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arsenic_and_ivy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
lenamoat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
beautiful dark nature references, semi-rich prose & a lovely little easy read. my only real gripe is that it felt like the plot was quite rushed & not fleshed out as much as it could've been for such an immersive world. but this is VES"s first novel (I believe ?) and it's very satisfying to see where her style, ideas, prose & world building came from since I'm such a big fan of her other works.
hathorslibrary's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Very engaging story with a great plot and some cool, dark twists. It was a little too slow paced for me, and the love interest felt… unnecessary.
monno_moo's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book from start to end. I loved the concept of this book, and I could definitely tell it came from the mind of V.E Schwab. Although it was her first book I could see her normal style forming, which was something I really loved seeing. I could tell in some parts she was timid in her writing to make bigger risks in her writing, but I'm still happy with it overall. I loved the world she created in this story, and while it does have forms of magic in it, it's toned down from her usual writings. As always V.E Schwab is one of my favorite authors and I desperately wish I could jump into any of the worlds she has created. I cannot wait for her new book to come out later this year and many more to come!
lgriffith's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
qog's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.25
lauriebell667's review against another edition
5.0
A stranger arrives and children go missing. Its a terror tale with a high creep factor and a terrific read. In the town of Near a story is told to keep history alive, but its been so long and as is the wont of things, the story is regarded as a myth, a tale, a fiction.
But is it?
Beautifully written. The worldbuilding is superb. The magic and mystery is gripping, and the characters have a depth that is easy to fall into and be swept away in. Lexi must battle small town attitudes to women, and forge her own identity despite being constantly told she must “submit” to type. Lexi is a fighter… And she won’t be told what to do. The children are in danger and Lexi is determined to find them. Even if she must confront the Near Witch herself to do it.
Its a love story too. Lexi is drawn to the Stranger… He’s so different from the small town, tiny minds that she is surrounded by and she finds herself needing to learn all about him. But the timing is suspicious. Is he the reason the children are disappearing? Lexi must find them all before her little sister vanishes too.
Her father taught Lexi the ways of the moor. She’s not going to let him down. A fabulous read. I very much recommend it.
But is it?
Beautifully written. The worldbuilding is superb. The magic and mystery is gripping, and the characters have a depth that is easy to fall into and be swept away in. Lexi must battle small town attitudes to women, and forge her own identity despite being constantly told she must “submit” to type. Lexi is a fighter… And she won’t be told what to do. The children are in danger and Lexi is determined to find them. Even if she must confront the Near Witch herself to do it.
Its a love story too. Lexi is drawn to the Stranger… He’s so different from the small town, tiny minds that she is surrounded by and she finds herself needing to learn all about him. But the timing is suspicious. Is he the reason the children are disappearing? Lexi must find them all before her little sister vanishes too.
Her father taught Lexi the ways of the moor. She’s not going to let him down. A fabulous read. I very much recommend it.
nahlareadss's review against another edition
1.0
DNF halfway through
Apart from the writing this book was simply bad. The world made 0 sense and nothing was explained. In 150 pages we had 0 explanation. Not only did it frustrate me but also bored me.
Apart from the writing this book was simply bad. The world made 0 sense and nothing was explained. In 150 pages we had 0 explanation. Not only did it frustrate me but also bored me.