Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill by Rowenna Miller

6 reviews

thalymor's review

emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Classism, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, and Kidnapping

feyofbones's review

adventurous inspiring reflective 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

3.75

his book was pretty good all in all! Fairly slow start but about half way through I really started to enjoy my time with this book. I love the themes of magical realism and old familial tradition mixed with the expansion of the world around them. 



Spoiler:
Also, damn, I would have been so weak for the huntress with the horns. That first deal would have been it for me 😂

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Classism, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Grief, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexism, and Animal death

Minor: Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Death of parent

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Classism, Kidnapping, and Sexism

sarrie's review

emotional lighthearted sad tense 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

2.25

 

The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill had so much potential but for me ultimately missed the mark. This one is set in the early 1900’s and follows two sisters, one who marries out of her country home into the city to a husband who turns into someone she didn’t expect. The other is managing and thriving their family farm but also quickly falling into the power and lure of Fairy Bargains - for nearly everything. 

If you’re looking for a slow paced fantasy with a slow build up of dread this could be a great pick for you. It’s a slow build. We see Delphine move away from her home and quickly realize that the marriage she hoped for is not the one she expected - and knowing how that will end adds to the dread. Meanwhile Alaine is back at home and we see her spiral deeper and deeper into Fairy Bargains, leaving trinkets and requests for the Fae that reside on the hill. The path of the story seems pretty obvious based on the two actions of the sisters, and it does indeed go where you’re worried it will. 

The last third of this one is where I was truly lost. I really did love the slow pace and interesting dynamic and juxtaposition between the two sister’s stories. Unfortunately after the 3/4ths mark the story became intensely predictable. A bad choice, a bad bargain and something hinted at occurs. The story goes to another location and it felt… disappointing. Not to mention the way the chapters kept both PoVs and moved between them within paragraphs caused for a jarring reading experience. 

Sadly this one just didn’t quite work for me. With a letdown of an ending and predictable twist I was left unhappy. The first half did have me! But after that I was lost and unhappy with the path of the story. If you don’t mind a bit of a predictable story with a slow, early 1900s feel - this could be a real good pick for you! Otherwise maybe a skip. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

Minor: Child death

chelly_reads's review

adventurous hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

You can't tell me that Jack suddenly doesn't believe his wife's fairy bargain with the scrying glass. It was very out of character and pulled me out of the story.

It was a good book and I think it would make a great film!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, and Animal death

uncreativeoops's review

adventurous inspiring mysterious 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Classism

Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Gaslighting

Minor: Forced institutionalization