madamenovelist's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
escapismforlife's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This story is beautiful and solidifies that Marie Lu's writing to this day can still make me cry.
Fun fact about me before you read this review : I had a minor in Woman and Gender Studies. One that I completed spring of 2021.
A real life firgure like Marianne Mozart is why I refuse to keep my mouth shut when it comes to my opinion. And incorporating characters in stories that have sensitive men who listen, validate and help women and women of color.
While she had many privileges and rights growing up getting her due recognition and respect was never one of them. And for that reason I will continue to be critical of men and women who I'm around to not live in delusion of the western society's patriarchal oppression.
Fun fact about me before you read this review : I had a minor in Woman and Gender Studies. One that I completed spring of 2021.
A real life firgure like Marianne Mozart is why I refuse to keep my mouth shut when it comes to my opinion. And incorporating characters in stories that have sensitive men who listen, validate and help women and women of color.
While she had many privileges and rights growing up getting her due recognition and respect was never one of them. And for that reason I will continue to be critical of men and women who I'm around to not live in delusion of the western society's patriarchal oppression.
Graphic: Gaslighting, Child abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Chronic illness, Sexism, and Confinement
Moderate: Abandonment and Violence
Minor: Body horror
jojo_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Misogyny
Moderate: Child abuse, Blood, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Child death, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
nebraskanwriter's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
This book truly surprised me. I cannot remember reading, at least recently, a book that blends historical fiction and fantasy together. This is the story of Marianna (nicknamed Nannerl) and her younger brother, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This is the tale of Nannerl composing along with Wolfgang, their love for music and the harpsichord one of the foundational stones of their tight sibling bond. As Nannerl grows and matures, she sees how many women in history are overshadowed by those more powerful and highly esteemed so she vows to never be forgotten.
Thus, the Kingdom of Back is born, a nursery/imaginary game between Wolfgang and Nannerl that becomes real when a princeling from their imaginations visits Nannerl to grant her wish—but for a price. The book weaves between the magical world of the Kingdom of Back, the historical streets of Austria and king’s palaces that the siblings preform at.
This is definitely one of my favorite books of 2020 thus far, Lu’s rich attention to historical details and lush descriptions of the Kingdom of Back as well as the relationships between the Mozart family members kept me reading long into the night.
Thus, the Kingdom of Back is born, a nursery/imaginary game between Wolfgang and Nannerl that becomes real when a princeling from their imaginations visits Nannerl to grant her wish—but for a price. The book weaves between the magical world of the Kingdom of Back, the historical streets of Austria and king’s palaces that the siblings preform at.
This is definitely one of my favorite books of 2020 thus far, Lu’s rich attention to historical details and lush descriptions of the Kingdom of Back as well as the relationships between the Mozart family members kept me reading long into the night.
Graphic: Violence
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