Another Kasie West book.

I don’t know why I continue to read them. Maybe it’s the fact that their light-hearted and fun, maybe it’s the fact that the writing is easy to get through, maybe it’s because the storylines are fun and cheesy, or maybe it’s because I eat up cheesy romances.

But this was an absolute disappointment.

Not that I was expecting much. West’s books don’t really do anything for me, and often times I forget her books, but I just needed a cheesy and fun contemporary. And, for some reason I’m reading all her books. (Even trying to reread Love, Life, and the List for some god awful reason?) But, this just wasn’t it.

Autumn annoyed me. I was annoyed with her character the whole time. The anxiety representation was awful. I have severe anxiety, and it was almost like Autumn could turn off her anxiety as she pleases (which by the way, isn’t have anxiety works

I really liked this Kasie West book. I think this is the 6th or 7th one I’ve read by her, and it’s the 3rd one I’ve really enjoyed. I really liked the way this book deals with real world topics, and topics I (and probably other teenagers) could really connect with.


Our MC Sophie always had fears of never being enough or no being good enough even though she had big dreams and ambitions and it was something I highly related to. I think Sophie could be annoying at times because she was a very prideful, cynical and stubborn MC, but that also made me like her a lot to because I saw myself in Sophie.


I also really liked Andrew because I felt like I could connect with his fears of never speaking up. His fear of commitment and his reasonings for not having any friends were so relatable it was a bit embarrassing lmao.


There were a few things I was bothered by, like the fact that it felt like the relationship between Sophie and her mother was glossed over, and the relationship between Andrew and his father was also glossed over. Sophie’s mom was continuously a shitty parent; she left her 10 year old child at home forgetting to hire supervision, taking extra shifts at work for no reasons at all, and laughing at Sophie every time she said she wanted to be more than the town she lived in. Andrew’s father was an absolute dick and he seemed mildly emotionally abusive, and the only one who seemed to realize this was Sophie.


Mica also got on my nerves at times, but I really like the way she developed as a character, and the ways she realized the wrongs of ideals. So Mica’s not something I would exactly complain about.


But anyway, I really could connect with these characters struggles and I really liked all the character development. Sophie and Andrew’s relationship and dynamic was entirely believable as well. However, I completely understand why this has such a low rating on here since I did think the MC’s would be annoying to people who didn’t relate to them. The plot was also a bit repetitive, but overall for me, this was a book that was definitely worth reading.


4 stars


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FIRST DNF - NOVEMBER 2020


Can't will myself to pick this up, will continue it at some point soon

Well, I was not emotionally prepared for how much that would hurt me. That really broke my heart into a million tiny pieces. Besides the fact I’m crying right now, this really explained a lot of gaps between the Jedi temple and Ben becoming Kylo Ren and I’m really intrigued to continue on with this because it was really good. The art was also incredible, and I’m really excited to read more about Kylo Ren/Ben Solo because he was the only character in the new sequels that I can confidently say I love with my whole heart

DNF FOR NOW


I’m just gonna DNF this for now and pick it up again sometime soon. Just not feeling it atm

DNF @ about 50%


I think I’m just gonna let this series go, I’m not liking this book or the stupid love triangle drama. Sorry Zayne, ur boring

Ok so, this book didn’t really feel like a conclusion. I feel like this series could be so many more books and add onto the world and characters so much more, but Schwab just chose a trilogy (which is understandable). That being said, I still thought this was really enjoyable to read. I love Cassidy and Jacob, and Lara is such a fun character too. I just think this book wrapped up far to quickly, and we could have had a bit more expansion. I definitely don’t think Schwab will be writing more for this trilogy in the future, but I personally think it would add so much more.


Anyways, this is my 2nd favorite book in this series, and it’s probably the most dark out of the last 2. Bridge of Souls discusses slavery, New Orleans bloody history (which btw, loved that part. New Orleans has so much interesting and dark history), the LaLaurie Mansion and the backstory behind it (something also very morbidly interesting in my opinion). This book felt rich with culture, and it was nice Schwab took the time out of day to research New Orleans as a city.


The villain was pretty solid for a middle grade series, and I liked the way the villain was hard to kill / get rid of. It was realistic, and while the ending felt just a bit artificial in the sense it was a bit too happy (and we could definitely have more books, ok I’ll shut up about that point now, I promise) I still really enjoyed the villain ending aspects.


Yeah, overall, this was very enjoyable and I really can stand by this series. City of Ghosts was kinda a rough start, but Tunnel of Bones and Bridge of Souls really hit that mark for me. This is the only series I’ve read by Schwab I’ve avidly enjoyed, and I’m definitely interested to pick up her younger books (middle grade & YA)z

So this book took me about a month to read, and the writing was super cringey. I think the research that went into this book (combined with alchemical theory and philosophy) was very admirable, however I don’t think Harkness is the best writer. Some of her dialogue just doesn’t sit right, and character interactions (especially important ones) often time made me feel next to nothing at all. Characters were introduced and not seen again, and this was largely due to characters being merely plot conveniences. Another thing that bothered me was largely the central couple. You know those couples that you see/saw in the hallway at school that are just so attached and clingey with their uncomfortable displays of public affection? Basically the ones that make you wanna gag? That’s Diana and Matthew for you.


Despite all of these problems, for some reason I actually enjoyed reading this and I will probably be reading the sequel. (Although I kinda wish the plot stuck around the Salem Witch Trials because I thought that was the most interesting part of this). I’m kinda interested to see what Harkness will twist into the plot with book 2 after the semi-cliffhanger we got at the end of A Discovery of Witches.

Boring. That’s it, that’s all I have to say.

RTC



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Nerdy enemies-to-lovers with a competitive streak? I kinda need this now