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A review by rgoth
Long Live the Pumpkin Queen by Shea Ernshaw
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I had high hopes for this book and set aside time when I could truly immerse myself in the story. Unfortunately, my excitement waned as I delved deeper into the narrative.
Some elements caught my attention, particularly the well-crafted old realms that the author painted vividly. The introduction of new characters also piqued my interest, offering a glimmer of potential for the plot. However, I found myself struggling to fully engage with the overall experience.
The book is exceedingly descriptive, which can often enhance a story, but in this case, it often detracts from the plot's progression. There were entire chapters where very little plot development occurred, consisting instead of long passages filled with detailed scenery and character descriptions. While I appreciate rich imagery in literature, the sheer volume of it here made the reading feel stunted and slow. As a result, it struck me that the style and language were better suited for a younger audience; I would categorise it more as children's literature rather than young adult fiction.
Another significant point for me was the characterisation of Sally. She is presented as an intriguing character, yet her development throughout the story feels shallow. I was eager to explore the depths of her trauma and the complexities of her personality. While I appreciated the backstory the author crafted for her, I found Sally to be quite lacking in agency for much of the narrative. It wasn't until the final third of the book that she finally began to exhibit the strength and resilience I had hoped for from her character.
Despite my criticisms, I’m glad I took the time to read this book; the potential for a captivating story between Jack and Sally intrigued me. However, I don't think I'll return to it in the future.
Some elements caught my attention, particularly the well-crafted old realms that the author painted vividly. The introduction of new characters also piqued my interest, offering a glimmer of potential for the plot. However, I found myself struggling to fully engage with the overall experience.
The book is exceedingly descriptive, which can often enhance a story, but in this case, it often detracts from the plot's progression. There were entire chapters where very little plot development occurred, consisting instead of long passages filled with detailed scenery and character descriptions. While I appreciate rich imagery in literature, the sheer volume of it here made the reading feel stunted and slow. As a result, it struck me that the style and language were better suited for a younger audience; I would categorise it more as children's literature rather than young adult fiction.
Another significant point for me was the characterisation of Sally. She is presented as an intriguing character, yet her development throughout the story feels shallow. I was eager to explore the depths of her trauma and the complexities of her personality. While I appreciated the backstory the author crafted for her, I found Sally to be quite lacking in agency for much of the narrative. It wasn't until the final third of the book that she finally began to exhibit the strength and resilience I had hoped for from her character.
Despite my criticisms, I’m glad I took the time to read this book; the potential for a captivating story between Jack and Sally intrigued me. However, I don't think I'll return to it in the future.