“Boys with everything. The world had been and always would be theirs for the taking. Sade had learned to fear the men who had everything, because even“Boys with everything. The world had been and always would be theirs for the taking. Sade had learned to fear the men who had everything, because even the moon, the skies and the earth could not sate them.”
overall, incredibly impactful and emotional. a bleak but honest examination of the power of the rich and elite and the institutions they reign over.
this was definitely a slowburn. i would say the first half could be tightened up bc it truthfully did almost lose me (it felt almost like a repeat of ace of spades) BUT i'm glad i continued bc the meat and heart of the story is in the second half.
i kind of also have mixed feelings on the end. on the one hand, i see how having a more realistic ending matches the tone and allows the emotional weight and impact of the story. on the other hand, i wonder if it would be cathartic for some readers to have a best-case ending.
overall, fantastically done.
Keep swimming. Or if that’s too hard, at the very least, float....more
“You are accustomed to thinking of fairy tales as make-believe... But they have only ever been mirrors.”
this was my first alix e. harrow book after he“You are accustomed to thinking of fairy tales as make-believe... But they have only ever been mirrors.”
this was my first alix e. harrow book after hearing a lot of hype about the six deaths of the saint. as a longtime big fan of sleeping beauty, i wasn't sure what to expect coming into this, but it was not the opening line:
"Sleeping Beauty is pretty much the worst fairy tale, any way you slice it."
*insert "and i oop-" meme here*
there is a somber undertone to the story, as our fmc zinnia is dying from a fatal illness. but by mere chance, she stumbles into her favorite fairy tale and has the chance to save another princess from her fated doom.
this examines the beloved fairy tale in its many variations from a feminist perspective, as it exists and from modern storytelling POV, but the princesses get to be their own princes in this tale.
the book didn't quite click for me until about a third in, when i finally realized what the overall tone and vibe was going to be. it was definitely different than i expected it to be, but overall enjoyable and a little bittersweet.
I’ve always resented people for trying to save me, but maybe this is how it works, maybe we save one another....more
I’ve always had this theory that if I want something badly enough, the universe will make sure to keep it just out of my reach—either out of boredom, I’ve always had this theory that if I want something badly enough, the universe will make sure to keep it just out of my reach—either out of boredom, or cruelty, like an invisible hand dangling stars on a string.
ann liang, i am awed by your ability to seamlessly switch between genres while maintaining your expertise storytelling. with IANJC, liang genre bends dark academia, magical realism, and romance into an impactful YA story.
this is for everyone who's struggled for perfection.
Success is only meant to be rented out, borrowed in small doses at a time, never to be owned completely, no matter what price you’re willing to pay for it.
jenna chen is not the model student, the perfect daughter, the girl everyone loves - but her cousin jessica is. jessica has it all - the mansion, the doting parents, the perfect grades, she never even needed braces. what jenna would give to be her...
until she becomes her.
It was perfect. For those first ten minutes, everything was perfect. And now I’m up here alone in my room, the same as always, and the thrill has faded, and I know it sounds awful and so very ungrateful, but all I can think is: that’s it?
an emotional story about the fallacy of perfection and success, the ever-moving marker post for it and its inevitable fruitlessness and inescapable dissatisfaction. it's about how you are worthy as you are, with perfectly imperfect flaws and all.
“You make me feel the same joy just by looking at you.”
the romance subplot was also surprisingly breath-taking; ms liang pls give me more fictional men with this devotion ...more
this was a really cute coming of age comic about identity and friendship while playing with folklore.
i loved how whimsical the art got esp with the prthis was a really cute coming of age comic about identity and friendship while playing with folklore.
i loved how whimsical the art got esp with the presence of the djinn and their storytelling. the plot was pretty simple, but overall it was a very feel-good read....more
an intriguing blend of korean mythology and kdrama! i wish i was more familiar with the latter bc i've seen other reviews mention a lot of references an intriguing blend of korean mythology and kdrama! i wish i was more familiar with the latter bc i've seen other reviews mention a lot of references and nods to popular kdrama series, but unfortunately they'd all go over my head.
i always enjoy reading less-utilized mythology sources; i was constantly looking up different creature references. and the food ...more
Secrets are like a wall. They protect you by keeping others out. Or they protect others but keep you locked in. Either way, they leave you in a prisonSecrets are like a wall. They protect you by keeping others out. Or they protect others but keep you locked in. Either way, they leave you in a prison of one with no way out but total destruction.
rating: 4.25
similar vibes to i hope this doesn't find you but instead of one person's emails getting leaked, it's several people's !
this was actually so endearing, heartfelt, and charming coming of age story about secrets and finding the courage to share and chase your dreams. it perfectly incapsulates all the difficulties in high school and, briefly but tactfully touches on some tougher topics like sexual harassment, inappropriate adult/minor relationships, infidelity, transphobia, racism, taking *that next step* in romantic relationships, etc.
i was impressed w lauriers's ability to make an ensemble of diverse and distinct characters. none of the side characters felt wasted, and i especially loved prashant. there were some really adorable LOL moments as well.
i'm happy to see more YA stories like this for teens!...more
Art is a lie that makes us realize truth. —Pablo Picasso
sweetbitter x saltburn (minus the murder and grave humping lol)
this was an intriguing read. wArt is a lie that makes us realize truth. —Pablo Picasso
sweetbitter x saltburn (minus the murder and grave humping lol)
this was an intriguing read. while the plot follows a secret budding romance between the protagonist ren and her best friend's older brother, archer, the themes are very much centered on wealth, power, class, and the effects of all of the above on intrapersonal relationships.
Etta was my best friend, but in getting involved with her brother, I would be too close to her equal. She wouldn’t like that.
ren is quiet, timid, and self-depracating; she follows her best friend etta, admiring her boldness but knows she doesn't fit into etta's upper society world. while etta is away, she flounders on where they stand as friends; ren feels guilty for the secret tryst that develops between her and archer, but at the same time recognizes the power trips and callousness etta holds over her, comparing it to the dealings with her boss natalie.
I felt very alone, very ordinary, and like I might never amount to anything. Did all people feel this way? Like you might never be enough?
reading this reminded me so much of the instability and insecurity of being in your 20s, especially in a big city; the constant feelings of identity crisis coupled with the panic of what am i doing with my life / will i ever be able to do what i truly want to do? there's a sympathy i can extend to ren, etta, and archer in regards to that tumultuousness.
“But art is a risk. And risk is inherent to anything you truly care about.”
i enjoyed the writing itself as well. while there is some fun designer or luxury namedropping and descriptions to indulge in, kuhl focuses more on the subtle microtells between characters and complex dynamics. these characters felt very real to me. i think of the scene when ren's mother plum approaches ren to investigate the celine sunglasses. it's one of kuhl's many examples of the unspoken rules of behavior in upper class society; subtle confrontation, quiet luxury but extreme possessiveness over their belongings, the quiet smirks of response to faux pas while offering a patronizing grace. reminders that while you might be hanging around, you'll never belong.
Etta was being thoughtful, but her actions felt rooted in something else. Something like control.
How money was power, and power was the only currency that would ever really matter.
toxic relationships are certainly centered: ren's parental relationships, her examination of etta and archer's relationships to their aloof parents, ren's respective dynamic to etta and archer each contrasted to her work husband jeff. but there is also some reflection on the struggles as an artist; how to balance art and actually making a living, how capitalizing on art affects the process and satisfaction, the legitimacy of the identity of an artist. this is of course compounded by things like money, nepotism, and imposter syndrome.
if you prefer your reads focused on imperfect dynamics with plenty of reflection juxtaposed to a backdrop of the glamor of the new york city elite, you'll enjoy this.
After all, pretending is an art and all art comes at a price. ______________________
arc read
sounds dark academia-adjacent and intriguing!...more
"a hug of a book" is an extremely accurate descriptor i have to borrow for this review. as an animal-lover, this was totally up my alley.
aila is anxio"a hug of a book" is an extremely accurate descriptor i have to borrow for this review. as an animal-lover, this was totally up my alley.
aila is anxious, introverted, and MUCH prefers the company of the aviary she is in charge of at the magical animal park she works at. her favorite of them all? the endangered phoenix.
this has a cozy vibe with a bit of mystery and a dash of action. maclean has borrowed and dreamed up all sorts of magical creatures to reside in this fantastical park a la emily wilde with just a touch of princess mononoke.
some other things i enjoyed were her friendship with tanya, her parent's fusion restaurant, the pepper festival, and, of course, the sapphic romance of rivals to lovers with lucia.
“Insane and beautiful. What a combination. Luciana pinned her with a smirk, all confidence. All smug. As if she had every move planned out. Aila was never good at chess.”
overall, this was a fast, fun read and gave me a bit of nostalgia for my childhood when going to the zoo was such a magical experience and i watched animal planet nonstop. i look forward to more books from this author!
“Not everyone needs a reason to care... You and I don’t. These animals are priceless to us, just for existing... On the other side, some people will never care. Too selfish. They care about what this world can do for them, and nothing else...
Most people are somewhere in between. Not destructive on purpose, but they don’t have a reason to care yet. They don’t realize why they should care. And no one cares about anything they can’t connect to. That’s our job, Aila. Connecting people to these animals, giving them a reason to care.”...more
tropes: - friends to lovers - playboy (ish) hockey player - endo / disability rep - fall vibes - delicious foodie descriptions - familial love/grating: 3.75
tropes: - friends to lovers - playboy (ish) hockey player - endo / disability rep - fall vibes - delicious foodie descriptions - familial love/grief - jane austen references / regency - fake dating (ishhhh, as characters)
this started strong with fall vibes, yearning & pining, and all the great food descriptions. this makes me want to cozy up in the northeast with some delicious cider & wander cobblestoned main streets. if i was more familiar with jane austen's books this would have resonated even more, but unfortunately that was all lost on me lol. the jane austen fans will probably delight over it though!
things i liked: - great endo rep. as someone who doesn't have much knowledge of it, i feel like i learned a lot, esp from the perspective of someone experiencing it and finally getting diagnosed for it. she also deals w the disbelief and failings of doctors in regards to women's pain and general health. - foodie vibes: so many great descriptions. now i need to find vegan poutine so i can experience it for myself. i very much recommend having some good munchies on hand for this reading experience. - family & grief: aulie & jack both dealing w their respective family grief. i think it was really well done without being overwhelming or too dark for a fluffier contemp book imo
things i think could've been improved: - the length. sooo long, i think it could've done w editing down 100 pages. - the veronica character esp near the end (view spoiler)[i'm just over the whole influencer villain archetype that's been in books lately, and it felt like a really last minute "conflict" thrown in at the end (hide spoiler)] - why does aulie have so many nicknames lol (view spoiler)[i did not care for "kitten" (hide spoiler)]
overall, i would def rec this for fans of contemp who like a little sports and fall vibes thrown in!
i would really love a book on grady and bridget hehe
Merged review:
rating: 3.75
tropes: - friends to lovers - playboy (ish) hockey player - endo / disability rep - fall vibes - delicious foodie descriptions - familial love/grief - jane austen references / regency - fake dating (ishhhh, as characters)
this started strong with fall vibes, yearning & pining, and all the great food descriptions. this makes me want to cozy up in the northeast with some delicious cider & wander cobblestoned main streets. if i was more familiar with jane austen's books this would have resonated even more, but unfortunately that was all lost on me lol. the jane austen fans will probably delight over it though!
things i liked: - great endo rep. as someone who doesn't have much knowledge of it, i feel like i learned a lot, esp from the perspective of someone experiencing it and finally getting diagnosed for it. she also deals w the disbelief and failings of doctors in regards to women's pain and general health. - foodie vibes: so many great descriptions. now i need to find vegan poutine so i can experience it for myself. i very much recommend having some good munchies on hand for this reading experience. - family & grief: aulie & jack both dealing w their respective family grief. i think it was really well done without being overwhelming or too dark for a fluffier contemp book imo
things i think could've been improved: - the length. sooo long, i think it could've done w editing down 100 pages. - the veronica character esp near the end (view spoiler)[i'm just over the whole influencer villain archetype that's been in books lately, and it felt like a really last minute "conflict" thrown in at the end (hide spoiler)] - why does aulie have so many nicknames lol (view spoiler)[i did not care for "kitten" (hide spoiler)]
overall, i would def rec this for fans of contemp who like a little sports and fall vibes thrown in!
i would really love a book on grady and bridget hehe...more
super cute day in the life graphic novel following a group of friends in the Bronx. fun characters and gorgeous art. bi/pan rep, anxiety/drating: 4.25
super cute day in the life graphic novel following a group of friends in the Bronx. fun characters and gorgeous art. bi/pan rep, anxiety/depression, found family-esque friend group. it makes me miss living in NYC a little <3...more
“You can’t just change once and expect everything to improve. You have to keep going. Keep making changes to suit where you are in the moment. Like th“You can’t just change once and expect everything to improve. You have to keep going. Keep making changes to suit where you are in the moment. Like the seasons!”
while i still enjoyed this one, it was my least favorite of the series. since i read it in essentially backwards order, i can really see how eve's writing has grown and changed through each book to the last. this one lacked some (not all) of her humor (i think it comes out stronger and more often in the other books), and has the least spice. however, there still is a strong foundation of character work there. i really appreciated the fmc's journey of sobriety by choice, as someone who relates to that. i also really liked the mmc working through the heartache of losing a great love (not a lover). ...more
i have to say this duet is probably my favorite of eve's work so far and i'm super excited to see that she's currently writing the third book for tabbi have to say this duet is probably my favorite of eve's work so far and i'm super excited to see that she's currently writing the third book for tabby!
picking back up around where so wild left off, this follows sam's twin sister nicole and hulky, stoic resident tattoo artist noah in an opposites attract romance. eve's characters are never without layers and unique quirks, and i really enjoyed getting to know these two and seeing their relationship progress. and as usual, it was quite steamy ...more
this is my seventh eve dangerfield book and i think so far my favorite, which is still a close call.
as usual, eve brings fun, quirky characters, rauncthis is my seventh eve dangerfield book and i think so far my favorite, which is still a close call.
as usual, eve brings fun, quirky characters, raunchy and quippy humor, and very hot spicy to the table with a not-quite romcom-y contemp read. eve doesn't color within the lines and i love that about her books. she has her own unique voice and storytelling that's never cookie cutter, even with favorite tropes thrown in.
this was a delightful childhood friends-turned-nemeses-to-lovers story with a lot of heart. i loved the couple but i also love the sisters and can't wait to read their stories.
if you haven't read eve dangerfield yet, i highly recommend her for any romance reader!...more
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