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readingwithkirstyn's review against another edition
3.0
As soon as I read “fierce feminist fairytale” I knew I had to read Wench, but maybe I’m alone but I didn’t get that from this story? The story is slow, boring, and dull laced with moments of “humor” that I just couldn’t vibe with. There is magic in this book and I would say the system works well enough, and isn’t as confusing as the likes of Furyborn… but it doesn’t have anything special to it either? It feels that the heroine instead of being strong and fierce is hiding behind a mask and pretending to be these things while hiding insecurities and shortcomings. The writing is simple and also tends to leave much to be desired. I think it would be a good read for those on the lower age range of the young adult reading scale.
cacrocks1's review
3.0
I read a very early eARC and am hoping the book is tightened up before January :)
natverse's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
deborah1's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-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? No
4.0
ghillian's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mayastef's review against another edition
I tried so hard to push through to keep reading this book. I just never got the motivation to pick it up again. The writing is fine and the story is fine. Its all just fine, nothing to write home about. It's not even so bad that is ends up being funny to read :( truly just fine all around
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
1.0
1.5/5
I was excited to read this book because I've beenw anting to get back to reading High Fantasies. I loved the main character and the running joke with "I'll need a horse." But all together the author threw blood magic into the story, and witches. Personally, I don't feel conformable reading about them but I pushed through because I want to keep my DNF list short this year. Other than that there wasn't a lot to the book, which at first made me like it "A simple girl just trying to get the tavern from her dead father figure" but really it grew into something bigger which I wasn't prepared for and it sadly didn't go in the direction I hoped it would.
I was excited to read this book because I've beenw anting to get back to reading High Fantasies. I loved the main character and the running joke with "I'll need a horse." But all together the author threw blood magic into the story, and witches. Personally, I don't feel conformable reading about them but I pushed through because I want to keep my DNF list short this year. Other than that there wasn't a lot to the book, which at first made me like it "A simple girl just trying to get the tavern from her dead father figure" but really it grew into something bigger which I wasn't prepared for and it sadly didn't go in the direction I hoped it would.
theunfriendlyghost's review
4.0
I held this book at arms length at first; I had a hard time believing that it could be sex positive, queer, and body positive without dropping the ball somewhere. But I was quickly surprised to find that Tanya’s confidence and endlessly self-righteous attitude was not rooted in hating other women.
Tanya is arrogant and self-assured and selfish and confident, and none of this is used to belittle the women around her.
I loved her one-track-mind and growing ambition.
The only thing I was disappointed in was how little I felt attached to the side characters, but I suspect that’s just the cost of having such a focused and independent character. I’m a sucker for found family and I wasn’t really satisfied with the friendships I found in this book, but every author has different priorities and I don’t think this was bad writing!
The magic system was incredibly interesting. I found myself just as curious and fascinated as Tanya.
Truly a brilliant new perspective on the scientific side of magic.
The plot wasn’t really my style so I didn’t find myself captivated, and I didn’t love the pacing, but I think that was preference more than anything.
Tanya is arrogant and self-assured and selfish and confident, and none of this is used to belittle the women around her.
I loved her one-track-mind and growing ambition.
The only thing I was disappointed in was how little I felt attached to the side characters, but I suspect that’s just the cost of having such a focused and independent character. I’m a sucker for found family and I wasn’t really satisfied with the friendships I found in this book, but every author has different priorities and I don’t think this was bad writing!
The magic system was incredibly interesting. I found myself just as curious and fascinated as Tanya.
Truly a brilliant new perspective on the scientific side of magic.
The plot wasn’t really my style so I didn’t find myself captivated, and I didn’t love the pacing, but I think that was preference more than anything.
bethhthelibrarian's review
4.0
Wench reminded me a little bit of Robin Hood, a little bit of Shrek, and that I cannot wait to get back to the Bristol Renaissance Faire this summer. I loved this book, and thought it was such a fun adventure.
Tanya, the tavern wench, was content to run her guardian's tavern. She was good at it. She was respected for it (and that's saying a lot, considering this is set during the Renaissance period). After the sudden death of her guardian, Tanya's life is turned upside down when she learns he didn't do anything to secure her in her role of the tavern-owner. When the tavern is taken from her, she decides she's going to talk to the queen about this so she can get her tavern back. And that's where the adventure really takes off.
Once she's on the road, Tanya will discover thieves, sorcery, magic quills, and larger-than-life characters. This twisty plot keeps the surprises coming. I loved the dialogue and banter, I loved the setting descriptions, and I loved--and was frequently inspired by--Tanya herself. It isn't easy to hold your own in a world so against women, but Tanya makes her voice heard. This is a welcome entry into the fantasy genre, and is funny to boot.
Content: There is some language, and Tanya's body is the frequent joke for many of the men. As other reviewers have mentioned, there is some self-harm in the performed magic.
Tanya, the tavern wench, was content to run her guardian's tavern. She was good at it. She was respected for it (and that's saying a lot, considering this is set during the Renaissance period). After the sudden death of her guardian, Tanya's life is turned upside down when she learns he didn't do anything to secure her in her role of the tavern-owner. When the tavern is taken from her, she decides she's going to talk to the queen about this so she can get her tavern back. And that's where the adventure really takes off.
Once she's on the road, Tanya will discover thieves, sorcery, magic quills, and larger-than-life characters. This twisty plot keeps the surprises coming. I loved the dialogue and banter, I loved the setting descriptions, and I loved--and was frequently inspired by--Tanya herself. It isn't easy to hold your own in a world so against women, but Tanya makes her voice heard. This is a welcome entry into the fantasy genre, and is funny to boot.
Content: There is some language, and Tanya's body is the frequent joke for many of the men. As other reviewers have mentioned, there is some self-harm in the performed magic.