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abinthebooks
DNF at 65%
This just wasn’t my cup of tea, personally. The book was very millennial heavy, and it just wasn’t my thing. Disappointed because I really wanted to love this /:
This just wasn’t my cup of tea, personally. The book was very millennial heavy, and it just wasn’t my thing. Disappointed because I really wanted to love this /:
DNF FOR NOW
There is no way in hell I’ll complete this book before I have to take it back to library tonight. I’m enjoying it, and when it’s available again at my library I’ll pick it back up
There is no way in hell I’ll complete this book before I have to take it back to library tonight. I’m enjoying it, and when it’s available again at my library I’ll pick it back up
I liked the last 40% of this much more than the rest of the book - Review to come
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OG THOUGHTS/first DNF
Imma DNF this, because I'm not feeling this audiobook. I'll come back to the physical version later
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OG THOUGHTS/first DNF
Imma DNF this, because I'm not feeling this audiobook. I'll come back to the physical version later
’”Don’t apologize. Never apologize to me. I want to be that shoulder you need to cry on.” He tapped it. “Go on, use me all you want.”’
This was a really sweet single mom romance, with light enemies-to-lovers and the neighbor trope. I really enjoyed the relationship between our hero Elijah and our heroine Hadley. I loved the way Elijah came around to Hadley and her kids, and fell in love with them slowly and headfirst. He would always do anything for them, and I loved how he admitted his mistakes and prejudices towards her being a single mom, and he became absolutely smitten with Hadley and her kids.
However, I thought the writing was just-for lack of better words-cheesy. There were certain scenes that gave me the ick, and the way the author didn’t allow her heroine (who’s inherently younger than the hero, might I add, like by 9 years I think.) to cuss, and instead gave her phrases like “God Bless America” and shit like that. It was just fucking odd, especially since Hadley is supposed to be written as a mature a single mother of 2, juggling college at the beginning, a full-time job, and her crazy ex-boyfriend. I think the author intended it to be a cute little quirk, but I just found it weird, again because of how young Hadley really is. Even though she’s supposed to be a younger heroine written older, she’s just written young, and she also brings up high school with the hero and he says something along the lines of, “God you’re so young” but is still fully attracted to her?
I don’t know, the writing wasn’t that good. And don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed Harley and Elijah’s relationship, but it just felt weird some of the things the author was writing for their relationship. Also he sucks her milk from her boobs during sex and I also find that…interesting. I didn’t expect a lactation kink to be something I read outside of Ao3 not gonna lie to y’all. Not into that personally, but I guess Elijah definitely was…
So overall, not a terrible book, the writing was just kind wattpady is what I’m trying to say. And I’ve read a lot of self-published books with wattpad-like writing and still gave the book 5 stars, but I was just getting too much ick from this one. Despite all my flaws, I didn’t hate this, but it definitely isn’t one of my new favorites.
➸ 3.5 stars
This was a really sweet single mom romance, with light enemies-to-lovers and the neighbor trope. I really enjoyed the relationship between our hero Elijah and our heroine Hadley. I loved the way Elijah came around to Hadley and her kids, and fell in love with them slowly and headfirst. He would always do anything for them, and I loved how he admitted his mistakes and prejudices towards her being a single mom, and he became absolutely smitten with Hadley and her kids.
However, I thought the writing was just-for lack of better words-cheesy. There were certain scenes that gave me the ick, and the way the author didn’t allow her heroine (who’s inherently younger than the hero, might I add, like by 9 years I think.) to cuss, and instead gave her phrases like “God Bless America” and shit like that. It was just fucking odd, especially since Hadley is supposed to be written as a mature a single mother of 2, juggling college at the beginning, a full-time job, and her crazy ex-boyfriend. I think the author intended it to be a cute little quirk, but I just found it weird, again because of how young Hadley really is. Even though she’s supposed to be a younger heroine written older, she’s just written young, and she also brings up high school with the hero and he says something along the lines of, “God you’re so young” but is still fully attracted to her?
I don’t know, the writing wasn’t that good. And don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed Harley and Elijah’s relationship, but it just felt weird some of the things the author was writing for their relationship. Also he sucks her milk from her boobs during sex and I also find that…interesting. I didn’t expect a lactation kink to be something I read outside of Ao3 not gonna lie to y’all. Not into that personally, but I guess Elijah definitely was…
So overall, not a terrible book, the writing was just kind wattpady is what I’m trying to say. And I’ve read a lot of self-published books with wattpad-like writing and still gave the book 5 stars, but I was just getting too much ick from this one. Despite all my flaws, I didn’t hate this, but it definitely isn’t one of my new favorites.
➸ 3.5 stars
The homoerotic tension between Montag and Captain Beatty was the main theme of this book. But on a serious note, I was bored to tears. Sorry y’all
➸ 3 stars
➸ 3 stars
This was just very cute. I loved the male protagonist, and the female protagonist (Haley) was kinda stupid I'll give you that. Not in a book smart way because she was very book smart, but she wasn't very observant. Usually I don't like books where the only way the plot can go further is if one of the main characters is stupid. In this case I didn't mind at all. I just found this really cute and really sweet. Just a fun, light hearted contemporary! And our male protagonist Martin is BISEXUAL!
Retelling(s) - Mulan
OWN VOICES
Wow, what a ride! This book was phenomenal in so many different ways! I loved everything about this book, and I'm even going to be bold enough to say that this might be on my favorites of 2020! [b:Spin the Dawn|42815556|Spin the Dawn (The Blood of Stars, #1)|Elizabeth Lim|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542674036l/42815556._SY75_.jpg|58477266] was pitched to me (and everyone else), as "Fashion Runway meets Mulan". If that doesn't sound amazing to you in the first place, my question is why?
The first part of the book held up to a Mulan retelling. The second part of this book took an unexpected and great turn. The second part of this book we follow Edan and Maia going on an adventure (I'll talk more about them later).
I mainly picked this book up though for the Mulan retelling aspect. Mulan is in my top 5 Disney Princess, (probably number three, right after the tie between Belle and Rapunzel). I've never actually read a Mulan retelling and my curiosity was piqued. Here's to say, I wasn't disappointed.
We follow a a first person point of view of our main character Maia. Maia's family has fallen on hard times. Her mother died when she was just a girl, and her three brothers are sent off to war. Her father was once one of the best tailors in the land, but now he's a shell of himself. Maia was the only person in her family with the skills for a thread, and needle. But she's a woman, and in her society woman cannot become tailors. As a young girl, her dream was to become the master tailor, the emperors tailor, and all her dreams a crushed until hope arrives at her doorstep. Her father has been called to court, to compete in a series of trails to become the master tailor. Maia knows her father is not fit for the task, and so she takes her fathers place, and poses as her older brother hoping to become the imperial tailor.
THE CHARACTERS
I first want to talk about Maia. Maia is everything I want in a female main character. She's feminist (but so much so that your drowning in feminism), she's brave and strong, and she'll do anything for the people she loves. I loved her. She was such a fun character, and it was so fun spending my time in her head.
I also wanted to talk about Edan, and the romance between him and Maia. Oh my god they are so fucking adorable, I cannot take them! Edan is such a fun, mysterious character, but he isn't your typical "brood" if that makes sense. Sure he's mysterious and secretive, but I just found his character fresh in a way. He was funny, and charismatic and super smart too. I'm going to grace you with some adorable quotes so hold your horses.
“But I would give up the sun and moon and stars if it meant saving him.”
“It was the tale of a boy, too. A boy who could fly but not swim. A boy with the powers of the gods but the shackles of a slave. A boy who loved me.”
AND
“She gave off a little neigh when I reached to touch her cheek. I fell in love with her immediately.
"You like her more than me," Edan pouted.
"That's not hard to do." I petted her mane again; then offered Edan a small smile. "But thank you.”
THE WORLD
Then I want to talk about the world! The world was so damn cool! I loved the magic system, and the certain things, and people who could wield it, plus the backstory of magic and the mythology for the gods and goddesses was so interesting. And the ancient Chinese culture woven in (see what I did there) was just so fun and interesitng,
THE WRITING
Wow the writing in this book was beautiful! [a:Elizabeth Lim|6926374|Elizabeth Lim|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1508017352p2/6926374.jpg] has such a way with words. Her metaphors melded in with her writing was so pretty, and I loved every second of it.
“Seize the wind," I whispered. "Don't become the kite that never flies.”
“Above, the stars faded behind the misty sky, and the sun fanned its light upon us. We melted into each other until the dawn slid into dusk, and the sun paled into the moon, and the stars, once lost, became found again.”
AND
“I'd battled ghosts and touched the stars. I'd climbed a mountain to the moon and conquered the fury of the sun.”
Overall, this book was phenomenal! Definitely check it out if you haven't already. i'm really excited for my copy of [b:Unravel the Dusk|36683940|Unravel the Dusk (The Blood of Stars, #2)|Elizabeth Lim|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1572261457l/36683940._SY75_.jpg|58477276]
* * *
Me after reading this - So how much is the sequel you say? - REVIEW TO COME
OWN VOICES
Wow, what a ride! This book was phenomenal in so many different ways! I loved everything about this book, and I'm even going to be bold enough to say that this might be on my favorites of 2020! [b:Spin the Dawn|42815556|Spin the Dawn (The Blood of Stars, #1)|Elizabeth Lim|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542674036l/42815556._SY75_.jpg|58477266] was pitched to me (and everyone else), as "Fashion Runway meets Mulan". If that doesn't sound amazing to you in the first place, my question is why?
The first part of the book held up to a Mulan retelling. The second part of this book took an unexpected and great turn. The second part of this book we follow Edan and Maia going on an adventure (I'll talk more about them later).
I mainly picked this book up though for the Mulan retelling aspect. Mulan is in my top 5 Disney Princess, (probably number three, right after the tie between Belle and Rapunzel). I've never actually read a Mulan retelling and my curiosity was piqued. Here's to say, I wasn't disappointed.
We follow a a first person point of view of our main character Maia. Maia's family has fallen on hard times. Her mother died when she was just a girl, and her three brothers are sent off to war. Her father was once one of the best tailors in the land, but now he's a shell of himself. Maia was the only person in her family with the skills for a thread, and needle. But she's a woman, and in her society woman cannot become tailors. As a young girl, her dream was to become the master tailor, the emperors tailor, and all her dreams a crushed until hope arrives at her doorstep. Her father has been called to court, to compete in a series of trails to become the master tailor. Maia knows her father is not fit for the task, and so she takes her fathers place, and poses as her older brother hoping to become the imperial tailor.
THE CHARACTERS
I first want to talk about Maia. Maia is everything I want in a female main character. She's feminist (but so much so that your drowning in feminism), she's brave and strong, and she'll do anything for the people she loves. I loved her. She was such a fun character, and it was so fun spending my time in her head.
I also wanted to talk about Edan, and the romance between him and Maia. Oh my god they are so fucking adorable, I cannot take them! Edan is such a fun, mysterious character, but he isn't your typical "brood" if that makes sense. Sure he's mysterious and secretive, but I just found his character fresh in a way. He was funny, and charismatic and super smart too. I'm going to grace you with some adorable quotes so hold your horses.
“But I would give up the sun and moon and stars if it meant saving him.”
“It was the tale of a boy, too. A boy who could fly but not swim. A boy with the powers of the gods but the shackles of a slave. A boy who loved me.”
AND
“She gave off a little neigh when I reached to touch her cheek. I fell in love with her immediately.
"You like her more than me," Edan pouted.
"That's not hard to do." I petted her mane again; then offered Edan a small smile. "But thank you.”
THE WORLD
Then I want to talk about the world! The world was so damn cool! I loved the magic system, and the certain things, and people who could wield it, plus the backstory of magic and the mythology for the gods and goddesses was so interesting. And the ancient Chinese culture woven in (see what I did there) was just so fun and interesitng,
THE WRITING
Wow the writing in this book was beautiful! [a:Elizabeth Lim|6926374|Elizabeth Lim|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1508017352p2/6926374.jpg] has such a way with words. Her metaphors melded in with her writing was so pretty, and I loved every second of it.
“Seize the wind," I whispered. "Don't become the kite that never flies.”
“Above, the stars faded behind the misty sky, and the sun fanned its light upon us. We melted into each other until the dawn slid into dusk, and the sun paled into the moon, and the stars, once lost, became found again.”
AND
“I'd battled ghosts and touched the stars. I'd climbed a mountain to the moon and conquered the fury of the sun.”
Overall, this book was phenomenal! Definitely check it out if you haven't already. i'm really excited for my copy of [b:Unravel the Dusk|36683940|Unravel the Dusk (The Blood of Stars, #2)|Elizabeth Lim|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1572261457l/36683940._SY75_.jpg|58477276]
* * *
Me after reading this - So how much is the sequel you say? - REVIEW TO COME
[b: Cinder|36381037|Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1)|Marissa Meyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1507557775l/36381037._SY75_.jpg|15545385] - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
[b: Scarlet|12296|The Scarlet Letter|Nathaniel Hawthorne|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1404810944l/12296._SY75_.jpg|4925227] - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
[b: Cress|13206828|Cress (The Lunar Chronicles, #3)|Marissa Meyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1470057005l/13206828._SY75_.jpg|18390772] - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s official, I’m obsessed with this series. All I do is think about these characters. I love them so much, each and every one of them. The friendships are so pure, and the romances are great, and I just genuinely love these characters with my whole heart.
Cinder: She’s the OG, she’s what started the revolution and she should be highly more appreciated. She’s also a badass who’s gonna murder her aunt
Kai: A kind of dumb, and highly clueless emperor who’s Cinders love interest, and doesn’t know what to believe, but hey he’s cute so that’s all that matters
Scarlet: A no nonsense, angry badass with a fiery (see what I did their) temper
Wolf: An adorable baby who’s the only one for Scarlett; he’s just a really big softie
[b: Scarlet|12296|The Scarlet Letter|Nathaniel Hawthorne|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1404810944l/12296._SY75_.jpg|4925227] - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
[b: Cress|13206828|Cress (The Lunar Chronicles, #3)|Marissa Meyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1470057005l/13206828._SY75_.jpg|18390772] - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s official, I’m obsessed with this series. All I do is think about these characters. I love them so much, each and every one of them. The friendships are so pure, and the romances are great, and I just genuinely love these characters with my whole heart.
Cinder: She’s the OG, she’s what started the revolution and she should be highly more appreciated. She’s also a badass who’s gonna murder her aunt
Kai: A kind of dumb, and highly clueless emperor who’s Cinders love interest, and doesn’t know what to believe, but hey he’s cute so that’s all that matters
Scarlet: A no nonsense, angry badass with a fiery (see what I did their) temper
Wolf: An adorable baby who’s the only one for Scarlett; he’s just a really big softie
Objectively this isn't the a great book nor is it that well written, but when I tell you I DEVOURED this shit, I ate this up like it was a 10 course meal and I'm not sorry about it