arinreads's review against another edition
dnf @ 26%
the main character is so unlikeable i wouldn't care if she did fail at whatever mission she thought she ought to accomplish
like... who the fuck would treat their best friend this way
also, i just wish this whole girl boss trend where the heroine is just being a spoiled asshole would end
the main character is so unlikeable i wouldn't care if she did fail at whatever mission she thought she ought to accomplish
like... who the fuck would treat their best friend this way
also, i just wish this whole girl boss trend where the heroine is just being a spoiled asshole would end
ratcousin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I've got a few issues with this book, the pacing mostly, the fact that the secondary characters aren't super developed, and a couple of little things that go unexplained, but all in all I'd still finish this series
spiringempress's review against another edition
2.0
For the lack of a better term, this book was a little bit of a hot mess. Not only did the character development leave a lot to be desired, but the world-building was completely nonexistent. It all begins with Emanuela Ragno's wedding day. Engaged to Alessandro Morandi, heir to the richest house in Occhia, Emanuela is eager to finally be married and wield even more power. However, Emanuela is also hiding a secret that threatens her carefully plotted plans.
In the city of Occhia, there exists only one source of water: a mysterious being known as the watercrea, who possesses the ability to turn blood into water. Randomly, individuals develop a bruise or omen on their body, which means they need to surrender themselves to the watercrea. She drains the life force from these individuals and turns their blood into water for the city. Emanuela developed an omen as a child, but she's kept it hidden for years. However, this secret is revealed and in stubborn defiance, Emanuela succeeds in killing the watercrea, but endangers her city. Along with Ale, Emanuela must find a way to replace the water supply before it's too late.
There is little to no explanation for the obsession with water and ensuring that the supply line remains stable within Occhia. Sure, water as an important resource is a plausible plotline, but it's boring. It seems to be the plotline of a high fantasy novel, where the author has spent hours researching how the economy and production line would work in a small city, but not in a measly 288 paged young adult book. The role of the watercrea (which is just an odd name) beyond supplying the water is also vaguely explored in a way that feels slapped together.
The main reason the book feels rushed lies in the fact that the main protagonist is a chaos queen wielding a knife. I'm all for chaotic characters with questionable motivations, but Emanuela feels slightly unhinged. One moment, she's hellbent on doing one thing, and then quick as a flash, she's charing in another direction. It also contributes to the feeling that the author was writing one plotline, thought of a better direction, and abandoned ship without changing any of the preceding information to match. Overall, the book feels like whiplash and it's all done in the name of water...
In the city of Occhia, there exists only one source of water: a mysterious being known as the watercrea, who possesses the ability to turn blood into water. Randomly, individuals develop a bruise or omen on their body, which means they need to surrender themselves to the watercrea. She drains the life force from these individuals and turns their blood into water for the city. Emanuela developed an omen as a child, but she's kept it hidden for years. However, this secret is revealed and in stubborn defiance, Emanuela succeeds in killing the watercrea, but endangers her city. Along with Ale, Emanuela must find a way to replace the water supply before it's too late.
There is little to no explanation for the obsession with water and ensuring that the supply line remains stable within Occhia. Sure, water as an important resource is a plausible plotline, but it's boring. It seems to be the plotline of a high fantasy novel, where the author has spent hours researching how the economy and production line would work in a small city, but not in a measly 288 paged young adult book. The role of the watercrea (which is just an odd name) beyond supplying the water is also vaguely explored in a way that feels slapped together.
The main reason the book feels rushed lies in the fact that the main protagonist is a chaos queen wielding a knife. I'm all for chaotic characters with questionable motivations, but Emanuela feels slightly unhinged. One moment, she's hellbent on doing one thing, and then quick as a flash, she's charing in another direction. It also contributes to the feeling that the author was writing one plotline, thought of a better direction, and abandoned ship without changing any of the preceding information to match. Overall, the book feels like whiplash and it's all done in the name of water...
pinkpeonies's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.75
bec_ourcolourfulpages's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
popthebutterfly's review
3.0
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the publisher for Rockstar Book Tours. Thanks! All opinons are my own.
Book: Beyond the Ruby Veil
Author: Mara Fitzgerald
Book Series: Beyond the Ruby Veil Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, revenge, romance, bully like romance
Publication Date: October 13, 2020
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 288
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, sexual content, violence, gore, death, torture)
Synopsis: Cunning and unapologetic, Emanuela Ragno is a socialite who plays by her own rules. In her most ambitious move yet, she’s about to marry Alessandro Morandi, her childhood best friend and the heir to the wealthiest house in Occhia. Emanuela doesn’t care that she and her groom are both gay, because she doesn’t want a love match. She wants power, and through Ale, she’ll have it all.
But Emanuela has a secret that could shatter her plans. In her city of Occhia, the only source of water is the watercrea, a mysterious being who uses magic to make water from blood. When their first bruise-like omen appears on their skin, all Occhians must surrender themselves to the watercrea to be drained of life. Everyone throughout history has obeyed this law for the greater good. Everyone except Emanuela. She’s kept the tiny omen on her hip out of sight for years.
When the watercrea exposes Emanuela during her wedding ceremony and takes her to be sacrificed, Emanuela fights back…and kills her. Before everyone in Occhia dies of thirst, Emanuela and Ale must travel through the mysterious, blood-red veil that surrounds their city to uncover the source of the watercrea’s power and save their people—no matter what it takes.
Review: For the most part I liked this book. It was a fun, short read that kept me on my toes. The book is great for people who want something fast to get through in one sitting and the plot kept me intrigued from start to finish.
However, there were a ton of problems with this book. The book is way too fast paced and by 15% in I had already reached what should have been the climax of the book. The book is also confusing and spends very little time on developing the story. Nothing is explained outright and the reader is left to guess. The book also had very little world building and the character development was non-existent.
Verdict: It was good and I liked it, but there’s some problems.
Book: Beyond the Ruby Veil
Author: Mara Fitzgerald
Book Series: Beyond the Ruby Veil Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, revenge, romance, bully like romance
Publication Date: October 13, 2020
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 288
Recommended Age: 16+ (romance, sexual content, violence, gore, death, torture)
Synopsis: Cunning and unapologetic, Emanuela Ragno is a socialite who plays by her own rules. In her most ambitious move yet, she’s about to marry Alessandro Morandi, her childhood best friend and the heir to the wealthiest house in Occhia. Emanuela doesn’t care that she and her groom are both gay, because she doesn’t want a love match. She wants power, and through Ale, she’ll have it all.
But Emanuela has a secret that could shatter her plans. In her city of Occhia, the only source of water is the watercrea, a mysterious being who uses magic to make water from blood. When their first bruise-like omen appears on their skin, all Occhians must surrender themselves to the watercrea to be drained of life. Everyone throughout history has obeyed this law for the greater good. Everyone except Emanuela. She’s kept the tiny omen on her hip out of sight for years.
When the watercrea exposes Emanuela during her wedding ceremony and takes her to be sacrificed, Emanuela fights back…and kills her. Before everyone in Occhia dies of thirst, Emanuela and Ale must travel through the mysterious, blood-red veil that surrounds their city to uncover the source of the watercrea’s power and save their people—no matter what it takes.
Review: For the most part I liked this book. It was a fun, short read that kept me on my toes. The book is great for people who want something fast to get through in one sitting and the plot kept me intrigued from start to finish.
However, there were a ton of problems with this book. The book is way too fast paced and by 15% in I had already reached what should have been the climax of the book. The book is also confusing and spends very little time on developing the story. Nothing is explained outright and the reader is left to guess. The book also had very little world building and the character development was non-existent.
Verdict: It was good and I liked it, but there’s some problems.
irisgoldson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Murder, and Body horror
Moderate: Vomit, Violence, and Confinement
Minor: Cursing, Homophobia, Child abuse, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Domestic abuse
In the book it’s is described in depth, multiple times, what it feels like to chew and swallow another persons eyeball. It’s very disturbing, you’ve been warned.kaitumaneng's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
gracerichards11's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
3.5