feelingferal's review
4.0
Stories within stories within stories. At first it kind of stressed me out. I kept feeling like I had to keep track of everything in my head. But once I relaxed and trusted the book, I saw how well they fit together and flow together. I enjoyed her writing style. And the stories themselves are fantastic. Very enjoyable and I recommend it. I had only read The Girl Who Circumnavigated...... prior to this and was worried that I wouldn't like her other works as they seemed so different from that. They are definitely different but they are no worse off for it. Her imagination and creativity and prose remain highly enjoyable even in a completely different format.
abitofmoxie's review
4.0
essentially a book of fairy tales. there are stories within stories within stories. Sometimes they're interesting and sometimes they seem like homework until you get back to the story that does interest you. Overall though, I'd recommend it if you like, let's say, the "softer side" of the fantasy genre.
agathag's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ginnikin's review
I just couldn't get into it at all. The prose is gorgeous, but that's not enough for me.
books_and_keys's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bamugo's review
5.0
Fantastically told tales within tales, woven together like an immense tapestry of russian nesting dolls.
einnymydog's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
paintedgiraffe's review
5.0
Wow... just... This is one of the world's books that holds you in thrall. It did take me a while (about half the book) to get used to what I thought at first was overly-flowery description, but then I focused less on that and more on the plot -- or maybe my mind just relaxed to it.
My favorite parts have to be when characters from previous tales showed up or were mentioned later on in seemingly unrelated stories ^^ I'm eager to read the second half, which I currently have on hold :)
My favorite parts have to be when characters from previous tales showed up or were mentioned later on in seemingly unrelated stories ^^ I'm eager to read the second half, which I currently have on hold :)