I enjoyed this, just...I wanted more depth, I think. Like, the romance happens so fast. SO FAST!!! I couldn’t quite see what either of them really likI enjoyed this, just...I wanted more depth, I think. Like, the romance happens so fast. SO FAST!!! I couldn’t quite see what either of them really liked about the other. And I sort of wanted a little more resolution with Morgan’s friends. I love the art, though, and the story is super sweet, it just feels only partially formed to me. Totally looking forward to more from Ostertag, though!...more
So, first of all, I did not know that this is the second book in the series when I started it, so in the beginning I was definitely a little confused.So, first of all, I did not know that this is the second book in the series when I started it, so in the beginning I was definitely a little confused. But I just went with it and figured things out fairly quickly. Unfortunately, it didn't really help a whole lot because I found the story just suuuuper simplistic, as well as choppy and ridiculous. I did not really enjoy the writing at all, and the art is sort of pretty? But it's also kind of strange at times.
I do have questions about what happened in the first book, but I also didn't enjoy this one enough to actually bother with going back to read the book.
This one...I struggled with until like...3/4ths of the way through? I just felt partly confused, as the perspective changes, and partly bored by the sThis one...I struggled with until like...3/4ths of the way through? I just felt partly confused, as the perspective changes, and partly bored by the slow pacing. Only, somewhere towards the end, it all really started coming together for me, and the way things finish is lovely. It's a really interesting story in a lot of ways, and definitely well worth a read!...more
I dunno, guys...the ratings for this one are crazy good, but I'm not totally feeling it.
There's a lot I liked intellectually--all the descriptions ofI dunno, guys...the ratings for this one are crazy good, but I'm not totally feeling it.
There's a lot I liked intellectually--all the descriptions of communication and different forms of language and the realities of dealing with a new sentient species when it's out to kill you and how to handle that: focus on learning about them in hopes of being understood? Or just learn about them in order to figure out how they function and what might be able to stop them? Just straight up annihilate them? There's a lot of really interesting science going on here (so much so that I'm changing its shelving from fantasy to science fiction), and, having always been pretty fascinated with cryptozoology, I love the idea of looking at mermaids in this way--are they what they've always seemed to be in our mythology, or are they something totally different, based on the premise that they are (at least in this book) deep ocean dwellers? The biology was super cool.
But...the characters. There are a lot of them, and it's not like they're hard to tell apart, but I feel like because we get so many points of view, none of them felt completely well-developed to me. I guess, again, I liked the characters on one level (believable backgrounds and agendas), but on another level, I just never managed to connect with a single one, or care about what happened to them at all. So even though this is a seemingly super creepy horror novel about killer mermaids full of death and blood and guts and entrail feasts, and you never know who's going to be eaten next, I had no problem reading it right before bed and never felt even remotely sad when anyone met their end.
I feel like the structure just didn't work for me, as much as I love the ideas behind it. That said, I'm liking that Grant is making forays into non-zombie territory in a way that I think works much better than her Parisitology series (not that I read past the first book, but...). If she writes more about killer mermaids (...er, I mean sirens) in the future, I'll probably read it!...more
To be clear--I'm only abandoning and one-starring the audiobook version--I haaaaaaaaate the narrator. She makes all the kids sound like 80-year-old wiTo be clear--I'm only abandoning and one-starring the audiobook version--I haaaaaaaaate the narrator. She makes all the kids sound like 80-year-old witches. Can't do it. I was thinking I'd switch to the print version, but I just realized this author wrote another book that I tried and abandoned, so maybe she's just not my bag. Still...maybe I'll give this another try one day?...more
Oh, Tanith Lee--so weird and so awesome. I'm not usually a big fan of short stories, but Lee knew how to do them right.
The first story (The Gorgon, wOh, Tanith Lee--so weird and so awesome. I'm not usually a big fan of short stories, but Lee knew how to do them right.
The first story (The Gorgon, which kind of reminded me of John Fowles' The Magus) and the last (La Reign Blanche, which seemed to draw on elements of Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel, and E.A. Poe's The Raven) were my favorites, but there wasn't a single story in this collection that I didn't enjoy (or, if not enjoy, exactly, at least consider good or thought-provoking or super creepy). These stories cover a lot of ground, from fairy tale retellings, mythology, horror, humor, traditional fantasy of the unicorn and dragon variety (but with a few twists), science fiction, cats, and women's roles, stereotypes and treatment. A lot going on here!
I'm still making my way through Lee's VAST amount of work, but I can definitely see revisiting this one someday....more
So, I definitely love pirates. And I definitely think there should be more YA books about pirates, and of theEhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........................
So, I definitely love pirates. And I definitely think there should be more YA books about pirates, and of the fantasy variety rather than the historical fiction variety, if that makes sense. But this one is kinda weak.
Okay, first of all, the whole brothers-with-three-parts-of-a-map thing is so totally Cutthroat Island, which is an amazingly bad movie that I absolutely adore--Geena Davis! Matthew Modine! Terrible acting! A cheeky monkey! Lines like, "See? I took your balls." Seriously, you should do yourself a favor and watch that mess sometime. I'll bring the mac and cheese!
Anyway, there's also the whole map hunt pirate sexy time thing going on here that's part Romancing the Stone as well, and then the rest of it just feels like your typical YA paranormal romance stuff to me.
In addition, the character development and plot set up felt kind of half-assed. There's not a lot of chemistry between the main characters. We know Alosa's hunting for this map, but we're not really given any reason to care whether she actually finds it or not. It all ended up feeling like a poorly disguised excuse for the romance, you know? What's your motivation, Alosa? Besides not wanting to upset your dad and keeping your dumb fiery red hair? *shrug*
I dunno. I was actually kinda bored until around three-fourths of the way through, when a bunch of weird coincidences happen all at once and things get kind of crazy, but mostly in a rushed and unsatisfying way.
All in all, there just didn't seem to be anything really new or compelling here, and I'm not really interested enough to read more in the series. I like my pirate books fun, and this just...wasn't.
But it did make me want to watch Cutthroat Island again for like the five millionth time. Who's with me???
Loved this third book in the series, possibly the most of all of them, possibly because Nell's always been my fave. Nell 4 EVA!
Anyway, as the book opeLoved this third book in the series, possibly the most of all of them, possibly because Nell's always been my fave. Nell 4 EVA!
Anyway, as the book opens, Nell's struggling with the role she's found herself in the last few years--acting as an unwilling mouthpiece for a mysterious voice advocating balance among all creatures and proper stewardship of the world (usually at the least opportune of times), and learning herb lore and medicine from her boyfriend Corbin's mother--as a former enforcer, she finds peace and quiet somewhat binding, and realizes that she's actually missing her days of wielding her sword.
And then a new danger comes along, threatening to overturn everything she and her friends have been working so hard towards, and her sword might just get some action once again! Only, naturally, that comes with another whole set of problems, and Nell has to figure out who she really is and what she really wants before it destroys her and everything she cares for as well.
I love the way Nell interacts with Corbin and Sierra especially, her companions from the first book, and that they have real conflicts with and real respect for one another. I love that they don't always agree with each other, and that they call each other out when needed, and have painful, awkward, real discussions about things. Same goes for glimpses of the ways Sierra and Phoebe have worked towards a new understanding after the events of the second book. Phoebe is so strong here, and I felt so proud of her! There's so much depth and tenderness and love in these relationships, and that's honestly what I love the most about this whole series.
But then, this book also deals with complicated issues--issues that seem especially relevant these days--in such a balanced and caring way, and a way that advocates change and redemption and forgiveness and atonement, which I can always get behind.
Plus, a fiery sword! Ice dragons! Mysterious cloaked figures! Blood magic! Epic battles! So, you know, there's plenty of action to be had as well, if that's more your thing.
One more note: a quick disclaimer that Curiosity Quills sent me a copy to read and review in advance of its publication, and that Amy is my friend, and that I've actually lost count of how many different iterations and bits and pieces of this book I read as she was in the process of writing it. But this final version is so amazingly perfect and unexpected that I found myself completely hooked even so. And I think this is a series I'll come back to again for rereads whenever I'm in the mood for something epic and sweet and tough and inspiring.
Well delivered, my friend--long live Aluvia!!!...more
Loved this just as much as I did Fairy Keeper, if not more! It takes place four years later, and Phoebe is still dealing with the after effects of beiLoved this just as much as I did Fairy Keeper, if not more! It takes place four years later, and Phoebe is still dealing with the after effects of being kidnapped and imprisoned by Bentwood. Physically and emotionally, she's still scarred by it, and feels useless, as her older, magical sister and her friends are off saving the world while she's told to stay at home and stay safe and do exactly what Sierra tells her to do. But when something sinister washes up on the beach near the house, naturally all that begins to change.
I love how much Phoebe grows up over the course of the book, learning to be brave again, learning that she has worth and purpose, learning to fight in ways she never believed possible. I love the sweet love, friendship, and fierce loyalty she shares with her best friends Tristan and Mina. And I especially love her complicated relationship with Sierra. There's also lots of adventure, gorgeous descriptions of underwater wonderlands, and a couple of really great twists. And the ending! So, so good!
This is a great book for kids right at that border between middle grade and YA--action, light romance, a touch of darkness, but all with a fairy tale-like quality and a sense of innocence.
Full disclosure: Amy's my friend, and Curiosity Quills offered me a free e-book in exchange for an honest review. But here's the thing--I read this book a couple times while still in progress, and certain parts many more times than that, and even so, I totally devoured the final version. I love these characters, I love the journeys they go through, and I cannot WAIT for Dragon Redeemer--Nell's book, you guys!!! I love Nell!!!...more
This is one that just caught my eye among the thousands of picture books I look at every year at work. I mean, look at it! It's gorgeous! And the storThis is one that just caught my eye among the thousands of picture books I look at every year at work. I mean, look at it! It's gorgeous! And the story is just...quiet and sweet and lovely. I saw another review where someone wonders why Oscar can't just have one friend, but I didn't really feel like that's what the book is about. I feel like it's more about the Sea Tiger being the kind of friend who can help someone he loves experience something new--because that's hard for some of us! And I don't see it as saying that Sea Tiger and Oscar can no longer be friends, but more that there's room for others in their lives too. Whatever, I just love it. So there!...more
So, at first I refused to read this book because of the cover (which, I think, is actually what persuaded most people to read it). I don't really haveSo, at first I refused to read this book because of the cover (which, I think, is actually what persuaded most people to read it). I don't really have any interest in mermaid romance novels, I guess. But then I started reading reviews and became intrigued. I mean, folks HATE this book! And find it horribly offensive! And then other folks LOVE it, and think it's beautiful and amazing. And since a lot of the negative reviews seemed...well, kind of ridiculous to me (there's cussing on every page, ahhhhhhhhh!), I figured, what the heck? I'll give it a go.
And I liked it. I never really connected with the characters, and I found the story interesting, and not compelling. But I certainly don't know why people are so up in arms about it. Yes, some of the characters in the book say misogynistic things, but come on. For the most part, the main character rejects those comments and thinks they're stupid. I feel like 99% of the quotes people are holding up as justification for calling this book misogynistic are taken totally out of context.
Anyway, while I turned out not to be one of those people who absolutely adored this book, I definitely enjoyed it, and found moments of beauty and truth in it, and appreciated the unusual perspective. There are some parts I thought were kind of...silly, but overall, it's a fairly well-written modern fairy tale that made me wish I was reading it on a beach somewhere instead of on my couch or at the break room table at work.
Oh, good grief. I said I'd give it 100 pages, but...I'm out. This story certainly has some potential, but wow, it's a mess! It actually started out prOh, good grief. I said I'd give it 100 pages, but...I'm out. This story certainly has some potential, but wow, it's a mess! It actually started out pretty well--things got really creepy right off the bat, and I was quite interested in how Abby would handle things (view spoiler)[she's out for a swim when a murdered girl is dumped off a boat practically on top of her, still in the process of dying, and then she almost gets eaten by sharks! (hide spoiler)]. Sadly, she handles things by not telling anyone what she's seen (for totally selfish reasons) and being an obnoxious, whiny jerk (view spoiler)[Sure, she's a mermaid, so she's got something to hide. But she never once thinks, "is there a way to maybe give the police a hint about what happened to this girl anonymously?" She actually doesn't seem to think about the girl or her family at all, other than whenever she's mentioned on the news feeling guilty that she didn't do anything to help her. No, she seems far more concerned about the fact that if her mom knew about it, she wouldn't let her go swimming anymore because of the sharks. (hide spoiler)]. Then we find out that OMG, she's sooooooo beautiful that every boy wants her and every girl hates her and she has no friends, and we find out that Brian saw her on the beach that morning and knows what she is, and then the way he jumps to conclusions seems absolutely ridiculous (view spoiler)[
Hmmmm, there's a story on the news about a foot washing up on the beach that they think belongs to that girl that went missing Saturday night. Hey, I saw Abby on the beach all mermaidy on Sunday morning. Therefore, Abby must have MURDERED THAT GIRL!!!(hide spoiler)], and I just couldn't bring myself to like or care for or have any further interest in either one of them. Plus there are typos. I hate typos.
Anyway, I think there's a somewhat intriguing story down in there somewhere, but it just needed a lot more work, in my opinion. I don't have the patience to get to it, but if you don't mind somewhat poorly-developed and unsympathetic characters that act illogically and some really bizarre typos, you might enjoy this. I'm going to give the rest of it a pass though....more
This mostly turned itself around about halfway through, but up until then, I found this...tedious and, at times, poorly written, which totally pains mThis mostly turned itself around about halfway through, but up until then, I found this...tedious and, at times, poorly written, which totally pains me to say because I usually absolutely love Marillier's books. But she did a number of different things in this one, and I don't really feel like those things worked all that well. I kind of hated the present tense bits told from Felix's point of view--they felt somehow cheesy and awkward and unnecessary and...immature, especially at the beginning when he has amnesia. And I felt like the plot as a whole was vastly more predictable than usual, and it frustrated me that it took the characters so long to finally figure out things that were completely obvious to me right from the start--I just wish Marillier had been a bit more subtle with the way she presented Svala and Knut and the shipwreck, and also with the way Sibeal's sisters speak to her about what she'll be giving up if she decides to continue her path to becoming a druid. I felt as though I was being beaten over the head with so many things in this book, which made it a not entirely enjoyable experience. And yet...once things eventually got moving in the second half of the book, I found myself, as always, really appreciating Marillier's descriptions of events. It never felt fully like a Sevenwaters book to me, despite the cast of common characters; this one really has much more of a young adult sort of feel to it than any of the others do. I'll read it again at some point, and maybe I'll like it more the second time through, but it's definitely my least favorite of hers (I think I even liked that first Bridei book better). Judging from things said towards the end of Seer of Sevenwaters, it seems that there will be at least one more book in the Sevenwaters series; I just hope Marillier gets her groove back for it. ...more
Eh. The idea was pretty cute, but I found the writing really immature, and I quickly grew very, very bored with it. I mean, it's a short book, but I sEh. The idea was pretty cute, but I found the writing really immature, and I quickly grew very, very bored with it. I mean, it's a short book, but I still couldn't force myself to push through it. Even halfway through, I just had never managed to connect with any of the characters at all. My one-star rating is not because it's a terrible book; it's really not. It just isn't for me. I'm abandoning this one....more
2.5 stars--more than just ok, but...I still can't say I actually liked it. I loved the idea behind this story, and the different cultures involved, bu2.5 stars--more than just ok, but...I still can't say I actually liked it. I loved the idea behind this story, and the different cultures involved, but there really isn't much depth to any of the characters, including the main ones, and I felt like things were really rushed and not resolved in a way that made sense or felt realistic to me. It's got much more of a middle-grade feel than a young-adult feel, and yet the characters are around eighteen years old. I don't know. It all just seemed over-simplified to me, and so I never really managed to feel much of anything for anyone or anything that happened here. And yeah, not a whole lot actually does happen. I just wanted more. But Dolamore is definitely capable of creating interesting worlds, so I'm still looking forward to reading what she puts out next. I just hope it's a little more fully-formed. ...more
Beautiful cover, enjoyable characters, intriguing plot. I liked it. Only...there was some spark missing that kept me from REALLY liking it. It felt blBeautiful cover, enjoyable characters, intriguing plot. I liked it. Only...there was some spark missing that kept me from REALLY liking it. It felt bland somehow--just light and sweet, with a minimum of real conflict. And though part of me appreciated the ambiguity of the ending, I couldn't help but wish a couple of things had been a little more concrete. I don't know if Friedman is planning a sequel to this or not, but if she is, I'll read it....more
Ehhhhh...I honestly didn't much care for this one much. It felt much more like a typical romance novel than the fairy tale retellings I usually read, Ehhhhh...I honestly didn't much care for this one much. It felt much more like a typical romance novel than the fairy tale retellings I usually read, and the lack of real character depth made it impossible for me to care about what happened to anybody. The whole thing just felt too surfacy and formulaic for my liking, and the sex scenes just made me laugh. Neat idea, just poorly executed, in my opinion. I guess I really shouldn't have expected so much from this, since the only other Mercedes Lackey book I've read I disliked as well. I won't be reading any of the others in this series, that's for sure!...more
Okay, so yeah, this book is terrible. Just look at the cover! Basically this woman inherits a mysterious house in Cornwall from a mysterious relative Okay, so yeah, this book is terrible. Just look at the cover! Basically this woman inherits a mysterious house in Cornwall from a mysterious relative she's never heard of, and when she goes there OMG! Everyone thinks she looks just like this dead woman from 200 years ago! And the anniversary of her disappearance is coming up! And there might be an evil merman involved! Also, there are not two, not three, but FOUR possible love interests. LOVE PENTAGON!
And yet, I still love this book. I don't know why. Maybe it's the setting. Maybe it's all the mentions of clotted cream. In any case, it's a total comfort book and I have read it (and will continue to read it) an embarrassing number of times.
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