I don't even know how to describe this one... Lush, lyrical, beautiful. Heartbreaking, emotional, enveloping. Every single aspect of this was perfect, and every single aspect deserves to be acknowledged.
My favorite thing about this is so hard to pin down. I want to say it's the world, but at the same time, I loved the characters. I want to say it's the family bonds, but at the same time, I loved the atmosphere.
On the topic of the atmosphere, this was perfect. It was dark, full of wicked bargains and deceitful lies. The descriptions drew you in so deeply and wouldn't let go. They were lush and yet disturbing, beautiful in their wrongness. And the writing style fit so well with this choice. I could almost hear the arias running through my mind as Nannerl and Wolfrel explored the Kingdom of Back, and they're not likely to leave my mind anytime soon.
Furthermore, the relationship between Nannerl and her brother was so well done. It captured the jealousy and love present between siblings so well. Theirs wasn't an easy relationship, but it was so much stronger because of this.
And finally, Nannerl as a character was so well done. Her desperation to be remembered called so deeply to me, as rememberance is one thing all humans strive for. She wasn't particularly earth-shattering as a character; she didn't break laws or change them, she didn't even rebel against them. But this is part of what made her so beautiful. She was just another girl with a talent, pushed down by society to keep her tamed. She was so relatable, and I wasn't ready to leave her behind.
Yet again, Marie Lu has created a masterpiece. Her writing brought a previously forgotten character to life, practically crawling off the page. Even after I closed this book, I knew I wasn't going to forget it anytime soon.
My favorite thing about this is so hard to pin down. I want to say it's the world, but at the same time, I loved the characters. I want to say it's the family bonds, but at the same time, I loved the atmosphere.
On the topic of the atmosphere, this was perfect. It was dark, full of wicked bargains and deceitful lies. The descriptions drew you in so deeply and wouldn't let go. They were lush and yet disturbing, beautiful in their wrongness. And the writing style fit so well with this choice. I could almost hear the arias running through my mind as Nannerl and Wolfrel explored the Kingdom of Back, and they're not likely to leave my mind anytime soon.
Furthermore, the relationship between Nannerl and her brother was so well done. It captured the jealousy and love present between siblings so well. Theirs wasn't an easy relationship, but it was so much stronger because of this.
And finally, Nannerl as a character was so well done. Her desperation to be remembered called so deeply to me, as rememberance is one thing all humans strive for. She wasn't particularly earth-shattering as a character; she didn't break laws or change them, she didn't even rebel against them. But this is part of what made her so beautiful. She was just another girl with a talent, pushed down by society to keep her tamed. She was so relatable, and I wasn't ready to leave her behind.
Yet again, Marie Lu has created a masterpiece. Her writing brought a previously forgotten character to life, practically crawling off the page. Even after I closed this book, I knew I wasn't going to forget it anytime soon.