My Thoughts I’ve not been a long time Mead fan though the books I have read (some of The This and other reviews are on my site, My Friends Are Fiction
My Thoughts I’ve not been a long time Mead fan though the books I have read (some of The Vampire Academy and her adult books) I’ve really enjoyed. I was over-joyed to be able to read this book early and dived right in.
I honestly had no clue what to expect but the cover looked rather fantasy-esq. I also love the title and had a great feeling about how this reading experience would be. I immediately became immersed in the story and world. The story begins with Lady Whitmore, our heroine, realizing that her life is about to take a turn she’s not very keen on. Due to the sorry state of her family’s financials she’s being arranged to marry a stogy, boring sort whom also happens to be a cousin. Unable to tolerate that outcome for her life, she steals the identity of her maid, Adelaide, and joins the Glittering Court.
I don’t know why I thought this book would have a more fantasy feel to it or why there would be something supernatural going on but you should know-it does not. This book does take place in a ‘fantasy’ world but really it’s not s0 different from our own. The story read more like historical fiction (ranging from Elizabethan feel to pioneer) meets The Selection. Does this sound like an odd mix? It IS. But somehow Mead makes it all work. The book was rather thick but it read fairly quickly and enough goes on that I was invested.
I will say that there’s a lot of talk about high society, lady-like manners, dresses, etc. The characters are all driven to excel in the Glittering Court and land a wealthy husband. The Glittering Court takes those of lesser fortunes, educates them, and teaches them manners and how to be lady-like (large scale My Fair Lady). once the women are ‘trained’ they are dressed to impress and sent by boat to the new world where they will be at the height of society.
There’s a bit of an ick factor at the idea of landing a suitor to save the poor, impoverished girl but really the characters and writing take this idea and delve into it. I felt that the book had just the right touch of social commentary. I don’t know if it was meant to but I read it there. Adelaide and her closest friends at the Glittering Court refuse to stand by and have their lives dictated. They want control of their destiny.
I liked that this book had me questioning each of the girls motives on why they decided to join up and to actually wonder- would I have in their place? The father and son team that run the Glittering Court were also of interest. What type of person facilitates and in reality ‘sells’ these women. I was unable to not like Cedric (the son) though I did stop to wonder why he’d be involved in the venture. The further I read though the more I got to know his character and, like I said, I was really fond of him. And, as the summary informs you, Adelaide and Cedric have some love sparks.
I thought their relationship was really well done. They had great dialog and chemistry and their scenes together were some of my very favorites. The two really understood one another and I love the way that they grew together and separately as the story progressed.
The side characters were very present and developed though I never connected as deeply to them as I did to Adelaide and Cedric. For me, this was their story. I looked forward to reading about those two the most and looked forward to each scene they shared. I do see the side characters, especially Adelaide’s room-mates and closest friends, really being accessible to readers.
Ok, I mentioned the setting going from Elizabethan to pioneer? That was easiest the strangest part of the story, though Mead was able to seamlessly combine the two. I can’t go into it too much detail just know that the New World has some rough and tough areas and some more civilized towns. It had a very ‘old west’ or pioneer feel to it all. There’s even the hunt for gold! It was really impressive that Mead was able to add so much into this one book and it really has left me curious to see where things will go.
Final Thoughts The Glittering Court was a really unique book that focused on a strong lead character working to change the path of her life. I loved the jump in setting from Elizabethan to pioneer/wild west/gold rush and felt that the character dialog and chemistry was spot on. I was a tad disappointed that there wasn’t a supernatural or fantasy slant to this book. Once I was able to align my expectations to the reality-I was easily absorbed and invested. ...more
Really enjoyable and it made me tear up. Very happy I took a chance on contemp (not really my thing normally) and accepted this for reviPossibly 4.5?
Really enjoyable and it made me tear up. Very happy I took a chance on contemp (not really my thing normally) and accepted this for review. Wonderfully refreshing, like-able characters and emotional story. The twist was fairly obvious to me as the reader so it was a tiny but frustrating when the MC didn't get it but overall it worked.
My Thoughts: I am usually not a fan of contemporary or issue books but I was drawn to The GirlThis and other reviews on my blog My Friends Are Fiction
My Thoughts: I am usually not a fan of contemporary or issue books but I was drawn to The Girl Who Fell due to the subject matter. When I was in high school I fell for a boy that was controlling so I could relate to this book and I feel it is important for ALL teen girls to read. Parker really shows how easy it is to fall for someone and slowly lose the ability to see what is happening even if it’s abusive.
The book starts off with a bang- it had me disturbed and terrified all within the first chapter. Parker showed a snippet of the present then took the story back to how it all began. I felt this worked fairly well because it gave the book a suspenseful nature. The reader had a glimpse of what was to come so the warning was clear that this perfect boy that Zephyr had met wasn’t all that perfect.
It was very easy for me to be swept up in Zephyr’s feelings and her confusion yet inability to deny her attraction to Alec. He seemed exactly what she needed upon meeting him and though there are warnings it was so easy to ignore them all. Having had my own past experiences I can attest to this. It was easy to think away the things that struck me wrong and somehow turn it to seeing from the other person’s point of view. I loved that Parker detailed the fall Zephyr took into this relationship and the way she was able to disregard her gut and the warnings of those closest to her. Alec was a manipulator and fed on her insecurities.
I think one of the strongest point of this novel was how real the characters were and how easily it was for me to relate to them. You see the mistakes being made and it HURT but you can see why the characters (minus Alec- I didn’t understand, or want to understand him) took the actions they did. The secondary characters were beautifully executed and I really enjoyed Zephyr’s friends and parents. I thought they were all realistically represented and added so much to the story.
Final Thoughts: The Girl Who Fell was an incredibly quick read that was full of emotion and suspense. It was not an easy read due to the content and you will be disturbed and upset while reading this book. I think this is a must read for everyone and hope that it can help to warn others of the ease of being manipulated. ...more
My Thoughts: I enjoyed the first book, The Young Elites but I think on a whole I enjoyed this novel more. I loved how dark it was and how Lu so eloqueMy Thoughts: I enjoyed the first book, The Young Elites but I think on a whole I enjoyed this novel more. I loved how dark it was and how Lu so eloquently wrote Adelina losing her grip and control. I flippantly say, “I love villains” but reading Adelina’s decline into the darker areas of her power was actually heart wrenching and difficult! I found myself hoping for her to fail more often than not. This was a very unique experience for me since typically I’m rooting for the main characters.
Though overall I loved this book the pacing did feel a tad uneven for me. There were areas (mostly in the beginning) that dragged the smallest bit but this could have been a mood thing for me. The mid- to end were breathtaking and gripping.
I think the biggest highlight of this series has been watching Adelina become the White Wolf. Her powers feed on hate and terror and so Adelina learns to love taking these emotions from others. Her subtle decline and loss of control were equal parts exciting and disturbing. There was what could be considered to some a slight love triangle. I hesitate to call it this though since it was rather complicated.
The novel was written from Adelina’s point of view and also a few chapters focused on another character (Raffaele, Teren and Mauve specifically). I think this approach worked well in regards to the story telling but it did throw me off a bit because of the change of point of view from first to third. This felt a tad awkward for me.
Since Adelina was on a journey to find new Elites this novel introduced a few new characters. I felt that they weren’t overly developed but what we did see was well done and added to the story well. I hope we learn a bit more about each of these new characters in the following book.
Final Thoughts: I have really enjoyed this series thus far and felt that The Rose Society was a wonderful addition. I loved (though it was painful) reading of Adelina’s growth in her powers and loss of those things that kept her from delving into the darkness. I can’t wait for the next book. ...more
I really want to love this book because the summary sounded amazing. But-I can't read anymore. The telepathy, immediate insta connectioDNF at page 105
I really want to love this book because the summary sounded amazing. But-I can't read anymore. The telepathy, immediate insta connection...it was too much. If there's going to be a paranormal element I need some explanation. If a couple are instantly attracted and feel deep things I need to believe it. I was interested in the time period the novel takes place during but I was having trouble with everything else. The telepathy poetry being recited went too far for me. ...more
Just a nope for me. Character one dimensional (so far) writing is stilted and lots of info dump. I can tell I'll not mesh wiDNF at page 30 (chapter 5)
Just a nope for me. Character one dimensional (so far) writing is stilted and lots of info dump. I can tell I'll not mesh with the style so I'm giving up early. I think if you like this type of writing you'll like it but for me- nope. ...more
My Thoughts: I have made it a goal to expand my reading to other genres outside of fantasThis and other reviews are on my blog My Friends Are Fiction
My Thoughts: I have made it a goal to expand my reading to other genres outside of fantasy and sci-fi so when I saw the chance to read Underwater I was very excited. I loved the summary and had high hopes that this would be a really wonderful read. This book didn’t let me down in the slightest. What a powerful book! It was a fast and emotional read which had me completely immersed start to finish.
Reichardt explored how Morgan’s life changed after she experienced a traumatic event. I felt this was handled so well and the mystery of what that event was added to the suspense. The idea that one event could drastically change somebody’s approach to everyday life was so heartbreaking and really led me to think how I would react in a similar situation. I deal with some very mild anxiety so I could relate to Morgan’s struggles though what I’ve experienced didn’t touch what she was dealing with. It was so enlightening to think about and contemplate. I feel that this book is a very important look into anxiety, mental health and post traumatic disorder.
There was a whole lot of action in this novel but I still found it to be such a fast read. The writing was clear and concise and still managed to evoke so much emotion. And though everything was safe for Morgan in her present situation I was still nervous for her and the little flashbacks she had to the moment things changed had me riveted, It was all very well executed and also, sadly, seemed very true to life.
I was so intrigued with Morgan’s story and watching her come to terms with her past. Her emotions were so well described it caused this to be a very emotionally impactful read. Once I started I didn’t want to stop until I had finished- and this was all based on the character development and interactions between them. The relationships Morgan had with her family were so beautifully done. Because of her isolation she didn’t have that many people in her life but the author made each well developed and rounded. They all added so much to her story especially her therapist.
Once the boy next door, Evan, entered the story (pretty quickly I might add) you watch Morgan’s interests and independence blossom. I loved how she had to work through the slow process of healing. Though this was instigated by another person it was only within herself that she found the strength to overcome the obstacles blocking her path to recovery. I think that some readers might find the idea that a boy coming into Morgan’s life changed and ‘fixed’ her. I think it had less to do with who this person was that inspired her and more Morgan seeing that there was a life out there that was worth working for.
Final Thoughts: What a beautifully developed and executed debut Underwater was. I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a character driven story about recovery and struggling with personal obstacles. ...more
Ok, DNFing this one 97 pages in. I wanted to love it but I couldn't connect and had no interest in where the story was going. Possibly try it again laOk, DNFing this one 97 pages in. I wanted to love it but I couldn't connect and had no interest in where the story was going. Possibly try it again later? ...more
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