Scan barcode
adoto's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-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
4.25
I devoured the audiobook of this in one sitting but I can see why someone would struggle to read it quickly. It's written in a wordy, Austen-like style that I personally liked, but would be hard to get one's head around.
The cover does not properly set you up for what this story is: a very British story that both pays homage to early 19th century England as well as completely redresses its imperialism and overconsumption. It has Austen's wordiness and her dry wit, and it's hilarious when it wants to be, dark and gory when it doesn't.
The romance is sweet, butPrunella's suddenly desire at the end to get married and have children at the end is a bit confronting, and ruins the catharsis of their getting together . But romance is not the core focus of this story.
The cover does not properly set you up for what this story is: a very British story that both pays homage to early 19th century England as well as completely redresses its imperialism and overconsumption. It has Austen's wordiness and her dry wit, and it's hilarious when it wants to be, dark and gory when it doesn't.
The romance is sweet, but
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide
asnecessaryasbread's review against another edition
funny
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Graphic: Misogyny and Racism
Minor: Death and Suicide
chattie_the_mad_chatter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was so perfect for me ticking many boxes. It is definitly worthy of "Jane Austen but with magic" tag line.
If you enjoy: regency period books with light hearted wittisism; amusing characters and protagonists who find their way around the rules of society and snobbery; are happy to throw magic in to historical time periods; then you will love this book.
The plot is simple, enjoyable with enough intrigue to keep you reading as to how it will all fall out. There is danger and prejudice our characters must grapple with and a need for social reform.
But the frothy delightful writing style gives me all the Georgette Heyer I need, but without class prejudice or problematic casual racism involved.
I love both protagonists, the relationship between them and the side characters, and all enjoyable banter. Our female protagonist flies her feminist flag by being her unashamed true self and getting things done. And for all those reasons I love this book. It has an abundance of charm, whilst having darker moments due to the fey world and I ate it all up. Can't wait for the next one.
If you enjoy: regency period books with light hearted wittisism; amusing characters and protagonists who find their way around the rules of society and snobbery; are happy to throw magic in to historical time periods; then you will love this book.
The plot is simple, enjoyable with enough intrigue to keep you reading as to how it will all fall out. There is danger and prejudice our characters must grapple with and a need for social reform.
But the frothy delightful writing style gives me all the Georgette Heyer I need, but without class prejudice or problematic casual racism involved.
I love both protagonists, the relationship between them and the side characters, and all enjoyable banter. Our female protagonist flies her feminist flag by being her unashamed true self and getting things done. And for all those reasons I love this book. It has an abundance of charm, whilst having darker moments due to the fey world and I ate it all up. Can't wait for the next one.
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Racism, Blood, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Slavery and Suicide
maryannsophia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The setting and characters of this book are extremely unique, quirky, and at times bizarre. The style of the world, especially the Fairyland and magical people, definitely takes some getting used to. Overall, it was an interesting story and well-written, with lots of dry wit and blithe humor. But the characters do make decisions that are questionable and, often, creepy. For one, while Prunella's use of her blood to hatch the familiar eggs makes sense, it felt a little unnecessarily TMI to me... however, one can't really expect anything less than a book that deals in the occult. But the really disturbing aspect was her sacrifice of Nidget to the dragon for her own purposes - and that this betrayal (similar to her mother's own murders, promiscuity, etc) was viewed as acceptable, and even appropriate. Similarly, the book had a rather confused view of religion, heaven, hell, morality, and dealings with spirits.
Overall, I found it a fascinating book, but one with large flaws that make it hard to recommend.
Overall, I found it a fascinating book, but one with large flaws that make it hard to recommend.
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, and Abandonment
griffinthief's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Death of parent, Colonisation, and War
Minor: Slavery, Kidnapping, Murder, and Pregnancy
More...