rhythms and imagery. The story overall just didn't connect for me. I loved the beginning, it felt like Phantom of the Opera. This quickly devolves into more Beauty and the Beast or Hades and Persephone. I lost interest and contemplated not finishing the book multiple times.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Would round down to 3⭐
First half sucked -- lovely writing, but had disturbing imagery and was just extremely boring.
Second half was much better -- still lovely writing, much more interesting, I liked Grace better as a character, andI'm glad she didn't let Death kill her-- that was bothering me.
The ending was amazing. That's what brought it up the extra 0.5⭐
First half sucked -- lovely writing, but had disturbing imagery and was just extremely boring.
Second half was much better -- still lovely writing, much more interesting, I liked Grace better as a character, and
The ending was amazing. That's what brought it up the extra 0.5⭐