inbetweenthepagesofabook's review against another edition
3.0
I was intrigued in the beginning, but then I lost interest about 30% in. I feel like the set up took too long, and the climax was really short. I like the idea of the story. However, I don’t care for the way it was executed. For me, personally, it was a very average book.
caitcat0212's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism, Vomit, Gore, and Blood
melreads0's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
kayladaniella's review
4.0
4/5 stars
The concept for this book was really cool yet lacking a little bit. The pacing at the beginning was quite slow. I didn't like the whole Jewish aspect because it doesn't make sense in this world. It was really cool having Jews in a fantasy world, but there were no other established religions or reasons of persecution and antisemitism of them, in said fantasy world. So it was kinda cool, but also kinda weird. It felt like it was just there for the sake of it.
Other than that, I really did enjoy the story past the first chapter (which was kinda confusing because the synopsis mentions Princess Imogen but then the first chapter opens with a girl named Seraphina and you're just like who are you because it's not explained first thing). I also did find some of the characters confusing through audiobook, but that might just be a me thing.
The tension between Nico and Seraphina were to die for. Both of them pretending to be royalty while neither of them actually are. And it was written so splendidly too. The only thing about the characters that I didn't like was that EVERY FIVE SECONDS it was mentioned that Nico was blushing. Every emotion he felt- blushing. Literally, it was mentioned multiple times per like every chapter he's in. WAY too much.
Overall though, it was a solid engaging enough story. I loved the story line of them being trapped inside a castle and having to pretend everything is ok. It was super unique which I greatly appreciated as well.
The concept for this book was really cool yet lacking a little bit. The pacing at the beginning was quite slow. I didn't like the whole Jewish aspect because it doesn't make sense in this world. It was really cool having Jews in a fantasy world, but there were no other established religions or reasons of persecution and antisemitism of them, in said fantasy world. So it was kinda cool, but also kinda weird. It felt like it was just there for the sake of it.
Other than that, I really did enjoy the story past the first chapter (which was kinda confusing because the synopsis mentions Princess Imogen but then the first chapter opens with a girl named Seraphina and you're just like who are you because it's not explained first thing). I also did find some of the characters confusing through audiobook, but that might just be a me thing.
The tension between Nico and Seraphina were to die for. Both of them pretending to be royalty while neither of them actually are. And it was written so splendidly too. The only thing about the characters that I didn't like was that EVERY FIVE SECONDS it was mentioned that Nico was blushing. Every emotion he felt- blushing. Literally, it was mentioned multiple times per like every chapter he's in. WAY too much.
Overall though, it was a solid engaging enough story. I loved the story line of them being trapped inside a castle and having to pretend everything is ok.
Spoiler
The middle sister, Giselle, being evil didn't really make sense, but whatever.es_reading_corner's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
caidyn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
What a great book. I loved this take on Poe's tale and how it was made a bit more diverse with a Jewish MC. But it still had a distinctive medieval feel to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Antisemitism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
filmingpages's review against another edition
2.5
The premise of this book set it out to be an exciting and horrifying read, and it was, for the most part.
I found it slightly too long, especially since it felt like we had 2 climaxes instead of 1 and also because the subject matter was slightly vague, meaning that at the end of the day, our heroes didn't really "solve" anything.
Other than that, it was atmospheric, but it felt too slow sometimes and that did affect the overall effect that book had on me.
I found it slightly too long, especially since it felt like we had 2 climaxes instead of 1 and also because the subject matter was slightly vague, meaning that at the end of the day, our heroes didn't really "solve" anything.
Other than that, it was atmospheric, but it felt too slow sometimes and that did affect the overall effect that book had on me.
andreaw's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.5
katierm's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0