Content Warning: Depictions of Animal Abuse, Child

Spoiler

and Parental Death

, Blood, Bones, Gore, Murder, Pregnancy and Violence. Along with Mentions of Abortion, Miscarriage, and Infertility.

This book felt very long and I cant put my finger on what about it made it drag because I felt engaged with the story for most of the time. So it isn't that, I just felt like the story could have moved faster. It is heavy on world building and also character interaction, which in the end didn't leave it to balance out well.

Am I here for the Eerie foreshadowing? yes
But I also worry that due to this we're just going to be stuck with what is traditionally a "third act" conflict due to Miscommunication (withholding of information) in the first half of the book.

I feel hesitant to recommend this book without knowing what the other half will look like but I will say this is an incredibly interesting world, with very endearing characters that may just steal your heart.


SO I have a thoughts about this books marketing it is not just a Rumpelstiltskin retelling.
So I will be honest my consumption of Once Upon the Time content was solely based on compilation videos. But Gild and Serilda's relationship reminds me specifically at least of the concept of Rumpelstiltskin being the "Beast".



Dude this is 10/10 a Beauty and the Beast Retelling too.
Misunderstood Village Girl: Check!
Cursed Prince: Check!
Delapicated Castle avoided by locals: Check!
Forbidden Area of Castle: Check!

Spoiler

Father's death causing said girl to act: Check!

I honestly can't be convinced otherwise.