Reviewed by Artemis on
This was a good book with solid writing, dialogue, plot and research but I spent a large majority of this story not knowing what was going on. It was incredibly frustrating to read and constantly ask myself what the hell was happening.
The setting is vague - which for a fairy-tale retelling works perfectly. However when Bunce puts so much effort into detailing the current socio-economic changes of the times, but then almost refuses to give names to political organizations its almost time wasted spent detailing that amount of historical research.
Rumpelstiltskin was a great character in this book, but it took forever to really delve into his backstory. Learning that the Miller family was willing to choose their business over their sons was a little horrifying - but I liked the angle of a girl in a man's world proving she could handle the family business. She was head strong and willing to work, a nonbeliever to the supernatural and curses. Until she jumped ship and promises anything as payment.
I prefer Bunce's unfinished Thief Errant trilogy, but her lyrical prose worked well for this historical fairy tale in some aspects. In the end I was a little sick of the main character and the lack of shared knowledge the reader received.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 28 December, 2016: Finished reading
- 28 December, 2016: Reviewed