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frankenstens13's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-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
5.0
this book.... was amazing!! I've loved all the books I've read by T. Kingfisher but this might be my favorite! I loved how the back story was slowly revealed well continuing the main plot well not making it feel rushed, it's an all round amazing remake. also "i am not beautiful" (toadling) "no, but you are interested... and sad" the Knight
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Suicide, Torture, and Kidnapping
silverhill's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I am so glad T. Kingfisher shares her wonderful imagination with us. This is a lovely story about belonging.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Bullying
Minor: Suicide
woodsybookworm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This might be my favorite T. Kingfisher book yet!
Toadling is a fairie, kind of, once she was a human who was taken from her crib and raised by a clan of watery fae (think swamp sirens and less Tinkerbell) which over time changed her into something of a half-fae half-human creature with magical powers, able to turn into a toad at will.
Given the task of watching over a changeling child, her mission goes from bad to worse and before she knows it Toadling has witnessed 200 years flow by...until a young knight happens upon her on his mission to find the truth in a story about a young maiden in a tower.
This was just such a beautiful written twist on the tale of Sleeping Beauty. It was dark and gritty but it also had some heart wrenchingly tender moments as well.
I read this from the library but now I'm thinking I might want a personal copy.
Toadling is a fairie, kind of, once she was a human who was taken from her crib and raised by a clan of watery fae (think swamp sirens and less Tinkerbell) which over time changed her into something of a half-fae half-human creature with magical powers, able to turn into a toad at will.
Given the task of watching over a changeling child, her mission goes from bad to worse and before she knows it Toadling has witnessed 200 years flow by...until a young knight happens upon her on his mission to find the truth in a story about a young maiden in a tower.
This was just such a beautiful written twist on the tale of Sleeping Beauty. It was dark and gritty but it also had some heart wrenchingly tender moments as well.
I read this from the library but now I'm thinking I might want a personal copy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Suicide
abookwormspov's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is fantastic! I love Toadling so much!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, and Murder
thecandiegirl's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Suicide, Torture, and Violence
simmonsj's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I quite liked this retelling of Sleeping Beauty, put on its head where the maiden is the curse and the fairy (Toadling) is needing to be saved. It is a weird mix of feelings with a rather sweet story but one that also has dark moments like someone animating the dead and suicide. I liked the darker bits as they gave a greater weight to the plot and informed Toadling's actions. The writing is quite nice and overall an easy read. This is my first read from T Kingfisher and I imagine I will be reading more.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
fyre_flies's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Animal death
yrc's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
T.Kingfisher does it again!
This is my 2n'd or 3'rd book of hers, and it's truly amazing how versatile she is across so many genres and styles. In this story, she takes all the main ingredients of a classic fairy tale and upends them masterfully. I loved the banter about knights' non-really-existent honor, the loving underwater monster family, and the mix of some horror with a very out of control and resentful child faery. Though I finished reading this one while a bit ill, it was still enjoyable, touched my heart and recommended as a whimsical short and strong fantasy story!
This is my 2n'd or 3'rd book of hers, and it's truly amazing how versatile she is across so many genres and styles. In this story, she takes all the main ingredients of a classic fairy tale and upends them masterfully. I loved the banter about knights' non-really-existent honor, the loving underwater monster family, and the mix of some horror with a very out of control and resentful child faery. Though I finished reading this one while a bit ill, it was still enjoyable, touched my heart and recommended as a whimsical short and strong fantasy story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Torture, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
shae_purcell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A really sweet story of friendship and adventure. But mostly friendship. It does have its dark moments, but the characters are lovable (well, most of them) and there were a few pages that had me on the edge of my seat. I love a happy ending. 🥰
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Suicide, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Torture, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Violence, and Grief
nadiajohnsonbooks's review against another edition
emotional
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 loved literally every single thing about this book, and Toadling is the most endearing character I've ever read.
The story takes a classic princess-in-a-tower story and turns it on its head, and our heroine is an unlikely sort-of-a-fairy whose powers are limited to manipulating water, tying really-difficult-to-untie knots, and asking the earth very politely to do favors sometimes. She can also turn into a toad, is sort-of a mushroom person, and is the cutest being to ever have existed in any work of fiction ever.
If you disagree, fight me.
Every princess story needs a knight, and this one has Hasim, the second son of an impoverished Anatolian noble family. He's not great at being a knight, but he is great at being an absolute fucking sweetheart.
When Toadling is absolutely in over her head, he is an unlikely ally and a true friend.
This book felt like a hug. Monsters are the best people, and Toadling is the best monster.
The story takes a classic princess-in-a-tower story and turns it on its head, and our heroine is an unlikely sort-of-a-fairy whose powers are limited to manipulating water, tying really-difficult-to-untie knots, and asking the earth very politely to do favors sometimes. She can also turn into a toad, is sort-of a mushroom person, and is the cutest being to ever have existed in any work of fiction ever.
If you disagree, fight me.
Every princess story needs a knight, and this one has Hasim, the second son of an impoverished Anatolian noble family. He's not great at being a knight, but he is great at being an absolute fucking sweetheart.
When Toadling is absolutely in over her head, he is an unlikely ally and a true friend.
This book felt like a hug. Monsters are the best people, and Toadling is the best monster.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Murder, and War