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abinthebooks
2 1/2 months later
Now that I think about this book more, and I've read a Darker Shade of Magic, this feels like a YA version of that and I'm kinda low key liking this idea after I sat on it for awhile
***
I haven't wrote a review in a long time so I apologize if I'm a little rusty.
I was super excited for Nocturna. It was one of my most anticipated releases of 2019 and i finally got around to reading it. Here is to say I'm kinda disappointed.
The magic system was confusing in this world for me personally. It took me at least 250 pages to understand what was going on (maybe because I'm an idiot, that could possibly be the case) but I just felt like it didn't make much sense. And after I found out how the magic system worked, I just thought the magic system wasn't all too great.
I also thought this book was a standalone (which was on me for once again, being a literal idiot). The way it was written just felt as though the book was a standalone. Especially the ending (even though the ending kinda sucked which I'm not gonna get into because I'll rant about that for hours)
Will I continue with the series? Possibly? Is that a for sure yes this book was amazing? Absolutely not.
Now that I think about this book more, and I've read a Darker Shade of Magic, this feels like a YA version of that and I'm kinda low key liking this idea after I sat on it for awhile
***
I haven't wrote a review in a long time so I apologize if I'm a little rusty.
I was super excited for Nocturna. It was one of my most anticipated releases of 2019 and i finally got around to reading it. Here is to say I'm kinda disappointed.
The magic system was confusing in this world for me personally. It took me at least 250 pages to understand what was going on (maybe because I'm an idiot, that could possibly be the case) but I just felt like it didn't make much sense. And after I found out how the magic system worked, I just thought the magic system wasn't all too great.
I also thought this book was a standalone (which was on me for once again, being a literal idiot). The way it was written just felt as though the book was a standalone. Especially the ending (even though the ending kinda sucked which I'm not gonna get into because I'll rant about that for hours)
Will I continue with the series? Possibly? Is that a for sure yes this book was amazing? Absolutely not.
DNF
Ok so I started this book today, and Dnf'ed at about 50%. Their is nothing wrong with this book. The characters were fine, the world was ok, the writing was good, but I could give ZERO, NADA, NONE, shits about anyone, anything, or anywhere.
Will definitely try Tara Sims other series though
Ok so I started this book today, and Dnf'ed at about 50%. Their is nothing wrong with this book. The characters were fine, the world was ok, the writing was good, but I could give ZERO, NADA, NONE, shits about anyone, anything, or anywhere.
Will definitely try Tara Sims other series though
I really enjoyed this book, but I think it put me in a reading slump so...
Dnf at about 10%
I feel like I’m not far enough in the book for this too count for my reading goal.
I enjoyed the characters and the story, and I liked Tessa Gratton’s writing, but her world dead really confusing and I just couldn’t get into the book. It sucks because I really wanted to like this one /:
I feel like I’m not far enough in the book for this too count for my reading goal.
I enjoyed the characters and the story, and I liked Tessa Gratton’s writing, but her world dead really confusing and I just couldn’t get into the book. It sucks because I really wanted to like this one /:
*2.75 - rounded to 3
Star Wars Whore rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Star Wars Time Period - First Order/Ben Solo, Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, etc.,
Goodreads rating - ⭐️⭐️.75 (rounded to 3)
Hi, welcome back, today I'm going to be reviewing this book, and also starting a new thing on my Goodreads. If your curious by what I meant of that last statement, let me explain. So I'm a whore for Star Wars. I will be a whore for Star Wars till the day I die, and absolutely nothing will change my love for it. I've decided, every time I read a Star Wars related book, I'll rate it in the 'Star Wars Whore Rating' and add in the time period of Star Wars the book is set. Star Wars Whore Rating means how well the author captured the world of Star Wars, how well they did the characters, and how they explained everything in my taste of writing etc., And Star Wars time period means when and where (if it's a popular planet) the book is set. My Star Wars Whore rating will most likely always be different from my Goodreads rating too. My Goodreads rating is my enjoyment, and my Star Wars Whore rating is how well the author interpreted Star Wars into a different media. Hope that makes sense, because every time I have a new Star Wars book, I'm going to be rating it in my 'Star Wars Whore Rating' system or SWWR
Let's start with my SWHR rating. I really loved how [a: Zoraida Córdova|4824952|Zoraida Córdova|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1586829789p2/4824952.jpg] put Star Wars in a whole different media. She captured it so well! I've actually never gotten around to playing the video game "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" (even though I have wanted to for some time). That's what this book is mainly based off of; Batuu a smugglers planet in the video game. But even though I've never played the game, it doesn't mean I can't comment on how well the author exceeded in making this feel just like a Star Wars movie. I felt the tone I always do when watching Star Wars, and I felt that feeling I get when I watch Star Wars.
The way the author also described things, and made things felt like I was watching one of the films, rather than reading about these characters. The only thing I really have to critique for my SWWR is the lack of light sabers. But I guess I can't really complain to much, because none of our main characters are a Force sensitive or even remotely close to a Jedi so I shouldn't be complaining. But it just missed that extra...thread for me? Idk light sabers are such a HUGE part of Star Wars, and it just wasn't fully complete without them.
Now I'm gonna end with my personal enjoyment, which ended up being the rating I gave for the book on Goodreads. I enjoyed our main characters Izzy and Jules well enough, and I enjoyed the plot, but I didn't love the execution.
I thought this book was going to take place over more than a day, but it didn't, and sometimes I can get past those stories, but this one wasn't believable. I don't like stories that take place over a day. I've not liked one that I've read. And this wasn't an exception. I just couldn't believe this book takes place over a day. Even though the book is under 400 pages (maybe even under 350), so much happens in such a short period of time and I didn't believe it.
And the plot was so SLOW. The Star Wars movies I like the least are the ones with the slowest moving plots (The Phantom Menace, Solo, A New Hope, The Rise of Skywalker - which is not slow but painstakingly stupid. Anyways not the point). And I will agree with myself and say that I don't like Star Wars being slow I'm book form either. Theirs nothing wrong with a slow moving plot, as long as we at least get some action towards the end (it's sci-if I want action). But the action we get was stupid. Like really stupid.
I just thought maybe we'd get like Stormtroopers, and fighting against the First Order, and maybe even the two main characters joining the Resistance, especially because they both seemed lost on what to do with their lives. Alas, we didn't get that.
I will say though that I did really like the romance. Even though it's highly unbelievable, it's good. I don't usually like 'best friends to lovers' but this one, for some reason hit the mark. I think it was because our two main characters were super different from each other, yet they were so similar in so many ways, and that's what really made me like their chemistry.
And no, their isn't anything coherently WRONG with this book, it's a solid book, a lot of the things I complained about are because of my pettiness. Or im better terms, just things I want to knit-pick at.
Overall, this is a very solid read, I just rated it so low mainly because I was bored. I definitely recommend this though if your looking for a Star Wars book that captures the world, and the sci-if aspect very well. (You have been warmed their are no light sabers unfortunately *sad face*).
Star Wars Whore rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Star Wars Time Period - First Order/Ben Solo, Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, etc.,
Goodreads rating - ⭐️⭐️.75 (rounded to 3)
Hi, welcome back, today I'm going to be reviewing this book, and also starting a new thing on my Goodreads. If your curious by what I meant of that last statement, let me explain. So I'm a whore for Star Wars. I will be a whore for Star Wars till the day I die, and absolutely nothing will change my love for it. I've decided, every time I read a Star Wars related book, I'll rate it in the 'Star Wars Whore Rating' and add in the time period of Star Wars the book is set. Star Wars Whore Rating means how well the author captured the world of Star Wars, how well they did the characters, and how they explained everything in my taste of writing etc., And Star Wars time period means when and where (if it's a popular planet) the book is set. My Star Wars Whore rating will most likely always be different from my Goodreads rating too. My Goodreads rating is my enjoyment, and my Star Wars Whore rating is how well the author interpreted Star Wars into a different media. Hope that makes sense, because every time I have a new Star Wars book, I'm going to be rating it in my 'Star Wars Whore Rating' system or SWWR
Let's start with my SWHR rating. I really loved how [a: Zoraida Córdova|4824952|Zoraida Córdova|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1586829789p2/4824952.jpg] put Star Wars in a whole different media. She captured it so well! I've actually never gotten around to playing the video game "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" (even though I have wanted to for some time). That's what this book is mainly based off of; Batuu a smugglers planet in the video game. But even though I've never played the game, it doesn't mean I can't comment on how well the author exceeded in making this feel just like a Star Wars movie. I felt the tone I always do when watching Star Wars, and I felt that feeling I get when I watch Star Wars.
The way the author also described things, and made things felt like I was watching one of the films, rather than reading about these characters. The only thing I really have to critique for my SWWR is the lack of light sabers. But I guess I can't really complain to much, because none of our main characters are a Force sensitive or even remotely close to a Jedi so I shouldn't be complaining. But it just missed that extra...thread for me? Idk light sabers are such a HUGE part of Star Wars, and it just wasn't fully complete without them.
Now I'm gonna end with my personal enjoyment, which ended up being the rating I gave for the book on Goodreads. I enjoyed our main characters Izzy and Jules well enough, and I enjoyed the plot, but I didn't love the execution.
I thought this book was going to take place over more than a day, but it didn't, and sometimes I can get past those stories, but this one wasn't believable. I don't like stories that take place over a day. I've not liked one that I've read. And this wasn't an exception. I just couldn't believe this book takes place over a day. Even though the book is under 400 pages (maybe even under 350), so much happens in such a short period of time and I didn't believe it.
And the plot was so SLOW. The Star Wars movies I like the least are the ones with the slowest moving plots (The Phantom Menace, Solo, A New Hope, The Rise of Skywalker - which is not slow but painstakingly stupid. Anyways not the point). And I will agree with myself and say that I don't like Star Wars being slow I'm book form either. Theirs nothing wrong with a slow moving plot, as long as we at least get some action towards the end (it's sci-if I want action). But the action we get was stupid. Like really stupid.
I just thought maybe we'd get like Stormtroopers, and fighting against the First Order, and maybe even the two main characters joining the Resistance, especially because they both seemed lost on what to do with their lives. Alas, we didn't get that.
I will say though that I did really like the romance. Even though it's highly unbelievable, it's good. I don't usually like 'best friends to lovers' but this one, for some reason hit the mark. I think it was because our two main characters were super different from each other, yet they were so similar in so many ways, and that's what really made me like their chemistry.
And no, their isn't anything coherently WRONG with this book, it's a solid book, a lot of the things I complained about are because of my pettiness. Or im better terms, just things I want to knit-pick at.
Overall, this is a very solid read, I just rated it so low mainly because I was bored. I definitely recommend this though if your looking for a Star Wars book that captures the world, and the sci-if aspect very well. (You have been warmed their are no light sabers unfortunately *sad face*).
*Original rating 3 stars, brought down to 2!*
Hi so sorry I'm a little late into writing hut but oh well. So this graphic novel is about a guy who's parents own a bakery and make him help out, but they decide to hire extra help and that's our love interest. (TBH I can really remember much about this graphic novel, let alone the characters names yikes).
I just didn't love this. I definitely thought I would. It's queer, the art is just
Hi so sorry I'm a little late into writing hut but oh well. So this graphic novel is about a guy who's parents own a bakery and make him help out, but they decide to hire extra help and that's our love interest. (TBH I can really remember much about this graphic novel, let alone the characters names yikes).
I just didn't love this. I definitely thought I would. It's queer, the art is just
Hi so is review is kinda late and I apologize! Without further or do, let's get into it!
This book is following 3 teens called Lucy, Anthony, and George. A epidemic has broken out in Europe many many years ago, and now many people work for ghost hunting agencies, especially if you have 'the sight'. We follow a 1st POV of Lucy working with Anthony (Lockwood) and George, on a case with an angry, dead, woman.
So I'm gonna start my review by saying, I actually think this book might have been better as YA. It's not that I don't like middle grade, in fact whenever I read the genre I usually love it. But I find books sometimes in the middle grade range, that I definitely think would work better as YA books, and this is one of them. Maybe it's because Lucy (our main character) was 14 or 15 years old, or maybe it was because it just felt like it could have been structured better (I think it actually might be both.) And I think this is the reason I didn't give this book a 4 or 5 stars.
This book was solid. I found the writing good, the characters fleshed out, and I enjoyed how Stroud had the first part of the book in the present, and a part of the book in the past. But I just wasn't WOWED but it.
I didn't hate this. Lucy was a really enjoyable character (a no nonsense badass basically), and Lockwood and George were good characters too, I just didn't feel any chemistry between the characters together. Individually they all worked, but in MY (see how I say MY) opinion, they don't really mesh well together.
I also didn't really like ghost story? I don't know what word to use here but I just didn't like the stupid decisions some of the characters made. I know this is middle grade, so it's a "life lesson" type thing, but I've said this before and I'll say it again, "I usually can't get on board with characters being idiots just to further the plot." If that's for you, cool. But it just felt almost forced. Lucy is a 14 or 15 year girl (so roughly my age range) and it almost felt weird that she made the stupid decisions she did, (I know teens make mistakes, I do too. And again it's a middle grade I understands). Especially since she knows the rules of her job, and to what extent she can do things and idk it felt like Lucy was kind of an idiot. But I will give it to her, she did fix her mistakes when they needed fixing so I guessed I enjoyed that.
But that's not to say I didn't like it, it was a pretty average read for me, but I still enjoyed it. The World was actually really cool, and complex in ways, and like I said, I enjoyed the characters, if not together than individually.
Overall though, this felt very ehh for me, and I probably won't be continuing on.
* * *
I enjoyed this but I don't know if I'll continue on REVIEW TO COME
Book 3 for the Reading Rush - Read a book set on a different continent
This book is following 3 teens called Lucy, Anthony, and George. A epidemic has broken out in Europe many many years ago, and now many people work for ghost hunting agencies, especially if you have 'the sight'. We follow a 1st POV of Lucy working with Anthony (Lockwood) and George, on a case with an angry, dead, woman.
So I'm gonna start my review by saying, I actually think this book might have been better as YA. It's not that I don't like middle grade, in fact whenever I read the genre I usually love it. But I find books sometimes in the middle grade range, that I definitely think would work better as YA books, and this is one of them. Maybe it's because Lucy (our main character) was 14 or 15 years old, or maybe it was because it just felt like it could have been structured better (I think it actually might be both.) And I think this is the reason I didn't give this book a 4 or 5 stars.
This book was solid. I found the writing good, the characters fleshed out, and I enjoyed how Stroud had the first part of the book in the present, and a part of the book in the past. But I just wasn't WOWED but it.
I didn't hate this. Lucy was a really enjoyable character (a no nonsense badass basically), and Lockwood and George were good characters too, I just didn't feel any chemistry between the characters together. Individually they all worked, but in MY (see how I say MY) opinion, they don't really mesh well together.
I also didn't really like ghost story? I don't know what word to use here but I just didn't like the stupid decisions some of the characters made. I know this is middle grade, so it's a "life lesson" type thing, but I've said this before and I'll say it again, "I usually can't get on board with characters being idiots just to further the plot." If that's for you, cool. But it just felt almost forced. Lucy is a 14 or 15 year girl (so roughly my age range) and it almost felt weird that she made the stupid decisions she did, (I know teens make mistakes, I do too. And again it's a middle grade I understands). Especially since she knows the rules of her job, and to what extent she can do things and idk it felt like Lucy was kind of an idiot. But I will give it to her, she did fix her mistakes when they needed fixing so I guessed I enjoyed that.
But that's not to say I didn't like it, it was a pretty average read for me, but I still enjoyed it. The World was actually really cool, and complex in ways, and like I said, I enjoyed the characters, if not together than individually.
Overall though, this felt very ehh for me, and I probably won't be continuing on.
* * *
I enjoyed this but I don't know if I'll continue on REVIEW TO COME
Book 3 for the Reading Rush - Read a book set on a different continent
This book was bad. I'm kinda in a graphic novel/comic mood and I checked this our on my library's digital section. Why does this have the Newberry Medal? I genuinely don't understand. And wait for it...it's told in verse (we know how I feel about poetry) but not just any kinda of verse...it's a rap