I am partial to a mafia romance, especially a Romeo and Juliet inspired romance, set in an historical setting, with fantastical elements woven throughI am partial to a mafia romance, especially a Romeo and Juliet inspired romance, set in an historical setting, with fantastical elements woven through.
I didn't dislike it, but it also didn't cause the impact I was hoping for.
The narrative was beautiful, but at times it felt sluggish and convoluted wiI didn't dislike it, but it also didn't cause the impact I was hoping for.
The narrative was beautiful, but at times it felt sluggish and convoluted with the "tell not show" aspect of it. It took me a fair bit of time to get through it, even if it is a small book.
Although I liked our characters very much and their development through the story, I felt they were somewhat cheated by the plot. I wish it had gone down a different way, or even just told in a different manner.
Most of all I felt really cheated by that ending, which solidified it as a 3 star for me....more
What a great breath of fresh air after that train wreck of a third book.
I really enjoyed my time with this novella. It gives you great insight into ThWhat a great breath of fresh air after that train wreck of a third book.
I really enjoyed my time with this novella. It gives you great insight into Thomas Cresswell on some scenes from the previous book and some new scenes as well, and made me feel a whole lot better.
Historical romance out there can’t even begin to compare.
The way Dunmore develops the story, the characters, the relationships, is absolutely masterfHistorical romance out there can’t even begin to compare.
The way Dunmore develops the story, the characters, the relationships, is absolutely masterful. I would willingly read her grocery list and be enchanted about it.
This story is nearly 450 pages long and it’s nothing short of miraculous that I would not wish to change a single word of it....more
I find most historical romances to be overly simplified and strongly underdeveloped, which makes them very unappealing.
Dunmore, however, brought everyI find most historical romances to be overly simplified and strongly underdeveloped, which makes them very unappealing.
Dunmore, however, brought everything to the table in perfect amounts.
Singular well developed characters, a good plot that doesn't solely rely on the romance, advocacy for women's rights and, lastly but certainly not least, the greatest pine-worthy romance of all time. ...more
Fast paced and action packed, with good pacing and nice characters in the center of it all. An enjoyable read.
However, Illusions of Fate lacked depth Fast paced and action packed, with good pacing and nice characters in the center of it all. An enjoyable read.
However, Illusions of Fate lacked depth and development, and felt very shallow in its whole. The ending was rushed and felt unsatisfying, however it provides the closure needed for this kind of book.
In the grand scale of things, I would classify this as a meh....more
Two love stories set on the backdrop of World War I narrated by the Olympian gods that witnessed it. Are you intrigued yet?
Aphrodite, goddess of love,Two love stories set on the backdrop of World War I narrated by the Olympian gods that witnessed it. Are you intrigued yet?
Aphrodite, goddess of love, is the main narrator, and she has the wittiest voice. She colours the whole narrative, and without her voice this story would not be as lovely as it is. Aphrodite was by far my favorite narrator, but other gods show up too, to tell their part in the tale, and they are equally as incredible.
The romance is beautiful. Captivating from the first moment it pops on the page. You can feel the dread blanketing the narrative and because of it every moment is a little bit more special, a bit more treasured.
I am not a fan of sad, depressing, sappy books. I don't read to make myself depressed - real life is enough for that, thank you very much -, and I have to say, this story was realistic without ever feeling like a depressive spiral waiting to pull you in.
It deals in tragedy and war and loss. But most of all it deals with love, and hope, and the sort of will that makes you find happiness even after being through hell and back. And it was beautiful....more
So the problem is: there is nothing particularly bad about this book, which is the positive.
The negative is that there also isn’t anything particularlSo the problem is: there is nothing particularly bad about this book, which is the positive.
The negative is that there also isn’t anything particularly good. I didn’t really like the characters, the setting was just... there, the writing was forgettable at best and the plot was plain and underdeveloped.
I just wished there was something more to this, but a 2 star it is. ...more
Such a simple concept, with such incredibly high payoff when it comes to enjoyment.
Even though I found some parts of this story underdeveloped, I canSuch a simple concept, with such incredibly high payoff when it comes to enjoyment.
Even though I found some parts of this story underdeveloped, I can move past it considering this is a standalone.
What matters the most is I read this is 24h, and I couldn't stop thinking about it in the scarce minutes I did put it down. I am officially Viking trash from now on. Thank you, Adrienne Young....more
It is almost astounding how this book tries to be so many things and succeeds in all of them.
It is a tale of the magical, the wondrous and the unseen,It is almost astounding how this book tries to be so many things and succeeds in all of them.
It is a tale of the magical, the wondrous and the unseen, but also a story about real people and real struggles.
It is a hauntingly beautiful romance, but it is also a tale of self discovery, self acceptance, of finding your own path, even if it is not the path others set for you.
It is mystical and impossible, with its strange and old creatures of old myths, but also so grounded in real historical events, so masterfully researched and incorporated seamlessly into the narrative.
It unveils the history of middle age Russia and vividly depicts the life of the people, but represents the struggles women face today, always thought of as lesser.
It is introspective in its main character Vasya, who is the strongest and realest protagonist YA literature currently has, but it is also rooted so deeply in the family she was born into, in the love they share, in how different they are.
It is the wonders of the wild forest and the historical magnificence of the old cities.
It is a tale of battle and losses, and of hope and love.
And it does so, so perfectly, that you won't even know what hit you until the very end....more
Vasya is going to singlehandedly save 2020 for me as one of the best female characters ever written on the history of humanity.
BuThis book is insane.
Vasya is going to singlehandedly save 2020 for me as one of the best female characters ever written on the history of humanity.
But honestly, it’s not just her. The whole set of characters is amazingly vivid, they’re level headed and you feel so much for them (I mostly mean love, but man, do I hate some of them with my whole heart).
Also the plot is crazy and I read the last 200 pages all in one sitting because how could I possibly stop?
If there is one thing I can say about this story, is that the plot is incredibly intense without it being nonsensical. You are instantly transported into the characters skin, and can’t for the life of you figure out an easy solution for the mess they’re in.
The fantasy aspect is handled with such grace and respect.
The setting is alive, there isn’t a single second that you aren’t aware that you’re in Middle Age Russia.
The relationships are so complex, and it really benefited from you keeping up with these characters for all their lives.
Don’t make me talk about the romance, because I will literally melt in a pool of feelings.
This book is a breeze of magical winter, and it's every bit as enchanting as it sounds.
There is Russian mythology woven with magic and a winter forestThis book is a breeze of magical winter, and it's every bit as enchanting as it sounds.
There is Russian mythology woven with magic and a winter forest set in the middle ages. And most wondrous of all, a female protagonist that is wild and stubborn, and will not fit in the mold society has deemed her place.
Do not expect 300 pages full of action packed scenes. This isn't that kind of book. It burns slow and steady, but it will get you to all the right places all the same (and it will be all the more delightful for it)....more
Loading...
