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kivt's review against another edition
2.0
I can't remember much except that I didn't like the characters a ton.
cr4nkyp4nts's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the book - particularly the non-romance, angsty bits. Those were fine, too, but I really like the other parts the most.
caresays's review against another edition
4.0
Lesbian romance novel fun. Enjoyable read. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
egelantier's review against another edition
3.0
oooooookay so, it's possible that at thirteen this would've been my book of the year. moreover, if at thirteen i could produce a (quite professional) fantasy text, i would've written a story like that one - forbidden lovers! hijinks! daring rescues! resurrection by the Power Of Love! - and would've been quite pleased. but as of now, i was gritting my teeth through the most of it, because the setting is painfully Fantasy 101, and the bucketfuls of angst slopped all over it are based on literally everybody in the novel (except for one truly delightful side character) being an obtuse moron incapable of basic communication. up to the local goddess who communes with her Chosen One via metaphysical lesbian sex, yet can't get around to explaining that a) the whole celibacy thing is a misconception and b) there's nothing actually wrong with being a lesbian. ah well!
that said, i'm a firm believer in a genre requiring a certain amount of mediocre works as plentiful soil, so all is good. and i welcome the trend, in any case!
that said, i'm a firm believer in a genre requiring a certain amount of mediocre works as plentiful soil, so all is good. and i welcome the trend, in any case!
theoreticalwitchcraft's review against another edition
4.0
Find this review & more @ bookishsilvertongue
I was given a free review copy through netgalley
Prayer of the handmaiden is not a good fantasy novel. The plot is predictable, the characters have weak motives to be involved in the war, the antagonists are worse than two dimensional, and the worldbuilding is pretty much non-existent. It's a mediocre fantasy novel, only reaching good in its shiniest moments.
So why four stars?
Well, because while this is not an exceptional fantasy novel, it is a fantastic romance.
It's not made to get lost in a detailed, breathing world, nor to wonder endlessly about the workings and trappings of magic.
It's for swooning and giggling as the main characters pine for each other, and gasping as they seem to fumble their chances at a long-lasting relationship (and, because this is still fantasy, when they get hit by medieval weapons). And it does a damned good job with it.
I have said, multiple times, that I am starved for female/female romances in fantasy settings, and will read pretty much anything to satisfy my craving, but this is not a case of “there is so little of it anything will do”: it's an amazing romance.
The main characters are both very well developed. It doesn't feel at all like one is the protagonist and the other the love interest, they share the main role equally. I really appreciated this. Since there were so many misunderstandings in their separation, if it had been done differently it would risk have readers demonise the love interest.
They also have a very caring and beautiful relationship, which despite the angst never gets toxic or abusive (even though they worry constantly they might be bad for the other).
Other than the romance, I think the best element in the novel where the characters, both primary and secondary ones. Shasta and Talon were of course well-fleshed, as they were the main characters of the previous installment (which I regrettably still haven't read), but the rest of the supporting cast was interesting as well. The only fault was with the antagonists: save for the rival sha'adin, they were mooks completely devoid of personality.
As many other elements in the novel (the magic system/pantheon to name one that I really hoped would develop further), they are only devices to further the romance.
But, as I have already said, I gave up pretty soon any expectation of finding a good or original fantasy tale, and reveled in the well-written romance.
The only thing that seriously hindered my enjoyment of the novel was the heteronormative society. Maybe it was magnified by some upsetting remarks I happened to hear in real life while reading Prayer of the Handmaiden, but it didn't seem right for the setting of a whole series focusing on lesbian couples.
I was given a free review copy through netgalley
Prayer of the handmaiden is not a good fantasy novel. The plot is predictable, the characters have weak motives to be involved in the war, the antagonists are worse than two dimensional, and the worldbuilding is pretty much non-existent. It's a mediocre fantasy novel, only reaching good in its shiniest moments.
So why four stars?
Well, because while this is not an exceptional fantasy novel, it is a fantastic romance.
It's not made to get lost in a detailed, breathing world, nor to wonder endlessly about the workings and trappings of magic.
It's for swooning and giggling as the main characters pine for each other, and gasping as they seem to fumble their chances at a long-lasting relationship (and, because this is still fantasy, when they get hit by medieval weapons). And it does a damned good job with it.
I have said, multiple times, that I am starved for female/female romances in fantasy settings, and will read pretty much anything to satisfy my craving, but this is not a case of “there is so little of it anything will do”: it's an amazing romance.
The main characters are both very well developed. It doesn't feel at all like one is the protagonist and the other the love interest, they share the main role equally. I really appreciated this. Since there were so many misunderstandings in their separation, if it had been done differently it would risk have readers demonise the love interest.
They also have a very caring and beautiful relationship, which despite the angst never gets toxic or abusive (even though they worry constantly they might be bad for the other).
Other than the romance, I think the best element in the novel where the characters, both primary and secondary ones. Shasta and Talon were of course well-fleshed, as they were the main characters of the previous installment (which I regrettably still haven't read), but the rest of the supporting cast was interesting as well. The only fault was with the antagonists: save for the rival sha'adin, they were mooks completely devoid of personality.
As many other elements in the novel (the magic system/pantheon to name one that I really hoped would develop further), they are only devices to further the romance.
But, as I have already said, I gave up pretty soon any expectation of finding a good or original fantasy tale, and reveled in the well-written romance.
The only thing that seriously hindered my enjoyment of the novel was the heteronormative society. Maybe it was magnified by some upsetting remarks I happened to hear in real life while reading Prayer of the Handmaiden, but it didn't seem right for the setting of a whole series focusing on lesbian couples.
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