Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Going into this, I’d expected a read more akin to the Caraval series and didn’t realize this was actually an origin story for the queen of hearts. I found it to be slightly fan fictiony but well written and a fun story once I got past that initial shock. I really liked how nice and good and kind Jest was without being unimaginably unrealistic. Their relationship evolved quickly but didn’t feel entirely impossible in its development. I really liked the take of the court jester being mysterious but light and fun and just overall happy as I feel they’re often painted and overly mysterious and backstabbing with a darkened air about them. That all said, I was really wanting a read full of whimsy that could cheer me up and this was sad and heartbreaking which I do fully feel is lowering my overall rating of the story. The only thing I really didn’t enjoy about this book was the constant comments about weight and Caths mother encouraging her not to eat. There was just a bit too much emphasis and fleshed out harmful thoughts to the point it honestly did make me slightly uncomfortable.
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Eating disorder, Grief, Classism
Minor: War