Reviews

Ormeshadow by Priya Sharma

zellreads's review against another edition

4.0

This was an absolutely fantastic novella. The writing was beautiful, the plot was heartwrenching, and the conclusion was everything I wanted it to be. This draws you in, breaks your heart, then spits you back out with just enough of a happy ending to make up for it all.

anemfakos's review against another edition

5.0

A very good quick read with gorgeous imagery of the fantastical that lies around us waiting to be awoke. Also dragons are always cool.

cemeteryyy's review against another edition

4.75

I couldn't for the life of me tell you why this novella has stuck with me so effectively. gorgeous historical backdrop, beautiful prose, heartbreaking characterization. the short length is good, but it feels much longer, somehow. this was really captivating

tamara_joy's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Death of parent

Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism

Minor: Blood

secretthistory's review against another edition

reflective tense fast-paced

3.0

honnari_hannya's review against another edition

1.0

A book with incredibly spare prose, and not necessarily in a good way. It was too short for much to develop, and felt more like a draft rather than a finished story. The plot, characters, and atmosphere were barely described, as if Sharma was trying to rush through the story. The family drama was unbearably dull, the resentments half-formed, the mystique of Ormeshadow as thin as paper. Overall an attempt at a gothic that wasn't successful. Still, not the worst thing I've ever read. A solid, "Meh."

cj13's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Classism

Moderate: Animal death, Body shaming, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Minor: Fire/Fire injury

annaavian's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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? It's complicated

2.0

A dark and gloomy novella that failed to deliver. 
I was expecting a fantasy with dragons, but instead got a mundane story focused on toxic masculinity and power struggles over women with little to no fantastical elements. The story felt a bit bleak with a rushed portrayal of a boy's life after losing his father, surrounded by a cold-hearted, distant mother and cruel relatives. The writing style is sparse, and the characters are unlikable at best. And after all that build-up, the ending left me disappointed.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Death of parent

Moderate: Animal death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicide, and Pregnancy

Minor: Fire/Fire injury

goldenglitterydusk's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

erinrosalee's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0