wchereads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Read during the extended #transrightsreadathon !
It took a while for the ball to start rolling and the plot can get a bit messy/confusing with the multiple POVs, but overall I enjoyed this book and especially adored the characters. I love the
It took a while for the ball to start rolling and the plot can get a bit messy/confusing with the multiple POVs, but overall I enjoyed this book and especially adored the characters. I love the
Spoiler
happy endings for everyone.sirvex27's review
dark
funny
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
lxndrw's review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
schomj's review against another edition
3.0
I liked all the queer rep and the disability rep. Unfortunately, I had a hard time engaging in the actual story much beyond appreciating the representation.
CW: child abuse, incest (consensual, between step-siblings)
CW: child abuse, incest (consensual, between step-siblings)
nonbinaryknight's review against another edition
5.0
I stumbled across this book once when I was just browsing some LGBTQ+ books. I was immediately drawn into the idea of this story. A gender-confused Cinderella who finds herself attracted to her stepsisters. I had a few minor concerns, but this book was amazing.
Before I get into the review I need to mention: Be wary of the content warning that the author posts at the beginning of the book. These warnings include misgendering, abuse towards LGBT+ and disabled people, as well as mentions of deceased members and addiction.
This is a Cinderella retelling with some twists. Our main character is Cyn, a farmer very confused about how she identifies her gender. She lives with her stepmother, stepfather, and her two stepsisters. She doesn’t really have friends and her closest companion is Lord Gafford. He reveals himself to be her fairy godfather and brings her to the Prince’s ball as his daughter. While there she finds herself spending time with her stepsisters as well as with a charming young man.
Cyn is such a nice character. She wants to keep her farm safe because it belonged to her father and previous generations of her family. She really wants the drought to end so that the farm can become profitable again. Cyn is confused about her gender throughout the book and doesn’t appear to have a preference between they/them and she/her pronouns. She is protective and so full of love, but she’s also dealt with years of abuse.
I really loved all the characters in this story, at least all the ones who are meant to be liked. The prince is charming and unsure, but he’s so determined to take care of his people and make sure that everything is okay. Frey just wants to make sure that the prince doesn’t get killed in the process, especially when he remembers what happened to the prince’s father. The stepsisters seem very sweet, each with their own issues with the family, and I wish we had spent more time around them.
I had been a little concerned about the stepsister angle of this book, but I think it was handled beautifully. None of them are actually related to each other. Cyn was her father’s daughter, Elodie was the stepmother’s daughter, and Harlow is the stepfather’s daughter. I love how it was handled and that neither of the daughters were mean or evil.
The magic and fairies in this book were nice, if a bit weird to understand. Fairies can come to the human world and their magic is channeled through their conduits. They have two and if they lose one, they can still do some magic, but nothing as powerful as they could with two. It’s nice, but I will admit it took me a bit to become comfortable with it.
I really only had one minor issue with the book and that is the poly relationship. I love the relationship, don’t get me wrong. I just wish there had been more time to see the relationship develop between the three of them and watch as they grew more comfortable around each other and discussed the dynamics of their relationship.
I love this book. A nonbinary farmer, a queer prince, and a trans fairy godfather were enough to win me over. This book is full of the idea of finding your family, and I approve wholeheartedly. Apparently, Chace Verity is working on Isaac’s story. Personally, I can’t wait to read that book. I’m also going to likely end up checking out more of Verity’s works at some point in the future.
Before I get into the review I need to mention: Be wary of the content warning that the author posts at the beginning of the book. These warnings include misgendering, abuse towards LGBT+ and disabled people, as well as mentions of deceased members and addiction.
This is a Cinderella retelling with some twists. Our main character is Cyn, a farmer very confused about how she identifies her gender. She lives with her stepmother, stepfather, and her two stepsisters. She doesn’t really have friends and her closest companion is Lord Gafford. He reveals himself to be her fairy godfather and brings her to the Prince’s ball as his daughter. While there she finds herself spending time with her stepsisters as well as with a charming young man.
Cyn is such a nice character. She wants to keep her farm safe because it belonged to her father and previous generations of her family. She really wants the drought to end so that the farm can become profitable again. Cyn is confused about her gender throughout the book and doesn’t appear to have a preference between they/them and she/her pronouns. She is protective and so full of love, but she’s also dealt with years of abuse.
I really loved all the characters in this story, at least all the ones who are meant to be liked. The prince is charming and unsure, but he’s so determined to take care of his people and make sure that everything is okay. Frey just wants to make sure that the prince doesn’t get killed in the process, especially when he remembers what happened to the prince’s father. The stepsisters seem very sweet, each with their own issues with the family, and I wish we had spent more time around them.
I had been a little concerned about the stepsister angle of this book, but I think it was handled beautifully. None of them are actually related to each other. Cyn was her father’s daughter, Elodie was the stepmother’s daughter, and Harlow is the stepfather’s daughter. I love how it was handled and that neither of the daughters were mean or evil.
The magic and fairies in this book were nice, if a bit weird to understand. Fairies can come to the human world and their magic is channeled through their conduits. They have two and if they lose one, they can still do some magic, but nothing as powerful as they could with two. It’s nice, but I will admit it took me a bit to become comfortable with it.
I really only had one minor issue with the book and that is the poly relationship. I love the relationship, don’t get me wrong. I just wish there had been more time to see the relationship develop between the three of them and watch as they grew more comfortable around each other and discussed the dynamics of their relationship.
I love this book. A nonbinary farmer, a queer prince, and a trans fairy godfather were enough to win me over. This book is full of the idea of finding your family, and I approve wholeheartedly. Apparently, Chace Verity is working on Isaac’s story. Personally, I can’t wait to read that book. I’m also going to likely end up checking out more of Verity’s works at some point in the future.
littlebookterror's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
This was a wild romp through one of the queerest Cinderella retellings I have ever read.
Cyn was a lovely protagonist with a strong voice and convictions. None of the other characters could quite hold up to her but they were still entertaining. Myrick as our resident fairy certainly lived up to their mischievous ways.
We have several point of views which meant a few times things were overly explained or clarified to get the story across.
Cyn was a lovely protagonist with a strong voice and convictions. None of the other characters could quite hold up to her but they were still entertaining. Myrick as our resident fairy certainly lived up to their mischievous ways.
We have several point of views which meant a few times things were overly explained or clarified to get the story across.
candidceillie's review against another edition
5.0
Dithered Hearts is a polyamorous historical fantasy romance between adult step-siblings who are nonbinary, female and female. It also features a side m/m romance. The main character is questioning their gender and uses multiple pronouns throughout the story, but for clarity’s sake, I’m going to use they/them pronouns.
It also deals with a lot of topics that are potentially triggering including abuse toward queer characters, including mental, emotional, and on-the-page physical abuse; abuse toward a disabled character; anti-queer rhetoric and microaggressions; excessive swearing, including gendered insults; mentions of deceased parents; mentions of substance abuse and addiction; misgendering, including accidental and willful instances.
Our main character, Cyn, is trying to get out from under their abusive step-parents and bring life back to the land that has kept their family alive for centuries. I loved Cyn a lot, both because and despite the lack of thought they put into their decisions. They never read the fine print or take time to think through the possible consequences of their actions except when it came to making sure they were safe from their step-parents. There’s also a great political subplot that has a huge impact on everything for Cyn.
Each of the other characters in this story were incredibly real people, even the fae. My personal favorite side character was Lord Gafford who was so terribly bad at pretending to be a human that it left me literally laughing out loud. I loved the political villain’s motivation and I love that Cyn and their step-sisters get justice and a happy ending. It made a great change from what I expected. I would absolutely love to see another story set in this world.
I loved so much about Dithered Hearts, and I think you will, too.
It also deals with a lot of topics that are potentially triggering including abuse toward queer characters, including mental, emotional, and on-the-page physical abuse; abuse toward a disabled character; anti-queer rhetoric and microaggressions; excessive swearing, including gendered insults; mentions of deceased parents; mentions of substance abuse and addiction; misgendering, including accidental and willful instances.
Our main character, Cyn, is trying to get out from under their abusive step-parents and bring life back to the land that has kept their family alive for centuries. I loved Cyn a lot, both because and despite the lack of thought they put into their decisions. They never read the fine print or take time to think through the possible consequences of their actions except when it came to making sure they were safe from their step-parents. There’s also a great political subplot that has a huge impact on everything for Cyn.
Each of the other characters in this story were incredibly real people, even the fae. My personal favorite side character was Lord Gafford who was so terribly bad at pretending to be a human that it left me literally laughing out loud. I loved the political villain’s motivation and I love that Cyn and their step-sisters get justice and a happy ending. It made a great change from what I expected. I would absolutely love to see another story set in this world.
I loved so much about Dithered Hearts, and I think you will, too.
matth's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Oh dear. Where to begin?
This review contains spoilers. Beware.
It’s not bad. Far from it. In fact I’d call this one of the author’s best works so far. There’s one aspect to it that might make it a dealbreaker for many:
It’s kind of a taboo romance.
Hold on. Before you murder my face, hear me out. The main love triad consists of the protagonist and their two stepsisters. It’s about as well handled as I can imagine but I don’t blame anyone for saying no because of this alone.
That being said, it’s good. I enjoyed my time with the book. As by the author’s usual standards, it’s quite queer and sensitive to its delicate subject matters. Gets dark and heavy at times. Not a detriment.
This review contains spoilers. Beware.
It’s not bad. Far from it. In fact I’d call this one of the author’s best works so far. There’s one aspect to it that might make it a dealbreaker for many:
It’s kind of a taboo romance.
Hold on. Before you murder my face, hear me out. The main love triad consists of the protagonist and their two stepsisters. It’s about as well handled as I can imagine but I don’t blame anyone for saying no because of this alone.
That being said, it’s good. I enjoyed my time with the book. As by the author’s usual standards, it’s quite queer and sensitive to its delicate subject matters. Gets dark and heavy at times. Not a detriment.