For me, sometimes I rate a book because, objectively, it’s just a really bad book with limited literary quality. This is not an objective rating and I need to reinforce that before we continue. It is a subjective reflection on my personal reading experience.
Because the first half of the book, that I read, wasn’t necessarily a poorly written book. If you like fairy fantasy then you will probably enjoy it. I, for one, enjoy fairies – but not this kind of fairy story, and it’s not the author’s fault.
Long is trying to get back to somewhat old school fairy tale tellings, and in doing so, has returned to many of the themes intrinsic to the fairy mythos – which is moral, physical and spiritual purity of the human which is tested when pitied into the fairy realm where temptations and defilers lurk around every corner.
Don’t eat their food, don’t dance with them (cause you know what dancing leads to…) don’t corrupt yourself by lying with the fairy king. The counter balance to that is that through love, moral goodness (restraint for evil temptations) and by having a pure heart – you can triumph over the wicked, corrupt fae.
All a lovely story if that’s your thing, but it isn’t mine. I don’t do distressed damsels at risk of having their virginity frisked and proving to all that their mighty heart can not be conquered by evil because she’s just so GOOD and PURE. Look at her rescue that baby! Look how vulnerable she is one minute but protecting innocent children the next!
It really is my fault. I should have paid more attention to the cover. I mean, take a good look at that thing for a second.
I mean, look at it! She’s wearing a white fru-fru dress while walking through a forest, clutching blooming flowers to her lower body and looking flustered and scared. I couldn’t have picked a better way of depicting maidenhood if I’d taped a real hymen to the front cover. I need to learn to pay attention!
Just about everything that happens to our protagonist, from the moment she steps into fairy, is a sex metaphor she must escape from. And if that kind of repressed expression of female sexuality speaks to you then please try this book. But at the point in which a handsome man kisses her and she LOSES HER SOUL, and Oberon shows up as one of the big antagonists promising to deflower her because she’s just so pure and good – well, that’s the point at which my upchuck reflex goes into overdrive and I mentally check out.
At least I now know why Steph and I have no soul. It’s all that dirty, dirty sex and alcohol and bad food and filthy dancing and lack of any kind of repression. And I really wouldn’t personally have it any other way.
*Thanks to the publishers who provided this ARC to me through Netgalley.
Kara @ Great Imaginations
Yeah I agree. The cover screams virginity and purity. Which I don’t necessarily have a problem with, but meh…I’m really debating whether I want to read this one or not now. Based on your summarizing the parts that you read, it almost sounds too fru-fru for me too. I like fairies, but if all there is to the plot is fairies, I am probably not going to like it.
Kat Kennedy
@Kara @ Great Imaginations:
I… don’t think you’ll like this one, Kara. I just think it might annoy you.
Pocketful of Books
This is an awesome review. This book is so clearly not my thing…I’m really glad I read this review! I personally think that the whole ‘women must be pure and virginal’ issue causes so many problems in the world and makes so many women miserable and desperate, and some are even killed, because their ‘honour’ has been tarnished. BLAME THE MEN WHO CAN’T CONTROL THEMSELVES NOT THE WOMEN! Bahhh! x
Kat Kennedy
@Pocketful of Books:
LOL! I generally try to not blame anybody! I just don’t think sex is anything to be ashamed about. And I find all the guilt and shame surrounding it to be weird.
Beatriz
Excellent review. I don’t know if I’ll read it, honestly. I was pretty excited for it, but now… my expectations are low D:
Katie @ BlookGirl
“I couldn’t have picked a better way of depicting maidenhood if I’d taped a real hymen to the front cover.”
I about died laughing! Thanks for the pick-me-up, Kat 😉 I am still going to give this book a try, as I love anything faerie and it’s been on my Wishlist forever, but I do appreciate your review! <3
Kat Kennedy
@Katie @ BlookGirl:
Hey, look, I’m sure a lot of people are going to like this book! Seriously. It’s not a bad book – it just wasn’t for me!
Jennie
Awesome review! This was a book that I thought sounded nice, but after reading your review, this is most definitely not my type of read. If I were to read it, I’d probably be rolling my eyes over the entire book.
Sam @ Realm of Fiction
Great review! I don’t think this will be my sort of thing now after reading your review, but I’ll still give it a go. 🙂
Jackie
Your two star review makes me want to read this book. Is that weird? Seriously though, I kind of want to understand first hand how repressive this book is.
Kat Kennedy
@Jackie:
Nope. Not weird at all! Happens all the time!
AnimeJune
Thanks for the warning! I read historical romance, where DISTRESSINGLY OFTEN, the heroine is the PUREST of pure white marshmellow virgins, talks to the birds, is totally devoid of sophistication or knowledge, and that of course is catnip to the sexed-up Duke. If you really don’t like the EVILS OF WHORISH WOMEN to bang you over the head, stay far, far, FAR away from Judith McNaught. That woman’s books scarred me.
Kat Kennedy
@AnimeJune:
It really, really bugs me. Also, I just find it weird the way some romances fetishize innocence/ignorance/purity. As if an untouched couch is the greatest thing in the world. It’s just… weird.
Nicola
Great review. It’s a shame this one didn’t work out for you. I have it from Netgalley too and will probably be giving it a go soon. And your description of the cover? Made me laugh out loud, ha!
Christina (A Reader of Fictions)
LOL. Taped a hymen to the cover. Oy. I’m definitely concerned about this one now. Sigh. Why can I not resist a pretty dress cover. *smacks self in head*
Reut
That is just too bad. I have a great track record with Dial books but I might steer clear of this one just to make sure that doesn’t get tarnished.
Rachelia
I think I have this one on my Goodreads list, but I think after reading your review I’d have many of the same problems with it that you had. So thanks for that 🙂
Also, this was priceless: “I couldn’t have picked a better way of depicting maidenhood if I’d taped a real hymen to the front cover”. LOL
Bruno
chill out Bettelheim