shouldireadthis's review against another edition
4.0
This was an enjoyable read! I was excited to delve back into the world of Liesl, Kathe & Josef and I wasn’t disappointed.
There is still plenty of intrigue & mystery and the story is set among a sprawling European landscape which feels rich in history and myth. The narrative always has a whimsical, magical quality, which I liked.
Further, the characters are great. Liesl can be particularly melodramatic at times, and Josef is a bit brooding and detached, but this is easier to handle when the book switches its focus to different characters constantly, so I wasn’t left feeling irritated. I also liked that Der Erlkonig was not heavily featured in this book. This really isn’t a story about his character in particular, but about the history of the Underground. There’s lots of fairytale/mythology surrounding the Wild Hunt, changelings and the sacrifice of ‘innocents’.
This is one of the main reasons I enjoyed this novel more than the first; there is far less awkward, lusty dialogue between Liesl and her beloved as they barely cross paths in the entire book. So if you’re here for that ship, it has sailed my friend.
I much preferred how the book chose to focus more on Liesl and her dynamic with her brother, Josef, as they are like two half’s of the same coin. The book makes reference to each other being the gardener of the others heart, and you follow Liesl try to grapple with reconciling this, with her love for Der Erlkonig. It’s interesting to see, and family ties are so rarely fleshed out in a raw and meaningful way.
However, there are two things in this book that could have been improved:
1) There is a lack of satisfaction regarding the arc of some characters (I’m looking at you, Count and Countess). Also I would have preferred to see more Kathe and Francois towards the end, as it felt like they were absent for at least the last third.
2) The book features some letters (mainly written from Liesl to her siblings) and OMG these are so hard to read (?!). Why did they pick the most difficult handwriting samples to use? When an ‘I’ looks more like a ‘J’, lord knows I’m going to struggle. Stop with the fancy calligraphy and print the letters in a font we can all understand.
These two gripes did not ruin in the overall enjoyment of the book to me, but they would have marked the difference between a 4 star and 5 star rating.
Ultimately, if you’re expecting hot, steamy scenes between Liesl and her ‘austere young man’ you’re gonna be disappointed. If however, romance makes you cringe and you would prefer a story more focused on family, myths and reckoning, then maybe this is for you.
There is still plenty of intrigue & mystery and the story is set among a sprawling European landscape which feels rich in history and myth. The narrative always has a whimsical, magical quality, which I liked.
Further, the characters are great. Liesl can be particularly melodramatic at times, and Josef is a bit brooding and detached, but this is easier to handle when the book switches its focus to different characters constantly, so I wasn’t left feeling irritated. I also liked that Der Erlkonig was not heavily featured in this book. This really isn’t a story about his character in particular, but about the history of the Underground. There’s lots of fairytale/mythology surrounding the Wild Hunt, changelings and the sacrifice of ‘innocents’.
This is one of the main reasons I enjoyed this novel more than the first; there is far less awkward, lusty dialogue between Liesl and her beloved as they barely cross paths in the entire book. So if you’re here for that ship, it has sailed my friend.
I much preferred how the book chose to focus more on Liesl and her dynamic with her brother, Josef, as they are like two half’s of the same coin. The book makes reference to each other being the gardener of the others heart, and you follow Liesl try to grapple with reconciling this, with her love for Der Erlkonig. It’s interesting to see, and family ties are so rarely fleshed out in a raw and meaningful way.
However, there are two things in this book that could have been improved:
1) There is a lack of satisfaction regarding the arc of some characters (I’m looking at you, Count and Countess). Also I would have preferred to see more Kathe and Francois towards the end, as it felt like they were absent for at least the last third.
2) The book features some letters (mainly written from Liesl to her siblings) and OMG these are so hard to read (?!). Why did they pick the most difficult handwriting samples to use? When an ‘I’ looks more like a ‘J’, lord knows I’m going to struggle. Stop with the fancy calligraphy and print the letters in a font we can all understand.
These two gripes did not ruin in the overall enjoyment of the book to me, but they would have marked the difference between a 4 star and 5 star rating.
Ultimately, if you’re expecting hot, steamy scenes between Liesl and her ‘austere young man’ you’re gonna be disappointed. If however, romance makes you cringe and you would prefer a story more focused on family, myths and reckoning, then maybe this is for you.
flaviathebibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
When I read Wintersong around this time last year, I remember being thoroughly enchanted by Jae-Jones’ writing style, as well as the settings and magic. I was especially taken with the Underground and the Goblin King. The romance between Liesl and the Goblin King was also … well, something. It was an epic romance, as well as a damaged romance. At the time, I thought that Wintersong would be a standalone, and I was a little saddened by how things were left off.
The story didn’t feel finished, and I’m glad that someone else was of the same mind, because we were not only given a sequel, but also an ending to the series. I was very happy when reading the announcement that Shadowsong would be happening, and I couldn’t resist the urge to request an ARC for review. I finished the book almost a week ago, but wasn’t able to write a review right away, because I had to really analyze my feelings about it, and figure out how to write this review without spoiling anything.
Based on what I remember of Wintersong (and the author talks about this in a note preceding the story portion of the book), Shadowsong is quite different from its prequel. I remember there being quite a bit of magic, musical terminology, and sexual content in Wintersong, which there was very little (to none) of in Shadowsong. The sequel focused more on the “Above Ground” rather than the Underground, and also focused more on family than the romantic plot between Liesl and the Goblin King. There was still romance, don’t get me wrong, but not the amount that I was expecting. What Shadowsong did have more of, when compared to its prequel, however, is that focus on family (as I’ve mentioned), as well as more character development! Since I am a very family-oriented person, and I have a younger sibling, I really connected with Liesl in that regard. I also found it interesting to see Liesl, her siblings, and other supporting characters develop. S. Jae-Jones’ writing was also just as beautiful in Shadowsong as in Wintersong, which made me very happy.
The story in Shadowsong wasn’t what I pictured it would be. But that is understandable, considering that I based my expectations on the first book, as well as what I wanted book two to be. This book was still an interesting and entertaining read, though, and I recommend it to those who have read Wintersong, and I also recommend the series in general to those who like historical fantasy fiction, as well as reading about folklore.
The story didn’t feel finished, and I’m glad that someone else was of the same mind, because we were not only given a sequel, but also an ending to the series. I was very happy when reading the announcement that Shadowsong would be happening, and I couldn’t resist the urge to request an ARC for review. I finished the book almost a week ago, but wasn’t able to write a review right away, because I had to really analyze my feelings about it, and figure out how to write this review without spoiling anything.
Based on what I remember of Wintersong (and the author talks about this in a note preceding the story portion of the book), Shadowsong is quite different from its prequel. I remember there being quite a bit of magic, musical terminology, and sexual content in Wintersong, which there was very little (to none) of in Shadowsong. The sequel focused more on the “Above Ground” rather than the Underground, and also focused more on family than the romantic plot between Liesl and the Goblin King. There was still romance, don’t get me wrong, but not the amount that I was expecting. What Shadowsong did have more of, when compared to its prequel, however, is that focus on family (as I’ve mentioned), as well as more character development! Since I am a very family-oriented person, and I have a younger sibling, I really connected with Liesl in that regard. I also found it interesting to see Liesl, her siblings, and other supporting characters develop. S. Jae-Jones’ writing was also just as beautiful in Shadowsong as in Wintersong, which made me very happy.
The story in Shadowsong wasn’t what I pictured it would be. But that is understandable, considering that I based my expectations on the first book, as well as what I wanted book two to be. This book was still an interesting and entertaining read, though, and I recommend it to those who have read Wintersong, and I also recommend the series in general to those who like historical fantasy fiction, as well as reading about folklore.
redbirdwings's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite retelling of Labyrinth continues in all its gothic and romantic amazingness.
bibliophile_and_the_beast's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating: 3.5, so I’m rounding up
I definitely needed more Goblin King in this. I don’t mind his name nearly as much as other people seem too lol.
I like Elisabeth more but she’s still not my favorite.
I really like the ending. I teared up. Not as good as one, definitely won’t reread, but I liked the story I was given.
I definitely needed more Goblin King in this. I don’t mind his name nearly as much as other people seem too lol.
I like Elisabeth more but she’s still not my favorite.
I really like the ending. I teared up. Not as good as one, definitely won’t reread, but I liked the story I was given.
darkalice's review against another edition
1.0
Слабо, много слабо. Прочетох я, само за да разбера какво става с героите. Ми, не си развиват грам, още от същото като в първата книга, безинтересно до последните 20 страници, а дори като ти стане интересно на края, вече е без значение, защото просто искаш да свърши. Бих дала половин звезда и се радвам, че прескачах почти всички пасажи, не съдържащи диалог.
coffeebooksandsarcasm's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this series. Must read if you love magical folk-loreish stories.
haleysbookhaven's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
qwordyq's review against another edition
4.0
This was very different than the first book but not in a bad way at all. It was darker, more realistic in the emotions and thoughts of Liesl and in the truth of a strained familial relationship. Granted, it did drag a bit in the beginning for me but it’s one of those books well worth the wait for the end. I had a feeling I knew how this would end and I’m glad of how it did. I kind of wish there was a bit more happy payoff for Liesl in the end but the letter she writes is still a satisfactory glimpse into her ever after story.
emiller1018's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
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
3.0