allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This ya fantasy standalone shows us 1920s wealthy family intrigue through the eyes of a girl on the periphery. The orphaned Mae is largely ignored by the Prospers even though she has been permitted to live on their magical island since her father died in childhood. Terrified that they will send her away from the only home she's ever known, she has trouble saying no to even their most high-handed demands, including an unwelcome engagement to the eldest grandchild of the patriarch (cue uncomfy age gap: 18-year-old girl meets 25-year-old boy ew). Ivo is the family heir, responsible for harnessing the island's magic through the labor of spirits, thus perpetuating the family's vast wealth. Unfortunately, Ivo's been pining for Mae while she's been obsessing over his cousin Milo, so no one is on the same page here. Mae feels unseen and cornered, panicking about a future outside her control as well as a mysterious and believed impossible malady striking the island spirits.
While I know the story intended to show the dark side of this family and their relationships, I struggled with the fact that even the ones meant to walk on a slightly lighter shade of the morally grey spectrum still felt sticky and toxic to me. Mae's gaslit by her best friend about some seriously traumatic experiences, belittled by one romantic interest and controlled by another, and generally insulted and managed by everyone. I don't think it's necessarily bad to have Mae learn to protect herself more and gain confidence despite these putdowns. However, her path descends into bitterness, revenge, and schemes as if her past role as mediator and dreamer is as embarrassing as her tormenters would have her believe. Essentially, I didn't mind the growth or loss of innocence but didn't feel like she retained some of her initial strengths after remaking herself.
Also, I didn't care for the ending, to be honest. It's a bit open (not, I believe, for a sequel, but for drama). It's also a sort of stilted ending for some of the relationships rather than a smooth or powerful conclusion that might have felt more meaningful. I only felt irritation towards Mae's final moments with each Prosper.
I think readers who enjoy morally grey characters, vicious drama, and dark magic will enjoy this more than I did. Thanks to Wednesday for my copy to read and review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Addiction, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Lesbophobia, Outing, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
girlonbooks's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
I was given a free Advanced Reader Copy of Bright Ruined Things by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
🎆🎆🎆🎆 Four Stars (as rated in the fireworks at midnight)
On an island where the magical family Prosper rules supreme, “mousy” Mae is regarded as an outcast and even a nuisance. Known for her meek and eagerly obliging nature, all Mae has ever truly wanted is to be accepted by the family she depends on and to learn the magical skills for which they’re known the world over. On the eve of the summer solstice, Mae stumbles on something that could very well be her ticket into the world that’s always shut her out. With her days on the island numbered and her options limited, Mae is determined to finally take what she’s always wanted. But this magic comes with a price that Mae isn’t exactly in a position to pay. At least, not without a little help…
🎆🎆🎆🎆 Four Stars (as rated in the fireworks at midnight)
On an island where the magical family Prosper rules supreme, “mousy” Mae is regarded as an outcast and even a nuisance. Known for her meek and eagerly obliging nature, all Mae has ever truly wanted is to be accepted by the family she depends on and to learn the magical skills for which they’re known the world over. On the eve of the summer solstice, Mae stumbles on something that could very well be her ticket into the world that’s always shut her out. With her days on the island numbered and her options limited, Mae is determined to finally take what she’s always wanted. But this magic comes with a price that Mae isn’t exactly in a position to pay. At least, not without a little help…
“I had finally realized how little I could wring from the Prospers by trying to please them. If I wanted more, I would have to take it.”
Real Talk: Shakespeare’s The Tempest is just not that great of a story. The thing drags, the characters are tiresome and forgettable and I always leave it wondering what the actual point of it was. Understandably, I went into Bright Ruined Things (being a retelling of the former) with very low expectations. Its predecessor just doesn’t have that much for one to work with. So you can imagine my utter delight at what this turned out to be. Cohoe has taken one of Shakespeare’s most lackluster comedies and exponentially improved it by –*gasp*– turning the thing into a tragedy! What island magic is this!? BRT is the ultimate glow up for what is an otherwise pretty uninteresting story. So here I say, “Samantha Cohoe, if you’re reading this, what are the chances of us being gifted another Shakespeare retelling by you one day? And would you consider doing The Comedy of Errors next?”
✨ Read this book because: you’re into books set in the 1920’s, flawed characters, complicated friendships and love stories that aren’t at all what they seem – or even what you wanted them to be.
✨ Content warnings for this book: bullying, neglect, threats of sexual violence, adultery, abuse, imprisonment, kidnapping, trauma, fire, death, enslavement, gaslighting, toxic relationships
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Colonisation, Confinement, Death of parent, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Slavery, and Toxic friendship
foreverinastory's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5/5 RTC
Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Rep: female MC, lesbian female side character, alcoholic and drug addicted female side character.
CWs: Alcohol consumption, body shaming, colonisation, death, fire, gaslighting, grief, misogyny, sexism, sexual harassment, slavery, toxic friendship. Moderate: mentions of alcoholism, addiction, drug use.
Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Rep: female MC, lesbian female side character, alcoholic and drug addicted female side character.
CWs: Alcohol consumption, body shaming, colonisation, death, fire, gaslighting, grief, misogyny, sexism, sexual harassment, slavery, toxic friendship. Moderate: mentions of alcoholism, addiction, drug use.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Body shaming, Colonisation, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Slavery, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug use
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