buffywnabe's review against another edition
5.0
Um, I'm not sure how I'm going to wait for the sequel. I kinda need it now!!!!!!!
This was such a beautiful book. The world was dazzling and I took my time reading so that I could picture every word and detail in my head. That's often not the way I do things. A lot of time when I read, I tend to skim through the descriptions to just get to the story itself. But the author has created such a unique and fantastical world that it was impossible not to hang on every word on the page. Now, before you read much further into my review, I am not going to be able to promise no spoilers. I'll do my best, but there are a few things I might give away as I think they might be important in my thoughts.
You can read my full review and enter my giveaway for a finished copy of the book on my blog, Lisa Loves Literature.
This was such a beautiful book. The world was dazzling and I took my time reading so that I could picture every word and detail in my head. That's often not the way I do things. A lot of time when I read, I tend to skim through the descriptions to just get to the story itself. But the author has created such a unique and fantastical world that it was impossible not to hang on every word on the page. Now, before you read much further into my review, I am not going to be able to promise no spoilers. I'll do my best, but there are a few things I might give away as I think they might be important in my thoughts.
You can read my full review and enter my giveaway for a finished copy of the book on my blog, Lisa Loves Literature.
kgraham10's review against another edition
4.0
YA fantasy set in a fascinating world reminiscent of Louis XV court. A slow build to a fast paced finish. Intrigue, beauty, drama, spies, magic, and mystery abound.
Downside: This is clearly the first in a series so the plot leaves you hanging. This is particularly irritating as it didn't even answer most of the issues that were developing -- this is really like part 1 rather than a stand-alone in a series.
I found the afterword enlightening. The author reveals that she spent a lot of high school fantasizing about how to change her body, make-up, and hair to please others. This served as the inspiration for the evil in this fantasy world.
Downside: This is clearly the first in a series so the plot leaves you hanging. This is particularly irritating as it didn't even answer most of the issues that were developing -- this is really like part 1 rather than a stand-alone in a series.
I found the afterword enlightening. The author reveals that she spent a lot of high school fantasizing about how to change her body, make-up, and hair to please others. This served as the inspiration for the evil in this fantasy world.
krob41288's review against another edition
I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book took me a while to get into, mostly because of all the world building that takes place. Once the final few chapters really started to pick-up I was ready for book 2! I would say this book teetered between a 3.5/4 for me but I will definitely read the next book in the series!
This book took me a while to get into, mostly because of all the world building that takes place. Once the final few chapters really started to pick-up I was ready for book 2! I would say this book teetered between a 3.5/4 for me but I will definitely read the next book in the series!
faerytaleonfire's review against another edition
3.0
The second half of this book is much better than the first, which dragged like crazy. I'm looking forward to the next installment enough that I considered giving it four stars despite how little happened in the first part of the book, but I'm too annoyed with how the book treated its gay/bi characters, and especially how I think I'm supposed to feel sympathy for the people who tortured one of them to death, which, no. So, I am solidly ambivalent about this book, but I suspect/hope the sequels will be better.
fadedbookmarks's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely loved this book! I'm honestly just ready to drive right into the next!
The world building wasn't as overpowering as I expected and honestly I just want to know more, so it wasn't enough looking back, but still good to be able to get a feel. I'm just completely intrigued by the world created here and I love every aspect!
The world building wasn't as overpowering as I expected and honestly I just want to know more, so it wasn't enough looking back, but still good to be able to get a feel. I'm just completely intrigued by the world created here and I love every aspect!
stegobookosaurus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
agnes_the_wyrm's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a really long time to get into this book, but once I did I devoured it in about two days. The writing style is very flowery and descriptive and took a bit of getting used to, but once I did, the beautiful prose worked in a very satisfying way as a linguistic parallel to the narrative's focus on beauty.
While at times being very fairy-tale-esque, the actual storyline is quite grim and touches on a lot of serious societal issues, with the most prominent of course being the beauty norm. A very nice fantasy novel with a feel of dystopia.
4.5 stars
While at times being very fairy-tale-esque, the actual storyline is quite grim and touches on a lot of serious societal issues, with the most prominent of course being the beauty norm. A very nice fantasy novel with a feel of dystopia.
4.5 stars
lilliangretsinger's review against another edition
3.0
There were a lot of layers in this book. I like how the author creates situations and characters and then deepens your understanding of them.
The world building was excellent. The beginning was a little slow to start, but the end picked up. I will definitely read the next one
The world building was excellent. The beginning was a little slow to start, but the end picked up. I will definitely read the next one
inkstained's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutley incredible. I cannot wait for the next one.