eisenbuns's Reviews (368)

Clarification: 3.5 Stars

I've never read Seanan McGuire before, and I'm very glad to say that I have now! There was a lot about this book/novella that quite frankly, I didn't enjoy. I don't think it was well-paced. I felt like it tried to encapsulate too much for the format, and at times it felt preachy. Sometimes the tone was off. All of that to say, I think that in the moments McGuire got it right, she got it right. Some of her dialogue was incredibly profound, nearly moving me to tears more than once. I loved the language of this book, even if the story itself was predictable and contrived.

My favorite aspect of Jenny Han's trilogy so far is how she really captures these little nuanced discoveries often lost in growing up. I usually roll my eyes at love triangles, but I can see the purpose in this one. I didn't mind it. I have enjoyed reading Lara Jean growing to understand that the world is not only her own perspective, and that can be a painful thing to learn. I've also enjoyed seeing her discover the small ways she can demonstrate power and her own agency.

I genuinely think this series would be beneficial for adolescents to read as they navigate these waters themselves. Jenny Han is on to something special here.

I don't have enough good things to say about this book. Easily the most accessible Science-Fiction I've ever read and likely the most enjoyable. It was a treat for the left part of my brain that doesn't get a lot of stimulation these days, mostly from a lack of confidence in the science department.