My feelings after reading this books, i imagine, are as close as what I would feel if I was kidnapped, taken to a mansion and a man came up with 'AArEMy feelings after reading this books, i imagine, are as close as what I would feel if I was kidnapped, taken to a mansion and a man came up with 'AArE YoU LoSt BaByGWOrl'. Disoriented, confused and stupid enough to see what would come out of playing in that den....more
This was 500 pages of the guy clearly being in love with the girl and the girl coming up with thousands of excuses as to how the guy would NEVER be wiThis was 500 pages of the guy clearly being in love with the girl and the girl coming up with thousands of excuses as to how the guy would NEVER be with someone like her.
You can just take a knife and stab me and the feelings would match with what I felt for the book.
(PS: Aaron's dirty talk made me barf in more than one occasion so make of that what you will)...more
I have fallen so deep within this well of despair that is my skewed moral compass that I may have fallen for one of those man eating people, and I actI have fallen so deep within this well of despair that is my skewed moral compass that I may have fallen for one of those man eating people, and I actually tried to justify it. ...more
I'm a bundle of pain, suffering, agitation, shock, dried soul and crusty brain cells.
This book right here. THIS BOOK. RIGHT. HERE. I- I can't even expI'm a bundle of pain, suffering, agitation, shock, dried soul and crusty brain cells.
This book right here. THIS BOOK. RIGHT. HERE. I- I can't even express how I feel right now.
But rest assured that after I binge watch an entire Rom com series with zero to no conflict in the action department, I'll still be a mess but I'll strive to write a review....more
I am confused about my feelings and as such, I'll make y'all confused as well. Like the great person I am. (*whispering* I love y'all...)
Rating: ✨✨✨✨ 3.I am confused about my feelings and as such, I'll make y'all confused as well. Like the great person I am. (*whispering* I love y'all...)
Rating: ✨✨✨✨ 3.5
Okay, so, I added the book because it reminded me of how simple YA used to be. And I know simple is a word that can become a two-edged sword, because who in the world wants 'simple'??? We read to escape to a world so fanciful and unlike our own that having a simple storyline is boring and too vague. But At that moment I requested the ARC, I craved something clear and easy to understand, because with so many uncertain things in my life at the moment, having something structured and firm is a blessing.
So yes, this was a simple book. A story that if you didn't love, you would give three stars because perhaps giving it two would feel unfair, characters that would stay in your memory for maybe a week before fading away behind other books with more complex settings and such. Or this book is one that you loved and can't wait to have more people to talk with about everything that happened.
As you can see, I'm a bit of both.
I would call this the 5,3,2 review in the randomest of aspects (when m I ever not random-).
5 things I loved. 3 I liked. 2 I rather wished would've burned straight up in flames. Oh! And a bonus reason as to whom I would recommend this too, so you can skip to those parts as you wish.
For the first section (OoooO, so fanciful pfft)there are the following:
~ I loved... the atmosphere. Have you ever been in a recently cleaned room, and you can just sense how pure the air feels? That's exactly how I felt while reading! It was so refreshing and even at times equally memorable. And don't even get me started on the Wood King's wardrobe, like boo, I'm here and ready to- I was going to say a climbing pun, but I couldn't branch it out.
I've asked Apollo for wisdom, and he still hasn't given me any, so blame it on him, porfavor.
~ I loved... the pacing of the storyline. Up until the end, but that's for the last section to tackle (or should I say, fertilize- Yo, I'm so done with myself). I enjoyed the ride it gave me, I wasn't too invested in how everything was unfolding so I had no issue in the story picking up about 10 pages in.
~I loved... the Ember horses. Um, how could I not??? Like, 911- this girl is in love- The fire, the ashy attitude, the careful and controlled flames, Lament? She was absolutely bloody amazing!! And I know this is a specific character, but I couldn't stop myself from mentioning how I would love an Ember horse of my own. Also a dragon. Pretty please. I don't even ask for much, Universe!! I only ask for clear skin (which you don't give), patience (which I still don't have), and good judgement (remains to be seen).
~I loved... the love interest. Mind you, not the love itself, but him. Alone, apart from the MC. In a different room. Never mind, make it a whole different building. Seriously, what was not to like about him (apart from his questionable taste, of course) ??? He cooks, he loves reading (am I- am I still alive at this point-) and he adores to draw. Like, I adore him. I understood many of his decisions (which can't be said about my relationship with the main girl), and actually saw the point of him being like he is!
~I loved... the end. That's really what pushed me into giving it a slightly higher rating, really. I tried with the MC, I tried with the magic, and even then, my rating was perhaps 3 (instead I gave it a 3.5, makes sense? What even is sense anymore???) . But then we had that finale and my breath kind of whooshed (that's such a funny word hehe) out of me, and I was like, WHAT- NO- WHAT?!?!??! CAN YOU EXPLAIN CAUSE I CAN'T- NO. So basically, I lost my way of communication.
Now, for the second section:
~I liked... the end (I'm so smart, I swear-). I'm sorry, I just had to mention it again. Sue me. If you don't want to read the book, maybe read about five pages from the beginning, five from the middle and the epilogue-
~I liked... The Mc's relationship with her grandfather. Okay, I cannot for the life of me tolerate the MC, but her grandfather??? Dude, HA! Those scenes between them were at the same time the most painful and the most wonderful I've read this month (not that I have read much, but let's pretend I did for the sake of the dramatics). The feels were sniffling beside me as she remembered how he used to be before, AND THE FREAKING TREE Y'ALL- THE. TREE. That's it, I'm done-
~I liked... how the ending chapters were written. In a way that made it more agonizing that it was going to be, given the foreshadowing and everything. The flashbacks were beautiful, the pain was felt and when the MC recognized what should've been obvious all along- is my heart quaking or did the book make me feel something-
And finally, the ranting section (MWUAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA):
I swear I'll never get tired of that laugh, it's so satisfying, you know? Like killing someo-
~I would rather see spiked in a wall for everyone to admire as it burns to Hades... how apart from those instances mentioned above, I felt the book was too superficial for me to get into. Yes, the Woods were nice and all. Yes, the three mythical creatures were cute, but I felt like everything was black and white and for a fantasy novel, that's slightly sad. I didn't feel the extent of the magic, side characters didn't make my palms sweat or heart palpitate, I was just reading for the words not the emotions.
~I would rather drown it in sulfur and then run over it with a truck... the main character. So she's nineteen years old, right? SO why did she feel ten for the whole book- juvenile decisions (and I make many of those so I would know), she criticized and belittled people for doing the same things she did so DING DONG boo, you're a hypocrite. For some moments I tolerated her and then BAM, as if I could ever forget how entitled she was. Honestly? This book would've been so much better without her in it.
And of course, on a closing note, I would say that it was a 'decent' book and not a 'OHMYGOD, STEAL ME AWAY, KILL ME, DO ANYTHING WITH ME-' book. It had nice moments but ultimately, things were resolved too quickly, some parts were bland and stagnant. Magic felt insipid at times, HOWEVER:
If you're in a book slump and want something quick paced and that doesn't force you to think for the majority of it, not to mention nice and predictable, this book would be great for you!
(I just noticed I sounded so passive-aggressive) (Oh well- *sprints away*) ...............................
THOSE LAST FIFTY PAGES TORE OUT MY BLOODY SOUL WITH RIBS AND EVERYTHING.
HOW DARE YOU HOW DARE YOU
IM TRYING NOT TO JUMP UP IN 'WHAT THE FRICK JUST HAPPENED' Y'ALL
I need a second book. Yep siree. Those twists at the end were not good for my heart. Nope Give my time back I want it back.
If you tore out my heart, it would feel just like this.
Rating: ✨✨✨✨✨4.6
When someone talks about near perfection, you normally think, 'OH, they mean thIf you tore out my heart, it would feel just like this.
Rating: ✨✨✨✨✨4.6
When someone talks about near perfection, you normally think, 'OH, they mean those dreams about owning a bookstore and having a unicorn as a BFF'. Well, for me (it's definitely that, but also-) it's this book. I say near perfection because if I say this is perfect, other books I've said the same about will band together and make away with my fantastic yet deadish looking cadaver.
This book deserves to be hyped. Let's begin with that.
It deserves the love, and the freaking out rants, the late night spewls, the grunting sounds of pain, the red eyes, the gasps-all of it! Frankly, I still can't believe I haven't seen more people begging for ARCS.
It has: -Monstrous people -POC characters -People striving to break out of slavery -Girl whose power is as vicious as it is beautiful. -A FREAKING ROMANCE THAT GAVE ME LIFE- (even though it wasn't the focus of the story, but I don't care- it was amazing)
SO really.... why aren't more people adding the book-
Before I write a whole essay about why you should undoubtedly give this book permission to tear out your soul and play badminton with it, I'll write a quick overview of the things that left me at the side of the road, crying out for divine help. Was the help delivered? AHAHAHAHA no.
I need to start with how savage the world was. This section includes what I think of the worldbuilding and pace (basically me trying to organize my thoughts from weeks ago, when I *actually* read the book). There's angst, the complexity of how gritty everything seemed to be. The ambience of the story came with the scent of a storm brewing, it warned of impending disaster, possible destruction and yet, I was entranced with it. Of course, it had flaws, but they were not what I focused on. My eyes were steady on the action, the powers and how everything just... clicked. You know? The pace was incredibly fast, the kind of fast that I crave. Not the one that feels rushed or that one that missed the whole point since the beginning, but the sort of pacing that captures you from the get go. And I really, REALLY liked it. *giggles half way to death* *she cannot die until she has read the second book*
The twists and action scenes were flipping delicious. Imagine being served a plate full of steak, mashed potatoes, mouth watering gravy- and then told to eat a little every minute. Not eat it all, just bit by bit. It's tortorous, is it not? But you end up eating every crumb, every residue. Because it's just THAT good. I really wished we had been blessed with more training scenes but you never know, maybe the second book will have that gift-
*screams into pillow of how unfair life is* *continues living said life*
Also, don't even get me started on the plot twists. I hate you with my very being. But I don't- Give me the second book please-
Then we jump onto the writing. Excuse me??? How is this a debut novel??? With that writing??? That's illegal??? No, really, it is. You stole the words I never knew I needed to say straight out of my brain sometimes. And I love you for it (me pretending I'm talking to the book like that's normal- is it not??) Have you ever read a book where the writing kind of makes you stare at the wall for a few seconds while saying 'Holyyyyyy crappppp', because it just hits that hard? This is one of those books. And it hurts. But it's the good kind. (me justifying why I like literal red flags-)
The characters can run me over, throw me off a forest trail, snap my bones, destroy my life- and I would ask them how much money` I owe them for that blessing. Aggressive, but absolutely true.
The MC is my soulmate. It had to be said. In fantasy/ dystopian/ mythological books, the MC is most of the time that one snowflake that is the only one able to do a certain skill, the difference with this MC is that she failed. She failed, and tried and failed. Her frustration went unheeded, agony unheard of, screams ignored, frankly I LOVE when characters are built like that. Not just become the best of the best in 10 chapters. It's difficult to become even decent at something you haven't practiced in a while, and it showed in this story. I loved the raw honesty, the sassy moments and most of all, how all the characters lost a part of themselves. Because it made the story REAL. How would you go into a war that you were forced into, scared and alone, and not sacrifice a part of yourself by the end of it? Who wouldn't become a monster?
Now, the rest of the characters would be spoilers, so the only thing I would blatantly admit is that this book made me feel for a character that was in the story for two pages. AND THEN THEY DIED-
I'm okay. Everything is okay. No, it is not, but we'll cut off some extremities and make it okay.
A special shout out to the romance, lads and gents! A round of bloody applause for the trope that made my heart beat out of rhythm for a week. And freaking donkey on a pole, it made that whole week a blessing.
Like come, on. This?
"You hate me, Show me how much"
*Booksy is disconnected from life at the moment, dial 348- KILL A PIGEON to revive her* (I have a battle with those blood suckers-) (Seriously, I want to electrocute them) (With human teeth) (I don't know how, but I will.)
I AM TRYING TO BREATHE, OKAY? I. AM. TRYING.
On a closing note, before I really decide to dedicate a complete thesis to this book. I strongly encourage you to scream out of the window for at least five minutes, so your voice is all hoarse and pained, so you can feel like I do. And want to feel it again because you just let out all the frustrations and worries in that agonizing scream, that's me with this book. The plot is an intricate delicacy, the storyline is capturing a scenic picture of a blood filled path where the characters might suffer and might die, but there's always going to be a speck of hope.
Like me hoping to get a sudden email from the author asking me to read the second book ahead of everyone- *chokes on toilet paper*
I am broken and happy and sad and conflicted and I hate everything, but I also love everything, and I feel like I'm beingLet me let you in a secret...
I am broken and happy and sad and conflicted and I hate everything, but I also love everything, and I feel like I'm being killed from the inside-limbs cracking, veins bursting, bones disintegrating- yet I feel alive but not, it's just-
PAIN PAIN PAIN PAIN AND EMOTIONS I DON'T WANT TO FEEL AND JUST TAKE THIS AWAY FROM ME, PLEASE.
Rating: ✨✨✨✨3.7
I don't know what to think. I don't even know what to feel. This thing felt eternal. Then it didn't. Then it went TOO FAST- Then it simply stopped.
The only thing that really saved this for me was those last thirty pages. Can you feel my tears already gathering?
Even breathing is difficult right now.
This is exactly why I don't review so quickly- TOO MUCH EMOTIONAL DAMAGE TO PROPERLY PROCESS EVERYTHING- BUT GUESS WHAT- MY SHATTERED SOUL NEEDS SOMEONE TO PARTNER WITH HER IN THE SHATTERNMENT (totally a word) SO I'M GOING TO DO THIS BY THE FORCE OF AN EINAUDI PLAYLIST AND KNOWING THAT MY PILLOW IS AWAITING THE SOBS THAT WILL ATTACK ME.
Are you ready for a ride? I was not, by the way. I wasn't read for this book.
Even the freaking title brings me agony now that I know the stark truth behind it. Dang it-
Let me be extra honest I don't even have the energy for a filter by saying that I would've probably rated this book two stars if it wasn't for Finn.
And occasionally the MC. Literally, I couldn't care less about anyone else in this book. Oh! Did I fail to mention the end? ...
The near silent cracking of the soul can be heard in the distance. "What's that papa?" asked a little boy, straining with his tiny ears to discern what was making that strange sound. Almost tinkling like. "Oh, that's just music, dear one." "It sounds sad, papa." The little boy almost teared up from the mournful resonance echoing in the distance.
OF COURSE IT SOUNDS SAD, HOW COULD IT NOT- I did indeed had to write that snippet to compose myself. Let's be random about this, shall we?
The Pace was incredibly confusing because on one hand it was necessary for it too take its time to develop, but in the other, so incredibly sloowwwwwwwwwwwwwww. The build up required so much filler information that at this point, I have no clue how I was supposed to grow to care for the character when I liked... none of them. See, I breezed through the pages, soaking in the chapters like non alcoholic beverages, trying to find the point in knowing so many details I honestly didn't see the point of knowing. I'm leaning right now to my more vexed side of me, so I can leave the grief and anger for later. Like an appetizer, you know? I felt like the story mixed with the pacing could've been so much more meaningful if it had less 'The weird squad and I walked in school because we were strange, yet not, because the world could never understand how strange-' (it gets tedious real quick)
But you know what else? The slow pace actually made me care an inkling for the whole tragic best friends to lovers- AND ON THAT NOTE, let's continue with that, my friends.
The romance!! The one that took three hundred pages of both of them dating different people, three hundred pages and four years of them lying to their own desires. SEVEN HOURS OF MY LIFE- okay, yeah, that romance. Honestly? I kind of swooned. And blushed. And possibly giggled. And alright, I really really liked it. It was a love that was so intense and all consuming, that even when underneath piles of useless infodumps, shone like the brightest of emeralds. It was like a warm hut on a freezing night, an ice cream cone on a scorching day-- perfectly imperfect and oh great, I'm going to clutch my heart again.
Moving along... How dare you- Not you, the reader (you're awesome). I mean the characters. Three hundred pages of incessant drama that could've been solved with a talk. Even a few words. Four years in their world wasted. Seven hours (87 interruptions and 45 threatening words) of mine... not exactly wasted because I can't be that mean, but yeah. I have better communication with the pigeons I'm this close to killing than the characters had in the whole book
The plot was kind of like a slinky. It went to point A, stayed in point A for 100 pages or so, jumped to point C, flew to point G and then back to point A. If this happens in another book I'll literally skin them alive- And against all odds, I was kept entertained. Mostly because I needed to know how it would all culminate but let's just call it the 'addictive factor'. I really felt that it touched on incredibly important and painful topics like: divorce, depression, toxic relationships (even I thought the line of the red flag grew ragged at times, which disturbed me greatly), heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak, heartbreak- I'll stop.
Then for the story to have worked to perfection, I came to the wonderful conclusion that characters have to make me feel in order for me to completely enjoy the plot in its entirety. It surprised me as well- (sarcasm should be an official grieving stage)
Oh, I'm sorry, that hurt your feelings, characters? WELL, ONE OF YOU SHATTERED MINE SO WE'RE NOT EVEN, BUT CLOSE ENOUGH.
I swear I'm trying to breathe right now.
The MC was complicated, the EPITOME of 'not like other girls', knew she was pretty but come on... she wears tiaras with ripped jeans. So indescribably quirky. Am I right? Apart from the many many many times that I felt for her and wanted to prove to her heart that first loves aren't the only loves out there meant to have. It doesn't have to last forever, and if it does, then it does! I wanted to hug her and then, you know, the usual--to projectile smack the crap out of her (preferably to come out of her nasal facilities) stupid miscommunicative (again, totally a word) self. HE'S IN LOVE WITH YOU GIRL- I wanted to scream. WHY CAN'T YOU SEE IT?!?!?- I wanted to ask.
Most of the characters felt stagnant in a way. In the book, years would pass yet they wouldn't experience any development and the main character wasn't any different. But of course, there's always the exception.
Phineas of my heart. Finn. Finny. I would literally lay down one of my favorite perfumes out in the road to be run over, for you. Because I know you would hate anyone getting hurt, and you're perfect and sweet and kind and- and- oh God, I need a break. If I could've made him stay too, to see him grow old and hold more babies in his arms with that single look of devotion shining in his eyes. I could've seen him finishing his doctorate with a winning streak, treating patients, becoming a man worth being proud of and gosh darn it. I'm done.
Oh! And the end. The sole thing that upped this rating was gone WAY too quick, I was mid cry- the AUDACITY.
On a closing NOTE (caps because I'm mad at myself), I wouldn't necessarily be all like: Please read it, I beg you, Porfavor, Sil vou plait, I will hit you with a piano if you don't-. Because I didn't love it to the fullest. The foreshadowing is what saved this for me, so I can say with all certainty that this book isn't for everyone, and that's okay! Characters were forgettable minus the two I almost killed up there, plot was okay, pace was... hm, writing was great yet not on the level to be adored by me-
All in all, after I put a little bow in this and step away from the premises, I shall consider the grieving process I underwent whilst writing this and promise myself --nay VOW, to never ever read a book as heartbreaking as this-
*goes on Goodreads and adds more heartbreaking books like this*
The representation. The positive yet realistic look into teenage relationships with all their stThis book had so many things going for it.
Rating: ✨✨2.3
The representation. The positive yet realistic look into teenage relationships with all their struggles and petty scrabbles over that one stray look the girl gave to a donut or something. that girl was me This book had allll those things.
*puts glasses over teary eyes* Had as in past tense. Like for example, I HAD the hope that I would love it. I HAD thought that I would give it four stars halfway through. I HAD... had. Yes. Eloquence.
And I even went into this without expectations. I saw the cover, read over the synopsis (ahem, skim read it), requested an ARC AND I GOT MAGICALLY ACCEPTED FDRT7UIJHGFTY. So um... Netgalley? I love you for that. I hate you. But I love you.
*smirks in possible enemies to lovers*
But back to the matter at hand. This book had me conflicted at such a desperate level that I was THIS close to throwing a mega humongous (albeit fabulous and with sprinkles... yum) tantrum. Because why???? Did those things happen???
However, I shall start with the golden parts first because after months of not being able to review, I've realized that I'm a tad brutal with books I dislike. And I forever will be- but this time I'll pat it in the back before decapitating it. The book. Not a person- (sad, I know)
The representation was beautiful, y'all. I LOVE reading books about different ethnic groups, especially when I am incredibly interested in their culture! The mannerisms, the food, the ambience and environment... *sigh* so for that, the book gets a star. (please don't add the amount of times I say that) When a book solidly makes me interested in the way of life within the story, it is always a plus for me.
Unlike half of this book in particular. I'm sorry- I- I'll walk away.
*runs back* Teenagers are messy and chaotic. (thus, that abrupt change of topic) (and the plot of this book) And this is speaking from experience. We make mistakes, and we get hurt, and we make even more mistakes and along the path, we obtain expectations. From family, friends, even the public eye. Expectations based on our looks, identities, way of speech, peculiarities, and it is stifling at times. I believe the author captured those feelings very well! (back again to using the exclamation marks to hide the pettiness within) It hurts to be in a mold other people set you in, at least mostly. Like an ache, or an itch one cannot seem to scratch properly. The book could've been so much more, taking into consideration the topics it delved into. Yet, it just felt messy. Not teen messy. Just a plain mess, let me explain.
The storyline follows the main character in her journey of teen love, familial expectations, second child problems and healthy or unhealthy relationships. Sounds promising, right? But along the way, as the pages unfolded, the greater picture got muddy and gray. There was no discerning what the main purpose was anymore because the characters didn't seem to convey the truth of their personalities.
And that was represented in the MC's relationships. I get making a mistake a thousand times. Even the same mistake over and over again. But not learning from it? Blaming others for the inability to take responsibility for the choices you clearly made? I'm sorry, but that's a plain no. I understand what this book was trying to accomplish by making all the characters unlikable, horrible, disgusting and disturbing human beings-
Wait, I don't.
The MC was a nice person for half of the book. She made me feel her pain WITH her, made me experience her thoughts and emotions and how ugly the world was and continues to be for some minorities that are forced to conform themselves to a different way of life. But after the clearly overly victimization that progressed far more than the plot ever did, I just couldn't comprehend what the story wanted me to think of her. Did it want me to root for her? Judge her? Relate to her? It became overbearing how hard it was to think of her as a good human being. She judged others yet made the same mistakes they made, was shallow and self-centered- and oh my gosh, I need to calm down because I am feeling too evil.
Breatheeeee In Breatheeee Out
(This is never against the author and I feel the need to remind myself of this every few minutes because then I would close up and be like... well, the book uh- the book-)
Everything felt so one dimensional, I couldn't even take the MC seriously. And that is depressing.
Then we have 'the boyfriends' (cue Justin Beiber BOYFRIEND song, oh how the times have gone astray). I apologize in advance, but pfffffffft. Why did they remind me of stereotypical Disney Channel villains that time travelled from 2005 and teleported to this book??? Omg *wheezing halfway to Hades* The MC clearly had intense feelings for one of them, yet I didn't feel it. At all.
Oh, and not to forget the pregnancy scare. Dubious consent. IGNORED pregnancy scare- IGNORED DUBIOUS CONSENT-
I- darn it, I promised myself I would be nice. Oh well.
Apart from the 'boyfriends', the background characters were decent in a way that doesn't make me rant against them because I have nothing in particular to say. Some were good, others were fleeting annoyances that left me with a feeling of 'what the heck just happened, and how can I forget it??' multiples times, and you know what? All those characters mushed together were better than the romance in and of itself.
What romance? I truly don't know, either. And I get it, I truly do. The book wasn't supposed to be a fun rom com, I got that by page 35, however, the forced chemistry the characters evidently didn't have just made this story seem worse than it was.
Am I peeved? Why of course! I got the Peeve Supreme 'buy one get twelve free' discount.
I just need some things in the plot to be recognized as they were and given the proper attention, because some of those things were just not good, you know? And it makes me sad to think that if someone in the world went through something similar (to THAT, I couldn't say spoilers-) and has read something like *that* in other books, they might think it's normal. Which is clearly not.
On a closing note, I would've loved to go deep into the rant portion of this review since I wrote a whole essay (not really but for dramatics, my loves) on my reviewing notebook about the many things this book COULD'VE excelled at had it been for proper management of the feelings the MC was meant to give us and the overall congruence of the story and pacing. Again, this was not against the author not their views, just my own personal opinions of what this book made me go through.
This review was kind of messy and chaotic. But I'm a teen. It comes with the territory, *wink wink*
That moment when you read the name of the book in a sentence inside the book. It's like donuts on crac-
Rating: ✨✨✨ 3.4
Anyways, hello darlings! And welcThat moment when you read the name of the book in a sentence inside the book. It's like donuts on crac-
Rating: ✨✨✨ 3.4
Anyways, hello darlings! And welcome to another review of ‘If I were to do or say the things the main character said to her parents to my own, I’d be fully reincarnated as a slipper, so they can step on me whenever they’d like’.
Isn’t that nice?
Isn’t it???
Of course, as nice as trying to remember a book I read months ago to then write a review of the ARC that literally got published a WHILE ago, while trying to sound as coherent and responsible as possible.
Hehe, responsible.
And okay, maybe I overreacted with my previous notions of what I felt for this book. SUE. ME
Please don't though, I'm barely managing stealing books as I am-
As time has gone by (literal months to provide an accurate albeit exaggerated timeframe) and the fangirling feelings I had once upon a time for this story started to diminish and make clear all the flaws I was too lazy to find previously, I’ve decided that this was an ‘alright’ book.
One I probably wouldn’t reread.
Perhaps if I had a physical copy, I would gift away.
Or stay with it because it would make my shelf look pretty, and I’m shallow like that.
A book that you would read solely to stave off boredom and let go of stress, and a story that you shouldn’t look too into it.
But of course, I looked into it.
Like five seconds ago-
In a very mentally spaced and agonized way.
And came to the amazing conclusion that I remember like half-
Here are some things I enjoyed about the book itself!
* The photography contest was so cuuuuuute!! LIKE YGUIKJHGFGTYUJBVFGYUJ, TYPE OF CUTE. OKAY? WHY AM I SCREAMING? HAVE NO CLUE-
* There was the representation aspect, which, as always, I adore reading about. The struggles of living among people who would maybe not understand the struggles you face, and I felt like that was delved into thoughtfully and quite well.
* Another thing would be how easy to read it was. Not the topics, since there were parental problems and other issues, but the way the writing was interpreted and simply decorated. It was like a fresh squeezed lemonade in a hot, humid, sweaty, disgusting, crusty, musty desert- can you tell I’m living in said environment? *giggles in ‘please save me in an ice truck’* I am READY TO BE ELSA Y’ALL. I can’t anymoreeee- let it gooooooooooo
* *cough* The celebrity romance!!! LIKE???? EXCUSE ME???? YES???? PORFAVOR??? The THINGS I would sacrifice to be able to experience this. Well, maybe not experience- because the drama is an added bother in my existence. But maybe fictionally experience? In a fake yet real way? I’ll shut up now.
And as always, the part I adore the most in any of my reviews-
(The end?)
(The hot yet unattainable love interest you will never even be able to glimpse in your pathetic mortal body and soul?)
Let’s pretend we didn’t hear anything, for the sake of my heart-
THE RANTING PORTION, MWUAHAHHAHA
DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNN
I was about to burst into song, but I think the universe and Apollo forgot to gift me with good memory when it comes to music-
ANYHOW, ANYWHO AND ANYWHERE- ayyy, Dr. Seuss. How are ya? *wink* (I apologize deeply)
(not really)
(well maybe)
(depends on the reward….)
AHEM, well, here are the things I disliked:
* How shallow the familial relationships were (I believe they were flesh and cardboard, so it’s an improvement! Right?) I think this has been my problem with books from this author and Asian representations, be it South Asian among others. See, I am from the Hispanic community, so I have no hand to judge it, however, BECAUSE I’m part of a minority, I can say that not all parents are like that, and it’s sad that all the Asian representation I see nowadays just touches on that aspect. Yes, it’s incredibly accurate, more so than most, however, I believe that there is some good to be found. Some understanding to comprehend in how the parents act. Don’t get me wrong, trying to dictate your child’s way of living is unforgivable, but I feel like the main character and her sister made them out to be worse than they were.
I longed to see a multidimensional side to how the parents were acting and why, you know? But the sisters in this book didn’t let them get in a word otherwise, and it made me confused, because are the parents really THAT bad? Or are the kids not giving them a chance to explain? I am aware this is a very controversial topic, so I’ll leave things here by saying that this is how I view things, and it has nothing to do with the cultures themselves.
* This was marketed as a romance, which it was. But also, really wasn’t the focused of the book, so if you’re looking for something fun and lightly romantic to jump into, maybe consider another book, my darlings. This story touched on depression, anxiety, the main character’s journey to choosing what exactly she wants to be and all in all, was a deep-ish read and that’s one of the problems. Not that it had those topics, but that it skipped over them after a while, like the romance. One of the points I did not like about the romance at all, was the fact that it went from 60- to 100 at the speed of light, and looking back I liked it, yet even so, if I were to read it again, it wouldn’t sit well with my angsty loving alter ego self. (this one’s called Cleopatra)
* Her sister selling her out on Emmett.
HAHAHAHAHHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHHAHA
I loved you and you did this.
HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA
I will cut you.
On a closing hand, this was a spontaneous add on my part and I don’t exactly regret it, just wish some things were slightly different. The arguments were sound and relatable yet at times, too unrealistic to understand, the romance was quick and fun but at the same time, rushed some interactions that could’ve added the spark this book was definitely missing for me.
And I would be missing if I had the attitude these kids had with their parents. I'm sorry, but I- I can't get over the fact they cussed them out- Child-
----------------- My heart is broken yet so full of so many bloody emotions LIKE THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO NOW????
Thank you Netgalley for ruining my expectations once again. If a celebrity doesn't call me sweetheart or love- Dang it, I need a life.
Never mind, I'll just fall down a Rom Com loophole and pray that I come out alive. I read this book in four hours, I'm emotionally not okay....more
Booktastically
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