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noekz98's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jenpaul13's review
4.0
Despite a long-standing enmity between witches and vampires not all is as it might appear, as revealed during a journey through a cursed forest in The Witch and the Vampire by Francesca Flores.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Locked away in a tower of her home by her mother for the past two years, Ava has been kept from the world and Kaye, a Flame witch who had been her best friend and has been training to hunt vampires; being locked away was for her own good since she’d been turned into a vampire, which are hunted down when they venture beyond the magically walled off forest, and sometimes even within it. Ava still has her Root witch powers, which her mother siphons to obscure the fact that she’s also a vampire while serving in leadership role within the community. Finally escaping confinement and determined to stop her mother’s plans that would destroy the town, Ava flees to the forest to seek help from Casiopea, the vampire queen, using the chaos of an attack as cover; following Ava’s tracks in to the forest, Kaye catches up and convinces Ava to travel together despite her plans to turn Ava over and get vengeance for the death of her mother. As the pair travel through the forest they both reminisce about how their relationship used to be, questioning what they thought they knew about one another, as well as what they’ve been taught to believe, while trying to avoid the dangers in the forest and emerge alive.
Using Rapunzel as a base for some initial plot points and characteristics in shaping Ava, the story has familiar basis from which to build and reform itself from the fairy tale’s basic frame as it incorporates its own lore regarding witches and vampires. Scheming and plays at power in order to serve the “greater good” from the adults of the story provide both intrigue and moral conflict for Ava and Kaye, playing out across chapters from their respective perspectives, which alternate to build out the story; the oscillating backsliding and growth of their relationship dynamic felt primarily surface-level and a bit forced to fit within the narrative and help drive the action, yet still came across as relatively authentic for melodrama associated with young teenagers. The magic within the world has a well-thought out origin slowly presented as events evolved, but the way it functions in actuality and how it impacts those who wield it or have been turned to vampires is not as thoroughly detailed or contextually fleshed out as it might have been, leaving a flatness to the world that has rich potential.
Overall, I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Locked away in a tower of her home by her mother for the past two years, Ava has been kept from the world and Kaye, a Flame witch who had been her best friend and has been training to hunt vampires; being locked away was for her own good since she’d been turned into a vampire, which are hunted down when they venture beyond the magically walled off forest, and sometimes even within it. Ava still has her Root witch powers, which her mother siphons to obscure the fact that she’s also a vampire while serving in leadership role within the community. Finally escaping confinement and determined to stop her mother’s plans that would destroy the town, Ava flees to the forest to seek help from Casiopea, the vampire queen, using the chaos of an attack as cover; following Ava’s tracks in to the forest, Kaye catches up and convinces Ava to travel together despite her plans to turn Ava over and get vengeance for the death of her mother. As the pair travel through the forest they both reminisce about how their relationship used to be, questioning what they thought they knew about one another, as well as what they’ve been taught to believe, while trying to avoid the dangers in the forest and emerge alive.
Using Rapunzel as a base for some initial plot points and characteristics in shaping Ava, the story has familiar basis from which to build and reform itself from the fairy tale’s basic frame as it incorporates its own lore regarding witches and vampires. Scheming and plays at power in order to serve the “greater good” from the adults of the story provide both intrigue and moral conflict for Ava and Kaye, playing out across chapters from their respective perspectives, which alternate to build out the story; the oscillating backsliding and growth of their relationship dynamic felt primarily surface-level and a bit forced to fit within the narrative and help drive the action, yet still came across as relatively authentic for melodrama associated with young teenagers. The magic within the world has a well-thought out origin slowly presented as events evolved, but the way it functions in actuality and how it impacts those who wield it or have been turned to vampires is not as thoroughly detailed or contextually fleshed out as it might have been, leaving a flatness to the world that has rich potential.
Overall, I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
alybrighteyes's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
lashette's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
It wasnt bad but the whole time I knew it wouldn't be more than 3 stars. It just wasn't that interesting to me. Good thing it was only available on Hoopla. If I wasn't getting through it so fast I would've stopped. And the sapphic element was so slow burn I thought everyone imagined it. They only kissed at the very end. They thought about each other but with the male friend confusing things, it could've just been good friends. That's okay too. But I feel if I hadn't read it was sapphic beforehand I densely would've been surprised at the end, lol. Speaking of the male friend, he seemed superfluous. Maybe a plot convenience. Lastly, I'm just learning it's a Rapunzel retelling. I can see that in the beginning. What I like is the princess saves herself aspect and that this doesn't just become a paranormal mask of the same exact story. Overall it was okay.
kaylalikestoread's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
goblintales's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
abbie_fugate's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
krystlethegreat's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
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? It's complicated
3.75
Rapunzel, but vampires.
This was a light fantasy read. Lots of fantasy elements, and semi-high stakes, but didn't feel tense or edge-of-your-seat.
The Sapphic element is really over-sold. This is so under developed you barely notice it.
A nice read if you are looking for some YA fantasy - easy read, low stress, lots of fantasy elements, and well explained world building and magic.
This was a light fantasy read. Lots of fantasy elements, and semi-high stakes, but didn't feel tense or edge-of-your-seat.
The Sapphic element is really over-sold. This is so under developed you barely notice it.
A nice read if you are looking for some YA fantasy - easy read, low stress, lots of fantasy elements, and well explained world building and magic.