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bialves's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Classism
rorikae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
'A Winter's Promise' by Christelle Dabos is a translated YA fantasy that introduces a whimsical world with darkness just below the surface.
Ophelia is a reader, someone who has the power to read the history of an object with her fingers. Content to work in her family's museum, her life is upended when her family announces that she is to be wed to Thorn, the treasurer of Pole, a distant Ark. Ophelia is whisked away to a world she does not know that is drenched in snow and where she comes to understand that dangerous political plots boil under the surface. As she tries to understand her new home and the family she is joining, she is pulled into the politics of this society while attempting to hide her identity.
Dabos creates a unique world that she populates with a full spectrum of characters. Ophelia is an easy main character to root for, especially considering the other characters she is surrounded by, though she really comes into her own at the end of this first book. Dabos's descriptions create a lush world full of snow, excess, streets inside of buildings, and lots of mirrors. The world was instantly intriguing and one of the pieces that kept me interested throughout the book as we get to know more about Ophelia. Dabos also does a good job of bringing the reader into the same state as Ophelia, questioning the motivations of the characters that surround her as she slowly learns more about the Pole. Though the evocativeness of the writing was a high point, the writing did also wander. Dabos gives a full picture of the world sometimes to the detriment of the plot. Since this is a translated work, it is unclear to me if this is an issue with the translation or if it is true to the story in its original French as well.
I am interested in where the story goes next and will definitely be picking up the next installment. Dabos' worldbuilding is incredibly engaging and she has set up political plots and questions that I think will be explored more fully in the following books.
Ophelia is a reader, someone who has the power to read the history of an object with her fingers. Content to work in her family's museum, her life is upended when her family announces that she is to be wed to Thorn, the treasurer of Pole, a distant Ark. Ophelia is whisked away to a world she does not know that is drenched in snow and where she comes to understand that dangerous political plots boil under the surface. As she tries to understand her new home and the family she is joining, she is pulled into the politics of this society while attempting to hide her identity.
Dabos creates a unique world that she populates with a full spectrum of characters. Ophelia is an easy main character to root for, especially considering the other characters she is surrounded by, though she really comes into her own at the end of this first book. Dabos's descriptions create a lush world full of snow, excess, streets inside of buildings, and lots of mirrors. The world was instantly intriguing and one of the pieces that kept me interested throughout the book as we get to know more about Ophelia. Dabos also does a good job of bringing the reader into the same state as Ophelia, questioning the motivations of the characters that surround her as she slowly learns more about the Pole. Though the evocativeness of the writing was a high point, the writing did also wander. Dabos gives a full picture of the world sometimes to the detriment of the plot. Since this is a translated work, it is unclear to me if this is an issue with the translation or if it is true to the story in its original French as well.
I am interested in where the story goes next and will definitely be picking up the next installment. Dabos' worldbuilding is incredibly engaging and she has set up political plots and questions that I think will be explored more fully in the following books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Death, and Suicide
fareid123's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Bit slow in places
Hard to read at points
Ending was confusing and unsatisfying
Hard to read at points
Ending was confusing and unsatisfying
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Minor: Suicide and Gaslighting
grizzlysnack's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, and Miscarriage
Minor: Child death, Drug use, Sexual content, and Suicide
_allison_'s review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Suicide
bookswithgracie's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Suicide
sydapel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Beware, she's a slllooowww burn folks. Requires massive patience and attention, but the way Davis manges to create a staggeringly vast and yet detailed world is incredible to experience. Like Ophelia, you are thrown into this world with no warning or pretext, lost to the alliances and dangers with no life vest. The "weakness" of the main character is frustrating at times, but to see her begin to find her voice and her determination to see her own way in life is wholly satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Violence
Minor: Child abuse, Suicide, and Abortion
viktorsboy's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
1.0
Nothing happens- no plot until the last 20%, no character development the entire book. Repetitive writing style- we get it, she’s clumsy, he’s tall. Those are their only personality traits. This book is incapable of standing alone- it was all just one incredibly long and boring setup for the rest of the series. I will not be reading the rest though, because I just can’t read more of an author who writes an entire book of set up. I feel like I was led on. There was no resolution at all at the end of this book, no tension resolved, no climax.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
ellies_reading_again's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
This book is filled with conspiracy. The characters all have secrets and alliances are rare. Each chapter brings new information about the world that is explored, the relationship between the characters, and the scheming yet it feels like the story drags. I would not recommend this book to people who are used to read fantastic stories with strong world building. However, I understand why it could be appealing to middle grade or YA readers.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
masonposte's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
I just wanted… more from this book. More magic (the main character has very cool powers and we barely get to see them?!), more plot - we so often stuck disempowered with the Protagonist when nothing is happening. The promise of the plot was not delivered on. We barely see the so-called love interest we barely see the magic, we barely see the society of the pole. And even if Ophelia is asexual, which is the vibe I get, her husband to be treats her terribly and we barely get a reaction out of her! We don’t need love / romance for that relationship to play out but it just doesn’t.
I also don’t know what Ophelias goals were for most of the book so we really aimlessly in her head.
Then, maybe it’s just translation but there is so much incest reference. And there didn’t seem to be a point in it. Why is Berenile sensually looking at Thorn and her daughter in law? Holding her belly staring at him like she wants to be taken care of? Why does Ophelia read this as motherly? Tbh ate not even the half of it. Marrying cousins, having the baby of your ancestor, the absolute F.
Thorn is the main love/would be romantic interest and is barely present. We are told of danger we don’t see. Archibald is presented with a clear arc opportunity totally ignored. It’s so dull that getting used to someone is seen as a declaration of love?!
What was the point! Of any of it! There wasn’t a plot until 75% through - a reader needs goals.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Incest, and Physical abuse
Minor: Suicide