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A review by mspilesofpaper
House of Beating Wings by Olivia Wildenstein
Did not finish book. Stopped at 51%.
What the actual fuck did I read up to the 51%? I'm flabbergasted.
It reads like the book is the first or second draft of the story but instead of getting edited, it got a pretty cover and got published. Why did no one think of editing the book at any point?
The plot idea sounds good but the execution is painful. Up to 51% nothing actually happens. The feathered demon might be found around 40% but nothing happens with it afterwards either. I don't know where it's supposed to become obsessed with Fallon because the part between finding/freeing it and when I DNF'ed didn't include it.
Fallon is whiny and stupid. Age-wise, she is supposed to be early/mid-20s but she acts like she is a child or a moody teenager. She's extremely stupid as well and never thinks through her actions. Aside from her stupidity, her main defining trait is that she loves animals and hates animal cruelty. Oh, and she is holier than thou because she is a virgin who saves herself for her true love.
Examples:
1. Her grandmother often acts on what she considers the best for Fallon because the girl is a half-fae/half-human with weird powers and immunities but Fallon acts like her grandmother is plotting her demise.
2. Fallon knows that the army's commander doesn't like her but instead of acting like a perfect citizen around him to keep her head on her neck, she aggravates him all the time. The entire talking back to everyone in power is such a stupid move but authors seem to be so fond of it. It isn't charming or funny if they act hot-headed or like an idiot when their life and well-being are in danger.
The Prince (her love interest) is by far the most unlikeable character despite not being present for a large part of the 51%. He's also such a hypocrite, it isn't funny anymore. He's allowed to fuck/kiss other female fae or halflings but dare, Fallon if she might be interested in someone else. It is so annoying how obsessed Fallon is with him. Dante this, Dante that, Dante would never, Dante would do this, ... -- all the fucking time when it is pretty clear that he views her as someone to fuck and nothing more. They are supposed to be friends but there's no hint of this friendship. Instead, it's an unhealthy obsession and Dante acts like the "nice guy" who knows what's good for her. Toxic af.
All the other characters are equally unlikeable and so flat. Even Fallon's supposedly best friends are unlikeable and feel like stereotypical tropes. Best male friend? Yes, he is male and flamboyant. Grandfather? Cruel and cold. Evil incarnated. The King? Even worse.
The entire world is inspired by Italy (especially Venice), so every nickname etc. is Italian. For a fae realm. Of course, the humans in the world are Irish/Scottish inspired and when they speak, they even get the accent ("Like I sayed before, I dain't know 'er meeself." -- WHY DO YOU THINK THAT THIS IS A GOOD IDEA!?).
<blockquote>His grip widens until his thumbs and index fingers sink between my ribs. "No, but I prefer to be the only Lucin familiar with the shape of your body and the fragrance of your" -- he lowers his nose to the delicate skin behind my earlobe -- "cunt."
I break out in goosebumps. Never would I have imagined my body reacting to that skeevy word with anything other than distaste, and yet, from Dante's lips, it sounds downright sensual.</blockquote>
The kind of writing you can expect from the book. Extremely cringy for the most part but also so juvenile in terms of word choice. Constant inner rambling from Fallon included.
I'm so angry about House of Beating Wings, it isn't funny anymore.
It reads like the book is the first or second draft of the story but instead of getting edited, it got a pretty cover and got published. Why did no one think of editing the book at any point?
The plot idea sounds good but the execution is painful. Up to 51% nothing actually happens. The feathered demon might be found around 40% but nothing happens with it afterwards either. I don't know where it's supposed to become obsessed with Fallon because the part between finding/freeing it and when I DNF'ed didn't include it.
Fallon is whiny and stupid. Age-wise, she is supposed to be early/mid-20s but she acts like she is a child or a moody teenager. She's extremely stupid as well and never thinks through her actions. Aside from her stupidity, her main defining trait is that she loves animals and hates animal cruelty. Oh, and she is holier than thou because she is a virgin who saves herself for her true love.
Examples:
1. Her grandmother often acts on what she considers the best for Fallon because the girl is a half-fae/half-human with weird powers and immunities but Fallon acts like her grandmother is plotting her demise.
2. Fallon knows that the army's commander doesn't like her but instead of acting like a perfect citizen around him to keep her head on her neck, she aggravates him all the time. The entire talking back to everyone in power is such a stupid move but authors seem to be so fond of it. It isn't charming or funny if they act hot-headed or like an idiot when their life and well-being are in danger.
The Prince (her love interest) is by far the most unlikeable character despite not being present for a large part of the 51%. He's also such a hypocrite, it isn't funny anymore. He's allowed to fuck/kiss other female fae or halflings but dare, Fallon if she might be interested in someone else. It is so annoying how obsessed Fallon is with him. Dante this, Dante that, Dante would never, Dante would do this, ... -- all the fucking time when it is pretty clear that he views her as someone to fuck and nothing more. They are supposed to be friends but there's no hint of this friendship. Instead, it's an unhealthy obsession and Dante acts like the "nice guy" who knows what's good for her. Toxic af.
All the other characters are equally unlikeable and so flat. Even Fallon's supposedly best friends are unlikeable and feel like stereotypical tropes. Best male friend? Yes, he is male and flamboyant. Grandfather? Cruel and cold. Evil incarnated. The King? Even worse.
The entire world is inspired by Italy (especially Venice), so every nickname etc. is Italian. For a fae realm. Of course, the humans in the world are Irish/Scottish inspired and when they speak, they even get the accent ("Like I sayed before, I dain't know 'er meeself." -- WHY DO YOU THINK THAT THIS IS A GOOD IDEA!?).
<blockquote>His grip widens until his thumbs and index fingers sink between my ribs. "No, but I prefer to be the only Lucin familiar with the shape of your body and the fragrance of your" -- he lowers his nose to the delicate skin behind my earlobe -- "cunt."
I break out in goosebumps. Never would I have imagined my body reacting to that skeevy word with anything other than distaste, and yet, from Dante's lips, it sounds downright sensual.</blockquote>
The kind of writing you can expect from the book. Extremely cringy for the most part but also so juvenile in terms of word choice. Constant inner rambling from Fallon included.
I'm so angry about House of Beating Wings, it isn't funny anymore.