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katvou's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content and Alcohol
louisaroselewis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I found its story compelling in some points, and a relaxing read in others. I loved how well-written the characters were, and the growth in both sisters is lovely to see. It was great to see Rose grow from a gentle princess to a confident ruler. And Wren grows from someone seeking revenge to, again a strong ruler.
Secondly, the romance in the book is truly beautiful and yet utterly heartbreaking. I hope this is explored more in the next book (it surely can't end like that).
I love how the first villain of the story is made inferior to the true terrifying villain by the end as well. It sets up the second book well.
However, as someone who grew up with the tale of the princess and the pauper, I can gladly say it has done it justice and then some.
Minor: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Murder, and War
kbairbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
bookish_paws's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Death, Blood, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
jetti's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
First I really liked Roses chapters.
I liked her character development from a naive princess who is scared of witches to a strong witch queen with healing magic. Also her relationship with Shen was fun to read. There was chemistry but not as much as I hoped.
Then there were Wrens chapters. I don't know why but I really disliked them. Wren played Rose for most of the book. But she was really bad in it. Also everything which had to do with prince Ansel was just so cringy. This guy.
I'm not sad about Ansels death. I was quite happy when he died because of his behaviour.
Also Wrens Rose imitation was just bad. She did everything wrong what was possible and just Celeste realized that this was not Rose? So unrealistic. Roses maid, who knew her from birth at least should have realized. Just Tor found out something was wrong about the princess (apart from Celeste)
Next the relationship between Tor and Wren was difficult for me. I did not feel the chemistry between these two characters. It was more like, they both wanted someone to have fun with. Thats all.
Lastly, the appearence of Shen and the witches after Rose escaped from the cliffs. Well Rose used the fastest horse. So Shen needed to use a slower one. So, because of Shens magic it is possible that he appeared the day after Rose. But the witches? They arrived the day of the wedding when the fighting started. Thereby, not just one witch came, no. So they had to be much slower than Shen and Rose. This for me looks like a mistake in planning the arrivals.
At least the coronation part I really liked. I'm really interested in whats happening with twin curse now that Rose and Wren are wearing the twincrowns. Also, I really liked the story of Ortha and her twin Oonagh which was explained in the end. Also, I'm really interested if they are able to safe Banba from Gevra.
So, even I was not the biggest fan of this book, I'm going to read the second one when it is released. Hopefully it is getting better. I'm optimistic because Wren don't need to imitate Rose in the upcoming book. :D
Minor: Murder
gkaltam's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Murder
kaziaroo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent and War
Minor: Sexual content, Torture, and Acephobia/Arophobia
birdyqueen_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The first half was a bit slow but i’d say necessary? And then everything fell back in place in the 2nd half of the story.
2 love relationships, very different from each other. I loved both !
And the few end chapters wrecked me !
A great reading !
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Animal death
kirstym25's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Blood, and War
Minor: Animal cruelty
morna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Genocide, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and War