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mariahmmm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a beautiful retelling of my favourite fairytale (Grimm's "The Six Swans"), transported to an Asian-inspired fantasy world mixed with traditional myths and folklore.
When Princess Shiori stumbles upon her hateful stepmother (the Nameless Queen) casting dark magic, her stepmother retaliates by transforming Shiori's six brothers into crimson cranes and cursing Shiori to be unrecognisable. The only way to reverse the curse is to gather and weave a net of the wickedly painful starstroke nettle and cast it over her stepmother while saying the Nameless Queen's true name. On her journey with Kiki (a paper crane she brought to life), Shiori will cross paths with an insufferable dragon, warlords, assassins, and her loathsome betrothed. Through it all, Shiori must guard her tongue, and her heart, as for each sound she utters, one of her brothers will die...
The Asian twist made so much sense and really enhanced the story! However, there was far too much going on and it felt like there were multiple disconnected stories crammed in. Most of the twists were incredible, but the major one was disappointing and definitely felt wrong for how the whole book had set things up (but I still wept like a baby after the revelation...). The romance, too, felt unnatural with unbelievable choices and circumstances pulling me out of the story.
When Princess Shiori stumbles upon her hateful stepmother (the Nameless Queen) casting dark magic, her stepmother retaliates by transforming Shiori's six brothers into crimson cranes and cursing Shiori to be unrecognisable. The only way to reverse the curse is to gather and weave a net of the wickedly painful starstroke nettle and cast it over her stepmother while saying the Nameless Queen's true name. On her journey with Kiki (a paper crane she brought to life), Shiori will cross paths with an insufferable dragon, warlords, assassins, and her loathsome betrothed. Through it all, Shiori must guard her tongue, and her heart, as for each sound she utters, one of her brothers will die...
The Asian twist made so much sense and really enhanced the story! However, there was far too much going on and it felt like there were multiple disconnected stories crammed in. Most of the twists were incredible, but the major one was disappointing and definitely felt wrong for how the whole book had set things up (but I still wept like a baby after the revelation...). The romance, too, felt unnatural with unbelievable choices and circumstances pulling me out of the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty
squisheebee_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book literally had me completely spellbound from the first page. Literally ran to order the sequel AND the authors book for a separate series. Like omfg. Yes it’s YA. Yes the pros is super easy to ready but god is it beautifully written AND the story!? Don’t get me started. I will not take slander about this book. If it was not for you that’s fine, but it was certainly for me. 😇
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Classism
Moderate: Medical content and Grief
Minor: Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
filipa_maia's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
First of all, how beautiful is this cover?
I really enjoyed this book. It was a slow start for me but, when the story really started to gain traction I got completely addicted. Great world building, amazing scenarios, character with such a rich and interesting background - these are the things we can enjoy when reading this book. I love Shiori strength, the way that she overcame everything that was thrown in her way. Even when everything was hopeless.
I can't wait for the next book!
I really enjoyed this book. It was a slow start for me but, when the story really started to gain traction I got completely addicted. Great world building, amazing scenarios, character with such a rich and interesting background - these are the things we can enjoy when reading this book. I love Shiori strength, the way that she overcame everything that was thrown in her way. Even when everything was hopeless.
I can't wait for the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Medical content, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
teri_b's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am so glad I waited to finish this book until the last day of December 2021.
This was such an absolute blast of a book.
It holds a beautiful, amazing and in depth retelling of the Wild Swans fairy tale set in an Eastern world.
And it only got better, with twists and turns and shenanigans.
But reader, be aware, the story ain't over yet, so more is to come, and there be dragons, it seems in 2022.
This was such an absolute blast of a book.
It holds a beautiful, amazing and in depth retelling of the Wild Swans fairy tale set in an Eastern world.
And it only got better, with twists and turns and shenanigans.
But reader, be aware, the story ain't over yet, so more is to come, and there be dragons, it seems in 2022.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Confinement
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and War
nebraskanwriter's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War
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