Did I love it? No. Did this restart my obsession for reading books about celebrities and bittersweet romance that will impact my heart in some way or Did I love it? No. Did this restart my obsession for reading books about celebrities and bittersweet romance that will impact my heart in some way or another while reminding that it will never happen to me in this realm and causing me to dream about it two nights in a row?
I think my tears were stuck mid-sob by the end of this. It was like I began breathing halfway through and then BAM, the end.
I need an epilogue. Bro, thI think my tears were stuck mid-sob by the end of this. It was like I began breathing halfway through and then BAM, the end.
I am confused about my feelings and as such, I'll make y'all confused as well. Like the great person I am. (*whispering* I love y'all...)
Rating: ✨✨✨✨ 3.I am confused about my feelings and as such, I'll make y'all confused as well. Like the great person I am. (*whispering* I love y'all...)
Rating: ✨✨✨✨ 3.5
Okay, so, I added the book because it reminded me of how simple YA used to be. And I know simple is a word that can become a two-edged sword, because who in the world wants 'simple'??? We read to escape to a world so fanciful and unlike our own that having a simple storyline is boring and too vague. But At that moment I requested the ARC, I craved something clear and easy to understand, because with so many uncertain things in my life at the moment, having something structured and firm is a blessing.
So yes, this was a simple book. A story that if you didn't love, you would give three stars because perhaps giving it two would feel unfair, characters that would stay in your memory for maybe a week before fading away behind other books with more complex settings and such. Or this book is one that you loved and can't wait to have more people to talk with about everything that happened.
As you can see, I'm a bit of both.
I would call this the 5,3,2 review in the randomest of aspects (when m I ever not random-).
5 things I loved. 3 I liked. 2 I rather wished would've burned straight up in flames. Oh! And a bonus reason as to whom I would recommend this too, so you can skip to those parts as you wish.
For the first section (OoooO, so fanciful pfft)there are the following:
~ I loved... the atmosphere. Have you ever been in a recently cleaned room, and you can just sense how pure the air feels? That's exactly how I felt while reading! It was so refreshing and even at times equally memorable. And don't even get me started on the Wood King's wardrobe, like boo, I'm here and ready to- I was going to say a climbing pun, but I couldn't branch it out.
I've asked Apollo for wisdom, and he still hasn't given me any, so blame it on him, porfavor.
~ I loved... the pacing of the storyline. Up until the end, but that's for the last section to tackle (or should I say, fertilize- Yo, I'm so done with myself). I enjoyed the ride it gave me, I wasn't too invested in how everything was unfolding so I had no issue in the story picking up about 10 pages in.
~I loved... the Ember horses. Um, how could I not??? Like, 911- this girl is in love- The fire, the ashy attitude, the careful and controlled flames, Lament? She was absolutely bloody amazing!! And I know this is a specific character, but I couldn't stop myself from mentioning how I would love an Ember horse of my own. Also a dragon. Pretty please. I don't even ask for much, Universe!! I only ask for clear skin (which you don't give), patience (which I still don't have), and good judgement (remains to be seen).
~I loved... the love interest. Mind you, not the love itself, but him. Alone, apart from the MC. In a different room. Never mind, make it a whole different building. Seriously, what was not to like about him (apart from his questionable taste, of course) ??? He cooks, he loves reading (am I- am I still alive at this point-) and he adores to draw. Like, I adore him. I understood many of his decisions (which can't be said about my relationship with the main girl), and actually saw the point of him being like he is!
~I loved... the end. That's really what pushed me into giving it a slightly higher rating, really. I tried with the MC, I tried with the magic, and even then, my rating was perhaps 3 (instead I gave it a 3.5, makes sense? What even is sense anymore???) . But then we had that finale and my breath kind of whooshed (that's such a funny word hehe) out of me, and I was like, WHAT- NO- WHAT?!?!??! CAN YOU EXPLAIN CAUSE I CAN'T- NO. So basically, I lost my way of communication.
Now, for the second section:
~I liked... the end (I'm so smart, I swear-). I'm sorry, I just had to mention it again. Sue me. If you don't want to read the book, maybe read about five pages from the beginning, five from the middle and the epilogue-
~I liked... The Mc's relationship with her grandfather. Okay, I cannot for the life of me tolerate the MC, but her grandfather??? Dude, HA! Those scenes between them were at the same time the most painful and the most wonderful I've read this month (not that I have read much, but let's pretend I did for the sake of the dramatics). The feels were sniffling beside me as she remembered how he used to be before, AND THE FREAKING TREE Y'ALL- THE. TREE. That's it, I'm done-
~I liked... how the ending chapters were written. In a way that made it more agonizing that it was going to be, given the foreshadowing and everything. The flashbacks were beautiful, the pain was felt and when the MC recognized what should've been obvious all along- is my heart quaking or did the book make me feel something-
And finally, the ranting section (MWUAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA):
I swear I'll never get tired of that laugh, it's so satisfying, you know? Like killing someo-
~I would rather see spiked in a wall for everyone to admire as it burns to Hades... how apart from those instances mentioned above, I felt the book was too superficial for me to get into. Yes, the Woods were nice and all. Yes, the three mythical creatures were cute, but I felt like everything was black and white and for a fantasy novel, that's slightly sad. I didn't feel the extent of the magic, side characters didn't make my palms sweat or heart palpitate, I was just reading for the words not the emotions.
~I would rather drown it in sulfur and then run over it with a truck... the main character. So she's nineteen years old, right? SO why did she feel ten for the whole book- juvenile decisions (and I make many of those so I would know), she criticized and belittled people for doing the same things she did so DING DONG boo, you're a hypocrite. For some moments I tolerated her and then BAM, as if I could ever forget how entitled she was. Honestly? This book would've been so much better without her in it.
And of course, on a closing note, I would say that it was a 'decent' book and not a 'OHMYGOD, STEAL ME AWAY, KILL ME, DO ANYTHING WITH ME-' book. It had nice moments but ultimately, things were resolved too quickly, some parts were bland and stagnant. Magic felt insipid at times, HOWEVER:
If you're in a book slump and want something quick paced and that doesn't force you to think for the majority of it, not to mention nice and predictable, this book would be great for you!
(I just noticed I sounded so passive-aggressive) (Oh well- *sprints away*) ...............................
THOSE LAST FIFTY PAGES TORE OUT MY BLOODY SOUL WITH RIBS AND EVERYTHING.
HOW DARE YOU HOW DARE YOU
IM TRYING NOT TO JUMP UP IN 'WHAT THE FRICK JUST HAPPENED' Y'ALL
I need a second book. Yep siree. Those twists at the end were not good for my heart. Nope Give my time back I want it back.
Okay, let’s make the MC clumsy, which is totally relatable (I can attest to that)Starting the month fresh and spicy.
No because this book really said-
Okay, let’s make the MC clumsy, which is totally relatable (I can attest to that) and then make it into an extreme. Instead of her tripping over air, let’s make her trip over air, FALL on top of someone, poke their eye with a fork, throw up on her crush and accidentally send questionable text messages.
If I could burn half of this book to absolute hell and dance on its ashes with glee, I totally would. Hello I am angry. And happy. And frustrated. And extrIf I could burn half of this book to absolute hell and dance on its ashes with glee, I totally would. Hello I am angry. And happy. And frustrated. And extremely giddy.
Yes, this is book 15. Yes, the 16th book comes out this April because I'm pretty sure (in the nicest way possible) that the author is possessed with an ability to write a new book every month. And make me interested in it. Also, yes, I plan on reading the book.
Oh! And I will of course be writing a whole ranting essay about my utter disguntingness feelings that comes to mind when the word female and 'I must protect her', 'stay and protect the children love, while I go out there to the war, even when knowing that if I die YOU DIE AS WELL AND OUR CHILD IS LEFT WITHOUT PARENTS HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA SO SO SMART' and obviously without forgetting the fact that everyone is pregnant, and you know how much I LOVE THAT TROPE-
*breathing harshly* I do indeed need to rest my murderous soul and carry on some stabization of my own.
Tataa, dear ones. I'll try not to behead anyone while I rethink my life choices.
the book was really good though, goshdarnit
..........................
I have an incredible hatred for the word mate and any of its derivatives. The men need to back off and let the women fight for once- Ms. Luna great magnificence can just die because I want the characters to live their lives no matter who they're chained connected to. AND THE WHOLE LIVES INTERTWINED SO IF ONE DIES SO DOES THE OTHER IS SO GOSHSMAKING STUPID-
Painful, bitter and complete with tender moments that made my heart heavier and lighter at the same time.
Does that make sense?
Rating:✨✨✨✨ 4.0
The slow Painful, bitter and complete with tender moments that made my heart heavier and lighter at the same time.
Does that make sense?
Rating:✨✨✨✨ 4.0
The slow moving building of relationships, straying glances that lingered too long but weren't completely unaccepted. Screams, cries for help, building up from a torn foundation, everything resonated with the image of someone who thought they are broken, yet were actually some of the strongest people in life.
I liked how the pace was understanding of the situation the main character was in. Not rushed ad not belittled, instead, it took its time to form boundaries and tell a story that would tug at the soul and make the reader gasp in the sweetest of instances.
The characters were wonderfully crafted, the romance most of all. I blushed even with a brief hand holding second between the love interests because it felt like a big deal. Because it was and I'm so glad tiny details like personal space and confined places were addressed when considering a relationship so soon after a horrific past the MC was gotten out of.
I honestly believe this was a very special book, I didn't fall irrevocably in love because I think some things were resolved a tad too quickly, but the fact that the MC fought against the pain she was feeling, the panic she endured, makes me feel glad that I read this book.
Because perhaps I didn't love it, but many people did and if they read it well, perhaps they found a key to feeling this sort of joy that says 'it's okay to feel broken, it's okay to feel alone sometimes' and at the same time it's willing to clean the tears and bring you a cup of tea just for the fun of it.
Joy was strong and resilient and didn't give up, so maybe that's the true message.
........................................
It's that time of year again. The time when I add a bunch of heartbreaking books and hoping to come out unscathed and without my soul thrown in the trashcan....more
That moment when you read the name of the book in a sentence inside the book. It's like donuts on crac-
Rating: ✨✨✨ 3.4
Anyways, hello darlings! And welcThat moment when you read the name of the book in a sentence inside the book. It's like donuts on crac-
Rating: ✨✨✨ 3.4
Anyways, hello darlings! And welcome to another review of ‘If I were to do or say the things the main character said to her parents to my own, I’d be fully reincarnated as a slipper, so they can step on me whenever they’d like’.
Isn’t that nice?
Isn’t it???
Of course, as nice as trying to remember a book I read months ago to then write a review of the ARC that literally got published a WHILE ago, while trying to sound as coherent and responsible as possible.
Hehe, responsible.
And okay, maybe I overreacted with my previous notions of what I felt for this book. SUE. ME
Please don't though, I'm barely managing stealing books as I am-
As time has gone by (literal months to provide an accurate albeit exaggerated timeframe) and the fangirling feelings I had once upon a time for this story started to diminish and make clear all the flaws I was too lazy to find previously, I’ve decided that this was an ‘alright’ book.
One I probably wouldn’t reread.
Perhaps if I had a physical copy, I would gift away.
Or stay with it because it would make my shelf look pretty, and I’m shallow like that.
A book that you would read solely to stave off boredom and let go of stress, and a story that you shouldn’t look too into it.
But of course, I looked into it.
Like five seconds ago-
In a very mentally spaced and agonized way.
And came to the amazing conclusion that I remember like half-
Here are some things I enjoyed about the book itself!
* The photography contest was so cuuuuuute!! LIKE YGUIKJHGFGTYUJBVFGYUJ, TYPE OF CUTE. OKAY? WHY AM I SCREAMING? HAVE NO CLUE-
* There was the representation aspect, which, as always, I adore reading about. The struggles of living among people who would maybe not understand the struggles you face, and I felt like that was delved into thoughtfully and quite well.
* Another thing would be how easy to read it was. Not the topics, since there were parental problems and other issues, but the way the writing was interpreted and simply decorated. It was like a fresh squeezed lemonade in a hot, humid, sweaty, disgusting, crusty, musty desert- can you tell I’m living in said environment? *giggles in ‘please save me in an ice truck’* I am READY TO BE ELSA Y’ALL. I can’t anymoreeee- let it gooooooooooo
* *cough* The celebrity romance!!! LIKE???? EXCUSE ME???? YES???? PORFAVOR??? The THINGS I would sacrifice to be able to experience this. Well, maybe not experience- because the drama is an added bother in my existence. But maybe fictionally experience? In a fake yet real way? I’ll shut up now.
And as always, the part I adore the most in any of my reviews-
(The end?)
(The hot yet unattainable love interest you will never even be able to glimpse in your pathetic mortal body and soul?)
Let’s pretend we didn’t hear anything, for the sake of my heart-
THE RANTING PORTION, MWUAHAHHAHA
DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNN
I was about to burst into song, but I think the universe and Apollo forgot to gift me with good memory when it comes to music-
ANYHOW, ANYWHO AND ANYWHERE- ayyy, Dr. Seuss. How are ya? *wink* (I apologize deeply)
(not really)
(well maybe)
(depends on the reward….)
AHEM, well, here are the things I disliked:
* How shallow the familial relationships were (I believe they were flesh and cardboard, so it’s an improvement! Right?) I think this has been my problem with books from this author and Asian representations, be it South Asian among others. See, I am from the Hispanic community, so I have no hand to judge it, however, BECAUSE I’m part of a minority, I can say that not all parents are like that, and it’s sad that all the Asian representation I see nowadays just touches on that aspect. Yes, it’s incredibly accurate, more so than most, however, I believe that there is some good to be found. Some understanding to comprehend in how the parents act. Don’t get me wrong, trying to dictate your child’s way of living is unforgivable, but I feel like the main character and her sister made them out to be worse than they were.
I longed to see a multidimensional side to how the parents were acting and why, you know? But the sisters in this book didn’t let them get in a word otherwise, and it made me confused, because are the parents really THAT bad? Or are the kids not giving them a chance to explain? I am aware this is a very controversial topic, so I’ll leave things here by saying that this is how I view things, and it has nothing to do with the cultures themselves.
* This was marketed as a romance, which it was. But also, really wasn’t the focused of the book, so if you’re looking for something fun and lightly romantic to jump into, maybe consider another book, my darlings. This story touched on depression, anxiety, the main character’s journey to choosing what exactly she wants to be and all in all, was a deep-ish read and that’s one of the problems. Not that it had those topics, but that it skipped over them after a while, like the romance. One of the points I did not like about the romance at all, was the fact that it went from 60- to 100 at the speed of light, and looking back I liked it, yet even so, if I were to read it again, it wouldn’t sit well with my angsty loving alter ego self. (this one’s called Cleopatra)
* Her sister selling her out on Emmett.
HAHAHAHAHHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHHAHA
I loved you and you did this.
HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA
I will cut you.
On a closing hand, this was a spontaneous add on my part and I don’t exactly regret it, just wish some things were slightly different. The arguments were sound and relatable yet at times, too unrealistic to understand, the romance was quick and fun but at the same time, rushed some interactions that could’ve added the spark this book was definitely missing for me.
And I would be missing if I had the attitude these kids had with their parents. I'm sorry, but I- I can't get over the fact they cussed them out- Child-
----------------- My heart is broken yet so full of so many bloody emotions LIKE THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO NOW????
Thank you Netgalley for ruining my expectations once again. If a celebrity doesn't call me sweetheart or love- Dang it, I need a life.
Never mind, I'll just fall down a Rom Com loophole and pray that I come out alive. I read this book in four hours, I'm emotionally not okay....more
*cough* I, Booksy Mystique of the third isles, *clears throat with fervor* I just got through finals and this was the book I counted the suffering wit*cough* I, Booksy Mystique of the third isles, *clears throat with fervor* I just got through finals and this was the book I counted the suffering with.
*Lifts head dramatically to the skies* I, AM. ALMOST. FREAKING. FREE TO ACTUALLY MARK BOOKS AS READ THE MOMENT I FINISH THEM INSTEAD OF FORGETTING TO DO SO ALTOGETHER BECAUSE I AM MENTALLY DESTROYED.
*Straightens clothing* That is all, thank you....more
Cults have always morbidly fascinated me. Now, I shall go and search the twenty dangerous cults in the world just because sleep is unnecessary to the Cults have always morbidly fascinated me. Now, I shall go and search the twenty dangerous cults in the world just because sleep is unnecessary to the wicked-...more
This should've been upper YA so THE FADE TO BLACK WOULD'VE ACTUALLY HAD SOME SUBSTANCE-
Am I okay? No
------------------- 12/16/21
THE COVER TITLE WAS RELEThis should've been upper YA so THE FADE TO BLACK WOULD'VE ACTUALLY HAD SOME SUBSTANCE-
Am I okay? No
------------------- 12/16/21
THE COVER TITLE WAS RELEASED IN THE AUTHOR'S INSTAGRAM. I REPEAT, THE TITLE WAS RELEASED.
THE BALLAD OF NEVER AFTER IS HERE TO WRENCH MY SOUL AND STOMP ON ANY HOPES I HAD OF SURVIVING.
I honestly would have never guessed that title, ever. now please pass me the book
................................
I gave a little scream when I found out about this. I was in Bio class. And I regret nothing.
Also, in said Bio class (I’m actually quasi responsable so I had the two windows open at the same time) went into an IG Live with the author and Marissa Meyer and OH MY GOD, CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME AN ARC OF THIS.
I WILL READ ANYTHING. LITERALLY ANYTHING.
No really, I’m extremely desperate. OH DEAR GOSH, I really do need this.
I want Evangeline to become a ruthless conquistador, want her to make Jack’s life miserable yet oh so fulfilling.
I crave to learn more about Jacks! His evilness, his beauty. The way he holds a gosh darned apple. Pick me! I can play the part of that.
Oh... to be held by a Fate... Will probably end up with someone being under an ancient curse but come on.
I’m a teenager and my life isn’t very exciting- (Pfft, future me will make so many updates when the cover is out, I just know it. And I apologize in advance)...more
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