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aforestofbooks
I cannot express my thoughts coherently.
After reading Blood Water Paint, I knew whatever Joy McCullough wrote next would be a masterpiece, and this did not disappoint. I was expecting a book completely in verse, but I actually really loved how we got chapters of prose in between Marguerite's story. It fit so well with the message of this book, and I have to say, this book is angry. You can feel it in every word, every sentence. I need to go back and honestly highlight the sentences that stuck out to me on the page. You can feel the pain, the exhaustion, the cry for justice and revenge. Everything that Marianne thinks, everything she and her family and friends go through, is so relatable. It had me thinking back on my life, it had me thinking forward. And with everything going on in Pakistan right now too, it felt like the perfect timing to pick this book up.
After reading Blood Water Paint, I knew whatever Joy McCullough wrote next would be a masterpiece, and this did not disappoint. I was expecting a book completely in verse, but I actually really loved how we got chapters of prose in between Marguerite's story. It fit so well with the message of this book, and I have to say, this book is angry. You can feel it in every word, every sentence. I need to go back and honestly highlight the sentences that stuck out to me on the page. You can feel the pain, the exhaustion, the cry for justice and revenge. Everything that Marianne thinks, everything she and her family and friends go through, is so relatable. It had me thinking back on my life, it had me thinking forward. And with everything going on in Pakistan right now too, it felt like the perfect timing to pick this book up.
I knew this book would be hard to read, especially after Monday’s Not Coming, but I still thought I could do it lol. I was wrong. I’m really glad we got trigger warnings because you need them with this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat. It was disturbing, dark, and horrifying. The last 40% really messes with your mind as you’re trying to figure out what’s real and what isn’t. The plot twists though ... I am actually still shocked. I do love how it ends though, and it really highlights how the world silences Black women and their voices and stories.
I AM FINALLY DONE!!
Okay, first off. I really enjoyed this book a lot. Honestly, if it wasn't for school being so hectic and not having time to read, I would have finished this in a few days. But despite that, I really loved this book.
I don't know how else to describe this book except that it is very very strange, unique, and whimsical. And this combination makes for a very entertaining read. I'm honestly so impressed with the details and the world-building, especially considering this book is a standalone. I loved the setting and the whole concept of the Booksellers, and I honestly wish I could visit the Old Bookstore because it sounds like a dream come true.
Merlin was probably my favourite character. I totally imagine him as Klaus from The Umbrella Academy the entire time. The underlying romance actually didn't annoy me at all. It was kind of cute and not too distracting from the plot.
Susan as a character felt very realistic to me. She's quite passive through most of the book and has no idea what is going on, but I didn't mind that much. The story and the plot really carried this book, and while the end did tie up quite nicely and almost too perfectly, I didn't mind. This whole book just has a very cool vibe and you kind of get sucked in for the ride.
Highly recommend!
Okay, first off. I really enjoyed this book a lot. Honestly, if it wasn't for school being so hectic and not having time to read, I would have finished this in a few days. But despite that, I really loved this book.
I don't know how else to describe this book except that it is very very strange, unique, and whimsical. And this combination makes for a very entertaining read. I'm honestly so impressed with the details and the world-building, especially considering this book is a standalone. I loved the setting and the whole concept of the Booksellers, and I honestly wish I could visit the Old Bookstore because it sounds like a dream come true.
Merlin was probably my favourite character. I totally imagine him as Klaus from The Umbrella Academy the entire time. The underlying romance actually didn't annoy me at all. It was kind of cute and not too distracting from the plot.
Susan as a character felt very realistic to me. She's quite passive through most of the book and has no idea what is going on, but I didn't mind that much. The story and the plot really carried this book, and while the end did tie up quite nicely and almost too perfectly, I didn't mind. This whole book just has a very cool vibe and you kind of get sucked in for the ride.
Highly recommend!
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What do I even say? I wish I had this book when I was a little girl. It perfectly captures so much of my life. Being a Pakistani immigrant, growing up in Western society, visiting Pakistan and experiencing the culture shock... It was just SO GOOD.
I mainly picked up this book because one of the main characters is named Sakina. This is the second book I've read this year with a character who has the same name as me. I never thought the day would come that I'd get to experience that. Sakina's story absolutely broke my heart. I might be biased, but she also quickly became my favourite character. She's so selfless and kindhearted. She always puts others before herself, and the guilt she feels at trying to follow her dreams and disappointing her parents in the process was waay too relatable.
There are so many good family and friendship moments. It made my normally cold heart so happy, and I almost cried multiple times. I loved following Mimi on her journey of trying to find her father, and watching as it strained her relationship with her mom. I will admit, Mimi's grandmother annoyed me a lot, but I do like the character development we see with her character. The ending was so sweet and perfect and also bittersweet. I'm really glad we got a satisfying ending.
Overall, cannot recommend enough!
I mainly picked up this book because one of the main characters is named Sakina. This is the second book I've read this year with a character who has the same name as me. I never thought the day would come that I'd get to experience that. Sakina's story absolutely broke my heart. I might be biased, but she also quickly became my favourite character. She's so selfless and kindhearted. She always puts others before herself, and the guilt she feels at trying to follow her dreams and disappointing her parents in the process was waay too relatable.
There are so many good family and friendship moments. It made my normally cold heart so happy, and I almost cried multiple times. I loved following Mimi on her journey of trying to find her father, and watching as it strained her relationship with her mom. I will admit, Mimi's grandmother annoyed me a lot, but I do like the character development we see with her character. The ending was so sweet and perfect and also bittersweet. I'm really glad we got a satisfying ending.
Overall, cannot recommend enough!
okay, this was really something. As a phlebotomist myself, I really appreciated the research that went into this, though Willa is like 100x more experienced than me. There is no way I could ever attempt a vein-to-vein transfusion, though it sounds very cool. The definitions at the start of every chapter were so fun, especially since they correlated so well with my pathology class this semester; it was like studying, but a lot more entertaining.
The whole concept of this book is very unique from other dystopians I've read, and I really enjoyed it. It definitely took a lot of turns I wasn't expecting, and there are parts of this book that are a little disturbing and made me nauseous, and that's coming from someone who deals with blood for a living.
There were some descriptions that went over my head, though considering this is sci-fi/dystopian, that tends to happen. The last bit of the book, so much happened all at once. The ending definitely had me on the edge of my seat. I'm curious to see if we'll get a sequel. I imagine it'll be bloodier than this one if we do.
Thank you to Angry Robot Books for sending me a finished copy for review! 3.5/5 stars
The whole concept of this book is very unique from other dystopians I've read, and I really enjoyed it. It definitely took a lot of turns I wasn't expecting, and there are parts of this book that are a little disturbing and made me nauseous, and that's coming from someone who deals with blood for a living.
Spoiler
I'm just not a fan of drinking it, is all I'll sayThere were some descriptions that went over my head, though considering this is sci-fi/dystopian, that tends to happen. The last bit of the book, so much happened all at once. The ending definitely had me on the edge of my seat. I'm curious to see if we'll get a sequel. I imagine it'll be bloodier than this one if we do.
Thank you to Angry Robot Books for sending me a finished copy for review! 3.5/5 stars
How do I review this? It’s creepy, messed up, and so disturbing I literally had to put my kobo down at one point to fully digest what I was reading. I was terrified and horrified and I wanted to strangle multiple characters constantly. Noemí honestly has a lot of patience to put up with Virgil and Florence because I would have gone on a murdering rampage maybe two days into living at High Place and I’m normally a very calm human. I don’t want to say much else because it’s best to go in not knowing anything. I had only heard this book was very good, creepy, and something about mushrooms. I’m very glad I don’t like mushrooms. If mushrooms are your favourite food, maybe don’t read this book
What can I say that’ll do this book justice? It was beautiful. I haven’t read many books written in third person present, but it fit this story so well. There’s just something about the writing, the pacing, the word choice that completely transports you into Addie’s life. And I don’t think I would have felt the same way if this was written in any other way.
This book is definitely slow-paced, and builds up over time. But I think it’s the best way to tell this story too. I just wish I had had more time to read so I could have read this over the span of a few days instead of a couple weeks. I still enjoyed it a lot, but definitely the whole mood of the book was a bit too spread out because of it.
I actually really love what VE Schwab did with Luc’s character. He sort of gave me Darkling vibes lol and while I really hated the relationship we get with Alina and the Darkling, Luc and Addie’s relationship was more dynamic and interesting. I also felt like Addie was a more complex character overall, and it made me feel for her a lot more.
Henry though. Wow. I think we’re all a little bit of Henry. The pain and hopelessness he feels was just so real. I think he became my favourite character because of how much he struggled getting by every single day. He’s so kind and thoughtful and everything Addie needed. And Addie was everything he needed too. Their relationship was perfect and despite how quickly it develops it fit and flowed so well I don’t have any complaints.
Nearing the end of the book, I was a bit worried I wouldn’t like the way things were headed. I was expecting things to end a different way, but then when I realized they wouldn’t, I was very sad because Henry (*cries*) but those last few paragraphs were very good. Overall, a nice conclusion to an incredible book.
This book is definitely slow-paced, and builds up over time. But I think it’s the best way to tell this story too. I just wish I had had more time to read so I could have read this over the span of a few days instead of a couple weeks. I still enjoyed it a lot, but definitely the whole mood of the book was a bit too spread out because of it.
I actually really love what VE Schwab did with Luc’s character. He sort of gave me Darkling vibes lol and while I really hated the relationship we get with Alina and the Darkling, Luc and Addie’s relationship was more dynamic and interesting. I also felt like Addie was a more complex character overall, and it made me feel for her a lot more.
Henry though. Wow. I think we’re all a little bit of Henry. The pain and hopelessness he feels was just so real. I think he became my favourite character because of how much he struggled getting by every single day. He’s so kind and thoughtful and everything Addie needed. And Addie was everything he needed too. Their relationship was perfect and despite how quickly it develops it fit and flowed so well I don’t have any complaints.
Nearing the end of the book, I was a bit worried I wouldn’t like the way things were headed. I was expecting things to end a different way, but then when I realized they wouldn’t, I was very sad because Henry (*cries*) but those last few paragraphs were very good. Overall, a nice conclusion to an incredible book.
~2022 Reread~
This was just as good on reread. The lovers to enemies to lovers was pretty great, though 2020 Sakina could tolerate love confessions in the middle of chaos, 2022 Sakina is too tired and not as big of a fan of that trope (dropped half a star on reread so 4.5/5), but it was still good and cute and I love Roma. He's so soft and precious. I can't wait to finally pick up the next book.
***
Hi, this was so good that I don’t have words to explain how I feel.
I’ve never been so completely enthralled by a plot and world building. I just adkslskff everything was done so well. The writing was beautiful and descriptive. Apparently Chloe Gong is younger than me and I’m honestly impressed by her skills. The amount of research and time it would have taken to create such a realistic, tangible world is just amazing. The plot kept me on my toes. The relationship ahhshhjskd THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL ENEMIES TO LOVERS. Most people can’t do this well enough to make me ship two characters, but Chloe Gong did it and I love her for it. I also finally understand why people want certain characters to step on them because J U L I E T T E is just wow. Also, how nice is it to have a couple where the woman is more badass than the man??!! Like the end there...mind blowing. Roma could never, but he’s a softie so I like him anyway. I’m also not smart and didn’t realize what exactly Juliette did because I was just in awe at everything and I want more so badly. The tension between the communists and the nationalists was very interesting and I love how this reads like a historical fiction in a way. I don’t know much about Shanghai but it’s cool to learn a little about the history. I would like the next book immediately. So glad I purchased a copy of this for myself. I’m going to go now and think about the masterpiece this book is.
This was just as good on reread. The lovers to enemies to lovers was pretty great, though 2020 Sakina could tolerate love confessions in the middle of chaos, 2022 Sakina is too tired and not as big of a fan of that trope (dropped half a star on reread so 4.5/5), but it was still good and cute and I love Roma. He's so soft and precious. I can't wait to finally pick up the next book.
***
Hi, this was so good that I don’t have words to explain how I feel.
I’ve never been so completely enthralled by a plot and world building. I just adkslskff everything was done so well. The writing was beautiful and descriptive. Apparently Chloe Gong is younger than me and I’m honestly impressed by her skills. The amount of research and time it would have taken to create such a realistic, tangible world is just amazing. The plot kept me on my toes. The relationship ahhshhjskd THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL ENEMIES TO LOVERS. Most people can’t do this well enough to make me ship two characters, but Chloe Gong did it and I love her for it. I also finally understand why people want certain characters to step on them because J U L I E T T E is just wow. Also, how nice is it to have a couple where the woman is more badass than the man??!! Like the end there...mind blowing. Roma could never, but he’s a softie so I like him anyway. I’m also not smart and didn’t realize what exactly Juliette did because I was just in awe at everything and I want more so badly. The tension between the communists and the nationalists was very interesting and I love how this reads like a historical fiction in a way. I don’t know much about Shanghai but it’s cool to learn a little about the history. I would like the next book immediately. So glad I purchased a copy of this for myself. I’m going to go now and think about the masterpiece this book is.