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elliekg's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Grief, Violence, and Bullying
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Winterwood is a book that tried to be a mysterious, magical, atmospheric love story, and while it did manage to be mysterious, it fell flat in every other aspect. Spooky woods, a protagonist that doesn’t fit in either in her family or with the other kids in town? Been there,
done that. Ernshaw’s story, unfortunately, doesn’t bring anything new to the table, and it wasn’t even interesting. In fact, for most of the book, I was quite bored, and only pushed through because I didn’t want to DNF my first read of the new year.
Additionally, the romance really didn’t work for me. Nora and Oliver hardly knew each other, and they were kissing days after they met. It would be different if they actually had chemistry, but they didn’t. Not a single spark. Also, when you’re trying to figure out how the boy you like might’ve been involved in another boy’s death, should you really be kissing him? Come on.
Lastly, I don’t think the ending made much sense. Okay, fine, Nora discovers what kind of magic she has. Good for her. But nothing else fit. Ernshaw clearly prioritized Nora and Oliver’s relationship over everything else, and I was not a fan. Romance should only come before plot in actual romance
novels.
Maybe this book will be someone else’s
cup of tea, but it certainly wasn’t mine. I now also know that Ernshaw’s writing is just not for me. Hopefully I enjoy my next read more.
done that. Ernshaw’s story, unfortunately, doesn’t bring anything new to the table, and it wasn’t even interesting. In fact, for most of the book, I was quite bored, and only pushed through because I didn’t want to DNF my first read of the new year.
Additionally, the romance really didn’t work for me. Nora and Oliver hardly knew each other, and they were kissing days after they met. It would be different if they actually had chemistry, but they didn’t. Not a single spark. Also, when you’re trying to figure out how the boy you like might’ve been involved in another boy’s death, should you really be kissing him? Come on.
Lastly, I don’t think the ending made much sense. Okay, fine, Nora discovers what kind of magic she has. Good for her. But nothing else fit. Ernshaw clearly prioritized Nora and Oliver’s relationship over everything else, and I was not a fan. Romance should only come before plot in actual romance
novels.
Maybe this book will be someone else’s
cup of tea, but it certainly wasn’t mine. I now also know that Ernshaw’s writing is just not for me. Hopefully I enjoy my next read more.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Alcoholism
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