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afi_whatafireads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
Personal Ratings: 4.5🌟
A collection of 11 stories from the collection of the Shadow of the Wind series. Its a book that is not only poignant but has an air of a mystery-feel to it.
The stories in here are somehow one of the most intriguing, weird but also very addictive stories I’ve read. The stories are short and concise but yet it holds so much meaning. I really love how poetic Zafon’s writing is without sounding too pretentious. Its a historical fiction that can be enjoyed by many, and delved in various emotions in the pages written of the characters. Its one of those books that you can’t just put down and it makes every turn of page filled with anticipation.
These are some of the ratings of the 11 stories in the book and some of my favourite ones in my opinion.
✨ Blanca and The Departure ✨
Personal Ratings : 3.85/5🌟
From the diary of David Martin (from the second book to the series), its a story of the aspiring author being in love with a girl that is way out of reach. The dreams of the boy and the way he confesses his love to her was just heartbreaking to read.
✨ Nameless ✨
Personal Ratings: 5/5🌟
“I’ve wanted to believe that at that last moment, when the putrid waters spat her into the sea and the shroud that wrapped her unfolded in the current to deliver her body into the darkness of the deep, she knew that the boy that she had given birth to would live and would always remember her.”
The story of a mother who fears for her unborn child. It was AGONIZING AND PAINFUL and I was sobbing so hard. By far one of my favourites in this book. The writing makes it more beautiful and even more heartbreaking.
✨ A Young Lady From Barcelona ✨
Personal Ratings: 5/5🌟
“Laia knew that her father lied without realising he was lying, as all great liars do who first lie to themselves and are then unable to see the truth even if it’s stabbing them in their hearts.”
A story of a father’s love who is like a stranger, and a stranger who is more of a father figure. A story that shows that not all relations by blood are strong and pure. It can consume a person, a person with a future and break it into half. This story was full of the demise of a young woman and boy was I tearing up on the sacrifices she had to make. Disturbing and yet very heartwrenching.
✨ Rose of Fire ✨
Personal Ratings: 4/5🌟
“Until then, until the time when other men wiser than him found the means of saving the labyrinth and remembering the price exacted by the beast, he would keep the plans in the family chest........they would find the maker of the labyrinths worthy of such a challenge.”
A mysterious and magical origin story of the labyrinth itself and how it came to be. The story has a classic flair to it without being too over the top and it leaves room for anticipation.
Overall
I am mad at myself for not picking the book up faster than I should have. The stories are poignant and the writing is so mysterious but its also beautiful and has its own flair. I can't wait to finally start Shadow of the Wind and I am super super sad that this is the last book of Carlos due of his passing last year. Would cherish his stories that is heartwrenching, raw and takes your heart and sweeps it away.
Thank you to Pansing Distributions for generously providing me a review copy of the book.
Disclaimers: All my reviews are my thoughts of the book and according to my personal preferences. Even though I had received a review copy, it does not affect my review and honest thoughts for the book.
A collection of 11 stories from the collection of the Shadow of the Wind series. Its a book that is not only poignant but has an air of a mystery-feel to it.
The stories in here are somehow one of the most intriguing, weird but also very addictive stories I’ve read. The stories are short and concise but yet it holds so much meaning. I really love how poetic Zafon’s writing is without sounding too pretentious. Its a historical fiction that can be enjoyed by many, and delved in various emotions in the pages written of the characters. Its one of those books that you can’t just put down and it makes every turn of page filled with anticipation.
These are some of the ratings of the 11 stories in the book and some of my favourite ones in my opinion.
✨ Blanca and The Departure ✨
Personal Ratings : 3.85/5🌟
From the diary of David Martin (from the second book to the series), its a story of the aspiring author being in love with a girl that is way out of reach. The dreams of the boy and the way he confesses his love to her was just heartbreaking to read.
✨ Nameless ✨
Personal Ratings: 5/5🌟
“I’ve wanted to believe that at that last moment, when the putrid waters spat her into the sea and the shroud that wrapped her unfolded in the current to deliver her body into the darkness of the deep, she knew that the boy that she had given birth to would live and would always remember her.”
The story of a mother who fears for her unborn child. It was AGONIZING AND PAINFUL and I was sobbing so hard. By far one of my favourites in this book. The writing makes it more beautiful and even more heartbreaking.
✨ A Young Lady From Barcelona ✨
Personal Ratings: 5/5🌟
“Laia knew that her father lied without realising he was lying, as all great liars do who first lie to themselves and are then unable to see the truth even if it’s stabbing them in their hearts.”
A story of a father’s love who is like a stranger, and a stranger who is more of a father figure. A story that shows that not all relations by blood are strong and pure. It can consume a person, a person with a future and break it into half. This story was full of the demise of a young woman and boy was I tearing up on the sacrifices she had to make. Disturbing and yet very heartwrenching.
✨ Rose of Fire ✨
Personal Ratings: 4/5🌟
“Until then, until the time when other men wiser than him found the means of saving the labyrinth and remembering the price exacted by the beast, he would keep the plans in the family chest........they would find the maker of the labyrinths worthy of such a challenge.”
A mysterious and magical origin story of the labyrinth itself and how it came to be. The story has a classic flair to it without being too over the top and it leaves room for anticipation.
Overall
I am mad at myself for not picking the book up faster than I should have. The stories are poignant and the writing is so mysterious but its also beautiful and has its own flair. I can't wait to finally start Shadow of the Wind and I am super super sad that this is the last book of Carlos due of his passing last year. Would cherish his stories that is heartwrenching, raw and takes your heart and sweeps it away.
Thank you to Pansing Distributions for generously providing me a review copy of the book.
Disclaimers: All my reviews are my thoughts of the book and according to my personal preferences. Even though I had received a review copy, it does not affect my review and honest thoughts for the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide