kittykornerlibrarian's review
4.0
This is set in a fantasy world that seems more Eurasian than European in its world-building. This fantasy world is powered by souls that are extracted from animals, and a line is crossed when a powerful man high up in the government begins to experiment with extracting and using human souls. There is political unrest, questions of scientific ethos, and an exploration of the bonds of family and sisterhood here, making for a short but rich story. I have the second one on my shelf and am looking forward to it.
mssarahmorgan's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
3.75
pcgonzalez's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bookswithbets's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
writingwwolves's review
5.0
Such a heartbreaking ending! I picked up this story because of its connection to the Romanovs, & the book is definitely a shadow of their story, but it's also wildly original & unique. I love the world building, the character development & especially the fact that the sisters are all very different from one another. The sequel comes out on my birthday & I cannot wait!
Extended Review: https://wp.me/p8MbIo-1Bl
Extended Review: https://wp.me/p8MbIo-1Bl
wordsareweapons's review
3.0
2.5/5 This book was confusing and not all at the same time. So this is a fantasy based around the Romanov sisters at the time of the revolution. Now I've read a decent amount about the revolution, and not many people really focus on the children, so you really have a lot to play with.
Let's start with the things I enjoyed. The way the fantasy was woven through the revolution setting was good. I enjoyed a couple of the characters, some of them were honestly really annoying. It was a very unique, highly allegorical take on the revolution, the reasons behind it, and the downside to communism. I think the author did a wonderful job of tucking all these aspects into a fantasy. And here is where the author also started to lose me. I get what she was trying to do, or I've completely misunderstood, but it was a little overdone. The Empress is "married" to the moon and that is the children's "father" who is made to appear conscious on some level, maybe. Their "seeds", yes this is actually what they are called, ate the mortal fathers, all of whom except 2 seem to be wastes. The Rasputin character is as smarmy as the real life person was. He can control apparently a vast majority of the country at once. How you ask? By containing pieces of the soul in a pearl. They also use animal souls as lights....and the little one can talk to shadows....why?? The magic system is vague at best. They have normal technology to my understanding, because the lights and this machine (aka communism) are the only things that need souls to run. I'm going to probably read the next one....simply because I am so lost and I'd like to see if there is clarification.
If this review is confusing imagine how I felt reading the book..
Let's start with the things I enjoyed. The way the fantasy was woven through the revolution setting was good. I enjoyed a couple of the characters, some of them were honestly really annoying. It was a very unique, highly allegorical take on the revolution, the reasons behind it, and the downside to communism. I think the author did a wonderful job of tucking all these aspects into a fantasy. And here is where the author also started to lose me. I get what she was trying to do, or I've completely misunderstood, but it was a little overdone. The Empress is "married" to the moon and that is the children's "father" who is made to appear conscious on some level, maybe. Their "seeds", yes this is actually what they are called, ate the mortal fathers, all of whom except 2 seem to be wastes. The Rasputin character is as smarmy as the real life person was. He can control apparently a vast majority of the country at once. How you ask? By containing pieces of the soul in a pearl. They also use animal souls as lights....and the little one can talk to shadows....why?? The magic system is vague at best. They have normal technology to my understanding, because the lights and this machine (aka communism) are the only things that need souls to run. I'm going to probably read the next one....simply because I am so lost and I'd like to see if there is clarification.
If this review is confusing imagine how I felt reading the book..
liacooper's review
4.0
An interesting imperial fantasy almost steampunk inspired by turn of the century Russian revolution/Romanov family. interesting little read i'll definitely pick up the sequel
caresays's review
3.0
I think the concept and worldbuilding in this story are pretty interesting, but the execution is slow. The entire book seems like it should be the prologue to another chunk. Basically, almost nothing happened???
mmefish's review
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Really, really liked it.
Each sister's POV was different from one another (though the youngest ones felt too mature for their ages), and every girl was interesting to read about for their own reasons. Very atmospheric setting and a tense storyline.
I'd reccomend this book to anyone who likes Russia-inspired fantasy. Excited to see what happens next!
Edit: ugh don't bother, the second book is terrible.
Each sister's POV was different from one another (though the youngest ones felt too mature for their ages), and every girl was interesting to read about for their own reasons. Very atmospheric setting and a tense storyline.
Edit: ugh don't bother, the second book is terrible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Abortion, Animal death, Death of parent, and Blood
Minor: Rape, Pregnancy, Animal cruelty, and Sexual content