Dikenler ve Güller Sarayı

This wasn't anything to write home about. I get why it might have broad appeal but I've definitely read better romantacy books--and worse. I have some general criticisms on why I didn't enjoy this more. First, the protagonist started off very interesting and then got very un-interesting. I liked learning about her and her world and how she saw things, but as the story wore on, she became flatter and more of a trope than a unique person.

Secondly, the writing is just overly dramatic at several points. To the point where it grated (though sometimes it looped back around and just flat out became funny.) Some of the things Feyre says are so overwrought, which only further contributes to my previous point.

She also seems to suffer from holding the Idiot Ball several times. I couldn't tell if we were supposed to think she was clever or not. Sometimes she was, and sometimes she wasn't, and it always whatever was most convenient to the plot at the time.

Finally, I really didn't care for the set up of a love triangle. Having an anti-hero in the mix is fine--I tend to like those characters--but holding up a neon sign that says "Secondary Love Interest" just diminished what would have otherwise been an interesting character.

This wasn't anything to write home about. I get why it might have broad appeal but I've definitely read better romantacy books--and worse. I have some general criticisms on why I didn't enjoy this more. First, the protagonist started off very interesting and then got very un-interesting. I liked learning about her and her world and how she saw things, but as the story wore on, she became flatter and more of a trope than a unique person.

Secondly, the writing is just overly dramatic at several points. To the point where it grated (though sometimes it looped back around and just flat out became funny.) Some of the things Feyre says are so overwrought, which only further contributes to my previous point.

She also seems to suffer from holding the Idiot Ball several times. I couldn't tell if we were supposed to think she was clever or not. Sometimes she was, and sometimes she wasn't, and it always whatever was most convenient to the plot at the time.

Finally, I really didn't care for the set up of a love triangle. Having an anti-hero in the mix is fine--I tend to like those characters--but holding up a neon sign that says "Secondary Love Interest" just diminished what would have otherwise been an interesting character.

This book was long! It felt like the author painted themselves in a corner and then decided to take the circuitous route out. It's a unique world, kinda standard fantasy/magic story, lots of unexpected complications. Good book, but it's a lot. Planning on reading the next one in a year or so.