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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
it was sad, then more sad, the uplifting, then sad, then SO CUTE AND GOOD, then devastatingly sad again and then possibly hopeful.
anyways, im gonna read the next one asap.
anyways, im gonna read the next one asap.
adventurous
dark
medium-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
dark
medium-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:
Complicated
2.5/5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review
Content warnings:
I'm usually a big fan of retellings, be it for myths or fairy tales, so I went into this with high hopes. This book is a retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale but with a twist in that its also a love story between the Princess Aurora and the Dark Grace Alyce.
The book is very slow in the first 50% and the action doesn't really begin until the last quarter - and by then there's only so few pages left. The worldbuilding is given immediately and I'm bogged down by all the details trying to keep everything straight and piece it all together. I wish that the details had been interwoven some more throughout rather than given immediately - perhaps it's only me, since I have trouble keeping up with high fantasy novels, but I found it hard keeping up with all the details about the different regions and alliances. I didn't expect the things to do with the monarchy and allegiances to be such an integral part of the book, but I know its an aspect that lots of fantasy readers enjoy so I'm sure others will like it more than I did.
I rooted for Alyce the entire way through, but I didn't care much for the other characters. I wish we had gotten more from Aurora, she did seem like a great character but I think tinged with Alyce's view of her, we didn't really get a multifaceted view of her. Alyce, however, was a complex character and I liked reading about her discovering more about her magical abilities. It was intriguing to read about, but wish it had been executed better to be more exciting.
Overall, this is a good book for fans of epic fantasy books and fairy tale retellings, but just wasn't for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review
Content warnings:
Spoiler
child abuse, torture, blood, medical trauma, death.I'm usually a big fan of retellings, be it for myths or fairy tales, so I went into this with high hopes. This book is a retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale but with a twist in that its also a love story between the Princess Aurora and the Dark Grace Alyce.
The book is very slow in the first 50% and the action doesn't really begin until the last quarter - and by then there's only so few pages left. The worldbuilding is given immediately and I'm bogged down by all the details trying to keep everything straight and piece it all together. I wish that the details had been interwoven some more throughout rather than given immediately - perhaps it's only me, since I have trouble keeping up with high fantasy novels, but I found it hard keeping up with all the details about the different regions and alliances. I didn't expect the things to do with the monarchy and allegiances to be such an integral part of the book, but I know its an aspect that lots of fantasy readers enjoy so I'm sure others will like it more than I did.
I rooted for Alyce the entire way through, but I didn't care much for the other characters. I wish we had gotten more from Aurora, she did seem like a great character but I think tinged with Alyce's view of her, we didn't really get a multifaceted view of her. Alyce, however, was a complex character and I liked reading about her discovering more about her magical abilities. It was intriguing to read about, but wish it had been executed better to be more exciting.
Overall, this is a good book for fans of epic fantasy books and fairy tale retellings, but just wasn't for me.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Overall I enjoyed this book but I found the writing a bit repetitive at points
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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:
Complicated
This book is an interesting adaptation of the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty. I liked the characters. I loved the political intrigue! I was drawn in by the fictional history and magical beings of this world. I tend to avoid romance books. I don't personally enjoy reading sex scenes. I expected some kissing, and was happy to be right. I however was surprised by the more NC17 details.
adventurous
dark
tense
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:
Complicated