Reminded me a lot of Verity by Colleen Hoover, but less good with less tension and suspense.
However, it is still a super fast and easy read. I had a gReminded me a lot of Verity by Colleen Hoover, but less good with less tension and suspense.
However, it is still a super fast and easy read. I had a great time reading it, and really enjoyed it. It is only after sitting with my thoughts for a bit that I start finding flaws. I can definitely understand why this book is so popular.
If you are in a reading slump, this is the book you should read....more
What a beautiful book. Hindered by a slow start, this book really kicked it up a notch in part 2.
The good: - The lyrical writing was STUNNING. MagicalWhat a beautiful book. Hindered by a slow start, this book really kicked it up a notch in part 2.
The good: - The lyrical writing was STUNNING. Magical writing to match a magic-infused story. I had tabbed something by PAGE TWO. -"Their other books hummed like summer bees. This book throbbed like unspent thunder." - Or later on: "For Pearl, college was synonymous with a bone-deep, grieving guilt, whereas for Esther it was just another bitter bead in her rosary of missed opportunitities." - "... it felt like Spokane all over again, only this time she had overstayed her time on purpose, mistaking purpose for deliberation and deliberation for logic." - Are you kidding me? And this is a debut novel?? Oh Emma Torzs the woman you are. - The plot really picked about 50% in. It ended up being a fun and adventurous story for a standalone novel. - I liked the juxtaposition of Joanna with Esther. Their relationship was interesting.
The less good: - Nicholas' story really should have been trimmed down. I was not invested in his relationships at all. Unfortunately, he never really escaped his puppet role. Felt bland until the very end. Really wish Nicholas and Collins relationship could have been developed more. Had the potential for a funny buddy-cop pairing. - The first half of the book was WAAAY too long. - The romance subplot injected near the end felt way too rushed. I'm not buying it.
Overall, 5 stars for beautiful writing and 3 stars for characters/plot. Really interested in what Emma writes next....more
For those who love Howl's Moving Castle. An imaginative and dreamy book that delivers on vibes.
Rebecca Ross knows how to write atmospheric books. EveFor those who love Howl's Moving Castle. An imaginative and dreamy book that delivers on vibes.
Rebecca Ross knows how to write atmospheric books. Everything about this book screams Studio Ghibli. I want to see this book animated.
But this book suffered from a lack of reasonable plot. There are way too many characters so no one feel developed. By 70% through the book, when all of the characters meet up, things felt increasingly muddled. Things just happened "because", especially with the wishy washy magic.
Semi-spoiler: To that same effect, why would the characters even support Clem as sovereign? She is literally just a girl who has shown no leadership skills?...more
This is a book where nothing and everything happens.
Pros: - My absolute favourite storytelling method is when multiple storylines converge. This book This is a book where nothing and everything happens.
Pros: - My absolute favourite storytelling method is when multiple storylines converge. This book does this perfectly. Not only do we get multiple perspectives, the story also jumps back in time at the perfect time without slowing down the story. Miranda and Clark were definitely my favourite perspectives. - For a post-apocalyptic book, this book explores the mundane life so well. I loved reading about how people move on and move forward from a world-altering event. - Surprisingly, I felt cozy reading some parts of this book? Something about some of the scenes and settings that made me feel soothed. Props to Emily's writing.
Cons: - The story felt like it wrapped up too quickly. I wanted to see some of the last few parts of the story to be extended. The ending felt abrupt and left me a bit unsatisfied....more
Good: - Found family trope with really lovable characters. - Cozy fantasy vibes. - Hilarious writing reminiscent of Hitchikers Guide - AsThat was camp.
Good: - Found family trope with really lovable characters. - Cozy fantasy vibes. - Hilarious writing reminiscent of Hitchikers Guide - As usual, interesting incorporation of the magic system into the story.
Less good: - As someone who is not a die-hard Sanderson fan, I didn't get to appreciate a lot of the "inside jokes" sprinkled in. - Very character driven story with a slow moving plot. - A little too much cheese. The fact that Tress did not yell out "The Power of Friendship" was sorely missed. - For such a long build-up, the ending was anticlimactic....more
Rhett calling Summer "Princess", which is the same nickname HER DAD calls her is.....a choice.
I just couldn't get into Rhett and Summer. His possessivRhett calling Summer "Princess", which is the same nickname HER DAD calls her is.....a choice.
I just couldn't get into Rhett and Summer. His possessive alpha male energy came off oppressive. And there were same bad portrayals of other women in this book. Other women being described as Barbies, and having clear skin while Summer has oh no freckles.
The one thing I did appreciate was depiction of a complex family dynamic, especially between Summer, Winter and Kip. That main issue was left unresolved though, and will come to a head in Winter's book.
(Also does Elsie Silver believe in homeopathy? Summer applies a homeopathic arnica cream to sooth Rhett's sore muscles.)...more
Objectively a good book, but subjectively not an enjoyable book.
Overall, the book is overrated but sickening smart.
It took me a long time to reconciObjectively a good book, but subjectively not an enjoyable book.
Overall, the book is overrated but sickening smart.
It took me a long time to reconcile with the fact that some people are awful and irredeemable. Although a brilliant exploration of human connections, the book felt deeply unsatisfying and pretentious. There were poignant moments scattered throughout the novel but the overall novel felt so heavy that I felt suffocated at times. I do recognize that this was intentionally done by the author so I guess she did her job.
There was also a plot point that I deeply disliked. It felt like a cheap way to inject sadness into the book to rile up tears from readers and cement the book as a moving masterpiece....more
This book slayed so hard that slay has lost all meaning.
I wish I can write like Tia Williams. Poignant, hilarious, and soul crushing. This book changThis book slayed so hard that slay has lost all meaning.
I wish I can write like Tia Williams. Poignant, hilarious, and soul crushing. This book changed my brain chemistry and made me believe in soulmates....more
I feel very neutral about this book. Similar to Before The Coffee Gets Cold, the story is broken up into 4 short stories that each has its own appeal.I feel very neutral about this book. Similar to Before The Coffee Gets Cold, the story is broken up into 4 short stories that each has its own appeal. Ultimately, the book as a whole was poignant, but when you break it down into its own individual pieces, it was very mundane....more
A convoluted murder mystery that is tense and engaging. It was absolutely confusing and left my head spinning. My Give me the Netflix adaptation nOW.
A convoluted murder mystery that is tense and engaging. It was absolutely confusing and left my head spinning. My only complaint is that the second half of the book dragged on for a bit....more
I can't believe I was baited into this book by a cool concept, only for me to be completed gutted. Such a heaThis is a love story, but not a romance.
I can't believe I was baited into this book by a cool concept, only for me to be completed gutted. Such a heartbreaking story about love and friendship. The whole Aaron story was unnecessary....more
Taking into consideration what this book is, and what it aims to do, it did a great job. This book offered a view into to a largely forgotten group ofTaking into consideration what this book is, and what it aims to do, it did a great job. This book offered a view into to a largely forgotten group of people (LGBTQ+ BIPOC) in history, and it explored important and powerful topics such as identity and racism. Also, I found the story to be well researched, and I am fascinated by historical fiction set in the 1950s and beyond.
However, I'm a plot-driven reader and wish the story gave me more content to mull over. I felt the book ended at the beginning, and left me with more questions than answers....more
This story progressed super slow. I lost interest after Temperance made a stupid decision just to progress the plot.
The only tDNF at Chapter 17 (40%).
This story progressed super slow. I lost interest after Temperance made a stupid decision just to progress the plot.
The only thing I enjoyed was that the story is set in Québec, although I much prefer the Inspector Gamache stories by Louise Penny that are also set in QC....more
This book was just alright.The best thing about Klune's writing is his humour. But I didn't feel as connected to the characters in this one. It felt aThis book was just alright.The best thing about Klune's writing is his humour. But I didn't feel as connected to the characters in this one. It felt almost sickeningly positive. I wish he didn't write the story in such black and white. The storyline with Alan was by far the most interesting. I wish that part had been explored more....more
2024 re-read: The good parts were GOOD and the bad parts were BAD. But at the end of the day, love wins and that's all that matters. Have to give it 4 2024 re-read: The good parts were GOOD and the bad parts were BAD. But at the end of the day, love wins and that's all that matters. Have to give it 4 stars simply for how often I think about chapter 54.
2021: Let's be real, not a single person is reading this book for the plot.
Despite that, this second book was such an improvement from the first book plot-wise. The plot was definitely stronger in the first 50% of the book, as the story unfolded at breakneck speed. I was gripped. However around the 55% mark and until the 85% mark, the story did a complete 180, as if somehow Sarah J. Maas remembered this is a romance book. The story really stalled and we got some sexual tension in return. Not complaining but it took some time to adjust my mindset. So many potential book boyfriends I'm too weak ...more
This book was everything it promised to be. Wholesome, heartfelt and hilarious. Imagine if Lemony Snicket and Douglas Adams wrote a happYes. Yes. Yes.
This book was everything it promised to be. Wholesome, heartfelt and hilarious. Imagine if Lemony Snicket and Douglas Adams wrote a happy, quaint story about the beauty of life. ...more
What a fun, light read! Some of your might know that. Having read this book, I can confirm that chick-lit is definitely a genre that I enjoy reading oWhat a fun, light read! Some of your might know that. Having read this book, I can confirm that chick-lit is definitely a genre that I enjoy reading once in a while. (I really need to read more funny books, because holy smokes, this book was hilarious). Harharhar.
All this talk about shopping, going on buying binges was so refreshing to read and it was as therapeutic for Rebecca as it was for me.
I know somewhere, someone must be complaining about Rebecca and how she does a disservice for women everywhere for being so stereotypically girly, but I seriously don't care. She's lazy, clumsy, and need material things to keep her sanity. So what? Deep down inside, most of us has a tiny bit of her personality so I really liked the over exaggerated character of Rebecca.
The only reason why this book only got 4 stars from me is because how rushed and convenient the ending felt. Everything got resolved in a "let's just gloss over that" type of manner, but I guess the sequels make up for it.
Anyways, this book was a fun, casual read, so this review will stay with the theme. It was a goo book. Go read it....more
2024 re-read: This is "Kendall Jenner stopping a protest with a Pepsi" in the form of a book.
I sounded so pretentious in 2021 BUT I stand by my rating2024 re-read: This is "Kendall Jenner stopping a protest with a Pepsi" in the form of a book.
I sounded so pretentious in 2021 BUT I stand by my rating. The first half was at a solid 3 stars but the second half tanked. Solving a world shattering political event with a riddle is the dumbest thing ever. That's like North Korea agreeing to a game of Rock Paper Scissors to determine if they should give up nuclear weapons. No one would ever offer up this as an option. That's just lazy writing.
The villians are down right goofy. Oh no they believe in murdering people and keeping slaves and torture and forced labour and all things evil. ...more
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