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karahob's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
audreyjginay's review against another edition
5.0
This is a must read. The writing makes you feel like you are reading a traditional fairy tale, which only adds to the charm of the story. Keturah is a likable protagonist and the story is unique and full of whimsy. It makes several really valuable philosophical points, and ends on a beautiful, hopeful note. This absolutely can be taught in classrooms, this book would likely be a big hit amongst students.
content warnings: the entirety of this book deals with themes regarding death (that should be a given) and there is mention of an impending plague. However neither of these themes are presented in a particularly disturbing way, so I don't think these elements would be much of a concern.
content warnings: the entirety of this book deals with themes regarding death (that should be a given) and there is mention of an impending plague. However neither of these themes are presented in a particularly disturbing way, so I don't think these elements would be much of a concern.
emleemay's review against another edition
5.0
“There is no hell, John Temsland. Each man, when he dies, sees the landscape of his own soul.”
This book kind of stomped all over my heart. Not because of the love story, which I don't consider a spoiler because anyone with a brain will see it coming from the beginning (Or the cover. Or the description.). But because of the beautiful, magical simplicity of the writing and the world and the characters. I love stories like this, that capture the timeless magic of fairy tales and make you feel like you're reading a story that is centuries old even when it clearly isn't.
The story is about a young woman called Keturah who loses her way in the woods. After days of wandering around and growing weaker and weaker, Lord Death eventually arrives for her. Keturah distracts Lord Death by telling him a love story, however, she cleverly withholds the ending and promises only to tell it to him if he allows her another day to live. One more condition is that, if she can find her true love in that time, he must let her live a full life. And so begins Keturah's mission to find her true love and postpone her date with death. Like all good fantasy, this mission introduces the reader to kings, magic spells, plagues and prophecies. I was mesmerised.
The writing has a beautiful tone to it that is hard to explain with a few simple quotes from the book. It's haunting, a little melancholy even, but this mood suits the setting and nature of the story perfectly. I think I need to be careful with my promises of kings and magic because this is not a wild and crazy tale filled with fast-paced action, it's a relatively quiet novel. But, that being said, it still managed to drag me in instantly and not let go. I think the subtlety of this story actually speaks volumes and carries the emotions better than any fast-paced action could.
An absolutely beautiful novel that was better than I'd ever anticipated. There is something about this last haunting piece of truth that gives me goosebumps:
“You, my lord, are the ending of all true stories.”
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narteest's review against another edition
4.0
What attracted me most about this story is the fact that it was woven as a literal fairytale. It's a fiction in which the main character, Keturah, inserts herself into the fairytale which she is telling others. And I loved it. This story brings out my love for fairytales with a darker twist to it. Not too dark, but darker in the sense that there isn't really a happy ending without a heavy implication.
cozycatcafe's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
vassa's review
4.0
This book was truly whimsical, but at the same time very sad. There are certain flaws in this book undoubtedly, but it reads like a fairy-tale, and fairy-tales are not to be judged harshly, especially such charming ones. The ending was so bittersweet, and the author’s note was very touching. I would not have hesitated to make the story even sadder, but still, it was a marvellous read, and surprisingly a hopeful one.
ebonyramsdale's review against another edition
3.0
“Doesn’t Lord Death own my every breath? Doesn’t thinking of him make me glad of a single day? His voice is cold at first, John. It seems unfeeling. But if you listen without fear, you find that when he speaks, the most ordinary words become poetry. When he stands close to you, your life becomes a song, a praise. When he touches you, your smallest talents become gold; the most ordinary loves break your heart with their beauty.”
breannalynn's review against another edition
5.0
5/5 I adore everything about this book, an instant favorite
purplebookfox's review against another edition
4.0
This was spellbinding. Pure, beautiful folktale giving lessons on life, death, judgement, friendship and love.