emmreadsbooks's Reviews (1.28k)

I had so much hope for this book, I really did.

Do I like historical fiction? Uhh no not really. But I do love political intrigue and demons and books with elements of fantasy, so I gave this a shot!

It was horrendously slow, though the grand details provided were great, and I found myself losing interest in the plot. Even further, I stopped caring about Helen and her qualms. Because like... WHY IS SHE HAVING FEELINGS FOR HER COUSIN????

I found the ending anticlimactic and I won't be reading the rest of the series. However if you're a fan of the slow burn and historical fiction, I'd still recommend it to you.

My rating is contingent on this being a *starter* book for understanding racism. This is by no means the end-all-be-all of anti-racism literature. But it did get me thinking about my own biases and those of others.

After reading The Shadows, I was seriously concerned for this book... and all I have to say is the following:

YES YES YES!!

This is the delectable serial killer slow burn mystery that I wanted. I flew through this on a rainy day because I literally COULD NOT put it down. The twists and turns weren't at all predictable (which coming from me, says a lot) and I was *screaming* at the end. This had all the experience of watching a horror film without having to actually watch it.

Overall I absolutely adored this book!

I loved the social commentary within this book, but that's about it. And even then, it was a little too on the nose. Cancel culture is a real thing, especially with doxxing, but giving the masses the right to kill someone??

I thought that Cassie made too many dumb decisions - texting the person whose friendship you've been rejecting your EXACT LOCATION and then being surprised when the mobs show up?? - and by the end of the story, seemed to have learned nothing.

Additionally there weren't any real ramifications for the abusers of The Hive. They figured out this grand conspiracy with the bots and, sure they used it to get Cassie out of her punishment, but that was it. Like... the president is allowed to send a manhunt after her for a simple tweet and get away with it?? Ugh.

This book was so beautifully written and compelling. It follows Claudia, an 8th grader, whose best friend Monday goes missing. And to make matters worse, no one seems to care... As the mystery unravels, you begin to suspect everyone. And the ending??

This is an entrancing work of fiction filled with magical realism and multimedia elements that I adored. It touches on themes of mental illness and codependency, as well as the general bond of friendship. I honestly had issues putting it down each night. I could go on and on about this book, but let me just say this... the easiest 5 ⭐️ rating I’ve ever given.

I found the plot of this book to be compelling, but I had qualms with their treatment of mental illness... It seemed as though everything was explained away with medication and they used her brother's schizophrenia as a method of gaslighting. Ultimately just not a fan of this treatment.

I was so invested in the book, until the ending... The build-up was there, but it was almost like the book pulled the ripcord and flew off in another direction. I should've expected some of this, given that the book is entirely focused on an Agatha Christie seminar, but I thought it was still too far into left field.

After slogging through a bunch of books, I finally hit my stride with My Calamity Jane. This book was a rootin’ tootin’ romp through the Wild West that’ll leave you howling for more. Was it the most historically accurate? No.

Do I care? Also no.

This was the perfect slump ender, and that’s all I could as for.

This book was so beautiful and poignant. Throughout the text, I really felt for Nisha and her family as they struggled to travel from Pakistan to India. The format of the book as a series of journal entries was perfect for the story and helped me get into Nisha's headspace. Honestly I don't know if I'll ever read another book like this.