The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
kassidyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery and Violence
Minor: Drug abuse, Alcohol, Death, Suicide, and Sexual assault
anntharai's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I really wanted to like this book but I was genuinely uncomfortable with the bits I did like because of the content of the bits I didn't.
The writing isn't the best and the characters are all shitheads - wealthy, cruel, manipulative shitheads. Because we don't have enough of that already. Except the main character who is Special and Different and Not Like The Other Girls.Â
That's not the bit that I was uncomfy with though; this is basically a privileged teenager realizing slavery is bad (yes, she's still privileged even though she is just a ward and treated kind of shittily) but only AFTER finding more and more evidence that the house spirits arent these amorphous things with no feelings but are actually sentient beings who are painfully bound to be slaves and even AFTER experiencing how painful binding is first hand she still *just can't believe they'd feel it like people do* and deciding 'lol too hard I'll think about it later once I'm done being a selfish piece of trash and changing sides every two minutes because the boy I see once a year isn't in love with me' and then and THEN only deciding *not to re-enslave them* because she would have to kill her bestest bud who doesn't even like her that much. Oh, and to top it off, she forgives herself and writes about the experience for money. .Â
There's just too much "defeat the viscous savages for wealth" and "well it can't be that bad, they're basically animals, i bet they LIKE being slaves" for me to enjoy anything else in the story.Â
The writing isn't the best and the characters are all shitheads - wealthy, cruel, manipulative shitheads. Because we don't have enough of that already. Except the main character who is Special and Different and Not Like The Other Girls.Â
That's not the bit that I was uncomfy with though; this is basically a privileged teenager realizing slavery is bad (yes, she's still privileged even though she is just a ward and treated kind of shittily) but only AFTER finding more and more evidence that the house spirits arent these amorphous things with no feelings but are actually sentient beings who are painfully bound to be slaves and even AFTER experiencing how painful binding is first hand she still *just can't believe they'd feel it like people do* and deciding 'lol too hard I'll think about it later once I'm done being a selfish piece of trash and changing sides every two minutes because the boy I see once a year isn't in love with me' and then
There's just too much "defeat the viscous savages for wealth" and "well it can't be that bad, they're basically animals, i bet they LIKE being slaves" for me to enjoy anything else in the story.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, Slavery, and Domestic abuse
jansonjan's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
I enjoyed this book overall. I enjoyed the re-telling aspect of it and appreciate the choice of The Tempest as the source material. I think it was a decent re-telling. The story takes place over the course of a single day, which I didnât realize at first but ended up liking more than I expected.Â
My biggest gripe is that I found I didnât really like any of the characters, at all. Their flaws were their entire personalities. The book would tease some sort of meaningful development or something interesting to happen between them, only to fall flat. Barely any side characters interacted meaningfully with one another if it did not involve the wet paper bag that was the MC, Mae. I feel that many of them had so much more potential than what we saw.Â
However, Considering that Mae is an unreliable narrator, it makes sense that others would be boring or their flaws highlighted. I found Mae to be just so bland. She lacked any depth to her person and I got the sense that she talked a lot about wanting to be a certain way, but made no meaningful moves towards that goal. I wasnât really interested in her or her quest to find self confidence and magic. Her refusal to be truthful with herself was annoying by the end of the book. I was constantly confused and again kind of annoyed by the clunky love triangle that meandered and felt pointless given the ending.Â
The world building could have been fleshed out, I think the story would have benefitted from a bit more detail put into the locations and buildings on the island. The magic system was compelling and I would have loved to learn more about it. Iâd love to have had some background story about the magicians, their schooling and the origins and types of spirits. This was all glossed over.Â
I am a sucker for anything art deco inspired and loved the aristocratic elements. Despite the above, I actually really liked this book and its premise, I just wish I liked the characters more.Â
My biggest gripe is that I found I didnât really like any of the characters, at all. Their flaws were their entire personalities. The book would tease some sort of meaningful development or something interesting to happen between them, only to fall flat. Barely any side characters interacted meaningfully with one another if it did not involve the wet paper bag that was the MC, Mae. I feel that many of them had so much more potential than what we saw.Â
However, Considering that Mae is an unreliable narrator, it makes sense that others would be boring or their flaws highlighted. I found Mae to be just so bland. She lacked any depth to her person and I got the sense that she talked a lot about wanting to be a certain way, but made no meaningful moves towards that goal. I wasnât really interested in her or her quest to find self confidence and magic. Her refusal to be truthful with herself was annoying by the end of the book. I was constantly confused and again kind of annoyed by the clunky love triangle that meandered and felt pointless given the ending.Â
The world building could have been fleshed out, I think the story would have benefitted from a bit more detail put into the locations and buildings on the island. The magic system was compelling and I would have loved to learn more about it. Iâd love to have had some background story about the magicians, their schooling and the origins and types of spirits. This was all glossed over.Â
I am a sucker for anything art deco inspired and loved the aristocratic elements. Despite the above, I actually really liked this book and its premise, I just wish I liked the characters more.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Slavery, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Bullying, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This ya fantasy standalone shows us 1920s wealthy family intrigue through the eyes of a girl on the periphery. The orphaned Mae is largely ignored by the Prospers even though she has been permitted to live on their magical island since her father died in childhood. Terrified that they will send her away from the only home she's ever known, she has trouble saying no to even their most high-handed demands, including an unwelcome engagement to the eldest grandchild of the patriarch (cue uncomfy age gap: 18-year-old girl meets 25-year-old boy ew). Ivo is the family heir, responsible for harnessing the island's magic through the labor of spirits, thus perpetuating the family's vast wealth. Unfortunately, Ivo's been pining for Mae while she's been obsessing over his cousin Milo, so no one is on the same page here. Mae feels unseen and cornered, panicking about a future outside her control as well as a mysterious and believed impossible malady striking the island spirits.Â
While I know the story intended to show the dark side of this family and their relationships, I struggled with the fact that even the ones meant to walk on a slightly lighter shade of the morally grey spectrum still felt sticky and toxic to me. Mae's gaslit by her best friend about some seriously traumatic experiences, belittled by one romantic interest and controlled by another, and generally insulted and managed by everyone. I don't think it's necessarily bad to have Mae learn to protect herself more and gain confidence despite these putdowns. However, her path descends into bitterness, revenge, and schemes as if her past role as mediator and dreamer is as embarrassing as her tormenters would have her believe. Essentially, I didn't mind the growth or loss of innocence but didn't feel like she retained some of her initial strengths after remaking herself.Â
Also, I didn't care for the ending, to be honest. It's a bit open (not, I believe, for a sequel, but for drama). It's also a sort of stilted ending for some of the relationships rather than a smooth or powerful conclusion that might have felt more meaningful. I only felt irritation towards Mae's final moments with each Prosper.Â
I think readers who enjoy morally grey characters, vicious drama, and dark magic will enjoy this more than I did. Thanks to Wednesday for my copy to read and review.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Addiction, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Lesbophobia, Outing, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
chelsaat'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
3.75
 Before you get disappointed like I was by the synopsis, this is NOT an adaptation of Shakespeareâs âThe Tempest.â Itâs instead very loosely inspired by the characters.
Mae is a ward of the Prospers, living on the only magic island in the world. Decades ago, Lord Prosper discovered he could harness magic by binding the spirits of the island. This has granted his family both power and wealth beyond imagining, power that Mae herself wants. Mae has never left the island, and things come to a head when the rest of the family arrives for its annual celebration.
Despite my initial disappointment, I ended up enjoying this quite a bit. While not a direct adaptation, this still had classic Shakespearean family dramas - betrayals, eavesdropping, scandals, and more. The twists were fun, and I appreciated that it had something to say about the true cost of wealth, and the dark side of labor.
My main gripe is about one of the "love interests" - I think we needed one more scene between Mae and him to really make me feel for this character. Iâm being vague here on purpose, but while I empathized with this character, I needed a bit more.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martinâs Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.Â
Mae is a ward of the Prospers, living on the only magic island in the world. Decades ago, Lord Prosper discovered he could harness magic by binding the spirits of the island. This has granted his family both power and wealth beyond imagining, power that Mae herself wants. Mae has never left the island, and things come to a head when the rest of the family arrives for its annual celebration.
Despite my initial disappointment, I ended up enjoying this quite a bit. While not a direct adaptation, this still had classic Shakespearean family dramas - betrayals, eavesdropping, scandals, and more. The twists were fun, and I appreciated that it had something to say about the true cost of wealth, and the dark side of labor.
My main gripe is about one of the "love interests" - I think we needed one more scene between Mae and him to really make me feel for this character. Iâm being vague here on purpose, but while I empathized with this character, I needed a bit more.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martinâs Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Sexual harassment, and Gaslighting
beforeviolets's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thank you so much to Wednesday Books for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
TW: blood, blood magic, sexual harassment, sexual assault (brief, though sudden), sacrifice, gun violence, violence, death, fire, murder, self harm (for magic), magic performed on others without consent (helpful and harmful), slavery, torture, mind control, misogyny (externalized and internalized), outing, slut shaming, toxic relationship, suicide (offscreen, past, brief), substance addiction (mention), alcohol, underage drinking (brief), alcoholism (mention), vomit (mention) death of father (offscreen, past), death of mother (past, childbirth, mention), fatphobic description
This work as a whole was an interesting and entertaining fantasy story. The setting was unique, the plot twists were interesting, and as a whole it was an easy read. However, my negative thoughts outweighed my enjoyment of reading this work.
As a retelling, this book just really isn't one. I can see the connections to the Tempest (especially with some of the names) but with the way that this book veers so drastically from the original text, those connections mostly hold the story back or make it confusing (such as the fact that in the Tempest, Miranda is Prospero's daughter but in this book, her counterpart's love interests - yes, INTERESTS, and not in a polyamorous way but in a poorly written love triangle way - are his grandchildren which creates some odd circumstance of indirect incest). The names should have just been changed more and it could have just been comped as "the Tempest meets Great Gatsby" in terms of vibes instead of material.
As a fantasy story, I also think this book fails. The first person POV detracts from the story, especially since a large element is the atmosphere. It felt as though it limited the author from being able to use descriptions and atmospheric choices to the fullest. The pacing is all over the place from the very beginning of the book, making it hard to grasp onto a narrative rhythm. This book takes place over the course of a day and needed a more steady pace to make that feel like a compelling choice. There was literally a part where the characters spent THIRTY PAGES walking to lunch, yet all the climactic scenes happened so swiftly and abruptly that I barely was able to process them. Things are just introduced and then the story just moves along too swiftly, so there's no room for twists or speculation or tension.
I also felt really icky about the way this book approached the MC's character arc and development. It seemed to be revolved around the idea of the MC learning to stand up for herself or to not be so passive in her life. But a lot of the specific language around this was worded in such a way that it seemed that it was on her to learn to "not let things just happen to her/not let people take advantage of her," which I didn't like. She has literally never interacted with a single person outside of this family that manipulates and belittles and abuses her, and yet the narrative tone tells us that she is essentially failing as a person by fawning and not standing up for her self? As if she hasn't essentially been emotionally beaten into passive and silent behavior to keep herself safe? It felt very much like victim-blaming to me.
I also just felt utterly disgusted by the fact that EVERY single man in this story had to make at LEAST a pass on the MC, and at most literally sexually assault her. Her love interests were still awful and emotionally manipulative and kind of violent, yet because they weren't literally trying to SA her, they were considered good? Why is the bar this low?
And last but not least, there was ONE queer character and it seemed as though her queerness only existed so that she could be outed as a plot point. Was not a fan.
TW: blood, blood magic, sexual harassment, sexual assault (brief, though sudden), sacrifice, gun violence, violence, death, fire, murder, self harm (for magic), magic performed on others without consent (helpful and harmful), slavery, torture, mind control, misogyny (externalized and internalized), outing, slut shaming, toxic relationship, suicide (offscreen, past, brief), substance addiction (mention), alcohol, underage drinking (brief), alcoholism (mention), vomit (mention) death of father (offscreen, past), death of mother (past, childbirth, mention), fatphobic description
This work as a whole was an interesting and entertaining fantasy story. The setting was unique, the plot twists were interesting, and as a whole it was an easy read. However, my negative thoughts outweighed my enjoyment of reading this work.
As a retelling, this book just really isn't one. I can see the connections to the Tempest (especially with some of the names) but with the way that this book veers so drastically from the original text, those connections mostly hold the story back or make it confusing (such as the fact that in the Tempest, Miranda is Prospero's daughter but in this book, her counterpart's love interests - yes, INTERESTS, and not in a polyamorous way but in a poorly written love triangle way - are his grandchildren which creates some odd circumstance of indirect incest). The names should have just been changed more and it could have just been comped as "the Tempest meets Great Gatsby" in terms of vibes instead of material.
As a fantasy story, I also think this book fails. The first person POV detracts from the story, especially since a large element is the atmosphere. It felt as though it limited the author from being able to use descriptions and atmospheric choices to the fullest. The pacing is all over the place from the very beginning of the book, making it hard to grasp onto a narrative rhythm. This book takes place over the course of a day and needed a more steady pace to make that feel like a compelling choice. There was literally a part where the characters spent THIRTY PAGES walking to lunch, yet all the climactic scenes happened so swiftly and abruptly that I barely was able to process them. Things are just introduced and then the story just moves along too swiftly, so there's no room for twists or speculation or tension.
I also felt really icky about the way this book approached the MC's character arc and development. It seemed to be revolved around the idea of the MC learning to stand up for herself or to not be so passive in her life. But a lot of the specific language around this was worded in such a way that it seemed that it was on her to learn to "not let things just happen to her/not let people take advantage of her," which I didn't like. She has literally never interacted with a single person outside of this family that manipulates and belittles and abuses her, and yet the narrative tone tells us that she is essentially failing as a person by fawning and not standing up for her self? As if she hasn't essentially been emotionally beaten into passive and silent behavior to keep herself safe? It felt very much like victim-blaming to me.
I also just felt utterly disgusted by the fact that EVERY single man in this story had to make at LEAST a pass on the MC, and at most literally sexually assault her. Her love interests were still awful and emotionally manipulative and kind of violent, yet because they weren't literally trying to SA her, they were considered good? Why is the bar this low?
And last but not least, there was ONE queer character and it seemed as though her queerness only existed so that she could be outed as a plot point. Was not a fan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Slavery, Torture, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Gun violence, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Self harm, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Vomit, and Fatphobia
theappalachianbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In this 1920s-infused take on Shakespeareâs The Tempest, we follow Mae as she navigates the politics and power of the family-ruled island she calls home. The cutthroat Prosper family has everything Mae has always wanted - magic, power, a sense of belonging. All of that changes in one night when Mae finds out that the family patriarch is keeping secrets and not everything is as it seems.
What I loved:
⢠The world-building and magic system were wonderful. Well thought out and beautifully executed. It was interesting, especially the spirits and their music.
⢠Although there were times that I disliked Mae, I loved her character growth. She is quiet and a bit of a pushover because sheâs desperate to fit in with the Prosper family. When she finally stops doing that, and calls her so-called friends out, it was just perfect.
⢠Of course, my favourite character was Ivo. I always go for the sad, reclusive, mysterious men. Especially if theyâre powerful and self-deprecating.
What I wish were different:
⢠I wish there had been more. Not just because I wanted to keep reading but because I felt like the ending was a bit rushed and like it isnât finished yet. Perhaps the author ending things like this for a sequel if they wished to.
Overall, Bright Ruined Things by Samantha Cohoe was a great read and I would definitely recommend it. It was a well-paced and incredibly intriguing YA fantasy about forbidden magic, ambition, and family secrets.Â
Overall, Bright Ruined Things by Samantha Cohoe was a great read and I would definitely recommend it. It was a well-paced and incredibly intriguing YA fantasy about forbidden magic, ambition, and family secrets.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Slavery
girlonbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
 I was given a free Advanced Reader Copy of Bright Ruined Things by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
đđđđ Four Stars (as rated in the fireworks at midnight)
On an island where the magical family Prosper rules supreme, âmousyâ Mae is regarded as an outcast and even a nuisance. Known for her meek and eagerly obliging nature, all Mae has ever truly wanted is to be accepted by the family she depends on and to learn the magical skills for which theyâre known the world over. On the eve of the summer solstice, Mae stumbles on something that could very well be her ticket into the world thatâs always shut her out. With her days on the island numbered and her options limited, Mae is determined to finally take what sheâs always wanted. But this magic comes with a price that Mae isnât exactly in a position to pay. At least, not without a little helpâŚ
đđđđ Four Stars (as rated in the fireworks at midnight)
On an island where the magical family Prosper rules supreme, âmousyâ Mae is regarded as an outcast and even a nuisance. Known for her meek and eagerly obliging nature, all Mae has ever truly wanted is to be accepted by the family she depends on and to learn the magical skills for which theyâre known the world over. On the eve of the summer solstice, Mae stumbles on something that could very well be her ticket into the world thatâs always shut her out. With her days on the island numbered and her options limited, Mae is determined to finally take what sheâs always wanted. But this magic comes with a price that Mae isnât exactly in a position to pay. At least, not without a little helpâŚ
âI had finally realized how little I could wring from the Prospers by trying to please them. If I wanted more, I would have to take it.â
Real Talk: Shakespeareâs The Tempest is just not that great of a story. The thing drags, the characters are tiresome and forgettable and I always leave it wondering what the actual point of it was. Understandably, I went into Bright Ruined Things (being a retelling of the former) with very low expectations. Its predecessor just doesnât have that much for one to work with. So you can imagine my utter delight at what this turned out to be. Cohoe has taken one of Shakespeareâs most lackluster comedies and exponentially improved it by â*gasp*â turning the thing into a tragedy! What island magic is this!? BRT is the ultimate glow up for what is an otherwise pretty uninteresting story. So here I say, âSamantha Cohoe, if youâre reading this, what are the chances of us being gifted another Shakespeare retelling by you one day? And would you consider doing The Comedy of Errors next?â
⨠Read this book because: youâre into books set in the 1920âs, flawed characters, complicated friendships and love stories that arenât at all what they seem â or even what you wanted them to be.
⨠Content warnings for this book: bullying, neglect, threats of sexual violence, adultery, abuse, imprisonment, kidnapping, trauma, fire, death, enslavement, gaslighting, toxic relationships
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Colonisation, Confinement, Death of parent, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Slavery, and Toxic friendship
foreverinastory's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
 3.5/5 RTC
Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Rep: female MC, lesbian female side character, alcoholic and drug addicted female side character.
CWs: Alcohol consumption, body shaming, colonisation, death, fire, gaslighting, grief, misogyny, sexism, sexual harassment, slavery, toxic friendship. Moderate: mentions of alcoholism, addiction, drug use.Â
Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Rep: female MC, lesbian female side character, alcoholic and drug addicted female side character.
CWs: Alcohol consumption, body shaming, colonisation, death, fire, gaslighting, grief, misogyny, sexism, sexual harassment, slavery, toxic friendship. Moderate: mentions of alcoholism, addiction, drug use.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Body shaming, Colonisation, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Slavery, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug use
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