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A review by biancas_library
Elfenkrone by Holly Black
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have mixed feelings about this. Yes, I just rated this book four stars. No, that does not describe how I felt about it in the first half (I would maybe rate that one and a half stars - if at all).
I absolutely HATED the beginning of the book and was close to not finishing the book at all (and I almost never quit a book). I found myself googling reviews and questioning why this book was recommended everywhere. But all the reviews said to keep going, that it would turn around - so I did.
However, the writing style in the beginning just felt off, it was almost childlike. The description of the world and the characters just lacked depth, it was all done so quickly and just a little bit too much. On top of that I did not understand how the rivalry between Jude and Cardan came to be, it just lacked a lot of background story.
BUT THEN, let me tell you, the pace, the atmosphere, EVERYTHING about this book changed. I found myself invested in the story and couldn't put the book down. There were plot twists coming almost every chapter - some I was expecting, most I did not. It was done in an interesting way and I definitely see why people love this book now. I was hooked. The ending of this book is also the reason, I rated this book an overall of four stars. IT WAS THAT GOOD.
So, do what you want with that information. For my part, I will continue to read the next books of the series and I deeply hope that we will not go back to the way the story was told in the beginning of the cruel prince!
I absolutely HATED the beginning of the book and was close to not finishing the book at all (and I almost never quit a book). I found myself googling reviews and questioning why this book was recommended everywhere. But all the reviews said to keep going, that it would turn around - so I did.
However, the writing style in the beginning just felt off, it was almost childlike. The description of the world and the characters just lacked depth, it was all done so quickly and just a little bit too much. On top of that I did not understand how the rivalry between Jude and Cardan came to be, it just lacked a lot of background story.
BUT THEN, let me tell you, the pace, the atmosphere, EVERYTHING about this book changed. I found myself invested in the story and couldn't put the book down. There were plot twists coming almost every chapter - some I was expecting, most I did not. It was done in an interesting way and I definitely see why people love this book now. I was hooked. The ending of this book is also the reason, I rated this book an overall of four stars. IT WAS THAT GOOD.
So, do what you want with that information. For my part, I will continue to read the next books of the series and I deeply hope that we will not go back to the way the story was told in the beginning of the cruel prince!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Murder and Self harm