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halthemonarch's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book, not only because it was read by the flawless Mr. Hiddleston, but because it captured my attention for more than five consecutive minutes. If a book is the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I think about before bed, then the author is doing something right.
I really fell in love with Gardener's writing style, and with Yann. I was tied between a three and four for this book, but since I'm bound to give it another listen, I think I'll go with four.
I really fell in love with Gardener's writing style, and with Yann. I was tied between a three and four for this book, but since I'm bound to give it another listen, I think I'll go with four.
trin's review against another edition
4.0
Three stars for the book itself; one bonus star for the audiobook performance by Tom Hiddleston. Actually, if I could I would give that reading all the stars. ALL THE STARS. IN THE WORLD.
Not that I have strong feelings about it or anything.
Not that I have strong feelings about it or anything.
aceinit's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book via its audiobook version (and, specifically, the reader, Tom Hiddleston). I didn't expect much from the story, but was quickly proven wrong. The Red Necklace is a beautiful and engaging story of love, betrayal, magic and manipulation--set amidst the turmoil of the French Revolution.
Yann is an interesting enough protaganist, but the story that really drew me in was Sido's. She is a truly tragic character I kept hoping would come to her own rescue, or find a way to rise above her own circumstances. It was somewhat disheartening to see her reduced to a typical damsel in distress, one too blinded by duty to save herself.
Kalliovsky was an interesting villain throughout the story, yet sadly once his layers are stripped away there is much less substance to him than one would hope. I had hoped there would be more to him, especially given how eerily he is portrayed and how all-powerful he seems throughout the narrative. Hopefully more will be revealed about him that was left out of the audio version.
I am going to have to go back actually read the novel, or at least parts of it, as I know the version I've enjoyed had to be heavily abridged. I am very much looking forward to learning more of the details that were undoubtably left out of the audio version.
I will definitely be looking forward to the next installment of Gardner's series.
Yann is an interesting enough protaganist, but the story that really drew me in was Sido's. She is a truly tragic character I kept hoping would come to her own rescue, or find a way to rise above her own circumstances. It was somewhat disheartening to see her reduced to a typical damsel in distress, one too blinded by duty to save herself.
Kalliovsky was an interesting villain throughout the story, yet sadly once his layers are stripped away there is much less substance to him than one would hope. I had hoped there would be more to him, especially given how eerily he is portrayed and how all-powerful he seems throughout the narrative. Hopefully more will be revealed about him that was left out of the audio version.
I am going to have to go back actually read the novel, or at least parts of it, as I know the version I've enjoyed had to be heavily abridged. I am very much looking forward to learning more of the details that were undoubtably left out of the audio version.
I will definitely be looking forward to the next installment of Gardner's series.
labunnywtf's review against another edition
4.0
This is a bloody awful book.
I mean, god awful. The plot is so effing muddled, and while it could've been interesting if they'd stopped brain humping me with the jumps from person I couldn't remember to person I couldn't remember, it turned out even more awful.
So, why the four stars then?
Count Kalliovsky. I had to google for the proper spelling. I wouldn't know, because I listened to the audiobook.
The audiobook read by Tom Hiddleston.
I don't even find him attractive. I mean, he's pleasant on the eyes, but I've fantasized about way hotter.
But that voice. That rumbly, deep, slow rolling Kalliovsky voice. I would ride that fucker until his eyes bulged out.
I have been a phone sex operator for two damn years now and I will never sound as sexy as he does here.
Damn you, Hiddleston. DAMN YOU!
I mean, god awful. The plot is so effing muddled, and while it could've been interesting if they'd stopped brain humping me with the jumps from person I couldn't remember to person I couldn't remember, it turned out even more awful.
So, why the four stars then?
Count Kalliovsky. I had to google for the proper spelling. I wouldn't know, because I listened to the audiobook.
The audiobook read by Tom Hiddleston.
I don't even find him attractive. I mean, he's pleasant on the eyes, but I've fantasized about way hotter.
But that voice. That rumbly, deep, slow rolling Kalliovsky voice. I would ride that fucker until his eyes bulged out.
I have been a phone sex operator for two damn years now and I will never sound as sexy as he does here.
Damn you, Hiddleston. DAMN YOU!
lauraash's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Listened to the audiobook as narrated by Tom Hiddleston - outstanding storytelling
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Torture, Violence, Blood, Classism, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: War, Slavery, Sexism, Racism, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Vomit, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Abandonment
carlacbarroso's review against another edition
3.0
Rating: 3,5
I did enjoy it, mostly because of the narration ( :D ), but something in the middle of the story wasn't quite right. I can't really say what it was but it didn't seemed to flow so well. I did like the beginning and the ending though. The setting was appealing, I think I'd never read any story that took place during the French Revolution, and I liked the idea of strands of magic.
I am somewhat curious to know what happened next.
~*~
Crítica em português aqui.
I did enjoy it, mostly because of the narration ( :D ), but something in the middle of the story wasn't quite right. I can't really say what it was but it didn't seemed to flow so well. I did like the beginning and the ending though. The setting was appealing, I think I'd never read any story that took place during the French Revolution, and I liked the idea of strands of magic.
I am somewhat curious to know what happened next.
~*~
Crítica em português aqui.
peregrinwho's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Sexual assault, Death, and Pedophilia
mariaforrest16's review against another edition
5.0
Adored how wonderfully weird it was! It was such an interesting read!
lizaroo71's review against another edition
3.0
i became interested in this book because the french revolution is the topic for academic decathlon this year. i must say, i found this little book filled with several historical references that i was able to place after my limited study on the topic. the story circles around sidu, a young girl whose mother dies (under questionably circumstances) at a young age. she is sent away by her father to a convent where she is kept until her presence is requested at a party her father is throwing. she is requested by the infamous kalliovski - a man that his risen in ranks and is known primarily for his loans to the wealthy. what do they give him in exchange for his money? secrets. that he can then use for blackmail. the night of the party, kalliovski requests that a local troupe of performers with an automata come to perform. kalliovski is obsessed with this idea of controlling something with one's mind. the young gipsy boy, yann margoza, that accompanies the group is enchanted with sidu and their lives become woven together through a series of unpleasant events.