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ohyouread's review against another edition
5.0
I’m always so impressed when I finish one of Mara Rutherford’s books, because it feels like she can do anything and go any where. All of her books give you a different vibe and I love them all!
This is a gothic romance mood that’s a mix of Edgar Allen Poe’s Masque of the Red Death, Aden Polydoros’ The City Beautiful, Jennifer L Armentrout’s From Blood & Ash, and maybe a little Anastasia. You really wouldn’t think that they could ever be linked together, because they all have nothing to do with one another, but this book is their love child! A Multitude of Dreams seamlessly blends historical events with a monstrous twist.
Princess Imogen and her family have lived in the castle they call home as their father, the King, slowly goes mad. She’s lived for years with a secret, but it isn’t hers to tell anymore. A death a long time ago changed her life, but time will tell if it’s for the better or worse.
Outside a plague runs rampant through the world while the nobility is safe and sound within the walls… but with those infected with the Mori Roja calling from their gates, are they actually safe?
I really can’t tell you much about the actual story without ruining any of the twists, turns, and surprises. So much happens in such a short amount of time and the characters are PUT THROUGH IT!!!! There will be death. There will be blood. And I’m ALWAYS here for it!
This is a gothic romance mood that’s a mix of Edgar Allen Poe’s Masque of the Red Death, Aden Polydoros’ The City Beautiful, Jennifer L Armentrout’s From Blood & Ash, and maybe a little Anastasia. You really wouldn’t think that they could ever be linked together, because they all have nothing to do with one another, but this book is their love child! A Multitude of Dreams seamlessly blends historical events with a monstrous twist.
Princess Imogen and her family have lived in the castle they call home as their father, the King, slowly goes mad. She’s lived for years with a secret, but it isn’t hers to tell anymore. A death a long time ago changed her life, but time will tell if it’s for the better or worse.
Outside a plague runs rampant through the world while the nobility is safe and sound within the walls… but with those infected with the Mori Roja calling from their gates, are they actually safe?
I really can’t tell you much about the actual story without ruining any of the twists, turns, and surprises. So much happens in such a short amount of time and the characters are PUT THROUGH IT!!!! There will be death. There will be blood. And I’m ALWAYS here for it!
princessbilbo's review
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? Yes
4.0
The story was so good and dark and creepy. The characters were amazing. But the inclusion of Judaism felt odd in this completely fantasy world, i say, as a Jewish person. It should have been an allegory. Still. Wow. Loved this!
venla_reads's review against another edition
3.0
The cover and premise promise a lot but in the end it was just fine. Not very memorable. The beginning was too slow, the ending felt rushed and some supernatural elements very completely unnecessary for the story.
nnneelrahc's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mybooksarenovel's review against another edition
3.0
Taken from Poe's, The Masque of the Red Death, a plague has struck and the king has sequestered himself and all of his household within the walls of his keep. Unfortunately the plague has been going on for four years, no one is allowed outside, and the food is running out.
What I liked
- vampires, but not the boyfriend kind. The kind that are actually dangerous, and aren't pretending otherwise.
- the Jewish representation was interesting. I think it's important not to gloss over or make little of the atrocities of history, so as not to repeat them. It added some good perspective.
What I think could have been better
- I didn't connect with any of the characters. They were mediocre to boring, and I didn't find that any of them held much conviction. They all seemed pretty shallow, cowardly, and wishy-washy.
- I wanted to see higher stakes. Especially in a gothic vampire novel. There were so many missed opportunities to write great conflict, and heart hammering suspense. Especially when in the Poe story, everyone is dead at the end. I sort of wished as a twist one of the beloved characters got turned and went on a killing spree.
- conflict resolutions seemed to be reached fairly conveniently without a whole lot of risk involved.
Side Note:
I'm not sure if this was supposed to be inspired by The Masque of the Red Death by Poe, or a retelling. As "inspired by" it was fine, but as a retelling it was mediocre at best. I really felt robbed of all the dancing and the different colored rooms.
I have loved Mara Rutherford's writing in the past, but this one didn't seem to be her strongest storytelling. I will still continue to look forward to her writing in the future.
Thank you to the publisher for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked
- vampires, but not the boyfriend kind. The kind that are actually dangerous, and aren't pretending otherwise.
- the Jewish representation was interesting. I think it's important not to gloss over or make little of the atrocities of history, so as not to repeat them. It added some good perspective.
What I think could have been better
- I didn't connect with any of the characters. They were mediocre to boring, and I didn't find that any of them held much conviction. They all seemed pretty shallow, cowardly, and wishy-washy.
- I wanted to see higher stakes. Especially in a gothic vampire novel. There were so many missed opportunities to write great conflict, and heart hammering suspense. Especially when in the Poe story, everyone is dead at the end. I sort of wished as a twist one of the beloved characters got turned and went on a killing spree.
- conflict resolutions seemed to be reached fairly conveniently without a whole lot of risk involved.
Side Note:
I'm not sure if this was supposed to be inspired by The Masque of the Red Death by Poe, or a retelling. As "inspired by" it was fine, but as a retelling it was mediocre at best. I really felt robbed of all the dancing and the different colored rooms.
I have loved Mara Rutherford's writing in the past, but this one didn't seem to be her strongest storytelling. I will still continue to look forward to her writing in the future.
Thank you to the publisher for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
heyitsandreaw's review against another edition
This book’s setting was all over the place and the characters/events were not paced well. Just not the one for me…
alibrareads's review
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
2.5
This went on longer than it should have, I think! It does have some mildly unsettling gothic vibes, but not nearly enough to keep me enthralled. The characters are charming, but I didn’t really grow to care about them very much. It’s very slow paced for much of it. The start was also quite confusing, if I’m honest! Has to do with the main character’s name and the way the author decided to explain the discrepancy.
There is Jewish representation, and it reflects on how Jews were falsely blamed for spreading plagues. I don’t really have anything super negative to say about this even… It was just kind of meh. It took too long for things to happen, it felt like it dragged on a bit, and even when something exciting happened the story just… Kept going. The way things end with the main villain felt contrived too; as if the villain would really fall for that. No hard feelings, this just wasn’t anything great. If anything, it makes me want to re-read The Masque of the Red Death story!
YouTube review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtAD3...
There is Jewish representation, and it reflects on how Jews were falsely blamed for spreading plagues. I don’t really have anything super negative to say about this even… It was just kind of meh. It took too long for things to happen, it felt like it dragged on a bit, and even when something exciting happened the story just… Kept going. The way things end with the main villain felt contrived too; as if the villain would really fall for that. No hard feelings, this just wasn’t anything great. If anything, it makes me want to re-read The Masque of the Red Death story!
YouTube review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtAD3...
sanneve's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.25
mrssix3's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lauraellavsky's review against another edition
4.0
My husband picked this up for me. I kind of laughed… sorry honey! But, I read it in a day. It was a refreshing change, something I would not have chosen but really enjoyed the pace and plot. Maybe a little predictable, but good. I was disappointed by the ending. Things good have been wrapped up a bit better… like was a cure ever found for the reborn? I want to know! It felt like too many loose ends to me. So, 4 stars.