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A review by irelany
The Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
If I was writing this review based on the first 90% of the book, it would be 4.5 stars. I loved the story and the writing, and the inklings of humor. I think that the characters’ behavior and attitudes are very consistent with their ages, which is rare. Another thing I loved is the awesome inclusivity, even in a book about a bunch of privileged teenage girls.
However, it has some faults. First of all, a lot of the stuff is REALLY on the nose with the whole “princess/fairytale” vibe. It’s the worst with Ella and Rory I think, but it happened with all of the fairytale characters. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the princess stories and how they fit into the modern world, but some details were just a little much. On the other end of the spectrum was Nani. Completely misunderstood her fairytale but I digress.
Another issue I had was the ending. Now the ending was great, I loved it. Definitely gave me some good brain-zaps of figuring things out and connecting dots, but it felt unfinished. I understand that it was intentional, but leaving out part of the story is frustrating to say the least. If she had added maybe 2/3 more chapters with more explanation, then I think this would have been so fantastic. It was a lot of build-up just to not answer some of the biggest questions of the book.
Even with those complaints, I did really enjoy it. Despite the terrible things that happened in the book, it still wasn’t too heavy to read and had great moments of humor and heart-warming sweetness. Truly encapsulated some of the more normal things that happen to you when you’re 16ish.
Overall, I would say that I do recommend this book due to its charming plot, familiar characters, and general aesthetic. However, don’t expect a book with perfect nuanced writing, and don’t expect all of your questions to be answered by the end.
However, it has some faults. First of all, a lot of the stuff is REALLY on the nose with the whole “princess/fairytale” vibe. It’s the worst with Ella and Rory I think, but it happened with all of the fairytale characters. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the princess stories and how they fit into the modern world, but some details were just a little much. On the other end of the spectrum was Nani. Completely misunderstood her fairytale but I digress.
Another issue I had was the ending. Now the ending was great, I loved it. Definitely gave me some good brain-zaps of figuring things out and connecting dots, but it felt unfinished. I understand that it was intentional, but leaving out part of the story is frustrating to say the least. If she had added maybe 2/3 more chapters with more explanation, then I think this would have been so fantastic. It was a lot of build-up just to not answer some of the biggest questions of the book.
Even with those complaints, I did really enjoy it. Despite the terrible things that happened in the book, it still wasn’t too heavy to read and had great moments of humor and heart-warming sweetness. Truly encapsulated some of the more normal things that happen to you when you’re 16ish.
Overall, I would say that I do recommend this book due to its charming plot, familiar characters, and general aesthetic. However, don’t expect a book with perfect nuanced writing, and don’t expect all of your questions to be answered by the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse