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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm going to start reading the author's note before I read books. I feel like it contextualizes a lot of the things I read especially with this one. I read it after, and after exploring it in journal pages on here, it has helped me to understand the story better.
Everything that happens in the end feels fated in a way. Not predictable especially if you go into it as I did knowing nothing about the book other than the fact that it was a sapphic retelling of sleeping beauty though personally I would say it more so falls into the category of "villain origin story that happens to be sapphic" more than anything. I feel like the book is more about Alyce's character, who she is, why she is, and what happens to her, and the results of that. It for me, beneath the surface of cool fairytale fantasy retelling, is a character study. Or a study of prejudice. Of cause and effect. How things that happened centuries ago can still affect and influence us to this day. It's almost an allegory for how our childhood effects us. We think it has nothing to do with our actions, but if we really stopped and investigated, I think we would find more connections than we think.
It was very well written. The worldbuilding was great. I look forward to the sequel and I have literally no idea what to expect.
Everything that happens in the end feels fated in a way. Not predictable especially if you go into it as I did knowing nothing about the book other than the fact that it was a sapphic retelling of sleeping beauty though personally I would say it more so falls into the category of "villain origin story that happens to be sapphic" more than anything. I feel like the book is more about Alyce's character, who she is, why she is, and what happens to her, and the results of that. It for me, beneath the surface of cool fairytale fantasy retelling, is a character study. Or a study of prejudice. Of cause and effect. How things that happened centuries ago can still affect and influence us to this day. It's almost an allegory for how our childhood effects us. We think it has nothing to do with our actions, but if we really stopped and investigated, I think we would find more connections than we think.
It was very well written. The worldbuilding was great. I look forward to the sequel and I have literally no idea what to expect.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
medium-paced
Who doesn't love a reimagined villain story? Make it a gay and obviously I'm in, no questions asked. Vibe-wise this is in the same vein as Wicked and Circe but far less prosaic and less mature. A light and campy read, predictable and tropey but that's what makes it comforting. Overall cute and fun queer YA fantasy.
This made me realize I've been reading bad Sapphic romances. I thoroughly enjoyed this. There is very strong character development, and I love how the author wasn't afraid to truly take this to some dark places. Aurora was a delight to have on screen every time she made an appearance, and loved her interactions with Alyce and their romance felt very believable. I cannot wait until book 2, this one ended in such a strong but abrupt way, I NEED closure.
UPDATE: Reread in preparation for book 2. I read this too soon and I need book 2 NOW. Thank you.
*edit: [a:Heather Walter|19488705|Heather Walter|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1604238153p2/19488705.jpg] answered my question and YES this is not the last of Alyce!!! Ergo I have bumped up my rating to 5 stars.*
4.75 stars. I thought for sure this was going to be a 5 star read, but that ending... I can't find information anywhere but please please please tell me there's going to be a sequel. With a sequel this can easily be a 5 star read.
By far my favorite Sleeping Beauty retelling that I've ever read, and fairy tale retellings are one of my favorite genres so I've read a substantial amount of them.
Holy crap. This book has messed me up.
A Sleeping Beauty retelling told from the point of view of the "dark fairy" (in this book: the Dark Grace) - yes, the one with the spindle... and she falls in love with Aurora. The magic system is complex and variegated, the world building a delightful labyrinth of promises and betrayals. The romance might have taken a little bit to come, but it was well worth the wait and made my heart melt and explode and shatter and collapse in on itself like a dying star. The morally gray narration was simply wonderful - a "monster" who doesn't want to be a monster but is pushed further and further into that monster role until it becomes difficult to separate perception from internal desire.
I finished this last night and... I can't even. Incoming book hangover.
Please tell me there will be more.
Thank you Edelweiss and Del Rey for the ARC!
*edit: [a:Heather Walter|19488705|Heather Walter|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1604238153p2/19488705.jpg] answered my question and YES this is not the last of Alyce!!! Ergo I have bumped up my rating to 5 stars.*
4.75 stars. I thought for sure this was going to be a 5 star read, but that ending... I can't find information anywhere but please please please tell me there's going to be a sequel. With a sequel this can easily be a 5 star read.
By far my favorite Sleeping Beauty retelling that I've ever read, and fairy tale retellings are one of my favorite genres so I've read a substantial amount of them.
Holy crap. This book has messed me up.
A Sleeping Beauty retelling told from the point of view of the "dark fairy" (in this book: the Dark Grace) - yes, the one with the spindle... and she falls in love with Aurora. The magic system is complex and variegated, the world building a delightful labyrinth of promises and betrayals. The romance might have taken a little bit to come, but it was well worth the wait and made my heart melt and explode and shatter and collapse in on itself like a dying star. The morally gray narration was simply wonderful - a "monster" who doesn't want to be a monster but is pushed further and further into that monster role until it becomes difficult to separate perception from internal desire.
I finished this last night and... I can't even. Incoming book hangover.
Please tell me there will be more.
Thank you Edelweiss and Del Rey for the ARC!
This BOOOOOK. I loved this book so much. I didn't know what to expect since I've never really been a fan of Sleeping Beauty, but the darker perspective really made this story interesting and I'm so glad I gave it a chance.
Alyce is an outcast in the kingdom of Briar. She lives in a house full of women who are blessed with Fae magic, called Graces. Alyce has magic of her own, but her magic comes from something darker. She is half-Vila, a race that all believe to have been vicious monsters. Alyce is tormented and abused by almost everyone she knows for being half-Vila, until she meets the Crown Princess Aurora. Aurora is sweet and kind and doesn't seem to care at all what Alyce is. The pair team up to find a way to break a curse that has been placed on all of Briar's heirs, including Aurora, that she must share a true love's kiss before her 21st birthday, or she will die.
So much about this book was just so GOOD.
Things I loved:
- Alyce, just everything about her. She's my angry baby and I would die for her.
- The magic system. So incredibly cool and well-thought out.
- The romance!!! While it did feel a little rushed, they were so soft and sweet together.
- The plot. The whole thing unfolded in such an enthralling way. I was never bored and there were so many twists I was not expecting.
- The ENDING!!!! I will not elaborate on this because spoilers but... damn.
I can't wait to read the second book.
Alyce is an outcast in the kingdom of Briar. She lives in a house full of women who are blessed with Fae magic, called Graces. Alyce has magic of her own, but her magic comes from something darker. She is half-Vila, a race that all believe to have been vicious monsters. Alyce is tormented and abused by almost everyone she knows for being half-Vila, until she meets the Crown Princess Aurora. Aurora is sweet and kind and doesn't seem to care at all what Alyce is. The pair team up to find a way to break a curse that has been placed on all of Briar's heirs, including Aurora, that she must share a true love's kiss before her 21st birthday, or she will die.
So much about this book was just so GOOD.
Things I loved:
- Alyce, just everything about her. She's my angry baby and I would die for her.
- The magic system. So incredibly cool and well-thought out.
- The romance!!! While it did feel a little rushed, they were so soft and sweet together.
- The plot. The whole thing unfolded in such an enthralling way. I was never bored and there were so many twists I was not expecting.
- The ENDING!!!! I will not elaborate on this because spoilers but... damn.
I can't wait to read the second book.
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes