ceraphimfalls's Reviews (319)

Glorious, warm, magical, and perfect in every way. I have never read a book that tackled identity and personhood with such deft and loving hands. It so often feels like books are outlets for authors to process their own trauma or to wave their therapy graduation certificates (were there such a thing) high in the air and proclaim, "Look at all the trauma I processed!" TVSSOIW did that, but did it without pushing or cajoling or forcing the reader into a place of thunderous emotion. The heart of this story and its characters was sincere, perhaps more sincere than any book I've ever read. This has a home on my forever shelf.

Rarely does a book show you what love is. It will tell you, sure- books TELL stories, after all. But to show you, to know in your heart before the word is even mentioned, that what love means in a glorious way, untethered from romance and obligation... it's a wondrous thing. Axie Oh has created something truly beautiful and heartbreaking and soul-affirming. This will have a forever place in my library.

Maybe I'm too old to click with the trials and tribulations of teens anymore. There were so many scenes describing the "cool" kids that felt disingenuous, more like mother than an outsider observing the chaos. And yet, the descriptions of the "nerds" were even more condescending, like 20 minutes of research could compensate for being passionate. But this isn't THEIR story. The meat of the novel is the story of Anna and her diaries. Now that is clearly where the author felt passion and joy and conviction in her writing. The rising action and the climax outside the Burger King were great- they skipped along and kept you turning pages. But the other three-fifths of the book seemed uncomfortable in its own pages.

Well-written, excellent characterizations, and a villain that made your skin crawl from the very first page. For a male author writing a female main, I was surprised that he did not fall into any patriarchial pits that men writing strong women usually fall into, not just with his main, but with her mentor as well.

This was a difficult book to read given the subject matter, but it was fast paced and held your attention with a vise grip. If you like thrillers and true crime, I'd recommend this. But for me, I need to go get lost in something cozy before my heart beats out of my chest.

Not for me. It repeated itself often, but didn't focus on the important things. Puri was an unlikable heroine. But I will admit to gasping at 2/2 twists. Perhaps because they were the only points of interest in the entire book.

This read like fan fiction I wrote in middle school, and I mean that in the best possible way. At once, it is vibrant and sexy and fun, and alternatively, the emotional centers of the book ring false and melodramatic. It's a good read, but maybe just not my cup of tea.

Read as part of #EkpesBookClub

Cute but repetitive. It seemed like there was a race to meet a deadline at the end, which was rather unfortunate. But it was a fun little romp and it was a good way to get out of my head so early into this hell year.

Whether it is from oversaturation or simply the world we find ourselves living in, I have found it incredibly difficult to read anything about World War II lately. But Sisters of the Resistance, full of heart and poise and truth, has asked me to reconsider the entire historical fiction genre. No small feat. The characters are full and carefully crafted. And unlike many MANY books, it captures the feeling of walking through the cobblestone alleys of Paris. It's a triumph. It's a keeper.

Good prose and a well-paced plot kept me reading a book that, despite its magic, I wasn't enchanted with until the last 100 pages. But my god! What a twist! What twists! Riley and Vaughn felt shallow as main characters, solely defined by their trauma, which left me feeling lukewarm. But Riley's family will be missed. Their scenes had such warmth and kindness- the kind that you find when you feel safe at a sleepover for a first time, when you realize that everyone's family is messed up in one way or another.