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A review by ebbie_casuallereading
Fairest by Marissa Meyer
dark
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It's good enough in a readable way, maybe more like a 3.5 to 3.75.
The last leap between the end and "now" is still a bit stretchy to me. And the whole mind manipulation/r*pe is... I don't know, but not the best. Like I get it, but also, I guess it could have been better explained and motivated. The timing of the flashback for the injuries of Levana should have come way sooner, and when you put it into context with the rest of her actions, it makes her whole building of the book crumble a little.
It's one thing to make us believe they see the rando commoner and people of Earth like a little more than livestock, the escalation to murderous intent is way too quick and weird giving her own backstory. The way she's portrayed is also kinda strange since she has this urge to belong with someone or people, there's a softness here and there + judgement and contempt against her parents, her sister and some nobility. There are flaws in how the author tried to make her become a complex villain, with an arc from "good" to evil. Sometimes, "cartoon villains" should stay cartoonish.
The last leap between the end and "now" is still a bit stretchy to me. And the whole mind manipulation/r*pe is... I don't know, but not the best. Like I get it, but also, I guess it could have been better explained and motivated. The timing of the flashback for the injuries of Levana should have come way sooner, and when you put it into context with the rest of her actions, it makes her whole building of the book crumble a little.
It's one thing to make us believe they see the rando commoner and people of Earth like a little more than livestock, the escalation to murderous intent is way too quick and weird giving her own backstory. The way she's portrayed is also kinda strange since she has this urge to belong with someone or people, there's a softness here and there + judgement and contempt against her parents, her sister and some nobility. There are flaws in how the author tried to make her become a complex villain, with an arc from "good" to evil. Sometimes, "cartoon villains" should stay cartoonish.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Rape, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail