Scan barcode
kjtlion's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
runaps's review against another edition
3.0
At times I loved this book(s?) and at times I didn't enjoy it at all, which was confusing. The story also felt a bit dry sometimes during my read, and my favorite moments were the more emotional ones.
I had to take a bit of a break around 49% because it was when I enjoyed it the least. I loved reading about Elin and if it was solely focused on her and her beasts it would turn this into a better book.
I had to take a bit of a break around 49% because it was when I enjoyed it the least. I loved reading about Elin and if it was solely focused on her and her beasts it would turn this into a better book.
jnishi's review against another edition
5.0
It has been said before in the reviews but I will reinforce what everyone is saying: this is a beautiful book. With a strong female character who is nurturing and emotional yet logical and unwavering in her beliefs it was like a Japanese Fantastic Beasts but WAY better. There’s no stark, black and white villain but a world of grey. The end was poignant and beyond words beautifully written. Just wonderful.
annashiv's review against another edition
5.0
This was more sad than I was expecting, but really good and compelling. My main complaint is that it ended in the middle of the climax so there isn't any real resolution. There is a little, emotionally for the character, but not in terms of the plot. And looking at reviews/description of the next book say it takes place 10 years later. So, it just ends like it does, and it seemed very sudden.
It's a bit of an odd book, and it took me a while to get into it, but I slowly came to love Elin and her relationships, especially with the Beasts.
It's a bit of an odd book, and it took me a while to get into it, but I slowly came to love Elin and her relationships, especially with the Beasts.
kirkl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
shelbykate's review against another edition
5.0
you know how sometimes people will mention a comp title and then you read it and go ‘….yeah I guess?’ that’s usually how I feel when people tell me something has studio ghibli vibes. it’s never quite exactly right.
except this book. this exceeded every expectation I had in leaps and bounds. the writing, vibes, storytelling, world building, political intrigue, all of it was VERY ghibli.
at times it felt middle grade but then as our FMC grew up the ya kicked in more. ALSO if you are someone who needs romance be warned there is literally not a drop in here, WHICH I ACTUALLY LOVED?
I could see the start of one potential relationship for book 2 but it was a subtle as a fly fart in the wind. a blink and you miss it moment.
Elin is up there with one of my favorite characters of all time. crossing my fingers there is no character assassinations in book 2!!
tabathastomes's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
4.25