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ambermariebee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Death of parent
atsuanna's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
“All women are magic.
Literally all of us. It's in our nature.
It's best you learn that now."
Oh goodness… words cannot describe how this book made me feel? It’s so different from what I normally read so it was really difficult to get through at some points, it felt longer then it needed to be for me. But I adore how Alex grew into herself and as a character, the sister dynamics that tug your heart, the overall message, there’s just so much to talk about. This book is for all the women who feel stuck in place, who have seen the women they admire and love the most be worn down but a society that wasn’t ready to see their light or hear their words, who have seen the pure joy and love you can only feel with each other, who want to be more then society tells them they are. This book is heartbreaking in all the best ways, the kind of book that feels like an elder telling you a story of their life. It’s honestly magic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexism, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
Minor: Homophobia
micaelacccc's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
This book means so much to me, it speaks to what our world could be if we only cared for one another and took care of each other, if we only let ourselves experience the freedom we want so badly. Beautiful beautiful writing, I loved it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Sexism, Abandonment, Grief, and Violence
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Cancer
cheye13's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
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? No
5.0
This reads very much like a false history or a fictional memoir, which is my absolute favorite genre. The articles and papers inter-spliced were very cool, but I wish there'd been more of them, or that they tied in with Alex's story more. It did feel like it had about ten endings, but I did enjoy seeing where everyone ended up.
Everything up until the final part (which was primarily that series of endings) was perfect to me. The tangibility of the time periods, the snippets of everyday magic, the characters reaching out to each other. The whole book really embodies a very specific feeling I have reading about being a woman in those times.
Everything up until the final part (which was primarily that series of endings) was perfect to me. The tangibility of the time periods, the snippets of everyday magic, the characters reaching out to each other. The whole book really embodies a very specific feeling I have reading about being a woman in those times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Infidelity, Cancer, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault
linnea1801's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
There are badass lesbian scientists and dragons. Do I need to say more?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Homophobia, Misogyny, Abandonment, Cancer, and Sexism
Moderate: Alcoholism
amandaboyer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Sexism, Grief, Misogyny, and Abandonment
carrotstix's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism
darkblueem's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
oh my god. I have had this book since December 2022 and I've only just now read it and I can't believe it took me this long. this book is a masterpiece. it's fantastic. Barnhill's writing is captivating and compelling and seamless. the characters are bright and sad and flawed and perfect and absolutely THEM. highly highly HIGHLY recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse
sadiaa's review against another edition
2.75
The premise of the book is interesting, women suddenly turning into dragons and societies denial of the existence of dragons. This book took me forever to finish, I kept picking it up and putting it down. I found myself skipping pages at a time, I was only interested in Alex and Beatrice's story. I found myself angry at the misogyny Alex faced, "no point getting an education when you'll just become a wife and mother", it was infuriating and testament to how women deal with adversity.
I loved the female rage aspect of the book,when the dragons attack the abusive men in their lives, I wish Alex got her revenge on her teacher, he was insufferable.
It just failed to hold my interest and I struggled through this book, determined not to dnf
I loved the female rage aspect of the book,
It just failed to hold my interest and I struggled through this book, determined not to dnf
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Grief, Homophobia, Death, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, Misogyny, and Physical abuse
alfait's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Abandonment