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cobaltbookshelf's review
3.0
Written was lovely, has a lot of positive message but pov was problem for me. It goes from first person to third person I just couldn't connect with characters the way I wanted to.
artisticallyreading's review
5.0
You can see this review and many others on my Blog
In this retelling of the classic story "The Red Shoes", this story is told in alternating perspectives. One set in 1518 Strausburg, France.
A dancing fever takes over its residents compelling them to dance without stopping and some to death. As rumors of witchcraft and demon possession spread, suspicion turns toward Lavinia Blau.
Our second perspective set five centuries later, when a pair of red shoes seals to Rosella Olivia's feet, making her fall under this fever, It draws her to a boy who might help.
Emil has closed himself off from his family history, but in order to help Rosella, Emil will have to find the truth of what happened centuries ago.
I had never read a book by Anna-Marie McLemore, so I didn't really know what to expect. Any expectations I had were completely blown away!
This book was beautiful. Their writing is so whimsical and atmospheric, the pacing was amazing, the characters were well fleshed out.
I loved every single character in this book, the relationships were amazing and the ending was just absolutely perfect.
In the beginning, I preferred one perspective to the other, but by the end, I was so eager to see what would happen to both perspectives.
I will definitely be picking up more books by this author ASAP!!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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"We are more than what we've survived"
In this retelling of the classic story "The Red Shoes", this story is told in alternating perspectives. One set in 1518 Strausburg, France.
A dancing fever takes over its residents compelling them to dance without stopping and some to death. As rumors of witchcraft and demon possession spread, suspicion turns toward Lavinia Blau.
Our second perspective set five centuries later, when a pair of red shoes seals to Rosella Olivia's feet, making her fall under this fever, It draws her to a boy who might help.
Emil has closed himself off from his family history, but in order to help Rosella, Emil will have to find the truth of what happened centuries ago.
I had never read a book by Anna-Marie McLemore, so I didn't really know what to expect. Any expectations I had were completely blown away!
This book was beautiful. Their writing is so whimsical and atmospheric, the pacing was amazing, the characters were well fleshed out.
I loved every single character in this book, the relationships were amazing and the ending was just absolutely perfect.
In the beginning, I preferred one perspective to the other, but by the end, I was so eager to see what would happen to both perspectives.
I will definitely be picking up more books by this author ASAP!!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Blog | Instagram | TikTok
ezismythical's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-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? No
5.0
drymming's review
2.0
DNF...
I just don't care and I'm confused half the time. I don't have a stable image of the events in my head about these characters and the culture.
I just don't care and I'm confused half the time. I don't have a stable image of the events in my head about these characters and the culture.
lbarsk's review against another edition
5.0
I found this to be really special. It’s a YA novel that manages to be lyrical and magical without giving up its heart, and it’s queer and loving and boldly aware of the importance of its characters’ marginalized identities.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
Yes, this book was on my radar already, but for some reason I only really registered that this was a red shoes retelling a couple of weeks ago. And that was the moment I decided I just had to have it, since I haven't read a red shoes retelling before. My only challenge? Fitting it into a reading prompt for the N.E.W.T.'s so I actually had a reason to get to it. And luckily I figured one out today and could pick it up!
This story is quite special and unique. It's quite slow, storytelling wise, and it takes a little while before the three different storylines start to connect. I also didn't think there was a very big finale at the end. This book was, more than a lot of other books, about the ride, about the lives of these three people, about their personal journeys. I personally really enjoy those kind of stories, so I was very pleasantly surprised, but I understand it's not for everyone.
However, the atmosphere of this story was absolutely perfect, partly because of the beautiful writing style. It was not an easy read. This book dealt with a lot of heavy themes, most of all with the theme of being different and how far people are willing or forced to go to hide that. Especially the story set in the 16th century is quite raw. So many people having to hide who they love, who they are and so many people have to give up their heritage and beliefs. Sad, but also very realistic.
I also loved how the fairytale elements of the red shoes fairytale were mixed with real historical events. It made the story rich, detailed and it also made it feel very real. But, most of all I loved the characters and how they, each in their own way, learned how to be proud of who they are, of what made them different. Maybe there is no spectacular finale, but the ending, for all of the characters we've grown to love, is still satisfying and really made me smile.
A very special read that really resonated with me. I'm very glad I picked it up, finally!
This story is quite special and unique. It's quite slow, storytelling wise, and it takes a little while before the three different storylines start to connect. I also didn't think there was a very big finale at the end. This book was, more than a lot of other books, about the ride, about the lives of these three people, about their personal journeys. I personally really enjoy those kind of stories, so I was very pleasantly surprised, but I understand it's not for everyone.
However, the atmosphere of this story was absolutely perfect, partly because of the beautiful writing style. It was not an easy read. This book dealt with a lot of heavy themes, most of all with the theme of being different and how far people are willing or forced to go to hide that. Especially the story set in the 16th century is quite raw. So many people having to hide who they love, who they are and so many people have to give up their heritage and beliefs. Sad, but also very realistic.
I also loved how the fairytale elements of the red shoes fairytale were mixed with real historical events. It made the story rich, detailed and it also made it feel very real. But, most of all I loved the characters and how they, each in their own way, learned how to be proud of who they are, of what made them different. Maybe there is no spectacular finale, but the ending, for all of the characters we've grown to love, is still satisfying and really made me smile.
A very special read that really resonated with me. I'm very glad I picked it up, finally!
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
2.0
2/5
Enjoyed the plot but overall I felt that even with the short chapters, that the book was rather slow. The characters were alright but I started to loose interest in them.
Enjoyed the plot but overall I felt that even with the short chapters, that the book was rather slow. The characters were alright but I started to loose interest in them.
leelaamanda's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
ohclaire's review
3.0
I liked this book until the climax. The world was neat, and I love the concept of a town with a yearly curse, but I just didn't care about any of the characters. However, I really appreciated the happy ending for the Strasburg exiles.