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bookmaniacforever's review against another edition
2.0
I'm sad to admit it, but Fable and Other Lies wasn't for me. I was intrigued by this story from the blurb only and the first few chapters had me invested, but I ultimatedly couldn't connect with the characters at all and I got bored pretty quickly. I almost didn't finish my read, but was still curious about the mystery surrounding Pan Island and its fables so I skimmed over the second half of the book to get the answers I was seeking. It was a disapointing read for me as I expected to love this novel! I'll concede that I've been struggling recently with most of my reads, so my appreciation of this book could be related to this book funk I'm in.
paperbackposts's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
_krys_'s review against another edition
3.0
╰┈➤ 3 stars
“What are you?” I asked after a moment. “What are you, really?”
“Yours. If you’ll have me.”
synopsis:
Do you believe in curses?
I never did.
Not until that fated night, six years ago, when I sat in The Devil’s Chair and made a wish.
Not until it came true.
Not until I met River Caliban himself, heir to a fortune of curses. My fated sworn enemy.
I knew I should have stayed away from him. I should have run the other way when he called out my name, when he flashed that sinful smile of his, but instead, I walked toward him, leaving the light behind. Instead, I go against all reason, against all warning, and attended the gala of the year at his dark, allegedly haunted home at the top of the hill.
The moment I step foot inside I know I’m in trouble, but there’s something about River that magnetizes me, reels me in, and when he asks for the impossible, I find it impossible to turn him away.
. . . . . ╰──╮ ╭──╯ . . . . .
This was the type of book in which the vibes were much better than the actual idea of the book. The storyline and characters were amazing but i just feel like the romance and ending was a bit rushed. Some books should be left without a happy ending, i said what i said 🤷🏼♀️ when there was like 5 pages in the book, the entire thing.. just.. changed? idek 😭 This kept me on my toes for the entirety of the book but even after the ending i didn't quite get answers for some of the questions.
Because of the length of the book, i feel like the character development wasn't done well.
Some scenes felt a little unclear and all over the place. But i do appreciate the representation in this one! It's set on an island in the Dominican Rebuplic so we're getting the Latin representation.
Aside from that, the writing was great, each word, each paragraph flowed into the next. The setting and dialogues were also amazing.
I never did.
Not until that fated night, six years ago, when I sat in The Devil’s Chair and made a wish.
Not until it came true.
Not until I met River Caliban himself, heir to a fortune of curses. My fated sworn enemy.
I knew I should have stayed away from him. I should have run the other way when he called out my name, when he flashed that sinful smile of his, but instead, I walked toward him, leaving the light behind. Instead, I go against all reason, against all warning, and attended the gala of the year at his dark, allegedly haunted home at the top of the hill.
The moment I step foot inside I know I’m in trouble, but there’s something about River that magnetizes me, reels me in, and when he asks for the impossible, I find it impossible to turn him away.
. . . . . ╰──╮ ╭──╯ . . . . .
This was the type of book in which the vibes were much better than the actual idea of the book. The storyline and characters were amazing but i just feel like the romance and ending was a bit rushed. Some books should be left without a happy ending, i said what i said 🤷🏼♀️ when there was like 5 pages in the book, the entire thing.. just.. changed? idek 😭 This kept me on my toes for the entirety of the book but even after the ending i didn't quite get answers for some of the questions.
Because of the length of the book, i feel like the character development wasn't done well.
Some scenes felt a little unclear and all over the place. But i do appreciate the representation in this one! It's set on an island in the Dominican Rebuplic so we're getting the Latin representation.
Aside from that, the writing was great, each word, each paragraph flowed into the next. The setting and dialogues were also amazing.
witchy_book_babe's review against another edition
3.0
I thought that this started out really strong…and am actually quite sad that I wasn’t able to love this book. The writing was off balanced for me.
tammys_readinglog's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
courtney_saba's review against another edition
3.0
It was good. Ultimately, I'm afraid it may be forgettable.
I loved the Devil concept, curse theme, fables and tales of history, diversity of characters, and River himself.
However, I couldn't disregard the ambiguity, unanswered questions, vague explanations, and super slow pace. Plus, the improbable happily ever after and instalove despite the history were hard to believe. I don't know if I fully believed the love story either. Penelope's unwillingness to believe despite people's warnings and true evidence was annoying, too.
If this book had addressed the points above, then this would have been a 5 star read. Some readers may really like this story, especially because it is original, even though the author used these tropes: making a deal with the devil, feuding families, Romeo and Juliet esque, falling in love instead of the original revenge path. Contreras made it readable and entertaining.
Would I re-read this? Despite some really great quotes, I would not.
Would I recommend this book? Sure. But only if someone was okay with ambiguity and wishes to read some Devil fodder.
Was I entertained? Contreras did a good job, so yes.
Happy reading, Goodreads fiends.
I loved the Devil concept, curse theme, fables and tales of history, diversity of characters, and River himself.
However, I couldn't disregard the ambiguity, unanswered questions, vague explanations, and super slow pace. Plus, the improbable happily ever after and instalove despite the history were hard to believe. I don't know if I fully believed the love story either. Penelope's unwillingness to believe despite people's warnings and true evidence was annoying, too.
If this book had addressed the points above, then this would have been a 5 star read. Some readers may really like this story, especially because it is original, even though the author used these tropes: making a deal with the devil, feuding families, Romeo and Juliet esque, falling in love instead of the original revenge path. Contreras made it readable and entertaining.
Would I re-read this? Despite some really great quotes, I would not.
Would I recommend this book? Sure. But only if someone was okay with ambiguity and wishes to read some Devil fodder.
Was I entertained? Contreras did a good job, so yes.
Happy reading, Goodreads fiends.
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