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aysha_blake's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Classism, Kidnapping, and Sexism
safiewafie's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I wasn't expecting to like this book nearly as much as I did, but I fell into the story the further I read.
The novel starts off rather slow, but I really enjoyed this early pacing. I felt I had time to get to know the characters; to understand their place in the world and their relationships to one another. I especially enjoyed the strong focus on the bond between Delphine and Alaine.
The sister's relationships with their loved ones was what really solidified this book for me. While the turn towards the fantastical realm of the fae felt abrupt, Delphine's drive to bring her family together created strong thematic throughline. I found this version of the fae realm to be especially interesting. The visual descriptions of the environment, as well as the unique magic that the fae utilize created strong imagery, which I imagine will stick with me for some time.
This wasn't quite a five star book for me, mainly due to the fact that in the earlier portions of the book, I often found I was more interested in one sister's POV over the other (in my case, I was more interested in Delphine). This made getting through some portions of the slow beginning a bit of a challenge.
While I think the exploration of feminism well crafted in this novel, I felt it lacked intersectionality. This is something I really look for in books, especially historical fiction, so the lack of POC really stood out to me. This didn't take away from the narrative itself, but did impact my personal enjoyment.
Overall, very strong! A great read.
(I think I might be a bit biased about the abrupt cut from real world to fantastical fae, because there was a two week gap between the first half and second half of the book for me due to finals season...)
The sister's relationships with their loved ones was what really solidified this book for me. While the turn towards the fantastical realm of the fae felt abrupt, Delphine's drive to bring her family together created strong thematic throughline. I found this version of the fae realm to be especially interesting. The visual descriptions of the environment, as well as the unique magic that the fae utilize created strong imagery, which I imagine will stick with me for some time.
This wasn't quite a five star book for me, mainly due to the fact that in the earlier portions of the book, I often found I was more interested in one sister's POV over the other (in my case, I was more interested in Delphine). This made getting through some portions of the slow beginning a bit of a challenge.
While I think the exploration of feminism well crafted in this novel, I felt it lacked intersectionality. This is something I really look for in books, especially historical fiction, so the lack of POC really stood out to me. This didn't take away from the narrative itself, but did impact my personal enjoyment.
Overall, very strong! A great read.
(I think I might be a bit biased about the abrupt cut from real world to fantastical fae, because there was a two week gap between the first half and second half of the book for me due to finals season...)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
Moderate: Kidnapping
sarapie32's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse
c0zyreader's review
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
kleinepanda's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
3.75
It took sometime to get into it, but by chapter 3 I was hooked. I had to pace myself merely to make sure I was absorbing every bit of this amazing world.
Not only is the fantasy amazing, the lore of fae based in cultural aspects, it also speaks of so many important topics:politics, feminism, marriage and family relationships.
A perfect story that is cozy while still challenging and intelligent.
Not only is the fantasy amazing, the lore of fae based in cultural aspects, it also speaks of so many important topics:politics, feminism, marriage and family relationships.
A perfect story that is cozy while still challenging and intelligent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
just_jess02's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This wasn’t the read I was expecting. But it was still enjoyable. I’m glad this was a library rental and not a purchase though!
I loved the combination of academic excerpts and first hand experience of fairy lore. In general I enjoyed the world that was created. It was fanciful yet real, a perfect amount of detail in the descriptions, and had a lot of heart.
I was disappointed by the blandness of the end of the story. There was a great, slow build that felt like historical fiction with just a sprinkle of magic for at least the first half. But the end was just… there. I wanted suspense. I wanted to be absorbed in thefight to get the daughter back from the fae realm .
Overall, a great shell to the story but the plot just didn’t quite suffice.
I loved the combination of academic excerpts and first hand experience of fairy lore. In general I enjoyed the world that was created. It was fanciful yet real, a perfect amount of detail in the descriptions, and had a lot of heart.
I was disappointed by the blandness of the end of the story. There was a great, slow build that felt like historical fiction with just a sprinkle of magic for at least the first half. But the end was just… there. I wanted suspense. I wanted to be absorbed in the
Overall, a great shell to the story but the plot just didn’t quite suffice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Animal death, Domestic abuse, and Misogyny
laurenlee_'s review
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
amyreadstomuch's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-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? No
4.0
Book: The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill
Author: Rowenna Miller
Genre: Historical Fantasy
⭐️4
A beautiful tale of two sisters and the lengths they will go for their family. For generations, their family has bargained with faries for small favors until one sister needs help escaping an abusive marriage. Sprinkled with feminism and fae folklore, this book was not only enjoyable but beautifully written. The only issue I had with this book was the slow pace in the beginning.
CW: Domestic abuse (emotional and physical) animal death (chicken and fae creature)
Author: Rowenna Miller
Genre: Historical Fantasy
⭐️4
A beautiful tale of two sisters and the lengths they will go for their family. For generations, their family has bargained with faries for small favors until one sister needs help escaping an abusive marriage. Sprinkled with feminism and fae folklore, this book was not only enjoyable but beautifully written. The only issue I had with this book was the slow pace in the beginning.
CW: Domestic abuse (emotional and physical) animal death (chicken and fae creature)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Animal death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Animal death
courtneyking's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Slow burn for sure - took me almost 2 weeks to read the first 2/3 but then things took a turn that I loved and I finished the last 1/3 in one night! Lovely characters and an interesting mix of historical fiction, fantasy, feminism, & family. Don’t think I’ve read anything like this before, and I really enjoyed it in the end.
If you liked Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries deff give this a try!
If you liked Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries deff give this a try!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse