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kari_f 's review for:
The Beautiful Maddening
by Shea Ernshaw
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Heartbreak is a powerful thing," she says. "It casts spells and conjures up dangerous magic-I've seen it happen. Never stand in the way of someone with a broken heart," she warns. "It can curse a whole town. Never underestimate what heartbreak can do."
I have been a fan of Ernshaw's writing for many years, and this is the first book of hers that I really haven't enjoyed. But I will say that I think it's more a "me" thing than a book thing, and I think that there will be a perfect audience for the book out there...it just wasn't me. The writing was beautiful and dreamy and even poetic at times, so if you love flowery writing and magical romance then you may really enjoy this book. (For instance, if you loved Rachel Griffin's Bring Me Your Midnight, Stephanie Garber's Once Upon a Broken Heart series, and Adalyn Grace's Belladonna, this feels along the same lines in terms of writing and romantic plot.)
Some issues I had with the book were the insta-love, the nonstop ruminations about tulips and love and being cursed, minors being abandoned with no lawful repercussions, and the issues with consent or lack thereof that happened several times throughout the book. I felt like there wasn't enough depth to the characters, and I was hoping for more.
That being said, romantasy books often focus on the sweetness of the romance and not character/plot depth, so this may not be a deal-breaker for many of you romantasy girlies out there! This is a quiet story that feels bittersweet in its exploration of enchantment versus love, while the characters spend their every moment trying to discern between the two. The curse of the tulips was an interesting premise that forced confusion and obsessive longing into the narrative. I felt empathy for the main character as she wrestled with the uncertainty of not knowing what was illusion from the curse and what was real.
This book wasn't for me, but if you love quieter romantasy, it might be for you! Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for the advanced copy of the book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment
There isn't necessarily sexual abuse, but there is a lack of consent that is taken advantage of, so the lines are very gray in this book.