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A review by sweetordinary
Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
At the beginning, I was wholeheartedly intrigued and invested in the characters and plot. However, I found myself utterly dismayed and highly disappointed with the development of the main character. Her mentality has glimmers of shifting towards this powerful force; yet, moments later its dashed into a frustrating blend of selfish nativity for who she is as a character and what she's supposed to become in the future.
The political courtship navigation is a huge reason why I was intrigued to read this story. How Theodosia navigates it is quite painful to read let alone to follow along. I understand that I'm supposed to feel sympathy for her and rally behind her. However, there are events that occur which completely go off the rails because of her. Thus, my interests shift towards Blaise, Cress, Art, Heron, and Soren as more interesting lines of inquiry. I want to know more about their story, interests, personality, etc.
If I decide to read the sequel, it will be because of those characters not because of Theodosia.
The political courtship navigation is a huge reason why I was intrigued to read this story. How Theodosia navigates it is quite painful to read let alone to follow along. I understand that I'm supposed to feel sympathy for her and rally behind her. However, there are events that occur which completely go off the rails because of her. Thus, my interests shift towards Blaise, Cress, Art, Heron, and Soren as more interesting lines of inquiry. I want to know more about their story, interests, personality, etc.
If I decide to read the sequel, it will be because of those characters not because of Theodosia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Classism, Violence, Body horror, Blood, Grief, Death, Slavery, Death of parent, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Slavery, Adult/minor relationship, Antisemitism, Child abuse, Child death, Toxic friendship, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Domestic abuse, War, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Violence, Torture, Rape, Physical abuse, Cultural appropriation, and Murder