I really didn’t know what to rate this at first because as said on Instagram, the story wasn’t what I had expected based on the cover image.
If you like a slow, descriptive story of generations of mothers, daughters, and strong women then this is a great option. I guess I’d give this one a 4.3/5 stars. In the prologue, a researcher is summoned to translate a foreign book that seems to have some sort of electromagnetic energy and gives her symptoms of a migraine.
It seems as if the main character will be what was presumed to be the evil witch who took Rapunzel in the original story. In the beginning she is a 10 year old who suffers from both fainting spells and a smothering, yet loving mother who coddles her.
In a strange way so far it reminds me of Where the Crawdads Sing.
“Come to the wedding.”
I gawked at him. My mouth went dry. “Why would I do that?”
“I want to look at you as I speak my vows to her.”
What secrets did her mother know? Is this a Snow White crossover story? Why do men only see mist? Are the ravens like humans? Why is the apple plant poisonous? Why is she hearing a voice now? Why doesn’t she want to get rid of the voice? Can she trust Mother Gothel? I thought in the beginning of the book she WAS Mother Gothel but at her primary years.
She has a lot of questions, which aren’t being answered. So I wish she would take more active steps to try and solve them.
I’m glad Frederika enters the story since the monotony was wearing me down a little bit for some reason I still don’t fully understand Ulrich’s story, as if I missed something important earlier.
At the halfway mark I have so many questions. Why do they look like sisters?
Why is her grandma lying to her?
What will she learn when she takes the vow?
At chapter 24 I’m a bit bored and am questioning some of the author’s choices. Haewise’s introspection is repetitive and there isn’t much forward movement.
The further into the story I read, the more I appreciate the feminist theme. “A woman doesn’t have to be pure to be good. Girls get angry. Mothers fight for their children.”
I have so many feelings about the ending. Like. Ugh. But … it’s good because feminine power. But… Noooo!
The last chapter epilogue definitely made me feel a little better. And I had almost forgotten about the prologue that was in a completely different era and character and ties the whole thing together front to back.
I can’t label this a romance or a retelling. Despite the fantasy element, it feels more like women’s lit/women’s fiction.
Review #378