Scan barcode
thebookaddict's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
🇳🇱: Wat een ervaring was dit. Ik heb me het hele boek geërgerd aan Jeanne, ik kon er niet zo goed over dat ze koste wat het kost haar wraak wou hebben. Ze kwam binnen als een hulpeloze lam, maar verlaat het hof als een achterbakse rat. Buiten mijn haat om richting de daden van Jeanne heb ik wel genoten. Ik las het boek iets minder vlot weg dan verwacht, maar het verhaallijn was erg uniek. De personages kwamen heel mooi tot leven en het was leuk om te zien dat iedereen zijn eigen geheimen meeneemt naar de stallen. De een iets luguberder dan de ander. Het einde van dit boek was erg onverwacht en goed doordacht. Je vraagt je vanzelf af wat er in het volgende boek gaat gebeuren. Ik ben ook erg benieuwd geworden naar het verhaal van de koning en ik hoop hier dan ook zeker wat meer over te lezen. Een leuke toevoeging is de dingen die je in dit boek leert over de Romeinse goden. Ik heb dingen geleerd die ik nog niet wist dus dat vond ik erg leuk.
🇬🇧What an experience this was. I was annoyed by Jeanne throughout the book, I couldn't really get over the fact that she wanted her revenge at all costs. She came in like a helpless lamb, but left the court like a conniving rat. Apart from my hatred towards Jeanne's actions, I did enjoy it. I read the book a little slower than expected, but the storyline was very unique. The characters came to life very nicely and it was nice to see that everyone brings their own secrets to the stables. One slightly more gruesome than the other. The ending of this book was very unexpected and well thought out. You naturally wonder what will happen in the next book. I have also become very curious about the king's story and I certainly hope to read more about it. A nice addition is the things you learn about the Roman gods in this book. I learned things I didn't know before so I really enjoyed that.
🇬🇧What an experience this was. I was annoyed by Jeanne throughout the book, I couldn't really get over the fact that she wanted her revenge at all costs. She came in like a helpless lamb, but left the court like a conniving rat. Apart from my hatred towards Jeanne's actions, I did enjoy it. I read the book a little slower than expected, but the storyline was very unique. The characters came to life very nicely and it was nice to see that everyone brings their own secrets to the stables. One slightly more gruesome than the other. The ending of this book was very unexpected and well thought out. You naturally wonder what will happen in the next book. I have also become very curious about the king's story and I certainly hope to read more about it. A nice addition is the things you learn about the Roman gods in this book. I learned things I didn't know before so I really enjoyed that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
bornachoker's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an advance reader's copy of this book. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
The Court of Shadows brings a refreshing new take to the world of vampire fiction - combining a seemingly historical setting with the immortality of the vampyre characters to create a timeless feel.
The novel focuses on Jeanne, who disguises herself as a baronette and joins a prestigious school for inspiring courtiers, with the intention of avenging the deaths of her family. Victor Dixen slowly introduces readers to the captivating world of Vampyria through Jeanne's training, and weaves many unique concepts into his world, such as the Shadows, vampyric roses and mares, and other mysterious creatures that do not fall into either categories of vampyre or human. The characters are well-rounded, all with their own ambitions and secrets that slowly become uncovered over the course of the novel.
The only downside is that the writing style had a tendency to feel somewhat juvenile. This, however, did not detract greatly from the overall experience of reading this novel.
I will definitely be picking up the sequel when it is translated into English.
The Court of Shadows brings a refreshing new take to the world of vampire fiction - combining a seemingly historical setting with the immortality of the vampyre characters to create a timeless feel.
The novel focuses on Jeanne, who disguises herself as a baronette and joins a prestigious school for inspiring courtiers, with the intention of avenging the deaths of her family. Victor Dixen slowly introduces readers to the captivating world of Vampyria through Jeanne's training, and weaves many unique concepts into his world, such as the Shadows, vampyric roses and mares, and other mysterious creatures that do not fall into either categories of vampyre or human. The characters are well-rounded, all with their own ambitions and secrets that slowly become uncovered over the course of the novel.
The only downside is that the writing style had a tendency to feel somewhat juvenile. This, however, did not detract greatly from the overall experience of reading this novel.
I will definitely be picking up the sequel when it is translated into English.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape and War