alouette's Reviews (258)

what a beautiful book

i was not aware that i had neglected to write a review for this novel? i did it for a school novel project on a whim but ended up loving it, especially the characters :) and the plot was super exciting too! recommend this, and the rest of the Grishaverse.

1.5 stars... i’ll put it on the higher side as a 2 simply because i’m hoping the presumed third installment might make this one worth it. someday.

i loved Carry On, but i wasn’t overhyping Wayward Son (see: i didn’t even get around to reading it until now after getting it from the library a few weeks ago). so, i feel like there’s no way to put the blame of any overblown expectations on the way this book disappointed me. it had adventure, and i found the explanations of magic intriguing, but in the end it was riddled with holes and bad pacing in my eyes. it fell flat without giving us resolutions to anything from the first book that was left to put this one together, the characters were flatter and many of their decisions made little sense to me. obviously the plot was not as grand as Carry On but it still should have been compelling- yet i can firmly say that the only reason i kept reading was because i was at least hoping for some progress in Baz and Simon’s relationship- yet there wasn’t much, if any, of that either. the new characters didn’t really save that lack of depth, and the many of the things that sounded fascinating (see: mountain dragons, or what part of old vampire tradition keeps them from the virtually limitless power of the NextBlood) were never explored while we fumbled through what constituted as the main conflict.

i think there was potential in this interesting “after the happily ever after” idea, but i don’t think it was executed well. “the happy ending isn’t always happy, and it isn’t always the end!” this book told me... and then it offered to explanation as to why other than confusing and flat characterizations, and a rushed plot that never really went anywhere.

absolutely 5 stars. i loved this book and can’t believe i hadn’t heard of it earlier. it’s one of the most emotional novels i’ve ever read. it pulled me in with its many characters and perspectives, with the way it faced the realities of the small towns and the world with heart as well as humor, with despair as well as hope. it also offered introspectives on how humans are so much more complicated than we can seem, to the point where putting the spectrum of humanity into one book seems almost impossible- but the author did a damn good job of it. if there’s one criticism i have, it’s a personal opinion on the glimpses into the future this book offered, in that i am not sure i always enjoyed them. but i also feel like they gave closure to intense and serious issues that required it, so they did have a purpose and certainly don’t take away from my love for this book. and even when i thought they might be giving away too much, the book kept me on my toes, made me think, and subverted expectations with masterful suspense and use of language. 

i regret having not read it sooner, but i am so very grateful that i’ve read it now!

my heart could hardly handle this beauty

this review was only for myself so it’ll make little sense, lol.

Challenger Deep is on a different level on together. not just because the writing is the most brilliant thing i’ve ever read, or because the characters are more real than half the people i know. no, i think it’s most importantly because this book dares to explore, dares to put into words what lies seven miles beneath the surface in the depths of our minds, challenged me to empathize so much i felt like i was there. and i feel like the book took me on a journey of my own, in a copper ship held together by the fragile inner workings of my own mind, echoing that of Caden’s.

4.5/5 stars

long-winded at times, but worth every minute. an interesting and important narrative with good pacing and some beautiful quotes and moments between some complex characters. couldn’t ask for a much better read to kick off 2020.