The Shoemaker's Wife held the potential for noteworthiness at the beginning. Adriana Trigiani is great at PLACE — her vivid descriptions adeptly enablThe Shoemaker's Wife held the potential for noteworthiness at the beginning. Adriana Trigiani is great at PLACE — her vivid descriptions adeptly enabled me to picture, hear, smell, even taste the scene I was reading. I saw early glimmers of conflict and it seemed like the coming story would be robust.
It tried to be? I'm sure the initial book outline promised an epic tale, spanning decades and continents, generations and travails. But the execution was lacking. It leaned on description and sacrificed characterization. The portrayal was overly sentimental, everyone cared about each other the absolute most, the peoples and places were exquisitely beautiful, etc. I became increasingly exasperated and couldn't wait for it to be over. (Had I not been reading as audiobook during my commute, it would have been a dnf midway through.) Plot points that could have been — should have been — emotional didn't land for me at all. Too much "this Bad Thing happened" but surrounded by trite, prettified narrative sucking out any lifeblood and grit.
Maybe there are times that third person omniscient works really well. This wasn't one of them — the more the author relied on that POV to tell me things she hadn't made me feel, the more annoyed I got.
Also. Also! I don't think kids said "what's the skinny" in 1930?? I'm not a stickler for zero anachronisms, but that one was like a bucket of cold water. [From my cursory etymological search, it seems likely to have come along not too long after that, so it's older than I assumed. But still.] To be fair, at this point I wasn't happy with anything that was unfolding, writing-wise.
Based on what I've read from Mhairi McFarlane so far, she doesn't write capital-R-romance. And I mean that in the *best* way. Her books are about her Based on what I've read from Mhairi McFarlane so far, she doesn't write capital-R-romance. And I mean that in the *best* way. Her books are about her protagonists' lives, including but not limited to the romantic. In fact, I wouldn't even say that was the primary plot here. (Also — without spoilers — just know that this ending will leave a lot to be desired for many genre readers. But I loved it.)
Even if some of the logistical details were farfetched, the aftermath, struggles of psyche, neuroses, and pitfalls stemming from suboptimal self-esteem... all were so painfully real that I experienced emotional swells and drops right there with Edie, the MC. Major secondhand embarrassment at times, indignation at others, she was just all too easy for me to identify with.
I have to note, though... even though it's been 5 years since my last McFarlane read, I would have been able to tell this was hers by reading any single page in isolation. And I'm not sure that's a good thing, in this case. On one hand, she's so incredibly witty and psychologically astute in a way that I find a joy to read. On the other, my jury is still out on how wide her range is. Having said that, I will definitely find out, because I still want to read everything she's written. I hope that doesn't change with a few more under my belt.
I'm letting this go at 26%. All of my issues with the prose have overtaken any enjoyment I was getting from the series and making me not care what hapI'm letting this go at 26%. All of my issues with the prose have overtaken any enjoyment I was getting from the series and making me not care what happens in the rest of the story. And I can't take the mates element here, it's too OTT and growly. Considering how hard I had to fight the DNF in book 1, it's enough of a win that I made it this far. I regret nothing, because book 2 was worth it.
It's possible the story would rise to a 3-star experience for me, but considering that's the best case, stretch scenario for the next 500 pages... I yield....more
When it was good, it was so, so good. But real talk, its flaws were... persistent.
I have several spoilers marked below. Tbh most of them are barely spWhen it was good, it was so, so good. But real talk, its flaws were... persistent.
I have several spoilers marked below. Tbh most of them are barely spoilers, and sometimes only for book one. But I'm the most spoiler-averse person to ever refuse to read blurbs, so I am overly cautious on this point.
Midway through this book, I added it to my couples-hall-of-fame shelf — and since I've joined GR, they're the first straight couple I've put there. ...more
Warning: the below contains spoilers for the previous volume.
The second in The Bird and the Sword Chronicles duology, The Queen and the Cure picks up Warning: the below contains spoilers for the previous volume.
The second in The Bird and the Sword Chronicles duology, The Queen and the Cure picks up a few years after the first book, with different but related main characters. Overall, it had a few weakness that the first one didn't, and therefore didn't make me feel as much, but it was still entertaining. I wouldn't recommend this one as a standalone, but the first can definitely be treated that way.
His head ached dully and the tips of his fingers were numb from holding on to his temper.
From the beginning, my buddy reader and I decided that the most significant weakness here as compared to The Bird and the Sword was the narrative voice. Kjell, the male MC and the POV, never felt quite as he was described. He was supposed to be a gruff, guarded soldier, who we got to know well in the previous volume. We knew he had a fierce and loyal heart, as evidenced by his devotion to his brother, but coming into this book, one could argue that he would be even more gun shy about love... considering the last time didn't go so well.
But that's not how it went down. This was an insta situation, which rarely works to begin with, and here it especially didn't because it also flattened his characterization. His narrative was effusive, even if his communication was (slightly) less so. This meant very low tension, which is a shame because Harmon built great tension between Lark and Tiras, and there was potential for the same here.
I fell in love with you in pieces. Layer by layer, day by day, inch by inch.
The world was still enchanting, though not quite as tightly developed. You know how in fantasy, you want to feel that the characters exist within the world that's been created, rather than the world being created out of convenience for the characters' story? I got the former in Bird, but the additional details here occasionally made me feel the latter.
My last significant gripe was that the antagonist wasn't well developed. Ariel's arc did add elements to the adventure, but in the end I was never really afraid of her, and her motivation felt weak at best. Having said that, there were still times of apprehension in the story elsewhere, and those kept me interested.
“She is pleased with the grey in my hair.” “She is pleased with the hair on your arse, but don’t let that convince you it’s attractive.”
One element that was stronger in this one was the wit. Kjell had that long-suffering kind of humor even when he didn't mean to, and his banter with his troops (and brother) brought the lols. The book finished stronger than it started, with the last quarter or so being the only time I found it difficult to set down. So I didn't end up feeling too disappointed, but it had the potential to be a lot better....more
Magical not just because it's fantasy, but atmospherically as well. This was my first read from Amy Harmon and I found it easy to sink into the world,Magical not just because it's fantasy, but atmospherically as well. This was my first read from Amy Harmon and I found it easy to sink into the world, story, and chemistry between the characters. It was more about the plot than the characterization, but both were strong enough for me to stay absorbed the entire time. I had a great time with my evolving and often incorrect theories. ...more
Still captivated by this amazing story, and unfortunately now I have to waaaaait until the next one is out. I didn't plan this well.
Even better charaStill captivated by this amazing story, and unfortunately now I have to waaaaait until the next one is out. I didn't plan this well.
Even better character development than in the first volume, and Kristoff created some incredible, complex villains I loved to loathe. Furthermore, he's impressively adept at writing extensive battle scenes that make me hang on every word. My eyes have been known to glaze over with rapidity when encountering these things, but never here.
4.5 stars and I am thisclose to rounding up, but there were too many repeated words/phrases that could have been so easily edited out. ...more
Ah-mazing. The prose, plot, structure, characters, world. This is the kind of fantasy writing I love, where world building is never laid down flat andAh-mazing. The prose, plot, structure, characters, world. This is the kind of fantasy writing I love, where world building is never laid down flat and descriptive; rather, it's introduced as it's relevant, interwoven with the story in ways that feel organic and intuitive.
And tbh, the world building itself doesn't recreate the wheel. It borrows heavily from christianity... and just europe, in general. But I don't mind this, because it feels that much more accessible, leaving brain space for absorbing the unique and creative things that are specific to this story.
Such a rich tapestry, this one. Too many mysteries here by half. I'm completely absorbed in the plot, for sure, but my first love? The prose. I fell for it madly by the very first page. Kristoff has a gorgeous way with words, but at the same time doesn't take himself too seriously — the MC's bawdy sense of humor totally bankrolls the overall tone.
A couple of things kept this one from being perfect, but they were just niggles, not star-docking worthy. 4.75 stars but whatever, I'm starting book 2 today....more
Hi, how are you. Thanks everyone (else in the world), it's nice to be here. What a big party this is.
This series has been omnipresent in my feeds for Hi, how are you. Thanks everyone (else in the world), it's nice to be here. What a big party this is.
This series has been omnipresent in my feeds for years, obvs. But for most of those years I wasn't reading m/f, and timing is everything. Cupcake's review a couple of months ago came at the right time and finally pushed me over the edge.
For some reason I really got intent on making this work, and without that, I wouldn't have lasted past the first quarter. I made the mistake of starting via audiobook... and that, combined with the general weakness of the story early on, almost destroyed it for me. I have made a mental note stone carving never to try this narrator again. With a fiery passion, I hated Feyre as she interpreted her. At 39%, I gave up and continued via ebook after a couple weeks' break.
It started to get better when I finally was able to slough off that voice. I can't say I love Feyre yet, but she definitely has things I appreciate, especially her flaws. The burden of a pov character is that she accumulates the sideye for suboptimal writing choices. Plot conveniences and illogical decisions — of which there are several — get attributed to her characterization. So if/as Maas's choices get stronger, so will my connection to Feyre. And from what I hear, the next book is muuuuch stronger.
While it stayed relatively tropey and didn't recreate the story wheel, I couldn't put it down in the last 30-35%. So it's a solid 3.5 stars, with the additional endorsement of "I'm proceeding directly to book 2," for what that's worth.
Thanks to Gabi for the handholding and great discussion!...more
Some readers get offended by content that's politically incorrect, or gruesome, etc. I don't, but I do get offended when an author treats me like I'm Some readers get offended by content that's politically incorrect, or gruesome, etc. I don't, but I do get offended when an author treats me like I'm an idiot.
1) Reader might not remember this plot point from the last chapter. Author better say it again. And again and again to be sure.
2) A 5yo could understand this joke, but reader might not, so author will immediately explain it so reader will clearly know it's funny. And why.
3) Reader wouldn't ever know how to feel about a story if author doesn't tell them. And just to make sure, they should be told over and over, because repetition is exciting, sexy, and unpredictable.
4) Reader never remembers a phrase from one page to the next, so it's ok to use it a dozen or so times. Hey, if a thing is clever once, then it just keeps getting more and more so, right?
5) Author needs to be sure reader knows what's going on here (spoiler: they knew half a book ago), so put in a stilted, unrealistic conversation between two characters who are practically strangers. Now they'll have to over explain things, because they hardly know each other! Brilliant!
Liz Tomforde can conjure up some fun characters, but the above sins obliterate any potential characterization. And she can write some scorching sex scenes, but by the end of the book I was actually skimming them, ready to be out of this lecture hall....more
Time of death 35%. I'm not clicking with this. The characterization is caricaturish, convenient, and inconsistent. Both the narrative and dialogue feeTime of death 35%. I'm not clicking with this. The characterization is caricaturish, convenient, and inconsistent. Both the narrative and dialogue feel inorganic and odd. There are several things I'm curious about but I don't have any reason to feel that this one is going to surprise me, in either quality or content, so I'm moving on....more
If Hallmark made a Regency, queerish, polyamorous romcom, it might look like this.
I went into All or Nothing blind. I opened it on my Kindle, not knowIf Hallmark made a Regency, queerish, polyamorous romcom, it might look like this.
I went into All or Nothing blind. I opened it on my Kindle, not knowing why or when it landed there, and it was my first read from this author. So when it started with a rather outlandish premise, I wasn’t sure whether it would be a quick dnf. But it held my attention well enough for a light romp.
MC Simon was drawn effectively. I didn't always like him but found it easy to identify with his longing, discomfort, heartbreak, nascent bravery. His attractions felt truly kinsey 3, and this can be hard to find written well.
Across the table sat the other MC, Maggie. At first I was pleased to see her depth after the shallow introduction, and I realized how low my expectations had been in that regard. A sex-positive, free-spirited, immigrant businesswoman, Maggie was a new presence in Simon's life and in a sense just what he needed. The problem is, I can list a lot of traits for Maggie, but I still can’t see her edges clearly defined. She was a bit all over the place. And although I think some of that was intended — for instance, she alternated between confident and insecure in ways that made sense — I’m not sure all of it was. Her mercurial reactions seemed mostly to be convenient for drama's sake, and I was left without a solid feel for her character.
The various relationship connections befuddled me too, and I didn’t always buy them. Since I spent the majority of this read unsure of who was intended to end with whom — which for the record I LOVE — I'm going to put these thoughts behind a tag in case anyone else wants to maintain the same mystery. (view spoiler)[First off... out of everyone, Simon and Clement had the strongest connection, and that’s not just because of my penchant for m/m pairings. (hide spoiler)]...more
I've gotta stop reading books like this. And I wish I could thoroughly explain that sentence. But I saw it in a 'best of 2022' article, and I think I I've gotta stop reading books like this. And I wish I could thoroughly explain that sentence. But I saw it in a 'best of 2022' article, and I think I need to run in the other direction of those lists, generally speaking. I'm not really clicking with what I'm reading from them. They're well written, but lately I've just found them... unsatisfying, somehow. I know that's vague but I'm ready to move on. ...more
Yeah ok so I really liked this one. My first CLo... which apparently means I've been under a rock, but in my defense it was a significantly heavy m/m Yeah ok so I really liked this one. My first CLo... which apparently means I've been under a rock, but in my defense it was a significantly heavy m/m rock. And I just realized that they have an m/m YA and I need to hit that soonest. ANYWAY, I still haven't found *exactly* what I'm looking for with my m/f mood — this one was a little lighter than I need in order to really scratch that itch — but it was super enjoyable and it took me less than a day to whip through it.
The premise was fun and interesting — even if it was a little farfetched, they sold it well and it worked for the story. (Innovation leads to DNA analysis being able to predict success as romantic partners.) The story's evolution wasn't perfect, but had nothing that was a dealbreaker for me. I liked the MCs and the SCs, it had a handful of funnies, and I felt the heat of the semi-slow burn.
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