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| 4.52
| 18,672
| Nov 2020
| Nov 2020
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it was amazing
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5/5 stars, I totally needed those stories from Nezha’s point of view "She's the only divine thing he's ever believed in. The only creature in this vas 5/5 stars, I totally needed those stories from Nezha’s point of view "She's the only divine thing he's ever believed in. The only creature in this vast, cruel land who could kill him. And sometimes, in his loveliest dreams, he imagines she does" (15) While it was short, and not so sweet, this collection of moments from The Poppy War series in Nezha's point of view was something I desperately needed. I will take any scrap of content after finishing this series, as it's fantastic and one of my favorites. Kuang created a very complicated character with Nezha, every time you think you know something about him, a new piece of information comes to light. The series really built him up as a great character, even if he was sort of going against Rin at times. He always had such a great story behind and in front of him, and every piece was orchestrated perfectly. This collection really made me even more attached to him. I was never in love with him as his intentions were not always clear, and he did some frankly horrible things. But he was always so interesting and seeing into his head in this collection helped me care about him even more. The way he sees the world is different then Rin and others in the series, but he is also a product of his father and the way he was nurtured. I don't think he always did the right thing, but he tried to make a world that he knew the people could survive in. Nezha's relationship with Rin in the book is so utterly charged with connection, in more than one way. It's like they were tied by fate together to be each other's undoing and mirror image. Both of them are willing to do what it takes to get their way, the reflections in their skills and powers are wonderful, they know each other's attacks so well they can feel what the other is going to do at any given moment, and they have both been burdened with the legacy they were brought into. "They are, both of them, bound by forces far behind their making: vicious paths that put them in this spot, across each other, never on the same side" (13) I adore this short collection of moments in Nezha's mind with my whole heart. This entire series has latched onto my soul and torn it into pieces. I will never forget about anything that happened, and the utter symbolism behind everything. This was a perfect way to end my reading of the books. [TW: death of a family member, human experimentation, betrayal, war themes] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Dec 25, 2021
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Dec 25, 2021
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Dec 25, 2021
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ebook
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| B00E70Z8Y2
| 3.76
| 9,849
| Aug 20, 2013
| Aug 20, 2013
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really liked it
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4/5 stars, a quick but captivating novella set in vicious’ dark world This was available for free on tor.com and it's a short (15-page) novella set in 4/5 stars, a quick but captivating novella set in vicious’ dark world This was available for free on tor.com and it's a short (15-page) novella set in the Vicious world. I read this immediately after I finished the first book in the series because I desperately needed something else to feed my new obsession with this series. And I have to say I am not disappointed. While it's not a super in-depth story about a character or any of them we knew, but I really enjoyed it. It houses an individual story about a man who has a near-death experience, and both the effects on his life and how it ends (if you've read the book I am sure you can assume what happens). I want tons more novellas and stories like this, as when it was revealed how people obtained their powers I wanted to see tons more. Seeing the types of powers and people who have them is something that is really fun! So I am really happy that I picked this up fast after, giving me a bit more ExtraOrdinary characters in the world. [TW: death of a friend, divorce, loss of family and friends] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Dec 13, 2021
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Dec 13, 2021
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Dec 13, 2021
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Kindle Edition
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| 1529344565
| 9781529344561
| 1529344565
| 4.30
| 69,364
| Nov 16, 2021
| Nov 16, 2021
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it was amazing
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4.5/5 stars, I knew this would end that way but that was so heartbreaking "A rose is a rose even by another name. But we choose whether we will offer 4.5/5 stars, I knew this would end that way but that was so heartbreaking "A rose is a rose even by another name. But we choose whether we will offer beauty to the world, or if we will use our thorns to sting" (406) This at its core is a retelling of Romeo & Juliet, filled with heartbreak and betrayal, as well as the politics of two families in their own war. This series is really great at expanding on all of that in its own unique way, with Chloe Gong's expertise at the wheel it's even more marvelous. She brings so much more to the story than just a simple love story between two young people, and it's very obvious how amazing of a writer she really is. I won't go into too much detail about the synopsis or the plot, as this is a sequel but I wanted to touch on my favorite parts. Juliette works harder than ever in this story to keep her place as the heir to the scarlet gang, if she makes one wrong step then her cousin will have the ability to usurp her place. It was really interesting seeing how she kept her place in the gang, especially with all of the betrayals that happen in this book. Roma was reeling after some betrayal in his life, he is determined to set things right even if that means killing the girl on the other side of their gangs. When a new monstrous threat arises in the city, both of them are ready to end everything once and for all. The overall plot and pacing felt a lot better than the last book, it was more even which was really nice to see. Every moment felt flooded with emotion and tension, which was what I wanted a little more of from the last book. A lot of time is also spent with the supporting characters and their relationships, which made the story flow more smoothly. I was glad to see that the ending didn't feel rushed either, I'm always a bit afraid of that in endings, and it was super emotional. The influence of Romeo and Juliet was also a lot more prominent in this book, even on my limited influence of Shakespeare. There were multiple quotes and references and it reminded me what this book's core is. As well I adore that this story takes place in both the 1920s and Shanghai, I will never have enough stories in the roaring 20s as it's my favorite. Shanghai isn't a setting that I have read a lot of stories that are centered here. The backdrop of this dark and gritty space really lets the blood feud between the families, as well as the foreign influences shine. Juliette is one of the best badass women main characters out there, she is super layered and this book peeled back even more on her personality. She is ruthless and willing to use violence and any extremes to ensure her people are protected. And yet, she defies her parents over and over as she believes in a better world as well. Seeing every aspect of her in this book really made me love her even more than before, and I truly can't express how happy I was to see her again. Roma is one of my favorite male leads, he's charming and willing to do whatever it takes for those he loves, but he's truly a softie and does falter sometimes. In his core he just wants Juliette and his family, and that's it. He wants to be safe and happy, living without consequence and unfortunately that is not what he gets. Roma was pretty much the same from the last book, while a bit more vicious, but I was not complaining. I loved him then and I loved him now. The side characters, especially the family of Roma and Juliette in the gangs, really shone in this book especially as the book took more of a focus on them. Benedikt and Marshall being mentioned a lot especially was lovely, considering it allowed for casual LGBTQ representation. I also really liked the twists surrounding Rosalind and Kathleen, they both stand on their own as well and it was interesting seeing the development for them in this book. The only thing that I felt was a bit repetitive was the betrayals of Tyler and Dimitri, to the scarlet and white roses respectively. It kept happening and after a bit it was repetitive, but by far not enough to turn me off. A love story filled with angst is essentially what Roma and Juliette's is, and with precision Gong intertwines them with the original story, while also adding new layers to their romance. There is always so much tension and angst, which I really adore in my romance so it was a nice bonus. They also truly had a connection, I've felt it in both books and it made it easy to root for their romance. "To have and to hold, where even death cannot part us. In this life and the next, for however long our souls remain, mine will always find yours" (486) Overall, this was a fantastic sequel to an already fantastic book. From every element of Romeo and Juliet brought in, to the lovely pieces that Chloe Gong created herself. I cannot wait to read more from her as this is a great start to her career. [TW: blood, gore, grief, torture, violence, self-harm, death of a family member, death of a friend, gun violence, suicidal intent (on page)] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Dec 15, 2021
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Dec 22, 2021
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Nov 16, 2021
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Hardcover
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| 1481426303
| 9781481426305
| 1481426303
| 4.39
| 394,069
| May 27, 2014
| May 27, 2014
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it was amazing
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4.5 or 5/5 stars, my favorite mortal instruments book right here This was by far my favorite mortal instruments book, while the road was rocky to get 4.5 or 5/5 stars, my favorite mortal instruments book right here This was by far my favorite mortal instruments book, while the road was rocky to get to this utterly fantastic finale, I am still grateful I read each book. Each of them individually was by no means perfect, but they led up to this large and amazing finale, that couldn't be this way without all the books that came before it. There is something so beautiful about seeing all the stories, characters, and families intertwine in this final book. The main theme of this book is friendship being put at the forefront, and more specifically found families. It's about choosing who you want to spend your life and time with, and realizing that it doesn't have to be someone with the same blood as you. It all centers around unconditional love, selflessness, and doing anything to protect those you care about. Did I truly feel that until this book? No. But we won't talk about that because I adored this final book. This all culminates in an explosive finale, with a plot that despite having such a long book kept me hooked on every line. I wanted to keep flipping through the pages, reading about these characters' tribulations but also their moments of love. There was a lot that went on in this book, and so much of it is spoilers, but it was super well thought out by Cassandra Clare. We visited more places than in any other book, there was more angst than in the other mortal instrument books, and with the utmost certainty, I can say I almost cried. The ending of this was heartbreaking and I felt it more than I thought I would, and that just goes to show how much Cassandra Clare improved. Here comes something I never thought I would say: I didn't hate Jace in this book. Okay, fine, it's off my chest and I couldn't be happier to say I finally see the guy everyone fell in love with. While I never really connected with him, until this book at least, I can understand why he is loved by a lot of people. I don't think I will ever get to that point but I really appreciated his character growth throughout the series. He's still sarcastic and overly cocky, but there's a certain softness about him now that shows he really is trying to be a good person. I've never felt myself falling fully in love with Clary as a main character, but she certainly knows how to slowly improve her own story. The last three books in this series really upped my liking for her, as she discovered more of her power and took control of her whole story. She truly started feeling like a shadowhunter, and I loved how Jace took a step back to let her do things herself. I have more love for her then I did at the start, and I appreciated how she was the one to start the whole series. It all culminated at this point thanks to her. Simon and his character arc is a masterpiece, and I will stand by that forever. This geeky, sweet, kind, and selfless boy really took my heart from the first moment he was on the page. Throughout the series he had his ups and downs but I always felt like he was coming from a place of goodness. His story is one of the most heartwrenching I have read in quite a while, and I believes he deserves the world. (view spoiler)[ His willingness to give up his memories for his friends was so heartbreaking and he doesn't deserve his ending. But I am glad that he is being entered back into the shadwhunter world, so not everything is lost. (hide spoiler)] Isabelle also deserves recognition for being one of the best characters in this franchise, constantly breaking all the "mean girl" stereotypes she was set up with. This book truly took her to the edge of what she could handle, and she threw it back at the book's face. Izzy is hard and soft, confident and unsure, and closed off but vulnerable at the same time. Her realization that she was actually falling in love with someone after her parents broke her hearts was lovely to see. I adored how badass she was while still being such a unique person. I was reminded of why I started liking Alec in the prior trilogy again in this book. I never truly felt connected to him as much as I did his sister, and I always had my ups and downs with him. Yet, in this book he felt like such a genuine teenager trying to figure out the world. I felt he connected with his friends, and Magnus, on a whole different level, lending him better empathy. I loved how in this book we really got to see all the things he was struggling with deep down. I can now say he is growing as one of my favorite characters in the series. Magnus is still quite possibly my favorite character in this world, and that has been since the first moment I met him on the page. He's always sarcastic and witty, but has a soft spot for all the shadowhunters that show up at his door asking for help. After seeing him in The Infernal Devices I was really happy to see him in this book, talking about Will and Tessa and Jem. I really love him, his cat, and his personality. He deserves the world and a happy relationship with Alec, as he really deserves that after all he's seen. There were a lot of side characters as always but I want to touch on as many as possible, as there was a lot of setup for the coming books, and everyone seems important. Emma Carstairs was introduced in this book after her parents were killed, along with Julian Blackthorn and a few others. I know that both of them are the main characters for the Lady Midnight series, and I absolutely cannot wait to see them more. They're young but I already love them so so much. It was great to see Brother Zachariah, (view spoiler)[ Jem Carstairs my love (hide spoiler)] as he keeps popping up through the series, and I am in love with him, for various reasons. They're spoilers but just know I love him with all my heart. Luke is my favorite father figure in this series, while Jocelyn is a not-so-amazing mother figure. But seriously I would die for Luke as he deserves the world and is such a great person. Mark, Helen, and Aline were sort of minor characters but I have a feeling they'll be in the coming books, and I am highly intrigued by all of them. Jordan, Rapheal, and Maia also had a significant role, but they were all just fine for me, I wasn't in love but they were good. I think that over the course of these books, Sebastian has become an amazing villain and possibly one of my favorites. I really came to like his character, even when he was extreme, but even some time before the ending, I felt empathy for him. He is a product of growing up without a proper roll model, and growing up with no love. That part is not his fault, and it shouldn't be thought of as so. I also felt a great deal of sadness for him, and I think he was a great villain because of this. I dont agree with his actions by any means, but he's really a fantastic villain if he can elicit these emotions out of me. Overall, this was such a fantastic conclusion of all books in the shadowhunter world thus far. The plot carried itself with a million twists and exciting moments, despite it's thickness, I never wanted to stop reading. I came to love all of the characters, at least a little bit, and really adored how everything came together in this book. With the characters introduced in this book being carried over into the Lady Midnight series, that just makes me all the more excited to continue in this amazing world. [TW: attempted rape, blood, death, incest (mentioned), suicide (mentioned), violence, themes of war and suffering] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 05, 2021
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Nov 09, 2021
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Nov 05, 2021
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Hardcover
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| 1442416866
| 9781442416864
| 1442416866
| 4.21
| 542,750
| May 08, 2012
| May 08, 2012
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liked it
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3/5 stars, not the best of her work but not the worst admittedly And here we are, back to another edition of I know people hold nostalgia for this ser 3/5 stars, not the best of her work but not the worst admittedly And here we are, back to another edition of I know people hold nostalgia for this series but I simply don't. This book once again falls right in the middle of my rating scale, much like the first three books in the series. There was nothing particularly special, or maybe a bit, but it was still a step up from City of Fallen Angels. One of the good things about this story was how much attention the side characters actually got, and the fact that most of it is thus told from their point of view. A vast majority of them are new and the book introduces them fairly well. It was nice to expand the cast a little bit, as the main cast gets very boring for me at times. As well, a good portion of the story is told through Simon's perspective again which is really fun and something I did like about the last book. There were a few good twists and turns throughout the story, but nothing that truly made me shocked either. I really had hoped to not have to write a section like this again, but I once again feel the need to address the themes that Cassie Clare has put into her books. The one thing that bothered me the most about this book was the use of incest once again, especially as a threat and storyline. With the last trilogy, this was a prevalent topic too and was gross but I thought we had moved past it. Unfortunately, introducing a certain character back really upped the incest themes once again. This book has the worst of this "angst" yet and I felt really gross about all the things that went down. The setting for this book was obviously mostly New York as always, but there was a new "moving through time and space apartment" that as introduced that I have to admit was very fun. Concerning who owned it, not as fun, but the concept was interesting and the story did spend a fair amount of time in the apartment. It could move irrelevant to time and space, and travel anywhere in the world, granting a lot of freedom for those who were in it. Clary is still just a really bland character for me, as I am beginning to realize after I read Tessa in the infernal devices. She has certainly had growth from the first trilogy, but still, some of the decisions she makes are just a bit dramatic. I know that most of the decisions she makes in this book are because she loves Jace, and always does her best to protect him, but the world doesn't revolve around him, as much as these books think. She is in love, but she just has that early 2000s main protagonist feel, which is what she is supposed to be, but she honestly hasn't stood the test of time as one of the best characters. Jace was still very much a dislike in my book, but the most bearable in this book. That is probably because it wasn't truly him for like half of it, as he was partially possessed or whatever that was. Otherwise, he wasn't really in it and that made it easy to forget about him, besides when everyone was constantly talking about him. Alec's behavior annoyed me a lot in this book, it's a spoiler so I won't go too in-depth but oh boy. It involved his attitude towards Magnus in the last book, and he really should not have done the things he did. Luckily, we got more insight into his character and his motivations. This greatly increased my love for his character and I better understood what he was going through. I related a great deal to him in this book, I just don't condone his actions. Isabelle is such a great character, I feel like in every book I just end up liking her more and more. In this book, she really learned how to feel vulnerable, and that being that way is okay. Seeing her working on herself in this way, and taking down more of her walls, was absolutely beautiful. She is such a strong female character that I adore. I could not wait to see more of her in the next book, especially as she is finally opening herself up more. Simon was once again a fantastic character to see grow in this book, he had such a big part once again and it made me love him even more. At this point, he's probably my favorite character in this series. He messed up in the previous book, and I have no problem calling him out on that, but he had a nice little redemption arc in this. I think his growth in every book has been very healthy and sweet and I am really glad to see him again. The other side characters were larger in this book, obvious as it was just as much their story as it was the main cast. So many of them had point-of-view chapters or a large part in the story, and it was like I said before fantastic to see. The romance between Clary and Jace had no chemistry in this book, maybe because he was half-possessed basically the entire time or something. I don't feel the need to comment much on their relationship in this review, as there was basically a lack of one. Overall, a pretty average book in the mortal instruments world, but for sure a step up from City of Fallen Angels. The best part being all the side character stories and points of view are very prevalent compared to the other books in the series. I still didn't like some of the themes but it was still a pretty decent book. [TW: attempted rape (on-page), war, sexual assault, death, gore (heavy), incest, injury, loss of loved ones] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 02, 2021
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Nov 04, 2021
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Nov 02, 2021
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Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 1442403543
| 9781442403543
| 1442403543
| 4.07
| 613,829
| Apr 05, 2011
| Apr 05, 2011
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it was ok
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2/5 stars, the only thing I can think of is the disappointed meh face as the emoji for this book I have tried writing this review three different time 2/5 stars, the only thing I can think of is the disappointed meh face as the emoji for this book I have tried writing this review three different times and each time, my computer has shut off or randomly reloaded my tabs before I can finish. So I think that's a sign that I just need to summarize my minimal thoughts on this book. I am reading this book for the first time this year, and I am aware of how old it is. I know so many friends of mine and other book readers who hold this story close to their hearts and have a lot of nostalgia. But I do not, and this book was frankly a mess especially compared to the other ones. A lot of the themes in this, I thought we had moved past the need, to be honest. But Cassie Clare but them in her and I just don't understand why. I am usually fine with controversial themes, but this book laid them out and lets the reader interpret them. Which is a little concerning considering how many young teens read this way back when. (view spoiler)[ Simon's cheating? Why what was the purpose with him, Maia, and Isabelle being in that situation. And Alec's attitude when he and Magnus got back, questioning him over his entire past when it's obviously a long story. And then getting mad that Magnus who is immortal has loved other people? He was acting like a brat. (hide spoiler)] This book was so boring and it felt like nothing happened until the last few chapters. Nothing felt like it was going to have a great over-arching effect on the story, even if it did end up having that in the coming books. All of the twists as well felt bland and I didn't feel like they had the shock factor. Although I did enjoy the book being more about Simon, as it was nice to see him being the main character. I always complain about Jace in this book, and the tradition continues. He had no flavor in this book besides wallowing over the influence Valentine had on him and thinking about what the last name he wanted to take on. This was just getting old at this point. Clary was fine in this book, she still fits into the area of a classic main character but she had growth. I enjoyed how she started really trying to fight and help out in different circumstances. She was also less whiny and this was great to see as she begins to grow more as a character. The Lightwood siblings were once again complicated. Alec wasn't in the book until really the very end, as he was off around Europe with Magnus. When he did come back at the end though, he acted like a brat for various reasons and treated Magnus horribly. I don't understand what was the matter with him at this moment, getting mad at Magnus for being immortal and having other relationships. Isabelle was just fine in this book, she wasn't my favorite but I do enjoy her more than her brother in this book. She still goes by the cold-hearted bad girl persona she tries to, but it wasn't fully convincing this book. Clary and Jace's romance in this book was a complete disaster, all of their problems were because of miscommunication and this is my least favorite trope. I understand it's hard for some people to talk about their problems, but communication is the most important part of a relationship. Jace kept avoiding Clary at one point and it was because "he didn't wanna hurt her" but he WAS and he was just plain bad at being a boyfriend. Their relationship, but mostly Jace annoyed me to no end. Overall, the worst Cassandra Clare book I've read yet. It had a lot not going for it, and I'm glad I read it and moved on. It's my least favorite of the series and of her books in general. [TW: abandonment, child injury, death of a loved one, death of a baby, cheating, abuse (physical), gory and heavy injuries, blood] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 29, 2021
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Oct 31, 2021
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Oct 29, 2021
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Hardcover
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| 0593336828
| 9780593336823
| 0593336828
| 4.13
| 1,509,169
| Sep 14, 2021
| Sep 14, 2021
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it was amazing
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5/5 stars, this was literally everything I could want! I am not a reader who delves a lot into romance, but this book made me crave more of the cute e 5/5 stars, this was literally everything I could want! I am not a reader who delves a lot into romance, but this book made me crave more of the cute exchanges between characters and the lightness of everything. I think while this book does contain themes of darker ideas, it still in its heart was a cute and uplifting story. I first heard about this book getting a lot of attention on TikTok, and while I don't usually dive into romance or overly hyped reads right away I had a feeling about this one. That feeling was totally right, I fell in love with every piece of this from the characters, to the cute romance and the not-so-important setting. In the romance genre, there is a basic formula that a lot of romances follow to create the plot. The people meet and fall in love, or do so over time, and then there is miscommunication and they make up. I think my least favorite part of that "basic" plot is the miscommunication, as it is often over something stupid and shouldn't have happened between adults (granted every relationship is different, but it's often very annoying). But I really liked how it was handled in this book, the miscommunication wasn't about their relationship, but rather something that Olive was struggling with, that eventually involved Adam. How they both handled it was very realistic and it was easy to believe it could happen, and not just for the sake of creating conflict. I haven't read many books set in academic places in recent years, such as high school or college. But I have the feeling that I should after this book. I really enjoyed seeing the STEM major and some things that they did, as well as having a peek at graduate school. Hopefully, I will be attending graduate school in the future and so it was just kinda interesting to me. Olive was at first glance a pretty typical main character, she gives off protagonist vibes and runs with it. This actually wasn't a problem for me as I thought she was cute, and I did feel attached to her goals as well. She has a lot on her plate being a STEM major, especially with why she wants to achieve her research. I can see how she would be annoying to some people, but in some instances, I found myself really relating to her, and I liked seeing myself in a romance. I don't think she was perfect but it was sweet to read from her perspective. Adam has become one of my favorite male characters in romances now, and probably really any book. He was the most respectful to Olive at all times, and never overstepped his boundaries, if he did he immediately apologized. I really adored seeing him treat her well and seeing how he interacted with his friends. While he is a really hard teacher, he is a really good guy and I wish there were more books involving him. There's more that I could say but that would lead to spoilers so just trust me when I say he is one of the best book boyfriends I have read in quite a while. All of the side characters, from Olive's supporting friends to Adam's interesting friends, were perfect for the story. Anh was Olive's main friend, who she was trying to convince she was dating someone so that she could date a guy that Olive went on a date with before. She was a really supportive best friend and I enjoyed seeing their genuine connection. They're both women in STEM and it was refreshing that they weren't competing with one another, they constantly lifted one another up. There were other friends of Olive and Adam that were less of a major point, but I really enjoyed seeing some casual LGBTQ representation as well. I think both Adam and Olive having a good support system was really nice to see, especially in an academic setting. The fake-dating trope is one of my favorite tropes of really any book, sometimes it doesn't work but a lot of times I really love it. Here it really managed to work itself into my heart and I was so happy that it worked out for Olive and Adam. As well, this is an adult romance book so there are bound to be some spicy scenes, but there was really only one. And oh boy was it done really well. I usually don't mind if a romance doesn't have these types of scenes, but as I get older I can't say I complain when they do appear in a novel. This scene was REALLY spicy so if you are not into sex scenes, I would recommend you skip it, but not the book entirely as it's only one scene. As well, I can see how this could have been inspired by Rey and Kylo Ren, but I think especially the romance stands entirely on its own. I didn't see that many similarities besides the appearance of Olive (Rey) and Adam (Kylo). It is the grumpy and sunshine trope as well, but it's so much more interesting than those two in my opinion. So if that is holding you back from reading this book, I say try it anyway, as it's not noticeable while you are reading. Overall this is such a fantastic romance, and this is coming from someone who doesn't really enjoy romance. The romance was easy to root for, and so were the main characters. Every moment had me smiling and I did laugh a couple of times, so it was an easy read to get you through a day. [TW: death of a family member, cancer and diagnosis, misogyny, sexism, sexual assault, and harassment] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Dec 22, 2021
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Dec 22, 2021
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Sep 19, 2021
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Paperback
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| 1524714801
| 9781524714802
| 1524714801
| 3.64
| 435
| Dec 07, 2021
| Dec 07, 2021
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really liked it
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4/5 stars, this was a lot more complex than I was anticipating but very creepy Thank you Random House for the arc through Netgalley in exchange for an 4/5 stars, this was a lot more complex than I was anticipating but very creepy Thank you Random House for the arc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review! I am not sure what I expected going into this book, certainly the dark and mysterious atmosphere that was created. But there was a lot more to this book than simply what was on the surface, and I had a lot of fun uncovering all of it. It was a slower read but it took it's time luring you farther and farther into this nightmare story in the desert. Rylie hasn't been back to the military base Twentynine Palms since her dad died, but her mom's new work assignment means coming back. It also means facing all the memories buried in the sand, memories about her dad, old friends, and her grandfather who cut ties with her family before he recently passed. Rylie has to live in the one place she never wanted to return to, and not all of her old friends are around anymore either. Lily has vanished into the desert, and around town, there are whispers of a mysterious killer on the loose. When Rylie starts seeing visions of things she cannot explain she follows clues that hint it's all tied to her grandfather, and what he was really doing out there in the desert....if Rylie can trust the truth she sees. For starters, this story is for fans of Stranger Things, completely. I have not even seen the full show, or particularly want to, but this just gives off those same vibes. It's very mysterious and doesn't reveal anything too quickly. When important plot twists are revealed it feels a bit crazy, and hard to wrap your head around, but it ends up being really interesting. I didn't love all the plot twists, but I honestly can't complain because the author did a really excellent job of putting them in at the right times. I felt that the end was just slightly jumbled and I would've liked to see a bit more of what actually happened before the book ended, but I still think the author did an excellent job overall. The setting being in a desert, military basecamp no less, sounded really intriguing to me at the start. Being in a military base camp doesn't really have a ton to do with the plot, but being in the desert certainly does. Because of how isolated everyone is in this desert, even including the little town, it really makes each piece of the puzzle more shocking. It definitely feels like you are there with the characters and experiencing this loneliness and fear if you read it at night, which I recommend doing. Rylie is a fine main character, she doesn't really have a lot going for her but there is nothing particularly bad about her either. She is back in the one place she never wanted to enter again, so it's obviously hard for her to be in the desert. Weird things start happening almost immediately to her and it's really interesting to see how she handles it. There's a lot going on surrounding her story, some of which barely gets tied up in the end, but it honestly felt like the story went the way it should with her plotline. Her family is probably my favorite part of the whole story. Each of them has different quirks and it's obvious to see that they each care about her in their own way, besides her mom because we barely see her. Her stepdad is a goofy sort of guy and is really understanding of Rylie. He is also a psychologist and dabbles in hypnotizing. Her brother O is younger than her and really rather sweet. He experiences some things in the desert as well and at times it is hard to watch. He really loves Rylie and you can see it in how both of them interact. Kai is my favorite probably, he is her stepbrother and honestly the brains of the story, although it takes a while to realize that. He was really fun to see evolve little by little throughout the story and help Rylie. Overall, it was a pretty fun story once I got into it. The story is laced with desperation, darkness, and mystery set on a backdrop of a desolate desert. It sets up for a really unique story that constantly throws twists and turns at the reader, until the very end. It might get a bit too twisty at times, but it was actually pretty fantastic. [TW: death of a friend, death of a family member, murder, missing persons, injuries and blood, drugging, amateur hypnosis, PTSD (mentioned)] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Dec 04, 2021
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Dec 06, 2021
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Sep 15, 2021
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Hardcover
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| 0062662627
| 9780062662620
| 0062662627
| 4.30
| 104,863
| Nov 17, 2020
| Nov 17, 2020
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it was amazing
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1 million/5 stars, what the hell am I supposed to do now, I literally feel so empty "You can still love your weapons. You can bear them into shape and 1 million/5 stars, what the hell am I supposed to do now, I literally feel so empty "You can still love your weapons. You can bear them into shape and then watch them destroy themselves and know that it was all fully necessary, but that doesn't mean you cant love them too" (543) I think the reason I've waited so long to write this review is that I haven't wanted to forget about this series, or let it go. While writing a review would not constitute me "letting it go" I think it's just the idea that I will be acknowledging finishing it. I wish this series had lasted forever, it felt like a ton of books in only three, but I loved every single moment. While this means that this review might be shorter, and less in-depth, I am okay with just reflecting on all my favorite parts. This series is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the conclusion is one of the most harrowing I have experienced in a long time. I ultimately knew how it was going to end, but that didn't make it any less painful. I am once again so happy that I managed to read this over a break when I could give it my full attention, as that is what this series deserves. Just like the last few books as well, this story was unflinchingly brutal and honest, which is what I love about the series. Rin will forever be one of my favorite characters I have ever read because of all of her flaws and incredibly human qualities. She is truly pushed to her limits and pushed over the edge. As every book goes on I think Rin has experienced everything she can, but it's a testament to Kuang's writing that she has never stopped being tested, and that it feels realistic. Watching Rin progress how she has within the series as a whole has been heartbreaking, but I am also immensely proud of her. I don't want to throw spoilers out there so that's all I will say, but she is truly one of my favorite characters of all time. Kitay is such a nice foil to Rin in terms of their friendship, he balances out her more hot-headed tendencies among other things. While on the flip side, she helps him grow stronger mentally and emotionally as a person. Together they truly make an amazing team and I have loved seeing them grow as best friends throughout the series. Individually as well, Kitay is one of the most intellectually astounding characters I have read in a long time. His loyalty and stubbornness also help him be good friends with Rin, but he is such an amazing person. He sees Rin for all her flaws but also all her amazing traits, and doesn't shy away from her. Nezha is so complicated, and I loved seeing the layers really be peeled back in the later books. He isn't a straight arrow, as based on the circumstances he was brought up in and continues to live in. I really felt that his character was surprisingly human in this last book as well. More of his personality was revealed than ever before and while I didn't love every part of it, it was understandable. My heart broke for him at various points but I also found myself so angry at him. This duality is something that makes him a great antagonist in the story. The undeniable connection between Nezha and Rin is just increased tenfold in this book, and it's so painful every step of the way. It was literally heartwrenching, and their relationship is one of my favorites. It's so complicated and never stays in one playing field for long, and that's because of their opposite social standings and personalities. Through the series as a whole, I can't say that I ship Rin with anyone, but I would consider Nezha a really close candidate after reading this book and the novella from his point of view. Regardless of how you view their relationship, it is undeniably full of electricity and pain. Overall while this ending absolutely destroyed me I would not have had it any other way. This was an amazing ride and Kuang has such an amazing storytelling ability to create such a story like this. I adore every piece of this series and I am so happy that I was able to experience it. [TW: sexual assault, rape (mentioned), gore and blood (heavy), cannibalism, PTSD, addiction to drugs (mentioned), death of a friend, death of family members, bodily mutilation, murder, abuse of people and animals, death of children, decapitation, famine and starvation, human experimentation, racism, self-harm, war themes] ...more |
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1
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Dec 23, 2021
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Dec 25, 2021
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Sep 06, 2021
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Hardcover
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| 1250144574
| 9781250144577
| 1250144574
| 4.09
| 19,838
| Sep 22, 2020
| Sep 22, 2020
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it was amazing
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5/5 stars, ahhhhh the angst was so goooood "I wouldn't dismiss myths, most are just truths covered in cobwebs" (39) I forgot how amazing the world and t 5/5 stars, ahhhhh the angst was so goooood "I wouldn't dismiss myths, most are just truths covered in cobwebs" (39) I forgot how amazing the world and these characters were until I read this, and let me tell you I fell so hard in love again!! This book picks up very quickly from the last book's ending, and all the characters are now at different points in life. Severin is desperate to make amends for what broke them apart, and so he pushes for a mission to find an artifact rumored to grant the possessor powers of a god. The hunt takes them to the cold heartbeat of Russia, with broken goddesses carrying deadly secrets, ice animals that stalk the shadows, and a string of unsolved murders. As hidden secrets come to light, new to the characters and the world, they will find hidden dimensions within themselves, as the crew hunts for one last job. The worldbuilding of the Gilded Wolves world is always so incredible, it takes place in the late 1800s and in moments you can tell, but others you cannot. It feels so much like a straight fantasy world besides the names of places, and that's what makes it so whimsical for me. Roshani Chokshi manages to tie so many different mythologies into every heist, and it's amazing. This one had a heavy emphasis on Greek and Egyptian mythology, more so on Greek. I loved every second of the mythology and questions that were handed to us. This world feels so alive that sometimes I found it hard to believe I wasn't living it myself haha. Just as in the last book, the plot moves fairly fast but manages to take breaths exactly at the moment that it needs to. My favorite part about this book was the angst between characters, especially at critical moments to the heist/plot. I felt like I was being pulled in two different directions with it sometimes, and honestly, because I love angst, I was totally okay with that. Do keep in mind the trigger warnings as you get farther into the story, I felt the emotions coming on at points. I felt so much for the things that some people went through and it got tough at times. Severin is still my favorite character from the series, he's such a dark but complicated character. He hides behind so many layers, because of his failures in life, but he shouldn't have to. He never learned the fact that every person makes mistakes, and as much as you try to help some people, sometimes you just can't. He cares about his friends so much but doesn't let it show, because he's afraid something bad will happen to them as a result. The ending choices he made were...uh...heartbreaking, and just leaves me even more excited for the final book. He truly is very captivating and layered, and I just really enjoy seeing from his point of view every time (sometimes I want to kick him but ya know, with love). Laila is a very complicated but beautiful character. I have loved her story from the beginning, and yet it feels a bit like something is missing. She has such a strong background story based around her ethnicity and the fact of not fitting in (for various reasons). Her power is especially cool as well, and I love her relationship with the group. It just again felt like something was just missing a bit in this story. I like how she never takes any shit from anyone though and she is a strong female character. Enrique is my other favorite character in the series, he's very funny and charming and honestly carries the team in diplomacy. Everything he does is filled with such emotion and happiness, he always tries his best for his friends. He wants to make something of himself but isn't always sure how, but him being himself is enough for me! Zofia is the girl who understands numbers and science better than she does people. I think her autism rep is amazing, and it seems Roshani Chokshi put a lot of research into her character. At times Zofia is a hard character to read, based on what is going on in her life at the moment. But she truly has a heart for her friends and is braver than anyone else in this group. She is perfectly called "the phoenix" by Enrique, as it encapsulates her power and sheer will to protect her friends. Hypnos was a lot more involved in this book and I was looking forward to it, but he was, well, very complicated. He is not a perfect character by any means, but that's part of the reason the audience is supposed to love him. And I most certainly enjoy his interactions with some people, but others were just very awkward, and that was the point. I have faith and am excited for his continuation, as I feel we have finally crossed a barrier in his character development stage. There was actually an abundance of side characters introduced in this book, or so it felt like. I'm sure there were only a few and I am over exaggerating, but I had to get used to them. The one I remember most vividly was Eva, because of how much I loathed her. As the book went on she seemed worse and worse for my tastes, and validly so. Other than that, the side characters added a bit of tension to the already heated story but it was fun anyway. Overall, a fantastic sequel to the Gilded Wolves! The last book in this series comes out in a few days and I absolutely need it, as that cliffhanger left me so upset! This series is so amazing and really underrated in my opinion. It completely can stand on it's own and has made me more obsessed with reading Roshani's other books. "What is magic but science we cannot fathom" (274) [TW: blood, body mutilation, child abuse, grief, kidnapping, burns, racism, antisemitism, self-harm, violence and death} ...more |
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1
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Sep 09, 2021
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Sep 12, 2021
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Aug 13, 2021
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Hardcover
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| 4.03
| 56,896
| 1942
| 1963
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really liked it
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4/5 stars, a very enjoyable collection of greek mythology I have been obsessed with Greek mythology since I was in 5th grade, so it's safe to say I kno 4/5 stars, a very enjoyable collection of greek mythology I have been obsessed with Greek mythology since I was in 5th grade, so it's safe to say I know a lot about it. I didn't go into this book expecting any shocking revelations or entirely new stories, but I did read a few. This was read mostly as a touch-up for my greek mythology knowledge. I'm going to take some time to talk about some of my favorite parts of Greek mythology since this review is literally about a book dedicated to these stories. I have always loved the Greek gods, it's hard to choose favorites. Apollo and Artemis interest me with them being twins and the duality they hold. Athena always had intrigued me because of how strong she is. Dionysus is really interesting especially in this set of stories. And Hades and Persphone are always a favorite, no matter how the tale is spun. My favorite Greek hero will forever be Achilles, he holds president over my heart wayyy before Hercules ever would. While Hercules is certainly the most well-known hero, and a hero at times, he just doesn't equal Achilles. Hercules is aggressive and prone to killing people when he's in these spurts of rage, and he is just not that interesting. Achilles is a great hero and had Patroclus by his side who was another amazing figure of mythology. If having your ashes (Achilles) put into your best friend/lovers' ashes (Patroclus) isn't gay I don't know what is, to be honest. The most hilarious story of greek mythology for me will always be the Fall of Troy. I'm specifically pointing out the Trojan Horse, this is such a well-known and beloved story but it's really funny. I know that this had never been done before, but it's so funny the Trojans never thought to check it out. I still feel a bit bad for the slaughter that went down after the horse was rolled into the city, but it's hilarious nonetheless. "Ah yes, our enemy left us a giant gift outside our city after war for years, let's take it inside" Overall this was a fun little reminder of why I love Greek mythology so much. All of the myths and stories are explained very nicely and still told in a mythical manner. For people who want to learn more about greek mythology this is perfect, and for those who want a brush up on their knowledge, it is a lot of fun. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Aug 08, 2021
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Aug 12, 2021
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Aug 08, 2021
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Paperback
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| 0593351657
| 9780593351659
| 0593351657
| 3.72
| 2,804
| Jan 04, 2022
| Jan 04, 2022
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really liked it
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3/5 stars, a sort of middle of the road fantasy with some interesting elements Thank you Penguin Teen for the arc through Netgalley in exchange for a 3/5 stars, a sort of middle of the road fantasy with some interesting elements Thank you Penguin Teen for the arc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review! I am aware that Morgan Rhodes has written a fantasy series before this book, falling kingdoms that I have yet to read, but this one seriously felt like a debut. Considering how many people adore her other series I was really excited to read this arc, and I've been hearing a bit of hype as it releases today. But I was disappointed in this story, for multiple reasons. However, that doesn't drive me off from reading her other series, I think this one just didn't click with me, and some things could definitely be easily improved. This story follows the daughter of a prime minister, Joselyn Drake, who knows that magic is rare, illegal, and always deadly for whoever is involved. When she attends the Queen's Gala and gets caught up in a robbery gone wrong, she suddenly gets imbued with magical powers. These allow her to see memories of an evil warlock, the one who killed her father a few years ago. She knows she needs this magic out of her asap, but she cannot turn to anyone but the robber himself, wanted criminal, and warlock Jericho Nox. He offers her a deal, his help extracting the magic for the magic itself to be given to him. But the farther that Joselyn goes out of her comfort zone, the more she really sees the world around her, and what magic could mean for everyone. The setting of this book is set in a fantastical city, that has both magic and technology items like phones. It seems sort of like an urban-fantasy city, but the simple warlock magic feels like magical realism. While this is an interesting setup for a kingdom, as there is a queen and her family, it was very confusing. I didn't see how everything blended together and there wasn't a lot of worldbuilding on how things work in this land. That was a bit disappointing, as I feel like it could have been a lot of fun to see magic and technology interact. I also felt that the plot was lackluster, it started off adding a lot of smaller details that the story frankly did not need, before launching right away into the plot. I thought that this would signal a story that was fast-paced and interesting, but after just a little bit, it turned sluggish. I didn't really enjoy what was going on, and then the characters went somewhere, the plot basically halted. I think the story was trying to turn into a character-driven story at that point, but it didn't work at all. Jocelyn was frankly, a really bad main character. She was very self-centered and had views that were harmful to a lot of people. As the story progressed I enjoyed seeing her character growth, however small it was. I don't think she is perfect or supposed to be, but I never felt attached to her. She didn't seem to have a lot of depth besides what we got towards the end of the book, so I think she was my least favorite part of this book. She wasn't rude ever or anything, but didn't have substance. Jericho Nox was the dark and mysterious love interest, a common trope in fantasy books. Besides that though, he didn't have much substance either. His backstory was actually interesting, but it wasn't explored until at least the second half of the book. He was thrown in and we were expected to be attached to him, and while that sometimes happens, he was just meh. As we got into the second half of the story, for spoiler plot reasons, he wasn't around as much either so he felt pretty disconnected. There were a handful of side characters in this story, but none of them had a real lasting impact on the story or on me. I remember the queen and Jocelyn's best friend, but not much about them. The story was so centered on the main characters that it left behind some opportunities to connect with a few side characters. I think if there had been more side characters, the story would have felt more alive as well. While there was some later in the book, it really didn't make up for it. The supposed romance went so fast, it wasn't instant love which I get it credit for. However, the feelings growing between Josalyn and Jericho were so quick that it didn't really feel like they were falling in "love." I didn't feel a spark of connection between them, besides the initial, who is this sort of moment. But I saw no chemistry between either of them, and not every book needs romance, so when it is put into fantasy stories, I want it to be done right. Overall this story didn't really work for me, but I didn't hate my time reading it. There are definitely things that could be improved on, and I hope they are for the second book. So far I am undecided if I will be continuing, but there was some interesting foundation for a sequel. As well, I will still read the author's other work, I just think this one, in particular, didn't really work for me. [TW: death of a family member, death of a friend, gun violence, blood, drugging, kidnapping, torture] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Dec 22, 2021
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Dec 23, 2021
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Aug 05, 2021
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Hardcover
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| 1524745081
| 9781524745080
| 1524745081
| 3.83
| 208,782
| Jul 11, 2017
| Feb 26, 2019
|
it was amazing
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4.5/5 stars, what an absolute rollercoaster of emotions oh my gosh I have heard nothing but good things from the book community about Riley Sager and 4.5/5 stars, what an absolute rollercoaster of emotions oh my gosh I have heard nothing but good things from the book community about Riley Sager and I must say that I am impressed. This is the first book I've read by him as well as his debut novel, so it ended up working out perfectly. There were some things that I didn't love but overall I had a really good time reading this, and am thrilled (haha) to pick up more of Riley Sager's books. This story is all about the final girls, those women who have survived horrendous murders, and are left alone. We follow Quincy, one of these final girls, ten years after her very mysterious "event." She's aware of the other final girls, but has never wanted to reach out, as Quincy remembers nothing from that night and has since "moved on." But then Lisa, one of the other final girls, is found dead in her home, from an apparent suicide, and the only other final girl Sam shows up on her doorstep. Sam is intent on making Quincy relive her past, disrupting her perfect home with her boyfriend and baking blog. But when more details of Lisa's death come to light, Quincy has to race against the clock to unravel Sam's secrets and intentions, while watching her own back. The synopsis talks about a lot of things, but there is so much that goes on in this book! One thing this book totally gets right is how fast paced it is, thrillers are meant to be that way, and this book understood that. Events kept flooding at me left and right, but not enough that I was getting confused, Sager put just enough info into every scene to give the reader hints, but not overwhelm. I loved how there was something constantly going on with the plot it made this book really easy to zip through and binge. The setting and atmosphere was also fantastic, for one it takes place in New York which is a place I love to read about. It's so busy and caotic that it lends itself very well to a thriller. The way every scene was written kept me on my toes as well, great atmosphere was built around thrilling scenes. This makes it easy to feel like you are within the story, and feel more for the characters. Quincy was not my favorite main character I have ever read, but it's very complicated. She obviously had mental health issues from her experience, so I give her some leeway in the story, even if she claims she can't remember anything. But I found her to be very whiny and almost self-sabatoging. Throughout the novel, she continuously made bad decisions and relished in the fact, when they were really not helping her at all in the long run. She was very easily influenced and I didn't find that fun. She was also continuously mean to her boyfriend for no good reason (he said "you're so strong you've moved past that" and in her monologue shes like "I haven't" and got mad at him, and yet has never corrected him?). In the end, I did have sympathy for her and I think she deserved way better then what happened to her, but she still annoyed me. Sam was a well layered character who was absolutely perfect for this novel. She certainly was a person who's morals were in the gray area, which lent her the ability to be a very good foil for Quincy. I had mixed feelings on her reading the novel, and I honestly still do, but I think she was a really interesting character nonetheless. She had a lot of secrets, that Quincy vaguely tried to uncover through the novel, and this made for a great side plot. I appreciate what she brought to the story. The twists were large and kept coming, and all of them were really fantastic. There were some that I managed to guess in the long run, but there were a couple I never saw coming. Most importantly, I didn't see the final twist(s) of the story coming at all. I have always loved thriller and mystery novels that can blindside me, without making it too extreme, and this book achieved just that. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I am very eager to pick up more Riley Sager books, especially as this is a debut novel. I was never bored by this book, characters, or action and I am very happy I picked it up for Halloween. I highly recommend but be sure to check out the trigger warnings as they are very heavy in this book, you can see them below. [TW: suicide, violence (graphic), death (graphic), sexual assault off-page, assault, smoking, sexual scenes] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 03, 2021
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Oct 05, 2021
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Jul 30, 2021
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Paperback
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| 0593114140
| 9780593114148
| 0593114140
| 3.60
| 997
| Oct 05, 2021
| Oct 05, 2021
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really liked it
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4/5 stars, not what I was expecting! Thank you Penguin Teen for the arc through Netgalley and the physical copy in exchange for an honest review! The 4/5 stars, not what I was expecting! Thank you Penguin Teen for the arc through Netgalley and the physical copy in exchange for an honest review! The story of this book was a lot different than what I was expecting, but I think that's actually a good thing. I only went into this knowing it was about a group of girls on the cheerleading team, and detailing their time on it. It's a story about murder, jealousy, hate, complicated friendships, and the threats of young adulthood. The story follows Shade and Jadis, two best friends who are literally everything to each other. So when Shade makes the decision to join the school cheerleading team, a dream since she was little, Jadis can hardly recognize her best friend. Shade loves the feeling of falling into the group, and is finding herself drawn to the three Chloes--the three insufferable girls who run the squad. Their leader's dark side is just as compelling as it is her public side. But Jadis doesn't want her friend to go as easily, and when one of the cheerleaders dies under mysterious circumstances Shade is determined to get to the bottom of her death. My shock from the story going a separate way from what I was thinking might have to with me not reading the full synopsis. I have gone out on a limb in the past year with a few ARCs, (advanced reader copies), as I wanted to expand my reading tastes. This was one that I just wanted to try out but I am generally glad I did. As I said before, it was a lot more than what I was expecting. There were just a few things I had problems with, one being the pacing at some parts of the book. For the majority, it felt very compelling and I wanted to keep reading. But there were a few moments in the story I just, did not feel invested. Plot points seemed to jump out and then the pacing of the mysterious aspects leveled out. I think that this is something that comes with practice though, and for a debut novel it really wasn't that bad. Most of the characters were very interesting to read about, Shade was pretty much your average teenage girl but she had a drive to her I admired. Even the three Chloes, the obvious heathers of the story, were compelling and had layers to them. Jadis was a bit cliche, and I really didn't like her as a person but acknowledged her traumas & what she went through. I think everyone in this book had a little bit of a splinter in them, of trauma or discomfort in the general lives. Which is usually how real life goes, so I appreciated the representation of that being so real. A few of my favorite things about this book include the descriptions of her cheerleading practice, and the author's show of toxic friendships. I am a dancer myself so I can always relate to other athletes, and I really enjoy seeing how others do things. I read a book earlier this year about cross country runners, and now this, and one thing we all seem to have in common is the feeling of adrenaline. When the authors describe it through the characters, I know exactly what they mean, which is really nice to relate to, even if it seems boring to some. There is also an abundance of toxic friendships in this book, and the author addresses that towards the end. You can love someone and they can be bad for you, so sometimes you must love them at a distance. That's something that happens all to often in real life and I did appreciate the author sending that message. Overall, an okay story one that I had a fun time reading. I probably won't think about it that often in the future, so I might have to bring the rating down. And yet I did enjoy my time reading it when I really got into it. [TW: alcohol use, drug use, death of a friend, death of a parent, being drunk, head injuries, overdosing] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 25, 2021
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Oct 27, 2021
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Jul 30, 2021
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Hardcover
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| 4.37
| 138,749
| Aug 06, 2019
| Aug 08, 2019
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it was amazing
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5/5 stars, I don’t know what to do with myself now that I finished this "The world is chaotic and war is fundamentally unpredictable and at the end of 5/5 stars, I don’t know what to do with myself now that I finished this "The world is chaotic and war is fundamentally unpredictable and at the end of the day you don't know who will be the last man standing. You don't know anything going into battle. You only know the stakes" (540) I read the first book in this series during the summer of this year, and I have been aching to continue. I have been waiting until I have breaks from school so I can give each book my full attention, as it deserves. When I was reading this story every time I believed I had been beyond shock, Kuang simply landed another punch to my feelings. The story was so unflinching and didn't hold anything back, which is one of my favorite parts about this series as a whole. There may be minor spoilers for the Poppy War in this review, as I simply can't express how I feel without talking about the first one as well. It won't be a lot but read at your own risk. Rin sits in the aftermath of the fierce life that Altan led, and her own actions that shook the entire country. She struggles with the implications of everything that happened, desperately clinging to her anger and vengeance for what has been done to her people. Even that is not enough to starve off her nightmares and the guilt rattling around in her mind, so she spends her days on opium instead. As she struggles, the Dragon Warlord shows up and presents her with a bewitching offer of freeing their people from the empire and capturing Su Daji, the person Rin has centered her anger on. Driven by her dream of revenge Rin joins Vasira's army, and tolerates being ordered around to get to the final product, a new country. But she soon learns that this was but an opening gambit of a very powerful and intricate game, one that will be played out much longer than she realized, as everyone grasps for death or life. Is the revenge Rin wants truly worth all of this? It is so obvious that Kuang is already a master at her craft, weaving a complicated story once again that twists history, mythology, and fantasy into a resonating story about how fragmented realities can become on the brink of war, unrest, and inequality. This story is a dark reminder that taking back what has been lost is not always the best idea, alongside heavy themes of war and suffering. With a backdrop that is already so stunning, she is able to thread a story just as good as the first novel, if not even better. The plot is constantly moving forward and throwing the characters into tenser and tenser situations until it seems it cannot become that way anymore. Every expectation I developed was upended and destroyed over and over again, it was very intense but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. There were some incredibly harsh themes in this book, and as many as I could remember are detailed down in my trigger warnings. Considering that this is based on real-world issues and history, I am not surprised anymore. The horrors of this novel are eerily familiar for those familiar with China's past, and this series puts humanity's crimes against itself on full display. The violence exhibited here is brutal and startling, and Kuang knows not to shy away from it. While it is quite an intense story, there are endearing and humoring moments sprinkled throughout, as though Kuang knows the readers will need a breather every now and then. The ending was like a slap to the face, one that made me reconsider almost every moment I had read. It wasn't easy to not jump into the final book after that, and I have no doubt it will take up a good portion of my mind until I am able to continue. But Kuang certainly knows how to deliver an ending, and make her readers infinitely want more. I am a person who really adores character-driven stories, and while this series has a sprawling plot, I have to say it is equally just as important to talk about the characters. They are the true drivers of the entire book, they are driven by passion, anger, a sense of duty, and strikingly human flaws. A cast of characters jumping off the page so brightly is a rarity and one that I am so happy this book has. Each character is incredibly human and realistic, and that is once again shown in clarity in this book. The Poppy War and The Dragon Republic are representative of such different times, the first when they were young, brave, and full of hope and the second who they have become in the wake of tragedy. Each character has such a great arc that I cannot wait to see how it expands even more in the final book. Rin is an incredible character, and I have loved her from page one through all her flaws especially those that make her human. She is the legacy of war, growing up with a blade in her heart and rage and grief heavy on her tongue. Forgiveness has always been a foreign language to her, and it's abundantly clear in this book, even when she does give leniency. She looked up to someone who wasn't perfect but she made him out to be in her mind, and it haunts her every step. I hear people complain about her quite often, as one of the only things that turned them off from the series. But I think that's because she represents all the bad emotions that humans feel far too often, and people don't want to confront that. She struggles with what can be assumed is PTSD, and drug addiction, on top of being fed on revenge and ashes her entire life. I love her for the hardships she has survived, the bad decisions she has learned how to make, and everything in between. She is so achingly human that I want to reach out and protect her quite often, I am so happy to have stumbled upon her story. Kitay is one of my favorites, he's such a loveable character and he always has been. He's grown quite a lot as well, considering what he's gone through. He is no longer the lighthearted kid from the first novel but has become instead a hardened version of himself. It's abundantly clear he's struggled through tribulations over the course of the past two books, and it's made him a different person. He's kept part of a horrific day trapped in his body, but he is so much better at hiding it than Rin. It hurts to think of the pain he has undergone, especially as his character still seems bordering on the background in various instances in this book. But the connection between him and Rin as friends is something that I adore, and hope nothing happens in the coming book, but it probably will. The Cike is a wonderful circle of characters who have been shunned by their country, beaten down, and told they should not exist. Each and every one of them is so unique it is always stunning to see their stories and their powers flow across the page. I wish they had gotten a bit more screen time in this book, in various instances, but I loved every inch I did get. They are some of my favorite characters and I love their almost found family, teetering on the edge of endless loyalty. There were new revelations that came about regarding other characters that I was not anticipating, but some just added another layer. Either way, it brought them into sharper focus in my mind and altered how I felt about them, for better or worse. I still think about the impacts of some of these revelations as I go throughout my day, wondering how it will alter the story to come, knowing it will be heartbreaking. I'm not sure how much of that made sense, as I am still stunned about how the story played out. As everyone before me has said, there is really only one way this series can end, and I am not ready for that. This has been such an incredible journey and I'm only two books in, but it's a series I will certainly never forget. [TW: emotional and physical abuse, animal death, death of a friend, death of a family member, drug use and addiction, blood and gore (heavy), hallucinations, human experimentation, massacre, war themes, murder, racism, rape (on page), violence, suicide attempt (on page), self-harm, burn scars (mentioned), PTSD, relapse, miscarriage (intentional), withdrawal] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 25, 2021
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Nov 28, 2021
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Jul 27, 2021
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Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||||
| 0593114299
| 9780593114292
| 0593114299
| 3.49
| 34,364
| Aug 04, 2020
| Aug 04, 2020
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really liked it
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4/5 stars, a look into privilege and perfection I went into this book expecting a mystery, or a really good thriller, but it wasn't really that. It wa 4/5 stars, a look into privilege and perfection I went into this book expecting a mystery, or a really good thriller, but it wasn't really that. It was instead a look into the perfection placed upon teenagers and the effect it has on their relationships really, as well as them. That is one of the reasons I took a star off, it wasn't what I was expecting even if it was pretty good overall. The story is set on the backdrop of an expensive prep school on long island, featuring the past and the present catching up to the main character, Jill. Freshman year, her best friend was killed by her boyfriend Graham, who subsequently confessed and the case was closed. Now in the present, it's Jills senior year and she is finally at the top of "The Players", the exclusive not-so-secret society. Being a member means going to parties, having the best grades, and admiration of the school, and Jill is ready for it all. But she starts getting texts claiming Graham is innocent and all she thought she knew about her senior year goes out the window. I think my favorite part of this book was the setting, I always love prep schools and boarding schools in books, and this had one! It wasn't as academia as I was hoping for, but it still included bits and pieces that I really enjoyed. There was definitely a dark atmosphere as I was reading a few times, but otherwise, the setting was really built on the stress of senior year, which I feel. I think that was one thing that really allowed me to connect to Jill as a character. The plot twists were not that deep, and I saw most of them coming. That being said the story was still pretty fun and I didn't have a bad time reading it. There were definitely some moments I felt the thriller or mystery aspect, but other than that it just felt like realistic fiction. This wasn't a super big problem because I had a fun time reading still, but it was a step-down from the author's other book. Granted this was her first release, and the other one I read was the second, but she has really improved I am happy to say. Jill was a fine main character, over the course of the story I gt more and more attached to her. In the beginning, she was very stereotypical, which was kind of the point, but she grew on me. As more of the story went on I felt in tune with her struggles and all of her anxiety. She was fighting between who she wanted to be in the future, and who she was right now, including the circumstances she was in. A lot of her problems were very realistic and I was glad to see some of them represented. Overall, not a fantastic book but still one that could be worth your time. I went into this hoping for a lot of mystery and thriller aspects but was a bit disappointed. If you know it's going to be a story of privilege and perfection, and teenage angst before going in you should enjoy it more. [TW: attempted sexual assault, death, grief, murder, sexual harassment, drinking, facing fears, sexism] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 07, 2021
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Oct 09, 2021
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Jul 10, 2021
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Hardcover
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| 1250756154
| 9781250756152
| B091NS6ZFV
| 3.11
| 241
| Dec 07, 2021
| Dec 07, 2021
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really liked it
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4/5 stars, that was a great retelling of vlad the impaler, but not as intense as some Thank you Macmillan for the arc through Netgalley in exchange f 4/5 stars, that was a great retelling of vlad the impaler, but not as intense as some Thank you Macmillan for the arc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review! I'm seeing a lot of mixed reviews for this book, but I have to say that I really enjoyed it. I can see how it would be boring for some people, as the plot didn't have a TON going on. But the main reason that I really enjoyed this was the nostalgic feeling I got reading about Wallachia and Transylvania again. I first read about this era in 'And I Darken' by Kiersten White, and fell in love as I had never read about it before. This felt the same, and I knew a lot of the vocabulary in advance so it was easy to understand what was going on. I feel like this is one of the main reasons people didn't enjoy it. This story follows Illona when she becomes betrothed to the voivode's eldest son, but knows that love and marriage are the least of her worries. There has already been an assassination attempt against her and tensions are rising among the boyers, as a possible war looms on the horizon. If anyone finds out about her growing affection for the younger Dracul brother Vlad or his cousin Andrei, the battle for her heart will be deadlier than the war. That is a very vague synopsis, to say the least, but really that is the entire plot. I can see how some people would get bored with this very quickly, and I think that's totally valid. It took me a while to get into it, but that often happens with e-books for me as well. I honestly didn't mind the love triangle, but I think that was because I know what to expect from Vlad. It wasn't my favorite love triangle ever done but I didn't hate it. I did enjoy the war aspects of this book as well, not much was seen as all of the main characters are a bit younger, but it was still interesting. It wasn't as bloody as other Vlad the Impaler retellings I have read, but it almost got there. There was lots of betrayal in this book as well, just what I was hoping for from it! Like I said before I really loved being back in the environment of Wallachia and Transylvania. It is a really unique place with a really unique time period. That combined makes a really interesting story. It was helpful even for me who knew some of the terms that the author included a glossary at the back of the book. I think this time period is one of my favorites, despite me only reading a few books from it. I highly recommend this book for that reason! Vlad was nothing short of fearless and relentlessly brutal in this novel, but that's honestly how he is supposed to be. I went into this story expecting this, and so I felt fine with his character. It was accurate to what I expected, but I can totally see how some people would hate this. He wasn't likeable in the slightest, and wasn't even unlikeable in a good sense. The reader is supposed to hate his character and I think the author did a good job of this. Andrei was my favorite character in this novel, he was so sweet and caring. I think he was a nice foil character for Vlad, and that was what he was intended to be. It was very fun to see his mind work out a problem compared to Vlad, as it as often better thought out. I wish there was a bit more from his perspective, but I'm glad the second part of the book tried to rectify that. He found the bravery in himself at the end and I was very happy for him. Illona has been described in various reviews as plain, but I thought she was just fine. She wasn't completely "not like other girls" trope, as she never shamed other girls for what they enjoyed. She was just interested in birds and sciences, and knew how to defend herself. As well, she was a good character to be in the middle of the love traingle. It actually made sense why she would feel that way, especially coming to a new country. I did enjoy her character and was content with her ending. Overall this book was a really fun time for me because of the nostalgia for me, but I can see how it wouldn't be as fun for some people. However if you want a quick historical fiction with a unique time period I highly recommend this book. It was fun and I finished it pretty fast once I got into it. [TW: death of a family member, blood, depiction of war, injuries, death, torture (mentioned), animal injury] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 23, 2021
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Nov 24, 2021
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Jun 15, 2021
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Kindle Edition
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| 0593405684
| 9780593405680
| 0593405684
| 3.96
| 9,359
| Sep 28, 2021
| Sep 28, 2021
|
liked it
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3.5/5 stars, an average ya book with some fun plot twists Thank you Penguin Teen for the arc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review! My re 3.5/5 stars, an average ya book with some fun plot twists Thank you Penguin Teen for the arc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review! My review might be kind of short because I don't have a lot of big thoughts about this one. I praise it for its diversity and representation of different cultures, but the pacing and the characters felt a bit off for me. It had a lot of the classic ya tropes, which isn't necessarily a bad thing not every book has to be totally original, it just felt slow because of that. The setting in this book takes place around a magical zoo and a giant magical jungle. The zoo is run by a man who tricks people into helping him as indentured servants, just as Koffi and her mother are at the beginning. There are animals there of varying rarities and it is their job to care for them and put on a show every now and then. There is also a town nearby, run and protected by the Brothers of the Six (the six being their gods). Surrounding both is a great and vast jungle, teeming with magical and ancient creatures that are extremely deadly. The majority of the book takes place in this jungle, and I thought it was in fact unique. The plot of this book, and the pacing included, just felt a bit disjointed to me. It was hard for me to get into it in the beginning, that might have just been my life at the time though. While it was easy to get adapted to the story's environment, the plot felt disjointed as there were POVs thrown at the reader that felt not connected. Obviously, they matter later in the story, but a good 1/3 of the book just felt like a prologue. Once the story moved to the jungle I found it much more enjoyable, overall. The main characters, Koffi and Ekon, felt a lot younger than I think they were supposed to be. They were both fun to watch be around one another, but my biggest problem with them was their decisions. Despite having a map, and a guidebook to the flora and fauna in the jungle, they managed to get themselves into so many undesirable situations. Things they should have known not to do, they did anyways and it honestly was just very juvenile. I think they have the potential to grow, they were just at times, difficult to read about because of their decisions. Overall, it was a fine book, nothing particularly wrong or right. There were a lot of classic tropes but with a diverse world and cast, so that was a big bonus. I haven't decided if I'm going to read the series yet, (the book left on a giant cliffhanger so I assume there will be another book), but we shall see. I know so many people who will adore this story so I really hope you enjoy it! [TW: blood, death, animal abuse, animal death, drug use, death of a parent or loved one] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 25, 2021
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Sep 28, 2021
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Jun 03, 2021
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Hardcover
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| 3.47
| 2,305
| Sep 07, 2021
| Sep 07, 2021
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liked it
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2.5 stars, this felt a little too soon and some parts were just, a lot for no reason Thank you Penguin Teen for the arc through Netgalley in exchange 2.5 stars, this felt a little too soon and some parts were just, a lot for no reason Thank you Penguin Teen for the arc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review! I have to admit, I started reading this book a while before I marked it on Goodreads. I am too lazy to go back and try to find the time, especially because it felt like such a chore to read through. There was so much going on, obviously because it's about covid, but also so much extra drama that felt unnecessary. It didn't leave me with a good taste in my mouth, but that was also probably it was a bit too soon for reading considering we are still going through the pandemic. With that being said, I feel that in the future if someone reads this outside the pandemic, they will find more interest in it. There were a lot of smaller and diverse details that I really enjoyed, but it didn't make up for the bad of it. The plot followed two high school kids, "falling in love" over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, via text messages and zoom calls. There was some cool rep such as; Max lives in a low-income household and she works for herself and her mom. Jonah lives in a well-off household but he has a generalized anxiety disorder (which seemed pretty accurate from my friend's comments) and his mother has died. His sister Olivia has GI issues and is chronically ill, as well as either bi or lesbian, I don't believe it is ever explicitly stated. Max delivers to an old man who becomes a side character who is also LGBTQ and he was really fun. Because of the amazing diversity of the characters, I think someone who is reading it outside of COVID will have a better time. I recommend checking the trigger warnings at the bottom of my review because there were absolutely tons. The COVID pandemic hasn't been very hard on me in terms of losing people I know, but there was still so much stress, and as my favorite teacher put it "I'm sure as teenagers you have a lot of unnoticed trauma from this ongoing pandemic that will be discovered." I agree, and reading about this was no happy story. I didn't leave with any feeling of hope or joy, maybe because we are still in the pandemic, or maybe the story. I am not completely sure. Max was a character that I liked right from the start, I connected and related to her a lot in terms of the family situation and etc. She was really hard working and did her best to support herself and her mom. She took COVID very seriously and understood when she couldn't do something. In terms of some of the stuff that happens in her story, I am completely on her side in the matter. I preferred her over Jonah and I think I will stand by that. Jonah was a character it took a while for me to love, he was annoying to me in the first part of the book and ended up being in the ending too. He obviously is going through a lot, he has a general anxiety disorder, and living through a pandemic is hard. But he was so ignorant of Max's financial situation, her feelings on some matters, and honestly anything she had going on. He thought she was always able to do things, that she always felt available, and that he was the most important thing in life. He did take steps to try to be a better person in that regard, but it always fell through. (view spoiler)[THEN at the end there was the CHEATING TROPE and he did it? it was so unbelievable (but also not really bc he had complicated behaviors through the whole book) and I think it would have been more impactful had the story not derailed with this as a side plot (hide spoiler)] Overall, this wasn't the worst and I did have joy at the diversity of the characters. But reading it during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, or rather writing it during that time too, was not the move. Jonah's character was really complicated and I didn't enjoy him to be completely honest. As well, I didn't feel a lot of romantic tension between the two characters and was left with a bad taste in my mouth. I hope someone reading it when the COVID pandemic will be over hopefully soon will find more joy in this story. [TW: death of a friend, COVID-19 mentions and related deaths, panic and anxiety attacks, death of a family member, low-income problems, AIDs, panic attacks, cheating mentioned] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 06, 2021
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Sep 07, 2021
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Jun 03, 2021
| ||||||||||||||||||
| 0451481143
| 9780451481146
| 0451481143
| 3.57
| 478
| Aug 24, 2021
| Aug 24, 2021
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really liked it
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4/5 stars, a really fun summer story about magic, family, and the love that comes with it Thank you Penguin Teen for the arc through Netgalley in exch 4/5 stars, a really fun summer story about magic, family, and the love that comes with it Thank you Penguin Teen for the arc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review! The summer vibes with this book were immaculate! Reading this and reflecting upon it, at times this felt like a middle grade, but it always went that extra step to talk about important topics. The story follows Edie after the death of her mother as she moves with her grandmother back to their family town. She wants nothing to do with the witchcraft that is a part of her family's bloodline, despite her grandmother's insistence on it as a tool. But when Edie discovers dark magic that's been locked away for years, embracing her witch bloodline and her family might be the only way to banish it. The setting of this book was the big summer vibe, it takes place in a small seaside town during actual summer lol. Edie and her grandmother live in a boathouse, which is actually really cute and an interesting little addition. There was also a hidden away beach, an ice cream shop that Edie worked at, a spirituality shop, and the magic forest. All of these combining together really made a whimsical and fun setting for this witchy story, especially one during summer. This book centered heavily around themes of friendship, grief, and family. It expanded on these themes as the story went on and it was very nice to see the characters work through things. The family aspect was the most important and impactful for me, I really enjoyed it. It talked a lot about family trees, and connecting with your family history, and this is what I enjoy doing! The grief aspect was also crazy important to the story and is handled delicately but directly. The friendship with Edie and her friends was equal parts heartwarming and sometimes challenging, in the idea that they are able to challenge each other to be better. I really loved these aspects of the story. Edie was a really nice main character, she had a big character arc in this book and it was so enjoyable to see her grow. She started out being a bit self-centered and completely uninterested in anything to do with her powers and witchcraft. She was still trying to handle her grief by pushing away everything, especially the things that reminded her of her mother. As she settled into the town and grew more adventurous in what she wanted to experience, Edie really opened up. With some amazing friends and a great grandma by her side, she opened herself up. She realized being your true authentic self is the most important thing you can do. Overall, a very cute and fun witch story that's perfect for summer. It presents themes such as grief, friendship, authenticity, and family that are so important to young readers. The atmosphere was great and so were each and every one of the characters. At times it feels like it's meant for the younger side of young adult but there was nothing wrong with that! [TW: grief, death of a parent, teen pregnancy, dark thoughts, generational trauma] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Aug 02, 2021
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Aug 05, 2021
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Jun 03, 2021
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Hardcover
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my rating |
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| 4.52
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it was amazing
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Dec 25, 2021
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Dec 25, 2021
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| 3.76
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really liked it
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Dec 13, 2021
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Dec 13, 2021
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| 4.30
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it was amazing
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Dec 22, 2021
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Nov 16, 2021
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| 4.39
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it was amazing
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Nov 09, 2021
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Nov 05, 2021
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| 4.21
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liked it
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Nov 04, 2021
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Nov 02, 2021
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| 4.07
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it was ok
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Oct 31, 2021
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Oct 29, 2021
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| 4.13
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it was amazing
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Dec 22, 2021
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Sep 19, 2021
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| 3.64
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really liked it
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Dec 06, 2021
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Sep 15, 2021
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| 4.30
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it was amazing
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Dec 25, 2021
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Sep 06, 2021
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| 4.09
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it was amazing
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Sep 12, 2021
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Aug 13, 2021
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| 4.03
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really liked it
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Aug 12, 2021
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Aug 08, 2021
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| 3.72
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really liked it
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Dec 23, 2021
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Aug 05, 2021
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| 3.83
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it was amazing
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Oct 05, 2021
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Jul 30, 2021
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| 3.60
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really liked it
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Oct 27, 2021
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Jul 30, 2021
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| 4.37
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it was amazing
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Nov 28, 2021
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Jul 27, 2021
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| 3.49
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really liked it
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Oct 09, 2021
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Jul 10, 2021
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| 3.11
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really liked it
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Nov 24, 2021
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Jun 15, 2021
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|||||
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| 3.96
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liked it
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Sep 28, 2021
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Jun 03, 2021
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| 3.47
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liked it
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Sep 07, 2021
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Jun 03, 2021
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| 3.57
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really liked it
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Aug 05, 2021
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Jun 03, 2021
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