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randomutopias's review against another edition
I have decided to DNF this book.
I wasn't into it while I was actively trying to read it, I put it aside for other things and now I do not really feel like coming back to it. Also, I've read a few reviews and while they weren't bad, they certainly seemed to validate my feelings about this so far. Despite this, I have decided not to rate the book because I don't have a fully formed opinion on it - it's not a situation of not liking it, I just simply don't care to read it. That is all.
DNF at 88 pages
I wasn't into it while I was actively trying to read it, I put it aside for other things and now I do not really feel like coming back to it. Also, I've read a few reviews and while they weren't bad, they certainly seemed to validate my feelings about this so far. Despite this, I have decided not to rate the book because I don't have a fully formed opinion on it - it's not a situation of not liking it, I just simply don't care to read it. That is all.
DNF at 88 pages
skylarsbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
This book... is SO. GOOD. I first saw this floating around book Twitter a month or two ago and initially was like "yes I need this book" purely because of the cover because it is GORGEOUS. And then after looking it up, I was immediately interested in the story. The book tells the story of Soraya, a girl cursed with poison in her veins, unable to touch living things without causing them to die. She's hidden away in a palace, and through a series of events finds herself questioning the story behind her curse and how she could break it and be free.
The story is based off of Persian mythology, something I'm incredibly unfamiliar with, but it is so fascinating and I'm really excited to look for some more Persian mythology stories! I found the storytelling and writing to be absolutely beautiful and I loved every second. There were so many points where my jaw hit the floor from shock, and others where my heart absolutely broke. The struggle between good and evil within Soraya was so interesting to watch play out, as was watching her come to terms with her own power and become accepting of herself. The main character in the book is also bisexual which was refreshing to see in a fantasy for me personally, I haven't read a lot of LGBT+ fantasy, so this was great! The only thing I wished was that we got more of that romance side of things in the book, because I am primarily a romance reader, but I still absolutely adored the relationship explored here.
Overall, I HIGHLY recommend you read this, it was dark, magical, beautiful and just incredible. Thank you so so much to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for sending me this ARC!
This book... is SO. GOOD. I first saw this floating around book Twitter a month or two ago and initially was like "yes I need this book" purely because of the cover because it is GORGEOUS. And then after looking it up, I was immediately interested in the story. The book tells the story of Soraya, a girl cursed with poison in her veins, unable to touch living things without causing them to die. She's hidden away in a palace, and through a series of events finds herself questioning the story behind her curse and how she could break it and be free.
The story is based off of Persian mythology, something I'm incredibly unfamiliar with, but it is so fascinating and I'm really excited to look for some more Persian mythology stories! I found the storytelling and writing to be absolutely beautiful and I loved every second. There were so many points where my jaw hit the floor from shock, and others where my heart absolutely broke. The struggle between good and evil within Soraya was so interesting to watch play out, as was watching her come to terms with her own power and become accepting of herself. The main character in the book is also bisexual which was refreshing to see in a fantasy for me personally, I haven't read a lot of LGBT+ fantasy, so this was great! The only thing I wished was that we got more of that romance side of things in the book, because I am primarily a romance reader, but I still absolutely adored the relationship explored here.
Overall, I HIGHLY recommend you read this, it was dark, magical, beautiful and just incredible. Thank you so so much to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for sending me this ARC!
charleyyarrow's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lil_poundcake's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 probably. It was original and I enjoyed the Persian twist on Sleeping Beauty, but I didn’t connect with the story.
the_creepy_geek's review against another edition
3.0
This book was ok. Nothing mind blowing but still enjoyable. My main problem with this one was that I did find it a bit predictable so I found it hard to get sucked into the story because I always knew where it was going. Some of it felt a bit repetitive, like I'd already read that scenario in the book before. I did like to main character to start with but then she just started to annoy me. She spilled her guts to anyone that would listen and did feel a little one dimensional to me. I also felt that the romance needed way more development so I wasn't really invested in it.
isidon4's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
spaiicyy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
3.0
bookishlyjessi's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
This was one of my most anticipated reads for the year, I had read Melissa Bashadoust's Girls Made of Snow and Glass and really enjoyed it so I had high expectations. I did really enjoy this, I read it one day and I loved the characters and the romance, however I wanted more from it. I wanted to know more about the world and the different demons but overall I had a good time and I'm glad I read it.
This was one of my most anticipated reads for the year, I had read Melissa Bashadoust's Girls Made of Snow and Glass and really enjoyed it so I had high expectations. I did really enjoy this, I read it one day and I loved the characters and the romance, however I wanted more from it. I wanted to know more about the world and the different demons but overall I had a good time and I'm glad I read it.
pagesofmaria13's review against another edition
4.0
Girl, Serpent, Thorn had the atmosphere of a fairytale. I thoroughly enjoyed this standalone. The storytelling tone of the first pages echoes throughout the entirety of the book. Like a classic tale, Soraya is a princess, and she is cursed. Her curse forces her to grow in isolation. She moves like a phantom throughout the secret passages of the castle, careful not to meet anyone. The only friend she has eventually abandons her. Alone, untouchable, resentment brews in the depths of her heart, so when the opportunity to figure out a way to be rid of her curse presents itself, she takes it.
What made Soraya interesting was her internal moral dilemma that follows her throughout the entirety of the book. I think I could label her an anti-hero, for she does share many of an anti-heroes traits, and this would have made an incredible origin story for a villainess, had her choices been different. I won’t go too much into depth to avoid spoilers, but people who read and will read this book will know what I mean.
The romance didn’t entirely convince me. While I found Soraya and Parvaneh to be cute, their development felt rushed. My perception was that, in the end, Soraya had a lot more page time with the villain and again, had she gone down the villain path, it would have made for quite the angsty villain romance. I don’t usually root for the bad guy, but the Shahmar was very well developed and my interest piqued when he was in the scene. I dare say, after The Darkling from The Grisha Trilogy, he’s my favorite villain.
What made Soraya interesting was her internal moral dilemma that follows her throughout the entirety of the book. I think I could label her an anti-hero, for she does share many of an anti-heroes traits, and this would have made an incredible origin story for a villainess, had her choices been different. I won’t go too much into depth to avoid spoilers, but people who read and will read this book will know what I mean.
The romance didn’t entirely convince me. While I found Soraya and Parvaneh to be cute, their development felt rushed. My perception was that, in the end, Soraya had a lot more page time with the villain and again, had she gone down the villain path, it would have made for quite the angsty villain romance. I don’t usually root for the bad guy, but the Shahmar was very well developed and my interest piqued when he was in the scene. I dare say, after The Darkling from The Grisha Trilogy, he’s my favorite villain.