unfortunately, this just didn’t deliver for me. i never understood what tone is what going for. the opening almost felt like thriller or even horror, unfortunately, this just didn’t deliver for me. i never understood what tone is what going for. the opening almost felt like thriller or even horror, but for the most part the slow pacing and minimal style just left it feeling very meh across the board.
i found the reveal to be pretty predictable, and i really would’ve liked leandros to either be more complex or larger than life as the villain.
i’m not very familiar w Greek mythology so maybe fans of it will appreciate this more than me.
_____________________________
✧˖° preread ✧˖°
new arc ayyyy excited to get into some greek mythology...more
“You’re…you’re…” “Frightening?” “You’re so…” “Terrifying?” “Fluffy.” He halts. “What?”
this was such a fun imaginative retelling of snow white with a ne“You’re…you’re…” “Frightening?” “You’re so…” “Terrifying?” “Fluffy.” He halts. “What?”
this was such a fun imaginative retelling of snow white with a new twist - snow white is the magic mirror.
Not all people enjoy seeing their most cherished attributes in another person.
It’s the downside to being a mirror. Once I make an impression on a person, I’m stuck with it. Every time I meet that person’s eyes, the same impression snaps into place.
a thrilling murder mystery plot, a fugitive princess w a bounty on her head, a bear shifter huntsman, two souls reckoning with their hardships, grief, addiction - this one really covers some ground! i found it kept a good pace up because of this.
i wasn't sure in the beginning, but i adored the romance between the two by the end.
“Astrid, you’re allowed to be strange. You’re allowed to be a mess. You can be all these things that are part of you. It won’t stop me from loving everything about you.”
________________________
.❀。preread ❀°。
my tessonja odette comfort read obsession continues...more
I killed the first boy I kissed, and if I ever press my lips to another’s, he won’t be the last. And I do very much hope he’s the last. Not because I I killed the first boy I kissed, and if I ever press my lips to another’s, he won’t be the last. And I do very much hope he’s the last. Not because I dislike kissing.... Kissing is fine. It’s the killing I’m not so fond of.
little mermaid retelling where she's a kleptomaniac selkie cursed to kill with her kiss. after a run-in with the sea witch, she makes a reluctant deal to forever remove the curse and save herself - she must win a bridal pageant and kiss the groom-to-be. he's got his own dark past, but when push comes to shove will she be able to do the deed?
i had fun with this one. sometimes there was a bit of info dumping but i thought this was a cute take. i love odette's fae world with its juxtaposition of uptight regency era humans clashing with the more laidback, uninhibited fae.
i always love how her characters have interesting background stories as well, even her side characters. podaxis was a fun addition and i would love to know more what happened with him.
maisy had me cackling at her quips and though sometimes the whole "clumsy fmc" can be overdone or annoying, i thought it was utilized well here to create some tension and awkward moments. i enjoyed learning more about dorian and the growth of his character and their chemistry.
i will be using "shells" as an expletive now and "the elephant seal in the room" ...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
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
"Have hope, little warrior. There is nothing that evil hates more than that."
this was such a wonderful middle-grade fantasy adventure about family, gr"Have hope, little warrior. There is nothing that evil hates more than that."
this was such a wonderful middle-grade fantasy adventure about family, grief, love, and magic. i enjoyed seeing some classic fairy tale stories not only with a new twist but also integrated with jewish folklore, mysticism, and biblical stories.
Here is an uncomfortable truth: Evil is not often a dark flower growing at the edge of the universe; it is not a cloud that settles over countries like a suffocating cloak. Evil is a choice. If it is chosen again and again, the person who does the choosing can reliably be called a monster.
i enjoyed this story so much. it had me tearing up at points, but there was also such a fun narrator-to-reader connection with some 4th wall breaking that it really felt just like having a childhood story read to you. i also loved the illustrations throughout, it really helped bring this vivid world to life!
this is going to be an instant classic for many families in the years to come.
"To bends in the rainbow and the fifth point of a six-pointed star. To kingdoms adults lose and children take back and countries that can only be found without a map. To all kinds of extraordinary places."
incredibly slow-paced, unexciting characters, and writing that leaves much to be desired. three POVs are being judnf @ 42%
well that was disappointing.
incredibly slow-paced, unexciting characters, and writing that leaves much to be desired. three POVs are being juggled that could've been utilized much better, but instead they all drag on. ...more
a queer polyamorous retelling of orpheus and eurydice with some other mythology thrown in set to the backdroMagic isn’tfuck around. Magic isfind out.
a queer polyamorous retelling of orpheus and eurydice with some other mythology thrown in set to the backdrop of miami.
unfortunately i'm not very familiar w the source material, so i think it was less impactful for me that way. however, i still enjoyed reading it. the lush, tropical settings and imaginative verse made this a vivid read; i think it could actually be a really cool as a stage adaptation because of the dance, music, and photography elements.
it deals w some heavier topics for teens but i think appropriately so for a YA book. overall i preferred my other read from this author (the ghosts of rose hill) but i'm excited to read more from them.
My name is Andres Santos, and I believe I have more love than darkness to give....more
olivia atwater's books are just exactly what i'm needing rn.
this book is a twist on the classic cinderella story with my fair lady added in. she coveolivia atwater's books are just exactly what i'm needing rn.
this book is a twist on the classic cinderella story with my fair lady added in. she covers a lot of her inspiration and thinking behind it in her notes after. i found it interesting, but i also loved her aversion to the idea that women need to be sweet and meek, and that anger can actually be a useful tool and motivator. that was something i quite liked as a theme in this book and book 1.
i thought the romance developed well and i found lord blackthorn particularly delightful.
“If anger never helped, then why would you have it at all? Some humans are born with extra fingers or toes, yes, but all of you are born with at least a little bit of anger. It must do something of use.”
“But nothing has a point!” Lord Blackthorn protested incredulously. “All of life is absurd to some extent or other!”
“Oh,” he said. “Yes, they… they are rather fragile, aren’t they?” He looked at her then, and Effie had the impression that he might not be thinking of the butterfly as he spoke....more
Loading...
