I like the lore of this book. I think that, and the world was stronger than the perspectives we saw it from. An adult book in this world would have beI like the lore of this book. I think that, and the world was stronger than the perspectives we saw it from. An adult book in this world would have been great! I liked the characters, I just felt they were very inconsistent. It was a fairly long book, and I think that with that time the characters interactions could have been better fleshed out. Also, this in no way felt like the 1920s besides a few references to prohibition.
This is a debut, one I think had promise, so I’m excited to see where the next book goes.
Aside: the audiobook may have impacted my enjoyment of the book. Certain voices were fine, but others sounded cartoonish and made it hard to take seriously. May, for example, sounded like a child, which made her part in the book uncomfortable....more
I think that the pacing was off. I think a good book gives small reveals as it goes on to keep the reader engaged. This didn’t give anything away untiI think that the pacing was off. I think a good book gives small reveals as it goes on to keep the reader engaged. This didn’t give anything away until the end. And even then the end didn’t feel like an ending, it just kind of stopped when it finally got interesting. The information we got could have been spaced out better. It would have made the entire reading experience more entertaining. It felt like we were just thrown into the climax of the story with no background information. The synopsis mentions this is the scariest school ever, but we’re not ever shown that.
This book took place over a very short period of time. It made the world and character building feel rushed, but the plot itself dragged. I didn’t feel any connection to any of the characters and they all felt pretty interchangeable. The audiobook definitely helped keep me focused, I think I may have lost interest if I’d read it physically....more
This is what Apprentice to the Villain thought it was doing. (Minus the whole, this not being a romance.) The balance was really good between our mainThis is what Apprentice to the Villain thought it was doing. (Minus the whole, this not being a romance.) The balance was really good between our main character being an evil villain while also being likable. (I hate when a book is just haha just kidding this character is actually super awesome and not evil at all.) This wasn’t uproariously funny, but it was a solidly funny book. I loved the diversion scene. Overall, I really enjoyed this book! ...more
I wish I were better at writing reviews for books I liked.
This is a slow book, and it didn’t have a lot of action, so it’s hard to pinpoint exac*4.5*
I wish I were better at writing reviews for books I liked.
This is a slow book, and it didn’t have a lot of action, so it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what I liked about it. I think it just always felt very real. The characters and the dialogue and the place made it seem like it was really happening, so I was very invested. I think the author also did a good job with leaving a point of view at a point where you wanted to know what happened next, but you had another character you were equally invested in to get through first, so it made the book feel fast. ...more
The cozy small town vibes in fall was the strongest part for me. Including the side characters. The mayor who uses his dreams as a basis for his *3.5*
The cozy small town vibes in fall was the strongest part for me. Including the side characters. The mayor who uses his dreams as a basis for his decisions was ridiculous in the best way.
I think what didn’t work as well with this book was the attempt to fit into certain troupes. The whole synopsis saying something along the lines of ‘will he fall for her charm.’ Yes. A resounding yes. He mentioned multiple times he fell in love with her the first time he saw her. This should have focused on them falling in love without any attempt at will they won’t they. Because I HATE when in a book a character says something, and the supposed love interest is like no, you don’t feel that way. Then there’s a fallout. Grow up, Logan. The conflict could have been the sabotaging of the cafe.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I already got the second one. I’m excited because bookstore.
“True New Englanders love three things: the Red Sox, Dunkin's, and fall. Jeanie knew this, of course.”
True New Englanders would never call Dunkin’, “Dunkin’s”unless they’re referring to multiple locations. Ex. “I drive by a million Dunkins on my way to work.”...more
I liked this! It got a bit cheesy at times but it was a lot of fun and had its funny moments. The family dynamics were fun and I loved the way t*3.75*
I liked this! It got a bit cheesy at times but it was a lot of fun and had its funny moments. The family dynamics were fun and I loved the way the three women interacted. ...more
One of the better Fairyloot books I’ve read in a bit. I liked the characters, I liked the world. I’m eager to see where the story goes. The magic was One of the better Fairyloot books I’ve read in a bit. I liked the characters, I liked the world. I’m eager to see where the story goes. The magic was cool. I felt engaged in the story. ...more
This book easily could have been 100 pages shorter. It dragged so much. The ending was so melodramatic for no reason at all. The ghost and Hawtho*2.5*
This book easily could have been 100 pages shorter. It dragged so much. The ending was so melodramatic for no reason at all. The ghost and Hawthorne Institute were clearly added in an attempt to make it interesting, but it fell so flat for me. Who was behind the “haunting” was so obvious so every time Ethan said it was ghosts I wanted to roll my eyes. Reading this all I could think was, this man’s unwell. (And he was, the reason behind it was also obvious before it became a *twist*). Supernatural research facility in the woods should have been entertaining, but it wasn’t. Mostly this book felt sad, and not in the way I think it was intended.
I think Survive the Night is still my least favorite of his. There were parts of this I liked. Henry was my favorite character. And there was a scene that genuinely made me very sad. It wasn’t that I hated this book or anything, it was just a bit dull. ...more
This book is vibes. I was a bit confused by what this book was leading to (Iris and Roman reconnecting or ending the war), so I wish the direction couThis book is vibes. I was a bit confused by what this book was leading to (Iris and Roman reconnecting or ending the war), so I wish the direction could have been clearer. I enjoyed it, but it felt a bit meandering. The writing was good and I enjoyed the world (but still felt a slight lack of world building.)
This is not a romance. There’s romance in it, but it’s a workplace comedy. I think calling it a romance is doing the biggest disservice to both of AnaThis is not a romance. There’s romance in it, but it’s a workplace comedy. I think calling it a romance is doing the biggest disservice to both of Anastasia Ryan’s books and the marketing team needs to step it up.
This book is absolutely hilarious. I hope she writes more soon!...more
In almost feel like I shouldn’t rate this because this book could not hold my attention. I would zone out in a way I haven’t with, I don’t think, any In almost feel like I shouldn’t rate this because this book could not hold my attention. I would zone out in a way I haven’t with, I don’t think, any other audiobook. Most of this book just felt like set up. I really liked the first book, so I think I’d be willing to give this another go, but I’d need to really be in the mood for it (and probably read it physically). ...more
I love the premise of this book.. the execution not so much.
The ghost aspect of the book wasn’t very well done. She was basically just treated like aI love the premise of this book.. the execution not so much.
The ghost aspect of the book wasn’t very well done. She was basically just treated like a regular character in the book, just there to be endlessly questioned. Carrie, our main character, also didn’t in anyway really react to the ghost? It in no way impacted (or supported) her worldview.
I think just in general Carrie wasn’t a great main character. She starts off the book goth, and proud, then after getting a promotion her boss (who she doesn’t like) is like you can’t dress like that, and she’s like *shrug* let me pull out my cardigans (despite previously stating she knows the dress code and there’s nothing wrong with what she wears.) That just shows how little personality she actually had.
She also kind of sucked. Her friend asked her not to interrogate her dad because she was afraid someone would go after him, and Carrie was like it’s fine (it was not fine), but Carrie still thought it was fine because that wasn’t her fault anyway. (Regardless, that whole thing made no sense. If Carrie figured out this man potentially knew something why wouldn’t the killer have done something beforehand? It’s not like Carrie or Jared were targets despite investigating.)
The writing was unbelievably boring. There were constant conversations about ordering food at a restaurant, in depth plan making, or what her day to day schedule looked like. But then when there were actually scenes that had potential we were just old what happened.
The ending came on too fast and wasn’t satisfying. Overall, I’m disappointed. I wanted to like this.
(I didn’t even touch upon the romance. Just know it was also bad.)...more
I definitely liked this more than I thought I would. My favorite part was with the romance, while both parties were taking adva**spoiler alert** *3.5*
I definitely liked this more than I thought I would. My favorite part was with the romance, while both parties were taking advantage of the other trying to get information, they both were very aware that’s what the other one was doing. It made for an interesting dynamic. It also stopped it from feeling to instalove.
This book did lack something for me though. It felt like our characters never really stopped to think about things. There was a certain nuance missing in the world building. I also think that the author ignored things that should have been discussed because she wanted it to lend itself to the reveal.
For example: Gideon made many comments about how the Crimson Moth was a murderer and how awful she was and that’s why he wanted to catch her. We know from Rune’s point of view she’s not killing people. But does she even know about the deaths? Because they’re literally never mentioned. She acts like they’re just stopping her because she’s freeing witches. Also, if the Crimson Moth is using other people’s blood (the reason for all the murdering) she wouldn’t have scars. So why is Gideon so focused on finding scars on Rune? (Plot.) Even at the end of the book when Rune dramatically is like when Gideon comes for me, I’ll be ready! Like she can’t stop and think that maybe he thinks she’s on board with Cressida? Even still Cressida seems like the bigger threat. I know this all is to set up book two, but it lacks a bit of critical thinking/ empathy on behalf of the characters.
I did like this enough to read the next book. But I wish that the ideas of this book had been done a little better....more
The world building was so on point. It felt very atmospheric. I felt very engrossed in the world, but I never felt like things were oThis was amazing!
The world building was so on point. It felt very atmospheric. I felt very engrossed in the world, but I never felt like things were over explained. The magic (which almost didn’t feel like magic) was very cool. We also got hints to things that might come and bigger picture stuff that I’m excited for.
I thought the banter was entertaining. I liked how we saw our main character change and grow throughout the book. I will say maybe I didn’t feel as connected to them as I could have, but I still really liked the characters.
I thought the mystery was well done. The clues were sprinkled in and could be followed without being so obscure that they were ridiculous, or so obvious that it was written with a neon sign. Everything came together and was well woven.
I enjoyed the writing. I didn’t find it slow at all and once I started I didn’t want to put it down. (If I wasn’t on vacation while reading this, I think I would have read it much faster.)
I thought this was a fun book that didn’t take itself too seriously! (But we still saw growth after a realization that I won’t spoil!) I thought *4.5*
I thought this was a fun book that didn’t take itself too seriously! (But we still saw growth after a realization that I won’t spoil!) I thought it was funny, I liked the quest, I liked the character interactions. I enjoyed the footnote commentaries.
I understand some of the comments in the lower ratings about how could this woman who doesn’t remember her human life at all remember enough to make a reference to Is it Cake? (We were finishing up season 3, so I enjoyed the reference.) And I thought that too. But it didn’t bother me. I took the tone of this book as being very tongue in cheek, and maybe even slightly satirical so I was able to look past it.
The comments I didn’t understand were about the swearing. If you read the little excerpt at the start of the book and continued on despite swearing is something that bothers you - that’s on you.
I also think a lot of reviews aren’t taking into account that this is a woman who has lived for thousands of years and feels like nothing matters. Of course she’s flippant! (It reminded me a bit of The Husbands in that sense. And that character got there a lot quicker than Davi!)
My only real complaint about the book is that the chapters were way too long!! They were mostly all 30-50+ pages! It definitely caused me to take longer to read this book. (About halfway through after showing my husband how long the chapters were, he asked if they felt like each chapter could be an episode. Which looking at it that way it does, and it made it better - but still made it take longer to read. Being on vacation probably didn’t help.)
This clearly isn’t a book for everyone - but I really liked it! ...more
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