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ddog8's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I really don't know how I feel about this book.
I think I enjoyed it?
I was so excited to have this great mystery revealed (even at 50% I still didn't have it worked out).
But...huh? Perhaps I am to stupid to have got it, if there was a deeper meaning otherwise I still don't know what's potting.
Warning - spoilers and a plot summary ahead!!!!
Did I get this wrong:
Grandmother and her sister had a falling out. Grandmother curses sister and the island. The devil/man in black was kicked out of heaven and randomly landed on the cursed island long ago (time never mentioned). So this was all just a coincidence?? River and his mother die and he traded his soul basically for life/happiness. Penny comes back because River's wish for happiness was her? So her father died to bring her back. River eludes to doing bad things for the devil man (never expanded on or mentioned or anything beyond that statement) and killed Penny's cousin. Because of the cousin's ghost she begins to unravel the tale.
She wishes for his life, he wishes for hers. The island is flooded. A year later he is alive and they have a happily ever after.
Questions:
- What the heck did the wolf have anything to do with it??? He says it's a protector but, nothing is ever mentioned. Also is her great aunt was the scary witch with yellow eyes, then was she the wolf or did he just also have yellow eyes. In Penny's dream he has yellow eyes
- Why was he so damn secretive? Like, yes ghosts/souls are real; he is dead; the devil makes bargains... so...
- He mentions that there must be another way to break the curse without taking her to the cave. WHAT WAS HE SUPPOSED TO DO??? was it a prophecy? An instruction by the devil? Nothing beyond that comment. Even his parents knew about it but we don't know anything
- what about Dee's fortune? I kept waiting for her to die. Is it because Penny chose to stay so it wasn't "kidnapping"? Or just a comment to add to the spookiness and show how much she doesn't believe in magic
- why did River's parents not age? They weren't directly cursed. Also, Penny's grandmother and her sister were over 100 years old but Wela just looks like a normal granny. Is this because River said witches don't die, or something??
- was Penny's lineage not meant to give her powers? Or was the witchy stuff only relevant for her grandmother's curse.
I really feel jilted 😞 like I was supposed to get so much more from this story. BUT, I don't discredit the idea that I just didn't understand or misunderstood things.
Anyway, the writing was good. I really enjoyed her other books so will definitely read more of her work.
Spice level 🌶 1.5/5
I think I enjoyed it?
I was so excited to have this great mystery revealed (even at 50% I still didn't have it worked out).
But...huh? Perhaps I am to stupid to have got it, if there was a deeper meaning otherwise I still don't know what's potting.
Warning - spoilers and a plot summary ahead!!!!
Did I get this wrong:
She wishes for his life, he wishes for hers. The island is flooded. A year later he is alive and they have a happily ever after.
Questions:
- What the heck did the wolf have anything to do with it??? He says it's a protector but, nothing is ever mentioned. Also is her great aunt was the scary witch with yellow eyes, then was she the wolf or did he just also have yellow eyes. In Penny's dream he has yellow eyes
- Why was he so damn secretive? Like, yes ghosts/souls are real; he is dead; the devil makes bargains... so...
- He mentions that there must be another way to break the curse without taking her to the cave. WHAT WAS HE SUPPOSED TO DO??? was it a prophecy? An instruction by the devil? Nothing beyond that comment. Even his parents knew about it but we don't know anything
- what about Dee's fortune? I kept waiting for her to die. Is it because Penny chose to stay so it wasn't "kidnapping"? Or just a comment to add to the spookiness and show how much she doesn't believe in magic
- why did River's parents not age? They weren't directly cursed. Also, Penny's grandmother and her sister were over 100 years old but Wela just looks like a normal granny. Is this because River said witches don't die, or something??
- was Penny's lineage not meant to give her powers? Or was the witchy stuff only relevant for her grandmother's curse.
I really feel jilted 😞 like I was supposed to get so much more from this story. BUT, I don't discredit the idea that I just didn't understand or misunderstood things.
Anyway, the writing was good. I really enjoyed her other books so will definitely read more of her work.
Spice level 🌶 1.5/5
sunedupreez73's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
barbisreading's review against another edition
4.0
I got to know Claire Contreras's work a few months ago, through the series Secret Society, which I am madly in love with. And since we're in October, I wanted a paranormal romance, it was then that I remembered this book that was released last year.
"The only thing that feels like home to me is you."
The story hooked me right from the beggining and I couldn't stop, I wanted to know what was going to happen, how it was going to unfold, I needed answers. Fable & Other Lies is a captivating, dark and a mysterious story. Is not totally focused on the romance, but I didn't saw I problem in there because I was more interested on the plot, the twist, the culture, the secrets, the fables and other lies. And this doesn't mean that i didn't enjoyed the couple, quite the contrary, i loved them.
raccoon_in_a_dumpster's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
aromer19's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gabbysreading's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! What an experience! I was completely blown away by this enchanting and unique romance. Claire Contreras does a phenomenal job weaving a fantastic forbidden romance with Caribbean folklore and a touch of dark magic. It's effortless and captivating and I loved every second of it. I'm absolutely addicted to the mystery and the mystics. There's an eerie ambience brought to you by the unknown and it creates the most amazing tension. I can't stress enough how good Fables & Other Lies was. I did not want it to end.
Penelope and River come from feuding families so right away you know you're going to get that delicious back and forth that only a rivals romance can provide. They didn't disappoint. These two radiate heat and sexual tension. As the story gets deeper and deeper you see how entwined their lives were and how intensely the feelings for one other run.
Side note, I should admit, I'm pretty sure I fell for River long before I read this book - when we were given a short teaser. *dreamy sigh*
I'm gonna be honest Fables & Other Lies is so outside what I would typically read but I'm obsessed. I loved that this introduced me to a whole new book world. You don't want to miss out on this amazing gothic read!
Penelope and River come from feuding families so right away you know you're going to get that delicious back and forth that only a rivals romance can provide. They didn't disappoint. These two radiate heat and sexual tension. As the story gets deeper and deeper you see how entwined their lives were and how intensely the feelings for one other run.
Side note, I should admit, I'm pretty sure I fell for River long before I read this book - when we were given a short teaser. *dreamy sigh*
I'm gonna be honest Fables & Other Lies is so outside what I would typically read but I'm obsessed. I loved that this introduced me to a whole new book world. You don't want to miss out on this amazing gothic read!
aporter0522's review against another edition
5.0
This book is nothing like anything Claire has written before and it’s absolutely amazing!! I was very intrigued and hooked from the very beginning. I loved the mysterious vibe that kept you guessing what was going on. Penelope was a fantastic lead character! Very charismatic and full of life. River is super sexy and alpha!! They have a pull to each other that neither can deny. I absolutely hope Claire writes more stories like theirs!!!