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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
YA fairytale – a bit cinderella, a bit sleeping beauty, but with a female villain in the prince role. Really liked the first half, bit 'meh' about the second half. May still have to read the second book to find out what happens.
Oooh. Ok. I was feeling like this was a solid 4 and then everything started happening at the end and it got really good. The buildup was a bit slower than I wanted, but it looks like this was a debut, so that's not really surprising.
Briar is a queendom in name only, where the queens have slowly given up their power to their husbands. There is a curse on the line of princesses, wrought by a vila and softened by the fae, that they will die if they do not kiss their true love by age 21.
Through an agreement with the fae, some humans (the Graces) have magic that they can use to do good magic with blood and potions. They're all awful, narcissistic, and shallow. But Alyce is the Dark Grace – a half-vila who can only do curses and poisons. In this society, the Graces must make potions to do the bidding of humans until their magic runs out and they're cast aside. Alyce is forced to euthanize royals or make ugly potions, and she wants to escape in any way she can.
And then she meets the crown princess, who doesn't care if she's a monster.
It's a fascinating and dark retelling. I'm sure Walter isn't the first person to think "what if the evil fairy and the princess were in love," but a monarchy meant to be a matriarchy, which has enslaved the fae, is new. I'm looking forward to reading the second book.
Briar is a queendom in name only, where the queens have slowly given up their power to their husbands. There is a curse on the line of princesses, wrought by a vila and softened by the fae, that they will die if they do not kiss their true love by age 21.
Through an agreement with the fae, some humans (the Graces) have magic that they can use to do good magic with blood and potions. They're all awful, narcissistic, and shallow. But Alyce is the Dark Grace – a half-vila who can only do curses and poisons. In this society, the Graces must make potions to do the bidding of humans until their magic runs out and they're cast aside. Alyce is forced to euthanize royals or make ugly potions, and she wants to escape in any way she can.
And then she meets the crown princess, who doesn't care if she's a monster.
It's a fascinating and dark retelling. I'm sure Walter isn't the first person to think "what if the evil fairy and the princess were in love," but a monarchy meant to be a matriarchy, which has enslaved the fae, is new. I'm looking forward to reading the second book.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I honestly really enjoyed this retelling. It was full of story as well as world building, but neither over powered the other. The characters relationships are messy, which I love, and the end is heart wrenching. Also we love a well written ~scene~.
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes