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Despite the rating I did actually enjoy this a lot, but there were enough flaws to bring it down to a lower rating.
I don't have the time or patience to full review, so...
I loved the history (of course) and it definitely angers me at how much of it is left out of textbooks. Although, I felt that the book gave sympathy, perhaps, toward the concept of hiding history in order to protect reputation. While the characters choose to show what really did happen many years before under the threat of losing their stellar reputation, there was a sense that hiding it would be okay. I feel that hiding it would never be okay.
As well, I struggled with the writing, which felt childish at times, and very cliche especially regarding the romances (insta-love!)
The characters were easy to connect to, though, with few inconsistencies. I greatly enjoyed reading both halves of the story, whether it be Mei Lien's part or Inara's part. It's not often that I enjoy both parts of a dual narrated book equally, especially when they're not physically connected.
-Book Hugger
I don't have the time or patience to full review, so...
I loved the history (of course) and it definitely angers me at how much of it is left out of textbooks. Although, I felt that the book gave sympathy, perhaps, toward the concept of hiding history in order to protect reputation. While the characters choose to show what really did happen many years before under the threat of losing their stellar reputation, there was a sense that hiding it would be okay. I feel that hiding it would never be okay.
As well, I struggled with the writing, which felt childish at times, and very cliche especially regarding the romances (insta-love!)
The characters were easy to connect to, though, with few inconsistencies. I greatly enjoyed reading both halves of the story, whether it be Mei Lien's part or Inara's part. It's not often that I enjoy both parts of a dual narrated book equally, especially when they're not physically connected.
-Book Hugger
very very good aside from calf muscles like sacks of animals (i kid you not) and some boring patches. i'm not reviewing this bc it was for school and i am lazy.
-book hugger
-book hugger
I really loved this!! I think I was hoping for a little bit more from it, but otherwise it was really good and sweet :) I'm excited for the sequel whenever that comes around!!
Book Hugger
Book Hugger
Disclaimer: I have not read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley nor have I seen any movie adaptations of it. I have a general idea of the story based off what the media has said, so that's what I'm going by. I do not intend to review based on the accuracy of the retelling.
Onto the review...
I picked up this ARC at Comic-Con, which was really exciting for two reasons: 1-It's a major YA release this year and 2-It's a major YA release this year from one of my favorite authors, who also signed it. Needless to say, I had high expectations.
Unfortunately, this didn't really meet them. Obviously I enjoyed it because I wouldn't have rated it so high, but the first half was regretfully boring. I think the pacing was off a bit; things didn't seem to happen when they felt like they should have. Elizabeth finds out something really important to the story within the last part and that's when the action really picks up. The first fifty pages or so are spent looking for Victor, and that wasn't really exciting. I think it would have been better off starting when she found Victor.
However, the writing, of course, was amazing and well-done for the era, and the character development was the book's strong-suit. I shouldn't have expected anything less considering Kiersten White wrote this, queen of character development in The Conquerer's Saga. I started off disliking Elizabeth because she let men roll all over her, but she grows into this strong woman with a "don't need no man" attitude by the end. I fell in love with Elizabeth for this.
Victor, on the other hand, was the subject of a plot-twist that killed me. I was expecting it, but at the same time, was in denial because I really liked him. Honestly, knowing the story of Frankenstein, this wasn't much of a plot twist, but it still felt like one coming from Elizabeth's POV.
Anywho, I don't recommend this over The Conquerer's Saga, but it's also very different. I recommend it for fans of horror, even if it's not all that frightening. It has an...eerie...nature to it.
-Book Hugger
http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com
Onto the review...
I picked up this ARC at Comic-Con, which was really exciting for two reasons: 1-It's a major YA release this year and 2-It's a major YA release this year from one of my favorite authors, who also signed it. Needless to say, I had high expectations.
Unfortunately, this didn't really meet them. Obviously I enjoyed it because I wouldn't have rated it so high, but the first half was regretfully boring. I think the pacing was off a bit; things didn't seem to happen when they felt like they should have. Elizabeth finds out something really important to the story within the last part and that's when the action really picks up. The first fifty pages or so are spent looking for Victor, and that wasn't really exciting. I think it would have been better off starting when she found Victor.
However, the writing, of course, was amazing and well-done for the era, and the character development was the book's strong-suit. I shouldn't have expected anything less considering Kiersten White wrote this, queen of character development in The Conquerer's Saga. I started off disliking Elizabeth because she let men roll all over her, but she grows into this strong woman with a "don't need no man" attitude by the end. I fell in love with Elizabeth for this.
Victor, on the other hand, was the subject of a plot-twist that killed me. I was expecting it, but at the same time, was in denial because I really liked him. Honestly, knowing the story of Frankenstein, this wasn't much of a plot twist, but it still felt like one coming from Elizabeth's POV.
Anywho, I don't recommend this over The Conquerer's Saga, but it's also very different. I recommend it for fans of horror, even if it's not all that frightening. It has an...eerie...nature to it.
-Book Hugger
http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com
No full review because I don't remember enough (whoops). I think that's part of the issue though, is that this book frankly isn't that memorable. I did enjoy it while reading it, but something was missing (I can't place my finger on what). I wasn't connected to the plot, maybe, even though I did feel connected to the characters. It was a good, feminist book, but not a new favorite.
Also, there was a lot of telling and not a lot of showing, which, tsk tsk, is something drilled in my head from English classes.
book hugger
http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com
Also, there was a lot of telling and not a lot of showing, which, tsk tsk, is something drilled in my head from English classes.
book hugger
http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com
Grace and Fury was an ARC I picked up at Comic-Con because one of the publishing companies was handing out a stack of them. I hadn't heard of the book, hadn't heard of Tracy Banghart, didn't have high expectations. You know what's good about having low expectations? You're fantastically surprised when it's good. And this was good. I mean, sure, it wasn't perfect, and I have read this plot before (it was a darker The Selection on maybe 10x speed), but it was elegantly written, beautifully feminist, and strikingly strong. I loved Nomi and Serina, loved their stories, and was so very attached. I read this book in only two days (I think? It's been awhile) and those hours I spent pouring over the pages were worth it. So worth it.
This is one of those books that sneaks up on you with how much you enjoy it. I started Grace and Fury thinking it would be just another fantasy novel, and while it was rather cliché, I haven't truly read a young adult novel with such a feminist taste to it. It left me thinking maybe I could knock down the patriarchy too.
Now, this world is cruel. It reminds me that I am lucky to live in the United States where I have the right to read, the privilege to read. I can't imagine having that ability taken away from me, not having words in my life. So I emphasized with Nomi hiding and cherishing her ability, despite it being against the law for women to read, to do much of anything.
Also...not to mention how totally surprising the plot twist was? I had vague suspicions, but wasn't totally expecting that turn. I was also really pleased to see that there's a reason behind the misogyny in the world, that it's not just general sexism. It was also a really deep reason, too, something I didn't foresee having so much depth to it.
Anywho, I will most certainly be reading the sequel when it comes out next year. And I will most certainly be recommending this book to anyone who found The Selection a little too light for their taste. This is the mature version of my dreams. (And by mature, I mean that it's not for ten year-olds, but is perfectly suitable for the general audience of YA—I always considered The Selection a lower branch of YA).
Ahhhhhhh, catch me screaming now that I remember how good this book was.
-Book Hugger
http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com
This is one of those books that sneaks up on you with how much you enjoy it. I started Grace and Fury thinking it would be just another fantasy novel, and while it was rather cliché, I haven't truly read a young adult novel with such a feminist taste to it. It left me thinking maybe I could knock down the patriarchy too.
Now, this world is cruel. It reminds me that I am lucky to live in the United States where I have the right to read, the privilege to read. I can't imagine having that ability taken away from me, not having words in my life. So I emphasized with Nomi hiding and cherishing her ability, despite it being against the law for women to read, to do much of anything.
Also...not to mention how totally surprising the plot twist was? I had vague suspicions, but wasn't totally expecting that turn. I was also really pleased to see that there's a reason behind the misogyny in the world, that it's not just general sexism. It was also a really deep reason, too, something I didn't foresee having so much depth to it.
Anywho, I will most certainly be reading the sequel when it comes out next year. And I will most certainly be recommending this book to anyone who found The Selection a little too light for their taste. This is the mature version of my dreams. (And by mature, I mean that it's not for ten year-olds, but is perfectly suitable for the general audience of YA—I always considered The Selection a lower branch of YA).
Ahhhhhhh, catch me screaming now that I remember how good this book was.
-Book Hugger
http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com
this is what i needed in high school, and somehow what i still need in college
review to come, and i mean it
review to come, and i mean it
It's been a hot second since I read The Ship Beyond Time or its predecessor The Girl From Everywhere, but I'm going to try to make a comprehensible review. We'll see if I succeed.
I actually ended up liking TSBT more than TGFE, probably because the magic system felt more explained and I was less confused about character motives. Hence, I ended up giving this one five stars while TGFE was four stars (although still amazing). While I am sad this one focussed less on Hawaiian history, the introduction of a complex fantasy world explored what I wanted to see in the first book: more of what the maps can do! The whole concept of map time travel fascinated me because of the way Heidi Heilig designed it. The place doesn't have to exist; as long as its drawn on a map, you can go there. So essentially, you can go to made-up lands or those from fairytales. Awesome, right?
Another positive is that the dumb as heck love triangle from book one deteriorated. We also saw more of Nix's relationship with Kashmir (!!!) and their progression from friends to boyfriend-girlfriend. As well, the most lovely part was the introduction of Nix's mom and her relationship with her daughter. The focus on family, especially when tested, is strong in this duology. I feel like YA doesn't often touch upon the good parts of family and while Heilig does play with the negatives, we sure see a lot of positives—enough that it makes the family feel real.
I can't say I remember a ton about this book, just that I enjoyed it so much. The ending was absolutely epic with soooo much action. I was so sad when the book ended because I totally thought there'd be more. It was a bittersweet ending, with hope for more, but a sense of sadness, too. Just how I like 'em.
I wish I had gotten around to writing this earlier; it'd be a lot longer, but this is what we're getting right now.
-Book Hugger
I actually ended up liking TSBT more than TGFE, probably because the magic system felt more explained and I was less confused about character motives. Hence, I ended up giving this one five stars while TGFE was four stars (although still amazing). While I am sad this one focussed less on Hawaiian history, the introduction of a complex fantasy world explored what I wanted to see in the first book: more of what the maps can do! The whole concept of map time travel fascinated me because of the way Heidi Heilig designed it. The place doesn't have to exist; as long as its drawn on a map, you can go there. So essentially, you can go to made-up lands or those from fairytales. Awesome, right?
Another positive is that the dumb as heck love triangle from book one deteriorated. We also saw more of Nix's relationship with Kashmir (!!!) and their progression from friends to boyfriend-girlfriend. As well, the most lovely part was the introduction of Nix's mom and her relationship with her daughter. The focus on family, especially when tested, is strong in this duology. I feel like YA doesn't often touch upon the good parts of family and while Heilig does play with the negatives, we sure see a lot of positives—enough that it makes the family feel real.
I can't say I remember a ton about this book, just that I enjoyed it so much. The ending was absolutely epic with soooo much action. I was so sad when the book ended because I totally thought there'd be more. It was a bittersweet ending, with hope for more, but a sense of sadness, too. Just how I like 'em.
I wish I had gotten around to writing this earlier; it'd be a lot longer, but this is what we're getting right now.
-Book Hugger
Not entirely exciting, but not terrible. I felt really bad for the people whose lives A "intruded." Intruded feels like the wrong word, but I'm not sure what the right word is. Anyway, I'm not gonna write a full review, but in a nutshell, I did enjoy it, liked the diversity, appreciated the bittersweet ending (though not sure it'd necessarily work out), and strongly disliked the chapter where A was in a fat guy's body and the guy being fat ruined everything. Seriously. That's kind of disgusting. Other than that, it was a little boring at times, kind of dry, and I somewhat connected to A, but not as well as I would have liked.
-Book Hugger
http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com
-Book Hugger
http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com