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A review by rubeusbeaky
Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
5.0
A gorgeous fable about the monsters we become when we let anger rule, and the infectious peace we make when we dare to trust others. My heart goes out to anyone who, like Soraya, has suffered abuse, or has had to make themselves small when their feelings are big.
The back of this book is unique: Instead of a glossary of terms, there is more of a bibliography of inspirations. I loved it! I felt like I was sitting down for coffee and a chat with the author, it was so wonderful to see her thought process. Definitely got the Persian Sleeping Beauty vibes she was striving for.
This book gets major stars for being inclusive. Not just for the heroine being LGBTQA, but because the book explores themes of /romantic/ attraction: how a person can be attracted to a personality trait more than a physical trait.
AND this book gets big stars for its sensory descriptions! Having sense of touch become such a priveledged, intimate, even sometimes decadent, form of communication makes the audience /feel/ the story as it unfolds.
I can see how a reader might get upset with the extended metaphors which run throughout. But personally, as someone who also enjoys folk stories, the metaphors felt appropriate, like they were setting a fairytale tone. I can also see how readers might be upset that the author "borrowed" most of the characters from Persian myths, but since Fairytale Retellings are an entire sub-genre, I fully applaud the way they were rewoven in this book.
Fantastic read! Cannot wait to read more from this author :D. <3
The back of this book is unique: Instead of a glossary of terms, there is more of a bibliography of inspirations. I loved it! I felt like I was sitting down for coffee and a chat with the author, it was so wonderful to see her thought process. Definitely got the Persian Sleeping Beauty vibes she was striving for.
This book gets major stars for being inclusive. Not just for the heroine being LGBTQA, but because the book explores themes of /romantic/ attraction: how a person can be attracted to a personality trait more than a physical trait.
AND this book gets big stars for its sensory descriptions! Having sense of touch become such a priveledged, intimate, even sometimes decadent, form of communication makes the audience /feel/ the story as it unfolds.
I can see how a reader might get upset with the extended metaphors which run throughout. But personally, as someone who also enjoys folk stories, the metaphors felt appropriate, like they were setting a fairytale tone. I can also see how readers might be upset that the author "borrowed" most of the characters from Persian myths, but since Fairytale Retellings are an entire sub-genre, I fully applaud the way they were rewoven in this book.
Fantastic read! Cannot wait to read more from this author :D. <3