what a way to go out. the perfect mix of relationships and adventure, quest and battle. and while the romantic relationships are the least interestingwhat a way to go out. the perfect mix of relationships and adventure, quest and battle. and while the romantic relationships are the least interesting, i'm very happy with the turnout. i also appreciate pierce's willingness to make war realistic in that she didn't only let the bad guys die. and the death with lightning? *chefs kiss*
4 stars only because it was a little confusing at times, and the jewel plotline felt a little forced....more
Unlike the first two books, TWWRLAM doesn't take in the castle or alongside fellow knights, but rather Alanna is venturing out into the broader world.Unlike the first two books, TWWRLAM doesn't take in the castle or alongside fellow knights, but rather Alanna is venturing out into the broader world. She ends up becoming the shaman of a Bazhir tribe and making that her home. I didn't like it nearly as much as the knight stories, in part because the knight story and cast of characters within it are what pulls me in, rather than Alanna by herself or the magic.
As I read this, I kept having to remind myself it was written in the 1980s and give Pierce just a little grace, but her writing about the Bazhir was extremely cringe. It was like a weird mix of stereotypes for Bedouin folks and Native Americans, wrapped into one group that ultimately had to admit it needed a white savior. And when we do see Jonathan, he's a misogynist asshole and yet we're supposed to feel that Alanna did something wrong by fighting him.
It very much did not hold up, and it made it hard to keep reading. This book took me a week, whereas the first two took me less than a day each....more
This series, man. I want to live in it. Following Alanna as a squire was just as incredible as following her as a page, and I loved how she continued This series, man. I want to live in it. Following Alanna as a squire was just as incredible as following her as a page, and I loved how she continued to prove herself. Faithful was a perfect addition to the story. I'm unsure how I feel about the romance plot lines. On the one hand, I support it deeply, but there are definitely some consent moments I did not like. ...more
I've been struggling to read fiction lately, and this was exactly what I needed to pull me out of that lull. It's the perfect adventure story, and I lI've been struggling to read fiction lately, and this was exactly what I needed to pull me out of that lull. It's the perfect adventure story, and I loved watching Alanna be this badass kid navigating her way through the castle with no fucks given. She is truly goals. I love the community inside the castle, and the way everything feels modern (especially the school day) and entirely fitting in a YA/middle grade book (even if it does get quite dark). George and the thieves are particularly fun to read about, and Jonathan is endless charming. ...more
All I needed to be sold on this book was Camelot, but make it gay. From the day it was announced, I checked on NetGalley every day hoping to get an adAll I needed to be sold on this book was Camelot, but make it gay. From the day it was announced, I checked on NetGalley every day hoping to get an advance copy, because I could not wait until NOVEMBER to read it.
So it hurts to be disappointed by it. It felt like Lex Croucher did the exact same thing I did: Camelot, but make it gay, and nothing else matters. The plots about Gwen and Bridget & Arthur and Gabe were really fun to read, and I loved watching them all come together. (+10 points for all things Sidney).
But there's a background plot that comes to take over the whole book and it's poorly set up and poorly carried out, and just felt unnecessary. You don't need a larger plot in order to make this story feel Arthurian. Or groups of cultists or those that worship Morgan le Fay (and I say this as someone who has a Morgan le Fay tattoo).
There's a good amount of social commentary, especially about gender, sexuality and class. And there's a cringe-worthy stand in for Christian extremists. These were so obvious and heavy handed that it was more of a disappointment than a good lesson learned.
There's also very awkward use of modern slang/memes, and an extremely confusing world where the characters live. And there's no explanation for why Bridget is interested in Gwen, which at least in the beginning stages, makes no sense. And the second half drags on and on.
I'm ultimately confused about what this book was trying to do. Was it a coming of age love story? Social commentary? A fight over power and family expectation? A court politics fight? It did all of those things a little, leading it to do nothing good enough.
3.5/5
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review....more
I don't even know how to explain this book. Best of the year? Entirely enchanting? Already preordered? If you like Arthurian stories, but also romcomsI don't even know how to explain this book. Best of the year? Entirely enchanting? Already preordered? If you like Arthurian stories, but also romcoms and well-done teen dramas, this is a must read. It's a really fun take on Camelot where the relationships between everyone feel so real. it can definitely get cute, but it also goes deep into self vs. family and breaking away from expectations, and is hilariously modern in terms of sexuality and gender. I loved what develops between Emry and Arthur, but Arthur and Lancelot are better in this than I've read in a while, and Emry's magic training just feels... magical. And there are unexpected allies throughout.
Yes, there is romance here, but it's so deeply about found family and friendship before anything else.
(view spoiler)[I HATE when villains give victory speeches that outline their entire plan. It felt unnecessarily cliche in a book otherwise nuanced. The end fight also felt a little rushed, but I think people who like fantasy more than me will like it. (hide spoiler)]...more
I cannot remember the last time I loved characters this much. I want to hug them all and watch them grow and fall in love. They’re truly something speI cannot remember the last time I loved characters this much. I want to hug them all and watch them grow and fall in love. They’re truly something special. The plot of this book is truly something else, messy and sometimes not worth following, but I did appreciate the circularity of it and was fascinated by a lot of the concepts. But really, it’s these characters that do it for me. Merlin is still a glorious fool, Ari is still badass and honest, Gwen is still powerful and brilliant, Val is a gift from the gods. I love it....more
Once & Future takes a good while to get into. The world building and back stories are presented in an odd order that made me feel constantly lost, butOnce & Future takes a good while to get into. The world building and back stories are presented in an odd order that made me feel constantly lost, but by the end, everything had come together and made sense. I just want to get in and edit it.
But wow, this story. These characters. I was really frustrated when I realized this entire book was a space drama rather than a medieval one (I'm GREAT at skimming summaries and missing big plot points in them), but by the end I was in love. These characters, my god these characters. I love them so much. They're complex and deep but also joyous and determined. The bumbling fool of joy that is Merlin, the badass heart that is Ari, the love that is Val, the good that is Gwen. I loved watching them fall in love and embrace their found family and care so so deeply about each other. It was so well done.
It was also just absolutely hilarious. The one liners were so good, and Merlin was just... a comedic disaster in the best way.
This book also takes place in a universe that is past caring about sexuality and the gender binary, and it's just cool to be gender fluid and no one questions if the queen marries a woman. They also do a great, funny job of showing Merlin trying to adjust to this new world of no judgment.
And then obvious, this book is a giant ode to how fucked up capitalism is, and honestly how the universe could likely turn out if Jeff Bezos gets his way. So... I didn't need that nightmare.
Some things were definitely overdone. I still don't fully understand the curse, and Morgana was not my favorite iteration of Morgaine. But god, did I mention how much I loved the other characters? I was not expecting to want to read the sequel to this, but I need it in my hands right now....more
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