writingwwolves's review against another edition
5.0
Such a heartbreaking ending! I picked up this story because of its connection to the Romanovs, & the book is definitely a shadow of their story, but it's also wildly original & unique. I love the world building, the character development & especially the fact that the sisters are all very different from one another. The sequel comes out on my birthday & I cannot wait!
Extended Review: https://wp.me/p8MbIo-1Bl
Extended Review: https://wp.me/p8MbIo-1Bl
wordsareweapons's review against another edition
3.0
2.5/5 This book was confusing and not all at the same time. So this is a fantasy based around the Romanov sisters at the time of the revolution. Now I've read a decent amount about the revolution, and not many people really focus on the children, so you really have a lot to play with.
Let's start with the things I enjoyed. The way the fantasy was woven through the revolution setting was good. I enjoyed a couple of the characters, some of them were honestly really annoying. It was a very unique, highly allegorical take on the revolution, the reasons behind it, and the downside to communism. I think the author did a wonderful job of tucking all these aspects into a fantasy. And here is where the author also started to lose me. I get what she was trying to do, or I've completely misunderstood, but it was a little overdone. The Empress is "married" to the moon and that is the children's "father" who is made to appear conscious on some level, maybe. Their "seeds", yes this is actually what they are called, ate the mortal fathers, all of whom except 2 seem to be wastes. The Rasputin character is as smarmy as the real life person was. He can control apparently a vast majority of the country at once. How you ask? By containing pieces of the soul in a pearl. They also use animal souls as lights....and the little one can talk to shadows....why?? The magic system is vague at best. They have normal technology to my understanding, because the lights and this machine (aka communism) are the only things that need souls to run. I'm going to probably read the next one....simply because I am so lost and I'd like to see if there is clarification.
If this review is confusing imagine how I felt reading the book..
Let's start with the things I enjoyed. The way the fantasy was woven through the revolution setting was good. I enjoyed a couple of the characters, some of them were honestly really annoying. It was a very unique, highly allegorical take on the revolution, the reasons behind it, and the downside to communism. I think the author did a wonderful job of tucking all these aspects into a fantasy. And here is where the author also started to lose me. I get what she was trying to do, or I've completely misunderstood, but it was a little overdone. The Empress is "married" to the moon and that is the children's "father" who is made to appear conscious on some level, maybe. Their "seeds", yes this is actually what they are called, ate the mortal fathers, all of whom except 2 seem to be wastes. The Rasputin character is as smarmy as the real life person was. He can control apparently a vast majority of the country at once. How you ask? By containing pieces of the soul in a pearl. They also use animal souls as lights....and the little one can talk to shadows....why?? The magic system is vague at best. They have normal technology to my understanding, because the lights and this machine (aka communism) are the only things that need souls to run. I'm going to probably read the next one....simply because I am so lost and I'd like to see if there is clarification.
If this review is confusing imagine how I felt reading the book..
liacooper's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting imperial fantasy almost steampunk inspired by turn of the century Russian revolution/Romanov family. interesting little read i'll definitely pick up the sequel
caresays's review against another edition
3.0
I think the concept and worldbuilding in this story are pretty interesting, but the execution is slow. The entire book seems like it should be the prologue to another chunk. Basically, almost nothing happened???
mmefish's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Really, really liked it.
Each sister's POV was different from one another (though the youngest ones felt too mature for their ages), and every girl was interesting to read about for their own reasons. Very atmospheric setting and a tense storyline.
I'd reccomend this book to anyone who likes Russia-inspired fantasy. Excited to see what happens next!
Edit: ugh don't bother, the second book is terrible.
Each sister's POV was different from one another (though the youngest ones felt too mature for their ages), and every girl was interesting to read about for their own reasons. Very atmospheric setting and a tense storyline.
Edit: ugh don't bother, the second book is terrible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Abortion, Animal death, Death of parent, and Blood
Minor: Rape, Pregnancy, Animal cruelty, and Sexual content
helinae's review against another edition
3.0
First part of a duology, The Five Daughters of the Moon sets the stage for a historical fantasy story inspired by imperial Russia.
The chapters are divided between the stories told from the five daughter's viewpoints, which takes the story forward in character sections. Sometimes I felt there was not enough difference between the five sisters (aged between 6-22), but the narrative held together and the story flowed onward. Russian mysticism with a hint of magic made this story interesting enough to follow through, although the ending left me hoping for a bit more. Maybe it would have worked better as the middle of a full novel, but without having read the second part this is difficult to judge. The setting is heteronormative, and you will not see surprises there.
The author is Finnish who has written this story in English. Being native Finnish I felt some of the phrases used may stand out to native English readers as odd or peculiar, as they have their roots in the Finnish language expression.
Nevertheless, the story was well crafted and will suck you in if you have any interest in historical fantasy with an imperial Russian setting. I'm looking forward to Likitalo's further works.
The chapters are divided between the stories told from the five daughter's viewpoints, which takes the story forward in character sections. Sometimes I felt there was not enough difference between the five sisters (aged between 6-22), but the narrative held together and the story flowed onward. Russian mysticism with a hint of magic made this story interesting enough to follow through, although the ending left me hoping for a bit more. Maybe it would have worked better as the middle of a full novel, but without having read the second part this is difficult to judge. The setting is heteronormative, and you will not see surprises there.
The author is Finnish who has written this story in English. Being native Finnish I felt some of the phrases used may stand out to native English readers as odd or peculiar, as they have their roots in the Finnish language expression.
Nevertheless, the story was well crafted and will suck you in if you have any interest in historical fantasy with an imperial Russian setting. I'm looking forward to Likitalo's further works.
wordnerdy's review against another edition
4.0
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2017/07/2017-book-130.html
This is a pretty interesting fantasy novel--the first in a duology--inspired by the Russian Revolution and the Romanov children--only here, all five are girls (and the youngest is afflicted with something more magical), in a more matriarchal society, each of whom takes turns narrating the story of their crumbling empire. The Rasputin analogue here is even more disturbing than the real deal (trigger warnings for mind control and mentions of rape) but I loved all five sisters and their relationships, and am eager to read the sequel (out in November). B+.
This is a pretty interesting fantasy novel--the first in a duology--inspired by the Russian Revolution and the Romanov children--only here, all five are girls (and the youngest is afflicted with something more magical), in a more matriarchal society, each of whom takes turns narrating the story of their crumbling empire. The Rasputin analogue here is even more disturbing than the real deal (trigger warnings for mind control and mentions of rape) but I loved all five sisters and their relationships, and am eager to read the sequel (out in November). B+.
notladylike's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
xan_van_rooyen's review against another edition
Okay, this was an odd one. I didn't love it - but then I'm not a huge fan of historical novels in general. This was meant to be a fantasy - and it did have fantastical elements - but I felt that it was really a historical retelling with fantasy elements rather than the epic fantasy with historical elements I was hoping for.
I started this not knowing anything about the Romanov sisters. Some Googling revealed their story to me, and if this duology is going to be historically accurate, well then I don't really want to continue reading.
I wasn't a huge fan of the 5 different perspectives and how the sisters shared the narrative. It could've worked really well, but it didn't for me. Maybe because I didn't feel there was enough differentiation between their voices even though the youngest is 6 and the oldest an adult.
I did like the magical elements but was hoping for a whole lot more of it. It sort of drove the plot but then also sort of didn't because maybe the real life history kept getting in the way of making this a really cool fantasy.
The writing was a little clunky at times but still impressive considering the author isn't a native English speaker.
Biggest downer for me was the ending.
I started this not knowing anything about the Romanov sisters. Some Googling revealed their story to me, and if this duology is going to be historically accurate, well then I don't really want to continue reading.
I wasn't a huge fan of the 5 different perspectives and how the sisters shared the narrative. It could've worked really well, but it didn't for me. Maybe because I didn't feel there was enough differentiation between their voices even though the youngest is 6 and the oldest an adult.
I did like the magical elements but was hoping for a whole lot more of it. It sort of drove the plot but then also sort of didn't because maybe the real life history kept getting in the way of making this a really cool fantasy.
The writing was a little clunky at times but still impressive considering the author isn't a native English speaker.
Biggest downer for me was the ending.
Spoiler
it's a cliff hanger of sorts and yet doesn't really entice me to keep reading. Probably won't read the sequellourdes_chapters_we_love's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this book, the characters were great. I think it's a great story and will continue to the second book I just wished it was a 5 *s read for me.
Review to follow
Review to follow