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rwalker101's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"She was born Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, and she did not open her eyes for three days."
I have been trying for over a decade to speak into meaning how the tone of this book changes, and how that change in tone makes it a modern masterpiece. With this opening line, "She was born..." Hale opens up a fairytale. Ani's life is a fairytale, after all; gauzy and shimmery and perfect. She is a princess, surrounded by the gilded trappings of royalty, and she has an aunt to teach her of the wonders of magic. There is language in nature - in the wind, in the fire, on the tongues of creatures - and young Ani dreams of finding it all.
But then her aunt leaves, and Ani quickly comes to terms with the idea that her responsibilities as royalty will forever preclude her from living the peaceful, nature-speaking life she craves. But Hale doesn't change the tone. Not completely. Not yet. See, as Ani grows up and is forced to let go of her desires, Hale keeps the tone light and gauzy, still reminiscent of an old tale, but the camera focuses a little closer on Ani's point of view, making this world feel disconcerting, disconnected, dissociated. Ani is still living in a fairy tale, but it is no longer the fairy tale she wants, and it quickly becomes stifling, to both her and the reader.
But as Ani continues her journey, as she travels and faces hardship and makes new friends, we feel that scope slowly expanding. Ani starts looking beyond her own narrow sphere, seeing others for the first time in her life. She learns who to trust, falls in love, finds fulfilling work, makes friends, grows bolder. As these changes happen to Ani, we watch the tone grow to match it. No longer is this Ani's fairytale, this is Ani's story. She grows from disconnected puppet to woman before our eyes - and it's done so well through the tone alone that I find myself focusing on that over everything else almost every time.
I have been trying for over a decade to speak into meaning how the tone of this book changes, and how that change in tone makes it a modern masterpiece. With this opening line, "She was born..." Hale opens up a fairytale. Ani's life is a fairytale, after all; gauzy and shimmery and perfect. She is a princess, surrounded by the gilded trappings of royalty, and she has an aunt to teach her of the wonders of magic. There is language in nature - in the wind, in the fire, on the tongues of creatures - and young Ani dreams of finding it all.
But then her aunt leaves, and Ani quickly comes to terms with the idea that her responsibilities as royalty will forever preclude her from living the peaceful, nature-speaking life she craves. But Hale doesn't change the tone. Not completely. Not yet. See, as Ani grows up and is forced to let go of her desires, Hale keeps the tone light and gauzy, still reminiscent of an old tale, but the camera focuses a little closer on Ani's point of view, making this world feel disconcerting, disconnected, dissociated. Ani is still living in a fairy tale, but it is no longer the fairy tale she wants, and it quickly becomes stifling, to both her and the reader.
But as Ani continues her journey, as she travels and faces hardship and makes new friends, we feel that scope slowly expanding. Ani starts looking beyond her own narrow sphere, seeing others for the first time in her life. She learns who to trust, falls in love, finds fulfilling work, makes friends, grows bolder. As these changes happen to Ani, we watch the tone grow to match it. No longer is this Ani's fairytale, this is Ani's story. She grows from disconnected puppet to woman before our eyes - and it's done so well through the tone alone that I find myself focusing on that over everything else almost every time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Toxic friendship
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