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blogan27's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.5
teri_b's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Intense, dark read of twin sisters coming of age as their pathways in life start to separate and decision are made. Loved it.
Loved the Irish accent of the narrator and the musicality of it.
Loved the Irish accent of the narrator and the musicality of it.
martareader's review against another edition
3.0
very... average.
I was expecting more witchy vibes. I loved the setting and the characters but the plot? A confusing rushed mess.. And very predictable.
I was expecting more witchy vibes. I loved the setting and the characters but the plot? A confusing rushed mess.. And very predictable.
peachcute's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
djryan's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
liahopkins's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I have never read a book with such an interesting and distinct writing style. At first, I thought I wouldn't like it, but I've come to appreciate the rawness and lushness of it, even though there were still some parts where it was hard to understand what was going on due to the writing style.
The plot was interesting and really gripped me, especially towards the end. The final showdown was just so dark and gruesome and powerful, which added at least half a star to the score for me. I also enjoyed the characters, even though about half of them weren't really that likable (Mamó is basically just female Dumbledore, never giving anyone information and only helping when it serves herself). I loved Maddy however, she was highly relatable for an introvert like me haha.
The plot was interesting and really gripped me, especially towards the end. The final showdown was just so dark and gruesome and powerful, which added at least half a star to the score for me. I also enjoyed the characters, even though about half of them weren't really that likable (Mamó is basically just female Dumbledore, never giving anyone information and only helping when it serves herself). I loved Maddy however, she was highly relatable for an introvert like me haha.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes you open a book and you know from the start that it's a book that people either hate or love. This is such a book. It's too unique, too different, it stands out, it's like not much else I've ever read. It either works for you and grabs you in some way, or it's just a hard to understand story with a lot of violence, darkness and gore.
This book totally worked for me, although I always hope that a book manages to trigger some more emotion. The writing style is unique, although I already got to know it a little in the fairytale retellings I've read a few weeks ago. It's in a way very raw and pure, and yet it also has something flowery and old fashioned. It's hard to describe, but it clearly comes from within.
That also means that the descriptions aren't always detailed. The focus of the writing is on the emotion, on the current trail of thoughts, on what's going on at the time and not on what has been or what the characters already know. Therefore as a reader there are a lot of moments where gaps aren't fully explained or filled. I personally don't mind that, because I like being challenged a little and having to use my own imagination, but I can imagine that for some people this book is quite confusing.
Especially because the characters are mostly true teenagers. They are flawed, deeply flawed. They're egocentric and not always nice. In a world where especially YA heroines always have to be those perfect saints who can't make any mistakes or who can't be real teenagers, that was very refreshing. It doesn't always make it easy to form a connection with the characters, but for me I could identify with them exactly because they were flawed and therefore realistic. They mess up, they make mistakes and therefore it's not an impossible standard to live up to.
The true star of the story however was the atmosphere. I felt chills rolling down my spine, excitement rushing through my veins and the more we discovered, the more I was sucked into this story. Especially the ending made me stop breathing.
Reading this book was a unique experience that I wouldn't have wanted to miss.
This book totally worked for me, although I always hope that a book manages to trigger some more emotion. The writing style is unique, although I already got to know it a little in the fairytale retellings I've read a few weeks ago. It's in a way very raw and pure, and yet it also has something flowery and old fashioned. It's hard to describe, but it clearly comes from within.
That also means that the descriptions aren't always detailed. The focus of the writing is on the emotion, on the current trail of thoughts, on what's going on at the time and not on what has been or what the characters already know. Therefore as a reader there are a lot of moments where gaps aren't fully explained or filled. I personally don't mind that, because I like being challenged a little and having to use my own imagination, but I can imagine that for some people this book is quite confusing.
Especially because the characters are mostly true teenagers. They are flawed, deeply flawed. They're egocentric and not always nice. In a world where especially YA heroines always have to be those perfect saints who can't make any mistakes or who can't be real teenagers, that was very refreshing. It doesn't always make it easy to form a connection with the characters, but for me I could identify with them exactly because they were flawed and therefore realistic. They mess up, they make mistakes and therefore it's not an impossible standard to live up to.
The true star of the story however was the atmosphere. I felt chills rolling down my spine, excitement rushing through my veins and the more we discovered, the more I was sucked into this story. Especially the ending made me stop breathing.
Reading this book was a unique experience that I wouldn't have wanted to miss.
sanne_vds's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
heatherslevin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
mikeiswhere's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
I enjoyed this immensely. It walked a great line between focus on the broader, mysterious plot, and the smaller personal dramas, and I was enthralled by both. It was more horrifying than I thought it would be, but not to a fault.