Soo it took me a while to pick this one back up, and when I did I literally just skimmed through most of it. There hardly a plot, it consisted mostly Soo it took me a while to pick this one back up, and when I did I literally just skimmed through most of it. There hardly a plot, it consisted mostly of Nita talking to her Zannie friend, and eventually you know what happens, they start to like each other. Even if he’s a literal monster who feeds on other living beings’ pain. Interesting concept and world, but the execution fell flat and I eventually grew tired of reading about them giving each other loving looks. ...more
Anouk is a Beastie. Sworn to be a servant to her witch mistress for the rest of her unnatural life. But Anouk’s a dreamer, she wants to live with the Anouk is a Beastie. Sworn to be a servant to her witch mistress for the rest of her unnatural life. But Anouk’s a dreamer, she wants to live with the Pretties. The Pretties who go about their natural life and wear gorgeous clothes and have nice shiny things. Beasties don’t get control over their life. Their witch mistress does. But when something terrible happens to her mistress, she realizes she’s part of a world that has more secrets than ever.
I loved this one. The pacing, the plot, and the beautifully detailed scenes of a Parisan landscape. I was intrigued. There’s something about Megan Shephard’s writing that lets me fly through the pages, reading as fast as I can because I want to know what happens next. I love how Anouk transforms by the end of the book, it’s such a nice thing to see. And I also liked where Shephard ended it. It gave me a feeling of finality, but it also kept me hooked for the next book.
Enchanting. Magical. Grim Lovelies is such a heart stopping page turner! ...more
Too much like “Ender’s Game” for this book to really wow me. The writing was decent, the characters were nicely developed but I was bored by how long Too much like “Ender’s Game” for this book to really wow me. The writing was decent, the characters were nicely developed but I was bored by how long the competitions were dragged on.
This was a cute and adorable read. Pretty much a cliché one as well, but the thing is I didn't mind. I love it when romance relationships start off asThis was a cute and adorable read. Pretty much a cliché one as well, but the thing is I didn't mind. I love it when romance relationships start off as dislike or even hate. I find that I end up rooting for the couple no matter what. Though in this case, it certainly didn't stop the main character because the reader knew more things than she did. It was oh-so obvious! And I loved that! When you're anticipating the entire duration of the novel to get the two together, it just makes it more satisfying by the end. The pacing was pretty much perfect, I was never bored. I was in love with the setting, where she worked sounded like a lot of fun! I didn't really get the feeling of them working in the food truck until later, so the cover didn't make a whole lot of sense. I also thought the cover model looked older than she actually should be.
The only thing I didn't really like how Quinn was very quick to pin all the blame on Wesley. You know the entire time that holding a grudge is clearly not healthy and Q was blinded by it. I wanted a bit more of development with her parents at least, because I felt that could have been expanded as well.
A perfect quick summer read, this was a great debut (from a fellow Canadian), and I'm looking forward to her future books!
RATING 3/5
QUOTES
I may look physically different, but I still feel the same inside. (10)
Relationships are built on trust. Without that, you've got nothing. (188)...more
I've read one other book of Taylor Jenkins Reid and I loved it just as much as this. Her writing is absolutely worthy of praise. She brings charactersI've read one other book of Taylor Jenkins Reid and I loved it just as much as this. Her writing is absolutely worthy of praise. She brings characters to life. Forms and moulds them into realistic characters that you want to befriend and even root for. Namely Evelyn Hugo, with the looks and figure of Marilyn Monroe with the mysterious life of Elizabeth Taylor, this is the character I imagined her to be. But her honest and in depth life was portrayed so beautifully, I couldn't help but cry by the end of the book. Evelyn is the most ambitious and tenacious character I have read lately. She's anything but perfect, and I love how Reid portrayed her. She is wholly vulnerable and strong all at the same time. I think most people reading this will either love or hate her. Maybe even a bit of both. And all the other characters? They hold no candle to what was really going on. There's something I can't talk about because it's a major spoiler but I'm sure anyone can agree the romance is passionate and wild and uninhibited. I loved every single bit of it. All these characters have no shame. They don't apologize for being exactly who they are, and I found it so new and refreshing.
The only parts that bothered me was how she uses men. I know she would do anything and everything to rise to the top, but it also felt very wrong and unequal for her character to do that. But what do I know? It was set in earlier times. And for a character to be so modern thinking in an era of time that wasn't? Well it felt off.
I loved reading about how fake everything in Hollywood really was. How everything was controlled by these characters to spin a story. Can't help but think that they do this in our own society every day.
This was one emotional roller coaster that I couldn't stop reading! It also pulled me out of my 26 day reading slump! Grab this one if you're looking for a quick read that will have your heart being pulled (or twisted) into different directions. I'm such a fan of Taylor's writing now, and I need to read all her previous novels....more
So sorry, but I'm marking this one as a DNF at page 102..Couldn't get into the story, if there was one, I'm not so sure. The alternate world it was seSo sorry, but I'm marking this one as a DNF at page 102..Couldn't get into the story, if there was one, I'm not so sure. The alternate world it was set in was beautiful. Naturally, in a city I know well..Toronto. I loved the mentions of places I frequent and, even the Maple Leafs losing lol.. I just couldn't understand why there were different POVs, and their stories and thoughts were too bland. ...more
An unsolicited Advance Reader Copy was provided by Dundern Press for review. Quotes pulled from the ARC may be incorrect and may be subject to change
WAn unsolicited Advance Reader Copy was provided by Dundern Press for review. Quotes pulled from the ARC may be incorrect and may be subject to change
What happens when the most stable person in your life has a terminal illness? What happens then? Fifteen year old Jayce had to learn how to let people in and to stop trying to care for everybody, and let someone else take care of her. I like how realistic her friendship with her female best friend was. I also liked seeing Canadian cities being named and the proper spelling of certain words lol
This was a quick but emotional read. I really enjoyed the platonic best friendship between the female and male characters. Not only is a mother daughter relationship emphasized but a father and a grandma one at that. I tested up at certain points because it just broke my heart. This was exactly what I needed right now for I needed a good cry....more
This is such an important book to read. There were so many moments that made me so sad that I couldn't help but cry my eyes out. Kim Turrissi's writinThis is such an important book to read. There were so many moments that made me so sad that I couldn't help but cry my eyes out. Kim Turrissi's writing is just so easy to digest, so easy to read that it makes you relate to the main character's woes that much easier.
This is a book about grief. About life after someone you love leaves you by suicide. And in the acknowledgements section, she writes that her own sister committed suicide. This is why the book was just so raw and emotional and real. The pain is real. I actually cried reading that acknowledgment. For someone who has been depressed and suicidal myself, this book is easy to relate to. But reading from the grieving sister's point of view is even more heartbreaking.
I loved this one and couldn't put it down. A heart-breaking read that will have you grateful for all the love that you have in your life. I know I won't be able to forget it.
RATING 4/5
QUOTES
"Dying is black and white, but suicide is gray." (33)
"The thing about best friends is you don't have to say anything and they know what you need." (78)
"You can't be angry at a dead person." (149)
"Only when it's dark enough, you can see the stars." (232)
An Advance Reader Copy was provided by the publisher for review. Quotes pulled from the ARC may be incorrect and may be subject to change.
Welp, I readAn Advance Reader Copy was provided by the publisher for review. Quotes pulled from the ARC may be incorrect and may be subject to change.
Welp, I read through this quickly. Even though it started off a bit slow, it was great that the relationships were allowed to develop slowly and surely. I did like the world building even if it was an info dump told through story-telling around a campfire. The war between the two magical factions reminded me of Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen series, so if you like that world, you'd like this one. I prefer this world though. The battle in the arena reminded me so much of the movie, Gladiator! Except that it's a female lead. I like the main characters budding hate-to-love relationship and the gladiator style battle scenes were exciting to read.
As for the characters, I thought Ruby was a bit slow on piecing things together. She also seems to cry a lot and thinks of herself as weak, when in reality you know she's not. She reminded me of X-Men's Jean Grey and the Phoenix. I think this was done on purpose so we could see how she grows as a character. Here's hoping her character develops in the next book. The chemistry between Ruby and Arcus was super hot. I found myself swooning at times and I really liked their relationship. My fave romances are always hate-to-love and this was one of my favourites.
A wonderful fantasy debut written by a fellow Canadian, I couldn't put it down until it was finished. Can't wait for the next book and you'll be sure I'll be requesting an ARC of the next book.
RATING 4/5
QUOTES
"If you hurt me, I'll burn you do badly even your mistress will run in terror." (26)
"I'm no danger to anyone but the people who hurt me." (44)
"If we all had names to suit us, you'd be called Thorn in My Backside. Or Plague of the Gods. And you'd be Miserable Blockhead." (85)
"Why would anyone want to stir up hatred when there was so much already?" (177)
"Your touch hurts me, too. But it's a pain I enjoy." (302)
"There is always light in darkness. It may only be a pinpoint, but it is there. Follow it and you will find your way free." (309)
"When it comes to you, I like to be burned." (371)...more
An Advance Reader Copy was provided by the publisher for review. Quotes have been pulled from an ARC and may be subject to change.
We're back in the ReAn Advance Reader Copy was provided by the publisher for review. Quotes have been pulled from an ARC and may be subject to change.
We're back in the Regency Era with Helen and Carleston. The second book usually ends up being the "filler," but even though this was the second in the series, it didn't feel like that. The book progresses along and even if it was a little slow, I still enjoyed it. There's so much to digest, that you won't be able to put this book down. I just love Goodman's writing. She writes with incredible detail that paints a very vivid picture of the world she has created.
I like how the era is represented, where lords and ladies dance and their relationships aren't on full display. How different woman were treated in a man's world and how high society versus low class was managed. It was wonderfully researched. Oh and don't forget about tha epic ending. I need book three? Ahhh my mind is full of questions and fears and what ifs!!!!
RATING 4/5
QUOTES
I think that everyone is of the belief that a woman's world is always lesser and smaller than a man's. (239)
We cannot defer when we must act. We cannot follow when we must lead. We must make our own rules. (240
He is not the man to help you become what you need to be. (374)...more
I'm sorry but there is hardly no plot and I am growing bored very quickly. I tried so hard to keep going. But having to train to be a bone witch isn'tI'm sorry but there is hardly no plot and I am growing bored very quickly. I tried so hard to keep going. But having to train to be a bone witch isn't really much to go on. The writing is superbly lovely and there is a lot of detailed scenes where paragraphs are written of each person and each location, but I grew weary of it. I really wanted to keep going, but having no interest in the characters is hard to keep your attention. I love the concept of the bone witches and their powers. Especially the heartglass necklaces which tell everyone their moods by changing certain colours. The world building was beautiful as well, but there was so much to learn that I just got tired. There are hints of oppression and prejudice against the bone witches and I thought that was vaguely interesting too, but again, not enough for my short attention span. Kudos to the cover designers for putting a POC character on the cover and not whitewashing her. The book's design is just intricately beautiful.
QUOTES
You hate us for nothing more than prejudice. (54)...more
Caden is a Nice, someone who is destined to always be the good guy. So when he gets chosen to be the Love Interest to Juliet (an important person to tCaden is a Nice, someone who is destined to always be the good guy. So when he gets chosen to be the Love Interest to Juliet (an important person to the secret organization LIC) he has to compete with Dyl, a Bad who is anything but evil.
I had no idea this was going to be satire and in the beginning when I was reading it, I couldn't help but laugh at all the young adult tropes and cliches that were used that I lost count. That part was brilliantly done. But it also lacked dimension and depth. And what I mean is the characters. There were all just cookie cutter characters with no real personalities or defying warmth that would make you root for them. And that's what ultimately made me bored. I need to root for characters to get together or I just won't care at all and sadly in this case, I didn't care abut Caden or Dyl. I actually cared about the supporting characters Natalie and Trevor who had a bit more personality than their best friends. I just felt so far out of their reach that I couldn't connect with Caden or Dylan. The story-line was there, but you'd have to read further into it to actually find it. I liked how there were mentions and quotes of the queer guy becoming the protagonist in his own story.
I was annoyed the whole time with the love counsellor who is supposed to be giving advice about love. But all her advice is about how hot he is. She's quite annoying and doesn't really give great advice at all. I think it would have been better if she didn't appear at all. I know they're just tools to the LIC, but I really couldn't tell the difference when she spoke to them or if it was his own thoughts? Maybe the final copy will separate the difference.
I love that we get to see more queer relationships in books and this was a good start, but I've read ones that really did yank at my heart (and broke it to pieces), so this one is a bit forgettable. Overall, it does have easy writing that you can simply read quickly, but other than the great concept, the execution fell flat for me. I'm sorely disappointed I didn't like this one as much.
RATING 2/5
QUOTES
All I am is a Love Interest. Without that, not even worth a name. (55)
It's hard to take my eyes off his face, and it's causing a weird tightness in my throat, making it difficult to breathe. (83)
I don't exist to teach her a lesson, and it irks me that she thinks labelling is okay now. Like, by liking guys, I automatically take on that role in life. That I'm suddenly a supporting character in her story rather than the hero of my own. (326)...more
Well that took a while to get through, but overall a well written stand-a-lone. I did feel the book dragged on and there was a lot of exhaustive sceneWell that took a while to get through, but overall a well written stand-a-lone. I did feel the book dragged on and there was a lot of exhaustive scenes with tons of build-up. Kind of felt the ending was rushed or maybe that just me? I did feel the faith versus science war would have made a better story-line than this problematic political family.. Yikes! The coolest part about the entire book was reading about their advancements such as med bots, beauty bots and even zero gravity dancing. That was an experience you had to read about. I also felt some scenes weren't too necessary plot-wise, it was more for characters and relationships to develop which isn't anything bad, I just got bored really easily. That's probably why it took me about five days to finish it. I just didn't have the burning rush to finish it so I ended up reading it super slowly.
One main thing I had with their history was that instead of favouring technology and science, they favoured their faith. But to me, that wasn't logical at all. How can you be traveling around the universe with one-thousand year old spaceships that are breaking apart?! If you don't advance your knowledge or technology, then the human race becomes stagnant. I'm all for the being religious, but I believe you need both. I was even hoping for another life form to come in and take over, maybe even the diabolics lol... I wanted Nemesis to start reading all the ancient books and start amassing knowledge at break-neck speeds.
I liked how the main character is literally from a humanoid point of view. That was fun to read because she didn't understand anything emotional. Granted, it was very predictable and cliche, but okay I give bonuses points for making this a political sci-fi read! Right off the bat, I immediately liked the love interest. Even from their first meeting, he made me laugh. I think most people would remember that encounter for a long time. I liked the problematic family situation though, I've never encountered characters quite like these before.
"The Diabolic" is a great stand-a-lone to add to your TBR lists, namely for the space-like setting and political intrigue. Grab this one if you like both!
RATING 4/5
QUOTES
"You can tell just by looking at me that I'm not a real person." (38)
"The Emperor wishes me to send my innocent little lamb to the slaughter. No. Instead, I'll send him my anaconda." (38)
"I had no soul and very little heart, but what heart there was belonged to her." (40)
"I love you more than I can bear sometimes. You're a wonder and you don't even know it." (53)
"I am more than this. I am more." (209)
"You are extraordinary. Is it selfish that all I can think now is that I want you for myself?" (270)
"Someone who can sacrifice one person's life so easily can also sacrifice others." (345)...more
This was just painful to read. I kept thinking "Oh maybe it'll get better! You know, detailed character arcs where the learn their lesson." Boy was I This was just painful to read. I kept thinking "Oh maybe it'll get better! You know, detailed character arcs where the learn their lesson." Boy was I wrong! I don't know if this was supposed to be a parody, but I wasn't laughing at all.
The first thing? The characters. They were all so stereo-typical like the jocks, cheerleaders, nerds, exchange students etc. Each one had reacted just like we thought they would. It's mostly told from the point of view from Benny and Virginia. Two loners who are also part of the school's only mystery club. They weren't as hateful as the others, but they still judged their classmates rudely. These are judgemental characters who are just so mean and rude to each other. Each character thinks so highly of themselves and they're condescending and superior to one another.
“American girls were vapid and asinine and fatuous. No Winship girl could come up with three synonyms for 'stupid' that quickly.” (190)
“That's why they have cheerleaders. To give people something to look at. (253)
“Yeah, what's the deal with those chicks?” “They lost their innocence from being sexually traumatized. They can't cheer anymore.” (253)
How is it that every single POC in this book is the villain? How can you treat them like trash after one of them has died? How do you celebrate a suicide like this? Just because they were a pervert? You don't justify suicide that way. The most pressing thing is someone who is a POC ends up raping another character. And no one does a thing!!! I do not like how the author has treated these characters, reducing them all to stereotypes and labels.
The most telling thing were the racist remarks about Asians. Was there a need for this? I really don't understand.
“‘TO-KU-GA-WA!’ Gottfried had boomed in a cartoonish Japanese accent, while Virginia giggled in the front seat.” (151)
“Let townie Asians flood the gates and take over the whole for all he cared.” (221)
“The guy was no one Winn had ever seen before. He had long hair and was dressed in a black T-shirt and jeans. Maybe thirty-years old? It was hard to tell with Asian guys.” (219)
These characters were always wary of what others thought of them. It grated on my nerves a bit.
“Virginia was sitting next to him, but as far away as she could get without insulting him. She didn't want someone to walk in and think they were together.” (55)
There's a scene where the male students are being spoken to about rape. And I don't think in my years of reading have I ever read a conversation like this one, where the teacher is telling males to not rape. But it was done in such an off-hand humourous way that you can't take it seriously. I guess this book isn't supposed to be taken seriously but I can't help it. It's just terrible.
“Let's talk about what you can do to show the ladies respect. Imagine what it's like to be a girl. You got this smokin' bod that everyone wants to get a peep at. Can you imagine what that feels like? No, you can't, because you're dudes, and your bodies are disgusting.” (112)
Then there was the plot. It sounded so interesting. A murder suicide or a murder mystery? I was all for it. But then it just started to falter. Once I realized it was going to be a parody, I just stopped caring. I did keep going just because I wanted to know who was responsible for everything, only to be incredibly disappointed by the lack of respect given to the POC characters. The writing is fine, and the dialogue is all right, but the way these characters treat each other was just despicable. And that ending? Kind of useless.. I won't be reading the rest in this series.
I'm sorry to say I disliked this book a lot. There were many reasons and I just don't think it was entertaining at all. I don't recommend this to anyone because I find it offensive. Thumbs down for me.. I want to erase my memory of ever reading this.
RATING 1/5
QUOTES
“Why is it easier to believe in curses than to believe that a cheerleader could have depression?” (47)
“I'm invisible to them. They don't even see me.” (54)
“Sometimes it's better to do nothing than to do the wrong thing.” (91)
“Because what if the people ogling you were stronger than you, and faster than you, and could probably rape you.” (112)
“We use our power to understand, not to punish.” (234) ...more
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