Descriptive, Witty, Metaphorical
When we read that Bramble's "thin red eyebrows arched above her forehead" (10.70) that paints us a nice descriptive picture of how she looks in that moment. In general, the style Entwined is written in shows us how characters look, how they feel, and so on—it helps us get a handle on who's doing what.
But between the style's humorous and metaphorical aspects, it's not 100% straightforward and direct all the time. Sometimes the wit is subtle, like when Kale gets close to Lord Bradford at a family dinner:
Then she snuggled up to him, rubbed her cheek against his arm, and bit him.
Lord Bradford inhaled sharply. (13.46-47)
It's funny in part because we don't expect it (and neither does Lord Bradford, apparently), but it's also funny because his reaction is so subdued—though we suppose it's wise not to make a fuss while at dinner with the King about his young daughter gnawing on you.
To clarify, when we say metaphorical we mean that the style contains both similes (comparison phrases that use like or as) and metaphors (comparison phrases that say what something is rather than what it's like). Examples abound:
- Here's how Azalea experiences fear: "The gush of ice-cold water coated her inside again, and Azalea shivered so hard her teeth began to chatter" (20.42).
- When Azalea finds out about Clover's forbidden love, it becomes one more problem for her to handle: "All this pulled her down like heavy crinolines, adding to the burden of Keeper's threat" (22.47).
- Can skirts be like flowers? Sure, why not: "The girls knelt around the King, their skirts spread out like forlorn blossoms, swallowing, and whispering one word" (28.131).
Whether we're talking metaphors, wit, or lush description, the style of Entwine will keep you on your toes and give you plenty to visualize. It’s almost like a picture book without the pictures.