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danoreading's review against another edition
4.0
Probably the most bizarre book I've ever read, but I really enjoyed it. Beautifully written and researched with tons of really odd and off-putting moments. Really excellent characters and the whole thing just flows together so nicely. Printz contender? Maybe? I really don't see this as YA though, not just because of the mature content (and whoo boy, is there some mature content) but also because I just don't feel the YA interest is there. There are certainly going to be mature teens who read and love this book, but that in and of itself does not make it teen.
Regardless, definitely worth a read, especially if fairy tales about syphilis are your thing.
Regardless, definitely worth a read, especially if fairy tales about syphilis are your thing.
hannahinpages's review against another edition
1.0
i dnfed at 100 pages, and usually wouldn't rate something i didn't read more of but . what is this
coryxiareads's review against another edition
2.0
The writing in this book was actually pretty solid and I liked the little myth/legend/fairy tales thrown in along the way. Overall tho it is dark and sad in the trajectory of its characters. I've not read a book that left me quite so unsettled in a long time. A lot of turns for the unfortunate path for a lot of the characters in this book - death, sickness, miscarriage, rape, it seemed to just spiral.
gehnehsis's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
madmaxxie's review against another edition
4.0
Somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars, I think. I liked it enough to read all 500+ pages. It's definitely got some weird and squicky moments, but I don't think it's nearly as graphic as the reviews I've read seem to suggest? I definitely don't recommend reading it unless you check out a list of triggers or something, but that goes for any book, not just this one.
It's very much about syphilis, so keep that in mind while you consider whether or not you want to read it.
It's very much about syphilis, so keep that in mind while you consider whether or not you want to read it.
maryame16's review
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.0
cleothegreat's review against another edition
4.0
She slits her eyes, keeps the lids smooth. She writes, 'I thought there be some power at work after all'
"'After all'?"
After all the ugly that has happen. After all the medicine and madness and sorrow.
Madness, madness, madness!
This was such a dark book. Set in medieval Scandinavia, this novel follows two protagonists as they discover the horrifying secrets and plots embedded within the history of a castle and it's inhabitants. Though it doesn't make any effort to sugarcoat gore or general unpleasantness, this book stays true to the time period it was set in and proves to be a mystifying read. (Not to mention that cover makes it a wonderful edition on my shelf.)
One thing I'd like to make note of is this: don't expect there to be much of a friendship between the two protagonists. It was something I wanted to see more of, but sadly, it didn't happen till the last quarter of the book.
Nonetheless, this novel is lovely but please refrain from indulging in it till after you're done eating. It is wickedly disturbing but it makes this book all the more compelling.
thisismeandme's review against another edition
dark
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
4.0