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Cobweb Bride Trilogy #1
Cobweb Bride
Many are called...
She alone can save the world and become Death's bride.
Cobweb Bride is a history-flavored fantasy novel with romantic elements of the Persephone myth, about Death's ultimatum to the world.
What if you killed someone and then fell in love with them?
In an alternate Renaissance world, somewhere in an imaginary "pocket" of Europe called the Kingdom of Lethe, Death comes, in the form of a grim Spaniard, to claim his Bride. Until she is found, in a single time-stopping moment all dying stops. There is no relief for the mortally wounded and the terminally ill....
Covered in white cobwebs of a thousand snow spiders she lies in the darkness... Her skin is cold as snow... Her eyes frozen... Her gaze, fiercely alive...
While kings and emperors send expeditions to search for a suitable Bride for Death, armies of the undead wage an endless war... A black knight roams the forest at the command of his undead father ... Spies and political treacheries abound at the imperial Silver Court.... Murdered lovers find themselves locked in the realm of the living...
Look closer — through the cobweb filaments of her hair and along each strand shine stars...
And one small village girl, Percy—an unwanted, ungainly middle daughter—is faced with the responsibility of granting her dying grandmother the desperate release she needs.
As a result, Percy joins the crowds of other young women of the land in a desperate quest to Death's own mysterious holding in the deepest forests of the North...
And everyone is trying to stop her.
She alone can save the world and become Death's bride.
Cobweb Bride is a history-flavored fantasy novel with romantic elements of the Persephone myth, about Death's ultimatum to the world.
What if you killed someone and then fell in love with them?
In an alternate Renaissance world, somewhere in an imaginary "pocket" of Europe called the Kingdom of Lethe, Death comes, in the form of a grim Spaniard, to claim his Bride. Until she is found, in a single time-stopping moment all dying stops. There is no relief for the mortally wounded and the terminally ill....
Covered in white cobwebs of a thousand snow spiders she lies in the darkness... Her skin is cold as snow... Her eyes frozen... Her gaze, fiercely alive...
While kings and emperors send expeditions to search for a suitable Bride for Death, armies of the undead wage an endless war... A black knight roams the forest at the command of his undead father ... Spies and political treacheries abound at the imperial Silver Court.... Murdered lovers find themselves locked in the realm of the living...
Look closer — through the cobweb filaments of her hair and along each strand shine stars...
And one small village girl, Percy—an unwanted, ungainly middle daughter—is faced with the responsibility of granting her dying grandmother the desperate release she needs.
As a result, Percy joins the crowds of other young women of the land in a desperate quest to Death's own mysterious holding in the deepest forests of the North...
And everyone is trying to stop her.
342 pages, Hardcover
First published March 8, 2013
888 people are currently reading
5080 people want to read
About the author
Vera Nazarian
86 books1,032 followersVera Nazarian is a two-time Nebula Award Finalist, award-winning artist, and member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, a writer with a penchant for moral fables and stories of intense wonder, true love, and intricacy.
She immigrated to the USA from the former USSR as a kid, sold her first story at the age of 17, and since then has published numerous works in anthologies and magazines, and has seen her fiction translated into eight languages.
She is the author of critically acclaimed novels Dreams of the Compass Rose and Lords of Rainbow , romantic Renaissance epic fantasy trilogy Cobweb Bride , as well as the outrageous parodies Mansfield Park and Mummies and Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons , Pride and Platypus: Mr. Darcy's Dreadful Secret in her humorous and surprisingly romantic Supernatural Jane Austen Series , and most recently the bestselling high-octane science fiction series The Atlantis Grail , now optioned for film.
After many years in Los Angeles, Vera lives in a small town in Vermont, and uses her Armenian sense of humor and her Russian sense of suffering to bake conflicted pirozhki and make art.
Take the fun quiz to find out Which of the Lords of Rainbow do You Serve?
She immigrated to the USA from the former USSR as a kid, sold her first story at the age of 17, and since then has published numerous works in anthologies and magazines, and has seen her fiction translated into eight languages.
She is the author of critically acclaimed novels Dreams of the Compass Rose and Lords of Rainbow , romantic Renaissance epic fantasy trilogy Cobweb Bride , as well as the outrageous parodies Mansfield Park and Mummies and Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons , Pride and Platypus: Mr. Darcy's Dreadful Secret in her humorous and surprisingly romantic Supernatural Jane Austen Series , and most recently the bestselling high-octane science fiction series The Atlantis Grail , now optioned for film.
After many years in Los Angeles, Vera lives in a small town in Vermont, and uses her Armenian sense of humor and her Russian sense of suffering to bake conflicted pirozhki and make art.
Take the fun quiz to find out Which of the Lords of Rainbow do You Serve?
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December 18, 2021I’m pretty sure this is the sort of book you know whether you’ll be into within about 30 seconds of opening it. Abstract, self-consciously esoteric, and overwrought. So, err, yes, I really enjoyed it.
It takes a while to get off its feet: the basic premise being that Death has stopped deathin’ people until he is brought “his cobweb bride”. Cue a bunch of folks with different agendas converging on Death’s gothic pad: there’s the unremarkable peasant girl, full of inner strength, the sickly princess and the dude who straight up murdered her, and the black knight charged by his now undead father to prevent Death finding a bride so said undead father can stick around, among others.
It’s kind of melancholy and weird and fascinating and a bit of a chore all at once.
Would recommend as the kind of thing you would like to people who already know they like this kind of thing.
It takes a while to get off its feet: the basic premise being that Death has stopped deathin’ people until he is brought “his cobweb bride”. Cue a bunch of folks with different agendas converging on Death’s gothic pad: there’s the unremarkable peasant girl, full of inner strength, the sickly princess and the dude who straight up murdered her, and the black knight charged by his now undead father to prevent Death finding a bride so said undead father can stick around, among others.
It’s kind of melancholy and weird and fascinating and a bit of a chore all at once.
Would recommend as the kind of thing you would like to people who already know they like this kind of thing.
May 28, 2013
On the surface, Cobweb Bride has everything I should love in a book. A fairytale-esque setting, the focus on ladies being awesome, Death in love with a bride. I should have loved this book.
Unfortunately I didn’t. That’s not to say that it’s a bad book, because it’s not, but it could have been so much better than what it was. The first half is mostly all set up for the second half, and while that’s not usually a bad thing, the set up was meandering. There’s a lot of walking around, POV switches to characters that will play a part in the story, and no real sense of urgency to anything despite the fact that Death has completely stopped doing his job.
That being said, the second half when all the characters finally come together is the better part of the book, and it managed to keep my interest. It’s a shame there was so much time spent on the set up for the second half and the second book, because the first half really does drag the novel down.
The writing itself was beautiful at first, but as the story went on it became a little unrestrained and started falling into the overwritten purple prose area. While some of the descriptions are truly beautiful, there are some that just go on forever and repeat information we already sat through (such as one character remembering how they killed another and that character didn’t die, something we’d already seen play out.) It got a little better by the end as more action was happening, but there were some passages that truly tested my patience.
However, even if most of those issues had been addressed... there was one major element of the book that would have kept me from ever truly loving it, even if the rest had been the most amazing thing I’d ever read. Major spoilers under the cut.
Overall there are some hints of a good story in this novel, and given where we leave Percy I might be interested in reading the next book in the trilogy, Cobweb Empire. But given the issues I had, I may decide not to.
See more of my reviews at On The Nightstand!
Unfortunately I didn’t. That’s not to say that it’s a bad book, because it’s not, but it could have been so much better than what it was. The first half is mostly all set up for the second half, and while that’s not usually a bad thing, the set up was meandering. There’s a lot of walking around, POV switches to characters that will play a part in the story, and no real sense of urgency to anything despite the fact that Death has completely stopped doing his job.
That being said, the second half when all the characters finally come together is the better part of the book, and it managed to keep my interest. It’s a shame there was so much time spent on the set up for the second half and the second book, because the first half really does drag the novel down.
The writing itself was beautiful at first, but as the story went on it became a little unrestrained and started falling into the overwritten purple prose area. While some of the descriptions are truly beautiful, there are some that just go on forever and repeat information we already sat through (such as one character remembering how they killed another and that character didn’t die, something we’d already seen play out.) It got a little better by the end as more action was happening, but there were some passages that truly tested my patience.
However, even if most of those issues had been addressed... there was one major element of the book that would have kept me from ever truly loving it, even if the rest had been the most amazing thing I’d ever read. Major spoilers under the cut.
Overall there are some hints of a good story in this novel, and given where we leave Percy I might be interested in reading the next book in the trilogy, Cobweb Empire. But given the issues I had, I may decide not to.
See more of my reviews at On The Nightstand!
May 7, 2016
Digital copy received from the author.
Death has stopped to collect the souls of the dying. He is searching for his Cobweb Bride and until She is found Death will no longer take souls into his Kingdom, granting life immortality. The story follows plain Percy, the sickly Infanta Claire, Knights and peasant girls who in various ways and wishes seeks out Death.
The story takes place in a parallel version of Renaissance Europe, in a kingdom made up by the author that borders to France and Spain and the like in that geographical area.
I liked the book. I found it very fascinating, the language beautiful and mysterious and mythological. Details and humans lovely written, with real human emotions and greyness. The emotions felt true and the various reaction to the stop of death also. Percy specially I felt connected with - a quiet yet strong girl, often ignored but finding her strength and purpose along the journey. A good role model for younger people, I would think. Grial was also an interesting character and I had hoped to learn more about her, she feels like an important part in the story. I also liked the various relationships forming between the characters, their slow, realistic build and ambivalent feelings and uncertainty. It all felt real, which I like very much, instead of soppy romance and rushed general relationships just because. The relationships of different kinds built here felt important to the story itself, to guide it along.
The story makes interesting points - is immortality as good as we think? Is death truly ghastly and horrible instead of beautiful and a reward for having lived? What some of the characters thought good with immortality proved perhaps not to be so and immortality gave side effects that one might not have thought about when wishing never to die.
I really liked the style that the story was written in and the character development, and I can't wait to find out what happens in the sequel. I would recommend it for people liking strong female characters, low, realistic fantasy/magical realism.
4½ points rounded up to a 5.
Death has stopped to collect the souls of the dying. He is searching for his Cobweb Bride and until She is found Death will no longer take souls into his Kingdom, granting life immortality. The story follows plain Percy, the sickly Infanta Claire, Knights and peasant girls who in various ways and wishes seeks out Death.
The story takes place in a parallel version of Renaissance Europe, in a kingdom made up by the author that borders to France and Spain and the like in that geographical area.
I liked the book. I found it very fascinating, the language beautiful and mysterious and mythological. Details and humans lovely written, with real human emotions and greyness. The emotions felt true and the various reaction to the stop of death also. Percy specially I felt connected with - a quiet yet strong girl, often ignored but finding her strength and purpose along the journey. A good role model for younger people, I would think. Grial was also an interesting character and I had hoped to learn more about her, she feels like an important part in the story. I also liked the various relationships forming between the characters, their slow, realistic build and ambivalent feelings and uncertainty. It all felt real, which I like very much, instead of soppy romance and rushed general relationships just because. The relationships of different kinds built here felt important to the story itself, to guide it along.
The story makes interesting points - is immortality as good as we think? Is death truly ghastly and horrible instead of beautiful and a reward for having lived? What some of the characters thought good with immortality proved perhaps not to be so and immortality gave side effects that one might not have thought about when wishing never to die.
I really liked the style that the story was written in and the character development, and I can't wait to find out what happens in the sequel. I would recommend it for people liking strong female characters, low, realistic fantasy/magical realism.
4½ points rounded up to a 5.
dnf
December 4, 2022DNF at p.93
July 20, 2017
Cobweb Bride ARC provided by netgalley.
“Bring to me my Cobweb Bride. Bring her to the gates of Death’s Keep that stands in the Northern Forest. Only then will I grant relief and resume taking your kind unto me. Until then, none shall die.”
"What if you killed someone and then fell in love with them?"
As soon as you start reading, you know this book will be amazing.The use of language is delightful: Death's first appearance, coalescing into form out of smoke, darkness, and garlands of ice cobwebs, is so incredibly vivid and beautiful you can't help being hooked right there. There is talent here, descriptions abound, but they do not show up on the page as the usual scene building for the plot, instead, it's as if the reader's eyes can't help but being arrested by a multitude of singular details that merge to form the most illuminating pictures.
The worlbuilding and characters are fantastic, but not only that, the premise of the story, while being based on the Persephone myth, is wonderfully original. Adaptations of the myth tend to focus on how Demeter's grief keeps the world from flourishing and how death soon ravages untamed. In the Cobweb Bride the dying remain in agony in their deathbeds, or bleeding from gaping wounds in the battlefields, or freezing in the murky darkness at the bottom of icy lakes - but Death will bring them no relief. Not until his bride is brought to him.
In the quest to deliver Death's Cobweb Bride several stories are told: the old queen whose death rattle keeps the castle awake, the three frivolous nobles who decide to make of this quest an amusing adventure, the dead duke's son charged with capturing all potential cobweb brides from reaching their destiny so his father may stay undead, the princess and her murderer (my personal favourite subplot), and Percy and her carriage full of would-be cobweb brides. Each story is captivating in its own right, and their characters all have the same purpose: to allow the dead to truly die, for, as the book says, "to be dead is not such a bad thing when it is your time to be dead, to be relieved of pain and suffering."
Fans of Patricia A. McKillip will surely love this book, but I recommend it to everyone who likes fantasy.
“Bring to me my Cobweb Bride. Bring her to the gates of Death’s Keep that stands in the Northern Forest. Only then will I grant relief and resume taking your kind unto me. Until then, none shall die.”
"What if you killed someone and then fell in love with them?"
As soon as you start reading, you know this book will be amazing.The use of language is delightful: Death's first appearance, coalescing into form out of smoke, darkness, and garlands of ice cobwebs, is so incredibly vivid and beautiful you can't help being hooked right there. There is talent here, descriptions abound, but they do not show up on the page as the usual scene building for the plot, instead, it's as if the reader's eyes can't help but being arrested by a multitude of singular details that merge to form the most illuminating pictures.
The worlbuilding and characters are fantastic, but not only that, the premise of the story, while being based on the Persephone myth, is wonderfully original. Adaptations of the myth tend to focus on how Demeter's grief keeps the world from flourishing and how death soon ravages untamed. In the Cobweb Bride the dying remain in agony in their deathbeds, or bleeding from gaping wounds in the battlefields, or freezing in the murky darkness at the bottom of icy lakes - but Death will bring them no relief. Not until his bride is brought to him.
In the quest to deliver Death's Cobweb Bride several stories are told: the old queen whose death rattle keeps the castle awake, the three frivolous nobles who decide to make of this quest an amusing adventure, the dead duke's son charged with capturing all potential cobweb brides from reaching their destiny so his father may stay undead, the princess and her murderer (my personal favourite subplot), and Percy and her carriage full of would-be cobweb brides. Each story is captivating in its own right, and their characters all have the same purpose: to allow the dead to truly die, for, as the book says, "to be dead is not such a bad thing when it is your time to be dead, to be relieved of pain and suffering."
Fans of Patricia A. McKillip will surely love this book, but I recommend it to everyone who likes fantasy.
February 18, 2015
Originally posted at PaperbackWonderland
He came to them in the heart of winter, asking for his Cobweb Bride.
He arrived everywhere, all at once. In one singular moment, he was seen, heard, felt, remembered. Some inhaled his decaying scent. Others bitterly tasted him.
And everyone recognized Death in one way or another, just before the world was suspended.
Told in a magical prose, Cobweb Bride is an magnificent tale that will appeal to fans of Patricia A. Mckillip works as well as Juliet Marillier "Heart's Blood".
Set in a imaginary world in Seventeen century Renaissance, "Cobweb Bride" starts with an earth shattering premise:
Looking for his Bride, Death makes an ultimatum: No one will die, until she is found...
What happens next, is a tale of horror:
Decapitated men that just won't die. Old people waiting for that last breath, that just won't come...animals, that won't be slaughtered...
Unless, the Cobwebb bride is found...
Set against this background, girls of all around the kingdoms start leaving their families, to embark on a dangerous quest. They will go north, searching for Death's Keep on the hopes of being his bride, and as such, ending the never ending nightmare that Death has created.
But if ones are determined to fulfill Death's request, there are other's determined to elude it. And they are determined to remain in the land of the living, no matter that they don't longer breathe...
What follows next, is an addictive tale of a group of girls trying to survive in the cold of Winter. A Black Knight determined to stop them. And a budding love, between a girl that has been killed...
...and the man that killed her....
YEAH, ITS THAT GOOD!! SO GO AND READ IT!!
Looking forward to the second book! September, you can't come soon enough ;)
He came to them in the heart of winter, asking for his Cobweb Bride.
He arrived everywhere, all at once. In one singular moment, he was seen, heard, felt, remembered. Some inhaled his decaying scent. Others bitterly tasted him.
And everyone recognized Death in one way or another, just before the world was suspended.
Told in a magical prose, Cobweb Bride is an magnificent tale that will appeal to fans of Patricia A. Mckillip works as well as Juliet Marillier "Heart's Blood".
Set in a imaginary world in Seventeen century Renaissance, "Cobweb Bride" starts with an earth shattering premise:
Looking for his Bride, Death makes an ultimatum: No one will die, until she is found...
What happens next, is a tale of horror:
Decapitated men that just won't die. Old people waiting for that last breath, that just won't come...animals, that won't be slaughtered...
Unless, the Cobwebb bride is found...
Set against this background, girls of all around the kingdoms start leaving their families, to embark on a dangerous quest. They will go north, searching for Death's Keep on the hopes of being his bride, and as such, ending the never ending nightmare that Death has created.
But if ones are determined to fulfill Death's request, there are other's determined to elude it. And they are determined to remain in the land of the living, no matter that they don't longer breathe...
What follows next, is an addictive tale of a group of girls trying to survive in the cold of Winter. A Black Knight determined to stop them. And a budding love, between a girl that has been killed...
...and the man that killed her....
YEAH, ITS THAT GOOD!! SO GO AND READ IT!!
Looking forward to the second book! September, you can't come soon enough ;)
July 29, 2016
I DNFed this book. I have tried immensely to get into it. I thought the summary was absorbing, interesting, but I could not immersed into it. It has taken me this long to provide feedback on the book simply because I have forced myself to read it since I requested this book, and it has become a chore, and I have no desire to finish it.
That is not to say that this is a bad book. The writing is beautiful, and to me, it evokes Walter Scott's Ivanhoe. However beautiful the writing was, the plot itself failed to draw my attention.
This book was provided to me as an Advance Review Copy by Netgalley.
That is not to say that this is a bad book. The writing is beautiful, and to me, it evokes Walter Scott's Ivanhoe. However beautiful the writing was, the plot itself failed to draw my attention.
This book was provided to me as an Advance Review Copy by Netgalley.
July 17, 2013
Book Info: Genre: Pseudo-historical Fantasy
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Those who enjoy the journey, the process rather than action
Book Available: July 15 in Paperback and Hardcover editions (Kindle format has been available since June 22)
Trigger Warnings: violence, fighting, murder, assassination, treachery
My Thoughts: The story is couched in somewhat flowery language, matching the pseudo historical, Renaissance setting. This is something that has always impressed me about Vera Nazarian. Her books cover a variety of times and places, from her parodies of Jane Eyre to her far-future science fiction, to her complex and beautiful world-building in her fables, and she changes her style and language to match accordingly. In this instance, she has switched styles into a beautifully lyrical and almost poetic style, and it works beautifully.
The food situation seems to me to be a bit of a logic fail. I can't quite grasp how one cannot cook anything; after all, isn't lobster thrown in the pot live traditionally? And if absolutely nothing dies, it would do truly disturbing things to hair and skin and fingernails, among other things. How about germs and viruses? How about the small, microscopic creatures in the air? I can't be the only person to whom this doesn't make sense. It reminded me of her far-future story in which humans have evolved to be more efficient on a desert planet by losing all their hair... including their eyelashes. That still doesn't make sense to me, although the author insists it is based upon scientific principles. I guess, as Joss Whedon would say, it's phlebotinum.
Much of this story is very profound, especially some of the conversations with Death. I found this of particular interest.
This is slated to be a trilogy. Book two is to be called Cobweb Empire and I, for one, definitely plan to read it. This book will not be for everyone. There is little action, few “events”; it is, instead, about the journey, and about the thoughts and identities of some of those who are sharing that journey. I do not know what the future will hold for those involved in this particular journey, but if you enjoy a story that isn't all flash and bang and sword fights, this book might appeal to you.
Disclosure: I received an ARC copy of this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I later noticed it was available on NetGalley and accepted that to provide another place to post my review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Many are called... She alone can save the world and become Death's bride.
Cobweb Bride is a history-flavored fantasy novel with romantic elements of the Persephone myth, about Death's ultimatum to the world.
What if you killed someone and then fell in love with them?
In an alternate Renaissance world, somewhere in an imaginary "pocket" of Europe called the Kingdom of Lethe, Death comes, in the form of a grim Spaniard, to claim his Bride. Until she is found, in a single time-stopping moment all dying stops. There is no relief for the mortally wounded and the terminally ill....
Covered in white cobwebs of a thousand snow spiders she lies in the darkness... Her skin is cold as snow... Her eyes frozen... Her gaze, fiercely alive...
While kings and emperors send expeditions to search for a suitable Bride for Death, armies of the undead wage an endless war... A black knight roams the forest at the command of his undead father ... Spies and political treacheries abound at the imperial Silver Court.... Murdered lovers find themselves locked in the realm of the living...
Look closer — through the cobweb filaments of her hair and along each strand shine stars...
And one small village girl, Percy—an unwanted, ungainly middle daughter—is faced with the responsibility of granting her dying grandmother the desperate release she needs.
As a result, Percy joins the crowds of other young women of the land in a desperate quest to Death's own mysterious holding in the deepest forests of the North...
And everyone is trying to stop her.
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Those who enjoy the journey, the process rather than action
Book Available: July 15 in Paperback and Hardcover editions (Kindle format has been available since June 22)
Trigger Warnings: violence, fighting, murder, assassination, treachery
My Thoughts: The story is couched in somewhat flowery language, matching the pseudo historical, Renaissance setting. This is something that has always impressed me about Vera Nazarian. Her books cover a variety of times and places, from her parodies of Jane Eyre to her far-future science fiction, to her complex and beautiful world-building in her fables, and she changes her style and language to match accordingly. In this instance, she has switched styles into a beautifully lyrical and almost poetic style, and it works beautifully.
The food situation seems to me to be a bit of a logic fail. I can't quite grasp how one cannot cook anything; after all, isn't lobster thrown in the pot live traditionally? And if absolutely nothing dies, it would do truly disturbing things to hair and skin and fingernails, among other things. How about germs and viruses? How about the small, microscopic creatures in the air? I can't be the only person to whom this doesn't make sense. It reminded me of her far-future story in which humans have evolved to be more efficient on a desert planet by losing all their hair... including their eyelashes. That still doesn't make sense to me, although the author insists it is based upon scientific principles. I guess, as Joss Whedon would say, it's phlebotinum.
Much of this story is very profound, especially some of the conversations with Death. I found this of particular interest.
“Since the dawn of existence, you mortals have feared dying, feared the unknown and the pain of it, and yet, pain is a part of life, not death. And I—I am the first moment after pain ceases,” he [Death] pronounced. “It is life that fights and struggles and rages; life, that tears at you in its last agonizing throes to hold on, even if but for one futile instant longer... Whereas I, I come softly when it is all done. Pain and death are an ordered sequence, not a parallel pair. So easy to confuse the correlations, not realizing that one does not bring the other.”
This is slated to be a trilogy. Book two is to be called Cobweb Empire and I, for one, definitely plan to read it. This book will not be for everyone. There is little action, few “events”; it is, instead, about the journey, and about the thoughts and identities of some of those who are sharing that journey. I do not know what the future will hold for those involved in this particular journey, but if you enjoy a story that isn't all flash and bang and sword fights, this book might appeal to you.
Disclosure: I received an ARC copy of this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I later noticed it was available on NetGalley and accepted that to provide another place to post my review. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Many are called... She alone can save the world and become Death's bride.
Cobweb Bride is a history-flavored fantasy novel with romantic elements of the Persephone myth, about Death's ultimatum to the world.
What if you killed someone and then fell in love with them?
In an alternate Renaissance world, somewhere in an imaginary "pocket" of Europe called the Kingdom of Lethe, Death comes, in the form of a grim Spaniard, to claim his Bride. Until she is found, in a single time-stopping moment all dying stops. There is no relief for the mortally wounded and the terminally ill....
Covered in white cobwebs of a thousand snow spiders she lies in the darkness... Her skin is cold as snow... Her eyes frozen... Her gaze, fiercely alive...
While kings and emperors send expeditions to search for a suitable Bride for Death, armies of the undead wage an endless war... A black knight roams the forest at the command of his undead father ... Spies and political treacheries abound at the imperial Silver Court.... Murdered lovers find themselves locked in the realm of the living...
Look closer — through the cobweb filaments of her hair and along each strand shine stars...
And one small village girl, Percy—an unwanted, ungainly middle daughter—is faced with the responsibility of granting her dying grandmother the desperate release she needs.
As a result, Percy joins the crowds of other young women of the land in a desperate quest to Death's own mysterious holding in the deepest forests of the North...
And everyone is trying to stop her.
March 25, 2013
This is one of those books you wish you could give more then one grade...
For the first 60% i would give maybe 3 stars ,maybe even less as i was quite annoyed with how slow everything develops,there was not even a hint of love and i almost thought this leads no where.
O yes there was a lot of blood ,severed limps,people horribly mutilated
For the first 60% i would give maybe 3 stars ,maybe even less as i was quite annoyed with how slow everything develops,there was not even a hint of love and i almost thought this leads no where.
O yes there was a lot of blood ,severed limps,people horribly mutilated
May 9, 2014
Rating: 4.5 stars
The language in this novel is worth the read alone. I did find the profusion of names a little challenging (especially when characters you don't ever see again are introduced at length before being dropped--the opening scenes at the Silver Court nearly killed me before I managed to latch on to who I needed to pay attention to). But this is a complex and well-developed story, an incredible world and a fascinating and well-considered premise. I would have liked to develop slightly more emotional attachment to the focal characters, but that may just be my reading of it.
I am so, so grateful to have read this book after a spate of books that have left me whining about reading like a writer. It shut up my inner writer and let me enjoy the story, possibly because it was superbly crafted. Oh wait, there's my inner writer at it again. What can you do?
The language in this novel is worth the read alone. I did find the profusion of names a little challenging (especially when characters you don't ever see again are introduced at length before being dropped--the opening scenes at the Silver Court nearly killed me before I managed to latch on to who I needed to pay attention to). But this is a complex and well-developed story, an incredible world and a fascinating and well-considered premise. I would have liked to develop slightly more emotional attachment to the focal characters, but that may just be my reading of it.
I am so, so grateful to have read this book after a spate of books that have left me whining about reading like a writer. It shut up my inner writer and let me enjoy the story, possibly because it was superbly crafted. Oh wait, there's my inner writer at it again. What can you do?
June 20, 2013
What if Death stopped collecting the mortally wounded, the aged whose time has come, the sick, anyone or anything intended to die? Think about it, death ceases to happen, period. Now, travel back in time to the era of knights and feudal lords, peasants and kings. Make it an alternate reality, in an imaginary place in Europe called the Kingdom of Lethe, and you have the makings of an epic fantasy rich in detail that will take you along on its journey. Death is looking for the one soul that has been denied him, his bride, and until he finds her, he refuses to allow death to happen. Cobweb Bride by Vera Nazarian will paint the scenes, mold the characters and allow you to fall into place beside them on their arduous journey to present a suitable bride to an entity feared, but necessary.
The central focus is on Percy, the plain, middle daughter who has volunteered to offer herself to Death as his bride, to honor her grandmother’s wish to be released from life. She has seen what no one else has, the dark haze of death lingering in waiting, watching and prolonging life. Undead armies are rising up, undead rulers attempt to thwart the young women who have been forced to offer themselves to Death. A young princess should be dead, killed by an enraged warrior, but she too travels with Percy and a small group of brave girls, each unique, each rising above fear, as they search for Death’s realm.
Building this world, Ms. Nazarian has spared no detail. The sights, the sounds, the feel of coarse cloth on one’s skin, not to mention the bitter cold, the brutal darkness of the deep forest and hunger all became part of MY world as I was lost in this tale. You will not find a fast-paced plot, the action will not fly off the page, but the characters will become people you know and respect. As the first book in a planned trilogy, the search has only begun, but the stage has been set, the characters are in place and the dark intrigue is like a magnet! I’m putting books 2 & 3 on my MUST read list.
An ARC edition was provided by NetGalley and Norilana Books in exchange for my honest review.
Expected Publication Date: July 15, 2013
Publisher: Norilana Books
Series: Cobweb Bride Trilogy, Book 1
ISBN: 9781607621126
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Author's Website: Vera Nazarian
This book will be available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
The central focus is on Percy, the plain, middle daughter who has volunteered to offer herself to Death as his bride, to honor her grandmother’s wish to be released from life. She has seen what no one else has, the dark haze of death lingering in waiting, watching and prolonging life. Undead armies are rising up, undead rulers attempt to thwart the young women who have been forced to offer themselves to Death. A young princess should be dead, killed by an enraged warrior, but she too travels with Percy and a small group of brave girls, each unique, each rising above fear, as they search for Death’s realm.
Building this world, Ms. Nazarian has spared no detail. The sights, the sounds, the feel of coarse cloth on one’s skin, not to mention the bitter cold, the brutal darkness of the deep forest and hunger all became part of MY world as I was lost in this tale. You will not find a fast-paced plot, the action will not fly off the page, but the characters will become people you know and respect. As the first book in a planned trilogy, the search has only begun, but the stage has been set, the characters are in place and the dark intrigue is like a magnet! I’m putting books 2 & 3 on my MUST read list.
An ARC edition was provided by NetGalley and Norilana Books in exchange for my honest review.
Expected Publication Date: July 15, 2013
Publisher: Norilana Books
Series: Cobweb Bride Trilogy, Book 1
ISBN: 9781607621126
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Author's Website: Vera Nazarian
This book will be available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
July 6, 2013
Cobweb Bride with theme about Death looking for a bride and the fact that main heroine is called Persephone fooled me into thinking it will be a retelling of a famous greek myth about Persephone and Hades. But Vera Nazarian didn't do this, instead she created a different and completely unique story.
Set in an imaginary European country, Cobweb Bride takes place during Renaissance, one of my favorite historical periods. There will be glittering courts and their intrigues, intricate wigs and fashion, but also we will get a glimpse of how the poor lived in this time, because the heroes of Cobweb Bride are from different social groups.
As I already said, Cobweb Bride is about a peculiar subject. Death appears and declares that there will be no more dying until his cobweb bride arrives to his home in Northern Forest. A lot of horrible things happen because nobody can't die: mutilated soldiers in battles never get relief, old sick people are endlessly tortured by disease, even animal can not be killed anymore... The plot of the book unravels slowly. Vera Nazarian does not want to miss anything and in great detail shows us how absence of death influences all spheres of life and of course different reactions of people.
This is one of those times when it's better if you skip reading the book summary, because they wrote all events from the first part of Cobweb Bride Trilogy. So if you have read the summary, you might feel that the book ended without much happening or that it was boring. Since I skip reading book summaries exactly for the reason of not spoiling something, I didn't have this problem.
I enjoyed reading Cobweb Bride, although it was slow at times. I liked that Persephone aka. Percy is ordinary girl and not some awesome beauty and I enjoyed reading about her adventures. I expected much more romance because Cobweb Bride is advertised as fantasy romance, but the love story is very subtle and starts developing only at the end of the book.
In The End...
If you like reading about realistic heroines, alternate history, noble knights and quests, then Vera Nazarian wrote a perfect book for you. If you are looking for a classic retelling of Hades and Persephone myth or a lot of romance, you might be disappointed.
My rating: 4 stars
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
Set in an imaginary European country, Cobweb Bride takes place during Renaissance, one of my favorite historical periods. There will be glittering courts and their intrigues, intricate wigs and fashion, but also we will get a glimpse of how the poor lived in this time, because the heroes of Cobweb Bride are from different social groups.
As I already said, Cobweb Bride is about a peculiar subject. Death appears and declares that there will be no more dying until his cobweb bride arrives to his home in Northern Forest. A lot of horrible things happen because nobody can't die: mutilated soldiers in battles never get relief, old sick people are endlessly tortured by disease, even animal can not be killed anymore... The plot of the book unravels slowly. Vera Nazarian does not want to miss anything and in great detail shows us how absence of death influences all spheres of life and of course different reactions of people.
This is one of those times when it's better if you skip reading the book summary, because they wrote all events from the first part of Cobweb Bride Trilogy. So if you have read the summary, you might feel that the book ended without much happening or that it was boring. Since I skip reading book summaries exactly for the reason of not spoiling something, I didn't have this problem.
I enjoyed reading Cobweb Bride, although it was slow at times. I liked that Persephone aka. Percy is ordinary girl and not some awesome beauty and I enjoyed reading about her adventures. I expected much more romance because Cobweb Bride is advertised as fantasy romance, but the love story is very subtle and starts developing only at the end of the book.
In The End...
If you like reading about realistic heroines, alternate history, noble knights and quests, then Vera Nazarian wrote a perfect book for you. If you are looking for a classic retelling of Hades and Persephone myth or a lot of romance, you might be disappointed.
My rating: 4 stars
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
August 27, 2016
Enchanting take on the Persephone myth with a bit of Snow Maiden legend thrown in. Bit slow to start--not a bad thing as the author was setting up the story and introducing the main characters. Death has halted the death of all creatures, animal, human, and vegetable, until he receives his Cobweb Bride. Set in a late medieval/Renaissance world with a bit of 18th century, there are three subplots: presentation to Death of girls led by Persephone, the middle daughter of a peasant family; a Crown Princess; that of the Infanta Claere, now hovering between life and complete death, assassinated by Marquis Vlau, who hates her family for perceived wrongs; and that of a Black Knight, Beltain, on orders of his father a Duke, also in this twilight state, is charged with stopping any contenders for Death's hand. The father wishes to preserve this status quo.
Gorgeous writing. Character are suitably heroic or villainous. Flashes of gentle humor here and there. I wish to continue with the other books in the trilogy, but to me it would have been nice if the author could have condensed this whole Cobweb Bride trilogy into one standalone book. I personally think the author is more successful with short stories.
Gorgeous writing. Character are suitably heroic or villainous. Flashes of gentle humor here and there. I wish to continue with the other books in the trilogy, but to me it would have been nice if the author could have condensed this whole Cobweb Bride trilogy into one standalone book. I personally think the author is more successful with short stories.
September 16, 2013
I have to start out by saying that I don't really like romantic crap and I admit that I didn't read the full write-up (or any of the reviews, no matter how much I love to read what Katy Sozaeva has to say) for fear of people giving away too much or me having a preconceived notion - but I loved this book. Everything about it. The idea behind it, the descriptions, the characters, the setting - the whole voyage to find Death. Loved it. Percy was awesome and I am very interested in finding out where the author goes with Lord Beltain. I can't wait to see what happens in Book #2. (Having just looked to see if it was on Amazon for Kindle - it is not :( - I realized that this is, in fact, the second book that I have read by this author. The other was Vampires are from Venus, Werewolves Are From Mars: A Comprehensive Guide to Attracting Supernatural Love - which was hilarious. I am now, truly, a fan.)
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an HONEST review.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an HONEST review.
March 19, 2015
Well written fantasy! I will be reading the next in the series.
Want to read
June 9, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/9/2020)! 🎁
August 26, 2013
A copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review and as part of the Fiction Addiction blog tour. No compensation was given or taken to alter this review.
Cobweb Bride is one of the best fantasy books I've read all year. Yeah, you read that right. I knew from the second I read the blurb and saw the cover that I had to read this book. It just sounded so unique. I keep coming back to that word when reflecting upon the story. Unique.
Like many hugely imaginative fantasy novels, theres a lot to explain and a lot to establish in the first half of the book. There were a lot of names, places, and things to remember. I think that's why the first half took longer to get through. It was really interesting, it just sometimes felt like a lot to remember because we were following different people in different areas of the realm. The realm was a fictitious country wedged in between Spain, France and Germany. Without even glancing at the map on the first page-- you'll be able to gather this. The names, styles, titles, and mannerisms reek of European Renaissance. I had it's own unique twist though, and truly did feel like another country. Actually, it may be more correct to say it felt like a European country in a parallel universe. Sounds super cool-- doesn't it? Well, thats because it is. You'd think that perhaps it'd be difficult to invent a new European country without making it seem like a replica or just an amalgam of euro cultures. I don't know how the author accomplished it, but she did. There was just the perfect amount of familiarity mixed with a completely new feel to the world. I loved it.
Like I mentioned before, it was hard at first to keep up with all the different characters and their relationships with one another. But about 1/3 of the way in I felt completely invested in not only the story but the characters as well. My favorite was Percy; although I also loved Claere and Vlau, oh and the Black Knight. But more on his royal hotness later. The fact is, there were many different relationships in the book and I cared about every single one of them. Very important, for me anyway. If I deeply care for the characters in a novel-- its safe to say I loved it. There were two couples, in particular that I was (and still am) exceedingly anxious for. I want to see what happens and I want them to be together! For a book with this many characters; it was so natural and easy to feel so attached and protective of each of them.
Another one of my favorite things, besides the world building and characters, was the writing. The prose was absolutely beautiful. There were so many sentences I highlighted just because they were perfection. The prose was full of imagery to the point that you can easily forget you're reading at all. Does that ever happen to you; you're so engrossed in the book that you don't realize you're reading because you feel as if you're actually witnessing/living the events? I'm sure there's a name for it....great writing? Whatever it is, I love when that happens and Nazarian made it happen, baby.
Oh yeah, I said I'd come back to discussing my literary boyfriend, erm..i mean, The Black Knight. Ok I admit it; something happened these past few days while I was reading this book. I found a new crush. I know, I know, I should be a little embarrassed. I mean, were just from different worlds. *snort* anyway, the Duke of Hotness Smoldertown was a really fun character to read about. He's hot, like...hellooo you can snuggle next to me every night (when you read the book you'll get it). *fans self* ok, sorry, I just had to warn you ladies that he's MINE (although I'll share him with Persephone, but that's it!).
Claere kinda freaked me out. Don't get me wrong I adore her; especially at first. But with the other girls she just got kinda weird. I love her and her man though. I mean, how messed up was that? The concept of falling in love with the person who killed you. (It's in the blurb, so I didn't allude to a spoiler). In a way it makes sense, killing is a very intimate act. It's definitely not the first time I've heard this idea that the act of killing creates a bond (Anne Rice/Lestat, Harry Potter, etc). However unique to this story is the fact that's it's a romantic bond; despite the individuals trying to deny this tie/desire. I actually really loved this idea and it's one of my favorite things about the book. I don't want to say more about it, because I feel like unless you're reading the story it's gonna sound really messed up and repulsive. By the end, though, you may just be rooting for a murderer.
Cobweb Bride is like a big budget epic movie. Imagine reading this book is watching the first half. You have to know what happens after intermission or the first movie! Gah! I NEED to read Cobweb Empire, ASAP. This book would make an awesome movie. It's so detailed and elaborate. Although I'm not sure it'll beat the movie that played in my brain when I read it.
Cobweb Bride is one of the best fantasy books I've read all year. Yeah, you read that right. I knew from the second I read the blurb and saw the cover that I had to read this book. It just sounded so unique. I keep coming back to that word when reflecting upon the story. Unique.
Like many hugely imaginative fantasy novels, theres a lot to explain and a lot to establish in the first half of the book. There were a lot of names, places, and things to remember. I think that's why the first half took longer to get through. It was really interesting, it just sometimes felt like a lot to remember because we were following different people in different areas of the realm. The realm was a fictitious country wedged in between Spain, France and Germany. Without even glancing at the map on the first page-- you'll be able to gather this. The names, styles, titles, and mannerisms reek of European Renaissance. I had it's own unique twist though, and truly did feel like another country. Actually, it may be more correct to say it felt like a European country in a parallel universe. Sounds super cool-- doesn't it? Well, thats because it is. You'd think that perhaps it'd be difficult to invent a new European country without making it seem like a replica or just an amalgam of euro cultures. I don't know how the author accomplished it, but she did. There was just the perfect amount of familiarity mixed with a completely new feel to the world. I loved it.
Like I mentioned before, it was hard at first to keep up with all the different characters and their relationships with one another. But about 1/3 of the way in I felt completely invested in not only the story but the characters as well. My favorite was Percy; although I also loved Claere and Vlau, oh and the Black Knight. But more on his royal hotness later. The fact is, there were many different relationships in the book and I cared about every single one of them. Very important, for me anyway. If I deeply care for the characters in a novel-- its safe to say I loved it. There were two couples, in particular that I was (and still am) exceedingly anxious for. I want to see what happens and I want them to be together! For a book with this many characters; it was so natural and easy to feel so attached and protective of each of them.
Another one of my favorite things, besides the world building and characters, was the writing. The prose was absolutely beautiful. There were so many sentences I highlighted just because they were perfection. The prose was full of imagery to the point that you can easily forget you're reading at all. Does that ever happen to you; you're so engrossed in the book that you don't realize you're reading because you feel as if you're actually witnessing/living the events? I'm sure there's a name for it....great writing? Whatever it is, I love when that happens and Nazarian made it happen, baby.
Oh yeah, I said I'd come back to discussing my literary boyfriend, erm..i mean, The Black Knight. Ok I admit it; something happened these past few days while I was reading this book. I found a new crush. I know, I know, I should be a little embarrassed. I mean, were just from different worlds. *snort* anyway, the Duke of Hotness Smoldertown was a really fun character to read about. He's hot, like...hellooo you can snuggle next to me every night (when you read the book you'll get it). *fans self* ok, sorry, I just had to warn you ladies that he's MINE (although I'll share him with Persephone, but that's it!).
Claere kinda freaked me out. Don't get me wrong I adore her; especially at first. But with the other girls she just got kinda weird. I love her and her man though. I mean, how messed up was that? The concept of falling in love with the person who killed you. (It's in the blurb, so I didn't allude to a spoiler). In a way it makes sense, killing is a very intimate act. It's definitely not the first time I've heard this idea that the act of killing creates a bond (Anne Rice/Lestat, Harry Potter, etc). However unique to this story is the fact that's it's a romantic bond; despite the individuals trying to deny this tie/desire. I actually really loved this idea and it's one of my favorite things about the book. I don't want to say more about it, because I feel like unless you're reading the story it's gonna sound really messed up and repulsive. By the end, though, you may just be rooting for a murderer.
Cobweb Bride is like a big budget epic movie. Imagine reading this book is watching the first half. You have to know what happens after intermission or the first movie! Gah! I NEED to read Cobweb Empire, ASAP. This book would make an awesome movie. It's so detailed and elaborate. Although I'm not sure it'll beat the movie that played in my brain when I read it.
July 8, 2015
Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over
This novel is the first in an epic series, but unlike most epics, it is not about knights in shining armor (though there are knights), or kings, queens, and nobility (though those are present as well) but rather it is the tale of an overlooked, homely peasant girl who finds her place in the bigger scheme of things.
The Cobweb Bride starts, like many of the great tales, with an Event (capital E required). The beginning may feel slow to those of us used to the modern format of jumping into the story and struggling to keep up, and I’ll admit to having trouble with the broad cast introduced as an aspect of the Event at first. However, every person you meet in the beginning has an important role to play, no matter how small. It might take a bit for the lines that link each piece to become clear, much like how a spider builds a web one thread at a time, but once enough of the structure is visible, it’s too late. You’re caught in the web of this story.
The Event is simple: Death informs one group he will no longer collect souls until his cobweb bride is brought to him. And all dying, no matter how grievous the injury or illness, ends.
Vera Nazarian offers a complex, deep look at how people respond to both death and duty. She gets into the true nature of humanity in all its grace and flaws by focusing on the little events that come to pass because of the Event.
Cobweb Bride is the story of Percy (full name Persephone) and how she discovers her own value despite being raised by a mother who had married down and two sisters who are all that is beautiful. Hers is the main thread, and Percy the main character, but running in parallel are tales of loyalty, trust, greed, obsession, hope, and hatred to name a few, each given a face and a reason.
Some books are fun reads but nothing more.
Cobweb Bride might start in a style unfamiliar to most, but once it catches hold, you’re thrown into a kaleidoscope of people and events, some frozen for a twist of the barrel so you can appreciate the pageantry and some savored in all their brilliant colors and amazing patterns.
Why yes, this story throws me into metaphors. It’s that kind of tale, with that level of complexity. At the same time, the actual writing is most times clean and clear, with occasional forays into heavier description than I prefer which is not to say it’s poorly written, and there’s no confusion as to what is happening or why.
Cobweb Bride is a novel full of questions and answers, full of characters wanting to understand, wanting to know. This is not a story in which people are pushed along by events (little e) against their will, though there’s an aspect of that. It is a story where even in the face of no options, choices are found and decisions made.
A touch of Russian folklore, an opening style that isn’t even listed in the Point of View catalog, and a huge cast of characters (which narrows down past the opening to a smaller number of key characters). These are the elements that make Cobweb Bride different than most epic fantasy I’ve read, and these, along with characters who each have a compelling reason for the actions they take, are what make Cobweb Bride such a good read. And if you’re worried about predictability, don’t be. While nothing felt like it came out of nowhere once it had happened, there were several times where I’d predicted a path based on my understanding of events and the traditions of the format only to have the story twist aside at the end with something even more compelling and no less true to what came before.
I read Cobweb Bride as a NetGalley ARC in return for an honest review, which means it hadn’t gone through final edits. There were some typos and like that I hope are fixed in the final version, but even that did not disrupt my enjoyment of this title, which is saying something because those things bug me.
Cobweb Bride is not the style of writing found most commonly in modern novels, but its style suits the nature of the story, and works together with wonderful characters to draw me in.
This novel is the first in an epic series, but unlike most epics, it is not about knights in shining armor (though there are knights), or kings, queens, and nobility (though those are present as well) but rather it is the tale of an overlooked, homely peasant girl who finds her place in the bigger scheme of things.
The Cobweb Bride starts, like many of the great tales, with an Event (capital E required). The beginning may feel slow to those of us used to the modern format of jumping into the story and struggling to keep up, and I’ll admit to having trouble with the broad cast introduced as an aspect of the Event at first. However, every person you meet in the beginning has an important role to play, no matter how small. It might take a bit for the lines that link each piece to become clear, much like how a spider builds a web one thread at a time, but once enough of the structure is visible, it’s too late. You’re caught in the web of this story.
The Event is simple: Death informs one group he will no longer collect souls until his cobweb bride is brought to him. And all dying, no matter how grievous the injury or illness, ends.
Vera Nazarian offers a complex, deep look at how people respond to both death and duty. She gets into the true nature of humanity in all its grace and flaws by focusing on the little events that come to pass because of the Event.
Cobweb Bride is the story of Percy (full name Persephone) and how she discovers her own value despite being raised by a mother who had married down and two sisters who are all that is beautiful. Hers is the main thread, and Percy the main character, but running in parallel are tales of loyalty, trust, greed, obsession, hope, and hatred to name a few, each given a face and a reason.
Some books are fun reads but nothing more.
Cobweb Bride might start in a style unfamiliar to most, but once it catches hold, you’re thrown into a kaleidoscope of people and events, some frozen for a twist of the barrel so you can appreciate the pageantry and some savored in all their brilliant colors and amazing patterns.
Why yes, this story throws me into metaphors. It’s that kind of tale, with that level of complexity. At the same time, the actual writing is most times clean and clear, with occasional forays into heavier description than I prefer which is not to say it’s poorly written, and there’s no confusion as to what is happening or why.
Cobweb Bride is a novel full of questions and answers, full of characters wanting to understand, wanting to know. This is not a story in which people are pushed along by events (little e) against their will, though there’s an aspect of that. It is a story where even in the face of no options, choices are found and decisions made.
A touch of Russian folklore, an opening style that isn’t even listed in the Point of View catalog, and a huge cast of characters (which narrows down past the opening to a smaller number of key characters). These are the elements that make Cobweb Bride different than most epic fantasy I’ve read, and these, along with characters who each have a compelling reason for the actions they take, are what make Cobweb Bride such a good read. And if you’re worried about predictability, don’t be. While nothing felt like it came out of nowhere once it had happened, there were several times where I’d predicted a path based on my understanding of events and the traditions of the format only to have the story twist aside at the end with something even more compelling and no less true to what came before.
I read Cobweb Bride as a NetGalley ARC in return for an honest review, which means it hadn’t gone through final edits. There were some typos and like that I hope are fixed in the final version, but even that did not disrupt my enjoyment of this title, which is saying something because those things bug me.
Cobweb Bride is not the style of writing found most commonly in modern novels, but its style suits the nature of the story, and works together with wonderful characters to draw me in.
March 23, 2017
This was an exceptional fantasy book. I have just finished it and am now starting with the second in the series, If i could give it more than 5 stars I would.
Basically Death has stopped allowing people to pass to the other side, so they are neither dead nor alive, the Emperor asks all Maidens to go to Deaths Keep as he wants to find a cobweb bride, that is all I will say as I do not want to give any more away.
Basically Death has stopped allowing people to pass to the other side, so they are neither dead nor alive, the Emperor asks all Maidens to go to Deaths Keep as he wants to find a cobweb bride, that is all I will say as I do not want to give any more away.
April 26, 2017
Ok.....
This story was AWESOME in soooo many ways.
But the weird part is, as much as I wanted to read this initially, it took me FOREVER to finally start reading it. As in... months. Why did it take me so damn long to pick this up??
In what feels like ages ago, I read the description for this novel. Not even sure how I came across it, to be honest with you. I was certainly very intrigued. Death wants a wife, and until he gets one, nothing can die (regardless of their current physical state – ya… think about it… highly disturbing possibilities here!). Anyway… what’s not to like?? So when I got the opportunity to get this through Netgalley, I was so very much excited! I promptly downloaded the novel onto my tablet… where it remained for months….. And why do you ask?
The cover.
I know… I know… How very shallow of me.
I knew I wanted to read it, but the cover didn’t call to me. As the months passed I forgot about the book description (one unfortunate aspect of an e-reader is you can’t flip the book for the description and be reminded of why you wanted to read it so much in the first place), and when I came across the cover in my ever growing list, I would say… “Oh yeah! I want to read this one… looks too ‘renaissancy’… not in the mood for that genre right now…”
Finally, one day I thought… I’ve had this for a while, let me start it to see how it is… and I.could.not.put.this.down.
Excellent story.
Fantastic plot flow and character development. A few storylines going on parallel to each other, before our main characters come together at last to continue the story/quest, but it flows so well, it's seamless, and not at all confusing.
Love the characters because they are so fleshy and alive in my mind. Percy is undeniably my favorite, being so clearly the underdog character in this story – mistreated by her own mother, feels plain (maybe even ugly) and made to feel worthless… yet she develops into such a warrior in this story. Love that! She alone is fantastic, but there are so many great characters that just add so much to this story, but I was also kept very riveted by the storyline itself. Especially once Death stopped its work, and people - or animals, or any living thing really - could no longer die regardless of their state…
Think about it. You are off in a war and get pelted with arrows, or sword through the belly… Can’t die! Butchered pig, chicken or turkey… Can’t die!
Gross and disturbing I tell ya!
The imagery was absolutely awful… and you can’t help but hope that Death finds/chooses his bride, so that everything can be put right again, for the sake of all living things in limbo.
If this novel doesn’t give you nightmares, it sure will keep your interest and on the edge of your seat. This was EXCELLENT storytelling and I am really looking forward to continuing the story into the next book. I certainly will not be waiting very long before opening that one up though. THAT is a promise!!
This story was AWESOME in soooo many ways.
But the weird part is, as much as I wanted to read this initially, it took me FOREVER to finally start reading it. As in... months. Why did it take me so damn long to pick this up??
In what feels like ages ago, I read the description for this novel. Not even sure how I came across it, to be honest with you. I was certainly very intrigued. Death wants a wife, and until he gets one, nothing can die (regardless of their current physical state – ya… think about it… highly disturbing possibilities here!). Anyway… what’s not to like?? So when I got the opportunity to get this through Netgalley, I was so very much excited! I promptly downloaded the novel onto my tablet… where it remained for months….. And why do you ask?
The cover.
I know… I know… How very shallow of me.
I knew I wanted to read it, but the cover didn’t call to me. As the months passed I forgot about the book description (one unfortunate aspect of an e-reader is you can’t flip the book for the description and be reminded of why you wanted to read it so much in the first place), and when I came across the cover in my ever growing list, I would say… “Oh yeah! I want to read this one… looks too ‘renaissancy’… not in the mood for that genre right now…”
Finally, one day I thought… I’ve had this for a while, let me start it to see how it is… and I.could.not.put.this.down.
Excellent story.
Fantastic plot flow and character development. A few storylines going on parallel to each other, before our main characters come together at last to continue the story/quest, but it flows so well, it's seamless, and not at all confusing.
Love the characters because they are so fleshy and alive in my mind. Percy is undeniably my favorite, being so clearly the underdog character in this story – mistreated by her own mother, feels plain (maybe even ugly) and made to feel worthless… yet she develops into such a warrior in this story. Love that! She alone is fantastic, but there are so many great characters that just add so much to this story, but I was also kept very riveted by the storyline itself. Especially once Death stopped its work, and people - or animals, or any living thing really - could no longer die regardless of their state…
Think about it. You are off in a war and get pelted with arrows, or sword through the belly… Can’t die! Butchered pig, chicken or turkey… Can’t die!
Gross and disturbing I tell ya!
The imagery was absolutely awful… and you can’t help but hope that Death finds/chooses his bride, so that everything can be put right again, for the sake of all living things in limbo.
If this novel doesn’t give you nightmares, it sure will keep your interest and on the edge of your seat. This was EXCELLENT storytelling and I am really looking forward to continuing the story into the next book. I certainly will not be waiting very long before opening that one up though. THAT is a promise!!
May 2, 2013
Author Vera Nazarian once again masterfully evokes a historical setting with sheer class. What I always appreciate about her writing is her ability to make me think I’ve picked up a title written at the turn of the century, which is deeply satisfying – and I love quality fiction.
Cobweb Bride is set in a fictitious European empire during the Renaissance, and is a tale spun from numerous points of view. Death has been personified à la Pratchett and Gaiman, and presently resides in a mysterious keep situated in the northern forests. Only now he refuses to do his work until his Cobweb Bride is brought to him. In addition, there’s a not-so-small problem. Until his demand is met, and a suitable bride is found, no one’s going to die.
So, whether folks are hacked into bloody bits during combat, animals are butchered or crops are harvested, no one and nothing will die, and it doesn’t take much of a stretch of the imagination to see how the implications of this shift in reality will play out. Take a moment, pause, and think about it. Not so nice, hey? Even if you starve to death, you’re going to be caught in a limbo state, unable to cross over.
So, while her grandmother lies in a state of a perpetual death rattle, Persephone – or Percy, as she likes to be called – sets off with a bunch of other young women to seek Death’s keep in the dead of winter. Sounds easy? Not so much when there’s an undead duke seeking to take advantage of the sad state of affairs, and the Cobweb Bride is not so easy to find as one would expect.
If there was one nitpick I’d have it’s the huge amount of love Nazarian has for the word “suddenly”. She uses it. A lot. So much so that it jumped out of the pages and grabbed me by the eyeballs and shook me around a bit. But that didn’t make me want to throw the Kindle out the window.
And I felt for her characters, and admit my favourite was Beltain Chidair, the somewhat reluctant Black Knight. Somehow know that there was a real person under that scary black armour made it for me. (Okay, I’m a not-so-secret Darth Vader fangrrrl.) A nice whiff of romance hinted at there, but I’m not going to spoil it for you if you’re yet to dip into the story. And my heart bled for the princess. I’m not going to say exactly what happens to her, but she shows surprising strength of character despite all the challenges she faces.
Yes, the story is a bit slow-moving at the start, but I think it’s necessary so that readers can ease into the semi-fantasy/historical setting and the cast of characters are introduced. This is a beautifully crafted tale by an author who knows and loves the English language. If you have a love for classical historical fiction and fairy tales, then give this one a try.
Cobweb Bride is set in a fictitious European empire during the Renaissance, and is a tale spun from numerous points of view. Death has been personified à la Pratchett and Gaiman, and presently resides in a mysterious keep situated in the northern forests. Only now he refuses to do his work until his Cobweb Bride is brought to him. In addition, there’s a not-so-small problem. Until his demand is met, and a suitable bride is found, no one’s going to die.
So, whether folks are hacked into bloody bits during combat, animals are butchered or crops are harvested, no one and nothing will die, and it doesn’t take much of a stretch of the imagination to see how the implications of this shift in reality will play out. Take a moment, pause, and think about it. Not so nice, hey? Even if you starve to death, you’re going to be caught in a limbo state, unable to cross over.
So, while her grandmother lies in a state of a perpetual death rattle, Persephone – or Percy, as she likes to be called – sets off with a bunch of other young women to seek Death’s keep in the dead of winter. Sounds easy? Not so much when there’s an undead duke seeking to take advantage of the sad state of affairs, and the Cobweb Bride is not so easy to find as one would expect.
If there was one nitpick I’d have it’s the huge amount of love Nazarian has for the word “suddenly”. She uses it. A lot. So much so that it jumped out of the pages and grabbed me by the eyeballs and shook me around a bit. But that didn’t make me want to throw the Kindle out the window.
And I felt for her characters, and admit my favourite was Beltain Chidair, the somewhat reluctant Black Knight. Somehow know that there was a real person under that scary black armour made it for me. (Okay, I’m a not-so-secret Darth Vader fangrrrl.) A nice whiff of romance hinted at there, but I’m not going to spoil it for you if you’re yet to dip into the story. And my heart bled for the princess. I’m not going to say exactly what happens to her, but she shows surprising strength of character despite all the challenges she faces.
Yes, the story is a bit slow-moving at the start, but I think it’s necessary so that readers can ease into the semi-fantasy/historical setting and the cast of characters are introduced. This is a beautifully crafted tale by an author who knows and loves the English language. If you have a love for classical historical fiction and fairy tales, then give this one a try.
June 10, 2013
Cobweb Bride
A breathless perspective on the undead.
It was a unique read to have the reaper, or under god , or Death with a capital D, suspend taking souls to the other world. His request was simply that it will not resume until his Cobweb Bride is brought to him. The consequences of this is far reaching. The very balance of the cycle of life is disturbed. Imagine if there were no death at all. Nothing would decompose, plants, animals, humans, any organic material that relies on a finality would hang in an animated suspension. Those that were killed, don't die. Those that should die, can't.
When the realization that something has to be done, a proclamation is made for all eligible females to travel to Death's castle keep. Adventures, captures, escapes ensue. With a bit of magic added in, this is truly a compelling story. The suspense to see which of the characters will be the bride keeps you turning pages. Unlikely heroes arise to take action with a twist when the damsel saves the knight instead of vice versa. Not really martyrdom, but self- sacrifice none-the-less is one of the themes that weaves throughout the story. Willingly being in service to those you love is another thread as each character finds the strength within them to take this journey. A remarkable story!
As this first installment ends the adventure gets further complicated by Death's confession and a heroine becomes his champion.
To learn more about this trilogy, visit Vera Nazarian's website at http://www.norilana.com/cobweb.htm
A breathless perspective on the undead.
It was a unique read to have the reaper, or under god , or Death with a capital D, suspend taking souls to the other world. His request was simply that it will not resume until his Cobweb Bride is brought to him. The consequences of this is far reaching. The very balance of the cycle of life is disturbed. Imagine if there were no death at all. Nothing would decompose, plants, animals, humans, any organic material that relies on a finality would hang in an animated suspension. Those that were killed, don't die. Those that should die, can't.
When the realization that something has to be done, a proclamation is made for all eligible females to travel to Death's castle keep. Adventures, captures, escapes ensue. With a bit of magic added in, this is truly a compelling story. The suspense to see which of the characters will be the bride keeps you turning pages. Unlikely heroes arise to take action with a twist when the damsel saves the knight instead of vice versa. Not really martyrdom, but self- sacrifice none-the-less is one of the themes that weaves throughout the story. Willingly being in service to those you love is another thread as each character finds the strength within them to take this journey. A remarkable story!
As this first installment ends the adventure gets further complicated by Death's confession and a heroine becomes his champion.
To learn more about this trilogy, visit Vera Nazarian's website at http://www.norilana.com/cobweb.htm
March 24, 2013
I don’t often read fantasy books, but this one had such a promising premise that I had to pick it up. And I really wasn’t disappointed.
This was a lovely first part to a trilogy which promises to have an epic span. We are introduced to a large group of characters, but, unlike other fantasy books, it is not difficult to keep them straight. They are written so vividly and introduced so carefully, that it is easy to cement them in our minds without problem. Percy, short for Persephone, is the protagonist, a “plain” young woman who immediately catches the reader’s attention by her strong personality. Definitely a good character to follow around for three books.
The story itself is pretty quick paced, with only one or two moments where the pace dragged just a bit. There are a few storylines that seem like they can never converge but which the author does a careful job of joining by the end of the book, bringing most of the characters together and setting up the next book without leaving us without some kind of closure. This, I think, is a good move on her part.
Even if you don’t necessarily read fantasy books, I do recommend you give this one a chance. It is a fun story that does not disappoint.
This was a lovely first part to a trilogy which promises to have an epic span. We are introduced to a large group of characters, but, unlike other fantasy books, it is not difficult to keep them straight. They are written so vividly and introduced so carefully, that it is easy to cement them in our minds without problem. Percy, short for Persephone, is the protagonist, a “plain” young woman who immediately catches the reader’s attention by her strong personality. Definitely a good character to follow around for three books.
The story itself is pretty quick paced, with only one or two moments where the pace dragged just a bit. There are a few storylines that seem like they can never converge but which the author does a careful job of joining by the end of the book, bringing most of the characters together and setting up the next book without leaving us without some kind of closure. This, I think, is a good move on her part.
Even if you don’t necessarily read fantasy books, I do recommend you give this one a chance. It is a fun story that does not disappoint.
June 27, 2023
Note: I won the ARC book through the LibraryThing Giveaway.
This book is about an alternative Renaissance-style world in Europe. Death comes to claim his bride and stops everyone from dying until she is found. While that might seem very nice on the surface the terminally ill and mortally wounded are suffering, just because you can’t die doesn’t mean you still don’t feel pain.
Overall I thought this to be an interesting storyline however I did feel like parts of the book dragged on and there was a little too much explanation taking me out of the story. The ending left me at a disadvantage because it seems like there should be more to the story. My recommendation is to wait until the sequel comes out or this story might leave you a little frustrated at the end.
A Write to Review: https://lrjohnson13.blogspot.com/2023...
This book is about an alternative Renaissance-style world in Europe. Death comes to claim his bride and stops everyone from dying until she is found. While that might seem very nice on the surface the terminally ill and mortally wounded are suffering, just because you can’t die doesn’t mean you still don’t feel pain.
Overall I thought this to be an interesting storyline however I did feel like parts of the book dragged on and there was a little too much explanation taking me out of the story. The ending left me at a disadvantage because it seems like there should be more to the story. My recommendation is to wait until the sequel comes out or this story might leave you a little frustrated at the end.
A Write to Review: https://lrjohnson13.blogspot.com/2023...
July 4, 2013
I read this as an eARC from NetGalley. It is beautifully written with lyrical language and believable characters. Set in an alternate-Renaissance land, where Death is a god who announces to a local ruler that he needs a bride. Since no one will die until his cobweb bride is found, desperation makes the ruler decree that all the maidens of the realm must journey to seek Death in the north where he may be found. The narrator is one of these maidens, a peasant, and other characters are all levels of society, including a murdered princess who cannot die until Death finds his bride. This is the first book of a trilogy and while it is satisfying in itself, I cannot wait to read the next book.
April 6, 2022
Beautiful fairy tale
Some language stops me from recommending this to children, but this is such a beautifully told fairy tale. So unique.
Some language stops me from recommending this to children, but this is such a beautifully told fairy tale. So unique.
April 20, 2014
Digital copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Originally posted at: http://www.reading-is-dreaming-with-o...
I had a really hard time with Cobweb Bride, for starters I fell in love with the blurb completely, and I was so exciting to review this book. Then I started to read it, and it wasn’t what I’d been looking for… well it was kind of boring and the worst part was I had to pay attention very carefully to understand and follow what is happening (maybe this was a problem because I’m not a native English and the language of this challenged me). After a while I started to adapt to the archaic writing style but I still couldn’t get why are there so many storylines… there were four or sometimes even five in the same time which was quite confusing, I didn’t see how these would connect in the end. BUT I have to congratulate Vera Nazarian because she did it! She made a very interesting story out of a weak start and she made all the characters come together without making it unbelievable.
The Storyline:
As I mentioned the book starts slowly but considering that this is the first novel in this trilogy I think it’s main purpose was to gave us an insight into this new world and introduce us to the characters. This book is written with difficult language that won’t be suitable for everyone, but if you are interested in the story and wouldn’t be disappointed if there aren't a lot of action at first, don’t give up on reading it because you’ll definitely get used to the writing style, I did and my English is far from being perfect.
The author gives us a lot of characters right at the very beginning which was quite overwhelming but as I kept reading these characters and their lives met at some point and then there were very few problems with this novel.
I have an advice for those who’d like to start this book: keep track on the characters, write down all the names with just two words beside them to remember everyone because sometimes it will get messy as hell (when we met Grial the second time, I didn’t remember her, I realized who she was later when I was searching for a part in the book).
There wasn’t "real" romance but everyone can probably guess all the future couples even without reading the blurb of the second one (I want them to be together, like right now *-*). In a lot and lot of stories I miss the romance so much but while reading Cobweb Bride I didn’t even think about it, I just enjoyed all the action and stranger than strange things, okay not at the beginning but still it’s a major thing for me to like a story without love.
The Characters:
They were well-made in so many levels but most of the time I couldn’t relate to them and they didn’t get near to my favorite characters from other books, hope this will change in the sequel.
I’ll try to start with characters who were the most important in their own storyline.
Percy: Since the beginning of the book it’s obvious how she deeply cares about others, be her grandmother or a random girl from town, and would sacrifice herself for the good. Most people would be angry or depressed if their mother would rather send them than their sister, not Percy, she takes the place of her sisters willingly without complaining.
Even if she is very quiet there’s something in her personality what makes her somehow more charismatic than the others. She suffered a great deal in life but she never whined about anything… not when she had to leave her loving father nor when she had to fight for survival or when she had to put up with Jenna.
Everything considered she was an amazing heroine who made sacrifices in the name of saving others.
Beltain: At first I didn’t like him he seemed like a coward who’d rather follow orders than choose the hard path and make his own decisions. After a while his character grew on me, of course he did so many things badly but that was because he was taught to follow his father’s, his leader’s orders even if they weren’t noble. He sworn to his father and he wasn’t a man who’d break that oath easily so he did what he must but he never meant any harm by it.
Claere, the Infanta: When I first saw into her pathetic, little life I immediately felt sorry for her. She seemed so fragile and because she was brought up in a shelter, lived nearly always in her room she was naïve, too. After what happened to her she broke out and started to choose her own path in life, being the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever read or not, I respect her for this. She made this decision because she thought she has to do ii to save other people. Come on… you have to like her, what kind of girl would have exposes herself of so much suffering in order to save other nameless people? I don’t even has to say what a royalty she was, in her place what are the chances of such a sacrifice? You say she didn’t have anything to sacrifice, maybe but than what about all the things she knew she'd have to go through, hmm?
Duke Hoarfrost: I wish I couldn’t get why he did all those things but I kind of can. I liked his character because even if he was the villain of this story he was quite ordinary if you take a closer look. He got a deadly stab from a man who should have been dead… he thought he would die and that would be it… but life or more like Death had other plans so he stayed alive. Imagine dying and then getting a “second chance” you wouldn’t want to let it go, would you? I suppose he was used to getting what he wants so it must sounded unbelieve to him that he could loose this new life that easily as he got it. This is why he did anything to keep himself alive, I'm not saying he isn't wicked, because damn he is, I just see his reasons.
Vlau: Again, a totally and utterly relatable character, he did a terrible thing but he did it because this was the only way he saw to respect his father and elder brother.
After, when everything got complicated and he was on his way to North with the others I started to really like him, he was so amazing as he tried to take care of (…) and did a pretty good job so far.
Grial: I couldn’t quite figure out her character yet, I hope in the next book I can. At our first encounter with her she was really obnoxious… the whole send girls to become cobweb brides was her idea in the first place. Then she came into the picture again, and provided everything what was needed… she really was kind, too kind if you ask me so I’m rather suspicious of her, but everything will be figured in the next book.
The story idea: 5/5
The realization of the story: 3/5
The characters: 4/5
(The cover: 2/5)
All in all: 4/5
I have one last problem with the book, which is the cover. If I would browse through Godreads and see this cover I’d never click on it. I know you can’t judge a book by it’s cover but like it or not, if there are a lot of books before me I’d first check out the one with the more impressing cover.
Though, you can see I didn’t include it to my rating because if I find a very good book I’ll never give it less starts because of its looks. :)
I’d recommend it to those who are looking for a mythology book where the story builds up slowly but when the picture becomes clear you'll see everything in another perspective. Do not read this if you're just looking for a sweet romance or are afraid of blood.
Will I continue this series?
Yes, yes, yes!
Originally posted at: http://www.reading-is-dreaming-with-o...
I had a really hard time with Cobweb Bride, for starters I fell in love with the blurb completely, and I was so exciting to review this book. Then I started to read it, and it wasn’t what I’d been looking for… well it was kind of boring and the worst part was I had to pay attention very carefully to understand and follow what is happening (maybe this was a problem because I’m not a native English and the language of this challenged me). After a while I started to adapt to the archaic writing style but I still couldn’t get why are there so many storylines… there were four or sometimes even five in the same time which was quite confusing, I didn’t see how these would connect in the end. BUT I have to congratulate Vera Nazarian because she did it! She made a very interesting story out of a weak start and she made all the characters come together without making it unbelievable.
The Storyline:
As I mentioned the book starts slowly but considering that this is the first novel in this trilogy I think it’s main purpose was to gave us an insight into this new world and introduce us to the characters. This book is written with difficult language that won’t be suitable for everyone, but if you are interested in the story and wouldn’t be disappointed if there aren't a lot of action at first, don’t give up on reading it because you’ll definitely get used to the writing style, I did and my English is far from being perfect.
The author gives us a lot of characters right at the very beginning which was quite overwhelming but as I kept reading these characters and their lives met at some point and then there were very few problems with this novel.
I have an advice for those who’d like to start this book: keep track on the characters, write down all the names with just two words beside them to remember everyone because sometimes it will get messy as hell (when we met Grial the second time, I didn’t remember her, I realized who she was later when I was searching for a part in the book).
There wasn’t "real" romance but everyone can probably guess all the future couples even without reading the blurb of the second one (I want them to be together, like right now *-*). In a lot and lot of stories I miss the romance so much but while reading Cobweb Bride I didn’t even think about it, I just enjoyed all the action and stranger than strange things, okay not at the beginning but still it’s a major thing for me to like a story without love.
The Characters:
They were well-made in so many levels but most of the time I couldn’t relate to them and they didn’t get near to my favorite characters from other books, hope this will change in the sequel.
I’ll try to start with characters who were the most important in their own storyline.
Percy: Since the beginning of the book it’s obvious how she deeply cares about others, be her grandmother or a random girl from town, and would sacrifice herself for the good. Most people would be angry or depressed if their mother would rather send them than their sister, not Percy, she takes the place of her sisters willingly without complaining.
Even if she is very quiet there’s something in her personality what makes her somehow more charismatic than the others. She suffered a great deal in life but she never whined about anything… not when she had to leave her loving father nor when she had to fight for survival or when she had to put up with Jenna.
Everything considered she was an amazing heroine who made sacrifices in the name of saving others.
Beltain: At first I didn’t like him he seemed like a coward who’d rather follow orders than choose the hard path and make his own decisions. After a while his character grew on me, of course he did so many things badly but that was because he was taught to follow his father’s, his leader’s orders even if they weren’t noble. He sworn to his father and he wasn’t a man who’d break that oath easily so he did what he must but he never meant any harm by it.
Claere, the Infanta: When I first saw into her pathetic, little life I immediately felt sorry for her. She seemed so fragile and because she was brought up in a shelter, lived nearly always in her room she was naïve, too. After what happened to her she broke out and started to choose her own path in life, being the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever read or not, I respect her for this. She made this decision because she thought she has to do ii to save other people. Come on… you have to like her, what kind of girl would have exposes herself of so much suffering in order to save other nameless people? I don’t even has to say what a royalty she was, in her place what are the chances of such a sacrifice? You say she didn’t have anything to sacrifice, maybe but than what about all the things she knew she'd have to go through, hmm?
Duke Hoarfrost: I wish I couldn’t get why he did all those things but I kind of can. I liked his character because even if he was the villain of this story he was quite ordinary if you take a closer look. He got a deadly stab from a man who should have been dead… he thought he would die and that would be it… but life or more like Death had other plans so he stayed alive. Imagine dying and then getting a “second chance” you wouldn’t want to let it go, would you? I suppose he was used to getting what he wants so it must sounded unbelieve to him that he could loose this new life that easily as he got it. This is why he did anything to keep himself alive, I'm not saying he isn't wicked, because damn he is, I just see his reasons.
Vlau: Again, a totally and utterly relatable character, he did a terrible thing but he did it because this was the only way he saw to respect his father and elder brother.
After, when everything got complicated and he was on his way to North with the others I started to really like him, he was so amazing as he tried to take care of (…) and did a pretty good job so far.
Grial: I couldn’t quite figure out her character yet, I hope in the next book I can. At our first encounter with her she was really obnoxious… the whole send girls to become cobweb brides was her idea in the first place. Then she came into the picture again, and provided everything what was needed… she really was kind, too kind if you ask me so I’m rather suspicious of her, but everything will be figured in the next book.
The story idea: 5/5
The realization of the story: 3/5
The characters: 4/5
(The cover: 2/5)
All in all: 4/5
I have one last problem with the book, which is the cover. If I would browse through Godreads and see this cover I’d never click on it. I know you can’t judge a book by it’s cover but like it or not, if there are a lot of books before me I’d first check out the one with the more impressing cover.
Though, you can see I didn’t include it to my rating because if I find a very good book I’ll never give it less starts because of its looks. :)
I’d recommend it to those who are looking for a mythology book where the story builds up slowly but when the picture becomes clear you'll see everything in another perspective. Do not read this if you're just looking for a sweet romance or are afraid of blood.
Will I continue this series?
Yes, yes, yes!
April 15, 2019
Completely entranced by the Cobweb Bride trilogy. A compelling and excellently-written slow spiral of a story that begins with Death putting a stop to death until his Cobweb Bride comes to him, and then trickles through folk tales and wars and the best and worst of people glimmering in fragments to the surface as the world slowly crumbles into disrepair and the Cobweb Brides struggle through bitter winter, searching for the keep of their husband, Death.
It make me think of Charlie Holmberg - not in style per se, but in the comfortable enfolding pleasure of the story and the spell of the words.
It make me think of Charlie Holmberg - not in style per se, but in the comfortable enfolding pleasure of the story and the spell of the words.
December 16, 2018
Very different
Different, interesting, and a fairly quick read. I am very interested to see where the next book takes us, and what happens to the Princess.
Different, interesting, and a fairly quick read. I am very interested to see where the next book takes us, and what happens to the Princess.
April 7, 2018
A really interesting idea about how the world would go on if people were no longer able to die.
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