A review by kayceeisbookish
Elphie: A Wicked Childhood by Gregory Maguire

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

While the narrative was definitely difficult to read (the tone feeling very old-timey like LOTR vibes), once you read beyond that, it is a very traumatic tale of a young Elphie. Felt very reminiscent of A Series of Unfortunate Events...since nothing ever seemed to go right for young Elphie and her family.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual violence, Blood, Excrement, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting