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natashairene's review against another edition
4.0
The plot was predictable but honestly the story was so well told I didn’t really care. I enjoyed the character growth and the world building. It was good even if it was predictable.
triciaharris72's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lesbiantoad'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
3.0
suzannenzr's review
3.0
The story is very interesting, and I loved being able to read a fantasy book by a Persian author and seeing our culture in the story. ++The fact that it was sapphic too!!
I must say though in my opinion, the author could’ve spent a little more time on Soraya’s feelings and thoughts. A lot of times while I knew what would be going on in her head at the time, it wasn’t written out so it made her seem kinda flat? if that makes sense.
Like when she was in the forest with Parvaneh, and she suddenly started crying and the only thing we got is “It’s so beautiful” I felt like if the author reminded us that Soraya was never allowed out of the palace, for her to then be in this forest – that is hidden from view by the mountains she stared at all these years, (she didn’t even know this forest existed!!) where people almost never wander, so far from what she knows – something she could not possibly ever dream about seeing LET alone actually experiencing it and touching..
I’m not saying Soraya should say aloud her feelings all the time like the readers are stupid, but I think spending just a little more on Soraya’s inner monologue that isn’t *directly* about her curse would made me more invested in her journey.
The story is pretty quick paced, which I appreciated. I think adding a few more lines here and there where we get to see Soraya’s thought process just a little more wouldn’t have taken away from that.
Also to end on a high note, I am so glad they killed that bitch cause I was scared for a second when Parvaneh intervened that they were gonna take the “killing your enemies is wrong” route and I would’ve actually ripped the book in half if that happened. Happy to see they didn’t.
I must say though in my opinion, the author could’ve spent a little more time on Soraya’s feelings and thoughts. A lot of times while I knew what would be going on in her head at the time, it wasn’t written out so it made her seem kinda flat? if that makes sense.
Like when she was in the forest with Parvaneh, and she suddenly started crying and the only thing we got is “It’s so beautiful” I felt like if the author reminded us that Soraya was never allowed out of the palace, for her to then be in this forest – that is hidden from view by the mountains she stared at all these years, (she didn’t even know this forest existed!!) where people almost never wander, so far from what she knows – something she could not possibly ever dream about seeing LET alone actually experiencing it and touching..
I’m not saying Soraya should say aloud her feelings all the time like the readers are stupid, but I think spending just a little more on Soraya’s inner monologue that isn’t *directly* about her curse would made me more invested in her journey.
The story is pretty quick paced, which I appreciated. I think adding a few more lines here and there where we get to see Soraya’s thought process just a little more wouldn’t have taken away from that.
Also to end on a high note, I am so glad they killed that bitch cause I was scared for a second when Parvaneh intervened that they were gonna take the “killing your enemies is wrong” route and I would’ve actually ripped the book in half if that happened. Happy to see they didn’t.
malie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-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
1.75
stay_truetoyourshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
vtrumpredd's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sarahboudereads's review against another edition
3.0
Did not really understand the appeal, maybe I was too old for it or maybe the naive not like other girls trope wore me down, idk.
alivaster's review against another edition
2.0
A super interesting premise, but ultimately a slow book. There were parts where you thought that it was going to pick up, but ultimately you would find yourself in another slow section. I nearly DNFed the book because it just wasn't able to sustain my interest even though I wanted to like it.
I enjoyed the characters for the most part, but didn't love any of them. I think after being kept in the shadows and secrets in the first part of the book, I was really ready to jump more into adventure or discovery - which we got a taste of, but then what happened was a little predictable and disappointing to find ourselves back in another secret world.
POV and Tense: Written in third person past tense.
I enjoyed the characters for the most part, but didn't love any of them. I think after being kept in the shadows and secrets in the first part of the book, I was really ready to jump more into adventure or discovery - which we got a taste of, but then what happened was a little predictable and disappointing to find ourselves back in another secret world.
POV and Tense: Written in third person past tense.
emmacuttle's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0