Review #432
“For what is said is not nearly as interesting as what is held back.”
If words could portray art like a painting, then this is THAT book. I’d give this a 4.6/5 stars. The beauty of the vocabulary and descriptions and word choice was spectacular. I could’ve highlighted half the book for quote worthy phrases. I am envious of how Chokshi writes prose. The words flow like a true story teller and inspires me to strengthen my craft.
Here are my thoughts I noted while reading (some spoilers) :
The plot is such an odd, abstract, strange story. It’s hard to classify it as YA since the bridegroom has his own point of view as an adult. There were no true “authentic” fantasy elements but it definitely didn’t feel contemporary.
What is she hiding about her past?
Who is Azure?
Did he ever have a brother?
What is real and what is a dream?
Chapter 7 switches to Azure’s PoV, which I definitely wasn’t expecting.
I really don’t want sexual assault for Azure in this plot. Crossing my fingers….
I love that the House is alive.
I’m still jealous of the prose: “If you combed through enough fairy tales, untangled their roots, and shook out their branches, you would find that they are infested with oaths.” … this is not a sentence my brain would ever conjure.
At the halfway point it’s becoming more of a thriller-esque quality which I hadn’t expected.
I can’t tell if indigo and azure are one person or if anyone is actually a witch or if it’s bipolar disorder or if azure stole indigo’s personality in the end. I need to know!
I’m very happy with the ending. My only critique of this book would have been to add more emotion or feel like the stakes have been raised more progressively until that climatic moment.