A review by inkedwxtchreads
The Hazel Wood, by Melissa Albert
4.0
So I almost gave this 3 stars because I really didn’t like like the last 20-30ish pages. Not entirely sure why. I just didn’t. But then I realized that wasn’t really fair... since I actually liked the rest of the book. Which feels like an unpopular opinion at this point since there are so many “unpopular opinion but I hate this book” reviews lol.
The only other thing that bothered me was Alice, our MC. She was really rude and unlikeable most of the book. You kinda find out why at the very end (don’t wanna spoil it, but it probably won’t be the more obvious reason that you might think from the beginning). But by the time you find out Alice has put such a bad taste in your mouth it kinda really bothers you. I loved finch- who is her grandmothers fan and despite his motives for helping is a really great and likable guy. But Alice is so cold to him and even invalidates parts of him and his feelings multiple times. I can’t stand it. And then near the end , has the guts to admit she actually likes the dude only after she’s basically been through hell lol. She even is more willing to incite violence on him than to jusy admit she’s wrong and take responsibility for most of the book. It’s unnecessary and gross.
But finch is great. Some things happen with him I don’t expect, especially near the end. The way they end this book for finch is both lazy... and interesting. I go back and forth between feeling like it’s a cop out and feeling like it’s refreshing. Either way finch is great. Idk how many times can I say it? I love the guy.
The plot is overall super great in my opinion. I don’t get what people mean when they say you don’t get enough of the world or the “fairytales”. Two of the stories are told to you during the actual book, and then the author includes two at the end. BUT, you also get a pretty good glimpse of some of them in real time too. Even the untold ones.
The writing can be wordy but it definitely grew on me. Not to say I didn’t feel the urge to skim every once in a while. But I usually didn’t.
The world is great. And honestly I almost kind of want to go there. It’s horrifying and magical, and everything I want from a dark fairytale. It’s creepy and atmospheric as hell. I looove it and I live for it.
There are a few twists and turns which I love. You kinda get the gist as to what’s going on from the beginning in a way, but maybe not completely. You could maybe guess it you wanted to but I chose to just sit back and enjoy the ride.
The ending is a very open one. If there wasn’t already a sequel out, it makes it obvious that the story isn’t over. But it was still a bit of a boring ending. It leaves me both disappointed but also wanting more. I think really, I just wasn’t ready to leave this world.
The only other thing that bothered me was Alice, our MC. She was really rude and unlikeable most of the book. You kinda find out why at the very end (don’t wanna spoil it, but it probably won’t be the more obvious reason that you might think from the beginning). But by the time you find out Alice has put such a bad taste in your mouth it kinda really bothers you. I loved finch- who is her grandmothers fan and despite his motives for helping is a really great and likable guy. But Alice is so cold to him and even invalidates parts of him and his feelings multiple times. I can’t stand it. And then near the end , has the guts to admit she actually likes the dude only after she’s basically been through hell lol. She even is more willing to incite violence on him than to jusy admit she’s wrong and take responsibility for most of the book. It’s unnecessary and gross.
But finch is great. Some things happen with him I don’t expect, especially near the end. The way they end this book for finch is both lazy... and interesting. I go back and forth between feeling like it’s a cop out and feeling like it’s refreshing. Either way finch is great. Idk how many times can I say it? I love the guy.
The plot is overall super great in my opinion. I don’t get what people mean when they say you don’t get enough of the world or the “fairytales”. Two of the stories are told to you during the actual book, and then the author includes two at the end. BUT, you also get a pretty good glimpse of some of them in real time too. Even the untold ones.
The writing can be wordy but it definitely grew on me. Not to say I didn’t feel the urge to skim every once in a while. But I usually didn’t.
The world is great. And honestly I almost kind of want to go there. It’s horrifying and magical, and everything I want from a dark fairytale. It’s creepy and atmospheric as hell. I looove it and I live for it.
There are a few twists and turns which I love. You kinda get the gist as to what’s going on from the beginning in a way, but maybe not completely. You could maybe guess it you wanted to but I chose to just sit back and enjoy the ride.
The ending is a very open one. If there wasn’t already a sequel out, it makes it obvious that the story isn’t over. But it was still a bit of a boring ending. It leaves me both disappointed but also wanting more. I think really, I just wasn’t ready to leave this world.