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sarahnguyen's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bibliobrandie's review against another edition
4.0
The Tempest meets The Great Gatsby on the private island of Lord Proper and his family. Eighteen-year-old Mae has lived all her life in the mansion of the magician Lord Prosper and has complicated relationship with his grandchildren. Romance and tests of friendship emerge amid themes of free will, colonization, power, and self-knowledge. This struggle over power is set in a sparkling Roaring Twenties aesthetic. A fun read!
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
3. 5 stars
Bright Ruined Things is a fantasy retelling of The Tempest set in 1920s on magical island.
I'm someone who loves historical fiction, but this was just amazing. I loved the world-building, the setting, the way magic was woven so subtly into the story.
I liked Mae as a protagonist. She was strong and you can easy sympathize with her and her struggles. I liked side characters especially Ivo.
Without spoiling anything, this was a compelling story, that is hard to put down it moves quickly and I really enjoyed it.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Bright Ruined Things is a fantasy retelling of The Tempest set in 1920s on magical island.
I'm someone who loves historical fiction, but this was just amazing. I loved the world-building, the setting, the way magic was woven so subtly into the story.
I liked Mae as a protagonist. She was strong and you can easy sympathize with her and her struggles. I liked side characters especially Ivo.
Without spoiling anything, this was a compelling story, that is hard to put down it moves quickly and I really enjoyed it.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
kaeliwolf's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely adore the description the author uses. The characters are three-dimensional and almost bouncy. I love the writing style which makes it so much more interesting and exciting to read!
babs_reviews's review against another edition
4.0
Mysterious and magical, this plot will dazzle you!
I really enjoyed this, a theme on family and love - the depths loyalty goes and the strength to stand on your own will and not that of others.
Mae longs to belong to the island that she calls home, the only ones who truly belong are those of the wealthy family, the Prospers. Lord Prosper first harnessed the island's magic, and now he controls it, harvesting it as fuel source. Mae longs for use of that magic, and begins to questions everything in her quest to do so. What she finds may not be the dream she has built up.
Though I've seen complaints, I truly thought this was a nice re-imagining of The Tempest. It's a loose fit and with things definitely rearranged, but that is the entire purpose of retellings, the ability to take a theme or plot and run with it in many directions. Although, if I hadn't known going in that it was set in the 20's I really wouldn't have known from anything in the story/plot.
The ending could be a touchy spot, as it leaves a lingering question on the tongue.
Thank you so much to St. Martins Press, Wednesday books and Samantha Cohoe for the gifted advanced review copy!
I really enjoyed this, a theme on family and love - the depths loyalty goes and the strength to stand on your own will and not that of others.
Mae longs to belong to the island that she calls home, the only ones who truly belong are those of the wealthy family, the Prospers. Lord Prosper first harnessed the island's magic, and now he controls it, harvesting it as fuel source. Mae longs for use of that magic, and begins to questions everything in her quest to do so. What she finds may not be the dream she has built up.
Though I've seen complaints, I truly thought this was a nice re-imagining of The Tempest. It's a loose fit and with things definitely rearranged, but that is the entire purpose of retellings, the ability to take a theme or plot and run with it in many directions. Although, if I hadn't known going in that it was set in the 20's I really wouldn't have known from anything in the story/plot.
The ending could be a touchy spot, as it leaves a lingering question on the tongue.
Thank you so much to St. Martins Press, Wednesday books and Samantha Cohoe for the gifted advanced review copy!
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
3/5
I was so excited to read this book! I enjoyed the first half but when they mentioned blood magic it just go so confusing, then the characters actions were hard to follow but I was able to follow them through the ending. I wish I had enjoyed it more.
Reread 3/5
I enjoyed the island and the character though I wish there was more to them. I felt like the book had a lot of potential but in the end, it was a little flat I loved the magical and mysterious elements and the island itself.
I was so excited to read this book! I enjoyed the first half but when they mentioned blood magic it just go so confusing, then the characters actions were hard to follow but I was able to follow them through the ending. I wish I had enjoyed it more.
Reread 3/5
I enjoyed the island and the character though I wish there was more to them. I felt like the book had a lot of potential but in the end, it was a little flat I loved the magical and mysterious elements and the island itself.
sweetrosegirl76's review against another edition
2.0
Tbh boring but audio book was easy to listen to
indigoivee's review against another edition
4.0
I was honestly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.
The writing, the way the classic story was retold, the romance the angst, everything was just absolutely amazing. It invites readers into a captivating world of magic, secrets, and self-discovery. The story revolves around Mae, an orphan yearning for acceptance and knowledge of magic on the Prosper's island. As she unravels the hidden truths behind the affluent Prosper family, Mae must confront betrayal, death, and the complexity of her own desires.
The story begins at a steady pace, introducing readers to the intriguing dynamics of the Prosper family. While the initial chapters may feel slow, the story continues to keep us engaged with a blend of predictable elements and unexpected twists. The plot's predictability, due to it’s inspiration drawing from the Shakespearean classic “The Tempest”, is counteracted by the suspenseful "how" of the unfolding events, maintaining an air of mystery that propels the narrative forward.
One of the novel's standout features is its well-developed and endearing characters. Mae's journey to find her place in the world resonates with me, making her relatable and sympathetic. It took a couple of chapters for me to warm up to Ivo, but once I did, it was all I desired for Mae and for the story! The diverse cast, including Coco, Miles, and the unapologetically douchebag, Alasdair, adds depth and complexity to the story. The character growth, particularly in Coco and Miles, enhances the overall reading experience.
The writing style is commendable, with a smooth flow that ensures a seamless reading experience. The novel's quick and enjoyable pace, coupled with well-crafted prose, contributes to its status as a delightful read.
The ending of the story is something that had me up at night wondering about, leaving me wanting more!
By far the best book I’ve read all year.
The writing, the way the classic story was retold, the romance the angst, everything was just absolutely amazing. It invites readers into a captivating world of magic, secrets, and self-discovery. The story revolves around Mae, an orphan yearning for acceptance and knowledge of magic on the Prosper's island. As she unravels the hidden truths behind the affluent Prosper family, Mae must confront betrayal, death, and the complexity of her own desires.
The story begins at a steady pace, introducing readers to the intriguing dynamics of the Prosper family. While the initial chapters may feel slow, the story continues to keep us engaged with a blend of predictable elements and unexpected twists. The plot's predictability, due to it’s inspiration drawing from the Shakespearean classic “The Tempest”, is counteracted by the suspenseful "how" of the unfolding events, maintaining an air of mystery that propels the narrative forward.
One of the novel's standout features is its well-developed and endearing characters. Mae's journey to find her place in the world resonates with me, making her relatable and sympathetic. It took a couple of chapters for me to warm up to Ivo, but once I did, it was all I desired for Mae and for the story! The diverse cast, including Coco, Miles, and the unapologetically douchebag, Alasdair, adds depth and complexity to the story. The character growth, particularly in Coco and Miles, enhances the overall reading experience.
The writing style is commendable, with a smooth flow that ensures a seamless reading experience. The novel's quick and enjoyable pace, coupled with well-crafted prose, contributes to its status as a delightful read.
The ending of the story is something that had me up at night wondering about, leaving me wanting more!
By far the best book I’ve read all year.
kleonard's review against another edition
1.0
This novel uses Shakespeare's the Tempest as a jumping-off point, and the initial idea isn't bad: a young woman discovers that the magic island she's always lived on is made magic by the enslaved spirits who live there. But the execution is poor: the story becomes one of Cinderella, albeit with an evil royal family, manipulative princesses, and sullen princes, only one of whom is intelligent enough to know what's going on when the spirits begin to die. The narrator is independent and has a lot of self-esteem, but she's turned into a figure focused on boys and romance and somehow becomes unable to speak for herself for an annoyingly long time. The plot is rushed and decisions don't make sense; characters are uneven and inconsistent; and the conclusion is frustrating as the protagonist, who had achieved some autonomy, allows herself to be sucked back into the morass of the spirit-enslaving family.
bookishserenity's review against another edition
4.0
Let me start by saying I liked this book. I read it in less than 24 hours.
The plot intrigued me, I liked the characters yet I wish some things were explored more in depth.
This book is good. It has magic, a family secret and a mysterious island. I liked seeing Mae grow more and more confident each chapter and I liked finding out all the secrets with her!
The plot intrigued me, I liked the characters yet I wish some things were explored more in depth.
This book is good. It has magic, a family secret and a mysterious island. I liked seeing Mae grow more and more confident each chapter and I liked finding out all the secrets with her!