lavenderreader16's review against another edition
4.0
So much to unpack. The vibes were immaculate - especially during the dancing moons. like ugh i was literally pining to be there. the magical creatures, the music, the setting. i loved. overall amazing but some questionable things. mainly her frog being her cousin and then lover 😭😭 i totally called it but still very out of pocket. like please be a little for real.
tiffyofthemonts's review against another edition
3.0
A solid 3.5 star fairytale. Would’ve been 4 stars if not for Tati, who manages to be Bella Swan from New Moon AND Breaking Dawn.
maises's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
“‘He’s dead.’ He said it as if he couldn’t believe it, even though he’d seen it with his own eyes. ‘Costi’s dead. The witch took him. Drăguţa, the witch of the wood. She pulled him under and drowned him.’”
Book club pick for October. I happened to choose this one because I enjoyed Marillier’s Daughter of the Forest so much earlier this year. I also do love a sibling-centered fairy tale, so I wanted to see what Marillier would do with the iconic Twelve Dancing Princesses (minus seven). I wasn’t sure what her writing YA would be like, but I wasn’t disappointed! This review will contain spoilers overall, but I’ll try to use the hidden text for things really specific. It’s somewhat of a mystery, after all.
First of all - elephant in the room: I am sure they don’t actually care because it’s [insert era that was not specified here], but also they are not real people. Please, Juliet Marillier, have mercy on my soul. I just want to read a romance from you that doesn’t have one singular element that makes me squint because your romance writing is so so good. I’m on my knees. Regardless of my own likely popular opinion on this plot point I will just say separately, I do love these characters. They have so much charm to them that I can just rewrite their relationship by the end as something completely platonic if I have to. Sorry. That’s kinda bad.
Apart from all that, I think it was a very beautiful book. It’s one that dips into the Fairy Folk a bit more than the Sevenwaters series does, with a relationship much more genial too. Marillier’s strength really is in her world-building. She made the other world so appealing to five different girls’ interests. Even the look into the evil fae world was compelling and dark which I actually loved.
The sisters were the best. My biggest critique there is only just my personal gripe with how easily Tati pushed aside her love for her sisters in place of lovesick-induced complacency. Jena shouldered way too much of that plot on her own. But I think it’s also too easy to dislike Tati for that - I genuinely did enjoy her insane love spiral with Sorrow, the most pathetic (affectionate) of the story. Sorrow was a character I wasn’t planning on liking at all, especially in the first chapters solely because of the stress it gave Jena and therefore me. But genuinely by the last few chapters I really was on Team Sorrow until the end. Especially loved the parts where He was a legend for that. There’s just something about reading pathetically in-love characters but from a perspective outside of that duo. It really did exude the same energy as a younger sister viewing her older sister fall in love for the first time, which I would know firsthand.
Cezar was a great villain. I feel like when people say this they always mean it like they love his character, but no, I hated his little annoying guts. But I think he was an amazing antagonist that really was victim to the whims of Drăguţa and fate. His descent into a pathetic (insult) and desperate version of himself felt rewarding. I did feel pity for him when I think that he Even though I hated him and the things he did to Jena and her sisters, I know he was also a victim in a way. Doesn’t excuse anything of course, but I really liked that element of him thinking he’s in the right. There’s nothing scarier than a teenage boy with more authority than he should have on a power trip. That in itself is realistic enough.
I don’t really know why I’ve rambled on this long, but I still feel like I haven’t even put down all my thoughts yet. I’ll leave it at all the things I enjoyed while reading: Gogu in general, Gogu slamming himself on the wall that one time Cezar made him mad, the supporting fae folk characters, the fairy dancing balls, Stela and Ildephonsus, the scene on the ice when Gogu turned human, the flashback when Costi died and Cezar made his trade because Costi was his most beloved thing, this Gogu quote - “If a man has to say trust me, Gogu conveyed, it's a sure sign you cannot. Trust him, that is. Trust is a thing you know without words,” the fact that Sorrow and his sister Silence are just named that apparently, pondweed pancakes, Jena and her father, the younger sisters annoying each other but are always ride or die… It was a fun time.
Book club pick for October. I happened to choose this one because I enjoyed Marillier’s Daughter of the Forest so much earlier this year. I also do love a sibling-centered fairy tale, so I wanted to see what Marillier would do with the iconic Twelve Dancing Princesses (minus seven). I wasn’t sure what her writing YA would be like, but I wasn’t disappointed! This review will contain spoilers overall, but I’ll try to use the hidden text for things really specific. It’s somewhat of a mystery, after all.
First of all - elephant in the room:
Spoiler
The cousin end game love is definitely a CHOICE. Not a great one. Yes, Jena’s dad and Cezar & Costi’s dad are cousins so technically they are second cousins who have been romantically linked in the narrative.Apart from all that, I think it was a very beautiful book. It’s one that dips into the Fairy Folk a bit more than the Sevenwaters series does, with a relationship much more genial too. Marillier’s strength really is in her world-building. She made the other world so appealing to five different girls’ interests. Even the look into the evil fae world was compelling and dark which I actually loved.
The sisters were the best. My biggest critique there is only just my personal gripe with how easily Tati pushed aside her love for her sisters in place of lovesick-induced complacency. Jena shouldered way too much of that plot on her own. But I think it’s also too easy to dislike Tati for that - I genuinely did enjoy her insane love spiral with Sorrow, the most pathetic (affectionate)
Spoiler
non-vampireSpoiler
he was undergoing the trials set by the fairy queen except off-screen and you didn’t know exactly what he was up to only that he was suffering whilst doing Indiana Jones-esque feats while Jena and Costi were eating pancakes.Cezar was a great villain. I feel like when people say this they always mean it like they love his character, but no, I hated his little annoying guts. But I think he was an amazing antagonist that really was victim to the whims of Drăguţa and fate. His descent into a pathetic (insult) and desperate version of himself felt rewarding. I did feel pity for him when I think that he
Spoiler
made his wish as a dumb old child and was forced to stick with it.I don’t really know why I’ve rambled on this long, but I still feel like I haven’t even put down all my thoughts yet. I’ll leave it at all the things I enjoyed while reading: Gogu in general, Gogu slamming himself on the wall that one time Cezar made him mad, the supporting fae folk characters, the fairy dancing balls, Stela and Ildephonsus, the scene on the ice when Gogu turned human, the flashback when Costi died and Cezar made his trade because Costi was his most beloved thing, this Gogu quote - “If a man has to say trust me, Gogu conveyed, it's a sure sign you cannot. Trust him, that is. Trust is a thing you know without words,” the fact that Sorrow and his sister Silence are just named that apparently, pondweed pancakes, Jena and her father, the younger sisters annoying each other but are always ride or die… It was a fun time.
Content Warnings
Spoiler
Second cousin-cest is kinda not fun at the end of the day…marshmallowbooks's review against another edition
4.0
It's been a while since I read a fairy-tale retelling, and this one does not disappoint. Loosely based on the story of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, this book is about a family of sisters (but there are just 5 of them, not 12) who can gain entry to another world every full moon. Once there, they dance with the fey creatures of myth to us, but very real to them.
Family concerns arise, and the sisters, lead by the second-oldest, Jena, must figure out what is best for their family, their home, and those they have grown to care for in the other world, and who among their acquaintances is there to help or harm them.
This takes place in Transylvania, and I have never been there, but I have been to Budapest, Hungary. I know that they are not the same place, but that’s what I had in mind while I read.
I have both read and listened to this book. I enjoyed it thoroughly both times.
Family concerns arise, and the sisters, lead by the second-oldest, Jena, must figure out what is best for their family, their home, and those they have grown to care for in the other world, and who among their acquaintances is there to help or harm them.
This takes place in Transylvania, and I have never been there, but I have been to Budapest, Hungary. I know that they are not the same place, but that’s what I had in mind while I read.
I have both read and listened to this book. I enjoyed it thoroughly both times.
melanied01's review against another edition
3.0
I feel torn to rate this book as 3 stars. I guess I would give it 3.5 stars. I really liked Hearts Blood and Juliet Marillier writing style. As much as I enjoyed the other world that was created. I found the book lacking in character development. I just couldn't relate enough to any of the characters. I found myself wanting to keep reading but at the same time couldn't wait till I was finished. I do plan on reading many more of her books; I do really like her writing style.
ailurophile_bibliophile89's review against another edition
4.0
4 Stars
Honestly, this book and it's sequel, [b:Cybele's Secret|963508|Cybele's Secret (Wildwood, #2)|Juliet Marillier|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1335030790l/963508._SX50_.jpg|948409], are two of my favorite books and I've reread them countless times.
I no longer have a hard copy, because I've reread it so much, and a lot of my favorite rereads I prefer on Kindle (mostly due to wear and tear).
I also have it on Audible (which is this most recent "reread") because I really enjoy the narrator's voice.
In any case, Wildwood Dancing is a prime example of a well-written fairy-tale redo combined with historical fiction. Seriously, one of my absolute favorites.
Honestly, this book and it's sequel, [b:Cybele's Secret|963508|Cybele's Secret (Wildwood, #2)|Juliet Marillier|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1335030790l/963508._SX50_.jpg|948409], are two of my favorite books and I've reread them countless times.
I no longer have a hard copy, because I've reread it so much, and a lot of my favorite rereads I prefer on Kindle (mostly due to wear and tear).
I also have it on Audible (which is this most recent "reread") because I really enjoy the narrator's voice.
In any case, Wildwood Dancing is a prime example of a well-written fairy-tale redo combined with historical fiction. Seriously, one of my absolute favorites.
thebookishfrog's review against another edition
4.0
This is the kind of wondrous and enchanting tale I'd have adored as a child. The kind of story that makes me wish I could find a secret portal to another world full of magical creatures and live there forever.
decafplease's review against another edition
3.0
This is not one of Marillier's better works for sure. Somehow it gets blurred into other adaptations of the twelve dancing princesses, which is not a good sign.
poetryandpaperbbacks_'s review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4 stars. I really enjoyed this book. It was atmospheric and fantastical in the signature Juliet Marillier way and I loved the way everything come togther in the ending. The only issue I had was that I found it to be a slow start and struggled to read it consistently until about 180 pages through. But after that everything was a breeze. Seeing the princess and the frog be incorporated was really cool and I loved learning about the characters and the different way they were seen during the book.
librarymaus's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely Loved this fantastic book! With it's charming setting, and lovely characters. This book also taught me something about myself, about how we can sometimes be Too protective over those we love. We can't stop bad things from happening to those we love, so we Have to let them make their own choices though it pains us so.
Jena has to be my favorite character in this entire book, for her love and loyalty to her family. And how Fiercely protective she is over her home and the people of the otherside she simply wonderful in her own imperfect way (also her friendship with her little frog friend is so adorable.) And though I do love her four sisters, there were times when I couldn't help be feel a little upset for how they were acting (though towards the end I finally understood and forgave them.)
I also loved the Otherside, and how whimsical and magical it all was. And the people all had their own little quirks that made them all feel Real to me. Their dances, their talks. All of it was simply wonderful.
The one thing that I had just the smallest problem with was the Love a first sight that happens with one of the sisters, it felt foolish though I still found myself loving it all the same. Also their Cousin Cezar had me going up and down on how I felt about him, and I won't say which decision I came to in the end so you'll just have to read it to find out :)
Jena has to be my favorite character in this entire book, for her love and loyalty to her family. And how Fiercely protective she is over her home and the people of the otherside she simply wonderful in her own imperfect way (also her friendship with her little frog friend is so adorable.) And though I do love her four sisters, there were times when I couldn't help be feel a little upset for how they were acting (though towards the end I finally understood and forgave them.)
I also loved the Otherside, and how whimsical and magical it all was. And the people all had their own little quirks that made them all feel Real to me. Their dances, their talks. All of it was simply wonderful.
The one thing that I had just the smallest problem with was the Love a first sight that happens with one of the sisters, it felt foolish though I still found myself loving it all the same. Also their Cousin Cezar had me going up and down on how I felt about him, and I won't say which decision I came to in the end so you'll just have to read it to find out :)