Disney Hyperion | Uncorrected Advance Proof, 362 pages
Publication Date: April 1st, 2014
Young Adult | Historical Fantasy | Fiction
Rating: 1 out of 5 Stars
This review is not going to be pretty. It's not going to be
rant-y, but it sure as heck not going to be good either.
Exhibit 1: Page 1 includes a quote from a Beyonce song. Now, this is an ARC so I'm not allowed to re-quote that in my review. Just keep in mind that this is a historical fantasy; so the quote from a modern pop song is a little jarring. Okay, a lot. Unfortunately, that's not the end of it.
Exhibit 2: There is a population problem in London, ladies and gents. A plethora of characters that you would need to keep track of, and it's exhausting! Four girls and four boys all vying for your attention. After a while, the novel became some sort of anthology; one where I pick and choose which story to read. Needless to say, I skimmed a lot. And that's the unfortunate thing. I was ecstatic to receive this book for review. I now have the thankless job of going back to the publisher with a less than stellar feedback.
Exhibit 3: Magic. Well, just like Houdini, it disappeared! Okay, slight exaggeration. There is magic - one that is used to create beautiful gowns, make the ladies' hair shiny, and magic that works better than Proactiv! Magic is used to enhance looks, and that's about all it was good for.
Exhibit 4: The romances here (spoiler) suck. There's just no way around it. If you're going in expecting a happily ever after, don't even bother. Run. Run away. (end of spoiler)
Exhibit 5: Another pop song quote; this one from Lorde. *eye roll*
I wish I can add another section to this review where it would highlight the good things, and or the potentials. Unfortunately, the only good experience I had with this book is when I shelved it to my read shelf.
If you're a fan of magic, and you know exactly how great it could be when it's done well, you'll be disappointed.
If you're a fan of strong women who has a chance at changing the world's sexpot perceptions of them as a whole, keep walking. You will not find it here. The funny thing is, both quotes from those pop songs depict of women empowerment.
If you're one of those fools who believe that love conquers all, then keep on living the pipe dreams. Because this book will tell you that "love" means nothing. Cynical? Yes.
This is my first Melissa de la Cruz read; but if she keeps writing about excess, the rich, and the privileged, then this will probably be my last. It's just not my thing. I like a cast with a lot more heft in the characterization department.
I agree with you at some parts! I felt the book was weak and I needed something to vbring it together! The song quotes I felt was nice but so irrevelant from the story of the book. It focuesed so much on the rich, we didn't see any emotions come through or saw some of the kick ass magic promised!
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading
Patrick @ The Bookshelves
I had no interest in this book from the get-go but now I'm really sure it isn't for me. The quote thing is super weird...
ReplyDeleteYikes. I was a tad iffy on this book, but this does not sound promising. I'm also not sure how a Beyonce song fits with a historical novel. I'd be curious to know which lyric it was cause all I can think of are lyrics from "Drunk in Love." Surfboard . . . raining on that wood
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ Bookish
Bahahhaah!
DeleteAwww, I am sad to hear this. I was so looking forward to this book, though mostly because the cover is fabulous. I read the first in her Vampire series and really didn't enjoy it for the same reasons you didn't like this. The fame and excess thing.
ReplyDeleteHmm, so what aspect of it was supposed to be "historical"?! :) Sorry it wasn't good and you had the thankless job of reviewing it anyway. Loved the review though! ;)
ReplyDeleteAw, I was sent this without requesting and will probably skip
ReplyDeleteWhew! I'm so glad I didn't request this one. I almost did because that cover is so awesome, but I've been trying to be super careful on what I request lately because I just have way too many arcs I'm not getting to. It's too bad this was such a let down. It is really jarring when you have anachronistic aspects of a historical story. The romance and "magic" also sound totally lame. I'll definitely be skipping this one. I hope your next read it much, much better. (And going to the publisher with a dismal review always sucks.) Great review!
ReplyDeleteI don't know...I've seen soooo many mixed reviews for this one, but none that just outright loved it. I got a review copy, but I never made it a priority because it wasn't one I requested myself. I'd still like to give it a try, though, especially after seeing the chart a friend on Goodreads put together diagramming the relationships. That just sounds crazy!
ReplyDeleteI was disappointed in this one as well tho not as much as you. I ignored the song quotes and the relationships I felt were like her message that there isn't always a happily ever after...tho that sucks to read. Usually you want some emotional payoff at the end, and there wasn't any.
ReplyDeleteOh my. I've never heard of this one beforehand. But reading your review makes me never want to read it lmao. It sounds kind of terrible actually. Especially since I'm really not into any books with more than 3 MC's. Sorry to hear this one was such a dissapointment, Joy :c thanks for giving your honest opinion though!
ReplyDeleteLol. This was such a fun review to read. And honest.
ReplyDeleteI loved your breakdown. Weird that in a historical fantasy they'd have beyonce and Lorde lyrics as a quote. Maybe she's too much of a pop culture fan. I've always had the sense this author likes to talk of the rich and spolied too much with her blue blood series, I think it's called.
Fantastic review. You keep it real!
Lol. This was such a fun review to read. And honest.
ReplyDeleteI loved your breakdown. Weird that in a historical fantasy they'd have beyonce and Lorde lyrics as a quote. Maybe she's too much of a pop culture fan. I've always had the sense this author likes to talk of the rich and spolied too much with her blue blood series, I think it's called.
Fantastic review. You keep it real!