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I liked the feisty, brat main character, and loved the concept of a gym run by Doms (oh Lord, if only I could have one, my life would change forever).
I expected nite steam, though, and found it slightly too easy, but then it's a novella, so it's ok
I expected nite steam, though, and found it slightly too easy, but then it's a novella, so it's ok
Here's a list of the things I loved:
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- a woman who takes care of her pleasure on a regular basis ("she took one-handed reading very seriously" thank you thank you!) and in unexpected places
- curvy and sassy woman
- Santa Claus' taste (
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- a woman who takes care of her pleasure on a regular basis ("she took one-handed reading very seriously" thank you thank you!) and in unexpected places
- curvy and sassy woman
- Santa Claus' taste (
If you grabbed Beach read, like me, because you expected something easy, and fun, and light-hearted because of the cover, you may have been put off balance, as I was.
Meet Augustus, a literary writer with some dramatic past, and January, a romance writer who used to believe in HEA until some truth was to be discovered. The two meet, and make a deal: they have to write each other's genre.
The writing style is richly humorous and clever, the concept is engrossing, but the story itself wasn't. I quit twice before reaching the 50% of the book and finally get the rhythm I needed to be pushed forward.
The characters are real, they way they interact, the banter and how they approach to each other is great. And there are a few awesome points on "Women's fiction" vs "Fiction", aka Hello patriarchy, which I'm totally into.
I just expected a different pace, probably.
Meet Augustus, a literary writer with some dramatic past, and January, a romance writer who used to believe in HEA until some truth was to be discovered. The two meet, and make a deal: they have to write each other's genre.
The writing style is richly humorous and clever, the concept is engrossing, but the story itself wasn't. I quit twice before reaching the 50% of the book and finally get the rhythm I needed to be pushed forward.
The characters are real, they way they interact, the banter and how they approach to each other is great. And there are a few awesome points on "Women's fiction" vs "Fiction", aka Hello patriarchy, which I'm totally into.
I just expected a different pace, probably.
Oh the sweetness overload. This sure is a page turner, with all ups and downs of these two adorable ppl I flew through it.
Will be back with details later on
Will be back with details later on
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I picked Akata Witch not only bc I had read Binti by the same writer, and loved it, but bc I remember they sold it as the Nigerian Harry Potter, and in a way there are several elements that lean in such direction
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Sunny is the USA-born, moved to Nigeria albino girl who discovers she has magical abilities she wasn't aware of, and who bonds with two ppl, a show off girl and a responsible boy. Thus the trio is set to deal with some old evil (our he-who-must-not-be-named). There's a sort of Diagon alley to be reached stepping on a dangerous bridge; witch and wizards are Leopard people (be the Lambs); there are no wands but Juju knives and no quidditch but proper football and wrestling.
.
However, these are elements consistent of all magical, coming of age stories (magical tools, borders, we/them, friendship and big enemy) so I wouldn't say Akata Witch can't but live in HP shadow, it definitely has its own worth, its own originality and its very peculiarities.
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I loved the sort of earthy grain to it, might be the weird curses, the all too real familial ties, or just the familiar references, but I really felt the location and the relations between characters. In some moments it's unexpectedly cruel, and the characters unexpectedly vicious and arrogant (And I'm talking about the trio of MC)
.
Recommend it
.
Sunny is the USA-born, moved to Nigeria albino girl who discovers she has magical abilities she wasn't aware of, and who bonds with two ppl, a show off girl and a responsible boy. Thus the trio is set to deal with some old evil (our he-who-must-not-be-named). There's a sort of Diagon alley to be reached stepping on a dangerous bridge; witch and wizards are Leopard people (be the Lambs); there are no wands but Juju knives and no quidditch but proper football and wrestling.
.
However, these are elements consistent of all magical, coming of age stories (magical tools, borders, we/them, friendship and big enemy) so I wouldn't say Akata Witch can't but live in HP shadow, it definitely has its own worth, its own originality and its very peculiarities.
.
I loved the sort of earthy grain to it, might be the weird curses, the all too real familial ties, or just the familiar references, but I really felt the location and the relations between characters. In some moments it's unexpectedly cruel, and the characters unexpectedly vicious and arrogant (And I'm talking about the trio of MC)
.
Recommend it
*UPDATE* I re-read only the couple-related scenes, and I had to fix my previous rating.
I loved Duane even more the second time around: the epitome of broodiness, a hint of self-righteousness, and his whole gentleman-ness (plus I'm a sucker for fast cars). I loved Jess, her quirkiness and the way she had to spill everything out. Mostly, I really appreciated the whole process that got them from the first "misunderstanding" through the first "real" encounter in the forest to the garage, the picnic, her house etc, I liked how the stereotype was turned upside down (with Duane wanting to know and be known in a new light, and Jess all hot and bothered) and I liked how gradually Jess' feelings shifted and focused, how she got to realise what she really felt for Duane. I've never been a big fan of friends-to-lovers, but this is done really well, especially because it goes through an enemy-to-lovers phase, and their banters are glorious.
I still think most of the secondary plot (aka the auntie/mother twist) was an unnecessary drama, and if I had read the whole book again, I would have felt probably the same way as last year, but focusing on the relationship alone, Truth and Beard definitely deserves 4 stars
***
I loved Duane, and the start, BUT too much unnecessary drama, I suffered way too much for a romance (ok, I'm very much the emotional one, and feel for everything) but still, I like my night reads to be more lighthearted
I loved Duane even more the second time around: the epitome of broodiness, a hint of self-righteousness, and his whole gentleman-ness (plus I'm a sucker for fast cars). I loved Jess, her quirkiness and the way she had to spill everything out. Mostly, I really appreciated the whole process that got them from the first "misunderstanding" through the first "real" encounter in the forest to the garage, the picnic, her house etc, I liked how the stereotype was turned upside down (with Duane wanting to know and be known in a new light, and Jess all hot and bothered) and I liked how gradually Jess' feelings shifted and focused, how she got to realise what she really felt for Duane. I've never been a big fan of friends-to-lovers, but this is done really well, especially because it goes through an enemy-to-lovers phase, and their banters are glorious.
I still think most of the secondary plot (aka the auntie/mother twist) was an unnecessary drama, and if I had read the whole book again, I would have felt probably the same way as last year, but focusing on the relationship alone, Truth and Beard definitely deserves 4 stars
***
I loved Duane, and the start, BUT too much unnecessary drama, I suffered way too much for a romance (ok, I'm very much the emotional one, and feel for everything) but still, I like my night reads to be more lighthearted
