morebedsidebooks's review
3.0
No, dear. If you’re going to tell it,
Tell it loud. Tell it proud.
That’s why I agreed to do this.
I want to hear no more
Of people like yourself
Who needed words they never learned
Because no one believed they were needed.
A retelling in verse of King Thrushbeard Dove Cooper offers a queerplatonic sapphic tale of the princess Marian (alloro ace) and the queen Edel (pan aroace). While I love retellings of fairytales, King Thrushbeard was a story I hadn’t previously been familiar with. It makes a wonderful base for Cooper’s interpretation featuring asexuality and aromanticism. Instead of through pride, Marian rejects suitors because she can’t be herself. The world can’t seem to understand her. Cruel out of necessity she creates a façade to turn off anyone who might show interest. Edel, who previously had no designs of marriage either yet found herself wedded and widowed, spots something familiar in the princess. Especially as Marian’s vexed father makes a declaration that his daughter marry the next beggar to show at the gates. So Edel decides to make sure she’s in disguise and the first. Through magical help and amidst humble surroundings the two eventually find ways to communicate, the tale unfolding in this conversational winding way.
Content Warnings
Minor: Vomit and Pandemic/Epidemic
From the author: acephobia/acemisia, arophobia/aromisia, sexual assault, brief allusion to self-harm, PTSD, spousal death, parental death, and unsupportive parents.poisoned_icecream's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault
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