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venla_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this!! Craig's writing is just so lush and atmospheric, it keeps me wanting to flip through the pages. Some things I found a bit disappointing:
- The cover with the bees really drew me in, and in the beginning it seemed like the bees were going to play a major role, but they didn't. I wished they'd been used more.
- I didn't even realize this was supposed to be a twist on the tale Rumpelstiltskin until I read the discussion questions. Sure, the were some elements from that fairytale, but I think they should've been clearer.
- Overall I think the story could've used a bit more action, at times it felt really slow and almost boring. Also, I would've preferred it to be more spooky.
- The cover with the bees really drew me in, and in the beginning it seemed like the bees were going to play a major role, but they didn't. I wished they'd been used more.
- I didn't even realize this was supposed to be a twist on the tale Rumpelstiltskin until I read the discussion questions. Sure, the were some elements from that fairytale, but I think they should've been clearer.
- Overall I think the story could've used a bit more action, at times it felt really slow and almost boring. Also, I would've preferred it to be more spooky.
eashby2's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
dreamingmalady's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
saluda9's review against another edition
Skimmed to the end - this just didn't hold my attention
bookly68's review against another edition
5.0
This author has a beautiful way of writing. House of Salt and Sorrow is my favorite, but this one is right up there too!! The less I say about the story, besides the author’s summary, the more you’ll enjoy it!! It’s dark. It’s romantic. And there’s a creepy mystery to it, and dark suspense-fulness.
a_chickletz's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed 'House of Salt & Sorrows' by this author and I totally forgot that she was coming out with a new book this year. Imagine my surprise when I found it in the book store. I had to purchase it and read it to see how it went.
I'd like to compare this to Rumpelstiltskin meets The Village. There is is a community of people who live in the mountains, separated by people in the city. Basically, you don't really know what era this takes place in. I want to say mid to late 1800's because people are still driving wagons and using hand-axes and what not. But I'd lol if I find out it's actually the 2000's and the people are some sort of inbred community.
So for the past 5 years, or more than that due to people saying that there were stories of creatures in the forest that prey of people from the town, the village has been kind of sealed off from the rest of the world. Nothing is stopping from people going in and out, just that the last couple times people have ventured through there they've not made it back alive or wholly intact.
I guess what had me hooked in is the way this book is a combination of Rumpelstiltskin and the Village. The elders of the village are very keen on casting votes and doing things as tradition. When the creatures start racking up their kill-count, and supplies start dwindling, then shit gets real.
Secrets are also a big thing as well as wishes, all depends who you come across and who hears you. I don't want to give away too much, but it's obvious from the way that summary explains the mysterious boy who showed up that he has something to do with everything going on. You and I both know it, but you enjoy reading and watching the main character figure it out.
I originally rated this book 4/5 stars, but I dropped it down to a safe 3 because while I really, truly enjoyed the book, the last 50 pages is a rushed mess that I feel that didn't really get wrapped up all too well.
Honestly. I kind of wanted Whittaker Price to either be wholly evil or just a boy she has a crush on who is being held captive or taken over by the queen. Flipping the evil to the queen was strange and not well executed so, when the heroine finally has her confrontation with her, why the fuck does she have to guess the queen's name? She never met the queen, or hung out with the queen? But for some damn reason a story that she told Whittaker about Orpheus and Eurydice has to do with her name. How? Apparently one point in the book, the main character is talking about the stars in the sky and she tells Whittaker the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice and says that all the stars have names and names have power... but it doesn't explain why the fuck the queen's name is Lyre.
THEN, apparently, the author made a bit of a slip up. She wished for everything in her village to be back the way it was before they arrived. But after she beats the queen and the queen leaves, you find out that she also wished for Whittaker to be free of his 'chains' with them. No, that was not in the text. There was not a single mention that he was involved with her bargaining of guessing the correct name.
Then, as the town falls into ruin - because everyone starts killing one another, the rest of her family just leaves and Whittaker comes out and says, 'by the way, I'm free', and she goes, 'okay, cool, lets go to town and let this place rot'. And they all tra-la-la.
Ugh. It just makes me sad that there is a gorgeous prose and this book was super creepy and full of death and mystery and it had to be ruined by that shit ass ending. If I was petty enough I'd go in and change it to make better sense, but I would never... except in fanfiction.
So, is this book a read? Yes but you will be upset by the ending.
I'd like to compare this to Rumpelstiltskin meets The Village. There is is a community of people who live in the mountains, separated by people in the city. Basically, you don't really know what era this takes place in. I want to say mid to late 1800's because people are still driving wagons and using hand-axes and what not. But I'd lol if I find out it's actually the 2000's and the people are some sort of inbred community.
So for the past 5 years, or more than that due to people saying that there were stories of creatures in the forest that prey of people from the town, the village has been kind of sealed off from the rest of the world. Nothing is stopping from people going in and out, just that the last couple times people have ventured through there they've not made it back alive or wholly intact.
I guess what had me hooked in is the way this book is a combination of Rumpelstiltskin and the Village. The elders of the village are very keen on casting votes and doing things as tradition. When the creatures start racking up their kill-count, and supplies start dwindling, then shit gets real.
Secrets are also a big thing as well as wishes, all depends who you come across and who hears you. I don't want to give away too much, but it's obvious from the way that summary explains the mysterious boy who showed up that he has something to do with everything going on. You and I both know it, but you enjoy reading and watching the main character figure it out.
I originally rated this book 4/5 stars, but I dropped it down to a safe 3 because while I really, truly enjoyed the book, the last 50 pages is a rushed mess that I feel that didn't really get wrapped up all too well.
Spoiler
You come to find out that there is this queen, who has immortal followers that like to stir trouble up wherever they go. When the boy / Whitaker Price, as he is called, spies our main character, he falls in love with her. The queen decides that this village is where they will camp out, cause discourse and ruin, and watch it come apart. They have been doing this for years, centuries even, so to them it's fun watching a village by their mere presence start suspecting one another and start killing each other. Whittaker however falls in love with our main character and tries his damndest to protect her. When shit spirals out of control, and when our main heroine has to confront the queen, this odd 'guess my name thing' / Rumpelstiltskin bit comes into play.Honestly. I kind of wanted Whittaker Price to either be wholly evil or just a boy she has a crush on who is being held captive or taken over by the queen. Flipping the evil to the queen was strange and not well executed so, when the heroine finally has her confrontation with her, why the fuck does she have to guess the queen's name? She never met the queen, or hung out with the queen? But for some damn reason a story that she told Whittaker about Orpheus and Eurydice has to do with her name. How? Apparently one point in the book, the main character is talking about the stars in the sky and she tells Whittaker the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice and says that all the stars have names and names have power... but it doesn't explain why the fuck the queen's name is Lyre.
THEN, apparently, the author made a bit of a slip up. She wished for everything in her village to be back the way it was before they arrived. But after she beats the queen and the queen leaves, you find out that she also wished for Whittaker to be free of his 'chains' with them. No, that was not in the text. There was not a single mention that he was involved with her bargaining of guessing the correct name.
Then, as the town falls into ruin - because everyone starts killing one another, the rest of her family just leaves and Whittaker comes out and says, 'by the way, I'm free', and she goes, 'okay, cool, lets go to town and let this place rot'. And they all tra-la-la.
Ugh. It just makes me sad that there is a gorgeous prose and this book was super creepy and full of death and mystery and it had to be ruined by that shit ass ending. If I was petty enough I'd go in and change it to make better sense, but I would never... except in fanfiction.
So, is this book a read? Yes but you will be upset by the ending.
sadallthetime's review against another edition
3.0
~~SPOILERS~~
I think 3.5 stars*….? Because I am still confused by the ending (how it just ends and what happened to everyone in Amity?) Im assuming they all killed each other?? Which felt very jarring to me because Ellerie said she wanted to save everyone and then within pages, she gave up Amity Falls. Also very few things felt tied up. I wish it was a bit shorter, some parts did tend to drag on, but I adored the characters and the sibling relationships and of course the bees !!!!
(Rating will be reviewed again after my second read-through )*
I think 3.5 stars*….? Because I am still confused by the ending (how it just ends and what happened to everyone in Amity?) Im assuming they all killed each other?? Which felt very jarring to me because Ellerie said she wanted to save everyone and then within pages, she gave up Amity Falls. Also very few things felt tied up. I wish it was a bit shorter, some parts did tend to drag on, but I adored the characters and the sibling relationships and of course the bees !!!!
(Rating will be reviewed again after my second read-through )*
mybooksarenovel's review against another edition
5.0
A secluded village in some obscure mountain range in a Pioneer style setting. There are monsters in the forest that keep people from leaving. There are a Ten Commandments style of governance for the villagers to follow and coexist within. Once a year folks go on a supply run to the big city, but this year they didn't make it. Deformed and disfigured animals are found dead, crops are failing, things are going missing, and it's not long before everyone is pointing their finger blaming their neighbor. What is going on?
I really liked the idea put forth in this story of the small town and their rules for taking care of each other and loving your neighbor, but as in real life you can't force people to have loving hearts just by erecting rules. People by nature are not intrinsically good.
I'm kind of a wimp when it comes to horror, but I'll pick it up if I think it won't completely scare my pants off or gross me out. This was a nail on the head for my comfort level. It was enough to pull me in without completely terrifying me. So that was nice. It doesn't shy away from gore altogether, however. The end of the story culminated in mob hysteria with some graphic violence.
I absolutely loved this! I wanted to immediately flip back to the beginning and start it all over again.
Contains mob violence and suspense but is clean of sexual content and profanity.
I really liked the idea put forth in this story of the small town and their rules for taking care of each other and loving your neighbor, but as in real life you can't force people to have loving hearts just by erecting rules. People by nature are not intrinsically good.
I'm kind of a wimp when it comes to horror, but I'll pick it up if I think it won't completely scare my pants off or gross me out. This was a nail on the head for my comfort level. It was enough to pull me in without completely terrifying me. So that was nice. It doesn't shy away from gore altogether, however. The end of the story culminated in mob hysteria with some graphic violence.
I absolutely loved this! I wanted to immediately flip back to the beginning and start it all over again.
Contains mob violence and suspense but is clean of sexual content and profanity.