xoxlululuxox's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.5
A Curse of Roses is based on the Portuguese "miracle of roses", which is well explained and depecited with historical accuracy before the story begins.
Princess Ysabel is cursed so that all the food she touches becomes flowers. In order to remove this curse she finds Fatyan, who has the power and ability to help her. In the time they spend together Ysabel learns more about her curse, how it can help her people who are stuck in a famine, and also about love.
While this story takes a while to get into, it is full of enchantment and realist elements despite all the magic.
Ysabel starts her journey weak and sickly, almost unable to assert her opinion. After she and Fatyan learn more about her curse and deepen their relationship, she becomes not only physically stronger but emotionally too. Ysabel was a very believable character. Unbelievably kind to others, but so harsh toward herself. Especially when it came to following her religion.
I truly enjoyed the F/F representation this book provided, it was so realistic.
I loved this book, with the way it described a 13th Century Portugal and tried to avoid using modern terms to describe things, instead opting for more traditional methods. There is elements of self harm, eating disorders and religious trauma, but if you aren't too bothered or triggered by that, I highly recommend giving this book a try.
Princess Ysabel is cursed so that all the food she touches becomes flowers. In order to remove this curse she finds Fatyan, who has the power and ability to help her. In the time they spend together Ysabel learns more about her curse, how it can help her people who are stuck in a famine, and also about love.
While this story takes a while to get into, it is full of enchantment and realist elements despite all the magic.
Ysabel starts her journey weak and sickly, almost unable to assert her opinion. After she and Fatyan learn more about her curse and deepen their relationship, she becomes not only physically stronger but emotionally too. Ysabel was a very believable character. Unbelievably kind to others, but so harsh toward herself. Especially when it came to following her religion.
I truly enjoyed the F/F representation this book provided, it was so realistic.
Spoiler
Ysabel has a moment where she wants to be Fatyan, only to later find out all she wants is to be with herI loved this book, with the way it described a 13th Century Portugal and tried to avoid using modern terms to describe things, instead opting for more traditional methods. There is elements of self harm, eating disorders and religious trauma, but if you aren't too bothered or triggered by that, I highly recommend giving this book a try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Homophobia, Eating disorder, and Self harm
Moderate: Blood, Religious bigotry, and Violence
yvonne_cl's review
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Eating disorder, Gore, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Murder, Religious bigotry, and Self harm
Moderate: Confinement, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Stalking
anastasiaf's review
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I loved that it was a very gay story and that the characters felt different and interspersing.
It was mostly good, however the middle really lagged and could do with an edit. However, I love what the book did and I am so happy to have read it.
It was mostly good, however the middle really lagged and could do with an edit. However, I love what the book did and I am so happy to have read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Blood, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Murder
Minor: Infertility and Infidelity
candidceillie's review
5.0
This is the most ace-affirming non-ace romance I have ever read. TAKE CWS SERIOUSLY IT DOES NOT PULL ITS PUNCHES.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexism, and Violence
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