booksonmars's Reviews (670)

the plot is very similar to the previous book, with the repetition of jace Going Through It and in consequence, clary as well. i did like the development in

her and jonathan’s relationship

, and clary’s character development; she’s more confident of her shadowhunter abilities. could not care less about maia/jordan plot, they truly weren’t doing anything with purpose. upon reread i’ve realised this is a very filler book, with stagnant characters and a trickling plot. 

a literary masterpiece, almost like a ballad of the lives and minute emotions of the characters that reside within this book. i only wish i was in the headspace to appreciate it more, but i will definitely return to it.

unflinchingly paints the stark reality of palestinians today, of their families before them and their history between. there are too many favourites, but to list a few: my dreams as a child, request letter, and we are looking for palestine.

this book makes you feel like a cat in a ghibli movie watching the comings and goings of this quiet neighbourhood in the drowsy turning of the seasons. life lessons were learned and characters were loved, i adored this book. 

the historical aspect of the book was more fleshed out than the romace, which isn't a bad thing! you could tell how much research the author put into 19th century mexican politics, which i appreciated. it did mean however, that the romace felt lacklustre at times, although i did find myself cheesing at times. but i'm a hopless romantic, i can get giggly over just about anything. both characters had strong personalities and development; in regards to ana maria, i liked seeing her come out of her shell, find courage to be herself, and mend her relationships with her sisters. the actual 'thriller' part of the plot doesn't really take place until the last hundred pages, and is sorted out quite quickly. all in all, aside from the political research, not much else was developed. 

didn't enjoy this book as much as the previous mainly because there was so much disconnect between each of the characters, spatially and emotionally. overall the plot felt like a backdrop for all the teenage angst going on, which i didn't mind! i did like delving more into simon's pov, and his relationship with jace always makes me laugh. jace and clary are clocked in for their tortured teen love shift, let them breathe and be in love for one second, cassandra! 

i've never read a book that has prose so beautiful, so harrowing, that you forget it's non-fiction. the prose is a tapestry for which the author weaves her sister's journals, letters, and accounts from loved ones, as she attempts for justice of her death. at the end of the book it felt like i had known liliana, as intimately as she was portrayed. if the purpose of this book is to bring her sister's story to light, to capture the essence of her being, how she loved and lived, then the author did a stunning job. 

thoroughly consumed by the plot and pace of this book. it was so much darker than i thought it would be, which i appreciated; you get to see the toll the first book has taken on pip, her relationships and the people around her and in town. the fact that it doesn't continue with a nancy drew vibe and takes the mystery seriously is what had me itching to pick up the book every time i put it down. the last few chapters were riveting and surprisingly really emotional. i'm really excited to see this book adapted in the next season!

first romance book of the year and it hits all the sweet spots (historical, friends to roommates to lovers, workplace romance, grumpy/sunshine, yearning(!!) and a sprinkle of found family)

a searing and sorrowful account of one family amongst the many, and the multitude of stories they contain within. each character felt so real and raw and vivid, because they are real, and the inserts of news articles and real-life books about palestine reinforces this. the book swims seamlessly with the real world timeline, which is why i'd recommend it for someone who wants to know more about palestine's history but feels a bit intimidated by history books. it's tragic and bitter and makes you feel savaged by this family's grief, and the traumas they pass from mother to daughter, sister to brother. but there are also stories and hope and love, and these are carried too. 

in this book they mention how palestinians love differently and more intensely than others because of the world they grew up in (something echoed in enter ghost, one of my favourite reads from last year), and the author makes you feel these emotions on a deeper level too. there is so much pain in this book, and reading this makes it unfathomable how you can even try to argue for zionists. 

for me the writing style did interrupt the flow of the book, switching erratically from first to third person, as if unsure whether to focus on being a multi-generational tale or a bildungsroman following one family member. but i'll never forget the feeling of reading and finishing this book, especially every character written, every story told, representative of the lives of many palestinians currently. remember them, always. free palestine, always.