This new series is set in her Grisha world, but felt Nordic/European instead of Russian. I actually liked these characters here more than in Shadow & This new series is set in her Grisha world, but felt Nordic/European instead of Russian. I actually liked these characters here more than in Shadow & Bone. This is a high stakes heist book - think Oceans 11. And I loved it, perfect for a snowed-in kind of day....more
It's one of those political/historical/royal YA intrigue thrillers that are my Achilles heel. I think I'm leaning towards li4.5 stars - worth the hype
It's one of those political/historical/royal YA intrigue thrillers that are my Achilles heel. I think I'm leaning towards liking The Winner's Curse more because the complexity of the plot . . . but this series is only one book so far - so I'm not calling the race just yet. A little tired of the overly beautiful, irresistibly beautiful main character -- but the portrayal of men made up for it: as in the bad guys are the ones that are stereotyping all guys as thinking with only one body part and then a variety of different kinds of men proves it wrong; so, kudos. It has complicated romances of all kinds - but this one seems to focus on the family/friendship kind of love a little more; I'm sure it might get more eye-roll-inducing: but you never know. Let's just say it didn't bother me here and it usually does, so..
I've seen other people compare it to Legend: nope. That was pretty predictable and I never read past the first in the series. This? Es Mejor. Mucho mas....more
Still impressed by this indie pubbed fantasy series by someone I met online. I really love the Samoan/pacific setting and creation myths. Loved the neStill impressed by this indie pubbed fantasy series by someone I met online. I really love the Samoan/pacific setting and creation myths. Loved the new characters. Fun escape and I'm supporting an awesome person. Double whammy. ...more
I'm in an online group with the author, and she posted about this book when it was on sale for $1, so I decided to try it out. The MC was raised by heI'm in an online group with the author, and she posted about this book when it was on sale for $1, so I decided to try it out. The MC was raised by her single dad (homeschooled growing up until highschool) near DC and her dad recently passed away. She decides to spend the summer in Samoa, the land her late mother was from. Except the mom's not really dead. There's a love interest, natch. And all of a sudden we're thrown into a paranormal world based on a south pacific legend of the telesa. Welp, I was surprisingly pleased with the book. It was self-pubbed a few years ago and certainly above the level I stereotype self-pubs to be. I think I ended up really liking it, even though it's a bit rough around the edges....more
A brilliant book with fabulous characters placed in a world of magical realism where Finn and his brother Sean (and everyone else) leaWow. Must read.
A brilliant book with fabulous characters placed in a world of magical realism where Finn and his brother Sean (and everyone else) learn the meaning of love and trust. This is just all of the things that need to be said, when they say fiction is the lie through which truth is told . . . they must have been meaning this book. I love that the author chose to have the world rotate around Finn, yet use rotating viewpoints to fill in the gaps. It's a brilliant look at beauty, consent, teenagers, and *how to see each other.*
After reading Shannon Hale's recent story of a 13 year old girl she knows (https://storify.com/haleshannon/new-s...) I need to start teaching her now how to deal with these issues . . . if every parent and teen would read this book I would be a happy person.
Not everything makes sense and really connects when it comes to the magical - but this is by no means in the league of what I usually give 4 stars to.
warning: I think there may be mild swearing and semi-descriptions of schmexy scene...more
Maggie Stiefvater was right, it's perfect. Love the magic. Love nieshka. Love how friends dislike and love and misunderstand and stay loyal to each otMaggie Stiefvater was right, it's perfect. Love the magic. Love nieshka. Love how friends dislike and love and misunderstand and stay loyal to each other. Love how the MC knows her heart and where she belongs.
science fiction story of the future race of humans divided into castes inhabiting Mars and conquering the galaxy... it's a biting critique on inequaliscience fiction story of the future race of humans divided into castes inhabiting Mars and conquering the galaxy... it's a biting critique on inequality and political powerplay;
The first part of the book lagged; the storytelling was short and choppy and I didn't care about the characters. It felt overwrought in some places and underdone in others. At about 30% it starts to pick up and by this time I can't put it down. I've stayed up until 5 am reading. So compelling til the end.
world building: 5 stars plotting: 4 stars characterization: 3 stars violence: 2 stars deus ex machina: 1 star
For all of its weaknesses I'd love to read the next one and find out what happens next....more
eh. sci-fi retelling of Jane Austen's persuasion. I think GoodReads recommended it to me. Not bad. Don't know if I'd read #2 though.eh. sci-fi retelling of Jane Austen's persuasion. I think GoodReads recommended it to me. Not bad. Don't know if I'd read #2 though....more
3.5 stars, can't decide whether to round up or down.
Phew, that was fun. I like how Booklist describes it, "an alternative history, high fantasy, and 3.5 stars, can't decide whether to round up or down.
Phew, that was fun. I like how Booklist describes it, "an alternative history, high fantasy, and contemporary teen life." Lots of wit and fun in this book full of contemporary political skewering. I'm a full on lgbt ally but I would have preferred a little more subtlety bc his aunts relationship played a main factor in the storyline. I would love progressive ideas to just be, and it felt a little to preachy for me. The other weaknesses were I got bogged down sometimes in the alternative history, and the book need a friggin map to go along with it. The climax of driving around different places? I skipped three pages of driving around to get to plot. Map would have helped there. But a lot of really good here, I loved the world building and just in general the radical originality. Interesting the protagonist is a dragon slayer, Owen, but the main character is Siobhan, the MC. I loved she didn't make the main character a book nerd, or love sick, and I loved the musical symbolism. Lots to love here. I hope the next one in the series improves even more.
Here we go, SLJ Battle of the Books, #1. Hang on to your seats I have 6 weeks to knock out the 13 books I haven't read in the brackets yet....more
Sadly meh. The cursed sophomore sequel slump attacks, in which I felt the main character did very little and was extremely dense. You know that feelinSadly meh. The cursed sophomore sequel slump attacks, in which I felt the main character did very little and was extremely dense. You know that feeling when Harry, Hermione, and Ron just wandered around camping for months? I had those flashbacks.
The conflict seemed too tame as I didn't feel complexity or urgency, I was detached from the characters, and it ended with too easy of resolution.
I still love Phina, just not as much :/ as I used to. Depending on how the third book goes I might recommend that people must read book #1 and then just stop. We'll see.
Net galley provided a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Listen this is not great literature although an interesting retelling of beauty and the beast. It’s a little meh tbh. She was scamming us the whole tiListen this is not great literature although an interesting retelling of beauty and the beast. It’s a little meh tbh. She was scamming us the whole time for book two when it gets way better. I consider myself an acotar hipster as I read this first nine years ago.
On a long road trip w darik challenged w him to listen w me. Was hilarious watching his face. He’s v curious about this Rhys guy. ...more
I got this earlier this year through Kindle Prime and finally picked it up last night. I couldn't put it down. I was transported 3.5 stars rounded up.
I got this earlier this year through Kindle Prime and finally picked it up last night. I couldn't put it down. I was transported into a well-built world where witches exist in Savannah, Georgia. There were a couple of really, really well built complex characters that you just couldn't wait for the next scene with them (Jilo) . . . and I felt the entire premise was very original and the setting and atmosphere were really well done.
but the ending - it is an ending to ruin every good ending ever conceived. I was on a great, thrilling ride at the edge of your seat when the resolution of every plot point and existing question in the story is given a triple+ twist. It was insanely too much. It is possible to resolve a concern WITHOUT jacking with them - "oh I told you this was the answer, but really I have two more twisty endings for you about this point."
ugh.
and the (view spoiler)[ forgiving your freaking sister for trying to kill you multiple times? (hide spoiler)] <- I hate that about it. I do think I'll read the second book - but srsly if I can't handle how they handle the sisters imma gonna just stop. There has to be a certain point where even the best of characters says, "uh, yeah, this is not a healthy relationship and needs to be cut off (even if they are blood)."
content: i don't remember swears but I'm sure there were a few, a fade to black scene, and the magic/witch story line doesn't get too creepy or dark. ...more
This is my favorite series right now. I think my love for Stiefvater and this series may cloud any weaknesses right now. But, I love it. I love how shThis is my favorite series right now. I think my love for Stiefvater and this series may cloud any weaknesses right now. But, I love it. I love how she does smart and complex and compelling and people have RELATIONSHIPS, but it's not gooey romance; it's more about family and friendship love than romantic love. Each of these books has a creepy (not bad creepy, can there be good creepy?) part in a different way - you just don't know where it will come from. Mags keeps getting better. For more deets, see my other Raven Cycle reviews.
p.s. at first I received a netgalley copy in exchange for a review, but when I was at ALA I MET HER and bought this book for her to sign. And when I met her (they said no selfies because her line was hecka long) I said, "you are one of my three favorite people" and she says, "who are the other two" and I say, "Minday Kaling and Ellen"
and it was amazing. love her.
p.s. why do her fans have to be so GIF heavy? I'd love to find an actual review of the book - but it's impossible on this page......more
Meh, I am 50/50 on whether to continue to read the series. All the characters are daft and there's very little complexity. She talks more about her boMeh, I am 50/50 on whether to continue to read the series. All the characters are daft and there's very little complexity. She talks more about her boobs and looks than actually kicking arse, which I find strange for an assassin. It pales in comparison to The Girl of Fire and Thorns series and even the middle grade Thief series by MWT. I know not everyone can be MWT, but that's my jam. I'm all for high fantasy and political intrigue with a dash of romance . . . but, no.
The ending is perfect, bounced up to 5 stars. Interesting the amount of parallels one can draw between human war and conflict in this book. Some greatThe ending is perfect, bounced up to 5 stars. Interesting the amount of parallels one can draw between human war and conflict in this book. Some great one liners. Incredible world building. I really liked this series....more
How did I end up rating this YA fantasy romance as "civil-rights-slavery" and "political-biz-econ-ish"?
Because: War
Because in this beautiful world-buHow did I end up rating this YA fantasy romance as "civil-rights-slavery" and "political-biz-econ-ish"?
Because: War
Because in this beautiful world-built land of Heaven and Earth there are people finally coming to grips with the fact they want out of this millenia-long violent conflict. And facing the costs of deescalation may be harder than anyone was ready for.
And right after I finished this book I read about how four young boys in Gaza were playing soccer on the beach and were blown to bits and pieces by Israeli shelling. And as I write today is the bloodiest day on record with ground offensives having started. ...more
I met Maggie for 10 seconds at ALA Las Vegas this summer - the line was so long they were not allowing pictures with said author (laBecause stiefvater
I met Maggie for 10 seconds at ALA Las Vegas this summer - the line was so long they were not allowing pictures with said author (lame). But I did get to tell her she was one of my favorites.
That being said the Shiver series was not my favorite - I read the first one, it was okay - but never finished the trilogy. When I heard this was a standalone and it wasn't necessary to read all three of the others I decided to give it a whirl, because the longer MS writes, the more I like her work.
In this book Cole and Isabel both remind me of this quote Mags gave in an interview, ""When I hit 17 and 18 -- I was suicidal. Everything was great . . . but I looked at the adults around me and thought that I didn't see a single one I wanted to be when I grew up. I did, however see a lot of people I didn't want to be." {later} "Because really, I didn't understand then that if I didn't see the world I wanted around me, I could make myself a world that I wanted. I didn't think one person could change anything. I didn't realize that I could find people like me and fill my life with them."
My review of this book can be encapsulated in two sentences: Maggie Stiefvater certainly knows how to write a book about addiction and brokenness and make it seem like a beach read. It's kind of bloody brilliant.
(ps this comes from a sister of an addict who has seen the effects of addiction on a family. ...more
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