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laumendoza13's review against another edition
4.0
Amé cada palabra de este libro. La película de por sí es una belleza, y en esta narración podemos conocer más detalles del Reino Subterráneo y los monstruos. Igual que con la película, el final te deja con sentimientos encontrados.
lillyskyemily's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Way more gruesome and tragic than I expected it to be. Very heavy topics, maybe not the ideal bedtime read. Still a beautifully written story with interesting themes explored in front of a sobering historical context.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Animal cruelty
irynavynnyk's review against another edition
5.0
Висока оцінка. Мабуть, зрезонувало поєднання темного фентезі та жорстокої реальності війни. Подібно як те чим живе зараз мій народ, моя країна. І жінок сміливих і героїчних у нас чимало і партизан готових боротись не боячись віддати життя за свободу і справедливість.
І так хотілось би притулитись до золотого Фавна, знаючи що подолано найбільший страх що «… праведне діло ніколи не здобуває перемогу, а лише бореться за життя». Але це ж всього лиш прочитане фентезі змішане з сюжетом жорстокої реальності війни, а нам своє робить - наближати перемогу і вірою і ділом.
І так хотілось би притулитись до золотого Фавна, знаючи що подолано найбільший страх що «… праведне діло ніколи не здобуває перемогу, а лише бореться за життя». Але це ж всього лиш прочитане фентезі змішане з сюжетом жорстокої реальності війни, а нам своє робить - наближати перемогу і вірою і ділом.
atalanta_nins's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I have watched the movie adaptation of this when I was a kid, and rewatched it again when I was an adult. Now, I've read it and I felt like I was watching it all over again, this time though, there were additional scenes or content which felt like a bonus for reading.
Though, my advice is that, be prepared before you read this. This book (much like the movie) opens itself as a hauntingly dark-tale historical fantasy with touch of reality. We are introduced to Ofelia as she travels together with her pregnant mom to live with her new stepfather (which is a very cruel and evil man) in a mill inside a very dark forest in the country.
Though the story jumps back and forth between the reality of living in the current time of that world and also the dangerous adventures Ofelia goes to prove herself to be the reborn/reincarnation of a princess from an underground kingdom, the story is captivating and engaging, it felt like watching it again in my head. Also, I loved the added content, particularly the stories on how the Princess Moanna got lost and wandered the Upper Realm and how that reached the story being told in the book.
And of course, as much as the actors acted and conveyed emotions from the film, something about reading their innermost feelings and thoughts added much to this already brilliant story.
Though, I'm sure that even some adults would find this book a bit gruesome, I think it is a must read book, as though it shows the horrors of the reality at that time, it also gave hope and inspiration, does not matter the suffering, good will eventually overcome the evil of this world. Also the incorporation of the reality with the fiction world within it, kinda like how fictional stories borrowed from real events or stories.
Also chapters with names and the filler chapters that filled the books are also a brilliant bonus content as it detailed too how long the princess was gone and how it is connected to the present timeline of the book. How the stories are all connected, both the fantasy and reality part of the story.
Though, my advice is that, be prepared before you read this. This book (much like the movie) opens itself as a hauntingly dark-tale historical fantasy with touch of reality. We are introduced to Ofelia as she travels together with her pregnant mom to live with her new stepfather (which is a very cruel and evil man) in a mill inside a very dark forest in the country.
Though the story jumps back and forth between the reality of living in the current time of that world and also the dangerous adventures Ofelia goes to prove herself to be the reborn/reincarnation of a princess from an underground kingdom, the story is captivating and engaging, it felt like watching it again in my head. Also, I loved the added content, particularly the stories on how the Princess Moanna got lost and wandered the Upper Realm and how that reached the story being told in the book.
And of course, as much as the actors acted and conveyed emotions from the film, something about reading their innermost feelings and thoughts added much to this already brilliant story.
Though, I'm sure that even some adults would find this book a bit gruesome, I think it is a must read book, as though it shows the horrors of the reality at that time, it also gave hope and inspiration, does not matter the suffering, good will eventually overcome the evil of this world. Also the incorporation of the reality with the fiction world within it, kinda like how fictional stories borrowed from real events or stories.
Also chapters with names and the filler chapters that filled the books are also a brilliant bonus content as it detailed too how long the princess was gone and how it is connected to the present timeline of the book. How the stories are all connected, both the fantasy and reality part of the story.
christine2025's review against another edition
4.0
I read the book about 2 months ago. Tonight was the first time I saw the movie. This is the first time I've found that the movie is better than the book.
decco6226's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
graff_fuller's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.0
This is a Fairy Tale...in our modern world, and it seemed ap pra po for the time of year...that we read it (Jade's Bedtime Bookworm Discord Book Club).
The main character is Ofelia. She seems too small and young to actually put up a fight against the powers that are against her. But honestly, the main character of the story...is the often overlooked and underappreciated Mercedes, who is the anthem for all oppressed people.
This is a tale with other meanings...and I don't want to give it away, but in reading it, especially during the American Elections, and two days after our 2024 election results came in...and the OTHER canidate won. Well, it made me feel that this book spoke to me a lot more.
I don't usually like horror books, but this book walked that knife's edge...by making it a "fairy tale" atmosphere...which allowed the horrific things that were happening, to land softer and not AS horrific (to me).
I hope that the decisions that WE make as a country, finally seed hope for the future, even against the powers that encroach upon us and our freedoms.
I know that it isn't good to be TOO political, but we need to stand up against the powers that hold us down.
I'm impressed that the "stars aligned" and I was able to read this book...at the right time, that it made the most sense.
If you haven't read it, yet...do. Open it up and be prepared to go on a journey (watching for the clues that the authors give you) as things happen on the page...and what they mean for our Real Life.
I really enjoyed it.
The main character is Ofelia. She seems too small and young to actually put up a fight against the powers that are against her. But honestly, the main character of the story...is the often overlooked and underappreciated Mercedes, who is the anthem for all oppressed people.
This is a tale with other meanings...and I don't want to give it away, but in reading it, especially during the American Elections, and two days after our 2024 election results came in...and the OTHER canidate won. Well, it made me feel that this book spoke to me a lot more.
I don't usually like horror books, but this book walked that knife's edge...by making it a "fairy tale" atmosphere...which allowed the horrific things that were happening, to land softer and not AS horrific (to me).
I hope that the decisions that WE make as a country, finally seed hope for the future, even against the powers that encroach upon us and our freedoms.
I know that it isn't good to be TOO political, but we need to stand up against the powers that hold us down.
I'm impressed that the "stars aligned" and I was able to read this book...at the right time, that it made the most sense.
If you haven't read it, yet...do. Open it up and be prepared to go on a journey (watching for the clues that the authors give you) as things happen on the page...and what they mean for our Real Life.
I really enjoyed it.
rybkaponi's review against another edition
2.0
Так от. Все почалося з того, що юна Офелія приїздить із вагітною матір'ю у будиночок у лісі, до свого нового батька, який її не любить, який не любить її матір, який нікого не любить окрім батьківського розбитого годинника. А далі вона знайомиться із феєю, із Фавном, і бла бла бла, а потім бла бла бла, деякі події, трохи екшону, і бла бла бла. Все одно усі дивилися кіно, а це ж звичайна новелізація, чого тут взагалі можна очікувати.
Ну і от через те, що це саме новелізація я й не очікував нічого, більше того, навіть не збирався й купляти. Але вже вийшло як вийшло, і твір мені не зайшов, от чогось не вистачає йому, не чіпляє і все. Прочитав та й прочитав, з тим же успіхом міг і не читати взагалі.
Що сподобалось, так це оформлення. Ілюстрації з країв сторінок, повносторінкові ілюстрації перед казками, які теж виділено окремим кольоровим фоном. Вони гарні, так, хоча й тут трохи лажанули. Чи то папір такий, чи то самі ілюстрації недостатньо яскраві та контрастні, чи то взагалі так і задумано, біс його зна. Але якшо дійсно вони так і задумувалися - то це дійсно фейл, так споганити гарні ілюстрації.
Ну і от через те, що це саме новелізація я й не очікував нічого, більше того, навіть не збирався й купляти. Але вже вийшло як вийшло, і твір мені не зайшов, от чогось не вистачає йому, не чіпляє і все. Прочитав та й прочитав, з тим же успіхом міг і не читати взагалі.
Що сподобалось, так це оформлення. Ілюстрації з країв сторінок, повносторінкові ілюстрації перед казками, які теж виділено окремим кольоровим фоном. Вони гарні, так, хоча й тут трохи лажанули. Чи то папір такий, чи то самі ілюстрації недостатньо яскраві та контрастні, чи то взагалі так і задумано, біс його зна. Але якшо дійсно вони так і задумувалися - то це дійсно фейл, так споганити гарні ілюстрації.
colaloopa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
evidevidevid's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25