Take a photo of a barcode or cover
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was so excited to read this sapphic fantasy and fairytale retelling because I love a morally grey lead, but that's not really what we got.
I loved so many aspects of this book, mostly due to the yearning and story of an ostracised person finally recieving like, care and possibly love. I enjoyed the world, set up and premise. I also love fae, magic, sappic books and forbidden romance but I often felt left wanting.
Most of this comes from the fact that it reads as YA. The exposition was expositioning, some aspects of the world didn't make sense (how can you love someone who you haven't spoken to? Why is the princess only kissing men of a certain rank in a world where you can be in any relationship you want and she's literally about to die? I wish these were explored).
But I mostly wanted more depth from the characters. There wasn't much nuance or discussion about villainry, which is what I wantednfor a book about a villain.
Storyline was obvious and shallow and very much a YA book with very heavy handed message of 'the villain they created'.
My biggest issue is that we watch as Alyce is trying to do her best but is beaten down time and time again. She doesn't retaliate or talk back. She isn't morally grey until she finally snaps at the end.
I read this to read about a villain but all I got was a sad girl trying her best, feeling guilt and shame for no reason. I wanted to see someone do bad things with good logic, with a reason for their villainy but that isn't what this story is.
So although there are things I didn't get on with, I actually did really enjoy this book and would read it again. I'd just want to go in knowing that it lacks depth and villainy, reading more like a YA.
(A review I wrote last year but didn't publish).
I loved so many aspects of this book, mostly due to the yearning and story of an ostracised person finally recieving like, care and possibly love. I enjoyed the world, set up and premise. I also love fae, magic, sappic books and forbidden romance but I often felt left wanting.
Most of this comes from the fact that it reads as YA. The exposition was expositioning, some aspects of the world didn't make sense (how can you love someone who you haven't spoken to? Why is the princess only kissing men of a certain rank in a world where you can be in any relationship you want and she's literally about to die? I wish these were explored).
But I mostly wanted more depth from the characters. There wasn't much nuance or discussion about villainry, which is what I wantednfor a book about a villain.
Storyline was obvious and shallow and very much a YA book with very heavy handed message of 'the villain they created'.
My biggest issue is that we watch as Alyce is trying to do her best but is beaten down time and time again. She doesn't retaliate or talk back. She isn't morally grey until she finally snaps at the end.
I read this to read about a villain but all I got was a sad girl trying her best, feeling guilt and shame for no reason. I wanted to see someone do bad things with good logic, with a reason for their villainy but that isn't what this story is.
So although there are things I didn't get on with, I actually did really enjoy this book and would read it again. I'd just want to go in knowing that it lacks depth and villainy, reading more like a YA.
(A review I wrote last year but didn't publish).