Quick Stats: Overall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 5/5 Review in a Nutshell: This. Book. One Last Stop is an incredible read that will absolutely blow you away.
// Content Warning: Death (Mention), Anxiety, Homophobia, Racism //
One Last Stop follows August, who’s moving to New York City for a new start. And then, she meets Jane. Jane is a mystery. Quite literally. Displaced in time, Jane is stuck on the subway with no way off, and August has to help her find a way back to the 1970’s. But, the more time they spend together, the closer they become, and August’s small subway crush grows even deeper.
- Writing - If you’ve read Red, White and Royal Blue, then you have a good idea of what to expect with the writing of One Last Stop. If you haven’t- then what are you doing here, go read it! Or maybe read One Last Stop first.
This book is funny and heartwarming, the writing adding humor and relatability to each moment. Like Casey McQuiston’s first book, there’s plenty of quotable moments, and I feel that their writing has definitely developed even more since Red, White and Royal Blue.
- Plot - This book will have you hooked. It did take me around 50-80 pages to get fully invested, but once I was in, I couldn’t put it down. From the mystery to the romance, One Last Stop is absolutely addictive.
- Characters - August is an incredible protagonist with a great journey, and Jane is the perfect love interest for her. Together, their chemistry is amazing and they bring out the best qualities in each other. Both of them are realistically flawed, but often in painfully relatable ways. And their relationship? Adorable. But they aren’t the only two characters in this book, and I have to say: I would read a book about every single side-character in One Last Stop. They were all so well-developed, complex, and unique. And there is so much diversity in the main friend group, it made me so happy!
- Conclusion -
Pros- addictive, adorable, just absolutely amazing Cons- Not a con but I need to say it: don’t go into this book expecting Red, White and Royal Blue 2.0. These two books are very different, but both are truly incredible. Overall- 5/5 stars. One Last Stop kept me up until 2am laughing and crying over these characters. You do not want to miss out on this beautiful story.
Thank you to the authors for sending me a copy to review!
This was such a fun read.
I'm a huge Marvel fan, and I love a good revenge plot, so I was a liThank you to the authors for sending me a copy to review!
This was such a fun read.
I'm a huge Marvel fan, and I love a good revenge plot, so I was a little excited to pick this book up. And it did not disappoint.
I read this book in one sitting (possibly during a class but let's ignore that). It got me out of a month-long reading slump. It's addictive, fast-paced, with fun characters, and plenty of spice. Seriously, if you're looking for something on the spicier side, this is for you (and it won't make you wait for those scenes).
However, my favorite part of this book was all of the Marvel references hidden in the book. As a die-hard MCU fan, it was so fun seeing the nods to that universe. That said, Nemesis remained original enough to stand on its own, and I loved seeing the direction it took these common comic book tropes and themes.
Christina Lauren never miss. If you need a holiday read, this is it. It's adorable, fun, and addictive. I'll definitely be rereading this every holidaChristina Lauren never miss. If you need a holiday read, this is it. It's adorable, fun, and addictive. I'll definitely be rereading this every holiday season....more
Quick Stats: Overall: 4/5 Stars Characters: 4/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 2.5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 4/5 Review in a Nutshell: The Ballad of Quick Stats: Overall: 4/5 Stars Characters: 4/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 2.5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 4/5 Review in a Nutshell: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was much better than I thought it would be. Granted, I expected to hate it.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy. It takes place during the 10th annual Hunger Games, following a young Coriolanus Snow (not yet the President Snow we all love to hate). For the first time, the Games are having Capital students mentor the tributes, and Snow has been assigned the girl from District 12.
“It’s amazing, how little things change. After all the killing. After all the agonized promises to remember the cost. After all that, I can’t distinguish the bud from the blossom.”
- Writing & Setting -
If you’ve read The Hunger Games, you should know what to expect with the writing. Suzanne Collins’ writing style is easy to jump into and captivating. The only difference in her style with this book is that it’s written in third person, not first (as it is in the original trilogy).
Now, I thought I knew what to expect with the setting, but I was wrong. Yes, we have the Capital and the districts, but the war was recent, and everyone is still recovering. The Capital is more toned down, and instead of the Games being this high-tech, extravagant event, it’s much more straightforward.
What I loved most about this book was seeing how the Games started, and some of the reasons for why things changed and how they became the way they were for the 74th Games. It was absolutely fascinating (and horrifying) to read.
“Courage in battle was often necessary because of someone else’s poor planning.”
- Plot -
The plot for this book is solid, but the pacing? Not so much. It can take some time before the action really begins, and even when it does, the pacing is a little all over the place. The beginning is slow, then it picks up, then it slows a little, then the last couple of chapters include SO MUCH and it goes by overwhelmingly fast.
But like I said, the actual plot is decent. Some aspects were a little predictable, but then there were some twists that come out of nowhere and completely shock you. There is also a small romance plotline, but I struggled to get into it (which says something, because I adore all romance). I just felt like it was too rushed to be believable.
“What are lies but attempts to conceal some sort of weakness?”
- Characters -
Okay, let’s talk about Snow. My biggest concern with this book was that they would try to make me pity the “poor fascist dictator”. Thank God that didn’t happen. I won’t lie, they kinda toe the line in the beginning, showing how his life isn’t great, but his actions in this book really make sympathy impossible. However, I’m really glad they didn’t make me completely despise him from the start. He spent a good portion of this book in a grey area, where you can see his opportunities to do the right thing and are just waiting to see if maybe he’ll do it. This book is a fantastic villain origin story and it was so fun to watch his decline (maybe that's not the nicest thing to say, but he’s a monster so I don’t feel bad).
(Minor Spoiler here)(Honestly, it’s not even a spoiler, but I wanted to be safe)(view spoiler)[ Also, really random, but can we talk about Snow’s complete hatred of mockingjays??? It just makes me laugh. He has no reason to hate them but he just absolutely despises them and mentions it every chance he gets. They’ll just be singing and he’ll say “I want them all to die”. Chill, dude. No wonder he hated Katniss. (hide spoiler)]
Snow isn’t our only character. There are some characters whose names may sound familiar, which was really fun to see, and some completely new characters. Lucy Gray definitely gets a lot of attention, and I did like her, but I didn’t feel like she was the most well-rounded character. I think she definitely could have been if that ending didn’t feel so rushed, but unfortunately, that’s not what happened.
But there were some characters I adored. Mostly Sejanus. His storyline was just as interesting as Snow’s and I loved every scene he was in. Also, Dr. Gaul. She absolutely terrified me but she added so much to this book.
“If the people who were supposed to protect you played so fast and loose with your life . . . then how did you survive?”
- Conclusion -
Pros- So many great easter eggs, loved learning more about the world Cons- pacing was a mess Overall- 4/5 stars. I really enjoyed The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. It was the villain origin story I didn’t know I needed, and explored areas of this world and a part of the history I’m so glad I got to see. If you’re a Hunger Games fan, then I definitely suggest picking up this book!
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