It was just ok. The idea seemed interesting - kind of a Victorian Steampunk Alt Earth thing - but her style of writing is just atrocious. It's like shIt was just ok. The idea seemed interesting - kind of a Victorian Steampunk Alt Earth thing - but her style of writing is just atrocious. It's like she's trying WAY too hard to be flowery, convoluted and circumspect and I just got annoyed at it. I had such a hard time trudging through it that it took me forever to finish and I read several short stories during it just to break away a bit.
I was probably 90 pages in when I realized I had tried (unsuccessfully) to read another book of hers in the past but gave up for the lack of background or backstory. This book suffers from a similar fate. You're just dropped into a slightly familiar world and expected to go along with it and take whatever morsels of information she descries to tell you. Sometimes such "explanations" or brief details come hundreds of pages later - leaving you to just endure not knowing what she's really talking about all that time.
The idea is interesting but it was so troublesome to read. I don't think I'll bother with the sequel....more
This one was much more annoying than the first. Meghan became such a whiny little angst-ridden teenager in this book, constantly crying about everythiThis one was much more annoying than the first. Meghan became such a whiny little angst-ridden teenager in this book, constantly crying about everything and moping around in true emo style about her one, true love. *gag* Seriously, it's NOT COOL that a 16 year old is involved romantically with some creature/being that's potentially thousands of years older. It's gross.
She's just so helpless the entire book you want to smack her upside the head. I was frustrated and if this is the kind of role model or example teenage girls are looking to, it's doing them a sad disservice....more
This was an example of a good YA book; interesting, good flow to the plot, characters were fleshed out, etc. I enjoyed it and I've already put the seqThis was an example of a good YA book; interesting, good flow to the plot, characters were fleshed out, etc. I enjoyed it and I've already put the sequel on hold at the library....more
Wonderful and interesting book full of amazing archival photos, drawings and sketches. The only reason it's not 5 stars is because it was a little surWonderful and interesting book full of amazing archival photos, drawings and sketches. The only reason it's not 5 stars is because it was a little surface. I would have loved MORE details, MORE depth and MORE behind the scenes info. There was some and I learned a few things (tough for a Florida Resident Annual Passholder who really knows her Disney trivia!) but I could have gone for even more.
Still, it's a really cool book and worth being on the library shelf of any Disney fan....more
This one was a bit rough for me. The quirky style and characters of the first one felt flat and often annoying this time around. I often felt bored anThis one was a bit rough for me. The quirky style and characters of the first one felt flat and often annoying this time around. I often felt bored and wanted things to go somewhere and do something.
And the horrible poetry! Dear gods, enough already with the 13 year old version of "song lyrics." It was just gag-inducing for me.
I'd probably give the third one a chance just to see if some of the spark from the first one comes back but if not, ugh, I'll definitely be done with the series. I couldn't take another one like this. It was pretty painful almost all the way through....more
I have to say I'm really enjoying this series. Merit is funny and has actual facets of her personality and isn't just some vapid airhead. She feels a I have to say I'm really enjoying this series. Merit is funny and has actual facets of her personality and isn't just some vapid airhead. She feels a lot more well-rounded than most urban fiction heroines these days.
My only real complaint is that the big, awaited reveal - Merit's first name - was kind of a let down. *see spoiler below if you already read the book.
Beyond that though, I'm really pleased with this series and look forward to the next come May 2011.
*SPOILER ALERT!!* | | | | | | | | | ...sure?
Ok, "Caroline?" That's it? I was expecting "Florence" or "Gertrude" or something really horrible. Caroline seems way too...normal. Eh....more
Some YA books are YA because they tone down the violence and/or sex a bit to make it more appropriate for a younger audience but still treat the readeSome YA books are YA because they tone down the violence and/or sex a bit to make it more appropriate for a younger audience but still treat the reader with a level of respect. And some YA books are YA because they're emo piles of steaming crap that insult the intelligence of anyone who picks it up and drowns in cliche, vapid characters, meandering lack of plot and overall lack of any skill at writing whatsoever.
Guess which category this one falls under?
Yes the cover is pretty. (Though completely pointless as the author repeatedly hits you over the head with the fact the main character cut all her hair off.) But the book is 400+ pages of sheer aggravation. Luce Price - family moto: "Prices never crash!" (no, I wish I were kidding) - is useless. The book has ZERO plot. The characters are introduced but then disappear for no reason. (Big deal made about the pierced couple and then..they just aren't mentioned anymore. Or hundreds of pages of her obsessing about her BFF, Callie, and then...eh, just drop the character completely.) She does things that made NO SENSE and there's absolutely nothing to follow or any sort of plot progression.
There's so much I could rant about how bad this book is but honestly, it's not worth it. And previous reviewers detailed many of the abundant problems already. It's just a gigantic mess and I am annoyed that I got suckered in to read it. Thank goodness it was just from the library; I might have set fire to the building if I had actually spend money on it....more
First off, it's not about Rose; it's about William and a new cast of characters. Felt a little long but it was a decent story.First off, it's not about Rose; it's about William and a new cast of characters. Felt a little long but it was a decent story....more
I have to admit, the main character's name was SO CHEESY I almost didn't read the book. I mean, Persephone Isis Alcmedi...? Really?? SO LAME.
But I'm gI have to admit, the main character's name was SO CHEESY I almost didn't read the book. I mean, Persephone Isis Alcmedi...? Really?? SO LAME.
But I'm glad I didn't give up on it right then and there because it actually turned out to be a decent, interesting book. I liked the characters and I liked the overall plot and setting. Really, a pretty solid story all-around....more
Interesting sequel to the first in the series. Felt like the whodunit part was secondary though and felt like it wrapped up way too late into the bookInteresting sequel to the first in the series. Felt like the whodunit part was secondary though and felt like it wrapped up way too late into the book with very little detail. It seemed more like an excuse to move the characters around and develop a little more of the "arcane" storylines as opposed to being a true murder mystery on it's own. Still, a solidly decent book and I'll continue with the series to see where it goes....more
This is a tough book to review. First off, it's very depressing. The book is full of hopeless situations, teenage angst in massive quantities and a peThis is a tough book to review. First off, it's very depressing. The book is full of hopeless situations, teenage angst in massive quantities and a pervasive state of decay and loss. It's overall, very much a downer.
Yet for some reason, despite Gabry being highly irritating as a character and despite the general restlessness and foreboding, it's still compelling in some dark way.
I didn't like Gabry as a character much. And many times it felt very....teenager emo drama. The book also ends with no resolution whatsoever and basically just stops. That's frustrating.
On the scales, however, I guess I'm neutral about it. I had issues with it and yet it was like a car accident you couldn't look away from in many ways as well....more
Very promising series. Enjoyed the second one and am looking forward to more. Few small problems with the book didn't detract from the overall experieVery promising series. Enjoyed the second one and am looking forward to more. Few small problems with the book didn't detract from the overall experience and I think it's definitely an interesting setting....more
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