Helpful Score: 2
This is an adult fairy tale. Good story, but pretty strange. I wasn't expecting the mysticism. It's not my typical genre of choice, but I'm glad I read it. Certainly a change from the ordinary boring love story, and full of delicious drama that comes with any family, but even more so with families who have magic at their disposal for plots of revenge and manipulation.
Helpful Score: 2
I had mixed feelings about this book; the writing was good and I felt like I enjoyed parts of the story, but it took me a very long time to finish; I kept putting it down and not feeling any urge to pick it back up again until I would make myself days later. I guess for as easy-to-read as the story was I didn't find it very engaging. I felt like I could list this book without ever finishing it and never really wonder about what happened in the end. Much of the plot seemed fairly repetitious, just conflict after conflict between the protagonist and her mother-in-law. I'll admit I don't often read magical realism, so maybe fans of the genre would find more to like here than I did.
Reviewed by LadyJay for TeensReadToo.com
Meridia is a young girl when she meets Daniel, the man who will sweep her off her feet. What follows is nothing short of a fairy tale. And, just like in all good fairy tales, there is struggle, heartache, and redemption.
Meridia uncovers secrets in her family as well as Daniel's. Spells, charms, witchcraft, demons, prophets, and clairvoyants are an everyday reality in Meridia's world. Colorful mists whisk her father away, and her mother's cooking can heal almost anything that ails you. Her mother-in-law also possesses strange powers; her vindictive, evil ways manifest themselves into a swarm of bees that attempt to pull Meridia and Daniel apart.
Meridia must use all of her strength to keep her family together, and mend the broken parts of their lives.
I was truly amazed by this novel. I am constantly drawn to fairy tales, and though this novel reads like one, none of the content seemed far-fetched. Erick Setiawan was able to create a world where the unbelievable seemed completely possible. It was easy to get lost in the story because of that.
At the heart of this tale are three women - Meridia, Ravenna, and Eva, and how their relationships color their world. It is also about strength and the true meaning of love. It is beautifully told, and a joy to read. A fairy tale for the modern era - brilliant!
Meridia is a young girl when she meets Daniel, the man who will sweep her off her feet. What follows is nothing short of a fairy tale. And, just like in all good fairy tales, there is struggle, heartache, and redemption.
Meridia uncovers secrets in her family as well as Daniel's. Spells, charms, witchcraft, demons, prophets, and clairvoyants are an everyday reality in Meridia's world. Colorful mists whisk her father away, and her mother's cooking can heal almost anything that ails you. Her mother-in-law also possesses strange powers; her vindictive, evil ways manifest themselves into a swarm of bees that attempt to pull Meridia and Daniel apart.
Meridia must use all of her strength to keep her family together, and mend the broken parts of their lives.
I was truly amazed by this novel. I am constantly drawn to fairy tales, and though this novel reads like one, none of the content seemed far-fetched. Erick Setiawan was able to create a world where the unbelievable seemed completely possible. It was easy to get lost in the story because of that.
At the heart of this tale are three women - Meridia, Ravenna, and Eva, and how their relationships color their world. It is also about strength and the true meaning of love. It is beautifully told, and a joy to read. A fairy tale for the modern era - brilliant!
