invisible_universes 's review for:

Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova

4.0

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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There is so much passion in this book. Not necessarily the romantic kind, though that's definitely an element, but of all the other run of the mill kinds that can so easily get overlooked in a romance novel. The charecters care SO MUCH about their work and hobbies and priorities, and it's clear the author too cared deeply about the subject matter. I have one rule for fairy-tale retellings and it's that they ought to be written by someone who likes fairy tales. I don't think that's even remotely in question here.

I do think a fairy tale so reliant on royalty, magic and the sea has a tough time translating to a setting with none of the above.

Switching up the villain

, while a good creative choice, further muddied the waters and confused the metaphors. The author clearly tried very hard and the sacrifices she makes are in pursuit if a better story, but it does lose a bit of the fairytale charm at times. The ties just feel perpetually a little too loose.