steffi_au_penguinbooks's review against another edition
4.0
“Love is the bridge that spans the world above and below, and keeps the wheel of life turning.”
English review
First impression
Oh Lord I'm crying my eyes out. Shiiiiiiiat it hurts. That ending hurts.
Full review
Either you love this book or you hate it. Period. I belong to the ones who loved it.
Wintersong is a very slow book. However, the writing style is so so beautiful and rich and it feels like a fairytale.
I loved how S. Jae-Jones used very very very old German words such as "Fräulein" (means "Ms") to show Liesl's heritage. Oh and yes, I had to laugh at the names. Liesl. Käthe. Josef. Old school German names not used anymore.
As for the plot, I was totally hooked up with the Goblin King. Oh the Goblin King. I loved him. He is mysterious and the Lord of mischief, but he's also hurt and lonely and I want to hug him and safe him.
The reason why you might not like this book could be Liesl. She struggles a lot, being overseen and ignored by her family and towns people. She is as musically talented as her brother, but since she is only a composer no one recognizes her and her work. Thus, she isn't as beautiful as her younger sister and is described as plain and boring next to her sister.
If you cannot connect with Liesl and her struggles, you're out. Her emotions and her development makes this book, which leads the plot to be slower and therefore deeper. I can fully understand if you don't like this and refuse to read Wintersong.
I personally really enjoyed the ride I took with Liesl. Yes, at times I wanted to strangle her, but I think I got on friendly terms with her.
4 stars
English review
First impression
Oh Lord I'm crying my eyes out. Shiiiiiiiat it hurts. That ending hurts.
Full review
Either you love this book or you hate it. Period. I belong to the ones who loved it.
Wintersong is a very slow book. However, the writing style is so so beautiful and rich and it feels like a fairytale.
I loved how S. Jae-Jones used very very very old German words such as "Fräulein" (means "Ms") to show Liesl's heritage. Oh and yes, I had to laugh at the names. Liesl. Käthe. Josef. Old school German names not used anymore.
As for the plot, I was totally hooked up with the Goblin King. Oh the Goblin King. I loved him. He is mysterious and the Lord of mischief, but he's also hurt and lonely and I want to hug him and safe him.
The reason why you might not like this book could be Liesl. She struggles a lot, being overseen and ignored by her family and towns people. She is as musically talented as her brother, but since she is only a composer no one recognizes her and her work. Thus, she isn't as beautiful as her younger sister and is described as plain and boring next to her sister.
If you cannot connect with Liesl and her struggles, you're out. Her emotions and her development makes this book, which leads the plot to be slower and therefore deeper. I can fully understand if you don't like this and refuse to read Wintersong.
I personally really enjoyed the ride I took with Liesl. Yes, at times I wanted to strangle her, but I think I got on friendly terms with her.
4 stars
emilygaynier's review against another edition
3.0
This was a fairly good retelling of the Labyrinth.
It was it's own story, but you could see the elements of the movie in it. I pictured David Bowie as the Goblin King the whole time and it was his voice in my head saying the words the character spoke.
The only bits I didn't really like were there was too often things mentioned as being as good as sin. It was annoying and other comparisons could've been made. Also Liesl's thoughts on her own body when it involved sex was also pretty annoying. She thought of it as something to be taken and not hers.
It was it's own story, but you could see the elements of the movie in it. I pictured David Bowie as the Goblin King the whole time and it was his voice in my head saying the words the character spoke.
The only bits I didn't really like were there was too often things mentioned as being as good as sin. It was annoying and other comparisons could've been made. Also Liesl's thoughts on her own body when it involved sex was also pretty annoying. She thought of it as something to be taken and not hers.
miiasun's review against another edition
5.0
Wintersong was beautiful. I loved the fairytale aesthetics and the depth of the characters' feelings. Can't wait to start the sequel.
ladyluan's review against another edition
2.0
Wh...What? I... don't even know where to begin. Or end. Should I rant, or cry, or rage, or... I just don't know. RTC. Need to get my damned thoughts together.
catherinept's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cheshirebelle's review against another edition
4.0
De karakters zijn prachtig opgebouwd, allemaal zijn ze duidelijk en ze hebben allemaal een geweldige rol in het verhaal. Het verhaal zelf gaat om Liesl, een meisje met veel verantwoordelijkheden die uiteindelijk toch voor zichzelf kiest. De Goblin King is prachtig omschreven, hij is alles en toch niets, hij is knap, hij is sexy, hij is de Goblin King... De omgeving wordt prachtig omschreven en je kan je heel goed indenken dat je daar bent. Ik heb me echt ingeleefd in Liesl en voelde met haar mee op bepaalde momenten.
cindeereads's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved this book I found the writing to to be lyrical and at time a lot like an old fairy tale. I really liked the characters especially Elisabeth and of course the Goblin King as well. I found Elisabeth to be an interesting character with dreams to be a musician in a time when women were not accepted as such. I found her to be a selfless person who would do anything for the siblings she loves she would even go above and beyond to save one of them. Now on to the Goblin King he is an interesting and mysterious character I found him to be a very sympathetic character I really liked the relationship between him and Elisabeth and I liked how it grew gradually I really enjoyed it. I really loved the plot it read like an old fairy tale mixed with a newer style of writing I also loved the musical element it made for an even better story. So overall I loved this book will be reading the sequel soon.
oriental_muse_0818's review against another edition
4.0
OMG I'm crying, why oh why did this masterpiece of amazingness have to end ?!?!
So first of all I would like to clarify a few things.In the general World of fantasy goblins are evil,cunning,treacherous creatures that lure people into their traps, and while this statement is rather true in this book there are a few misunderstandings.But can I just say; I NEED TO GET ME A FREAKIN GOBLIN KING CAUSE OMG I AM SOOOO×infinity IN LOVE WITH HIM !!! ( pls excuse my crazy fangirling moments)
I absolutely adored Elisebeth's character and the way S.jae-Jones set the surroundings of the novel, it was spectacular !!! (It reminded me alot of Germany for some reason but not in a bad way) The climax of the book was absolutely spellbinding and S.jae-Jones really put a lot of thought into character development; especially Elisebeth's; how she went from a plain and unwanted girl who was left in the shadows of her siblings and those around her to a beautiful Goblin Queen who caught everyone's attention. For me the moral of this story was to be patient for good things to come for even the shadows and the drab have beauty within them that yearns to come out and bloom. Upon my discovery of Shadowsong five minutes ago I literally started squealing with glee because the ending of Wintersong left me shook to the core !!!
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and finally I would like to say, S.jae-Jones there better be a happy ending in the next book OR ELSE !!! *evil eye, aka the wrath of the fangirls*
Till next time my bookish friends, Ta-tah !!!
So first of all I would like to clarify a few things.In the general World of fantasy goblins are evil,cunning,treacherous creatures that lure people into their traps, and while this statement is rather true in this book there are a few misunderstandings.But can I just say; I NEED TO GET ME A FREAKIN GOBLIN KING CAUSE OMG I AM SOOOO×infinity IN LOVE WITH HIM !!! ( pls excuse my crazy fangirling moments)
I absolutely adored Elisebeth's character and the way S.jae-Jones set the surroundings of the novel, it was spectacular !!! (It reminded me alot of Germany for some reason but not in a bad way) The climax of the book was absolutely spellbinding and S.jae-Jones really put a lot of thought into character development; especially Elisebeth's; how she went from a plain and unwanted girl who was left in the shadows of her siblings and those around her to a beautiful Goblin Queen who caught everyone's attention. For me the moral of this story was to be patient for good things to come for even the shadows and the drab have beauty within them that yearns to come out and bloom. Upon my discovery of Shadowsong five minutes ago I literally started squealing with glee because the ending of Wintersong left me shook to the core !!!
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and finally I would like to say, S.jae-Jones there better be a happy ending in the next book OR ELSE !!! *evil eye, aka the wrath of the fangirls*
Till next time my bookish friends, Ta-tah !!!