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onceuponanemily 's review for:
Juniper & Thorn
by Ava Reid
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
while the vibe of this book is dark and gothic, we have to experience it through the eyes of the whiniest character who not only experiences very little character development but is extremely one dimensional. 90% of the characters in this book lack depth (unless you count trauma as depth and I don't) and their looks are their main personality trait (and we're reminded of whether they're ugly or beautiful every other page)
the lack of character exploration highlighted a plot that wasn't paced very well; it didn't feel like much happened until the last 40 pages and the ending felt rushed.
I was shocked to see the writing style praised in other reviews. ava reid undoubtably did describe the atmosphere, but having 3-6 similes on each page (I wish I was exaggerating) made them obvious and ineffective. I will say some were absolutely stunning!!!! but they drowned in a sea of the unnecessary, like a sailor haphazardly thrown overboard. I typically love atmospheric, moody, flowery prose and gothic fairy tale retellings so I was disappointed that this book did not live up to a single expectation I had for it.
one more thing: if you read ACOTAR and were tired of SJM's repetitiveness of someone making "a vulgar gesture" you should stay far away from this book. if I had a dollar for every time this whiny b*tch "felt bile rise in her throat" or for every mention of blood or teeth I could purchase a book (or 6) that would actually deliver on its promises. body horror works well for me when it’s shocking/unexpected; overuse of several elements made for ineffective writing.
reading this has desensitized me to blood and guts and similes. I think I maybe get why someone could like it? but if you did I cannot relate less. hate to give a book a 1-star review; thought about DNFing around 45 pages & definitely should've.
the lack of character exploration highlighted a plot that wasn't paced very well; it didn't feel like much happened until the last 40 pages and the ending felt rushed.
I was shocked to see the writing style praised in other reviews. ava reid undoubtably did describe the atmosphere, but having 3-6 similes on each page (I wish I was exaggerating) made them obvious and ineffective. I will say some were absolutely stunning!!!! but they drowned in a sea of the unnecessary, like a sailor haphazardly thrown overboard. I typically love atmospheric, moody, flowery prose and gothic fairy tale retellings so I was disappointed that this book did not live up to a single expectation I had for it.
one more thing: if you read ACOTAR and were tired of SJM's repetitiveness of someone making "a vulgar gesture" you should stay far away from this book. if I had a dollar for every time this whiny b*tch "felt bile rise in her throat" or for every mention of blood or teeth I could purchase a book (or 6) that would actually deliver on its promises. body horror works well for me when it’s shocking/unexpected; overuse of several elements made for ineffective writing.
reading this has desensitized me to blood and guts and similes. I think I maybe get why someone could like it? but if you did I cannot relate less. hate to give a book a 1-star review; thought about DNFing around 45 pages & definitely should've.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Gore, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Sexual harassment