momwithareadingproblem's review
4.0
Ash & Bramble by Sarah Prineas wasn't exactly what I was expecting. It's a fairy tale retelling of the classic Cinderella but with a fresh twist and unique villain. Pin is a seamstress in the Godmother's fortress. It's the only life she knows, but she knows there was a Before and she is determined to breakout. With the help of Shoe the shoemaker (how's that for originality?!), Pin finds it takes courage, bravery, and cunning to get the happily ever after she wants.
So I could easily rate the three parts of this book: Part 1 four stars, Part 2 three stars, and Part 3 five stars (the author's already divided the book in parts for me). The first part is exciting, a little confusing, and more than intriguing. There's a ton of world building and set up for the story but then part two happens and the plot loses steam. The actual retelling occurs in this part and I really struggled. Finally in part three everything ties together with part one and I was reminded why I was intrigued. I say all of this to say that when reading tough it out through the slow middle ;)
Pin and Shoe are fun characters. Pin is bold, courageous and thinks outside of the box. Shoe is sweet and kind, his attention to detail is endearing. The two together make an unstoppable force. I <3 them!
Overall I really enjoyed the story from the beginning to the end. I liked the idea of Story being an actual evil force behind the characters' lives. It made for an interesting, unique take on fairytale retellings. If you enjoy clean, YA romance/fantasy, I highly recommend it!
So I could easily rate the three parts of this book: Part 1 four stars, Part 2 three stars, and Part 3 five stars (the author's already divided the book in parts for me). The first part is exciting, a little confusing, and more than intriguing. There's a ton of world building and set up for the story but then part two happens and the plot loses steam. The actual retelling occurs in this part and I really struggled. Finally in part three everything ties together with part one and I was reminded why I was intrigued. I say all of this to say that when reading tough it out through the slow middle ;)
Pin and Shoe are fun characters. Pin is bold, courageous and thinks outside of the box. Shoe is sweet and kind, his attention to detail is endearing. The two together make an unstoppable force. I <3 them!
Overall I really enjoyed the story from the beginning to the end. I liked the idea of Story being an actual evil force behind the characters' lives. It made for an interesting, unique take on fairytale retellings. If you enjoy clean, YA romance/fantasy, I highly recommend it!
araleith's review
1.0
The story was hard to follow and not put together well and the characters weren't very interesting at all. I got super bored and just wanted it to be over.
lecrockett's review
DNF at 30%. I won't rate this because it isn't a bad book, or poorly written, or any of that.
It's imaginative, well-written, and more of a behind-the-scenes fairytale rather than a fairytale retelling. I'm genuinely surprised we haven't seen more of something like this. However, it's just not for me. (A shame, really. Was so excited about it!)
Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from HarperTeen for review.
It's imaginative, well-written, and more of a behind-the-scenes fairytale rather than a fairytale retelling. I'm genuinely surprised we haven't seen more of something like this. However, it's just not for me. (A shame, really. Was so excited about it!)
Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from HarperTeen for review.
bookmarklit's review
4.0
What a unique and fascinating story. I love how everything slowly unfolded. I thought it dragged a little sometimes because I was wondering what could happen next, but I can see the importance of each part in hindsight. There are definitely some fancy metaphors about fairy tales and churning out stories with happily-ever-afters. I’m honestly surprised more people didn’t enjoy this one!
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First read: NOT a DNF. I'm enjoying it a lot but I won't be able to finish it before my vacation, and it needs to passed along the next person on the ARC Tour. Let me know if you have a copy I can borrow, friends!
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First read: NOT a DNF. I'm enjoying it a lot but I won't be able to finish it before my vacation, and it needs to passed along the next person on the ARC Tour. Let me know if you have a copy I can borrow, friends!
jac_reads's review
3.0
This book took me a while to read. Sometimes the POV can be confusing but the idea is really entertaining. Some people think that it's hard to take Pin and Shoe seriously but if they cared to read it they would.
alexiachantel's review
4.0
What a fantastic twist on the Fairy Godmother! This world that encompasses all fairy-tales was fascinating and the characters and their growth was well written.
Highly recommend for fairy-tale retelling fans!
Highly recommend for fairy-tale retelling fans!
annabellasbooks's review
3.0
I was disappointed with this book. I didn't care for the writing style and the story is very wandering. It is a rather original take on the oft retold fairytale 'Cinderella' and for that I must give the author props. However, I don't think enough explanation is provided to the reader in many scenarios throughout the book, making them difficult to understand as they take place and even after finishing the book there are many things that don't quite add up. The characters lack consistency -though this is somewhat intentional- and the changing points of view are frustrating
A solid effort, but the characters lack depth, the plot lacks directions, and the story doesn't pull the reader in. I can't say it entices me to buy another book by Sarah Prineas, either.
A solid effort, but the characters lack depth, the plot lacks directions, and the story doesn't pull the reader in. I can't say it entices me to buy another book by Sarah Prineas, either.
weruintooeasy's review
3.0
ngl this took me a bit of time to really get into. i was fairly ready to give up on it during the first two chapters or so but i got fairly invested once the story began to unfold more. i really did love this premise and i felt like the execution of it was fairly solid. i wish the romance was slightly better handled, i didn't hate it but i think with a bit more development i could have loved it and while the "triangle" here isn't as eye-roll inducing as some other ones i've read and does actually play a part in the story, i wish it hadn't existed at all (i'm just so over love triangles you guys) or at least felt a bit more... meaty?
overall, it's a solid 3. probably 3.25.
overall, it's a solid 3. probably 3.25.