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eve_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.5
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ Bashardoust writes about grief, loneliness and loss SO WELL! I really was taken aback by how artfully she utilized the characters to create conflict centered around these themes.
⁕ Soraya’s development as the main character is solid. I thought it was particularly clever how Bashardoust juxtaposed two of the minor characters to show the alternative “paths” Soraya could take, and used her understanding of them to help her grapple with her inner conflict.
⁕ Some of the plot developments felt a little too convenient, a little too easy. As terrible as it sounds, I wanted the characters to suffer just a little more before being saved. It didn’t feel as gratifying as I would have liked when they were.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ Bashardoust writes about grief, loneliness and loss SO WELL! I really was taken aback by how artfully she utilized the characters to create conflict centered around these themes.
⁕ Soraya’s development as the main character is solid. I thought it was particularly clever how Bashardoust juxtaposed two of the minor characters to show the alternative “paths” Soraya could take, and used her understanding of them to help her grapple with her inner conflict.
⁕ Some of the plot developments felt a little too convenient, a little too easy. As terrible as it sounds, I wanted the characters to suffer just a little more before being saved. It didn’t feel as gratifying as I would have liked when they were.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Torture
kompt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement
hyliansee's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Torture, Blood, and Cannibalism
juliaseculture's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.25
What a surprise, i didn't except to like this book so much. The rythme/pace of the writing was amazing. It was just what i needed ! A hint of darkness that i was looking for, a subtle sprinkle of queerness, a tons of research behind the folklore of the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Kidnapping
anna978's review against another edition
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Minor: Torture
queergoth_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, and Violence
b_robinson's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I mean it was fairly okay??? Like I lowkey hated the main character, but I loved the resolution???
Soraya was so infuriating, and I DESPISED the back and forth "I love you and I hate you and I LOVE you but I have to remember why I hate you" like girl??? We are only here for Parvaneh, not flying snake boy with daddy issues. Have some taste.
Also we're going to completely ignore how long this took me to read lol
Soraya was so infuriating, and I DESPISED the back and forth "I love you and I hate you and I LOVE you but I have to remember why I hate you" like girl??? We are only here for Parvaneh, not flying snake boy with daddy issues. Have some taste.
Also we're going to completely ignore how long this took me to read lol
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying
olivialandryxo's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While there was nothing inherently wrong with this book, it didn’t stand out to me as one especially captivating or memorable. I never got attached to the characters, and Soraya’s arc was one I’d seen multiple times before in some way or another, without any way to make hers stand out.
I went in expecting a sapphic romance, and while technically I did get one, it was more of an undertone than a focal point. Again, there’s nothing wrong with that, as romance isn’t and doesn’t have to be central to every story. It was more of a misunderstanding on my part. I did like it, though.
Also, the antagonist? I saw that coming a mile away. Even if I didn’t guess all the details, the brunt of it was quite obvious. Nearly every fairytale I’ve come across tells you that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. And beyond the reveal, it didn’t feel like any part of the story was particularly intense or any of the obstacles were truly fearsome.
Overall: good world-building, plain characters, and nothing really surprising throughout the book. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for a fantasy that’s not quite so intense, or a very character-driven retelling. I do think there are people that will enjoy this book; I just ended up pretty indifferent toward it.
Representation
I went in expecting a sapphic romance, and while technically I did get one, it was more of an undertone than a focal point. Again, there’s nothing wrong with that, as romance isn’t and doesn’t have to be central to every story. It was more of a misunderstanding on my part. I did like it, though.
Also, the antagonist? I saw that coming a mile away. Even if I didn’t guess all the details, the brunt of it was quite obvious. Nearly every fairytale I’ve come across tells you that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. And beyond the reveal, it didn’t feel like any part of the story was particularly intense or any of the obstacles were truly fearsome.
Overall: good world-building, plain characters, and nothing really surprising throughout the book. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for a fantasy that’s not quite so intense, or a very character-driven retelling. I do think there are people that will enjoy this book; I just ended up pretty indifferent toward it.
Representation
- full POC cast
- sapphic protagonist and love interest
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Death of parent
Parent death refers to the protagonist’s father, who died prior to the story. There are only a few brief mentions of this.meaganita's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
Some of the metaphors or symbolism was a bit heavy handed, but overall this was a really lovely story about trauma (both personal and familial), grief, healing, and acceptance. Soraya feels so real to me and I could see myself and many of my loved ones in her and the characters around her. The addition of the queer themes without the stigma of queerness as a plot point elevated her relationships to the other characters in the story and allowed it to truly blossom into a beautiful book about self-discovery. I absolutely loved it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Violence and Blood