theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
3.0
Girl, Serpent, Thorn // written by Melissa Bashardoust // narrated by Nikki Massoud
Girl, Serpent, Thorn is a fun story for anyone that enjoys YA fairy tale retellings. The author did a great job of giving it that magical feeling without being too whimsical or childish about it. I really enjoyed the variety of characters she had, the way those characters interacted, the shifting loyalties, and the way she adapted and included real-world cultures to her stories. The criticism I do have for this book are things that I generally struggle with in YA books: the world-building and the ease of solving issues. As another reviewer said, I think this story could've really benefited from being maybe about 100 pages longer so that the world could be fleshed out a little more and so that the conflicts that are spoken of as so difficult could have a little more room to actually be difficult rather than being solved relatively quickly. Overall though, I really enjoy this author's style and am looking forward to hearing more about her work.
I definitely recommend listening to this book if you have the chance. Nikki Massoud is one of my favorite audiobook narrator and she once again did a fantastic job with this one. It is so easy to tell which character is speaking because of her range of voices and accents, and she always adds to my enjoyment of every book.
Thank you for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Girl, Serpent, Thorn is a fun story for anyone that enjoys YA fairy tale retellings. The author did a great job of giving it that magical feeling without being too whimsical or childish about it. I really enjoyed the variety of characters she had, the way those characters interacted, the shifting loyalties, and the way she adapted and included real-world cultures to her stories. The criticism I do have for this book are things that I generally struggle with in YA books: the world-building and the ease of solving issues. As another reviewer said, I think this story could've really benefited from being maybe about 100 pages longer so that the world could be fleshed out a little more and so that the conflicts that are spoken of as so difficult could have a little more room to actually be difficult rather than being solved relatively quickly. Overall though, I really enjoy this author's style and am looking forward to hearing more about her work.
I definitely recommend listening to this book if you have the chance. Nikki Massoud is one of my favorite audiobook narrator and she once again did a fantastic job with this one. It is so easy to tell which character is speaking because of her range of voices and accents, and she always adds to my enjoyment of every book.
Thank you for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
3.0
Girl, Serpent, Thorn // written by Melissa Bashardoust // narrated by Nikki Massoud
Girl, Serpent, Thorn is a fun story for anyone that enjoys YA fairy tale retellings. The author did a great job of giving it that magical feeling without being too whimsical or childish about it. I really enjoyed the variety of characters she had, the way those characters interacted, the shifting loyalties, and the way she adapted and included real-world cultures to her stories. The criticism I do have for this book are things that I generally struggle with in YA books: the world-building and the ease of solving issues. As another reviewer said, I think this story could've really benefited from being maybe about 100 pages longer so that the world could be fleshed out a little more and so that the conflicts that are spoken of as so difficult could have a little more room to actually be difficult rather than being solved relatively quickly. Overall though, I really enjoy this author's style and am looking forward to hearing more about her work.
I definitely recommend listening to this book if you have the chance. Nikki Massoud is one of my favorite audiobook narrator and she once again did a fantastic job with this one. It is so easy to tell which character is speaking because of her range of voices and accents, and she always adds to my enjoyment of every book.
Thank you for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Girl, Serpent, Thorn is a fun story for anyone that enjoys YA fairy tale retellings. The author did a great job of giving it that magical feeling without being too whimsical or childish about it. I really enjoyed the variety of characters she had, the way those characters interacted, the shifting loyalties, and the way she adapted and included real-world cultures to her stories. The criticism I do have for this book are things that I generally struggle with in YA books: the world-building and the ease of solving issues. As another reviewer said, I think this story could've really benefited from being maybe about 100 pages longer so that the world could be fleshed out a little more and so that the conflicts that are spoken of as so difficult could have a little more room to actually be difficult rather than being solved relatively quickly. Overall though, I really enjoy this author's style and am looking forward to hearing more about her work.
I definitely recommend listening to this book if you have the chance. Nikki Massoud is one of my favorite audiobook narrator and she once again did a fantastic job with this one. It is so easy to tell which character is speaking because of her range of voices and accents, and she always adds to my enjoyment of every book.
Thank you for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
starry2013's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mamaowlbear's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vivianne's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 3.25 stars.
Though quite enjoyable with an entertaining romance and pleasant main character, I felt like this book was nothing special and way too short for what it tried to be.
I’ve read this book 10 days ago and, already, I can’t tell you a single thing about it. It’s quite forgettable and the main reason for that was that nothing really stood out in this book therefore it can disappear in the sea of other YA fantasies out there.
I think the world was very interesting and I would definitely want to read more about this in a future book. But I was rather disappointed by how “small” it remained. It was sufficient enough to support the story but it never made me gasp or be like wow this is so well thought out or so original. While reading I just kept being like: I want more, how, why? And towards the ending it became a little frustrating. It just made this a story of good vs evil and who will remain in the end.
I actually had the same experience with the plot. There was sufficient of a plot line to keep me entertained and there was enough history to support the plot line and motivations of the characters and world, but I just wanted more. It was all so basic and I missed side plot lines of for example side characters or more about the history of the world. I did love the Persian influences and that some things were based on Persian mythology.
I also had trouble getting into this book, but that might have been due to my reading slump. Nevertheless the plot was really entertaining and once I was about 10% in I could not stop reading and I finished it in under 2 days (but that might have been also due to the simplicity of the plot and world).
I found the main character enjoyable to read from, nevertheless I cannot remember a single thing about her too. The romance was, however, pleasantly surprising and renewing. I really enjoyed this part.
The ending wrapped up a bit too quickly and too perfectly, it made it hard to believe and wasn’t as enjoyable for me.
Nevertheless it was quite entertaining and it’s a fast read, plus I love that it’s a fantasy standalone. But there are better books out there to read.
Though quite enjoyable with an entertaining romance and pleasant main character, I felt like this book was nothing special and way too short for what it tried to be.
I’ve read this book 10 days ago and, already, I can’t tell you a single thing about it. It’s quite forgettable and the main reason for that was that nothing really stood out in this book therefore it can disappear in the sea of other YA fantasies out there.
I think the world was very interesting and I would definitely want to read more about this in a future book. But I was rather disappointed by how “small” it remained. It was sufficient enough to support the story but it never made me gasp or be like wow this is so well thought out or so original. While reading I just kept being like: I want more, how, why? And towards the ending it became a little frustrating. It just made this a story of good vs evil and who will remain in the end.
I actually had the same experience with the plot. There was sufficient of a plot line to keep me entertained and there was enough history to support the plot line and motivations of the characters and world, but I just wanted more. It was all so basic and I missed side plot lines of for example side characters or more about the history of the world. I did love the Persian influences and that some things were based on Persian mythology.
I also had trouble getting into this book, but that might have been due to my reading slump. Nevertheless the plot was really entertaining and once I was about 10% in I could not stop reading and I finished it in under 2 days (but that might have been also due to the simplicity of the plot and world).
I found the main character enjoyable to read from, nevertheless I cannot remember a single thing about her too. The romance was, however, pleasantly surprising and renewing. I really enjoyed this part.
The ending wrapped up a bit too quickly and too perfectly, it made it hard to believe and wasn’t as enjoyable for me.
Nevertheless it was quite entertaining and it’s a fast read, plus I love that it’s a fantasy standalone. But there are better books out there to read.
_berit_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
briaraq's review against another edition
4.0
There's just something about Soraya that I love. I hate that she had to really mess everything up before helping her brother create the world their father always hoped for, but I'm glad it turned out well for everyone. And I'm happy that she's finally comfortable in her own skin. Although, I wasn't expecting her to be a full div by the end.
jadira's review against another edition
4.0
Betrayal, self acceptance, and self-identity.
This book was amazing from start to finish. With Persian mythology, battles for royalty, and a strong female lead, it was a whirlwind of emotions, living up to its name. Enemies to lovers and a twist on the “prince saves the damsel in distress” pipeline, I loved it.
This book was amazing from start to finish. With Persian mythology, battles for royalty, and a strong female lead, it was a whirlwind of emotions, living up to its name. Enemies to lovers and a twist on the “prince saves the damsel in distress” pipeline, I loved it.