*2.5


”Pa was taking to long to cut the boys’ throat.”


Well if that isn’t a way to start a book, I don’t know what is.


The Merciful Crow is the first book in a YA fantasy duology. In this world, their are caste systems, and the Crows are the lowest of the low. Crows, in this world, are not worth anything to anyone. Their only job is to kill people with the plague, so more don’t get infected. Fie, our heroine, is training to be the chief of her kin, but all of her plans are spoiled when her kin has to smuggle the prince and his bodyguard across the country.


This book had much potential, but it ultimately fell flat for me. I’ve read this story numerous times before, by a handful of different authors. This book brings absolutely nothing new to the table. Many fantasy books have the caste system trope, evil ruler + we have to take him/her down, “forbidden romance”, and many have done it so much better than The Merciful Crow. This book had so many problems and things that needed edited before this should have been published.


The magic system makes absolutely no sense for the first 1/3 of this book. I didn’t understand a thing that was going on in here until the beginning of part 2. That’s being confused for over 130 pages. The caste systems made ultimately no sense until part 2, and the weird magic systems in each caste still don’t make sense to me. Apparently the Crow caste can use teeth magic? And then the Hawk caste can do witch’s magic? Or something? And then we’re talking about the dead gods and the convents, and we aren’t explained what those have anything to do with either. Yeah I don’t know because the magic system in here was awful.


Speaking of the bad magic system, let’s talk about the world building. While I can admit, that Margaret Own can paint a vivid picture of worlds through her descriptive writing, it didn’t mean I understood where the characters were or the world any bit. I don’t even know what this world is called, and if I think that says enough in itself. Their just wasn’t anything that described what was happening or where the characters were going. We had names of places, and we have a map, but that isn’t necessarily world building. I have to understand the important places, and the rulers of each kingdoms (I think their is only one? Rhusana or whatever, idk?), the world building was just nonexistent.


The romance in here was also really really cringey. There was absolutely no build up or chemistry between Tavin and Fie and it made me cringe. They got together after knowing each other for only 1 week? 2 weeks? It wasn’t realistic and it made me dislike both Tavin and Fie whenever they associated with each other. And then Fie risks everything for Tavin, and it ultimately fell flat for me.


Overall, this book wasn’t that good, but I have this weird thing where I need to finish book series even if I don’t like book 1. Also, kinda sad I’m leaving 2020 off on this note, but maybe that’s a sign that 2020 needs to go. Anyways, also sad I spent $10 on the paperback when I could have just got it from the library. I never claimed I was smart, ok?

2 Stars ⭐️
Ash Princess is a fantasy/sci-fi (sorta but not really) taking place in an almost medieval like world with kingdoms, Princess and princes, and medieval like fashion. It follows a young, teenage girl named Theodosia or Theo who’s mother is murdered by the people taking over her kingdom.

Theo is brutally tortured by the ‘king’ (?) of the other kingdom for the fun of it. Theo, then finds an opportunity to take back the land and people that were once her mothers and should now rightfully be her’s, and tries to take back her kingdom.

I didn’t have anything wrong with this book, I just found it boring hence why I DNF’ed it.

The world building in this book was quite incredible, and I think Sebastian did a phenomenal job with the depths and understanding.

The characters in the book were pretty annoying though. Theo was the only one I really liked, and that’s about it.

If your looking for a medieval (I guess?) fantasy, with kingdoms and shit then this is probably the book for you.

Again like I said not a bad book, I was just bored and decided to DNF. So yah if your not looking for a slow read this probably isn’t for you.

Wow. Wow. Wow. I'll right an actual review when my thoughts aren't all jumbled and tears aren't pouring down my face

I loved this book! I think that this was such an awesome retelling for the Sherlock Holmes universe. I’m a pretty big fan (I’ve read some of the tales, watched the BBC tv show, and some of the movies) and Sherlock Holmes has always been one of my favorite things.

So when I heard about this I was super excited. And I’m not disappointed. The romance and friendship between Jamie and Charlotte is absolutely adorable, and I thought that the characters were quite likable (even though Charlotte was an asshole at times)

The mystery was thrilling but it dragged on a little to long for me. This book could have easily been 40-50 pages shorter and I would have probably given it 5 stars.

It was a fun mystery (which is something I don’t pick up a lot) and I’m definitely gonna continue when my copy of ‘The Last August’ comes in!

I’m hesitant to give this book 3 stars.

And here we have the second installment of the ‘Charlotte Holmes’ series. I was very excited for this book, but it really didn’t work that well for me in the end.

I felt like Jamie was just a sidekick and thrown to the side in this book. He was made to look stupid, and I absolutely hated it considering Jamie is very smart (at times). This book just made him feel like he was an idiot 24/7.

I also hated Charlotte for 3/4 of the novel. Sure she had her good moments, and her vulnerable times, but the way she treats Jamie and everyone else around her is awful. You don’t treat the guy your supposedly in love with, and the guy who’s your bests friend like that. She kept putting him to the side as if was just an Stranger she met on the street and it set me the wrong way.

Milo is a asshole, August has no substance (along with his boring siblings), and the rest of the characters (besides Charlottes uncle, he’s like my gay soul mate) are really fucking boring. They all felt 1 dimensional and very different from how they were in the first installment of the ‘Charlotte Holmes’ series.

The plot also wasn’t as great as I thought it’d be. Their really wasn’t a mystery, considering Charlotte found out who was behind her Uncles kidnapping within the first 100-150 pages of the book. So like “A Study in Charlotte” this book dragged on for far to damn long than needed.

The novel was also confusing at times, where were supposed to assume we understand things Charlotte, August, and Jamie are saying and talking about, and I was confused.

But this book had the perfect amount of angst and ‘will they, won’t they’ shit that I fucking squealed over, as well as the greatest fucking witty banter, funny shit, and lovable characters (when they weren’t being annoying), that I kind of felt obligated to give this book 3 stars.

I will still continue on with the series though (but merely for the angsty, cute, romance shit that I fucking want to read a lot more of, and Jamie and Charlotte because their adorable).

I haven’t decided if this is my favorite or second favorite?

I really, really liked this one. But it was pretty tedious that Charlotte and Jamie were separated for 3/4 of the novel, and every time Jamie talks about his new girlfriend Elizabeth I died inside a little.

But I liked Charlotte a lot better in this book. She had the same personality (somewhat, she was a better person in this novel) that she had in ‘A Study in Charlotte’ and she was pretty likable again!

I love Jamie so much as well! He’s such a sweet, cute, cinnamon roll and I love him with my whole entire heart!

The duel points of view were also interesting! I actually really loved how it was done and I liked reading every couple chapters about Charlotte! It was nice to have Charlottes thoughts too (we had it in the Epilogue of ‘A Study in Charlotte’ and somewhat in ‘The Last of August’) but I really liked having her full points of view.

The character development was also really, really good! As I said, Charlotte has changed into a better person after a year without Jamie to of think of her actions, and develop more as a character, and Jamie had also changed (maybe not for the best for 3/4 of the novel) but hey, still character development!

And the angsty shit has got me dying! Y’all just GET TOGETHER FR! I can’t handle it anymore. Charlotte and Jamie are fucking adorable and this book sets that example pretty high.

Wow this was such a great classic. I'm not gonna write a full length review for this, but it's genuinely one of my favorite books I've ever read. I loved Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. And the Bennet sisters, and Mrs. Bennet were so fun to read about. Also I think Darcy is my new book boyfriend and I'm not mad about it. And now whenever I say I've loved the hate to love trope, I can also say I read the OG hate to love romance

ORIGINAL RATING 4 STARS, BUT BROUGHT DOWN TO 3 STARS


(If this is your favorite Austen this isn’t a personal attack against you, it’s just my personal thoughts)


Alright, it’s finally time to sit down and talk about my thoughts. This classic wasn’t necessarily bad, but I didn’t really get the feelings that Pride and Prejudice just give me. I even watched the 2009(?) adaption of this book and it was ok, but it just felt really bland.


Anne was ultimately a very boring character who we were told was a reader and had much opinions on things, but really Anne is just a character that doesn’t read a lot and doesn’t have much of a free will thought process. I get it, I really do. Women weren’t aloud to have their own thoughts, but Jane Austen had really shown me in Pride and Prejudice that she can write strong willed and independent characters. The entirety of the Bennet family are feminists in their own way, even Lydia who went against societies norms and fought for what she thought she loved. Or Kitty who had her own opinions, even when Lydia told her what to do.


But in this novel, we didn’t really see any of that strong willed feminism. Of course Jane Austen isn’t going to write every book the same, but Anne felt like she didn’t have that backbone that even Lydia or Kitty or God even Mrs. Bennet could have. She just lacked a personality, and while we did see the pining for Captain Wentworth, that was really the only thing that made me continue following Anne as a character.


I also hated the Elliot’s, a lot. Each and every one of them (albeit Anne Who I just thought was a bit lackluster). If their is one thing that Jane Austen has done to me in Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion it’s that she had persuaded (wink, wink. I’m so punny) me to hate and dislike a lot of her characters. And it’s totally intentionally. And it makes her brilliant. Jane Austen had an idea here. Create a family, similar to the Bennet’s, who only care about class and money. But see with the Elliot’s, Austen ventured out further and made us hate this family entirely more.


The Elliot’s are all annoying, pretentious as fuck, and gave me a headache. But for the Bennet’s, I still enjoyed that aspect of them because the Bennet’s still had redeeming qualities. Even Lydia, Who is...a challenge to like. But with the Elliot’s I found no redeeming qualities. And I find myself praising Austen for this whilst also being annoyed. If I didn’t like Elizabeth, at least I could have fallen back on her family or Mr. Darcy (although I love Lizzie) But here, I didn’t love Anne at all. And I didn’t have her family to fall back on because I didn’t like her family either.


Captain Wentworth was an ok hero, although he can never live up to Darcy. I’m sorry Wentworth stans, The pining in here was the only thing that saved him as a character for me.


Anyways, this was definitely not my favorite classic, but it wasn’t bad if that makes sense. I just will probably never reread this, or at least I won’t until maybe I’m old enough to appreciate it more? I think I’m a little young for Persuasion since these characters are Austen’s oldest and most mature, so maybe when I’m older I’ll give this a reread and see how I feel.


3 stars


* * *


A few days later (in Sponge Bob’s way of saying it ofc)


If their is one thing this book taught me, its that Jane Austen is very very classist.


Still review to come. Abi write a god damn review.



* * *


I really know how to feel about this book. On one hand, I did really enjoy this. On the other, I feel as though Persuasion was rushed, and definitely not Austen at her best. I will continue to think about this, and write a longer review in a few days, but right now this is a 4 star


Review to Come


* * *


Prereading thoughts:

Mr. Darcy is my husband, but will Captian Wentworth become my 2nd? We shall have to wait and find out.

Also, this is my 2nd Jane Austen, and I'm beyond excited!

SPOILERS, BE WARNED also this review does not use big words like other pretty reviews do so uhh be warned


Ladies, gents, and nonbinary peeps, I have done it! I have completed this masterpiece that took me almost a month to read (to be fair though, I was reading books in between this soo?). And damn if it wasn’t one of the best books I’ve ever read.


Wuthering Heights is the revenge story to read. Emily Brontë is an utter genius in so many different ways. She makes you care about her characters even though none of them are even good. In fact all of these characters land on the chaotic evil chart, but I still loved them all.


No I don’t love Heathcliff like many people do. At least...well I love his character for what it is, but not in a romantic way if that makes sense. Heathcliff moves in with the Earnshaws when he’s young and becomes friends with Catherine, the young lady of the house. He’s abused his whole life; emotionally and physically, and when Cathy leaves him, he becomes vengeful and cruel. And he’s so interesting. I feel so bad for the dude, genuinely. Heathcliff is so lonely and vengeful he “curses” Cathy’s daughter (even after Catherine died) and ruins her life. He’s so complex and interesting, and I just want to know what happened in those years he ran off.


And the writing, and the atmosphere is just soo good. Emily Brontë is so utterly genius. She writes a tale so full of despair and heartbreak and makes that the forefront of her novel with her “modern” and complex ideals of feminism sitting in the back row seat. The gothicness, the descriptions, the setting. Ugh so good. I have no idea if Emily Brontë’s sisters write in the same tone, but if they do please let me know. I need more of this writing in my life.


Also no, I don’t agree that this book is romantic. But I still feel as though Heathcliff and Cathy love each other. Their relationship isn’t healthy, in fact it’s so toxic that they actually curse each other after death (I’ll list my favorite quotes in a sec). But you can really tell that Heathcliff and Cathy love each other through the terrible parts of themselves and their relationship, and it breaks my heart that they couldn’t choose each other when the time was right.


Quotes:


“He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”


“If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger.”


And the one that absolutely broke me:

“Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest as long as I am living. You said I killed you--haunt me then. The murdered do haunt their murderers. I believe--I know that ghosts have wandered the earth. Be with me always--take any form--drive me mad. Only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh, God! It is unutterable! I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!”


In conclusion, this is my second favorite book of all time, alongside Pride and Prejudice. I love this with my whole entire heart. I don’t know if this book has ruined me or put me to together but all I know is it’s one of the greatest books ever written. And poor Heathcliff, my heart hurts for him ):


CLOSING NOTE - Don’t buy this edition of this book. It’s so ugly and it’s so hard to read, because they messed up on the spacing of the printing. Buy a prettier edition please.


***


READING THOUGHTS


Still - 22.16%

I’m spending the night at my grandmas house, and I forgot to bring my book

I read this when I was in the 3rd grade. One of my favorite books then, but don’t know how it holds up now