I really wanted to love this, given how much I loved the Empirium Trilogy.

However, this book did not deliver.

The magic system was a bit confusing & the FMC very whiney and hard to connect to.

Anything with a title similar to ACOTAR draws me in at the moment!
It is more YA than I read normally and than I initially anticipated based on the blurb.
I love anxiety rep but this book failed to pull me in as much as others I’ve read recently.
There were moments where I found it hard to relate to our FMC but others where it came so naturally. It’ll be really interesting to see where this book series heads!

DNF
I tried really hard to like it but unfortunately this book was not for me.
After first reading about this book I really loved the premise and what was promised as Bridgerton-meets-ACOTAR but when I actually read it...I was super disappointed.
First of all this definitely wasn't an adult fantasy. This is 100% YA. The writing, the main character...everything felt juvenile. I'ven never struggled with a book as much as with this one.
Also, the main character was just unbearable. She was extremely vain, like SUPER vain. We get it, you're pretty and young and everyone's in love with how lovely you look, I don't need to be reminded constantly. Gosh! I've never disliked a character this much!
I'm so sad because I really wanted to like this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc.

I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. Despite my initial enthusiasm, I found the female lead character to be somewhat unappealing due to her constant complaining. Similarly, the male lead didn't quite win me over, and the storyline failed to grab my attention

Although there is at times a lot happening plot-wise, this premise is very interesting! The characters, esp Gemma, are enjoyable to read about. This may not be for everyone, but I think some will really enjoy this one!

TL;DR REVIEW:

A Crown of Ivy and Glass, an adult fantasy romance Giselle retelling, was definitely not perfect, but I had a ton of fun reading it and can’t wait for book two.

For you if: You’re looking for anxiety/chronic pain rep and love a steamy fantasy book.

FULL REVIEW:

I loved Claire Legrand’s Empirium trilogy (first book is Furyborn), so imagine how excited I was when I read in her newsletter that she’d sold a new adult fantasy romance trilogy where each book focuses on a different sister and retells a famous ballet. I DMed the publisher to put me on a galley list right away (to which they kindly said “it’s a little early lol”).

A Crown of Ivy and Glass was far from perfect, but I definitely had fun reading it. This one is a Giselle retelling and focuses on the youngest sister, Gemma.

The not-so-great parts: The pacing was inconsistent, with a much slower build and sudden change 75% of the way in. Gemma is vain and self-absorbed and not very likable, especially in the beginning. Legrand’s “once upon a time” prose style also takes some time to get used to until it stops feeling cheesy, as does Gemma and Talin’s insta-love.

And for the good parts: Gemma gives us some solid rep, including anxiety/panic attacks and severe chronic pain, which Legrand has said was extremely important to her. I loved that it was a Giselle retelling, and it managed to surprise me even so. The magic system feels novel and interesting. Oh, and steamy scenes be steamyyy.

The next book is going to be about Gemma’s eldest sister, Farin, and based on the glimpses we got in this book, I can already tell it’s going to be a fantastic romance. I’ll be eagerly awaiting it!




CONTENT AND TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Chronic pain; Self-harm; Panic attacks; Suicidal thoughts; Blood and violence; Sexual content

This was a really great book with intriguing characters and world building. The story kept me gripped and wanting more. Gemma is a great leading lady.

This book had SO much potential, but it felt very disjointed. The beginning was so slow and took me a LONG time to get through. It was tough. Once I hit the second half, I loved it, but it felt like I was reading an entirely different novel. Overall it was a very bizarre reading experience that I loved and hated in equal parts.

This wasn't bad, but I expected more from Legrand.

My main qualms:
-this debut adult novel felt too juvenile to be classified as adult.
-the pacing is wonky.
-it feels like two different stories were forced to become one

It's always hard to critique a book from an author who has made a name for themselves, and you expect good work from. This book just isn't at the level that her other books have been.

This was my first book by Claire Legrand. I own The Empirium Trilogy, but haven't gotten to it yet. I have been on quite the fantasy kick lately, and this book fit that category nicely. It has strong world building. It's quite long, but all the best fantasy books are. All in all, I quite enjoyed this book.

In short: a much needed refreshing take on popular romantasy books, absolutely enthralling especially once the plot starts twisting, and an ending arc that makes me chest feel expanded and my heart so full.

I really took my time reading this one, both because the layers of character and plot are dense, but also because it was truly so good of a book. There were many passages I went back to reread a few times, really letting them sink in like a refrain, the phrasing and word choice excellently constructed. The book does feel long, but not necessarily in a bad way. The characters go on true journeys of growth, and while the very end of the book does set up a potential sequel, the character and plot arcs do come to a resolution. You'll definitely be craving the next book, if it comes, but the main characters feel so fleshed out and rounded, broken and remade, grown from seedlings to sprout into realized and changed selves.

I also want to highlight the realistic and heart wrenching, but also strengthening, representation of panic attack and chronic pain. Gemma, I feel you, I am right there with you. It was really emotional reading her journey and NOT HAVING IT SIMPLY CURED BY MAGIC. Bless Clare Legrand for this.

Thank you deeply to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for giving me an ARC for review!

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book on NetGalley thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Claire Legrand. This review is based on my honest thoughts while reading this book, and was not affected in anyway by my receiving an ARC.

In A Crown of Ivy and Glass by Claire Legrand, Lady Gemma Ashbourne lives in a world of magic and splendor. Her family is of the Anointed, and thus has amazing magical abilities. From a distance, the Ashbournes seem like they have it all. Gemma knows differently, however. Her mother left when she was young, her oldest sister is embroiled with her father in a bitter feud against a rival family, her middle sister was taken years ago to be part of the guard against the creatures that escape along the Middlemist, and then there’s Gemma. She possesses no magic, a first in her family, and in fact her body treats magic as if it’s poison. Gemma’s constant illness and loneliness drive her to place herself at the center of every ball and social gathering so no one sees her weaknesses. No one, that is, until she meets Talan. A handsome man whose family destroyed themselves, Gemma strikes a bargain with Talan for his help in winning her family’s feud, while she will help him regain his family’s honor. They set off in tracking down the demon supposedly responsible for the blood feud, all the while mysterious and deadly things are happening to both the Middlemist and to Gemma.

I saw this book being marketed as “Bridgerton meets ACOTAR”, and that, plus the book being written by Claire Legrand (author of the wonderful Empirium trilogy!) was enough to get me insanely curious about this book. I love reading regency romances, so finding a book that combines two of my favorite genres seemed like it was made for me. While the book did have a somewhat slow start, I found that as the plot developed it was increasingly harder to stop reading. The worldbuilding was very interesting. I loved how Legrand managed to intertwine a typical regency society with the aspects of magic and tales of demons and other mythical creatures.

Gemma herself was an absolutely amazing character. Her voice was so poignant that I truly felt as if she was my friend. Her illness was one that made her an uncommon character in the fantasy romance genre, but I think that Gemma is easily one of my favorites. Seeing how she struggled with herself and her thoughts and worries was something I could greatly relate to. I very much loved how she grew throughout the story. I won’t say anymore so as to not spoil anything, but I cannot say enough how much I loved her arc!

The other big part of this book to me was Gemma and Talan’s relationship. I loved how they were with each other, though there were times in the book where I thought Talan seemed suspicious and I was wishing Gemma would investigate more. However, I can definitely say that I truly enjoyed the growth of their journey, and even though books two and three are supposed to be Fallin’s and Mara’s (Gemma’s sisters), I really hope we get more Gemma and Talan!

With how this book left off, I absolutely cannot wait for book two. This plot had so much going on, and the payoff was so worth it. Certain story threads that I was not sure how they would weave in to the ultimate story were so wonderful, and I am excited to see where the next two books take us. I am hoping we get Fallin’s story for book two, however!

Oh my LORD this book was ridiculously good! It reminds me of a mix of The Red Queen series and the Court of Thorns and Roses series. The characters are so well written and I absolutely love the Basks! I can’t wait for Farrin to hopefully wake up and see what’s in front of her and really hope things work between her and the person who is clearly in love with her.
Seeing Gemma slowly come into her own, and really take charge of the fight against Kilraith was amazing and I look forward to seeing even more strength and power from her as the story progresses. I would definitely recommend this book!

I was super excited to start this book. I was craving a fantasy romance and this seemed like everything I wanted. I really loved the representation in this book. Gemma’s character was unique and I enjoyed getting to know more about her character. She had moments where it was hard to engage with her, but she did have growth. The book read kind of young in my opinion. The book kinda confused me, I felt like I was getting pulled in multiple directions.

I’m curious to see where the series will go, though.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I was looking for a good story to read after some other world building books. I was disappointed. I think the author tried to do too many things. It was all over the place. I think if the author had focused on one thing it would have flowed better. It seemed to jump around too much.

I have sort of mixed feelings about this one! Gemma annoyed me SO much at first, but that was kinda the point I suppose. I did end up getting hooked once I was halfway in, but I was also a little confused because SO much was going on. I also found some bits really repetitive? I did love Talan, and I also want to learn more about the Basks. 3.5stars, rounded to 4 here.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a review. This wasn't for me but not everyone will feel the same way. I"m sure there are those who will love it but it just wasn't for me.

I’m going to be very honest, I really struggled to get through this one. It took me around 2 months to read.

I did enjoy parts of it. I enjoyed the author’s writing style, and she had some wonderful descriptions and world building. Everything just felt so vivid, and it was very detailed and immersive.

I found the pacing to be all over the place. Some elements were very rushed while others dragged on. I also felt that there were too many plot lines which made it overall pretty inconsistent and confusing to read. Plus the book was so long, so it really just felt like it dragged on and on.

However, I was really into the last maybe quarter of the book with some of the action that occurred. I think I will still pick up the next book in the series once it’s released to see where the story goes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

DNF
Unfortunately this book fell a bit short for me, no matter how hard I tried to get into it i lost interest it and was unable to connect with it.

Unfortunately this book fell a bit short for me, there was some beautiful world building in the beginning with a lot of hope. I felt the middle started to jump around a lot and had me losing interest, I wanted to stick it out but I wasn’t connecting with the characters. DNF @ 62%.