You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
katacate's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this. I'm not really sure where I got the rec from originally but I have since seen it pop up on a few romance/romantasy lists and I cannot stress, if you're looking for romance this book isn't it. Maybe the series is, I'm not sure, but this one stand alone book is going to leave you disappointed if that's what you're after.
It is a bit slow so not everyone is going to love it for that but the world building is great. The characters are all distinct. I won't say they're all good people because they're far from it, but they are good characters.
All in all it was a relaxing but fun book. I can't wait to read the rest.
It is a bit slow so not everyone is going to love it for that but the world building is great. The characters are all distinct. I won't say they're all good people because they're far from it, but they are good characters.
All in all it was a relaxing but fun book. I can't wait to read the rest.
nirshka's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
lillibooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
gingertea13's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Christelle Dabos and NetGalley for providing me with this ebook to review.
I was torn between 3/4 stars for this novel, because the world building and narrative voice was excellent and sincerely drew me in. I felt like I was reading something inspired by pockets of different beloved fantasy novels: the world building and secrecy reminded me of Golden Compass, the mirror travelling/ illusions reminded me of Alice in Wonderland and the court intrigue/ hierarchy gave me Hunger Games vibes. Yet, the novel never felt derivative and has certainly carved out it's own niche. Especially in terms of the powers afforded to each family; they're extremely particular and interesting.
Dabos has a beautifully descriptive writing style, she is very economic with words but builds a strong picture in the reader's mind allowing us to become immersed. The characters she crafts are, for the most part, relatable and likeable. The plot is somewhat slow in this first novel with not an awful lot happening and yet Dabos manages to retain high tension as we follow Ophelia/ Mime trying to navigate a cut throat class system and an unwanted marriage.
However, I have two main problems with the novel: Our main character can read objects and learn about the owners of those objects and yet she usually fails to do so throughout the novel despite being desperate to understand her situation. She under-utilises her gift despite her suspicion of and everyone else around her.
Secondly, the relationship between Ophelia and Thorn is extremely confusing. He is rude and cruel to her at the beginning of the novel, yet a few short conversations later (and I mean few. And I mean short), she believes he is softening towards her based on him saying:"I'm starting to get used to you" and "Your fate is of real concern to me".
That said, I'll certainly continue onto the rest of the books in the series based on the uptick in plot acceleration at the end of the novel and the world building.
I was torn between 3/4 stars for this novel, because the world building and narrative voice was excellent and sincerely drew me in. I felt like I was reading something inspired by pockets of different beloved fantasy novels: the world building and secrecy reminded me of Golden Compass, the mirror travelling/ illusions reminded me of Alice in Wonderland and the court intrigue/ hierarchy gave me Hunger Games vibes. Yet, the novel never felt derivative and has certainly carved out it's own niche. Especially in terms of the powers afforded to each family; they're extremely particular and interesting.
Dabos has a beautifully descriptive writing style, she is very economic with words but builds a strong picture in the reader's mind allowing us to become immersed. The characters she crafts are, for the most part, relatable and likeable. The plot is somewhat slow in this first novel with not an awful lot happening and yet Dabos manages to retain high tension as we follow Ophelia/ Mime trying to navigate a cut throat class system and an unwanted marriage.
However, I have two main problems with the novel: Our main character can read objects and learn about the owners of those objects and yet she usually fails to do so throughout the novel despite being desperate to understand her situation. She under-utilises her gift despite her suspicion of
Spoiler
BerenildeSecondly, the relationship between Ophelia and Thorn is extremely confusing. He is rude and cruel to her at the beginning of the novel, yet a few short conversations later (and I mean few. And I mean short), she believes he is softening towards her based on him saying:"I'm starting to get used to you" and "Your fate is of real concern to me".
Spoiler
The interaction between them is stilted and lacks believability.That said, I'll certainly continue onto the rest of the books in the series based on the uptick in plot acceleration at the end of the novel and the world building.
baguette101's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
readlax's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lexynr's review against another edition
4.0
Took me a little bit to get into it but then was totally taken in by this works. Beautiful world building, interesting characters, intriguing. Excited for book 2
gingernutpup's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I greatly enjoyed this story. A world that took time to understand, a character who spends most of the book as a pawn of stronger people around her, a unique magical system and lots of politics. This book reminded me a little of Phillip Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy and I am very much looking forward to read the rest of the series.
I very rarely read teen/young adult novels as I find them overly focused on romance with main characters that irritate the heck out of me (possibly living with teenagers and reading about them is too difficult for me) so this book is a rare 5star rating from me and I'm so glad I found it to read.
I very rarely read teen/young adult novels as I find them overly focused on romance with main characters that irritate the heck out of me (possibly living with teenagers and reading about them is too difficult for me) so this book is a rare 5star rating from me and I'm so glad I found it to read.
al_ex's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Place names are hilariously sad if you speak French.