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nicoleceballos's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A beautifully written book
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Suicide
Illustrationsaj_nash's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable mix of folklore and modern fairytale in this fast- paced allegory of loss and acceptance.
uncreativeoops's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gelatolady's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
awayreading's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ssp_amax's review against another edition
4.0
Remember Inception with all of its layers of dreams? Well, this is fairy-ception with layered worlds and dreams too.
Fay, the main character, travels through different versions of London on a quest to retrieve her lost daughter in the Land of Death. Starting in our world’s London, Fay ends up in a strange jungle-like overgrown place called London Beyond where she meets strange fairy folk who start calling her Queen Orfeia. From there, she moves to London Beneath, to King Alberon’s castle for a night of revels, and then finally to Nethermost London where the lands of Dream and Death collide, to meet the Hallowe’en King (Death himself). During her journey, Fay struggles to remember her life in London as the more that she dives deep into Dream, the more she sacrifices her memories. In the end, the only thing that remains is the memory of her daughter, Daisy, and a wavering shadow on the ground.
This novella was jam-packed with beautiful writing and poetics, and the careful descriptions of the different world brought vivid images of what fairyland might look like. For anyone who is familiar with the folklore, the characters and world will be familiar/expected, such as the fairy king being Oberon, or the land called Elfhame, but there were fresh elements to the story that added a bit of mystery and wonder.
To me, this story is reminiscent of what happens to the fairy queen Titania in Shakespeare’s [b:A Midsummer Night's Dream|1622|A Midsummer Night's Dream|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327874534l/1622._SY75_.jpg|894834]. I loved reading about Fay’s progression through the worlds, and her dealings with the trickster fairies. Overall, the world was beautifully crafted and the narrative itself was very dream-like and magical.
Now I have to read more from this author!
Fay, the main character, travels through different versions of London on a quest to retrieve her lost daughter in the Land of Death. Starting in our world’s London, Fay ends up in a strange jungle-like overgrown place called London Beyond where she meets strange fairy folk who start calling her Queen Orfeia. From there, she moves to London Beneath, to King Alberon’s castle for a night of revels, and then finally to Nethermost London where the lands of Dream and Death collide, to meet the Hallowe’en King (Death himself). During her journey, Fay struggles to remember her life in London as the more that she dives deep into Dream, the more she sacrifices her memories. In the end, the only thing that remains is the memory of her daughter, Daisy, and a wavering shadow on the ground.
This novella was jam-packed with beautiful writing and poetics, and the careful descriptions of the different world brought vivid images of what fairyland might look like. For anyone who is familiar with the folklore, the characters and world will be familiar/expected, such as the fairy king being Oberon, or the land called Elfhame, but there were fresh elements to the story that added a bit of mystery and wonder.
To me, this story is reminiscent of what happens to the fairy queen Titania in Shakespeare’s [b:A Midsummer Night's Dream|1622|A Midsummer Night's Dream|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327874534l/1622._SY75_.jpg|894834]. I loved reading about Fay’s progression through the worlds, and her dealings with the trickster fairies. Overall, the world was beautifully crafted and the narrative itself was very dream-like and magical.
Now I have to read more from this author!
violetsnswords's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
loved the writing and atmosphere, definitely pretty boring plot-wise but fun enough vibes that it was worth the read
raccoonsinatrenchcoat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rungemaille's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5