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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was so moody! Very depressing. I love how words can paint a better picture sometimes than a picture itself. The story is very confusing at first, and then unravels, page by page, to finally make sense at the end. 3 or 4 stars, I can't decide.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Self harm
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Interesting concept, nice and spooky, and with a mute protagonist which was a fun first for me!
Overall though, the book leads oh so slowly up to a conclusion that feels flat. All of Schwabs writing is evocative and pretty, but there is just not enough in the book for a satisfying story.
So the protag goes in to save the brother, but okay, he's dead and it's a trap, alright, but then the living cousin sacrifices himself. And I get it, he was suicidal, he was tired, it was a fitting end, him being able to protect her and then finally rest. Except... the only reason they were ever in danger was to get his (dead) brother, and that didn't happen, so it really feels like he died for nothing, especially since now his burden shifts to her. Because also, btw, the main threat isn't handled by these circumstances at all. It's a big loss for a net nothing gained. It's supposed to be bittersweet, and in writing it is, but since the book is so short, as a reader, you know so little about these characters and don't get the time to grow attached to them, so when they die to accomplish nothing it just feels silly.
Overall though, the book leads oh so slowly up to a conclusion that feels flat. All of Schwabs writing is evocative and pretty, but there is just not enough in the book for a satisfying story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Ableism, Suicidal thoughts
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
[3.5]
i wouldn’t exactly say this is V.E. Schwab’s best book—it felt kind of flat sometimes and i didn’t connect to any of the characters—, but it was a quick, well-written read and i did enjoy it!
i wouldn’t exactly say this is V.E. Schwab’s best book—it felt kind of flat sometimes and i didn’t connect to any of the characters—, but it was a quick, well-written read and i did enjoy it!
adventurous
medium-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