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lizgriffinwords's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
There are some books that make you sit back and go “gosh, I’m so glad books exist.”
Simultaneously fresh and classical, with immersive world building and lovable characters, A Rush of Wings is more than just a Scottish retelling of the Grimm Brothers’ “The Six Swans”. It’s a beautiful urge to find inner strength, to speak truth to power, to reject the easy path.
If you’re a fan of Rebecca Ross or Hannah Whitten, I urge you to pick up this book!
Simultaneously fresh and classical, with immersive world building and lovable characters, A Rush of Wings is more than just a Scottish retelling of the Grimm Brothers’ “The Six Swans”. It’s a beautiful urge to find inner strength, to speak truth to power, to reject the easy path.
If you’re a fan of Rebecca Ross or Hannah Whitten, I urge you to pick up this book!
Graphic: Animal death and Death
Moderate: Blood and Death of parent
cvpidd16's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, and Gore
hellodarlinggirl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.5
"When the midwife held you up to the lantern to look at you, salt spray caught you full in the face. You squalled at the sea and the sea squalled back, and that was your first baptism, by the wind and the ocean, before ever a priest laid hands on you.” (pg. 4)
I liked it! Very lyrical prose but some grammar issues. I thought it was an interesting if not gruesome story. I did not know this was a re-telling, based on a Hans Christian Anderson fairytale, and the brutal, gory plotline makes sense. However, he did not write this book and I enjoyed the descriptive writing.
I liked it! Very lyrical prose but some grammar issues. I thought it was an interesting if not gruesome story. I did not know this was a re-telling, based on a Hans Christian Anderson fairytale, and the brutal, gory plotline makes sense. However, he did not write this book and I enjoyed the descriptive writing.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
jaelsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
reading_something_else's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Full of strength and beautifully written.
Graphic: Animal death and Blood
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
Angry girls and women are some of my favorite fantasy heroes at the moment. Especially those who don't mask it, who don't bend to make themselves into something more palatable. This retelling of The Wild Swans hands its heroine a torch to set the world on fire but leaves her with the choice to light it or find her own way.
Rowenna's craft is untaught because her mother fears how her anger will guide it. When her mother dies at the hands of a marine monster, Rowenna steps in to protect her family despite the lack of training. A working meant to return her father and brother's boat in a big storm brings her "mother" home, too. The monster's masquerade culminates in a curse that leaves Rowenna mute and her brothers as swans during daylight.
As Rowenna sets out to find a way to reverse this curse, she grapples with how to access her power without becoming who her mother feared. It's a compelling look at how sometimes the people you love best can still plant the deepest doubts. It's also about the complexity of a soul, not merely light or dark when each action requires a choice. I found this a lovely, haunting story that captures the essence of a dark fairytale. I recommend it to ya fantasy fans looking for a satisfying standalone with immersive atmosphere and world-building. Thanks to Simon Teen for my copy to read and review!
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Blood
Moderate: Gore, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
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