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A review by el393way
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I have read Roshani Chokshi’s middle grade books with my students for read alouds. She is a talented writer. This was an instant read for me because I wanted to try an adult book from her. Her writing style very much fits the gothic, magical genre this book attempts to be. There were so many elements that played really well to an eerie, suspenseful, gothic motif.
That being said, I would strongly recommend NOT doing the audiobook for this one. The narrators are good at what they do, but hearing this story unfold is a bit challenging to grasp. It also really spoils the ending of the book because what would be revealed slowly over time for readers is just jarringly obvious for listeners. Perhaps the creative direction chosen for the audiobook simply did not mesh with my own internal reading voice. I think the characters’ tones and accents made them very unlikable (Indigo), pathetic (Azure), or a tad creepy (Bridegroom).
The time jumps back and forth from present really make everything feel like a drag when compared to the more ethereal writing style. What felt like the telling of a story from an unnamed character because more of snapshot of this third character that both narrators have connections to.
Instead of enjoying learning about these characters, they’re so immediately unlikable. When we were younger, most of us had that pretentious, know-it-all friend who thrives off controlling the room and guiding everyone to how they want things to go. That’s what Indigo was and it was so toxic. Instead of enjoying the story I spent a lot of the read being annoyed and rolling my eyes at things she said. Instead of feeling like a gothic novel with magical elements, it felt like the kids in middle school and high school school that like to pretend they’re witches and form their own clique with role playing.
In all, I love the premise but really disliked the characters so much that the whole wasn’t enjoyable.
That being said, I would strongly recommend NOT doing the audiobook for this one. The narrators are good at what they do, but hearing this story unfold is a bit challenging to grasp. It also really spoils the ending of the book because what would be revealed slowly over time for readers is just jarringly obvious for listeners. Perhaps the creative direction chosen for the audiobook simply did not mesh with my own internal reading voice. I think the characters’ tones and accents made them very unlikable (Indigo), pathetic (Azure), or a tad creepy (Bridegroom).
The time jumps back and forth from present really make everything feel like a drag when compared to the more ethereal writing style. What felt like the telling of a story from an unnamed character because more of snapshot of this third character that both narrators have connections to.
Instead of enjoying learning about these characters, they’re so immediately unlikable. When we were younger, most of us had that pretentious, know-it-all friend who thrives off controlling the room and guiding everyone to how they want things to go. That’s what Indigo was and it was so toxic. Instead of enjoying the story I spent a lot of the read being annoyed and rolling my eyes at things she said. Instead of feeling like a gothic novel with magical elements, it felt like the kids in middle school and high school school that like to pretend they’re witches and form their own clique with role playing.
In all, I love the premise but really disliked the characters so much that the whole wasn’t enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm and Pedophilia
Minor: Suicide