Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me this e-ARC in exchange of my honest review.
This was absolutely terrible: not only theMany thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me this e-ARC in exchange of my honest review.
This was absolutely terrible: not only the plot and the characters are, in my opinion, ridiculous and annoying, this wasn't even an enjoyable read. I had to force myself to finish this while skimming many pages.
The plot of this book was crazy, and not in a great way. The author spent too much time on the characters (which I will talk about later on) instead of developing her ambitious concept, especially when it's something as complex as time travelling and timeline manipulation. This book was 500 pages, and too much was spent on annoying dialogues and arguments between the characters instead of focusing on the plot. Additionally, the magic system of this series relies a lot on the "feel": to take time, to travel through time, to spot danger, to track the timelines etc... and for that, I expect a lot of "show", not "tell". For example, Joan only acknowledges a danger when another character explicitly says out loud the danger. This kind of writing is incredibly anticlimatic for a book that's supposed to be thrilling and engaging.
My biggest problem, however, is the same with the first book: the characters, especially Joan. Words cannot describe how I abhor Joan as the main character: she is whiny, arrogant, impulsive and naive if not to say so fucking stupid. Being 17, she completely disregards any concerns from other characters, who actually have much more experience in the business than she does. She makes a show of telling everyone that she does what she does because she wants to protect her loved ones and create a better world, but her actions put them in danger more often than not, all of that because she blindly trust dudes that are good-looking enough. About the other characters: Ruth, whom I liked in the first book, is barely present: Jamie and Tom are still very cute; I especially liked Tom because he was the only one willing to talk sense into Joan and putting her in her place; Nick and Aaron are both bland, which is a shame, because the star-crossed enemies trope has so much potential (yeah and I am team Nick btw).
Overall, it was a terrible experience and there are much better YA Fantasy series on the market....more
An absolutely joyous collection about the discovery of love. For one more time, Lovelace has proven herself capable of writing both aching and heart-wAn absolutely joyous collection about the discovery of love. For one more time, Lovelace has proven herself capable of writing both aching and heart-warming poetry and she is one of the rare contemporary poets whose writing connects to me this way. I am sad that this is the final book in this series, while I am very excited to see what Lovelace will do next.
Many thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this advanced copy.
One month after, here I am back, adding to my original review which had been cross-posted on NetGalley because I have to get this off my chest. Considering how defensive the author is on Twitter, I need to say that, as a queer cisgender woman, I hate the portrayal of women in this book. Seriously, I recommend that you go and look for other reviews on Goodreads because I can never explain as well as them; but to sum up, this book is highly misogynistic and sexist. Women are either depicted as sexual objects or as nasty and manipulative usurpers who want nothing but to enslave the lesser sex (in this case, men). Moreover, I am so angry that the author uses his trans-man identity to justify the bad of his work. It's incredibly sad and infuriating to see a book with a matriarchal society be the embodiment of misogyny.
Original review
This book has to be the worst that I have read in a while.
Seriously, I am not even kidding, if I were to stay here to write down everything I have hated about this book, I would be here for 24h because there are that many things that went wrong. Despite it being so painful to read, I tried to push it to the end, and it is not even worth it. The author, well, "attempted" to write a unique and diverse fantasy with an interesting concept, but he failed to address the most vital part of his attempt: fantasy. I am sure no one except the author has any ideas about what-the-hell happened in this book because, in my opinion, it's just not comprehensible. The author takes every element belonging to the genre, throws them in a book, and calls it a day. As a result, we have a world with dragons, zombies, robots, fire benders, ancient gods, super complex aircrafts controlled by some ancient civilization (???) At this point I don't even know what is in the book, it's just too much, and I have given up trying a long time ago.
Secondly, at some point, the author would have to make a map to show who is related to who, who fucked who, who are allies or enemies because I can't honestly keep track with thousands of names that all sound similar to each other. Yes, the world has its own language and I respect that, but if someone throws around a dozen names that start with a "D" and another dozen that start with an "R", you would be lost like me.
Next, the characterization of the main character Kore is horrible. Let me resume his thoughts so you don't have to manage through this shit.
Koré: "OMG I am such a quirky monster because my father abandoned me,, and I deserve no love from no one,.... Anyways let's seduce this person by fucking her." Imagine this nonsense for 500+ pages!! Koré has no personality other than rejecting others' help because he is a monster and fucking people for his political sham. And for someone who proclaims his loyalty to the cause once every two lines, he did kiss F____ while dating R___ (even though she was okay with it afterward.)
Finally, I just want to say that, for a book terribly fast-paced even for a fast reader like me, this book felt like an eternity of suffering
Regards to Rebellion Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. This review contains my opinion and mine only. This review will be cross-post on Goodreads closer to the publication date as requested by the publisher.
Many thanks to Saga Press and Netgalley for providing me an e-ARC in exchange of my honest review.
These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends: ☆☆☆☆☆ FoMany thanks to Saga Press and Netgalley for providing me an e-ARC in exchange of my honest review.
These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends: ☆☆☆☆☆ Foul Lady Fortune: ☆☆☆ Immortal Longings: ☆
Had my expectations not been through the roofs, my dislike for this work would have been less strong. The profound affection I hold for the These Violent Delights duology led me to eagerly anticipate another Shakespearean retelling by Chloe Gong, particularly within the realm of adult urban fantasy. As I now conclude this book, a bitter sense of disappointment lingers, and I am left regretful for having wasted my time.
At the outset of the book, I was captivated by the setting of San-Er, a place inspired by a historical area of Hong Kong. The vivid portrayal of the city authentically captured the essence of a bustling metropolis in East Asia, evoking nostalgic memories of the sounds and the dense urban landscape of my hometown. However, it seemed that Chloe Gong believed readers required an extensive amount of city description throughout the entire book. Frankly, I've read French classics with less information dumping than this. Gong's paragraphs seemed to repeat the same information, just phrased slightly differently. While I understand that this may not be the final version of the book, it felt more like an unedited draft, despite its considerable potential.
The worldbuilding was disappointingly average. If you're attempting to create a game similar to THG (a game that serves as a catalyst for the downfall of a system), it should possess a unique and exhilarating quality, with grandeur worthy of the players' efforts. In this book, the game itself was the least memorable aspect. The stakes were supposedly high, yet the lack of tension leading up to pivotal moments, due to the short and infrequent action scenes, was infuriating. Gong did make a point to repeatedly describe the games in paragraphs, though.
The political system presented in the book was one of the most poorly constructed I've encountered recently. If you're going to contrast the prosperous urban center with the desolate and rudimentary countryside or the business hub of Er with the slums of San, it's crucial to explain the mechanics underlying these differences. How is wealth generated? How does the monarchy afford lavish feasts, jewels, and gold? How are the armed forces organized? What about the management of the country's borders? Are there distinct institutions? How are various social classes treated by the legal system? Is there even a functioning court? One cannot write a semi-dystopian story without addressing these fundamental questions about establishing a government that won't crumble like a paper castle. Perhaps, a crash course "Politics & Institutions 101." could have been a good thing for this book, because while it's convenient to appropriate historical events and politics for a historical fiction, a fantasy world must be at least believable in its construction, particularly when incorporating the concept of a game like in THG.
Lastly, for the love of god, I wish authors in general would refrain from labeling every single character as morally gray. There is nothing ambiguous about it. The intentions of each character are explicitly spelled out, leaving no room for our own moral reflections. Every character adheres to a specific archetype, playing a predetermined role, which renders the book agonizingly predictable and, consequently, exasperating to read. (I guessed the plot twist at 30% and the ending at 50% LMAO.)"
And don't me get me started on the romantic relationship: there is more chemistry between me and my pile of Spanish homework. (But really, I don't understand how Chloe Gong, the same author who penned Roma and Juliette, could have written a relationship this flat.)
To conclude, I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this book. In my personal opinion, Chloe Gong seems to lack the finesse of a seasoned fantasy writer, resulting in a rather poor attempt of the incredibly complex genre, despite the obvious potential. I don't see myself continuing with this series or checking out any future releases from Gong, except for the remaining books in the Foul Lady Fortune series, which still hold some appeal to me.
P.S. At my core, I am a hater.
You can also find me on my Bookstagram @loverssrequiem ...more
Siren Queen is a dark and critical approach to the backstage behind the glamourous appearance of Hollywood, a world where the weak are eaten and tradeSiren Queen is a dark and critical approach to the backstage behind the glamourous appearance of Hollywood, a world where the weak are eaten and trades in blood magic are not uncommon after all. The story follows Luli Wei, a second-gen Chinese American who found herself in the macabre world of Los Angeles' elites.
My first book from Nghi Vo is The Chosen and the Beautiful, which I found very disappointing, so I tried to keep my expectations low for this one, and to my surprise, I was blown away by this book. A mix of The Chosen and the Beautiful and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Siren Queen pushes me into a lush and mesmerizing world of magic, fame, and monsters. Vo's writing is gorgeous, constructing an enthralling scenery of the deceiving movie industry and its actors. Each detail is carefully crafted with mastery, and it all builds up Vo's admiring approach to this ambitious story. Luli Wei was a story of her own. In this coming-of-age narrative, a young girl fantasizing about stardom and big screens was suddenly thrust into a deceptive world of manipulation where the price to pay is high. I particularly love Nghi Vo set up each relationship with Luli and how each of them affected her life in quite different ways. Someone has talked about how there was always light in moments of darkness in this book, and I find that particularly true. No matter how dire the situation is, we as readers are given hope. Hope that Luli, despite everything she has been through, will find her true vocation and happiness. As a character, she incarnates the voice of queer Asian Americans in a cruel world that reduces them to exotic mannequins to play with. Playing the role of the villain shows how she is willing to achieve her goals as such a flawed but also determined woman. Moreover, the female voices in this book reflect their strength in regard to the men who seek to tear them down.
Overall, Siren Queen is a brutally magnificent piece of art that will definitely stay in my mind for a long time (especially that epilogue holy hell). Despite not being a full 5 stars (because some parts did drag a little bit), this book has its merit in this genre alongside other critically acclaimed works, as the portrayal of queer Asian American strength is incredibly admiring.
Many thanks to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley for providing me with this digital ARC in exchange of my honest thoughts....more
This ARC is kindly provided by NetGalley and Hachette Children's Group in exchange for my honest review. This review contains my opinion and mine onlyThis ARC is kindly provided by NetGalley and Hachette Children's Group in exchange for my honest review. This review contains my opinion and mine only.
What a ridiculously boring book! Pitched as "Romeo and Juliet meets Chinese mythology", I went into the copy expecting a new all-time favorite, but all I did was waste my time.
Luna Chang is a model, straight-As daughter who is expected to attend the Ivies simply because her parents want to. She struggles with the prospect of not being able to claim her future herself, and when she meets Hunter Yee, the disappointment of his family and enigmatic new student, Luna begins to explore the possibility of her own future.
I desperately wanted to love this book. I read the author's debut The Astonishing Color of After last year and adored it, so of course, I had expected this one to be as excellent, especially when it promises to deliver an Asian-inspired Romeo and Juliet. However, while reading, I was so irritated by everything.
The plot:
The idea of Romeo and Juliet with Asian mythology in itself is very compelling, but a good idea is nothing without good execution, but here it failed regrettably. For a 400-pages book, An Arrow to the Moon feels like random fragments clumsily juxtaposed into a book. The book is inconsistent, as the pacing and the time jumps don't always make sense (sometimes it takes three chapters from three different POVs to cover a 20-minute-scene, while in other places there are several weeks jump from one chapter to another.) I did not enjoy the ending either, as I find that the events can be tied up nicely within the actions on Earth and not with the weirdly poetic final chapters that didn't go with the book.
The characters:
Personal preference aside, I find that most of the characters felt flat. Both Luna and Hunter don't have any particular personality traits besides the ones listed in the synopsis. Besides from being high schoolers who (sometimes) see some weird stuff, they don't really add much spice to the story. Additionally, while their parents' rivalry is so stupid, I find that their backstories are much more developed than Hunter's and Luna's, which is not a good thing to do. Meanwhile, it is really interesting to be able to see other side characters' POVs other than the protagonists' since it's quite engaging to see their perspectives in a story where the events are not controlled by the main characters.
The romance:
The biggest issue I have with this book is probably the romance From the Romeo and Juliet pitch I expected to read an epic star-crossed lover trope with a lot of angst that would make me FEEL. I am bitterly disappointed. From the first 20% the instant attraction kinda threw me off, then for some time it went steadily, and right when I started to like it, somehow Luna and Hunter who started off as lunch and bus partners for 50 pages suddenly turned into lovers out of nowhere (and let's not talk about the sex.) With that underwhelming ending, I can't help but think that, maybe, Luna and Hunter could have been developed better, because they had so much potential.
Final thoughts:
I am leaving with bitter disappointment, although I wish I could give this book more than a 1/5. I will continue supporting Emily X.R. Pan because I still have faith, and although this book didn't work for me, I truly hope that other readers can love it more than I did....more
Disclaimer: All quotes are from an uncorrected proof and can be subjected to change in the published version.
Born to rule. Raise to deceive.
EmpreDisclaimer: All quotes are from an uncorrected proof and can be subjected to change in the published version.
Born to rule. Raise to deceive.
Empress Margaraux had been raising her triplets, Beatriz, Daphne, and Sophronia, to fulfill her vision of ruling over the entire continent by marrying them off to three different countries. The girls had been raised learning every skill they needed to lead their mother to her goal, but once the girls' journeys started, a chain of events filled with opportunities, deceptions, betrayals, and truths threatened to disrupt their plan.
This was so fucking good. The joy I felt going into a book with no expectation only for it to blow my mind away on every aspect possible, and that was what happened with this book. I am so fucking glad that I got this ARC because holy shit this might be my new favorite YA fantasy release. I wish I had read this book in one sitting because I would plummet my level of enjoyment.
From the synopsis, I expected a generic YA Fantasy but this is everything your typical fantasy failed to do. The plot, the action, the characters, and their relationship: everything was so well-done and Sebastian's writing seems better than her debut book Ash Princess (which I DNF'd.).
The plot:
I adore the story. The political intrigue is extremely complex with shifting alliances, questionable opportunities, and a lot of betrayals. I stormed through 400 pages in one sitting because I couldn't wait to see what would happen. The change of factions and decisions kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time! The multiple POVs really helped with the enjoyment of the book, because we got to see the events unfolding between the kingdoms from the eyes of our main characters, which, in my opinion, was a particularly good choice. A lot of events took turns that I totally didn't expect but aren't completely illogical, and honestly, I enjoy them all so much. The shifting alliances changed the course of the action so many times successfully and I wonder what had passed through the author's mind when she had written them as each of them is equally surprising and reasonable. Although the revelation was a little bit predictable, I still think it was very well-done.
The characters:
I envy Sebastian for her mastery of characterization in this book. Our protagonists are triplets, so I kinda expected them to be the same person in different fonts or to be completely different characters. The author nailed their characters by making them so different yet so similar. I tipped my hat to Sebastian because I have yet to read a book with twins/triplets as well-crafted as this one. Their mother, Empress Margaraux, was also one of my favorite characters of the book as she is very predictable. She was all mysterious throughout the book and the twist at the end really did her character arc justice. For obvious reason, I also adore the main male characters. For their role as heir to the throne/reigning monarch, it's crucial for their characterization to be very solid and convincing but still authentic, and the author did exactly what she needed to. They have distinct personalities, and their back-stories are masterfully written because they just match their current personality and motivations. I also really like the side characters, both the heroes and the villains. They aren't just random characters thrown in for the sake of creating conflict, but they stand strong by themselves as distinct characters and as an element to the plot.
The relationship:
After we survive this", he tells her, "I'm going to be furious with you." [Redacted] forced a smile. "After we survive this," she echoes.
Contrary to what the synopsis might suggest, this book is not dominated by romance at all. Romance is used as a subplot to conflict, but it is really not overwhelming. All the couples have great chemistry with each other, especially Leopold and Sophronia (my dear loves). My heart belongs to them. The non-romantic relationships are also very constructed. A particular friendship has my whole heart (IYKYK), especially in one of the last. Under the circumstances, they are set to be something else, but their friendship is so precious, and I hope Mrs. Sebastian won't do anything to them (I am looking at you, Laura Sebastian)
"No matter what happens, [redacted], I'll do whatever I can to protect you." [Redacted] holds his gaze and smiles, a small, tight-lipped smile. "And I'll protect you," she tells him. "No matter what."
Conclusion:
Dark, dangerously fun, and thrilling, Castles in Their Bones delivered everything it promised to and more. I love this book with my whole heart (especially Sophie and Leo, my little doves, you deserved better) and I will not be surprised if it makes up the list of my favorite reads of 2022. Book 1 is not even out, yet my needy hands will do anything to lay hands on the sequel.
Biggest thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me with this advanced copy in exchange of my honest thoughts. This review is my opinion and mine only....more
Many thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for providing me with this advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Our Crooked Hearts is a uniqueMany thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for providing me with this advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Our Crooked Hearts is a unique and refreshing YA urban fantasy that, unfortunately, fell flat for me. This book follows two different timelines: one in the past following Dana, and one in present following Ivy, Dana's daughter. Ivy is on a quest to find out the truth about bizarre events that occurred, and, on the way, she will finally reveal secrets that her mother desperately tried to hide, which may or may not involve witchcraft. As for an urban fantasy, Our Crooked Hearts did its job. The setting is very atmospheric, and the tension is palpable. This book would be perfect for people who like plot-driven stories very much. On the other hand, although I do enjoy a good plot-driven book, the characters lack a lot of essence. Dana sure is probably the most deeply developed character alongside Marion, but the rest of the cast is not as solid as they are. Ivy's change of personality is so abrupt it almost doesn't feel like the same person before and after events. Fee did play a major part in Dana's timeline, but she is almost nonexistent in Ivy's, although she is debatably one of the most important characters. Furthermore, I don't root for the main romance either, as it didn't contribute anything to the story, to be honest. As I said, this book has very good actions, especially in the middle (while the author was building up to the climax) but the ending completely disappoints me. In a story where stakes are this high, the last three chapters feel very sloppy and basic for my taste. The author spends three hundred pages building up the tension for the final action, for in the end getting an anti-climatic resolution that feels like a slap to the face.
Overall, although Our Crooked Hearts is not the book for me, I get why people like it. Witchy books are becoming more and more popular recently and it's quite refreshing to see a new take on the trope.
Alessa is the Finestra of the island of Saverio. She is the God-destined warrior to lead the defense against the monsters of the apocalypse. To do thaAlessa is the Finestra of the island of Saverio. She is the God-destined warrior to lead the defense against the monsters of the apocalypse. To do that, she must choose a Fonte - a magical warrior - to fight with her on doomsday. But Alessa has one problem, she keeps killing every Fonte she chose, and the people start to wonder whether she is truly their savior.
In my books, that's a rock-solid YA fantasy debut that will hook lovers of Kingdom of the Wicked by its gorgeous Italy-inspired setting. I am surprised at how much I have enjoyed this adventure. Thiede's writing is easy to follow, and although not too polished, still managed to capture enough beauty in the words. I like the magic system enough, although it's nothing very original. The world-building is, at the moment, limited to Saverio - the island where the events took place - but I assume we will get to know other places on the map throughout the next book. I also appreciate the unexpected religious interpretation critique that was well-handled. The plot is layered and complex enough to keep the readers going without getting bored with tension and conflicts waiting to be solved. All the actions scenes, in my opinion, are rather good, although I would want a little more detail. Nevertheless, the ultimate battle blew my mind as I was sitting on the edge the whole time. (view spoiler)[I do have a complaint: with an ultimatum battle with stakes this high, is it realistic that every Fonte managed to survive? (hide spoiler)] But helas, I do know the pain of having a cliffhanger all too well. This book is not even out yet and my grabby hands are already waiting for the sequel to come out. However, the characters are honestly the spotlight of the book. Alessa is an amazing heroine who knows the stakes of her missions, and although she was stubborn, she didn't border into stupidity unlike many other YA Fantasy heroines *coughs* She has learned and grown so much throughout the book, and honestly, I am happy for her. Dante is also a compelling character. I like his personality and his manners. His romance with Alessa is everything I love, especially their banter, which is *chef's kiss*. The found family is also very enjoyable and I can't wait to see more of them in the sequel.
Overall, This Vicious Grace was a surprisingly delightful read that could have been a five-star one with some more charm (but it's okay, not everyone can reach that). Lush, beautiful, and exciting, this is now one of my most anticipated books of 2022. I look very much forwards to the sequel.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with this advanced copy....more
Regards to Inkshares and NetGalley for providing me with the advanced copy in exchange of my honest review.
DNF@32%
I rarely DNF books and there is a reRegards to Inkshares and NetGalley for providing me with the advanced copy in exchange of my honest review.
DNF@32%
I rarely DNF books and there is a reason for that: I want to give a book a chance each time, but sometimes it's too much even for me. I was promised a sci-fi, but this is certainly not one in my books. You can't just give humans some weird names, change their skin/hair colors a little bit, throw them on a planet, and call them aliens! That's not a good world-building, not even a lazy one. Overmore, the writing did nothing to help this. It's flat and unchallenging, making the story even blander. After this absolute catastrophe of world-building, I hope that the characters were interesting enough for me to continue, but nope. Zeemat has no personality whatsoever besides being gentle and knowing how to paint. His crewmates have no presence except to give Zeemat some boring comments and don't even get me started on the people on Earth. They were described as if they were from a James Bond movie.
Overall, a huge pain to get through. Maybe someone will like it, but I certainly didn't....more
Regards to NetGalley and Beverly Maier for providing me with this ARC
A cliché and messy poetry collection suitable for Rupi Kaur's fans, which I am noRegards to NetGalley and Beverly Maier for providing me with this ARC
A cliché and messy poetry collection suitable for Rupi Kaur's fans, which I am not. I thought this would be a new favorite collection of mines from the synopsis, but after ten thousand poems about breakups, I feel lied to by the synopsis. The author does seem to enjoy writing ten poems about the same idea using the same lines, which can get tiring after some time. Nevertheless, there are some good lines about self-love that I can appreciate but this is not an *objectively* good collection in my opinion....more
Many thanks to Little Brown Book Group and NetGalley for providing me this e-ARC in exchange of my honest review!
A Dowry of Blood is a darkly gorgeousMany thanks to Little Brown Book Group and NetGalley for providing me this e-ARC in exchange of my honest review!
A Dowry of Blood is a darkly gorgeous retelling of the beloved gothic classic Dracula. This is a relatively short book that spanned across centuries, covering the life of Constanta, a Romanian peasant girl turned Dracula's bride. Written in the form of a letter addressed to her husband, Constanta retraced her long and callous life alongside the infamous vampire lord as the pair travelled throughout the European continent.
The most prominent thing about this book is Gibson's gorgeous writing. Gloomingly lyrical and rich, her writing is particularly efficent to portray the obscure setting of the book. I have been thoroughly impressed as the book progressed because how fitting her gorgeous writing is in accord with the book.
A Dowry of Blood is a love story. In fact, I would argue that this book covered many dimensions of love. For example, Constanta's relationship with her husband is one of control, manipulation and despair. Gibson's way of telling its effects on Constansta's mental state is very prominent as the readers can feel her emotional exhaustion/resignation and her anger as their relationship progressed. Moreover, Constansta's relationship with Magdalena (oh Magdalena my love) is remarkably written. The passion, the love, the lust between them was everything I need. Additionally, I love how everyone in this book is just ...more
Many, many thanks to Holiday House and NetGalley for providing me with this digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
My professional review:Many, many thanks to Holiday House and NetGalley for providing me with this digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
My professional review:
I am so glad that I loved this book with my whole heart because at the beginning I was really skeptical of the story but Alexene Farol Follmuth aka Olivie Blake definitely did not disappoint. Firstly, the plot is so interesting - it's surely not only a romance as I expected. As a woman in STEM, I really appreciate the commentary on sexism and elitism of the field as they are very well-represented in my opinion. The story about academic validation also amuses me a lot - as I relate very much to some of the characters in this regard. Furthermore, the way AFF wrote the succession of the events is very smooth and it really helps with the reading after the rough beginning (at least for me). Next, the characters and their development, without surprise, were well-executed. Every character has their own flaws at the beginning, and it's quite satisfying to see their evolution and how their relationships helped them with it. Indeed, the development can be considered "rushed", but I am definitely not mad because it's a short book, and overall, very consistent. Finally, the romance. As expected from the one of only Olivie Blake, it's *chef's kiss*. I love how their relationship played out, and how the spark of the yearning period doesn't disappear after the relationship started. The competitiveness of a classic-academic-rivals-to-lovers arc, the tension, the yearning... Everything was perfect. After that rough beginning, Bel and Teo indeed became one of the couples I am gonna think about for a long time. However, I do have some small complaints. As previously said, the beginning was hard for me to get through because it felt very juvenile and disconnected from the rest of the book. Additionally, while I have never really hated Neelam, I find her actions around Bel kind of unjustified. Other than that, this book was a solid 4.75/5 for me. I really hope Olivie Blake will write more YA romances because her writing in this book is so good.
Anyways...
My unprofessional review that CONTAINS MILD SPOILERS:
1. ACADEMIC VALIDATION IS THE BEST FORM OF VALIDATION BITCHES 2. *cries* He calls her "bel canto" *SCREAMS* 3. kisskisskisskisskisskisskisskisskisskiss...... OH MY FUCKING GODDDDDDDDD BWJSWJJSJNSJWJSJJSJ 4. Kai my little sunshine 5. Confident, unapologetic girlbosses in STEM who aren't afraid to take up space >>>>>>>>>>> 6. If she doesn't make you a mechanical sparrow bot, does she even love you? 7. The reunion *cries* 8. Do I want to date them, or do I want to be them...?...more
Regards to NetGalley for providing me with this digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. This opinion is mine
Sincere messages and beautiful ideRegards to NetGalley for providing me with this digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. This opinion is mine
Sincere messages and beautiful ideas are nothing without a good execution
Look, I really wanted to at least like this book, but it was not it. I assure you, the ideas and messages are beautiful, the writing is gorgeous, but the execution makes me speechless, and not in a good way. I feel like the main problem that I have with most of the poems, that they're not actually poems, but sentence fragments juxtaposed with each other to make "poems." To be honest, it would be good if these authors had decided to write a self-help/motivational book (like The Comfort Book) instead. Their writing works much better in prose....more
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me with this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. This opinion is my own.
Let's Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me with this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. This opinion is my own.
Let's say that was an interesting choice to end a duology to say the least.
I adored Six Crimson Cranes and since I finished that book, I have been waiting endlessly to have this one in my hands, but now that I have finished it, I can't help but be bitterly disappointed. This book follows the events at the end of Book 1 (iykyk) and Shiori has to visit the dragons' realm, Ai'long in order to save her country. She is accompanied by Seryu, her friend, but also a prince of the realm. The first part of the story I really enjoyed. I love seeing Shiori, Kiki, and Seryu navigating the complicated politics and the unexpected problems in Ai'long. The action was thrilling, and I was very excited to see how the rest of the book would play out (spoilers alert: I was disappointed). To sum up, this part of the book was a solid 4-stars but the rest was barely a 2-stars, and I want to explain why. First of all, the characterization in this book has gone completely off-railed. Reading about Shiori, whom I loved and loved in Six Crimson Cranes, just annoyed me to no end in this book. You might think that with all she had experienced in Book 1 and in this book, she would have acted differently (or at least, more thoroughly, because, despite everything, she is still a 17-years-old princess). But TDP feels like reading about Shiori acting recklessly all over again with no repercussions, which brings me to my next point. Everything in this book is so damn convenient it feels like an old-time Disney movie. This universe has HUGE stakes, but somehow everything is resolved so smoothly despite poor planning and very, very reckless actors. And the ending oh my god. I was so angry at the end because it was so convenient it seems impossible (right intervention at the right time) Moreover, this book has SO MUCH potential with the new plotlines, but everything is wrapped up so quickly that we barely have the time to thoroughly enjoy the fresh elements. For example, we meet a new character who appeared like three times, and then they are gone, while if explored thoroughly, they could have been such a good character and a key element to the intrigue. Additionally, there is also this new plotline concerning a cult, and I really think that it would have been a wonderful addition to the story if it were developed sooner.
I want to mark this as a spoiler although it isn't really one, to be honest, I don't really get the title and the cover. Seryu appeared for like 30% of the book and then he just left Shiori alone on the mainland. Is it because of that ending?
To sum up my thoughts The Dragon's Promise was a very disappointing read for me considering how much I loved Six Crimson Cranes. I only give this 3/5 because I love Takkan (he deserves the world) and Seryu (the one the only the bitch). Otherwise, this is an underwhelming conclusion to a duology with a lot of potential but was unfortunately torn up by bad choices from the author....more
reread 08/19/2023: to my surprise i had much more fun than the last time! onto the sequel
Biggest regards to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for provireread 08/19/2023: to my surprise i had much more fun than the last time! onto the sequel
Biggest regards to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me with this digital advanced copy. All opinion posted in this review is mine.
Well, that was a ride. My second most-anticipated book of 2022 turned out to be the exact opposite of what I wanted, and I have yet to decide whether it's in a good way or a bad one.
What is this book about?
Sixteen-year-old Joan spends her summer vacation at her late mother's family's place. She has a crush on Nick, her co-worker at Holland House. She soon discovers a grimmer and much more terrifying truth. The Hunt family is more than just a prideful one: they're monsters and Nick is not a simple boy but a legendary monster slayer. As Joan's life is turned over, she soon has to confront Nick and her own identity, alongside a member of an enemy monster family, Aaron Olivers.
My general thoughts
The blurb compares this book with This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab and I was so mad to discover that the similarity between these two books is non-existent. I enjoyed each minute of TSS and I find a reason to love every single character while I have very conflicted opinions about OAM and I have a huge dent against Joan, the protagonist. OAM is a hard book to review since I don't really like or hate it. Overall, I think it was an average ride, there was an attempt at writing a character-driven story (that failed miserably in my opinion) and the plot is not strong enough to stand on its own. However, I was still able to enjoy the story in a large part, and I am excited to know about the sequel.
Things I like:
The magic system with monsters Even though OAM is pitched as a dark fantasy like This Savage Song, the presence of monsters is the only similarity between the two books. While TSS was savage and dark, OAM weaves an entire society of monsters that exists alongside humans' one, not very dark as described in the blurb, but mesmerizing, nevertheless. I adore the concept where monsters can steal time from humans by touch alone and where each family has its own unique power. I would have immersed myself completely in this world, if not because of that one cardinal sin I will mention later.
The hero archetype - Nick I adore books with violent heroes. Nick is the best boy in the book because when he wants to destroy something, he just f*cking took it and I was here for it. His backstory made me want to cry because it was so raw and devastating, yet here he stands.
The gay romance between T.H. and J.L. That's it, that's my point.
The ending I have a fun time with the first several chapters of the book, hate most of its middle bit, like the action at 70%, and absolutely love the three chapters. In my opinion, that last 10% saves the entire book for me. I frecking love it because it destroyed my heart and soul. That scene between those two characters made me want to slam my head against the bus window because Vanessa Len has no right to hurt me like that. I also discover a whole new favorite trope from that 10%: star-crossed enemies *evil giggles*
Things I don't like:
Most of the characters: This is the definition of absent character development. They went through so much, and hardly of them even change. - Aaron: Oh the grumpy-enemy/rival cliché love interest. He is so boring because whenever he opened his mouth, he only says the same snarky things (I will ignore that conversation with Joan in the end because it is ridiculous) - Ruth: I like Ruth, but she was nothing but a chaperon to Aaron and Joan. She shouldn't be reduced to only that but sadly I am not the author. - T.H.: He only deserves rights when he is with J.L. Otherwise, he is one of the more acceptable characters. - Dorothy Hunt: Don't know if I should hate her or not but I was annoyed a lot by her dumb secrecy. - Joan: She will have her own section
The romance: If Joan ends up with Nick I will riot because he deserves better. If Joan ends up with Aaron I pity them because the only way that relationship would end in a messy breakup very soon. And that's because the characters are all annoying that I can't personally handle one of them.
The cardinal sin: Joan Chang-Hunt
Look, I have never read about a protagonist so dumb and so annoying that it physically HURT reading about her. I have lost count of how many times I had rolled my eyes or turned off the phone to avoid the cringe. For a sixteen-year-old, Joan does certainly behave like a spoiled toddler. I get it, she is devastated by the tragedy of that evening, but it doesn't mean that she can disregard everything else, putting her only allies left in grave danger (by bullying them to come with her) because of a ridiculous hypothesis she randomly invented by snapping her fingers. "But this is a YA book, the protagonist can behave like a teenager." Yeah, I agree, but I am thoroughly convinced that a seven-year-old toddler can make more mature decisions than Joan. I can excuse a book full of plot holes, but I draw the line at cringey protagonists that makes me want to bawl my eyes out.
Joan is a Chinese-English mixed child, so obviously, the Chinese side from her father is mentioned a lot in the book, and how this human blood flow affects others' POV in regard to Joan. Joan herself would mention a lot about how she loves her father and how she longs to return home to him, but it seems like not once in the middle bit of the books she thought about her father. Sounds kinda dicey to me.
Conclusion:
Only a Monster could have been rated much higher, maybe a 4 or even a 4.5 if not because of Joan. I honestly hope that Len would care more about characters' development, and maybe she can make Joan (much) less childish, because while I love the world and I am excited to have the sequels (I heard I will be a trilogy which I find suitable,) I can't go through another 400 pages of Joan's whiny behaviors....more
It takes a lot for me to love a book. I give out 2-starred-reviews like popcorn because I am incredibly picky, especially when it comes tI am in love.
It takes a lot for me to love a book. I give out 2-starred-reviews like popcorn because I am incredibly picky, especially when it comes to YA Historical Fantasy like this. I read this ARC blind, only have read the description briefly, and have stared at the cover for 24h, because I truly didn't have any expectations. I requested this ARC solely for the cover, so I started this book with a "meh whatever". Instead of a mediocre sandwich I had expected, I got a whole feast with everything I have ever wanted.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a story about Mina Song, a sixteen-year-old girl from a small village that had been ravaged by natural catastrophes. People believed that the suffering comes from the wrath of the Sea God. Every year a beautiful girl will be thrown into the ocean as a sacrifice to the Sea God. Mina has thrown herself in the ocean to save her beloved brother's wife. As a human in the Spirit Realm, Mina is determined to save her people before it's too late.
I cannot begin to describe how stunning the writing is. I have heard good things about Axie Oh's writing, but nothing could have prepared me for this. The prose is incredibly elegant, and it embraces the dreamy side of Asian mythology/fairytales. There are a lot of Asian myths in the book, which embellish the original story even more.
I adore every single character. They are lovely individuals, with the real motives that justify their actions. I adore Shin, Namgi, and Mask. Every character has depth, and I think that's why I love the romance so much. The soulmate trope in this book killed me and there was one passage so painful (featuring an unconscious Mina and Shin - if you know you know) that I ended up crying in the train.
Overall The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea has become one of my all-time favorites. I am glad that I have discovered it because the ride was just a magnificent experience.
Big regards to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me with this digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts....more
This is the single best horror poetry book I have ever read. Horror poetry has been pretty hit or miss for me, so I have been trying to avoid thisWow,
This is the single best horror poetry book I have ever read. Horror poetry has been pretty hit or miss for me, so I have been trying to avoid this genre as much as possible, and out of fortune I accidentally requested this book on NetGalley.
The poetry is so different from other horror collections I have read before. With the image of women placed in the center of the book, the poets waved stunning tales of violence and beauty. The verses/prose are so raw and inelegant, explicit and gory, that by the end of the book, I was just a mess drowning in the book. I understand that this is not the most polished and substantial writing out there, and it is definitely not for everybody, I recommend this book with my whole heart and soul, because I love it so much.
Note:I will update this review with my favorite poems closer to the publication day.
This advanced copy is provided by Black Spot Books via NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of this book....more
lisa (fc hollywood's version)
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