When I got the arc of City of Nightmares two days ago, I for sure didn't expect I'd read and review it so quickly, but sometimes we're surprised in thWhen I got the arc of City of Nightmares two days ago, I for sure didn't expect I'd read and review it so quickly, but sometimes we're surprised in the best way possible and that's basically why I read, you know? But let's see why I liked it very much, shall we?
This compelling and fast-paced YA urban fantasy novel features: ✔ a wonderful premise that made me wonder about what *is* my biggest fear : what if every time you fell asleep, you were at risk to turn into your worst nightmare? ✔ a likeable and VERY relatable main character (I, too, would hide and jump out of the window if some huge cockroach attacked me, loved ones be damned—SORRY OKAY, I'M BEING REAL HERE) who struggles with past trauma and has (entirely understandable, all things considered) trust issues ✔ MONSTERS EVERYWHERE!! VAMPIRES!! CORRUPT POLITICIANS WITH A PTERODACTYL PET!! ✔ a Gotham-like corrupt city in a creepy and weird world (see above) ✔ wholesome friendships ...more
Only a Monster is a novel I've been anticipating for months—since the moment I've read the blurb on Goodreads, really—and I was so sure I would fall hOnly a Monster is a novel I've been anticipating for months—since the moment I've read the blurb on Goodreads, really—and I was so sure I would fall heads over heels in love with it. A monster as a main character? A monster slayer as a love interest? COUNT ME IN. Looking at my three-star rating, you can already guess that sadly, even though I liked reading it for the most part, it wasn't the complete success I was expecting it to be. Let's see why, shall we?
Let me say first that as a series, the premise has a lot of potential— as a book, it's definitely not perfect, but it's one of those times when we can see how the world and story can—and, I hope, will— expand. The story starts when Joan, a British-Chinese 16 years-old, learns that she's a monster with hidden abilities, like all the maternal side of her family. In that sense, this is very much a chosen one story, but one where the main character doesn't want anything to do with it, really. Indeed Joan, who is dead set on following rules and being a good person in general, doesn't want to embrace her monstrous side. In all honestly, I'd probably react the same way. Who wants to be the bad guy? I've always believed that the best written villains were the ones who thought they were the good guys, and I liked how Only a Monster touched this subject not once but twice. Things aren't set in stone, and Joan soon realizes that when tragedy strikes, doing the right thing is not always an obvious choice. How will she navigate her path forwards? I guess you'll see ;)
Overall I liked Joan as a main character—she's a bit reckless and thinks she knows best, sure, but she's also a 16 years-old put in a very difficult situation, so you'll get no judgment from me. I do wish I'd have grown more attached to her but I still have hope for the sequel! Where Only a Monster shined was with its compelling side-characters : from Joan's family to her—sometimes unlikely—allies, I really enjoyed getting to know them and seeing their dynamics play out and evolve. Aaron and Tom in particular picked my interest : Aaron because I'm a very predictable reader—you cannot give me an enemy... who's cranky, a bit of a snob, mysterious, but goes all soft sometimes, and not expect me to like him, really— and Tom because his story moved me.
The world-building was interesting and I enjoyed getting to know about the different families' powers. I hope it will be expanded in the sequel, because I want to explore!!!! The magic system was a bit inconsistant at times however and some events looked a bit too convenient. It didn't prevent me from having fun, but I did notice the few discrepancies. It always comes back to the same rule, really : you can't say something isn't possible and then change it later to further the plot when you need it. I mean, you can, but it's unlikely it won't get me out of the story, even if it's only for a few seconds. As for the time-travel aspects, I really liked them : the restrictions Vanessa Len imagined were interesting and made for a more compelling story in my opinion.
Overall the writing was decent, nothing special but nothing overtly annoying either. I really wasn't a fan of the prose at the beginning, but it got better along the way. I did notice a few repetitions in dialog and the use of adverbs was a bit too much for my liking, but as it's an arc I'll definitely check the physical copy!
My biggest complain was the romance and the lack of any kind of build-up. I don't think it's a spoiler to say that the main ship relies on the soulmate trope—the author herself mentioned it several times on social media—and unfortunately it didn't work for me at all. Really, it made me remember why I didn't like soulmates stories—it's been so long since I've read one that I thought that maybe, this time, I would enjoy it but nah. The suddenness of it all ruins the tension—I don't care if they've loved each other forever when for me, the reader, it appears out of thin air. I genuinely can't see how I'm supposed to care? It does not mean that I cannot enjoy soulmate stories. It's VERY rare, but it's happened. For this to work however there need to be some kind of relationship between the mc and her "fated" love-interest IN THE PRESENT TIMELINE, IN TEXT. Given that Nick was absent for most of the book—and replaced with another boy way more interesting anyway—it just couldn't work and I didn't buy their "love". It didn't help that I couldn't care for Nick as a character either, and for the same reasons : I'm sorry but I just don't know him. Aaron, however, I could (WOULD) ship with her because they actually have an evolving relationship I can see myself getting invested in (their last scene in particular? SO MUCH POTENTIAL). I guess we'll see where it all goes in the sequels but I definitely need more.
All in all, Only a Monster is a good debut novel that managed to keep my interest alive until the very end. Even though I had my qualms and it never totally won me over, I'll definitely read the sequel and I would recommend reading it if you enjoy PNR/UF YA stories.
“It’s funny how you use logic in an argument and think it will persuade me.”
This is over, and if I was to analyze Magic Triumphs, I'd have to ment
“It’s funny how you use logic in an argument and think it will persuade me.”
This is over, and if I was to analyze Magic Triumphs, I'd have to mention a few things that bothered me—the ending felt rushed, a few plot points were convenient and others were useless—but to be honest? I've started rereading the first 4 books on August 5, and never stopped since then. I have breathed Kate Daniels for 10 days, and never for one second did my interest waver. So, sure, intellectually I can point to stuff I didn't like or that would have been stronger if handled differently, but at the end of the day, I don't fucking care. I never binge-read series like that anymore. Especially not 10-books-long series. So excuse me but I'll remain gleefully swimming in leniency because these books made me HAPPY and I'll treasure them forever. *shrugs*...more
I'm starting to sound like a broken record lmao. I love where the story is going, and enjoyed this 8th book a lot. I'm starting to sound like a broken record lmao. I love where the story is going, and enjoyed this 8th book a lot. ...more
I'm so pleased.Magic Breaks confirmed everything I believed Kate and Curran to be, and I enjoyed it immensely. The slowish beginning felt like a balmI'm so pleased.Magic Breaks confirmed everything I believed Kate and Curran to be, and I enjoyed it immensely. The slowish beginning felt like a balm to my heart after Magic Rises—but I loved both for different reasons—and the second half was just thrilling. I can count on the fingers of one hand the series that manage to keep my interest alive after 7 books, and Kate Daniels' is now undoubtedly part of that exclusive club. Recommended....more
“Kate is just Kate and you belong with us. That’s all that matters.”
4.5 stars. Oh my god.I cannot believe that I've waited for five years
“Kate is just Kate and you belong with us. That’s all that matters.”
4.5 stars. Oh my god.I cannot believe that I've waited for five years to read this book because reviews scared me off. Since I've started rereading the first books last week, I couldn't escape the utter dread I felt whenever I thought about what I had read in reviews back in 2016. What the fuck?
“Curran’s whore comes to visit us,” Jarek said in accented English. The three men laughed as if on cue. I glanced at Mahon. “You really shouldn’t let him talk to you like that.” Mahon’s bushy eyebrows came together.
Full disclosure : in 2016, when I thought that I wouldn't finish this series, I checked reviews for Magic Rises because the numerous messages I got from friends and follow reviewers telling me that THEY FELL OUT OF LOVE IN BOOK 6 got me extremely curious. I mean!! I'm human, okay? This means that I knew going in that some really annoying stuff would happen ((view spoiler)[I knew Curran was pretending with Lorelei because of some stupid plan (hide spoiler)]), and it colored my experience, of course. This said however, and take it from someone who loathes this specific kind of relationship drama, I'm with Anne on this : it really isn't that bad.
“You being safe is more important to me than having you.”
I'll be the first to acknowledge that knowing in advance made it easier to bear at the time, but I really don't agree with how it's been interpreted on here sometimes. And that's okay! We're allowed to disagree with each other! It's my review though so as usual, I'll share my opinion :)
“Great,” Curran said. “Another fine addition to your collection of uncanny misfits.” “I take offense to that,” Barabas said. “Don’t worry, I count myself in, too,” Curran told him.
Ilona Andrews never let any character flaws go unaddressed, and I love them for that. In Magic Rises, they tackled one of Curran's (view spoiler)[—his inclination to take decisions alone and to hell with other's opinions, because he thinks he knows best— (hide spoiler)] and they chose the most painful path to go at it. For me anyway, because I really, really dislike this trope. Really. Yet I've never been so invested? If I had to complain about one thing in this series, I'd say that the beginnings truly try my patience sometimes (often). Every book ends on such a high, and then it all fizzles out while starting the next one (binge-reading them certainly does not help, lol). None of that here : I was invested from page one, and my interest never wavered. The stakes have been raised on all fronts, and I enjoyed the hell out of it. I worried, I laughed, I teared up- I loved it.
Inside me a small voice told me that in his place I would’ve done the same thing, no matter the fallout I had to endure at the end. Having him alive and mad at me was infinitely better than having him dead. But loving someone and being with him were two different things.
Now for the spoiler tagged part of my review :
(view spoiler)[I do question Curran's judgment, and yes, absolutely, his decision was infuriating and stupid, but I do not question his sincerity at all. First, there's nothing in the previous books —and I mean, absolutely nothing— that would make a cheater out of him believable. Nothing at all?! Controlling, impulsive, arrogant, violent, alright, but a man who would enjoy another woman's attention even though it's clear he's in love with someone else? Nope. I'm sorry, I just don't see it. Secondly, I've seen people stating that Kate wasn't a bad liar because she hid her personal history but the fact that she can't hide her emotions has actually been mentioned several times in the previous books, by different characters.
Does that mean that I agree with Curran's decision? No, I don't! But there's a difference between disagreeing with the way he handled the situation and thinking that he's a cheating bastard that only cares about his pack. I'm sorry, but there's nothing in his behavior in the previous books for me to make the assumption that he would be influenced by and attracted to someone like Lorelei. Not to mention that book 5 made it obvious that Curran felt betrayed by his Pack and that Kate was more important to him.
And do not get me started on what Hugh said, like come on??? Dude is trying to win her over? What he says about the shapeshifters not caring about their children is so gross and blatantly untrue, but I should take his opinion about Curran seriously??? LMAO.
Finally, about Lorelei's challenge and Curran's reaction : I loved it. Kate is threatened by Hugh at the time, and fighting with Lorelei would be a waste of her time and energy. Curran understands this, and his rejection proves to Lorelei and everyone present that he doesn't want Kate to be challenged. I understand being disappointed that Kate didn't kill her, but honestly? She's not important enough. (hide spoiler)]
I'll definitely come back to this review in the future to add quotes at least but for now, I'll leave with this : yes, there might be a few plot holes, but I loved this and I can't wait to see where the story goes. Recommended....more
Awful title aside, the first half wasn't too bad but the rest of the book lost me Awful title aside, the first half wasn't too bad but the rest of the book lost me ...more
Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘
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