enchantingtaleswithalex's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
TW: Sexual assault
I have to be honest...I don't really know what I just read.
When I first picked up this book it was because of the gorgeous cover art and the synopsis of the book. It sounded like a fantastic adventure where princesses would need to work together to undo the curse upon them, without the aid of Prince Charming...and maybe with the help of the witch who placed the spell on them in the first place.
But as I got into this book I really had to fight in order to make myself finish it. There were many times when I wanted to put it down as a DNF. Because I simply could not get past the way that the story was written. There are still parts of it that make no sense to me after trying to read the passages two or three times over.
We got more mention of a King who sexually assaults his subjects, and foreign royals who grope and molest wandering princesses than we did anything else. There was a brief mention (I think) where they mentioned that one of the princesses might be gender fluid or transgender. But the moment was so brief and skipped over that, again, I have no idea what I read.
They went on a journey without actually going on a journey and completed a quest that wasn't really a quest.
I feel like I understand what the author was trying to do but it just...didn't work. (The cover art is stunning though. Which is probably the most positive thing I have to say about this book.)
I have to be honest...I don't really know what I just read.
When I first picked up this book it was because of the gorgeous cover art and the synopsis of the book. It sounded like a fantastic adventure where princesses would need to work together to undo the curse upon them, without the aid of Prince Charming...and maybe with the help of the witch who placed the spell on them in the first place.
But as I got into this book I really had to fight in order to make myself finish it. There were many times when I wanted to put it down as a DNF. Because I simply could not get past the way that the story was written. There are still parts of it that make no sense to me after trying to read the passages two or three times over.
We got more mention of a King who sexually assaults his subjects, and foreign royals who grope and molest wandering princesses than we did anything else. There was a brief mention (I think) where they mentioned that one of the princesses might be gender fluid or transgender. But the moment was so brief and skipped over that, again, I have no idea what I read.
They went on a journey without actually going on a journey and completed a quest that wasn't really a quest.
I feel like I understand what the author was trying to do but it just...didn't work. (The cover art is stunning though. Which is probably the most positive thing I have to say about this book.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Eating disorder, and Sexual assault
tullock23's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
heidisusanscott's review against another edition
2.0
Really interesting concept. Fell short on the execution, however. Although the world was fantasy, the "adversary" was not. I wanted more fantasy, less real world problems. That may be a personal preference though.
emi297102710's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It was good but confusing. Not really memorable. Would recommend if I think the person will like it. Glad theres trigger warnings at the beginning
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual harassment, Eating disorder, and Sexual assault
kir4h's review against another edition
1.0
I got half way through this And I thought I could force myself to finish this. Cause it is such a short book but I couldn’t do it!
I’m sorry but the presentation is horrid. The way character interact with each other doesn’t flow. It’s like characters are having to different conversations at the same time.
The way characters act too is very confusing and their reactions to things don’t make sense.
And just over all trying to understand what’s going on is very difficult for example. (Not a spoiler!) Both of the witches arms is being held by two separate people. The next minute she’s folding her arms. What?? Do the 2 princes let go of her arms? Or did she yank herself free? Why did they even grab her arms?? What the heck is going on here???
Oh and the big secret that’s portrayed is pretty predictable.
I think this is one of the worst books I’ve read,or tried to force myself to finish, I’m sorry but I couldn’t enjoy anything about it :(
I’m sorry but the presentation is horrid. The way character interact with each other doesn’t flow. It’s like characters are having to different conversations at the same time.
The way characters act too is very confusing and their reactions to things don’t make sense.
And just over all trying to understand what’s going on is very difficult for example. (Not a spoiler!) Both of the witches arms is being held by two separate people. The next minute she’s folding her arms. What?? Do the 2 princes let go of her arms? Or did she yank herself free? Why did they even grab her arms?? What the heck is going on here???
Oh and the big secret that’s portrayed is pretty predictable.
I think this is one of the worst books I’ve read,or tried to force myself to finish, I’m sorry but I couldn’t enjoy anything about it :(
gia279's review against another edition
The worldbuilding was cool but I was not a fan of the characters personalities or how the story was unfolding. Not my thing.
abbiecait's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
isabellas_tbr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow! This is an underrated novel that more people need to read.
I acquired this book as my local bookstore was closing and everything was $3 or less so I decided to get some novels that I wouldn't normally read, and I am so glad I chose this one.
This was the most refreshing fairytale I have ever read and I really enjoyed that it didn't copy aspects of other fairytale and make it a spin-off.
This book switches between to P.O.V's (Jane, the princess, and Reagan, the witch) which is something I normally hate in a book but fell in love with during this novel.
I honestly had no hope for the novel or intrest in its plot when I began reading as I thought that it was going to follow a story of the princesses breaking their curse and ending in they lived happily ever after, but this is so much more than that.
This novel has so much to unpack, from the suppression of women, touches on politics and the Matthew effect, rape and famine.
I won't even talk about the plot twist as I don't want to spoil it but I will say that not once did I ever expect it, or even think that it would be comming
While I do think the world building was lacking and that the ending could have been better, or left room for a second novel, which I would read in a heartbeat, I can honestly say that this was the most surprising book I have ever read.
I will be thinking about this book for a long time and I know I will read it again in the future to relieve this magical story again
I acquired this book as my local bookstore was closing and everything was $3 or less so I decided to get some novels that I wouldn't normally read, and I am so glad I chose this one.
This was the most refreshing fairytale I have ever read and I really enjoyed that it didn't copy aspects of other fairytale and make it a spin-off.
This book switches between to P.O.V's (Jane, the princess, and Reagan, the witch) which is something I normally hate in a book but fell in love with during this novel.
I honestly had no hope for the novel or intrest in its plot when I began reading as I thought that it was going to follow a story of the princesses breaking their curse and ending in they lived happily ever after, but this is so much more than that.
This novel has so much to unpack, from the suppression of women, touches on politics and the Matthew effect, rape and famine.
I won't even talk about the plot twist as I don't want to spoil it but I will say that not once did I ever expect it, or even think that it would be comming
While I do think the world building was lacking and that the ending could have been better, or left room for a second novel, which I would read in a heartbeat, I can honestly say that this was the most surprising book I have ever read.
I will be thinking about this book for a long time and I know I will read it again in the future to relieve this magical story again