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blurrypetals's review
4.0
This was a really fun read! I was replaying Final Fantasy XVI while listening to this audiobook and I guarantee I'll always think about this book when thinking about this game now.
I enjoyed the worldbuilding a lot, especially how Owen incorporated German language and folklore into the story. The cast of characters is also incredibly fun and lovable, turning into a ragtag team of absolute buffoons whom I absolutely adored.
I'd definitely check out the sequel someday but I'm doing my best not to buy books too often these days so I'll be moving onto something I already own next!
I enjoyed the worldbuilding a lot, especially how Owen incorporated German language and folklore into the story. The cast of characters is also incredibly fun and lovable, turning into a ragtag team of absolute buffoons whom I absolutely adored.
I'd definitely check out the sequel someday but I'm doing my best not to buy books too often these days so I'll be moving onto something I already own next!
linblythe_pub22's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Violence, and Child abuse
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Animal death, Blood, Grief, and Death
rsb12's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
eponineeurydice's review
5.0
HOLY GOODNESS guys. This book?! I'm so beyond grateful that this book exists and that I found it at this precise time because I was just waiting for the universe to give me a new favorite and here it is! As soon as I opened this book and read those first few words, I knew I would be spellbound and in love with this book, and I knew it was perfect for me. Yes, I had my doubts at first, wondering if I would like the morally grey main character. But oh, I never should have doubted because Vanja, Emeric and all the rest of these characters will forever have my heart.
There are so many reasons you should read this book, as I think it has something in it for everyone. Girls who deserve the world, complete with female friendships and sisterly love? Check! Gorgeous writing with a perfect splash of sharp wit and distinct character voice? Check! Breathtaking heists, whimsical fairytale settings, and the perfect dynamic of prickly heroine and cinnamon-roll hero? TRIPLE check! This book has it all, my friends, and it is everything I've always needed in a book.
But what is it about, you ask? Well, you may be familiar with the Grimm fairy tale The Goose Girl. (I certainly am. I adored the book with the same title by Shannon Hale.) Well, this book puts a brilliant spin on the tale, following a brilliant, Kaz Brekker-esque main character who knows the world owes her nothing, and who has never had the luxury to be kind, but who is impossibly loveable. This book is so full of suspense and general thieving shenanigans, but it also goes so much deeper, exploring Vanja's trauma and her belief that all love must come at a cost. Add to that an agonizingly perfect romance which had me swooning—and that's not easy to do—plus Demisexual rep and some incredibly fascinating and well-done social commentary about class and power and entitlement, and you have the perfect bookish recipe to have me in pieces. I'm just in love with this book and it is everything to me and I'm so, so glad that it exists. I hope that you read it and have the same experience; if not, I hope you find your next perfect book, because this one was definitely mine.
There are so many reasons you should read this book, as I think it has something in it for everyone. Girls who deserve the world, complete with female friendships and sisterly love? Check! Gorgeous writing with a perfect splash of sharp wit and distinct character voice? Check! Breathtaking heists, whimsical fairytale settings, and the perfect dynamic of prickly heroine and cinnamon-roll hero? TRIPLE check! This book has it all, my friends, and it is everything I've always needed in a book.
But what is it about, you ask? Well, you may be familiar with the Grimm fairy tale The Goose Girl. (I certainly am. I adored the book with the same title by Shannon Hale.) Well, this book puts a brilliant spin on the tale, following a brilliant, Kaz Brekker-esque main character who knows the world owes her nothing, and who has never had the luxury to be kind, but who is impossibly loveable. This book is so full of suspense and general thieving shenanigans, but it also goes so much deeper, exploring Vanja's trauma and her belief that all love must come at a cost. Add to that an agonizingly perfect romance which had me swooning—and that's not easy to do—plus Demisexual rep and some incredibly fascinating and well-done social commentary about class and power and entitlement, and you have the perfect bookish recipe to have me in pieces. I'm just in love with this book and it is everything to me and I'm so, so glad that it exists. I hope that you read it and have the same experience; if not, I hope you find your next perfect book, because this one was definitely mine.
soccermomreads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
corihwill's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
elizabethmalousek's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
sagenguyen's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
kneenuhs's review
HELPED ME LEARN GERMAN 11/10.
do you like reading books with spelling errors? if yes, then this is a book for you! it has spelling errors in both german AND english! the more the merrier! i am confused if the german language used in this book is misspelt on purpose or not. don't usually find myself caring about the odd typo here and there, but it was so constant that i personally found it laughable. editor who? on the bright side, my friends and i made memes of the 'german' words. thanks for that! i am being generous for that reason and giving it a 3 stars. cheers.
(my heart sunk when i realised/remembered that this is a series and am a completionist masochistic freak so... until we meet again.... might need some 'glohwein' to get me through it ecksdee.)
do you like reading books with spelling errors? if yes, then this is a book for you! it has spelling errors in both german AND english! the more the merrier! i am confused if the german language used in this book is misspelt on purpose or not. don't usually find myself caring about the odd typo here and there, but it was so constant that i personally found it laughable. editor who? on the bright side, my friends and i made memes of the 'german' words. thanks for that! i am being generous for that reason and giving it a 3 stars. cheers.
(my heart sunk when i realised/remembered that this is a series and am a completionist masochistic freak so... until we meet again.... might need some 'glohwein' to get me through it ecksdee.)
bookish_selkie's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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