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fraeyalise's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.75
Juliet Marillier writes emotions so well that I can read about terrible things happening and not be completely swept away by grief or anger.
This book was a classic Marillier story, and a standalone at that. I really loved it. I love the setting and the characters. I do think the love story between Anluan and Caitrin was a little forced, but I can kind of see where their relationship blossomed and the turning point happened. I wish we had seen more conversation between the two.
I figured out where the story was going about halfway through, but it wasn't super frustrating. I felt vindicated when everything was revealed. I'm really glad all the loose ends were basically tied up.
This book would be good to read if you want a story about hope with some romance and mystery thrown in.
Spoilers for ending:
The dog does die, but his death is respectful and it's treated with care. Also, I didn't really like that a jealous woman was the bad guy (the ONLY other main character that's a woman), but the way she's fleshed out and the reasons behind it make sense, it's not just women at each other fighting over a man.
EDIT: I had no idea this was a Beauty and the Beast retelling when I read it. If you didn't know, it still holds up really well.
This book was a classic Marillier story, and a standalone at that. I really loved it. I love the setting and the characters. I do think the love story between Anluan and Caitrin was a little forced, but I can kind of see where their relationship blossomed and the turning point happened. I wish we had seen more conversation between the two.
I figured out where the story was going about halfway through, but it wasn't super frustrating. I felt vindicated when everything was revealed. I'm really glad all the loose ends were basically tied up.
This book would be good to read if you want a story about hope with some romance and mystery thrown in.
Spoilers for ending:
EDIT: I had no idea this was a Beauty and the Beast retelling when I read it. If you didn't know, it still holds up really well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, and Pregnancy
One of the characters is a little ghost girl about 5 years old, hence the child death tag. The main character is also trapped in an abusive relationship after her father's death, butkirstym25's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Animal cruelty and Pregnancy
khajpaj's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Pregnancy and Gaslighting