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roannasylver's review
5.0
This is a wonderfully sweet novelette that I had the honor of beta-reading! I honestly hope I get a lot more like it, because reading and giving feedback for it was seriously enjoyable and made me feel like I was helping a beautiful thing come into a world that needed it. It was also unexpectedly relevant to my own life, so I'm doubly glad to have been able to help.
The love story at the center is truly sweet, but the entire thing is geared toward healing from parental abuse (mostly emotional/mental) and isolation. Learning where the title actually comes from is quite a heart-punch, but the story is refreshingly focused on the recovery that comes *after* escaping an abusive situation. Most stories simply end there, with the protag escaping or getting married or what have you; I enjoy narratives that look at the recovery itself - because the work is absolutely not over just because one is finally allowed to leave the harmful environment.
As someone whose life contained similar events (abusive parent, escape, restraining order, etc) I most enjoyed the last 1/4 or so, with the adult characters not only acknowledging that what the MC went through was absolutely abuse and unacceptable, but taking steps to ensure it never happens again. There's a lawyer/judge-like advocate character who actually listens and uses her power to protect the MC, and for abuse survivors this can be the most powerful support in real life - as is being allowed to make your own decisions and have agency over your own life and future. This doesn't happen nearly enough, so it was amazing and validating to see that here.
There's also some casually-dropped, sweet m/m rep in side characters, and aside from the MC's (abusive asshat) father, exactly nobody seems to think queerness is anything out of the ordinary, to be looked down on or fetishized. Again refreshing, and really nice to see.
So yes - super sweet, and a light read you can probably get through in an afternoon or before bed, with an emotional center of abuse-survival and therapeutic growth. Do recommend!
The love story at the center is truly sweet, but the entire thing is geared toward healing from parental abuse (mostly emotional/mental) and isolation. Learning where the title actually comes from is quite a heart-punch, but the story is refreshingly focused on the recovery that comes *after* escaping an abusive situation. Most stories simply end there, with the protag escaping or getting married or what have you; I enjoy narratives that look at the recovery itself - because the work is absolutely not over just because one is finally allowed to leave the harmful environment.
As someone whose life contained similar events (abusive parent, escape, restraining order, etc) I most enjoyed the last 1/4 or so, with the adult characters not only acknowledging that what the MC went through was absolutely abuse and unacceptable, but taking steps to ensure it never happens again. There's a lawyer/judge-like advocate character who actually listens and uses her power to protect the MC, and for abuse survivors this can be the most powerful support in real life - as is being allowed to make your own decisions and have agency over your own life and future. This doesn't happen nearly enough, so it was amazing and validating to see that here.
There's also some casually-dropped, sweet m/m rep in side characters, and aside from the MC's (abusive asshat) father, exactly nobody seems to think queerness is anything out of the ordinary, to be looked down on or fetishized. Again refreshing, and really nice to see.
So yes - super sweet, and a light read you can probably get through in an afternoon or before bed, with an emotional center of abuse-survival and therapeutic growth. Do recommend!
ansch05's review
4.0
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author.
I adored this book so much! I fell in love with the premise and once I started I couldn’t stop—I read the whole thing in one sitting. I loved the representation present, including not only the main f/f pairing, but a sub-main m/m pairing, and mentions of bi/pan/ace/trans identities.
Valentina and Agnes were also written to be extremely likable characters. Valentina, despite everything she has gone through, is still incredibly durable and strong: she claims that “She might dream of being somewhere else, but there was no one else she’d rather be.” That line struck me as the best line to describe her entire character. Agnes and her family were also refreshingly sweet and caring towards Valentina for a fairytale story, and by the end I was attached to all of them.
My main criticism is that a lot of the book felt like it was being told from a summary standpoint: most of the action was told from a very far away psychic distance and I wished that it went more in-depth into Valentina’s thoughts. The first section of the book was over 10 years of entirely summary; the rest of the book takes place over a few weeks but felt very rushed. I wanted more interactions with Agnes, to know more about Fernando and Matheus, and maybe a final confrontation between Val and her father.
In all, I loved this story and I wish there was more!
I adored this book so much! I fell in love with the premise and once I started I couldn’t stop—I read the whole thing in one sitting. I loved the representation present, including not only the main f/f pairing, but a sub-main m/m pairing, and mentions of bi/pan/ace/trans identities.
Valentina and Agnes were also written to be extremely likable characters. Valentina, despite everything she has gone through, is still incredibly durable and strong: she claims that “She might dream of being somewhere else, but there was no one else she’d rather be.” That line struck me as the best line to describe her entire character. Agnes and her family were also refreshingly sweet and caring towards Valentina for a fairytale story, and by the end I was attached to all of them.
My main criticism is that a lot of the book felt like it was being told from a summary standpoint: most of the action was told from a very far away psychic distance and I wished that it went more in-depth into Valentina’s thoughts. The first section of the book was over 10 years of entirely summary; the rest of the book takes place over a few weeks but felt very rushed. I wanted more interactions with Agnes, to know more about Fernando and Matheus, and maybe a final confrontation between Val and her father.
In all, I loved this story and I wish there was more!
mckinlay's review
3.0
I read a book by M. Hollis earlier this year and in my review I complained that the writing wasn't great. It's still not great. I have since learned that English is not the author's first language. So i do applaud the effort. I definitely enjoyed this story quite a bit. I just struggled reading it because the writing is very childish? I think that's the word I'd use. The characters were very diverse though. The MC is a lesbian, her love interest is Pan. And there's other queer characters too, and POCs as well. It's a quick, cute read. Just slightly crappy writing. I'm not sorry I read it though.
iam's review
4.0
3.5 stars.
A super sweet and cute fairytaile-like novella about a lesbian Rapunzel! It was really short, I would have loved to read more about Val and Agnes and get to know them a bit better.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy of the book.
A super sweet and cute fairytaile-like novella about a lesbian Rapunzel! It was really short, I would have loved to read more about Val and Agnes and get to know them a bit better.
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy of the book.
thaictaff's review
4.0
If you know anything about me, you know I love fairytale retellings, and I am so ready for more lgbtq+ retellings! This story, in a nutshell, was adorable, but at the same time it had some deeper cut meanings and not everything was great and wonderful all the time, that made the novella that much more interesting and at the end, both aspects -fluff and dark- meshed greatly together.
It tells a story of Valentina, the princess of Pouso Dourado, who after her mother's death was locked away by her abusive father. Until one day she finds herself leaving her prison with the help of a stranger who was just passing by.
This story has a certain innocence to it that it feels like a book you should read when you're in middle school, it's so soft and pure, even with the dark undertones of PTSD, violence and abusive parents, it's a great mixture of elements and I really hope more young people read this, I feel like it'd be a great way to start opening their minds to different kinds of people.
Something I personally enjoy in Hollis' writing is that she always add some Brazilian detail on it, and as a Brazilian I absolutely love seeing that, even if it's just some details and touches that wouldn't change the story, it's still there and I really appreciate it.
My only complain about this story is that it wasn't longer. I got so interested in this world, I just need to see more, and more of the side characters as well, hopefully this book will do great and we'll get a lot of retellings like this; soft, fun, light, interesting.
Review also posted at Read. Breathe. Repeat.
It tells a story of Valentina, the princess of Pouso Dourado, who after her mother's death was locked away by her abusive father. Until one day she finds herself leaving her prison with the help of a stranger who was just passing by.
This story has a certain innocence to it that it feels like a book you should read when you're in middle school, it's so soft and pure, even with the dark undertones of PTSD, violence and abusive parents, it's a great mixture of elements and I really hope more young people read this, I feel like it'd be a great way to start opening their minds to different kinds of people.
Something I personally enjoy in Hollis' writing is that she always add some Brazilian detail on it, and as a Brazilian I absolutely love seeing that, even if it's just some details and touches that wouldn't change the story, it's still there and I really appreciate it.
My only complain about this story is that it wasn't longer. I got so interested in this world, I just need to see more, and more of the side characters as well, hopefully this book will do great and we'll get a lot of retellings like this; soft, fun, light, interesting.
Review also posted at Read. Breathe. Repeat.
emeliestegbornblixt's review
3.0
*2.5/5
The story had potential, and I really wanted to like this more than I do. The writing really didn't impress me, but I did like how this novella handled important issues like identity and abuse. I'd be interested to read something more by this author, because my problems with this mostly come down to lack of skill when it comes to the craft of writing - and skill is something which can be improved upon.
The story had potential, and I really wanted to like this more than I do. The writing really didn't impress me, but I did like how this novella handled important issues like identity and abuse. I'd be interested to read something more by this author, because my problems with this mostly come down to lack of skill when it comes to the craft of writing - and skill is something which can be improved upon.
heresthepencil's review
3.0
rep: lesbian mc, bi/pan li, side mlm couple, side poc characters
ARC provided by the author.
So, yes. A Rapunzel retelling. A gay Rapunzel retelling.
(lesbian voice) thank you!!!
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve even ever read the original fairy tale. Like, sure, I know the story more or less but I can’t really tell you what exactly was changed here. Apart from the obvious romance between two girls part, of course. But I’m pretty sure it’s one of brothers Grimm’s so I don’t really wanna fix that. In any case!! This version is lovely and let’s focus on that.
One of the things I loved most about this, was that Hollis took the parts that were clearly working based solely on the fairy tale logic & made them more realistic. And all this while still sustaining that fairy tale charm. The first example that comes to mind would be that while Valentina did have long hair, she used a rope to escape. Because, you know, it would be impossibly painful for anyone to climb using her hair…
Actually the whole story that unfolds is constantly checked to make sure it makes sense. There’s actual logic at play here and every action has believable consequences. I really appreciate that, it makes the book feel more real & the reader more grounded. And somehow gives the lesbian romance more force by giving it roots in a rational world.
Another great addition to the original is definitely that the princess who rescues our Valentine comes from a country inhabited mostly by PoC. It’s a made-up world so it’s not exactly possible to be more specific but I’m pretty sure they’re at least based on Latinx people. Which. Effortless diversity in a gay romance? Thank you.
And that brings me to my most important point. Heterosexuality is very clearly not the norm in this world. God, I don’t even know how many fantasy novels I’ve read where authors created whole new worlds with new magical races and yet still!!! still felt the need to make homophobia into something natural and needed. Not here! What a relief and a blessing!
Ripped Pages never lets you forget it’s a fairy tale though. By which I mean the way it’s written, is prominent only in this specific genre. It would work amazingly published with rich illustrations on every page. God, I would LOVE to buy that for every single kid I know… But yes, while the writing is very clear and the story being told is very lovely, the whole thing feels maybe not weak but… slim? shallow? It’s too short and too much is going on for us to really connect to any of the characters. They’re not as fleshed out as we could want. We’re left with only descriptions in most cases, honestly. Which is why it would work so well as an actual pictures book for kids!! Their imagination would fill all the gaps, add all the needed depth to the story and to the characters.
I don’t think that’s a flaw, just to be clear. Hollis says from the beginning it’s a fairy tale retelling and as such it’s Perfect. It’s just that when we’re judging it by other books standards, it falls a little bit flat. Still enjoyable and very much cute!! Just leaves you wanting more.
ARC provided by the author.
So, yes. A Rapunzel retelling. A gay Rapunzel retelling.
(lesbian voice) thank you!!!
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve even ever read the original fairy tale. Like, sure, I know the story more or less but I can’t really tell you what exactly was changed here. Apart from the obvious romance between two girls part, of course. But I’m pretty sure it’s one of brothers Grimm’s so I don’t really wanna fix that. In any case!! This version is lovely and let’s focus on that.
One of the things I loved most about this, was that Hollis took the parts that were clearly working based solely on the fairy tale logic & made them more realistic. And all this while still sustaining that fairy tale charm. The first example that comes to mind would be that while Valentina did have long hair, she used a rope to escape. Because, you know, it would be impossibly painful for anyone to climb using her hair…
Actually the whole story that unfolds is constantly checked to make sure it makes sense. There’s actual logic at play here and every action has believable consequences. I really appreciate that, it makes the book feel more real & the reader more grounded. And somehow gives the lesbian romance more force by giving it roots in a rational world.
Another great addition to the original is definitely that the princess who rescues our Valentine comes from a country inhabited mostly by PoC. It’s a made-up world so it’s not exactly possible to be more specific but I’m pretty sure they’re at least based on Latinx people. Which. Effortless diversity in a gay romance? Thank you.
And that brings me to my most important point. Heterosexuality is very clearly not the norm in this world. God, I don’t even know how many fantasy novels I’ve read where authors created whole new worlds with new magical races and yet still!!! still felt the need to make homophobia into something natural and needed. Not here! What a relief and a blessing!
Ripped Pages never lets you forget it’s a fairy tale though. By which I mean the way it’s written, is prominent only in this specific genre. It would work amazingly published with rich illustrations on every page. God, I would LOVE to buy that for every single kid I know… But yes, while the writing is very clear and the story being told is very lovely, the whole thing feels maybe not weak but… slim? shallow? It’s too short and too much is going on for us to really connect to any of the characters. They’re not as fleshed out as we could want. We’re left with only descriptions in most cases, honestly. Which is why it would work so well as an actual pictures book for kids!! Their imagination would fill all the gaps, add all the needed depth to the story and to the characters.
I don’t think that’s a flaw, just to be clear. Hollis says from the beginning it’s a fairy tale retelling and as such it’s Perfect. It’s just that when we’re judging it by other books standards, it falls a little bit flat. Still enjoyable and very much cute!! Just leaves you wanting more.
liralen's review
2.0
Sure, I guess. I'm always happy to see a queer retelling of a fairytale or myth, and Ripped Pages takes Rapunzel's story and adds a bit of a coming-out story. It's sweet but pretty simplistic: other than Valentina falling for a princess rather than a prince, and the more 'fairytale' elements being stripped out (e.g., nobody climbs up anyone's hair), there's little to set this apart from...a pretty bland fairytale retelling, I guess. And that's okay! It's sweet and it's fluffy and, as a novelette, a very quick read. I wish it had done more—it's sort of short on character development, and plotwise there isn't really room to deviate from the standard. I'd love to see more f/f retellings, but I'd prefer that they do a bit more.