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mariahmmm's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
When Princess Shiori stumbles upon her hateful stepmother (the Nameless Queen) casting dark magic, her stepmother retaliates by transforming Shiori's six brothers into crimson cranes and cursing Shiori to be unrecognisable. The only way to reverse the curse is to gather and weave a net of the wickedly painful starstroke nettle and cast it over her stepmother while saying the Nameless Queen's true name. On her journey with Kiki (a paper crane she brought to life), Shiori will cross paths with an insufferable dragon, warlords, assassins, and her loathsome betrothed. Through it all, Shiori must guard her tongue, and her heart, as for each sound she utters, one of her brothers will die...
The Asian twist made so much sense and really enhanced the story! However, there was far too much going on and it felt like there were multiple disconnected stories crammed in. Most of the twists were incredible, but the major one was disappointing and definitely felt wrong for how the whole book had set things up (but I still wept like a baby after the revelation...). The romance, too, felt unnatural with unbelievable choices and circumstances pulling me out of the story.
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty
squisheebee_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Bullying and Classism
Moderate: Medical content and Grief
Minor: Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
filipa_maia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was a slow start for me but, when the story really started to gain traction I got completely addicted. Great world building, amazing scenarios, character with such a rich and interesting background - these are the things we can enjoy when reading this book. I love Shiori strength, the way that she overcame everything that was thrown in her way. Even when everything was hopeless.
I can't wait for the next book!
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Medical content, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
teri_b's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
This was such an absolute blast of a book.
It holds a beautiful, amazing and in depth retelling of the Wild Swans fairy tale set in an Eastern world.
And it only got better, with twists and turns and shenanigans.
But reader, be aware, the story ain't over yet, so more is to come, and there be dragons, it seems in 2022.
Graphic: Body shaming and Confinement
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and War
nebraskanwriter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and War