* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *

I do love me a weird book and this totally fit the bill. I also love books about books, so...bonus! This is a total genre bender and I loved it. A bit historical fiction, a bit mythology, a bit fantasy, a bit thriller, and all of it a lot of fun.

The writing is super ambitious, as is the premise, and I thought it was executed wonderfully. Do not expect this to be a fluff read, as it does require attention and inquisition along the way. The reader does need to be an active participant to glean the full intent.

I read it in the Baroness Sequence, but do want to read it again in the original order. The story is very complex and there are a LOT of characters to keep track of, but the story is still very well-written and intriguing. It feels like a book where pieces are continually found in rereads. I'm still left with a bit of a swimming head and will need at least one reread to feel like I grasp the situation enough.

There is a lot of time jumping and switching of POVs by reading in the Baroness sequence, so those who prefer one POV at a time and a more linear style of story will do better to read it as written. I can see the potential of it being slightly less enjoyable in this way, but not detrimentally so if you keep in mind that the stories are meant to connect. I am glad that I read it in the order I did as I think it helped me weave the story together a bit more solidly.

I loved the weaving of different cultures, historical events, and people. It is such a clever book with atmospheric writing that does not feel overly flowery or inaccessible. It is a monumental work spanning several decades and lifetimes. There is so much at work here that I cannot help but be truly impressed with the intelligence and creativity it must have taken to create. This will be a book that I will be putting on my own bookshelf to enjoy again in the future and I will be looking forward to more of Landragin's work. 

Something of a mix between Grease and West Side Story with a younger protagonist. Fantastic themes of loyalty, family, found families, friendship, and loss. The writing and language choice reflected the voice of the narrator well, but occasional incorrect verb conjugations sometimes rubbed me the wrong way.The character development is somewhat haltingly created, with the majority of the character arcs taking place in the final two chapters. (The author was 16-years-old when she wrote the novel, so I do have to give her great credit for writing so well at such a young age as it is still miles above what a good portion of adult writers are able to accomplish. Her application of teen ideas and thoughts were very well captured.)

The is definitely not my usual style of story, but it was full of good reflective lessons that I think are highly relatable and is still a great choice for teen readers. It is something I definitely should have read earlier. Actual rating 3.5, but rounded up because I think it would have rated higher if I had read it when I was part of the intended audience. 

* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *

After Elias is a flowing and beautiful narrative that captures the whirlwind of emotions that encompass the processing of grief. Coen's character is an enigma that slowly comes clear, his journey being one that is simply heartbreaking. Both Coen and Elias are complex characters with distinct flaws, making them very believable and their actions often relatable.

The book is written in such a way that the narration both reveals and obscures, pulling the reader through the plot as if they are at once an insider and an outsider to the occurrences. This is a unique approach, but so incredibly effective. The feelings of confusion, heartache, fear, anger, and so many more are encapsulated through these types of movements, both pulling the reader in and pushing them away. It's quite masterful and difficult to define. The result is a grand description of the process of healing and working through a very confusing and complex life event.

I felt many emotions throughout my read and it is hard to walk away from the story without some lingering effects. There are moments that caused me pause and reflection of pieces of my own life in the way the best of books do. The writing was highly impressive, especially for a debut novel. Eddy Boudel Tan has an undeniable talent and his upcoming works will be ones to watch.

This was a different kind of read, but I still found myself enjoying it. I read it via audio, which I will say probably enhanced my experience. It helped create additional atmosphere. The writing was really great and the narrative felt like a mix of pulp fiction and literary fiction in its approach. That sounds odd, but it worked quite well. The read was both entertaining and gripping.

The synopsis combination description works well, but for me I would have also included that it had a very Stepford Wives feel to it. The setting is in the 90s, but the husbands as a group are so antiquated and the women are so oppressed that it feels most often like the 50s. There is a LOT of male chauvinism and most of the relationships are dysfunctional. Carter Campbell is a particularly condescending jerk and I hated him. I'm fine with unlikable characters, but there was some serious loathing for this guy.

I will admit that the title is a bit misleading, as has been mentioned by others, but I still enjoyed reading. I went in not really knowing what I was getting and I don't think there was really any way to have been prepared without simply being spoiled. It's fun, a bit spoofy in the narrative, and still enthralling. There is a good combination of humor and creep factor in the writing and the plot in general. The primary characters are magnificently drawn and shine well, but I did find myself getting a little tied up in the particulars of the book club wives and their husbands here and there.

Not my usual kind of read, but I'm definitely glad I gave it a whirl.

This is a great primer for race relations and those looking to improve their own reactions and thoughts regarding racism. It is very accessible and addresses specific issues head-on - also addressing common responses to being called out on racist words and/or actions. It teaches the things to recognize as ingrained racism and how we are all on a constant pathway of learning when it comes to overcoming racism. Highly recommend as a starting point for the journey.

This is a complex study of humanity that I can in no way fully capture through a short review. The Vanishing Half is a slow-moving, languid family history told from the narrated point of view of the Vignes twins, Stella & Desiree, and their daughters, Kennedy & Jude. There are also a couple of minor, though very notable, characters who lend their experiences to some of the narration.

Stella's choice to leave her prior life and live as white-passing is initially the result of financial needs, but there are soon several other factors that weigh in on her decision to maintain that lifestyle. The inclusions of Reese, a transsexual man who becomes Jude's partner, and Barry, an occasional drag queen, allows for the exploration of several different means by which people may feel uncomfortable in their own bodies and how they respond to the societal pressures that come with their personal choices. The narrative weaves through ways in which hiding one's birth identity may result in self-confidence and happiness, but may also either increase or decrease safety and privilege depending on how they are viewed by others. There is a lot more to it than that, but it's the best I can do without writing a multi-page report. It's a very complex and gut-wrenching dissection of humanity.

Bennett's writing is what holds this all together. Yes, the story is an interesting look at race, gender, and bias from a novel view, but it is more impactful because of the way it is told. The language is a combination of lyrical and practical, presenting truth without being overtly aggressive in its demonstration. There are uncomfortable moments along the way, but they are presented in a way that draws the reader in rather than pushing them away. Bennett is able to capture a great cultural exploration from several angles and presents this information through well-crafted and poignant characters.

This is in no way a highly plot driven novel, though there are certainly pieces that are moving and enthralling. The focus on the characters is monumental and being able to "see" inside each of their heads presents a terrifically multi-faceted narrative that sometimes examines the same moments and experience from the flip sides of a coin. A powerful read that has left me thinking.

* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *

4.5 Stars.

I have adored this series from the beginning despite the fact that robots and artificial intelligence are not tropes that I typically enjoy. Kudos to Jay Kristoff for being able to write such a compelling series that I couldn't put it down. He may have opened my eyes to entirely new genre.

This finale to the Lifel1k3 trilogy is a firecracker. The tension kicks in very early on and it's a wild ride from beginning to end. There is a lot of action and a quickly paced plot in this narrative that is both darker and heavier than the two previous books. There is a lot of creativity in the world building. It feels both complex and simple at the same time since everything constructed feels so entirely believable. It's creepy in places, but it completely makes sense.

Aside from the truly gripping action sequences that had me near biting my nails in places, the character development in this novel (and indeed the entire series) is just magnificent. Cricket has been my favorite character to watch from beginning to end. I have a soft place in my heart for him. The character of Eve was so well constructed. Though she does fade away from being a truly central focus in this novel, her character trajectory is captured well and is an incredibly important part of the story. This character arc was both emotional and logical...and both heartbreaking and frustrating to read. Lemon. Oh, Lemon. That girl is tough as nails and so incredibly brilliant and brave. She is one of the most lovable characters in the book and I adored her. Even Faith's character complexity and development was enthralling--blurring the lines of alive and lifelike. So ingeniously written, really.

There were a couple of things with the ending sequences that were left without sufficient information for my liking, but otherwise this was a completely stellar read and the series as a whole was just completely enjoyable. I never would have guessed I'd find myself placing a series about about essentially humanoid robots in my favorite reads of the year, but...here we are. Brilliful.

Angie Thomas has a way with creating wonderfully realistic characters and circumstances. Her characters are well-crafted, with a good mixture of talents and flaws. Her settings are well-described both in their visual characteristics, but also in the human impact they make. Ms. Thomas can take a story and weave it with beauty to describe the imbalances of privilege in a blunt and stripped down way that makes things both accessible and impactful. I love the way she makes everything feel real, as if she was telling a memoir or reading a diary rather than creating contemporary fiction.

Like The Hate U Give, Thomas uses On the Come Up to expose her reader to realistic experiences and prejudices that they may not have even been aware of, let alone experienced, and helps to bridge the racial gap that exists in our world. Nothing feels contrived or imbalanced, nothing feels like simply an agenda. Her writing carries power and intent, but in a heartfelt way that serves to open the eyes of those who have turned away from reality.

The construction of Bri's character is perfect for this story. She is smart and capable, but still retains that teenage immaturity that causes her to be occasionally lax in contemplating the repercussions of her actions. She is rash and temperamental, with the ability to reflect on her mistakes but not always avoid them. Bri is also perfect for showing the divide of prejudice, both in terms of racism and sexism. She has the same attitude and outspokenness of many teens, but faces harsher feedback & consequences because she is Black. She is talented and ambitious, but is not taken seriously and is often assumed to have "help" when it comes to her rapping, rather than being given credit for her skills.

This story is one that needs to be told, needs to be read, and definitely has something important to say. It is beautifully written and gives a strong representation of the biases that need to be worked on in our society. The ending wasn't as powerful as I had hoped for and the book itself did not have the impact of The Hate U Give, but this is still a very good and important read. At this point, I will read anything Angie Thomas decides to put to paper.