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laurareads87's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
The Tale that Twines follows June, an apprentice to an Illuminator who creates eternal books in a magical, fantastical library. I enjoyed the author’s previous book in this series so was happy to pick up this one. The Tale that Twines features an autistic ADHD demiromantic narrator, diverse queer representation, and really thoughtful engagement with themes around trauma; I am appreciative to the author for their ability to create books that feel cozy and supportive that also address serious themes, and I feel like they’ve grown as an author between the first book in the series and this one. The setting, Caspora City, and the broader dynamics between countries is more developed here than in the prior book, and I think the characters read more consistently in terms of their ages (in my review of the prior novel in the series, I’d noted the characters felt quite a bit younger than described; here they don’t so much). The writing does feel overly didactic in some places, but overall I liked this a lot + recommend it for those looking for queer cozy heartwarming fantasy with magic and lots and lots of books.
The Tale that Twines is a prequel set forty years prior to The Thread that Binds and linked to an oracle deck created by the author, The Threadbound Oracle (the deck itself figures into The Thread but not this novel). This one could be read before or after the other, or as a standalone. Having the deck, or having any familiarity with oracle decks in general, is not needed to enjoy these novels. The author provides a pronunciation key, a note on pronouns (especially e/em/eirs), and content notes.
Content warnings: the author provides a detailed list at the outset of the book. Content includes grief, death of a parent, survival of a natural disaster, trauma / symptoms of post-traumatic stress injury including panic attacks, religious bigotry, mention of past sexual abuse (not graphic in any way), medical content (mention of cancer), toxic relationship, gaslighting
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty and Sexual violence
amaralikecamera's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
This story is a delightful fantasy and perfect for book lovers. Set in a magical library, we follow our protagonists as they become book binding apprentices who create magical, everlasting books. I love the ADHD and autistic representation in this story as well as the ways characters describe accommodations they need. This story is also one of the few that is set in a society where neopronouns (e/em/eir) are the norm, so it is fantastic practice to cement them in your mind.
mossymadi's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
I cannot even begin to express my love for this series, for these characters, for such a rich and beautiful world. wow. wow!!!! i cannot wait to buy physical copies of these books and the oracle deck and revisit all my sweet friends in Caspora.
jainabee's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Savored this book for as long as possible, and now I am sure I will be going back to read it again and again like I did with the first of this series. I am in love with these characters and want to live in their world and be bffs with them! Cedar's storytelling is getting even better, with subtle themes filligried throughout the bold and compelling plotline. OMX how can I wait for the next installment?!?!?!?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Murder, Colonisation, and War
breeezzy's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
himalaya's review
4.5
I loved this so much!! it's quite slow but that makes sense for the sort of slice of life / academic study / healing from trauma journey. aeronwy is very good.
It's interesting how there's lots of fantasy books set in secondary worlds based on the 1920s or earlier, or the present, but hardly any in between - this is 70s/80s inspired! which is fun and interesting. Obviously it's very much similar to our world but with magic, rather than going deep into how that would inherently change worldbuilding and stuff but like. not an issue for me. the classic scifi fandom stuff is a great addition too!
ALSO hashtag 'calling parents by first name Just Because (not as a sign of emotional neglect or whatever)' representation !
It's interesting how there's lots of fantasy books set in secondary worlds based on the 1920s or earlier, or the present, but hardly any in between - this is 70s/80s inspired! which is fun and interesting. Obviously it's very much similar to our world but with magic, rather than going deep into how that would inherently change worldbuilding and stuff but like. not an issue for me. the classic scifi fandom stuff is a great addition too!
ALSO hashtag 'calling parents by first name Just Because (not as a sign of emotional neglect or whatever)' representation !
missb_reads's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
amtrak12's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
battlepoet's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
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