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A review by gubuchu
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
5.0
I was looking for books to read similar to Naomi Novik's Uprooted and saw this being one of the books recommended. So I read it and... Loved this book to bits. It was great. Was initially hesitant to read it because it didn't catch my eye at first (but, as I always seem to preface my review these days), my library hold was expiring so I read it with new eyes and wow, blown away! Debated between 4 and 5 stars and thought, for the hell of it, 5 stars. I enjoyed it that much. Hadn't realized it was a fairytale retelling of sorts until it came to me and when I did realize, it was very enjoyable to see how it played out.
Knew that Gogu the frog was not so when he talked about true love, it like immediately set off my radar. I hadn't connected the dots before, like the fact that he had showed up one day and that Jena knew him for 9 years as a frog, conveniently timed in with Costi's death, so I was overjoyed when he turned into a human because I KNEW IT! Princess and the frog retelling, this book has.
But I had no idea that he was Costi. Totally shocked me to bits. I kept on wondering who Jena's love interest would be in this book and I thought, well we're already halfway through the book and no new guy is introduced, so maybe it's a guy that has been there all along? And it was I had just told myself to read just one more chapter before going to bed, but then when I found out Gogu was Costi I told myself my plans for sleeping right away were canceled because I needed to read more. When this reveal happened, I audibly gasped and yelled a bit LOL. It was that good. I was quite devastated when his death scene happened in the book even though it only occurred in the beginning but I had already become attached to the book's characters.
Which brings me to my next point. I had actually entertained myself with the thought, while reading this book, that what if Costi was still alive? I bet he'd be able to make things right, I thought to myself. AND DAMN IT WAS TRUE AND IT WAS GREAT.
Tati, though... Honestly, maybe it's because I've never experienced True Love before but I honestly couldn't relate to her situation at all.
Spoiler
Totally knew what Cezar's wish was. Called it the moment it happened. Glad I saw it in time. Also despised Cezar and so glad he didn't end up with Jena. A thought occurred to me, what if he ends up with her and I was so horrified by it and so glad that it didn't end up coming true.Knew that Gogu the frog was not so when he talked about true love, it like immediately set off my radar. I hadn't connected the dots before, like the fact that he had showed up one day and that Jena knew him for 9 years as a frog, conveniently timed in with Costi's death, so I was overjoyed when he turned into a human because I KNEW IT! Princess and the frog retelling, this book has.
But I had no idea that he was Costi. Totally shocked me to bits. I kept on wondering who Jena's love interest would be in this book and I thought, well we're already halfway through the book and no new guy is introduced, so maybe it's a guy that has been there all along? And it was I had just told myself to read just one more chapter before going to bed, but then when I found out Gogu was Costi I told myself my plans for sleeping right away were canceled because I needed to read more. When this reveal happened, I audibly gasped and yelled a bit LOL. It was that good. I was quite devastated when his death scene happened in the book even though it only occurred in the beginning but I had already become attached to the book's characters.
Which brings me to my next point. I had actually entertained myself with the thought, while reading this book, that what if Costi was still alive? I bet he'd be able to make things right, I thought to myself. AND DAMN IT WAS TRUE AND IT WAS GREAT.
Tati, though... Honestly, maybe it's because I've never experienced True Love before but I honestly couldn't relate to her situation at all.