Reviews with content warning for Transphobia - Dark and Deepest Red

I loved how history and fairy tale are twisted together in this retelling, and enjoyed the two different stories being told here. However, I am also VERY glad that the chapter headings told me who the narrator was for each chapter, because having two linked stories in two timelines told by three narrators could have gotten quite confusing if it weren't for that.

I enjoyed the book, and both of its main plots and characters, but I really only felt a sense of immediacy for the historical characters. I felt their dangers much more than those of the contemporary characters, and so I was looking forward to the historical sections most. However, I really liked seeing how the two timelines meshed together. I also especially loved the author's note at the end about the history of the story that served as the inspiration for this retelling. And I liked that—given how little explanation we have for the real events—there was no attempt at fully explaining things in this story. In many ways, it is more of a character study focused on humanity than anything else, and in that sense it fits in very well with the fairy tale it is retelling.

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aqulia's review

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hopeful mysterious reflective

4.75

This book is amazing! The way that the two timelines weave together is masterfully done, and the characters feel real. Both of the romances grow naturally, and the characters have great chemistry. The two settings, Strasbourg and Briar Meadow both feel like real places with history, and they both have a sense of magic in them. The prose flows nicely, and it's still easy to understand. McLemore is a wonderful job on this book. I'm going to have to read more book by them soon!

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