readenpiper's review against another edition
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Child death, Grief, and Death
Minor: Racism, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Homophobia, Biphobia, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Alcohol
dreareads_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
4.5
<i> "But her name had not freed her from their family's legacy. She had just given it the shape of stars" </i>
What a beautiful story that made me feel as if I were running through the most exquisite and terrifying gardens ever. McLemore's writing has a sense of magic and wonder that transports you into a world that feels both familiar and enchanting at the same time. A Queer YA Fantasy story that I believe everyone should read!
<b> Pacing: </b> While the premise of the story is engaging enough to keep you interested there were some parts of the book that felt too rushed for me (Especially the Reid plotline). I did love the ending though
<b> Themes/Ideas: </b> The story of the Nomeolvides women was one built on tragedy, where loving someone outside of their family could mean losing them. McLemore asks us to consider how being afraid of loving changes us as people, and how we view our relationships with each other.
<b> Family Relations: </b> As the only truly safe group of people they could love, the Nomeolvides (especially the cousins) began to depend on each other while simultaneously seeking for their own moments of independence. While the relationship between the cousins (and the rest of the family) was greatly covered, I had a difficult time seeing their differences.
<b> Estrella (MC): </b> Estrella as the main character grapples with the legacy of her family, and does everything she can to protect them. SPOILER. Overall the character was interesting but her motivations and desires became muddled at the end.
<b> Fel (2nd POV): </b> I LOVED Fel. He is the heart of this book, serving as both the audience character and being the driving force of most of the plot. His story was one of tragedy that ended in a way that made me cry. I believed his love for the Nomeolvides, and how much he valued his place in the family. An absolute gem of a character.
The book had some of the BEST <b> bisexual representation </b> I have read in a long while. There were many moments in which the characters considered their own sexualities, but my absolute favorite quote was <i> hearts that loved boys and girls were no more reckless or easily won than any other heart. They loved who they loved. They broke how they broke." </i>
What a beautiful story that made me feel as if I were running through the most exquisite and terrifying gardens ever. McLemore's writing has a sense of magic and wonder that transports you into a world that feels both familiar and enchanting at the same time. A Queer YA Fantasy story that I believe everyone should read!
<b> Pacing: </b> While the premise of the story is engaging enough to keep you interested there were some parts of the book that felt too rushed for me (Especially the Reid plotline). I did love the ending though
<b> Themes/Ideas: </b> The story of the Nomeolvides women was one built on tragedy, where loving someone outside of their family could mean losing them. McLemore asks us to consider how being afraid of loving changes us as people, and how we view our relationships with each other.
<b> Family Relations: </b> As the only truly safe group of people they could love, the Nomeolvides (especially the cousins) began to depend on each other while simultaneously seeking for their own moments of independence. While the relationship between the cousins (and the rest of the family) was greatly covered, I had a difficult time seeing their differences.
<b> Estrella (MC): </b> Estrella as the main character grapples with the legacy of her family, and does everything she can to protect them. SPOILER
Spoiler
throughout the book we see her desire to live La Pradera and become her own woman, thus I was confused by her staying at the home after everything was resolved<b> Fel (2nd POV): </b> I LOVED Fel. He is the heart of this book, serving as both the audience character and being the driving force of most of the plot. His story was one of tragedy that ended in a way that made me cry. I believed his love for the Nomeolvides, and how much he valued his place in the family. An absolute gem of a character.
The book had some of the BEST <b> bisexual representation </b> I have read in a long while. There were many moments in which the characters considered their own sexualities, but my absolute favorite quote was <i> hearts that loved boys and girls were no more reckless or easily won than any other heart. They loved who they loved. They broke how they broke." </i>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Biphobia, Suicide attempt, Child death, Classism, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual harassment, Death, Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
beccacarl's review against another edition
Poor world building/confused on where the story was set (earth or fictional world), magic needed more explaining, plot points were predictable, and couldn't keep the characters straight.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love Anna-Marie McLemore's writing and storytelling so much I would like them to send me their grocery-lists, please.
Seriously this writing is so beautiful and atmospheric and transcendent and mysterious. I loved this story so much and the way the five Nomeolvides cousins were exactly like sisters in all the ways that counted. I loved the family curse and how that turned out in the end. I absoluely loved Fel and Bay. They were both amazing characters that fit so well in the story and just made me so happy. This book is magic.
Seriously this writing is so beautiful and atmospheric and transcendent and mysterious. I loved this story so much and the way the five Nomeolvides cousins were exactly like sisters in all the ways that counted. I loved the family curse and how that turned out in the end. I absoluely loved Fel and Bay. They were both amazing characters that fit so well in the story and just made me so happy. This book is magic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Violence, Colonisation, Body horror, and Physical abuse
kestrel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Physical abuse, and Xenophobia
Minor: Biphobia and Homophobia
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