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laurenjodi's review against another edition
2.0
The Wish Granter
2 Stars
This retelling of Rumpelstiltskin does not live up to its potential mainly due to a lack of world-building and weak characterization.
As with the first book, there is little information on the various countries in Redwine's fantasy world. Aside from the fact that they exist, readers are not provided with any details about the different regimes, peoples, or species residing in each of the lands nor much about their geographic locations, climates, histories, or cultures.
In terms of the characters, the villain, Alistair Teague, is an overblown caricature of evil whose powers, actions and motivations do not make much sense. For example, To be a true fae, there should be some limits and restrictions that he is bound by.
Ari is an interesting heroine. To begin with, she is no cute and dainty princess but a strapping young woman who likes her food and engages in very unladylike pursuits including eavesdropping and head-bashing. Nevertheless, it is difficult to truly identify with her perhaps because she is rather clueless -, and never thinks of the consequences of her actions.
Sebastian is not the most original hero - big and brawny (check), brooding and tortured (check), instantly attracted to the socially awkward and curvaceous heroine (check).
All in all, there is nothing new or particularly engaging in this YA fantasy, and much of the book is a slow and tedious slog. Very unfortunate.
2 Stars
This retelling of Rumpelstiltskin does not live up to its potential mainly due to a lack of world-building and weak characterization.
As with the first book, there is little information on the various countries in Redwine's fantasy world. Aside from the fact that they exist, readers are not provided with any details about the different regimes, peoples, or species residing in each of the lands nor much about their geographic locations, climates, histories, or cultures.
In terms of the characters, the villain, Alistair Teague, is an overblown caricature of evil whose powers, actions and motivations do not make much sense. For example,
Spoiler
the terms of his contracts are quite arbitrary, i.e., he can deny wishes he doesn't like and renege on deals at any time.Ari is an interesting heroine. To begin with, she is no cute and dainty princess but a strapping young woman who likes her food and engages in very unladylike pursuits including eavesdropping and head-bashing. Nevertheless, it is difficult to truly identify with her perhaps because she is rather clueless -
Spoiler
she fails to make the glaringly obvious connection between Teague, her brother and the deaths of their father and his wife not to mention the murder of their mother and their exile.Sebastian is not the most original hero - big and brawny (check), brooding and tortured (check), instantly attracted to the socially awkward and curvaceous heroine (check).
All in all, there is nothing new or particularly engaging in this YA fantasy, and much of the book is a slow and tedious slog. Very unfortunate.
julieabe89's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a fun retelling of Rumplestiltskin. I really liked the main character and her unwillingness to give up. I am excited for the next book in the series!
mxacp96's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
love the retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. the book kept me going the whole way. loving this series
marineb09's review against another edition
5.0
I already read the first book in the Ravenspire series and it was a 5tar book ! This one if I could add more star I would !!
You have everything you need :
- A villainous villain !
- A strong female character who isn"t afraid to talk her mind, who isn't afraid to eat pie when she wants, who doesn't care of what people think of her and who love unconditionally !
- A cute-strong male protagonist
- Friendship
- Love
- Betrayal
- Magic
- Wishes
- and more ...
Please, if you enjoy retelling, this series is for you <3
You have everything you need :
- A villainous villain !
- A strong female character who isn"t afraid to talk her mind, who isn't afraid to eat pie when she wants, who doesn't care of what people think of her and who love unconditionally !
- A cute-strong male protagonist
- Friendship
- Love
- Betrayal
- Magic
- Wishes
- and more ...
Please, if you enjoy retelling, this series is for you <3
luv4horses1's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved how Ari is a bigger curvier girl and never tries to change that. Even when she starts learning to defend herself she doesn't stop loving food or trying to slim down, she just takes what she has and uses it to her advantage. It was also really cool that the events of the book take place after the entirety of the original Rumpelstiltskin tale
novelheartbeat's review against another edition
DNF @ 62%
I tried. I really did. I requested this book from Edelweiss SIX years ago like a dummy and just never got around to reading it. Now I'm clearing out old review copies, so I got the audio from my library even though I lost all interest in reading it. I really have NO clue why TF I even requested it in the first place, because I wasn't a huge fan of the first book. I guess because Redwine's books had worked for me in the past and I was hoping that the first book was a fluke.
It was not. This book was SO. GENERIC. And entirely forgettable. I wasn't enjoying it much, but I wanted to stick it through to the end. However, I went two days without listening to the audiobook (which was the only positive thing about this book because Khristine Hvam is the narrator and she's awesome) and when I picked it back up I remembered NOTHING except the Wish Granter himself. I'm not even kidding. A male character came to talk to the MC (I remember exactly zero names) and I was like, wait...who is this guy again?? Is he the brother, or the love interest? And that was when I realized it was time to move on. I made a valiant effort.
I tried. I really did. I requested this book from Edelweiss SIX years ago like a dummy and just never got around to reading it. Now I'm clearing out old review copies, so I got the audio from my library even though I lost all interest in reading it. I really have NO clue why TF I even requested it in the first place, because I wasn't a huge fan of the first book. I guess because Redwine's books had worked for me in the past and I was hoping that the first book was a fluke.
It was not. This book was SO. GENERIC. And entirely forgettable. I wasn't enjoying it much, but I wanted to stick it through to the end. However, I went two days without listening to the audiobook (which was the only positive thing about this book because Khristine Hvam is the narrator and she's awesome) and when I picked it back up I remembered NOTHING except the Wish Granter himself. I'm not even kidding. A male character came to talk to the MC (I remember exactly zero names) and I was like, wait...who is this guy again?? Is he the brother, or the love interest? And that was when I realized it was time to move on. I made a valiant effort.