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deerlybeloved 's review for:
The Cabinet of Wonders
by Marie Rutkoski
dark
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The first book in the Kronos Chronicles, and the first book that captivated me as a child and has yet to release its hold. Petra stood as a testament to what I wanted to be, expressing a more traditionally masculine and overtly uncaring way of life and femininity than I ever got, and giving me the positive Roma representation I craved as a child.
The first book is slow, but tense, keeping you interested and wanting more, desperate to see if Petra's plan works out, and how. It throws a gruesome scene at you right off the at in the first chapter, a tortured man with no eyes, thrown to be picked up by his young daughter and his family.
It gives you a low fantasy world, set in 1600s Boehemia, filled with magic, intrigue, talking spiders, and very brave little girls.
The first book is slow, but tense, keeping you interested and wanting more, desperate to see if Petra's plan works out, and how. It throws a gruesome scene at you right off the at in the first chapter, a tortured man with no eyes, thrown to be picked up by his young daughter and his family.
It gives you a low fantasy world, set in 1600s Boehemia, filled with magic, intrigue, talking spiders, and very brave little girls.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexism, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
The book does touch briefly on Petra being neglected, not that she realized that's what it is. Her father is extremely neglectful of Petra being educated or having healthy habits, which she enjoys, but others comment on given that she is a young child. The Romani racial slur, "gypsy", is also used frequently, though characters are chastised for using it as it is considered a slur. Romani racism is also talked about and shown frequently, given the time period, and one of the main characters being Romani. Torture and violence are discussed, as well.