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idle_reader's review against another edition
3.0
This is probably closer to a 2.5 for me. This was 100% not what I was expecting from this book so it was hard to get into it. I was expecting a thriller and instead got a dark fantasy that fell very short.
I think I would have abandoned this book had it not been one of my book club choices for the month. The character development of everyone, including Cassie was lacking. The way the story was told made it so hard to get a feel for any of the characters. I felt that there was never any answers for whether or not what was happening was in Cassie’s head as a result of trying to deal with trauma or if it was all true? It’s hard to get a read on that because the only POV you get is Cassie and she never even questions her sanity for one second despite everyone around her telling her she’s batshit crazy.
I will also say that whatever Pepper-Man was, fake or real, the grooming of Cassie from a young age was pretty messed up. Not sure I liked that at all.
I need to read another book before October is over to finish on a good note.
I think I would have abandoned this book had it not been one of my book club choices for the month. The character development of everyone, including Cassie was lacking. The way the story was told made it so hard to get a feel for any of the characters. I felt that there was never any answers for whether or not what was happening was in Cassie’s head as a result of trying to deal with trauma or if it was all true? It’s hard to get a read on that because the only POV you get is Cassie and she never even questions her sanity for one second despite everyone around her telling her she’s batshit crazy.
I will also say that whatever Pepper-Man was, fake or real, the grooming of Cassie from a young age was pretty messed up. Not sure I liked that at all.
I need to read another book before October is over to finish on a good note.
daniellesshelves12's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
humblebee20's review
4.0
I came into this expecting a murder thriller and got a dark fairytale romance. While I'm not disappointed at all with what I read, I will say this book made me lose interest a couple times with its pacing and had I not been speeding through it, I probably wouldn't have been as happy with it. The romance feels real and raw, with layers of abuse wrapped in mental delusions, that left me fully aligned with he narrator. The book lets you draw you own conclusions, even with overwhelming evidence for the main character's side, and I found it fun to pretend to be the devil's advocate as I read.
The story deals with verbal and sexual abuse, as well as self harm, violence and suicide, and the first page will warn you of some of it. But I also completely forgot about the newspaper clipping at the beginning and man, that will punch you in the gut later.
While not all of this book was for me, I can see what the author was going for, and I have to give credit where credit is due. The book is dripping with wet language, the nature she describes seeping from the pages. A great book for those who feel like they're the only sane one in a room full of idiots.
The story deals with verbal and sexual abuse, as well as self harm, violence and suicide, and the first page will warn you of some of it. But I also completely forgot about the newspaper clipping at the beginning and man, that will punch you in the gut later.
While not all of this book was for me, I can see what the author was going for, and I have to give credit where credit is due. The book is dripping with wet language, the nature she describes seeping from the pages. A great book for those who feel like they're the only sane one in a room full of idiots.
blueovalgyrl03's review
dark
reflective
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
claracalymayor's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Excellent! Slow start, definitely worth continuing
hick's review against another edition
It's well-written but:
1. I have zero interest in the fantastical.
2. The fairies being a stand-in for her father's sexual abuse against her is so overdone and obvious to the extent of the story feeling pointless.
1. I have zero interest in the fantastical.
2. The fairies being a stand-in for her father's sexual abuse against her is so overdone and obvious to the extent of the story feeling pointless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia
capnlinnius's review against another edition
3.0
Rated something like a 2.75/5, rounded up because I didn't actively dislike it.
It's not a bad book, but I feel like there is something lacking. While I understand the ambiguity that the author went for, I feel that instead of adding to the story, it left it feeling empty.
I enjoyed the writing, flowery as it was, because it fit with the character of Cassandra Tipp, romance novelist and living with fairies. And I appreciate what this story attempted, but it fell short for me.
All in all, I think I will keep an eye out for future works, but I'm not going to hold my breath until then.
It's not a bad book, but I feel like there is something lacking. While I understand the ambiguity that the author went for, I feel that instead of adding to the story, it left it feeling empty.
I enjoyed the writing, flowery as it was, because it fit with the character of Cassandra Tipp, romance novelist and living with fairies. And I appreciate what this story attempted, but it fell short for me.
Spoiler
I think I would have enjoyed it more if we got some actual insight into the nephew and niece, instead of just Cassandra's assumptions of their lives and what they think and feel. They felt extremely made up, probably because, as she notes several times, she doesn't actually know them. Something to give me, as a reader, more of an investment in their choice (take the money and possibly the fairies, or leave it alone), and not just Cassandra telling me what they will probably choose. I never felt as though the story really mattered, because I never felt a real connection to any of the characters, and though it is presented as "you will get to know her", I feel as though I never actually got to know Cassandra. If anything, it felt like a made up story, and I'm not sure a work of fiction is supposed to leave me feeling that way.All in all, I think I will keep an eye out for future works, but I'm not going to hold my breath until then.
baileys_bookstagram's review against another edition
4.0
This novel is going to be hard to describe in words that will truly convey the magic, the emotion, and the mystery shrouded within.
I was completely enraptured by this novel and willingly turned every page. It is haunting yet magical. The story is written as a letter to Cassandra Tipps niece and nephew. It is part of the to do list they must complete before they are allowed to inherit all of their Aunts great fortune.
Cassandra is the eccentric albeit black sheep of the family who had success as a romance novelist later in life. The reader is whisked away into the terrible world of faeries that has surrounded Cassandra since she was a young girl. These are not your run of the mill storybook fairies but dark, dangerous and not dead beings that leech life. Pepper-Man has been with Cassandra as far back as she can remember. He starts off as a play friend of sorts but evolves into lover/husband/murderer???
It is difficult to decipher this novel, on one hand is Cassandra living in this supernatural world because it's real? Or is this the product of severe trauma and mental illness in a life that has forced her to create this dark fantasy for herself?
I, as well as many others i'm sure, will be left with so many questions at the end of this book. I felt heavy emotions with this book, it wasn't uplifting in a magical sort of way, it was shrouded in tragedy and darkness. This book definitely won't be for everyone but I am so glad that I was gifted an ARC in exchange for an honest review, Thank you to the Publisher, and Netgalley, please give this novel a chance you will not be disappointed.
I was completely enraptured by this novel and willingly turned every page. It is haunting yet magical. The story is written as a letter to Cassandra Tipps niece and nephew. It is part of the to do list they must complete before they are allowed to inherit all of their Aunts great fortune.
Cassandra is the eccentric albeit black sheep of the family who had success as a romance novelist later in life. The reader is whisked away into the terrible world of faeries that has surrounded Cassandra since she was a young girl. These are not your run of the mill storybook fairies but dark, dangerous and not dead beings that leech life. Pepper-Man has been with Cassandra as far back as she can remember. He starts off as a play friend of sorts but evolves into lover/husband/murderer???
It is difficult to decipher this novel, on one hand is Cassandra living in this supernatural world because it's real? Or is this the product of severe trauma and mental illness in a life that has forced her to create this dark fantasy for herself?
I, as well as many others i'm sure, will be left with so many questions at the end of this book. I felt heavy emotions with this book, it wasn't uplifting in a magical sort of way, it was shrouded in tragedy and darkness. This book definitely won't be for everyone but I am so glad that I was gifted an ARC in exchange for an honest review, Thank you to the Publisher, and Netgalley, please give this novel a chance you will not be disappointed.
caitlinmhill's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have never read anything like this. I felt like I was hallucinating as well. You don't know what is real and what isn't.