maregred's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Murder, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Sexism, and Confinement
2blueshoes's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Sometimes in order to write convincing character development, your characters have to be very unlikable at the beginning of your book. For me, this was the case here. I almost stopped reading about a third of the way through, BUT I’m glad I didn’t. About half way through the book, Wren and Rose become much more thoughtful and less juvenile and their dialogue becomes much more witty and engaging.
There is some romance in this story, but it is not the main focus, and the “heroes” are very much secondary characters. (Albeit very charming ones). Spiciness is fairly tame - it’s mostly longing looks.
Overall a fun read, with increasingly like-able characters. (Low key obsessed with Celeste.) Not life changing - I did not want to stay up all night reading this book, but I’ll definitely read the next one in the series.
There is some romance in this story, but it is not the main focus, and the “heroes” are very much secondary characters. (Albeit very charming ones). Spiciness is fairly tame - it’s mostly longing looks.
Overall a fun read, with increasingly like-able characters. (Low key obsessed with Celeste.) Not life changing - I did not want to stay up all night reading this book, but I’ll definitely read the next one in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Gaslighting
Moderate: Kidnapping, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Murder
Minor: War, Confinement, Vomit, Sexual content, Death of parent, Animal death, and Sexual harassment
takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Princess and the Pauper retelling, kind of. A bit too long especially cause it's a duology. I felt like they could've cut at least 100 pages. Plotline was a bit predictable for regular ya fantasy readers. I likely won't continue with book two as I feel like I know what's gonna happen and I'm not moved to read another 500 pages.
2/5 🌶️ basically some hot and heavy kissing
2/5 🌶️ basically some hot and heavy kissing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Violence, and Alcohol
Moderate: War, Blood, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Gaslighting
Minor: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Death, and Sexual content
taryn_g's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Confinement
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, War, and Kidnapping
Minor: Alcohol and Animal death
katvou'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? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, War, and Animal death
Minor: Alcohol and Sexual content
louisaroselewis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
relaxing
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
4.75
For me, the storytelling in this book is beautifully done.
I found its story compelling in some points, and a relaxing read in others. I loved how well-written the characters were, and the growth in both sisters is lovely to see. It was great to see Rose grow from a gentle princess to a confident ruler. And Wren grows from someone seeking revenge to, again a strong ruler.
Secondly, the romance in the book is truly beautiful and yet utterly heartbreaking. I hope this is explored more in the next book (it surely can't end like that).
I love how the first villain of the story is made inferior to the true terrifying villain by the end as well. It sets up the second book well.
However, as someone who grew up with the tale of the princess and the pauper, I can gladly say it has done it justice and then some.
I found its story compelling in some points, and a relaxing read in others. I loved how well-written the characters were, and the growth in both sisters is lovely to see. It was great to see Rose grow from a gentle princess to a confident ruler. And Wren grows from someone seeking revenge to, again a strong ruler.
Secondly, the romance in the book is truly beautiful and yet utterly heartbreaking. I hope this is explored more in the next book (it surely can't end like that).
I love how the first villain of the story is made inferior to the true terrifying villain by the end as well. It sets up the second book well.
However, as someone who grew up with the tale of the princess and the pauper, I can gladly say it has done it justice and then some.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, and War
kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Wow!!! That was so fun! That was SO FUN! What a blast! The magic, the political intrigue, the long lost twin, the surprise, the emotion! Wow this was great! I will say there really wasn’t any diversity in this book at all so for that I’m dropping it half a star but the plot was fun and the characters were really well fleshed out and I loved the two narrators for the different princesses!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Violence, War, Confinement, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Classism, Death, Gore, Alcohol, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
bookish_paws's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Grief
Minor: Kidnapping, Animal death, Blood, Death, and Death of parent
jetti's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I had a lot of difficulties with this book.
First I really liked Roses chapters.
I liked her character development from a naive princess who is scared of witches to a strong witch queen with healing magic. Also her relationship with Shen was fun to read. There was chemistry but not as much as I hoped.
Then there were Wrens chapters. I don't know why but I really disliked them. Wren played Rose for most of the book. But she was really bad in it. Also everything which had to do with prince Ansel was just so cringy. This guy.
I'm not sad about Ansels death. I was quite happy when he died because of his behaviour.
Also Wrens Rose imitation was just bad. She did everything wrong what was possible and just Celeste realized that this was not Rose? So unrealistic. Roses maid, who knew her from birth at least should have realized. Just Tor found out something was wrong about the princess (apart from Celeste)
Next the relationship between Tor and Wren was difficult for me. I did not feel the chemistry between these two characters. It was more like, they both wanted someone to have fun with. Thats all.
Lastly, the appearence of Shen and the witches after Rose escaped from the cliffs. Well Rose used the fastest horse. So Shen needed to use a slower one. So, because of Shens magic it is possible that he appeared the day after Rose. But the witches? They arrived the day of the wedding when the fighting started. Thereby, not just one witch came, no. So they had to be much slower than Shen and Rose. This for me looks like a mistake in planning the arrivals.
At least the coronation part I really liked. I'm really interested in whats happening with twin curse now that Rose and Wren are wearing the twincrowns. Also, I really liked the story of Ortha and her twin Oonagh which was explained in the end. Also, I'm really interested if they are able to safe Banba from Gevra.
So, even I was not the biggest fan of this book, I'm going to read the second one when it is released. Hopefully it is getting better. I'm optimistic because Wren don't need to imitate Rose in the upcoming book. :D
First I really liked Roses chapters.
Spoiler
I liked her character development from a naive princess who is scared of witches to a strong witch queen with healing magic. Also her relationship with Shen was fun to read. There was chemistry but not as much as I hoped.
Then there were Wrens chapters. I don't know why but I really disliked them. Wren played Rose for most of the book. But she was really bad in it. Also everything which had to do with prince Ansel was just so cringy. This guy.
Spoiler
I'm not sad about Ansels death. I was quite happy when he died because of his behaviour.
Also Wrens Rose imitation was just bad. She did everything wrong what was possible and just Celeste realized that this was not Rose? So unrealistic. Roses maid, who knew her from birth at least should have realized. Just Tor found out something was wrong about the princess (apart from Celeste)
Next the relationship between Tor and Wren was difficult for me. I did not feel the chemistry between these two characters. It was more like, they both wanted someone to have fun with. Thats all.
Spoiler
Lastly, the appearence of Shen and the witches after Rose escaped from the cliffs. Well Rose used the fastest horse. So Shen needed to use a slower one. So, because of Shens magic it is possible that he appeared the day after Rose. But the witches? They arrived the day of the wedding when the fighting started. Thereby, not just one witch came, no. So they had to be much slower than Shen and Rose. This for me looks like a mistake in planning the arrivals.
At least the coronation part I really liked. I'm really interested in whats happening with twin curse now that Rose and Wren are wearing the twincrowns. Also, I really liked the story of Ortha and her twin Oonagh which was explained in the end. Also, I'm really interested if they are able to safe Banba from Gevra.
So, even I was not the biggest fan of this book, I'm going to read the second one when it is released. Hopefully it is getting better. I'm optimistic because Wren don't need to imitate Rose in the upcoming book. :D
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder
gkaltam's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder