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lastbraincell's review against another edition
4.0
Great role models for young women, even for me who’s not quite a young adult. I found myself crying at lot at the start, because of how hard their life was. I think my mother’s heart ached to see children in tough times.
Enchanting as usual. It’s been a while since I read Uprooted, so I can’t say which is better, but I like them both for the different feel of each.
A touch of fae magic, and the “stolen bride” Hades/Persephone (not the author’s intention probably, just my reading). I like how (spoiler) a couple of the baddies ended up being redeemed. I liked how there were multiple strong women in this story, and how they each grew into their own powers, some more mundane than magical, but no less admirable.
Best quote: “High magic: magic that came only when you made some larger version of yourself with words and promises, and then stepped inside and somehow grew to fill it.”
Read in Arbutus Slab font, which gave it the feel of being narrated by a young character, perfect for YA.
Enchanting as usual. It’s been a while since I read Uprooted, so I can’t say which is better, but I like them both for the different feel of each.
A touch of fae magic, and the “stolen bride” Hades/Persephone (not the author’s intention probably, just my reading). I like how (spoiler) a couple of the baddies ended up being redeemed. I liked how there were multiple strong women in this story, and how they each grew into their own powers, some more mundane than magical, but no less admirable.
Best quote: “High magic: magic that came only when you made some larger version of yourself with words and promises, and then stepped inside and somehow grew to fill it.”
Read in Arbutus Slab font, which gave it the feel of being narrated by a young character, perfect for YA.
tubazen's review against another edition
5.0
Naomi Novik can do no wrong
I adore Uprooted and the Tremeraire novels, so I at first thought this book, which starts slower in many ways than those others, would be a disappointment in comparison. I could not have been more wrong. The heights of emotion, nuance, and beauty this book builds to are unparalleled, even in Novik's already impressive body of work. I know this sound like hyperbole, but this book affected me more deeply than almost any other book, of any genre, has. Just buy it already, you won't be disappointed.
I adore Uprooted and the Tremeraire novels, so I at first thought this book, which starts slower in many ways than those others, would be a disappointment in comparison. I could not have been more wrong. The heights of emotion, nuance, and beauty this book builds to are unparalleled, even in Novik's already impressive body of work. I know this sound like hyperbole, but this book affected me more deeply than almost any other book, of any genre, has. Just buy it already, you won't be disappointed.
libliz's review against another edition
4.0
I love Naomi Novik's atmospheric, pastoral fairy tales. You really do get sucked in. It's not quite on par with Uprooted, but it is pretty damn close.
The only reason I didn't give this five stars was the fact that the perspectives kept changing and it would have been really nice to have the names written at the top of each shift. (I read the ebook, so perhaps it is a bit different in the print?) Sometimes it could get a bit confusing. The story wouldn't have suffered much either by getting rid of one or two (Magreta's perspective, specifically, felt superfluous).
The only reason I didn't give this five stars was the fact that the perspectives kept changing and it would have been really nice to have the names written at the top of each shift. (I read the ebook, so perhaps it is a bit different in the print?) Sometimes it could get a bit confusing. The story wouldn't have suffered much either by getting rid of one or two (Magreta's perspective, specifically, felt superfluous).
hope4077's review against another edition
4.0
A women with the sun in her hands, who cares only for family, marries a Winter king and learns to love his people becomes entangled with and is tied to a Winter queen, who only cares for her people but is married to a Burning flame. A wonderful story of the seasons of love in all it's forms, with suspense, magic, and self-discovery woven in.
sanjana_sk's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
searlait_carolinehoey's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
notmeime's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
adamer's review against another edition
5.0
wow..... just wow. This was such a great read. Honestly, the best thing I've read in a while. Loved the setting, loved the characters, loved the writing style and how it changed depending on the pov of the chapter. I would definitely recommend this one!!
jackslynn's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. It started out great but dragged at the end. It just went on too long for me. I started to lose interest.
squiresa54's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.75