fatcathappy's review
2.0
I have to agree in some aspects to what others have already mentioned about this book. It was a little disappointing after reading Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister. The way in which he beat the readers head with symbolism was just too much. It tried too hard and not only lost it's meaning, but confuses most readers.
However,
We do expect some of this from Maguire. There is a little bit of this in all of his novels. I do believe that some of his symbolism came across like the unicorn meaning the loss of innocence or the hunter needing to hunt or the squid sex...
... now this could be in there for giggles... I have no idea, but it may represent the loss of sexuality in women as they age. It may also mean the desirability. She may have been so undesirable that going with a squid seemed like a good idea. It could also mean that her life has literally sucked the sexuality from her since her husband was at sea. Not exactly sure because the mentions of this event do not flow with the rest of the plot...
I much prefer his other work. More solidification and direction for the reading audience would have benefited this book.
However,
We do expect some of this from Maguire. There is a little bit of this in all of his novels. I do believe that some of his symbolism came across like the unicorn meaning the loss of innocence or the hunter needing to hunt or the squid sex...
... now this could be in there for giggles... I have no idea, but it may represent the loss of sexuality in women as they age. It may also mean the desirability. She may have been so undesirable that going with a squid seemed like a good idea. It could also mean that her life has literally sucked the sexuality from her since her husband was at sea. Not exactly sure because the mentions of this event do not flow with the rest of the plot...
I much prefer his other work. More solidification and direction for the reading audience would have benefited this book.
risalikesbooks's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
3.0
szeglin's review
4.0
Magical! I'm glad I read a biography of Lucrezia Borgia right before I read this. The contextual info made this story much easier to follow. Last time I read this I felt rather lost.
msthibert611's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
relizondo3's review against another edition
3.0
The best word I can use to describe this word is “odd.” Not odd in a bad way, just a very different book. There were elements of the story I loved, elements that I didn’t like, but isn’t that the case with most things? I think the ending was very jammed together, while the beginning of the story seemed to take up half of it. I would say it’s a good quick read and I enjoyed the couple days I spent reading it.
duckinggreyduck's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I loved the dwarfs. Everything else was insufferable
ljcostel's review
3.0
snow white retelling. mostly liked it. first half was more modern, near the end he slipped more and more into traditional fairy tale (lack of) logic in the plot. worth reading. not awesome
dreamofbookspines's review
2.0
Very cool story but uh...damn Maguire is difficult to read. I know he's known for it, but I still find it disappointing that such a creative retelling of a well known fairytale is so bloody hard to slog through. Ending felt rushed.
powerlibrarian's review
2.0
To say this book is slow paced would be putting it mildly. This book moves at a snail’s pace in the beginning and barely picks up after the first hundred pages. Hardly anything happens in the plot, and while the setting is described with a unique eloquence, this hardly makes the book worth reading. I did enjoy the random remarks made by certain characters that were slightly strange and twisted, but they were few and far between.