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allaligns's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
thesnowqueen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.75
irxren's review against another edition
2.0
For a debut novel, this book is quite impressive and well-written. It has many elements to love, from the engaging character dynamics to the clever foreshadowing. It’s clear why so many people adore it, and it definitely deserves the praise it gets.
However, as the story progressed, I found it becoming a bit predictable. Some of the early elements started to feel repetitive, and the characters didn’t evolve much throughout the book. One of the main issues for me was the heavy use of Shakespeare’s text. While it was interesting at first to see passages from his work woven into the story, it soon became tedious, especially since I’m not familiar with Shakespeare’s plays. The inclusion of so many full passages felt more like a drag than an enhancement to the narrative.
I ended up researching the book on Reddit to understand the purpose of the Shakespeare references better. If I had known more about his work, I might have appreciated it more.
However, as the story progressed, I found it becoming a bit predictable. Some of the early elements started to feel repetitive, and the characters didn’t evolve much throughout the book. One of the main issues for me was the heavy use of Shakespeare’s text. While it was interesting at first to see passages from his work woven into the story, it soon became tedious, especially since I’m not familiar with Shakespeare’s plays. The inclusion of so many full passages felt more like a drag than an enhancement to the narrative.
I ended up researching the book on Reddit to understand the purpose of the Shakespeare references better. If I had known more about his work, I might have appreciated it more.
tcapo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.0
ttidman's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
waningmoonmemorist's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
trisha30's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very quick and entertaining book. The unraveling of all the characters is super engrossing- you just want to keep reading. Ending is a little OOH. Tbh I don’t know too much Shakespeare but I was able to follow the general gist pretty well
readingiswhat's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Predictable and uninteresting plot. Shalow stereotypical characters that use being actors to justify their supposedly deep way of living, when their acts and expressed emotions reflect the mind of a bunch of imature kids that just want to perform, party and drop Shakepeare's quotes mid conversation.
This book didn't feel like a retelling or reimagening of Shakespeare's work, more like a inspired YA academish bland mystery.
Could have had friends turning enemies, deep secrets, strong motives and important fights. But just had characters that seemed to play a part instead of living. And I know young people do stupid things for love, but what a dumb main character...
This book didn't feel like a retelling or reimagening of Shakespeare's work, more like a inspired YA academish bland mystery.
jadalea's review against another edition
5.0
*4.5 stars*
“You can justify anything if you do it poetically enough.”
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into a book full of Shakespeare quotes that I probably wouldn’t 100% understand… but I can confidently say this is now on my list of all time favourite books.
My only complaint is that I was able to predict the murderer, but the madness that unfolded after and the absolutely tragic ending made up for the predictability of it.
“You can justify anything if you do it poetically enough.”
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into a book full of Shakespeare quotes that I probably wouldn’t 100% understand… but I can confidently say this is now on my list of all time favourite books.
My only complaint is that I was able to predict the murderer, but the madness that unfolded after and the absolutely tragic ending made up for the predictability of it.