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threadsof_kate's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
mallorypen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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? No
4.5
This felt like a classic, wonderful fairytale! The premise starts out simple - protector/local menace is owed a tribute of a young woman every decade to some unknown, likely nefarious purpose; the wrong (unexpected) girl gets chosen.
What I really loved about the story is each character felt important. Agnieszka and the Dragon are obviously so, but Kasia starts out at the best friend who was supposed to be chosen and wasn’t - even so, I fully believed in the relationship the two girls had, so when it came time for Kasia to be used as bait against Agnieszka, the motivations of the characters made perfect sense. The prince’s character, too - he is both fairytale prince and uncaring, would-be rapist in the very first meeting, but later is shown as a heroic figure, an easily-manipulated pawn, a lost child driven by a need for his mother.
I also like the premise of the Wood as a villain, and at the end of the story there wasn’t really a black and white villain at all. The wood queen was betrayed by people who feared her, and everyone she loved was threatened and taken away because of it - of course she fought back and sought revenge, and of course the need for revenge blackened her purpose and twisted the Wood. I adored Agnieszka‘a solution in the end, to heal even as she was forced to harm the heart trees.
The relationship between Sartan and Agnieszka was paced in such a way that, even though there was that initial power imbalance, they didn’t really recognize their feelings for one another until Agnieszka came into her own power and they had done the working together. That, and that Sartan fought against his feelings the entire time and called out the age difference - all to which my girl Agnieszka said “don’t care, take your pants off” - I felt like they met on equal footing and never once did their relationship feel like Stockholm syndrome or a savior/teacher preying on their rescue/student.
Overall, there were so many little details that I thought the author did so well. The connections through the story, the pacing and build up of plot, the characterization, and the hopeful ending made this a fun, nail-biting, fantastical read.
What I really loved about the story is each character felt important. Agnieszka and the Dragon are obviously so, but Kasia starts out at the best friend who was supposed to be chosen and wasn’t - even so, I fully believed in the relationship the two girls had, so when it came time for Kasia to be used as bait against Agnieszka, the motivations of the characters made perfect sense. The prince’s character, too - he is both fairytale prince and uncaring, would-be rapist in the very first meeting, but later is shown as a heroic figure, an easily-manipulated pawn, a lost child driven by a need for his mother.
I also like the premise of the Wood as a villain, and at the end of the story
The relationship between Sartan and Agnieszka was paced in such a way that, even though there was that initial power imbalance, they didn’t really recognize their feelings for one another until Agnieszka came into her own power and they had done the working together. That, and that Sartan fought against his feelings the entire time and called out the age difference - all to which my girl Agnieszka said “don’t care, take your pants off” - I felt like they met on equal footing and never once did their relationship feel like Stockholm syndrome or a savior/teacher preying on their rescue/student.
Overall, there were so many little details that I thought the author did so well. The connections through the story, the pacing and build up of plot, the characterization, and the hopeful ending made this a fun, nail-biting, fantastical read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Rape
caitander's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was such a beautiful story about the relationship between people and nature. The prose was poetic and beautiful and the tone felt very much like a fairytale. I loved every second of it and can’t wait to read her other book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
kaceyatwood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
fantasycat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
jenny_librarian's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Interesting world, boring-as-hell characters.
I had zero emotional attachment for the characters in this book. At most, I can say that Agnieska and Kasia's relationship had some potential, but the way it's tackled, Kasia's just a pawn to further Agnieska's development. As for the "love interest", well Sarkan has all the red flags of a horrible partner (calls her an idiot constantly, doesn't display any kind of warmth towards her except when they're sleeping together, etc.) without any chemistry with Agnieska whatsoever. I might call them f**k buddies at best, but there's no love there -- or a very unhealthy kind.
The Wood itself was a great concept and pretty much the only reason I kept reading, until the end when I got so bored I skimmed the last 50-or-so pages. Take all the sexism, patriarchy and shitty relationships and there might have been something worth 435 pages. As it stands, it was just okay.
Seriously, though, what is it with fantasy writers who can't ever let go of patriarchy and sexism? You create a whole-ass world with magic, but you can't be bothered to stop objectifying women and seeing them as currency? There was no need for the near-rape scene and the passive misogyny in every single chapter.
I had zero emotional attachment for the characters in this book. At most, I can say that Agnieska and Kasia's relationship had some potential, but the way it's tackled, Kasia's just a pawn to further Agnieska's development. As for the "love interest", well Sarkan has all the red flags of a horrible partner (calls her an idiot constantly, doesn't display any kind of warmth towards her except when they're sleeping together, etc.) without any chemistry with Agnieska whatsoever. I might call them f**k buddies at best, but there's no love there -- or a very unhealthy kind.
The Wood itself was a great concept and pretty much the only reason I kept reading, until the end when I got so bored I skimmed the last 50-or-so pages. Take all the sexism, patriarchy and shitty relationships and there might have been something worth 435 pages. As it stands, it was just okay.
Seriously, though, what is it with fantasy writers who can't ever let go of patriarchy and sexism? You create a whole-ass world with magic, but you can't be bothered to stop objectifying women and seeing them as currency? There was no need for the near-rape scene and the passive misogyny in every single chapter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death, Rape, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
kthedestroyer's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Warning! There might be spoilers!
Oh well... That was underwhelming.
Don't get me wrong. The book has it's charms and I like the whimsical vibe of it.
However, once those two idiots leave the tower, everything gets so much worse.
The book has a good premise - kinda reminds me of Beauty and the Beast - but the romance gets cast aside and this becomes "the mc has no influence on her life whatsoever and lets others make her decisions" kinda book.
And if we are already here... The romance was horrible, yet the best part of the book. They had no chemistry at all and it all happened too fast. It think this book shouild be a slow burn romance and it would be about the mc learning about her powers. But nope. Why not add the corrupted king and a bunch of other douchebags to destroy it.
I would even be willing to overlook the age gap if there would be a good enemies to lovers.
That kinky scene though... It got me completely off guard. It was not needed and there was no reason for the author to be that descriptive.
There was a few good scenes here and there but in the end the book was not well put together and the plot was a big mess.
Oh well... That was underwhelming.
Don't get me wrong. The book has it's charms and I like the whimsical vibe of it.
However, once those two idiots leave the tower, everything gets so much worse.
The book has a good premise - kinda reminds me of Beauty and the Beast - but the romance gets cast aside and this becomes "the mc has no influence on her life whatsoever and lets others make her decisions" kinda book.
And if we are already here... The romance was horrible, yet the best part of the book. They had no chemistry at all and it all happened too fast. It think this book shouild be a slow burn romance and it would be about the mc learning about her powers. But nope. Why not add the corrupted king and a bunch of other douchebags to destroy it.
I would even be willing to overlook the age gap if there would be a good enemies to lovers.
That kinky scene though... It got me completely off guard. It was not needed and there was no reason for the author to be that descriptive.
There was a few good scenes here and there but in the end the book was not well put together and the plot was a big mess.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Pedophilia, Rape, and Kidnapping
rosanaa_bb's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at 14%
Literally so boring, I didnt care for the characters one bit. The love interest literally tried to blame the girl for nearly getting raped so let me leave you with that.
Literally so boring, I didnt care for the characters one bit. The love interest literally tried to blame the girl for nearly getting raped so let me leave you with that.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
katerodger's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape