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schnaucl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
There was a lot I like about this book. The magic system and underground sisterhood of magic users were interesting, as were the politics and the characters. I would have liked to see more of the sisterhood though. I really liked how the sisterhood communicated and how (at least some) mothers taught their daughters how to decipher grimoires.
What didn't work for me was the romance, though full disclosure, love at first sight (or in this case, kiss) almost never does. Ianthe didn't seem to have much depth and I would have like to spend more time with Ysbeta and her passion for recovering lost magic. There's a single reference to a person not having an interest in men or women so I guess non straight people exist but there's no discussion of what that means. Presumably they're supposed to get involved in a heterosexual marriage and produce kids regardless. I'm also not big on kids generally so a society where women are always treated at pre-pregnant gives me hives. That said, there's surprisingly no discussion of contraception or abortificants. If the whole reason for the collar is the that a spirit might take over a fetus you'd think female presenting bodies would have a collar put on after the first period to be completely safe. That would negate the symbolism of it happening in connection with marriage, but still.
And of course, secretly telling women the secret of how to prevent spirits taking over a fetus while the men are distracted is a great symbolic moment, but since it requires the active participation of men who are clearly unwilling to make the sacrifice and given that women are still unable to own property and don't really have any more power than before I'm not sure what difference it would actually make, at least in Beatrice's homeland. Women could certainly incorporate the knowledge into grimoires. I guess we're supposed to be content with changing a couple of minds here and there and maybe decades from now it will be unacceptable to use a collar instead but that's a pretty depressing place to leave things.
What didn't work for me was the romance, though full disclosure, love at first sight (or in this case, kiss) almost never does. Ianthe didn't seem to have much depth and I would have like to spend more time with Ysbeta and her passion for recovering lost magic. There's a single reference to a person not having an interest in men or women so I guess non straight people exist but there's no discussion of what that means. Presumably they're supposed to get involved in a heterosexual marriage and produce kids regardless. I'm also not big on kids generally so a society where women are always treated at pre-pregnant gives me hives. That said, there's surprisingly no discussion of contraception or abortificants. If the whole reason for the collar is the that a spirit might take over a fetus you'd think female presenting bodies would have a collar put on after the first period to be completely safe. That would negate the symbolism of it happening in connection with marriage, but still.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, and Sexism
kestrel's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Confinement
griffinthief's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Confinement
Minor: Alcohol, Pregnancy, and Child death
markedwithanm's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Sexism
steelfern's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I flipped back and forth for so much of this book on whether I really enjoyed it or not. There were a lot of pieces of Beatrice that spoke to me, and I think some of the struggles were Too Real bc I definitely found myself furious and way too invested.
the fact that she forgives her father lmaooo i will be maladaptive daydreaming his repeated murder y'all
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Sexism
hilarylouise's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Confinement
Moderate: Violence and Miscarriage
codywolf's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
iviarelle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
What an incredible story, beautifully told. I had to put the book down a couple of times, because I felt too deeply for Beatrice's plight and what was being done to her. But, fortunately, the ending is worth it, and the journey ain't half bad neither. I felt the dramatic climax was... both rushed and drawn out, somehow? But that's not necessarily a complaint, either. It's weird and I love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
anigoose's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was a fun little read. It was a little slow and a little clunky at times. I found myself really distracted by the strange and bizarre descriptions of stays that were so confusing and conflicting! Conical stays with steel (that you pinned stomachers onto? with steel?) that somehow were tight laced and restricted breathing? It just...it was mentioned with regular frequency enough to actually be a problem in my enjoyment of the book, unfortunately.
I was describing the book to my husband - the magic and the feminism - and realized it sounded much cooler than what I felt like I was reading. I did absolutely dig the premise, but struggled with the execution.
I was describing the book to my husband - the magic and the feminism - and realized it sounded much cooler than what I felt like I was reading. I did absolutely dig the premise, but struggled with the execution.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, and Sexism
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