Scan barcode
youngling80's review
4.0
(some spoilers ahead)
This little gem was free on Kindle Unlimited (along with the audio) and, having previously read and greatly enjoyed Kingfisher's Nettle & Bone , I decided to have a go at this one. I immediately fell in love with Kaylin Heath's narration of the 15 year old miller's daughter, Rhea, who has been betrothed (without her knowledge) to a mysterious noble man. She discovers that he is an evil magician and that she is seventh of his wives (some of which are still alive) , which he marries to acquire some gift of theirs, which he then uses for himself or gives to the wealthy and powerful as they have need in order to acquire favors. He sets Rhea with various tasks promising her that if she fails to complete them, she will be forced to marry him. She and the other wives must work together if they are going to free themselves from his villainy.
I loved the quirkiness of our protagonist, who battles evil swans with horse manure sandwiches and befriends hedgehog familiars, so much so that I had to pause the narration so that I could highlight various lines and quotations in the kindle version. These fantasy horror reads from T Kingfishers are always such a pleasant and interesting diversion particularly when I need a break from some of my heavier reads. This was no exception. I did feel that the ending was just a bit anticlimactic, but aside from that, it was a fun read.
This little gem was free on Kindle Unlimited (along with the audio) and, having previously read and greatly enjoyed Kingfisher's Nettle & Bone , I decided to have a go at this one. I immediately fell in love with Kaylin Heath's narration of the 15 year old miller's daughter, Rhea, who has been betrothed (without her knowledge) to a mysterious noble man. She discovers that he is an evil magician and that she is seventh of his wives (some of which are still alive) , which he marries to acquire some gift of theirs, which he then uses for himself or gives to the wealthy and powerful as they have need in order to acquire favors. He sets Rhea with various tasks promising her that if she fails to complete them, she will be forced to marry him. She and the other wives must work together if they are going to free themselves from his villainy.
I loved the quirkiness of our protagonist, who battles evil swans with horse manure sandwiches and befriends hedgehog familiars, so much so that I had to pause the narration so that I could highlight various lines and quotations in the kindle version. These fantasy horror reads from T Kingfishers are always such a pleasant and interesting diversion particularly when I need a break from some of my heavier reads. This was no exception. I did feel that the ending was just a bit anticlimactic, but aside from that, it was a fun read.
dreamingofspaceships's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good retelling of the Bluebeard folktale - less horror-y and more of a smart-girl-gets-out-of-scrape. Really liked the "gives you his name, takes whatever he wants from you" exploration of marriage aspect too.
laure_frompariswithbooks's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
atgerstner's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Fun! Dark! Not sure it’s actually YA.
savannahjostock's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
samelles's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
jeansbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
chandraleereads's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
5.0
Now I want a hedgehog. 🦔
breading_books's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75