3.5 stars I honestly thought this series was a duology boy was I wrong, but honestly? Not surprised as this book felt very much like a second installme3.5 stars I honestly thought this series was a duology boy was I wrong, but honestly? Not surprised as this book felt very much like a second installment of a series - what I like to call a bridge book, things happened, more things are added and revealed for the plot, yet the end is yet to come. And after that cliffhanger I'm really curious to find out how this story is going to end. As of this book I felt like it dragged a bit at some parts, and that things were conveniently put to pause in order to to showcase other parts of the plot. But overall it's a very interesting series. I just hope the author doesn't try to create a more complex plotline as I don't think the series can sustain on itself. (As I say on my previous review I think the worldbuilding and magic system are a bit weak and confusing to the reader, her strength is on the characters! And I'm afraid that if the author decides to expand on them it will make a fun reading into a mess real quick - and you can blame from blood and ash for that hehe). Oh yeah, for last I wanted to say the whole time I was rating 3 stars on my mind for this book, but in the ending it really picked up and I liked it. Couldn't put it down....more
I will start this by saying I was really invested in this reading, yet the same time, I had a love and hated relationship with it. Mainly, I expected I will start this by saying I was really invested in this reading, yet the same time, I had a love and hated relationship with it. Mainly, I expected more, especially the ending. It's not to say I didn't like their story, despite them being really messy at times - they were acting according to their ages, but yet, their lack of communication was really bothersome. I just wished they have "grown up" a bit more as individuals to be together towards the end. I felt like the book ended on the middle of a story. At least that's how I felt....more
I went into this book because of it's dramatic premise and the fact that the dude would grovel a lot to get his family back, instead we got none of thI went into this book because of it's dramatic premise and the fact that the dude would grovel a lot to get his family back, instead we got none of that. This image represents me throwing Greyson out of my life: [image]...more
4.5 stars I adored reading this book, even if I was so slow reading it!! From the very beginning I knew I was going to like this story, as there were t4.5 stars I adored reading this book, even if I was so slow reading it!! From the very beginning I knew I was going to like this story, as there were too many mysteries that captivated me, but I never imagined how the story would unfold. It was not like I couldn't guess what would happen along the story, I guessed a lot of the plot twists, they were very obvious for me. However I still enjoyed the book and its revelations. The story though, wasn't what I was expected, and this made my experience better. I really love how Yangsze Choo managed to bring a lot of the chinese folklore into this book, it was done in a way that even if you don't know a lot about it, you could understand it - which was my case. Also loved how she carved the relationship between the characters, they were never one dimension, always having more to know or see. I especially loved Li Lan's journey. Her character arc was so nice to read about, and instead of the main focus of the story was on the "romance" it focused on her and how everything that she is discovering was changing her. I just want everyone to read this book, honestly....more
I knew that this series would be promising, I just didn't imagined how much! If you guessed that Greed would be very much like Lust, think again! I, iI knew that this series would be promising, I just didn't imagined how much! If you guessed that Greed would be very much like Lust, think again! I, in the other hand, think this is what I liked the most about these stories: Emma Hamm really gave her characters distinct personalities - even in bed!! (Honestly I thought Lust was a very loverboy and sweet, which made all the sense, and then we have Greed, the king of kinks hahaha). Varya was such a good character! Although I will say that she bended to Greed's greedy requests too easily for someone who claimed she couldn't be tied down - or I could be just projecting... And I know we had Greed's POV so we knew that he really cared for her, and wanted to have what Lust had (even change his own being), I still wanted Varya to make Greed crawl a bit more. BTW, that part of the story was really interesting to see. Could be Greed being a greedy bastard and wanted something new and fresh for him (to love a woman and change), a new "treasure" sort of speak, but I thought it was really interesting to see how he really wished and wanted to change, to evolve. In the end I only wished we got to see more of the other characters, this book focused a lot of Varya and Greed - and their sex escapades. On the previous book it was more balanced (and more up to my taste!). I have to say I'm curious to how all the other demons will follow! And I love that Emma Hamm is already planting the seeds with each book! Gluttony? A sort of a vampire? I'm living for it!! ...more
This book was bad... I confess I wanted to dnf it but I had read too much of it and it was easier to finish (as this book it's short). Everything felt This book was bad... I confess I wanted to dnf it but I had read too much of it and it was easier to finish (as this book it's short). Everything felt rushed, the plot had no development and frankly the characters sometimes were just plain stupid. The side characters were really immature as well. I couldn't handle any more questions of Jasper's dick size nor the tail jokes. Also there were a lot of moments were the story was just jumping between scenes - hence no development - and they didn't really have a connection. Besides, I was lost a lot of the times with the side characters, and honestly I didn't feel the desire to read a whole series just to understand a standalone romance....more
3.5 stars I wanted to read a good hockey romance and this book did a wonderful job. I really liked how the author took her time to develop the relation3.5 stars I wanted to read a good hockey romance and this book did a wonderful job. I really liked how the author took her time to develop the relationship between Bailey and Chase, building trust and love in a really healthy way. I did wanted more confrontation happening, specially with her ex-roommates, and even a better explanation as in why they gave such a huge 180 on Bailey. Maybe that's the part of me that likes to have closure... And also with Luke. I liked how it ended with him but I wanted one more slap from Bailey - and some jail time. I also wanted to have a chance to know more about Bailey and Chase's family. It was as if they were barely there (even Derek). Also more of Zara and Noelle, they were present in the beginning and then were only mentioned. But overall I still really liked the book. It was refreshing seeing a good relationship being unfold for once without the using miscommunication drama that could have happened....more
I can't believe I'm done with this book! My copy of the audiobook followed Dennis Washburn's translation and I liked the way the text was presented, dI can't believe I'm done with this book! My copy of the audiobook followed Dennis Washburn's translation and I liked the way the text was presented, despite the fact that this was my first encounter with the book. It was fluid and I could easily follow the story and the poems sounded like poems instead of just a translation. Talking about the book itself, I have to be honest, I read this because of its importance with literary fiction, as I would never pick up this book otherwise. It's the first novel ever written, if it wasn't for that I don't think I would have read this book - and don't plan to do it again. Even if I didn't have a hard time enjoying the writing, I did have a hard time liking the characters. Genji was too much of a womanizer for me to be able to like him truly. He was also a cheater, a rapist and a groomer, but I tried very hard to ignore these in order to respect the "times" and drama. Despite all this, once the story cease to follow him and goes over for his heirs I lost completely interest. I think it's because Genji infuriated me so much that I was able to follow (not enjoy) the story as I wanted to know it's ending. As a said, Genji was a womanizer, meaning he had many affairs in various schemes. There were so many that it was hard to keep track who was who and that was annoying with my reading. Between all his ladies, I have to say Murasaki was my favourite, although I wanted her to leave Genji at all costs, poor thing deserved better. The best part of the book for me were the intricate poems that the characters would compose for each other, either in love, in anger, in whatever feelings they were feeling at the moment. Other than these rambles I don't have much to add, I'm just glad I'm done with this book! ...more
2024 4.5 stars The second time around of me reading this book back to back, reading with the graphic audio this time. I almost gave it 5 stars, but the 2024 4.5 stars The second time around of me reading this book back to back, reading with the graphic audio this time. I almost gave it 5 stars, but the graphic audio cut and edited so much of the original text that I was annoyed we were missing important bits of the story. It wasn't things that were really important that would make the reader not understand the story, but damn, I still wanted to read them! For me, they should have divided the graphic audio in three parts, instead of two, to be able to fit all that was cut. Other than that, I really liked the production, although I was anxious af on this book for Xaden and Violet to talk, per my last reading as well. The stress reading was REAL.
2023 4.5 stars I'm shocked! Rebecca Yarros did it again with that - spoilers - damn cliffhanger! I really enjoyed this book, despite reading it super fast! I do have a few complains: such as a few parts of the plot were very predictable (but I didn't mind); the story did dragged a bit in the first part of the story, as not a lot was developed due to how her relationship with Xaden was; and last, building up her trust in Xaden again... Yeah, I didn't like how annoying it was (for me). I wanted to see this boy groveling, instead we got a lot of moments of him saying he wouldn't be able to really tell her everything and the truths that were necessary. And people - both hers/his/theirs friends - kept defending Xaden and I was just not buying it! Communication is key to a relationship! When he put on Violet's shoulders to find out the truths by asking him the right questions, I was pissed. A lot of things could have been avoided by him just telling her about his past, or just a heads up of a possible things coming their way - such as Cat. I will be back on Cat, but I have to say I was sad we didn't get to read in full Xaden's letters to Violet. And I get that this was his way of opened up, but 1. as the reader we barely see it happening, we're just told. 2. He was doing the "selective truths", to which I hated and loved when Violet decided to open up to her friends about what happened. About Cat: I don't like when authors add a new female character to fight over the man of the main character. And then, out of the sudden, they become friends. But I won't hold a grudge of the author because even Violet pointed it out how ridiculous Cat was acting towards her. Now for the good parts: loved Andarna's arc! I love her, really! I did miss her being a baby, but I love teenage!Andarna. Tairn was also amazing, I love how sassy he was. Although I didn't understand a lot, the war plot sounded pretty solid! And even if it could be boring to me, it was intriguing enough for me to try to understand more of how things would work. I do like Xaden's and Violet's scenes. They were mostly my favorite, even if I wanted they to learn some communication skills. I do have to say, we see so little of Xaden in this book. He was gone a lot of the times while Violet was left because studying - to which is no surprise, but I just missed them together having a day to day life. I liked how Violet really built a bond with her squad, and how the rebellion kids were more accepted (at least in their group). Loved how Violet was so tough and yet was still finding her "center", and how we see her in a leadership position, despite the fact that she doesn't hold the title. And overall loved the tension throughout this book. most chapters would end on a cliffhanger and you'd have to start another - hence why I read this book so fast! After that ending, and to what was promised since the first book, I really wanna know what is going on with the Venin's and the Sage! Overall, I feel like crying that I'm gonna have to wait for the next book. Oh! A lot of fan theories were proven right with this book and I don't know if this is a good or bad thing. Honestly I just liked this book because/despite all that!...more
I confess this was not my favourite of Austen's work, as I didn't connect with the characters and thought it was difficult to guess where the story waI confess this was not my favourite of Austen's work, as I didn't connect with the characters and thought it was difficult to guess where the story was being taken. The edition I got was one that attempted to complete the book, but as I was disconnected with the story I only read the chapters that Jane Austen wrote. I'm though, temped to watch the series to see if I will grow to care for the characters to read the "completed" version....more
I read this book within a day. I was completely involved with the story and really wanted to see how everything was going to end. Although this is AnnaI read this book within a day. I was completely involved with the story and really wanted to see how everything was going to end. Although this is Annabel’s story, we also get a lot of her sisters (especially the sisters who didn’t have their own story yet). And even if I liked some of the moments, I have to say Imogen annoyed me a lot, she was just ridiculously selfish and just a plain mess. I get that she was grieving but we had glimpses of her personality on the previous book and this time it was just enhanced. I didn’t understand why the past story I didn’t want to give 5 stars, but reading this one I understood. It was because of the amount of time it is spent with the sisters, and especially the misunderstanding of the love interest being interested on the wrong sister. (I mean with this book the Earl kissed Imogen, a big no-no for me, especially of how insane Imogen was acting). I did digress on my ranting about Imogen hehe, but overall, I really liked the story. I also liked how Eloisa James used the Shakespearean play on this story - especially how she changed the outcome for something more realistic. I do want to read Josie’s story although I’m still debating if I want to read Imogen....more
Listen, this story was cute and dandy but there was so many missing opportunities to make it so good and do justice to Pride and Prejudice. I understanListen, this story was cute and dandy but there was so many missing opportunities to make it so good and do justice to Pride and Prejudice. I understand it is a remix. I understand that the author wanted to focus on Oliver's journey of being able to live as his true self. I liked all of that, with the inner monologues being so compelling and moving that I was teared eyed a lot of times, however the fact that there was never any conflicts between Oliver and Darcy, it just bothered me so much! I wanted a little bit more of pride, and a little bit more of prejudice between those two to give more flair to the story - and by prejudice I don't mean being transphobic, just the prejudice of judging the person and their family without really knowing them first....more
2024 5 stars I’m rereading this series again because the graphic audio was released and I’m just loving the experience. ALTHOUGH I must say they cut lon2024 5 stars I’m rereading this series again because the graphic audio was released and I’m just loving the experience. ALTHOUGH I must say they cut long parts of the original text (imo) at some of the scenes - not all. (And yes, I’m listening to it while reading my epub!)
2023 5 stars Did I just reread this book not even two days after finishing it? Yes! — I knew the hype this book was getting but never imagined I would become obsessed with it! I will be honest, I've debated giving it 4.5 stars, mainly because I wanted the romance to be more slow burn, but who was I kidding? This book had a grip on me that I couldn't put it down! For a "school book" so much had happened that I don't even know where to start this review. I loved Violet as a character, loved that she overcame her struggles using her intelligence; that she was able to find herself despite the mother she had (and I say this both on the sense that her mother didn't care for her and on the sense that she became a target as soon as she entered her training); and loved that she was able to learn how to hold her own ground. Xaden was a very interesting character and I was excited to know more about him the minute Violet saw him - and was thirsting for him, girl didn't even knew she wanted him yet her body did. I knew that there was to him as he was bound to keep secrets and when things were revealed everything made sense. Was it kinda obvious that he was part of the rebellion? Yes, but I'm not mad about it. It's quite sweet how he cared for her despite the fact they were "enemies" (and I say in quotes because they never really were), and how he was one of the few who bothered to actually help her learn how to defend herself using what she had to offer. Much dislike Dain, who was a pain in the ass from the beginning. I think it was both very obvious and clever to set the difference between these two characters right in the beginning: with Dain being so overprotective it is proved multiple times he doesn't have Violet's best interest in heart, as Xaden was quite the opposite, he wanted her to learn how to survive and, most importantly, live on her own. Dain's betrayal at the end was no surprise. I did wished we get to see more of Violet's friends, specially after the second half of the book, but I understand the shift to move the story along. (It didn't help that the author was killing some of them - RIP Liam, poor thing, I wasn't ready to say goodbye). Of course I have to talk about the dragons! I love a good book that puts the dragons as their own beings and the humans should bow to them and not the opposite. It was not only fun to read, but it was interesting to see that despite everything, each dragon really cared about their bounded rider. Something I really wasn't expecting. Although the dragons don't really care about threatening other riders, as we see Tairn always saying he will burn people - specially Dain, but even Xaden at times. It was even more interesting to see Violet bounding with two dragons, and just not any dragons, but one that was mated with Xaden's dragon. I knew that would become a "problem", and I confess I didn't expect it to happen the way it did, nor it so quickly. It was as I said, so much happened in this book. And I'm very curious to know how the author will deal with the plot on the second book. Specially with the revelation of the end....more
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