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anenome's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I loved and hated this book.
The amazing parts were about the faeries and their realms. Inventive transporting stories that gripped me.
I adore the pet-like Poe and would devour a whole series told from his point of view.
The enveloping wintery atmosphere was beautiful.
The parts I hated concerned the humans -like some male authors can't write women, I think Heather Fawcett can't write humans, the people in this tale were drawn so broadly.
One event in this book confused me-when Emily tortured a child faerie (who was abandoned by their parents in a strange world) for giving people bad visions. She STABBED him and then writes in her journal about how much he's screaming in pain like it's great? Portrayed as deserved, but it really wasn't, it was a horrible scene. Emily is an evil character now but we're supposed to root for her? follow her romance?😮💨 From here I was reading on hoping a faerie ate Emily's head
I do not understand at all how this book is considered 'cosy'; it's full of violent acts, vitriolic hatred, beheadings 🤔 -that's fine but it's not cosy🤷🏻♀️
I wish this book had been just an actual encyclopedia, it would have been pure magic.
The amazing parts were about the faeries and their realms. Inventive transporting stories that gripped me.
I adore the pet-like Poe and would devour a whole series told from his point of view.
The enveloping wintery atmosphere was beautiful.
The parts I hated concerned the humans -like some male authors can't write women, I think Heather Fawcett can't write humans, the people in this tale were drawn so broadly.
One event in this book confused me-
I do not understand at all how this book is considered 'cosy'; it's full of violent acts, vitriolic hatred, beheadings 🤔 -that's fine but it's not cosy🤷🏻♀️
I wish this book had been just an actual encyclopedia, it would have been pure magic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
fkshg8465's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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 find myself very surprised for liking this book as much as I did. Usually, fairy stories are too violent for my liking, but this one, though it did have violence in it, was more charming than anything, and that had everything to do with our maybe neurodivergent lead protagonist. She was adorable, full of heart and courage, smart, outspoken, determined, and ethical. Also loved her dog Shadow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Outing, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
kiwij96's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A couple of things: books need to stop being advertised as romantasy when the only "romantic" event was the FMC saying she liked the MMC's hair, and the MMC professing his love for the FMC out of absolutely nowhere. Considering that even in the book summary, it says "she'll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all - her heart", Emily Wilde barely unlocks her personality.
I genuinely do not know what the plot was supposed to be: academic fantasy; romantasy; general fantasy. Because it began as a light fae academia, and slowly but surely descended into chaos by page 200. Somehow it ended up in Cruel Prince territory with absurd professions of love, an act of self mutilation, and fae royalty. Also the events of the last 100 pages were so erratic and at times out-of-character for the FMC, it didn't suit the story at all.
The events of the story happened at odd paces, with weird and vague descriptions on how conclusions were being made, and also events just being too conveniently solved. For this reason I don't thing the diary entry style of chaptering did it any favours.
This would have worked so much better as a rivals to friends type relationship in an academic setting for sure. There was no chemistry between the characters for a romance to be justified in 315 pages personally.
That said though, it was a great concept and I would probably read again (just in case it was a result of reading it out of season with this having a more winter vibe), and I liked the idea of the academic research into different fae cultures. I am hoping the sequel explores this in more depth. The worldbuilding was fantastic, the writing was mostly descriptive and was easy to read at a nice pace. Just kinda lost the plot a bit towards the end there. Could definitely have been more academic.
I genuinely do not know what the plot was supposed to be: academic fantasy; romantasy; general fantasy. Because it began as a light fae academia, and slowly but surely descended into chaos by page 200. Somehow it ended up in Cruel Prince territory with absurd professions of love, an act of self mutilation, and fae royalty. Also the events of the last 100 pages were so erratic and at times out-of-character for the FMC, it didn't suit the story at all.
The events of the story happened at odd paces, with weird and vague descriptions on how conclusions were being made, and also events just being too conveniently solved. For this reason I don't thing the diary entry style of chaptering did it any favours.
This would have worked so much better as a rivals to friends type relationship in an academic setting for sure. There was no chemistry between the characters for a romance to be justified in 315 pages personally.
That said though, it was a great concept and I would probably read again (just in case it was a result of reading it out of season with this having a more winter vibe), and I liked the idea of the academic research into different fae cultures. I am hoping the sequel explores this in more depth. The worldbuilding was fantastic, the writing was mostly descriptive and was easy to read at a nice pace. Just kinda lost the plot a bit towards the end there. Could definitely have been more academic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Self harm, and Blood
mantnam's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail