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braiths_book_thoughts's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I find it hard to believe that the person who wrote the first two books is the same person who wrote this book.
The previous books I loved, they were compelling and the twist to the retelling was amazing.
The kiss of the selkie, however?
None of these things.
It was extremely predictable. I guessed not only the twist of the retelling within a few chapters but also how it would end. It's hard to enjoy a book for the first time when you know exactly what will happen.
The characters? Completely two dimensional. They were boring, they had no personality and ultimately were dislikable or downright frustrating.
Maisie is a sheltered character, that in itself isn't irritating, when done correctly a sheltered character can be endearing. This was not true for Maisie. She had my eyes rolling more often than I could turn the page, she was a terrible character with zero personality and quite frankly I was happy when it was over.
The love interest. Oft. Brother Dorian was so bland eating the pages of the book would have been more enticing. We had zero insight to his character which made him very limiting but maybe that was a blessing as from what we did see of him, I can't image his thoughts would have been anything I would want to suffer through.
The chemistry between Maisie and Dorian? Well. I didn't find it in this book. Maybe Tessonja forgot to put it in because these two had nothing going for them. They went from hating each other to loving each other in a blink of an eye, Maisie claims that getting to know Dorian changes how she see's him, but this all happens before the reveal dark secrets conversation even occurs. She claims to know him so deeply but they barely do anything but argue until the end.
Maisie's mother is narcissistic and toxic. She gaslights Maisie throughout the book and there is forced forgiveness at end. This book also has a church setting so the religious overtones are very heavy.
The only reason this book got two stars was because of Podaxis. He was a treasure and the star of this book and Maisie did not deserve him as a friend.
The previous books I loved, they were compelling and the twist to the retelling was amazing.
The kiss of the selkie, however?
None of these things.
It was extremely predictable. I guessed not only the twist of the retelling within a few chapters but also how it would end. It's hard to enjoy a book for the first time when you know exactly what will happen.
The characters? Completely two dimensional. They were boring, they had no personality and ultimately were dislikable or downright frustrating.
Maisie is a sheltered character, that in itself isn't irritating, when done correctly a sheltered character can be endearing. This was not true for Maisie. She had my eyes rolling more often than I could turn the page, she was a terrible character with zero personality and quite frankly I was happy when it was over.
The love interest. Oft. Brother Dorian was so bland eating the pages of the book would have been more enticing. We had zero insight to his character which made him very limiting but maybe that was a blessing as from what we did see of him, I can't image his thoughts would have been anything I would want to suffer through.
The chemistry between Maisie and Dorian? Well. I didn't find it in this book. Maybe Tessonja forgot to put it in because these two had nothing going for them. They went from hating each other to loving each other in a blink of an eye, Maisie claims that getting to know Dorian changes how she see's him, but this all happens before the reveal dark secrets conversation even occurs. She claims to know him so deeply but they barely do anything but argue until the end.
Maisie's mother is narcissistic and toxic. She gaslights Maisie throughout the book and there is forced forgiveness at end. This book also has a church setting so the religious overtones are very heavy.
The only reason this book got two stars was because of Podaxis. He was a treasure and the star of this book and Maisie did not deserve him as a friend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Gaslighting