The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! š
kalecake's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Suicide, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Body horror, Blood, and Sexual content
deedireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A Crown of Ivy and Glass, an adult fantasy romance Giselle retelling, was definitely not perfect, but I had a ton of fun reading it and canāt wait for book two.
For you if: Youāre looking for anxiety/chronic pain rep and love a steamy fantasy book.
FULL REVIEW:
I loved Claire Legrandās Empirium trilogy (first book is Furyborn), so imagine how excited I was when I read in her newsletter that sheād sold a new adult fantasy romance trilogy where each book focuses on a different sister and retells a famous ballet. I DMed the publisher to put me on a galley list right away (to which they kindly said āitās a little early lolā).
A Crown of Ivy and Glass was far from perfect, but I definitely had fun reading it. This one is a Giselle retelling and focuses on the youngest sister, Gemma.
The not-so-great parts: The pacing was inconsistent, with a much slower build and sudden change 75% of the way in. Gemma is vain and self-absorbed and not very likable, especially in the beginning. Legrandās āonce upon a timeā prose style also takes some time to get used to until it stops feeling cheesy, as does Gemma and Talinās insta-love.
And for the good parts: Gemma gives us some solid rep, including anxiety/panic attacks and severe chronic pain, which Legrand has said was extremely important to her. I loved that it was a Giselle retelling, and it managed to surprise me even so. The magic system feels novel and interesting. Oh, and steamy scenes be steamyyy.
The next book is going to be about Gemmaās eldest sister, Farin, and based on the glimpses we got in this book, I can already tell itās going to be a fantastic romance. Iāll be eagerly awaiting it!
Graphic: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Violence, and Sexual content
luckylulureads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Iād say the romance was more Insta-lust than Insta-love, and honestly I donāt see anything wrong with that. Thereās definitely still some tension or push/pull in the relationship between Gemma and Talan that it seems realistic. Sure, he can kinda lay it on thick, but with reason. ..
Gemma herself is an unlikeable character, and yet I loved her. She deals with chronic pain and crippling anxiety, and as someone who can relate, it can be difficult to find the energy for kindness or generosity when youāre running on fumes like that. She can be moody, irrational, and selfish, but she is also aware of how her actions affect others in the aftermath. Sheās a traumatized person who is working on healing and coking to terms with her pain. And I think she has incredible growth over the course of the book. As the author intended, Gemma is absolutely Amy March and Emma Woodhouse coded.Ā
The plot of the book itself is super interesting, and I found myself unable to put the book down once the mysteries really got rolling. I had to know what all of these seemingly disparate threads meant. While the book takes a really wild turn in the second half, it quickly gets back on course, and there are some intense revelations. It puts a lot of the first half into perspective.Ā
I absolutely cannot WAIT for book two, which I have on good authority is definitely Farrinās book. Which hopefully means more Ryder!
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Chronic illness, Self harm, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Vomit, Suicide, Ableism, Animal death, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Blood
nukie19's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Narration from Evelyn Rose was excellent. She was wonderful to listen to and I appreciated her subtle changes for each character.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an audiobook ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.Ā
Graphic: Blood, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Abandonment, Cursing, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Alcohol, and Grief
taryn_g's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Violence, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Sexual content
Minor: Medical trauma, Grief, Abandonment, and Child abuse