futurememory's review
3.0
There were things I really loved about Gilded Ashes, and things that were just okay.
As a romance, it fell flat for me. Our two leads simply didn't have enough chemistry. There wasn't enough room to establish a meaningful relationship in the span of this novella. I didn't mind either of the leads individually, and I know that this wasn't exactly instalove, but since I didn't see their relationship develop on the pages, I couldn't get very squeal-filled over their feelings.
The relationships between Maia and the women in her family, though, are pretty dynamic and fantastic. Gilded Ashes deals with the way that love is dark - the way it warps and twists even the best of intentions into monstrous mistakes. I really did love all of the various ways this played out.
Pretty good, but no Cruel Beauty.
As a romance, it fell flat for me. Our two leads simply didn't have enough chemistry. There wasn't enough room to establish a meaningful relationship in the span of this novella. I didn't mind either of the leads individually, and I know that this wasn't exactly instalove, but since I didn't see their relationship develop on the pages, I couldn't get very squeal-filled over their feelings.
The relationships between Maia and the women in her family, though, are pretty dynamic and fantastic. Gilded Ashes deals with the way that love is dark - the way it warps and twists even the best of intentions into monstrous mistakes. I really did love all of the various ways this played out.
Pretty good, but no Cruel Beauty.
tcrnn's review
4.0
So I've come to conclusion that no book of Rosamund Hodge is bad. Not even simply average good. It's always great. Every plot, every description, every retelling, was written with captivating and compelling beauty.
Only one thing I found somehow lacking: the end of the book. I think it's rather abrupt, that she could write just some more to put us reader with better closure. But even this could also be debated. Maybe she wants us to imagine more?
The thing is, Ms Hodge, your imagination is way more better than mine.
So please please please would you start writing an epilogue in your next book? Please!
Love you!
Only one thing I found somehow lacking: the end of the book. I think it's rather abrupt, that she could write just some more to put us reader with better closure. But even this could also be debated. Maybe she wants us to imagine more?
The thing is, Ms Hodge, your imagination is way more better than mine.
So please please please would you start writing an epilogue in your next book? Please!
Love you!
books_over_everything's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this novella by Rosamund Hodge. It is a retelling of the classic story of Cinderella with a spin on the setting that takes you back to the same universe as another of Hodge’s novels, Cruel Beauty.
It was a quick read (took me about an hour) but the characters were still extremely vivid and well written.
I hope to see more short stories by Rosamund Hodge set in this world.
It was a quick read (took me about an hour) but the characters were still extremely vivid and well written.
I hope to see more short stories by Rosamund Hodge set in this world.
charliebella's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
18maria98's review
4.0
I love, books that are different variations of Cinderella, so I really enjoyed this one.
books2graham's review
4.0
For an enovella/short story, this was very well put together. My only complaint is that I had to download a kindle app to read it and that I can't buy a paper copy in the store. =( Putting that aside, the plot was good as were the characters. This short story had a lot of potential to be a full-fledged book, however it was a really great read on it's own. For a short, quick read, I definitely recommend this. =)
pagesplotsandpints's review
3.0
3.5 stars
It was interesting but I don't think I'm captivated by the Cruel Beauty world!
I did like the way the story was retold and reshaped. Very interesting and a good read!
It was interesting but I don't think I'm captivated by the Cruel Beauty world!
I did like the way the story was retold and reshaped. Very interesting and a good read!
s4ffy's review
4.0
"My mother knew that wishes are always bought with pain. She thought she could shield me from the price, but she was wrong. Maybe I could do better. Maybe I could word my bargain carefully enough that nobody I loved would pay. But somebody would. And I know one thing my mother never did. I know what it is like to live every day and every hour by the fruits of someone else’s wretched bargain. To see people suffer and know, They suffer because I am loved."
Maia lies every single day. She lies to herself, her family and all those around her because the truth is too deadly to reveal. She pretends to be happy because if she is not, the consequences are disastrous. Upon undertaking the task of helping her stepsister marry the Prince, she unintentionally becomes close to him, forming a bond which she had never wanted with anyone.
This novella was fantastic, eerie and dark. I adore Rosamund Hodge in every way; her retellings, her writing style, her plot. Just, wow. The shadow of menace and fear hung over every page like a cloud. Maia's mother's presence was not a glowing memory from the past, but a threatening and powerful character who became Maia's prison. The creepy atmosphere was created really well, with the dilapidated house plagued by demons in the shadows.
The characters especially were really well developed, especially the stepsisters. Kore and Thea character-wise were my favourite. They were both three-dimensional who were neither good nor bad, but just trying to survive and protect those they love. The relationship between the sisters at the end made me both warmed me inside and made me want to cry.
The love story was amazing. Considering the fact that this is a novella and a short one at that, it seemed that insta-love would be near on impossible to avoid. Boy was I wrong. Anax and Maia's relationship was established really well and evolved at a pace that was easy to see. None of this instalove bullshit here. I loved Anax as a love interest. He had a great personality, charming and flawed. Together, they had a great chemistry - their conversations were meaningful and genuine, laced with humour. They could be themselves with each other and it showed.
I eagerly await more from Rosamund Hodge, I am sure she won't disappoint.
Maia lies every single day. She lies to herself, her family and all those around her because the truth is too deadly to reveal. She pretends to be happy because if she is not, the consequences are disastrous. Upon undertaking the task of helping her stepsister marry the Prince, she unintentionally becomes close to him, forming a bond which she had never wanted with anyone.
This novella was fantastic, eerie and dark. I adore Rosamund Hodge in every way; her retellings, her writing style, her plot. Just, wow. The shadow of menace and fear hung over every page like a cloud. Maia's mother's presence was not a glowing memory from the past, but a threatening and powerful character who became Maia's prison. The creepy atmosphere was created really well, with the dilapidated house plagued by demons in the shadows.
The characters especially were really well developed, especially the stepsisters. Kore and Thea character-wise were my favourite. They were both three-dimensional who were neither good nor bad, but just trying to survive and protect those they love. The relationship between the sisters at the end made me both warmed me inside and made me want to cry.
The love story was amazing. Considering the fact that this is a novella and a short one at that, it seemed that insta-love would be near on impossible to avoid. Boy was I wrong. Anax and Maia's relationship was established really well and evolved at a pace that was easy to see. None of this instalove bullshit here. I loved Anax as a love interest. He had a great personality, charming and flawed. Together, they had a great chemistry - their conversations were meaningful and genuine, laced with humour. They could be themselves with each other and it showed.
I eagerly await more from Rosamund Hodge, I am sure she won't disappoint.