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kaybob_0708's review
One it was very strange an I could already tell where the ending was going so I felt like I didn’t need to read it anymore plus was she sexually assaulted by her teacher or was I just misreading that entire section🤨🤨🤨🤨
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
jdab's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
lila_laune's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
pompomegrantes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a phenomenal book!!! I loved Ava Reid’s debut novel The Wolf and the Woodsman. Her writing style is so vivid and stunning. This book is another example of her perfect world building and character development. ASID is full of whimsy and life. The world was so unique but felt so real. The mythology and religion of Llyr was captivating. I loved Effy and Preston so so much!!! This book was truly exceptional!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
chasinggrace's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Upon reflection, this book lived up to its positive social media reputation. I was not expecting the darker themes that are woven throughout the story (abandonment, PTSD, sexual assault, adult/minor relationships) nor did I expect the consistent use of water and architecture analogies. While the FMC character arc was slightly predictable ( a damaged, meek woman finds her voice through further trauma 👍🏼 ), I think it was done well, especially when compared to Angharad’s story .
I thought the setting was beautiful and the world building was not overwhelming at all. The themes of colonization, classism, & religious separations were touched on, but were not overbearing. The mystery & folklore kept me intrigued, and I thought the romance was sweet (even though Preston will not be a favorite book boyfriend of mine).
Unfortunately, I needed to dock .5 stars for the writing, especially in the first 100 pages of the book. While I think similes are helpful literary tools and can be beautiful, they are completely overdone in this text. The author cannot write one singular page of this book without comparing two things and using the word “like.” Try it - flip to any page and you will find a sentence that uses this structure. While I’m not a style critic, I could not ignore it and it tainted the opening of the story. I also found Effy to be quite insufferable, before I understood her trauma. Finally, while I know Preston is self-described as unromantic,I wish their physical intimacy could’ve been sweeter. This could have been a deliberate choice from the author to denounce the romanticizing of losing one’s virginity, or it could’ve reflected Preston’s stoic nature, but I still wanted a little more from that scene.
All together, I think this is a beautiful story that weaves dark themes with stunning comparisons to the relentlessness of water. It teaches you that you are the only one who constructs the house in which you live, if you can be strong enough to hammer the stakes yourself.
I thought the setting was beautiful and the world building was not overwhelming at all. The themes of colonization, classism, & religious separations were touched on, but were not overbearing. The mystery & folklore kept me intrigued, and I thought the romance was sweet (even though Preston will not be a favorite book boyfriend of mine).
Unfortunately, I needed to dock .5 stars for the writing, especially in the first 100 pages of the book. While I think similes are helpful literary tools and can be beautiful, they are completely overdone in this text. The author cannot write one singular page of this book without comparing two things and using the word “like.” Try it - flip to any page and you will find a sentence that uses this structure. While I’m not a style critic, I could not ignore it and it tainted the opening of the story. I also found Effy to be quite insufferable, before I understood her trauma. Finally, while I know Preston is self-described as unromantic,
All together, I think this is a beautiful story that weaves dark themes with stunning comparisons to the relentlessness of water. It teaches you that you are the only one who constructs the house in which you live, if you can be strong enough to hammer the stakes yourself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, Confinement, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, and Gaslighting
inlibrisveritas's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This wasn't exactly what I was expecting, and I'm glad for it but it was also a hard one to read. Effie has trauma and severe anxiety, and I found myself relating to her to the point of empathy...which means I'd also end up anxious. That being said please look up some trigger warnings on this one, but the ones I remember are: harassment, misogyny, mentioned SA (no true details on the act but the scene is mentioned and recounted a few times), and death of a parent.
Despite that, I loved the writing style, the story, and Effie. It's a story of being in too deep while trying your hardest to push forward, even when you're not even sure you're where you want or need to be. It's about living with fear and eventually learning to manage it, and about women who have been silenced because the world prefers them under a man's thumb.
Despite that, I loved the writing style, the story, and Effie. It's a story of being in too deep while trying your hardest to push forward, even when you're not even sure you're where you want or need to be. It's about living with fear and eventually learning to manage it, and about women who have been silenced because the world prefers them under a man's thumb.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault and Death of parent
applebowties's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
slow start but picks up and takes you on a ride once the MCs start working together. loved how the themes layered together, and the dichotomous vibes of academia and fairytales
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
kitttycatcait's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
maresuju's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Confinement, Animal death, and Abandonment