shani_hod_'s review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
lehc1984's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thenexthing's review against another edition
I will come back to this at some point
crrieandrsn26's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I wanted to like it and Kate’s writing is good but good lord…there are anachronisms and then there’s this book where the author seemingly has forgotten that it’s set in the 18th century because she frequently writes like they’re in the middle ages in Italy and THEN talks about how a town is a “short drive up the hill” and how the empress “drives” her and her friend to the town.
It was an interesting premise but the mixture of fantasy and historical fiction felt forced and fell flat. I also had a hard time sympathizing with either of the main characters bc they were literally supposed to be these real life aristocracy who in real life were responsible for famine and death of their nations. Not to mention the fact they were loaded with very modern mindsets despite being two individuals intrinsically tied to the zeitgeist.
It was also way too heavy handed and cliche with the metaphor of magic as female empowerment. As others have also pointed out it never had any real weight to it and could have been left out altogether
It was an interesting premise but the mixture of fantasy and historical fiction felt forced and fell flat. I also had a hard time sympathizing with either of the main characters bc they were literally supposed to be these real life aristocracy who in real life were responsible for famine and death of their nations. Not to mention the fact they were loaded with very modern mindsets despite being two individuals intrinsically tied to the zeitgeist.
It was also way too heavy handed and cliche with the metaphor of magic as female empowerment. As others have also pointed out it never had any real weight to it and could have been left out altogether
apichardo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.75
hayleymunro's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
erin_p's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
A beautiful historical fantasy. Heartfield created an immersive, intricately researched world populated by fascinating people.
reading_lullaby's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Superb. What a twist at the end. Loved it.
the_fantasy_fan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Ahhh politics, magic, familial bonds, and angst! Just a handful of my favourite things in a story.
It took me a bit (this book is HUGE), but I’m glad that I’ve completed this bitter downer ending journey. I’m even more glad my intuition spurred me to pick this up in the first place!
What a lovely novel ♥️
It took me a bit (this book is HUGE), but I’m glad that I’ve completed this bitter downer ending journey. I’m even more glad my intuition spurred me to pick this up in the first place!
What a lovely novel ♥️
tales_of_1001_books's review against another edition
Slow pace and I’m honestly confused about why you’d include Magic in this book. I feel like the historical fiction part would be interesting enough with some editing