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huldakaren's review against another edition
4.0
I admit I bought this book, mostly because the main character shares my name. With my name that doesn't happen very often. I hadn't really read what it was about and was expecting a typical "princess with magical powers" story so I was pleasantly surprised when the main character turned out to be a troll and *SPOILER ALERT* does not end up with the prince. It's a story about a girl making mistakes, learning about the world as she struggles with her new role as a queen. And though I would have prefered the story to be a bit longer, perhaps meeting another of the clans, or finding out what happened to the prince, I must say I really enjoyed this book :)
niamhw's review against another edition
1.0
A solid attempt at retelling a fairytale, but not exactly the story of female empowerment or politics I was hoping for. Hulde's naivete and fixation on comparing everything to books was exhausting.
tsilverman's review against another edition
4.0
I love this twist on the original fairy tail. Every one got their happy ending. Well, almost.
chrisistrangerthanu's review against another edition
4.0
This was so hard for me to judge as I don't usually listen to audio books. I generally don't like hearing a book in a voice other than my own. So it's hard to tell if I would have enjoyed the book more or less than if I had been reading it quietly myself. I love Juliet Marillier though, so I had to try it.
I really enjoyed the book. Hulde was a compelling heroine, a victim of her own mother and completely unused to the world outside her castle. Her story initially parallels a famous fairytale, but as that tale ends, this tale goes on to show how characters like Hulde can have a life outside of their little bit part. Hulde is obsessed with stories and fairytales. She reminded me a lot of myself as a child, in ways both good and bad. I did find the character extremely naive to the point of irritating at times given that she was meant to be 16 for most of the book, but being reminded of her childhood did give that a bit more realism. I loved the other characters we met, and I did wish for more details about some of them and the hill folk clans we didn't get to meet. In some ways the story felt long but also rushed near the end somewhat.
I did find this book a little bit younger seeming than Marillier's other work, as though meant for children, if not for some of the graphic conversations about war. I personally prefer the more adult vibe of Marillier's other stories, but it was still a solid read. I loved seeing a fairytale about trolls and different magic and customs to what we are used to. I loved Hulde's development as a character and I loved her little crew too. It was a sweet and magical story.
I really enjoyed the book. Hulde was a compelling heroine, a victim of her own mother and completely unused to the world outside her castle. Her story initially parallels a famous fairytale, but as that tale ends, this tale goes on to show how characters like Hulde can have a life outside of their little bit part. Hulde is obsessed with stories and fairytales. She reminded me a lot of myself as a child, in ways both good and bad. I did find the character extremely naive to the point of irritating at times given that she was meant to be 16 for most of the book, but being reminded of her childhood did give that a bit more realism. I loved the other characters we met, and I did wish for more details about some of them and the hill folk clans we didn't get to meet. In some ways the story felt long but also rushed near the end somewhat.
I did find this book a little bit younger seeming than Marillier's other work, as though meant for children, if not for some of the graphic conversations about war. I personally prefer the more adult vibe of Marillier's other stories, but it was still a solid read. I loved seeing a fairytale about trolls and different magic and customs to what we are used to. I loved Hulde's development as a character and I loved her little crew too. It was a sweet and magical story.
lighterthaneyre's review against another edition
3.0
Part 1 has a very old school fairy tale vibe, which I mean in the best way. Part 2 and 3 is simultaneously a little pretentious and out of touch with either a YA tone or a sheltered teenage tone. The protagonist gets sex described to them with frogs, and then immediately a battle scene.
So you know. Strong moments, weird middle and end. Its a quick read, but it was definitely engaging in places.
So you know. Strong moments, weird middle and end. Its a quick read, but it was definitely engaging in places.
tyrshand's review against another edition
4.0
Much of this is charming and fun, while exploring how independence and solitude mix and conflict, as well as how to recognize true companionship. It straddles the line between YA and adult, making it appeal to a wide audience. However, there is quite a lot going on here and as the story moves on it begins to feel more and more like too much is happening too quickly. I'd have enjoyed a more leisurely trek through the latter half of the book. I did love that the troll princess got to be the star, though, and may never view the heroine of West of the Sun, East of the Moon in the same way again. (what a jerk) I also appreciated the idea that stories have power.