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kitkatmichelle's review
3.0
Prequels are fascinating, and this one was no exception. It was fascinating to see playing out what Winter Cursed only hinted at.
But the story was even more disturbing than it was fascinating. Now, I knew going in that it was a villain origin story, that being inside Ismena's head was going to be dark. I knew that, and yet I was a bit stunned anyway by how BLACK Ismena's thoughts were. I guess I was expecting her to retain most of her sanity until a traumatic event toward the end of the book stole it ALL away in one go (more like Heartless by Marissa Meyer, come to think of it). But not to be.
I liked this book for the complex, shifting character relationships and the sharply executed plot. This author certainly knows how to weave a story. On the other hand, I can't say I enjoyed it all that much due to the twisted POV. I have very little sympathy for Ismena; she belongs in an insane asylum.
I applaud Nicki for being able to develop her villain so skillfully! Despite being a monster, Ismena is much more than just a monster. She has a past, a life, and a lot of emotions.
I definitely recommend this for fans of Winter Cursed who would be interested in learning more about Ismena. Just don't expect to be rooting for her - and do expect a lot of deception and tragedy. Not for the faint of heart.
~ 3 stars out of 5
P.S. Also, in considering this novella I can kind of pick up on a subtle theme of how getting mixed up in sorcery is extremely damaging, seeing as... well, Ismena gets mixed up in the sorcery of her ancestors. I don't know if that's supposed to be a theme, explicitly, but it's still an important one. So that's cool!
P.P.S. I received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
But the story was even more disturbing than it was fascinating. Now, I knew going in that it was a villain origin story, that being inside Ismena's head was going to be dark. I knew that, and yet I was a bit stunned anyway by how BLACK Ismena's thoughts were. I guess I was expecting her to retain most of her sanity until a traumatic event toward the end of the book stole it ALL away in one go (more like Heartless by Marissa Meyer, come to think of it). But not to be.
I liked this book for the complex, shifting character relationships and the sharply executed plot. This author certainly knows how to weave a story. On the other hand, I can't say I enjoyed it all that much due to the twisted POV. I have very little sympathy for Ismena; she belongs in an insane asylum.
I applaud Nicki for being able to develop her villain so skillfully! Despite being a monster, Ismena is much more than just a monster. She has a past, a life, and a lot of emotions.
I definitely recommend this for fans of Winter Cursed who would be interested in learning more about Ismena. Just don't expect to be rooting for her - and do expect a lot of deception and tragedy. Not for the faint of heart.
~ 3 stars out of 5
P.S. Also, in considering this novella I can kind of pick up on a subtle theme of how getting mixed up in sorcery is extremely damaging, seeing as... well, Ismena gets mixed up in the sorcery of her ancestors. I don't know if that's supposed to be a theme, explicitly, but it's still an important one. So that's cool!
P.P.S. I received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
nicole_dust's review against another edition
4.0
“Who needed love?”
That’s the last line of this book. And it’s so sad and heartbreaking - just like the rest of this book.
It honestly reminds me of a darker, shorter Heartless, because both are about women becoming queen after their lovers pass away.
I don’t know what to think of Ismena at this point. On the one hand, I understand where she’s coming from, but on the other, her mind is truly twisted to think that her actions (especially those regarding *SPOILERS!* Stephen’s death at the end) wouldn’t have many lasting consequences.
The scary part is, it’s not hard to see how Ismena went wrong. Any of us could get too caught up in our imagined romance that we fail to see anything else.
And I’m guessing that this was exactly how I’m supposed to feel about Ismena.
Just wow. Applause to you, Nicki. You’ve outdone yourself here. :)
(I received a free copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own. :) )
That’s the last line of this book. And it’s so sad and heartbreaking - just like the rest of this book.
It honestly reminds me of a darker, shorter Heartless, because both are about women becoming queen after their lovers pass away.
I don’t know what to think of Ismena at this point. On the one hand, I understand where she’s coming from, but on the other, her mind is truly twisted to think that her actions (especially those regarding *SPOILERS!* Stephen’s death at the end) wouldn’t have many lasting consequences.
The scary part is, it’s not hard to see how Ismena went wrong. Any of us could get too caught up in our imagined romance that we fail to see anything else.
And I’m guessing that this was exactly how I’m supposed to feel about Ismena.
Just wow. Applause to you, Nicki. You’ve outdone yourself here. :)
(I received a free copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own. :) )
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