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Oh my. That was a roller-coaster ride of feels and insanity and EMOTIONS.
Review to come!
-Book Hugger
In the meantime, check out my blog at http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com
Review to come!
-Book Hugger
In the meantime, check out my blog at http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com
This book made me sob quite a lot and I'm still torn though on whether it was because of the book or what the book reminded me of.
In all honesty, this is a good book, but I think that the confusing sort of plot-twist toward the end made it less likable. I was ready to give it five stars, maybe four, until we're jerked in another direction and expected to believe a love interest who wasn't a love interest a page ago.
I think the book played that well with the narrative that Griffin didn't want Theo to know about his relationship withWade but I think the reader was cheated some in not seeing the relationship develop properly.
And of course, this book did pull a great deal of emotions out of me, some rather negative, so I did have to sit there and mull over whether this book treated some parts right. And I suppose yes, in a story about betrayal and heartbreak and sadness, that the dead person should still be held accountable for their faults...but it just made me terribly depressed to think that the dead person's memory wasn't being upheld.
I suppose that's a me thing, and not really a fault of the book.
-Book Hugger
In all honesty, this is a good book, but I think that the confusing sort of plot-twist toward the end made it less likable. I was ready to give it five stars, maybe four, until we're jerked in another direction and expected to believe a love interest who wasn't a love interest a page ago.
I think the book played that well with the narrative that Griffin didn't want Theo to know about his relationship with
And of course, this book did pull a great deal of emotions out of me, some rather negative, so I did have to sit there and mull over whether this book treated some parts right. And I suppose yes, in a story about betrayal and heartbreak and sadness, that the dead person should still be held accountable for their faults...but it just made me terribly depressed to think that the dead person's memory wasn't being upheld.
I suppose that's a me thing, and not really a fault of the book.
-Book Hugger
Moloka'i was a truly eye-opening novel. Prior to reading this, I had little knowledge of leprosy or of Moloka'i's history as a leper colony. I have visited Moloka'i myself once, when I was very little, and the most I remember was a nasty boat ride there that caused me to throw-up the instant I got off the boat, and the contrary comfortable plane ride back to Maui. Hence, I clearly don't remember any history I might have learned.
This book follows Rachel from childhood to late adulthood, exploring her life before she contracted leprosy, and thereafter. As aforementioned, I knew little of leprosy aside from the understanding that it causes skin to fall off, so this book taught me a lot about it, about the stigma it carried once, and the growth of a cure. Now, leprosy is highly treatable and carries much less of a stigma than it did back in the early twentieth century. I cannot possibly imagine having leprosy at this time, given how horribly people with the illness were treated and how they were separated from their families and thrown onto an island that few ever left.
Alan Brennert is a marvelous storyteller. I usually stray away from novels that cover such a large period of time, but it worked here, and in my opinion, was necessary. I never felt distant from Rachel, and I believe this style of writing worked because it enhanced my connection to the story and the character. By the end of the novel, I cried because I could so deeply feel her wants and needs. This is the mark of a good novel.
We meet many characters through the book, some that last only a few pages and others that grow through most of the novel. This worked a little less for me, because some of the transitions occurred so rapidly, I felt their lives were tossed aside. Perhaps, this was a technique used to express how often people died on Moloka'i, how their lives were so fleeting, and how the death became normal, but it seemed too brushed off for my taste. Though, with this symbolic understanding, I can't say I would rate this lower. And as well, it didn't distract too much from my reading experience. (And it's also my only qualm).
It's not too often I stray from Young Adult literature, but it's books like these that remind me why stepping out of my comfort zone is a good thing. YA has its good parts, but I always appreciate the depth and strength of an adult novel, for it is usually a breath of fresh air from the tropes of YA.
I urge you to read this book. Not only does it delve into the lives of lepers a century ago, but it discusses the transformation of Hawaii into part of the United States and a tourist attraction. It adds a stronger understanding of the atrocity of colonization and the ripping away of the Hawaiian culture, as well as the bridges between the American and Hawaiian cultures within the people's lives.
I am very grateful for reading this book, and saddened that it took me so long to pick it up off my shelf. And thank you to my mom, for telling me to read it after loving it herself.
-Book Hugger
This book follows Rachel from childhood to late adulthood, exploring her life before she contracted leprosy, and thereafter. As aforementioned, I knew little of leprosy aside from the understanding that it causes skin to fall off, so this book taught me a lot about it, about the stigma it carried once, and the growth of a cure. Now, leprosy is highly treatable and carries much less of a stigma than it did back in the early twentieth century. I cannot possibly imagine having leprosy at this time, given how horribly people with the illness were treated and how they were separated from their families and thrown onto an island that few ever left.
Alan Brennert is a marvelous storyteller. I usually stray away from novels that cover such a large period of time, but it worked here, and in my opinion, was necessary. I never felt distant from Rachel, and I believe this style of writing worked because it enhanced my connection to the story and the character. By the end of the novel, I cried because I could so deeply feel her wants and needs. This is the mark of a good novel.
We meet many characters through the book, some that last only a few pages and others that grow through most of the novel. This worked a little less for me, because some of the transitions occurred so rapidly, I felt their lives were tossed aside. Perhaps, this was a technique used to express how often people died on Moloka'i, how their lives were so fleeting, and how the death became normal, but it seemed too brushed off for my taste. Though, with this symbolic understanding, I can't say I would rate this lower. And as well, it didn't distract too much from my reading experience. (And it's also my only qualm).
It's not too often I stray from Young Adult literature, but it's books like these that remind me why stepping out of my comfort zone is a good thing. YA has its good parts, but I always appreciate the depth and strength of an adult novel, for it is usually a breath of fresh air from the tropes of YA.
I urge you to read this book. Not only does it delve into the lives of lepers a century ago, but it discusses the transformation of Hawaii into part of the United States and a tourist attraction. It adds a stronger understanding of the atrocity of colonization and the ripping away of the Hawaiian culture, as well as the bridges between the American and Hawaiian cultures within the people's lives.
I am very grateful for reading this book, and saddened that it took me so long to pick it up off my shelf. And thank you to my mom, for telling me to read it after loving it herself.
-Book Hugger
Despite the really conflicting reviews, I ended up preferring Our Dark Duet to This Savage Song (though, I did really love TSS). Our Dark Duet is darker, with more questions about the nature of being human and morality. It's a really existential book, but I loved all of the moral debate throughout it, especially when August deals with turning away from who he used to be--a monster feigning to be human.
I also really loved the inclusion of poetry, which brought an even darker sense to Kate's descent into insanity. It was really poetic and it worked very well where it was used. I really, really love free-verse poetry. Victoria Schwab has a way with words and I think I'm destined to love anything she writes. This solidified my love for her (and my need to read the rest of her Shades of Magic series).
I definitely appreciated the casual diversity she included as well, which made the world feel more realistic (as much as possible in a world of Sunai and Corsai). I think diversity is a really important part of literature and it's often missing within young adult books. Clearly, the publishing industry and the literature being pulled into it is changing and I love that so much.
I think I only had one issue with this book, and that was the really unnecessary romantic scene. I thought this would be sans romance, but was unpleasantly surprised. It didn't belong in the book, if you ask me, and felt out of place in a novel about friendship and humanity. I just didn't need the romance there. I love romance in books, but the characters need chemistry and August and Kate just work better as friends. You can probably hear me screaming all the way through the computer screen. While it was interesting to see the impact of romantic liaisons on a Sunai, I think it negatively impacted the course of the novel and the dynamic between August and Kate.
Anyway, the plot and characters made up for that one little scene, keeping it at a shiny five stars. I especially loved the growth of both Kate and August in this book and how different they are from in This Savage Song. They haven't necessarily changed positively, but it made for very good literature. August has become a much darker, more inhuman character, and it was riveting to read about that drastic change and how it impacted his character. Kate has become more cynical (if that were even possible) and angrier toward the world and the monsters. It also doesn't help that a significant event sends her spiraling into darkness (cue the poetry). While the ending may come as a surprise, I thought it was a necessary reminder that happy endings aren't always there. And, it also wasn't a surprise for me. Note to self: Don't click the "see spoiler" button on a Goodreads review...yikes.
I think it's fairly obvious how much I loved this book. It was definitely my favorite of January and a wonderful way to start off the new year! I highly recommend picking up this series if you haven't yet.
-Book Hugger
I also really loved the inclusion of poetry, which brought an even darker sense to Kate's descent into insanity. It was really poetic and it worked very well where it was used. I really, really love free-verse poetry. Victoria Schwab has a way with words and I think I'm destined to love anything she writes. This solidified my love for her (and my need to read the rest of her Shades of Magic series).
I definitely appreciated the casual diversity she included as well, which made the world feel more realistic (as much as possible in a world of Sunai and Corsai). I think diversity is a really important part of literature and it's often missing within young adult books. Clearly, the publishing industry and the literature being pulled into it is changing and I love that so much.
I think I only had one issue with this book, and that was the really unnecessary romantic scene. I thought this would be sans romance, but was unpleasantly surprised. It didn't belong in the book, if you ask me, and felt out of place in a novel about friendship and humanity. I just didn't need the romance there. I love romance in books, but the characters need chemistry and August and Kate just work better as friends. You can probably hear me screaming all the way through the computer screen. While it was interesting to see the impact of romantic liaisons on a Sunai, I think it negatively impacted the course of the novel and the dynamic between August and Kate.
Anyway, the plot and characters made up for that one little scene, keeping it at a shiny five stars. I especially loved the growth of both Kate and August in this book and how different they are from in This Savage Song. They haven't necessarily changed positively, but it made for very good literature. August has become a much darker, more inhuman character, and it was riveting to read about that drastic change and how it impacted his character. Kate has become more cynical (if that were even possible) and angrier toward the world and the monsters. It also doesn't help that a significant event sends her spiraling into darkness (cue the poetry). While the ending may come as a surprise, I thought it was a necessary reminder that happy endings aren't always there. And, it also wasn't a surprise for me. Note to self: Don't click the "see spoiler" button on a Goodreads review...yikes.
I think it's fairly obvious how much I loved this book. It was definitely my favorite of January and a wonderful way to start off the new year! I highly recommend picking up this series if you haven't yet.
-Book Hugger
This was hard to rate because it definitely had some issues, but I still enjoyed it?
The issues:
-Pacing. I think it might have been more exciting if the reveal occurred at the climax.
-Writing. I don't think I'm made to enjoy Kasie West's writing. I found myself mentally editing a lot of it. Whoops.
Other than that, though, I did really enjoy this book. It was a bit like candy, because there's honestly not that much substance in YA romance, but it was cute, and kind of the heterosexual Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda given the plot. (Simon Vs is better, just saying).
I liked that Lily and Isabel's friendship issues weren't terribly drawn out. They actually made-up and it wasn't a huge dramatic blow out like in some books. And I liked thatCade's issues were resolved. I was worried it'd be problematic because of how he and Lily treated each other prior to dating, but they both apologized and worked through it. And it worked! Consider me surprised
Anyway, will I pick up another Kasie West book? Maybe not, considering I've read the only two I've ever been interested in, but do I regret this one? Nope!
-Book Hugger
The issues:
-Pacing. I think it might have been more exciting if the reveal occurred at the climax.
-Writing. I don't think I'm made to enjoy Kasie West's writing. I found myself mentally editing a lot of it. Whoops.
Other than that, though, I did really enjoy this book. It was a bit like candy, because there's honestly not that much substance in YA romance, but it was cute, and kind of the heterosexual Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda given the plot. (Simon Vs is better, just saying).
I liked that Lily and Isabel's friendship issues weren't terribly drawn out. They actually made-up and it wasn't a huge dramatic blow out like in some books. And I liked that
Anyway, will I pick up another Kasie West book? Maybe not, considering I've read the only two I've ever been interested in, but do I regret this one? Nope!
-Book Hugger
For now three stars, but it might fall down to two. I need to think about this mess
I thought the concept sounded interesting and I seriously thought there would be more about dreams in this book. I was sorely disappointed. This book is not about dreams. In fact, it's about the lack thereof. Though, this book did have enough redeeming qualities to earn it three stars. But that's it.
The actual plot was fairly interesting. I found the whole points aspect entertaining and the boarding school really cool, but I didn't find it all that realistic for parents to just send their kids to this place. Especially with everything that ended up coming out at the end, I'm really questioning the judgement of these parents. Though, I will hand it to Caragh M. O'Brien for creating an interesting and unique plot.
The execution though...it could have been better. I felt as though I had been dropped into something without any context. The story should have started a good week earlier, or so. Maybe even a month earlier. It began on the first occasion Rosie stopped taking the sleeping pill, but I had nothing to compare it to. No situation of what it was like to take the sleeping pill. I feel like the story could have been a ton stronger if we got that extra background. Usually when something out of the ordinary happens, one likes to see the ordinary as well. That way there's a sense of change and difference. What even made Rosie not take her sleeping pill? I guess we'll never know.
Rosie was a really flat character, too. She was strong--I can give her that--, but that's where her good traits end. She's selfish, annoying, and didn't really have a personality. She seemed really immature as well, which is one of my biggest pet peeves in books.
One last complaint, INSTA-LOVE??? REALLY??? Not to mention, the love interest was as flat as a brick. Everyone was flat. Welcome to the world of flat-like-pancakes characters.
I feel like I'm being cruel. This book really did have potential. I read it over the course of maybe two days and I did honestly enjoy it. I couldn't put it down, it definitely held my attention, and the plot wasn't completely cliché. I just really couldn't stand the characters and the way it started. It wasn't horrible and I recommend giving it a try if you think the plot sounds interesting. It might just be me.
-Book Hugger
For more reviews like this, check out my blog at http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com
The actual plot was fairly interesting. I found the whole points aspect entertaining and the boarding school really cool, but I didn't find it all that realistic for parents to just send their kids to this place. Especially with everything that ended up coming out at the end, I'm really questioning the judgement of these parents. Though, I will hand it to Caragh M. O'Brien for creating an interesting and unique plot.
The execution though...it could have been better. I felt as though I had been dropped into something without any context. The story should have started a good week earlier, or so. Maybe even a month earlier. It began on the first occasion Rosie stopped taking the sleeping pill, but I had nothing to compare it to. No situation of what it was like to take the sleeping pill. I feel like the story could have been a ton stronger if we got that extra background. Usually when something out of the ordinary happens, one likes to see the ordinary as well. That way there's a sense of change and difference. What even made Rosie not take her sleeping pill? I guess we'll never know.
Rosie was a really flat character, too. She was strong--I can give her that--, but that's where her good traits end. She's selfish, annoying, and didn't really have a personality. She seemed really immature as well, which is one of my biggest pet peeves in books.
One last complaint, INSTA-LOVE??? REALLY??? Not to mention, the love interest was as flat as a brick. Everyone was flat. Welcome to the world of flat-like-pancakes characters.
I feel like I'm being cruel. This book really did have potential. I read it over the course of maybe two days and I did honestly enjoy it. I couldn't put it down, it definitely held my attention, and the plot wasn't completely cliché. I just really couldn't stand the characters and the way it started. It wasn't horrible and I recommend giving it a try if you think the plot sounds interesting. It might just be me.
-Book Hugger
For more reviews like this, check out my blog at http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com
I hope that I can have all my reviews up by the end of this week. Maybe I'll spend some time on Christmas writing these:) So, until my full review comes out...
I really loved this book, but the ending fell a little flat...THE CLIMAX THOUGH. I WAS ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT AND JUST PRAYING BASICALLY FOR A HAPPY ENDING.
-Book Hugger
In the meantime, check out my blog at http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com
I really loved this book, but the ending fell a little flat...THE CLIMAX THOUGH. I WAS ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT AND JUST PRAYING BASICALLY FOR A HAPPY ENDING.
-Book Hugger
In the meantime, check out my blog at http://www.bookhuggerreviews.com
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This is my opinion. No offense is meant toward anyone who loves The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon.
This is one of the worst books I've read in 2018 (alongside The Looking Glass Wars). A lot of people asked me why I kept reading it if I knew I hated it from the first 60 pages. I'm not one to quit things, especially when I've DNF'd books that ended up becoming favorites later. As well, I knew that I'd have a lot of good content to get back into blogging with...because I haven't published a review in around a month.
Anyway, onto the fun stuff. This is going to be a long one, so maybe get a snack and cozy up with a blanket or two. I'm about to get salty.
This book would have been a thousand times better if Shannon wrote well. This book radiates "debut author!" in the simplistic writing style, unpolished nature, and cliche-filled plot. I predicted most things pages before they happened, which takes away the fun of any surprise. As well, the first chapter was a blatant info-dump; I haven't read a book in ages that actually starts with "My name is..." Like, no, that's not how to start a book. Show, don't tell. In general, this book suffered from more showing than telling, with little subtleties ever shown. The only thing close to subtle was an instance of foreshadowing using a flower, but it was glaringly obvious it was meant to foreshadow or symbolize something.
There's an actual line in the book that goes like: "My sixth sense trembled" and I just about lost it. (This line followed the flower scene.) You know it's bad when I told all of my friends at school about that line (or even other lines because it just got worse from there). I was actually dramatic-reading it to multiple friends at times. There's a scene where Paige rebounds from the person she liked (who doesn't feel the same way) and I cringed the entire time. It was just so...awful. And she just seemed so desperate. I was not a fan.
So it wasn't off to a good start with the writing, but I was intrigued by the world it started in!! And then...well, we're kicked out of the world. So. The world-building died right around there as well; I think if it were set in the beginning location (the Citadel, I believe) or if the rest of the book had been given the same attention, I would have enjoyed it a lot more.
The magic system started out making sense, but then it gradually got more complicated and more extensive. At least there's a chart in the front of my copy that actually said everything, but I was so confused throughout the novel. It just seemed really messy. While the magic system was actually fascinating, there were so many facets to it that complicated it to the point of confusion.
One of the worst things for me was the blending of genres. I like knowing what I'm getting into. I didn't read one of the Nancy Drew books because I knew there was time travel in it and all of the others were "realistic." I just...don't blend genres. It doesn't work for me. So I was basically "okay" (I mean, I still hated the book, but not to this extent) until all of a sudden it turns out that there's...vampires? For anyone who cares about context, I'm not a huge fan of vampires. I can take werewolves, but vampires are just a nope from me. In moderation, sure, but the whole concept of drinking blood and whatnot is eh, especially when romanticized (or sexualized).
I was immediately turned off when the Warden started drinking Paige's blood. I have no idea where that came from, but it was a hard no from me. I really don't see the appeal with their relationship. It had an unbalanced power dynamic that I can really never get behind. I didn't ever see them getting together because I thought of him in terms of a bad guy/power figure. When they did get together, their relationship seemed to speed up abruptly and never really worked in my eyes as a romantic thing. It seemed mostly based on lust and lack of other opportunities. I also don't entirely love the message this book sends that...you know, it's okay to date the guy who has you locked up in his control and basically purchased you. The slave/slave-owner dynamic is a little too messed up for my taste. Nope. Nope. Nope.
In the other realm of problematic things, I really, really hate when sexuality is used as a plot twist. Nick's sexuality was thrown in as a way of making Paige's life "worse." (Not to mention, I totally saw it coming because it's such a cliche).
All in all, this book just didn't work. It was messily written, had some problematic content, and wasn't structured well given plot, world-building, and the magic system. I couldn't connect to the characters because they all felt like archetypes. There were times when Paige acted out of character; I never really could place her personality because she was so underdeveloped.
Honestly, I think if this book underwent a few more stages of editing it would have been somewhat okay. I could have taken the genre blending (that's mostly a personal preference) if the writing hadn't been so awful. While her next two books may be better, I don't care enough to try when there are so many other books out there waiting to be read.
There were two good things about this book: the dialogue between characters was strong (maybe not written well, but like the characters knew each other off-page) and the cover is beautiful. The amount of times people came up to me at school saying how pretty the book was without the dust-jacket...like, dang. I had to break their hearts just a little with "but the insides aren't."
Thank you for reading if you've gotten this far. Again, this is just my opinion and no disrespect is meant to the author or to anyone who loves Shannon's work. Of course, if you think you'd like it, give it a shot, because I know this is everyone and their mom's favorite book.
-Book Hugger
This is one of the worst books I've read in 2018 (alongside The Looking Glass Wars). A lot of people asked me why I kept reading it if I knew I hated it from the first 60 pages. I'm not one to quit things, especially when I've DNF'd books that ended up becoming favorites later. As well, I knew that I'd have a lot of good content to get back into blogging with...because I haven't published a review in around a month.
Anyway, onto the fun stuff. This is going to be a long one, so maybe get a snack and cozy up with a blanket or two. I'm about to get salty.
This book would have been a thousand times better if Shannon wrote well. This book radiates "debut author!" in the simplistic writing style, unpolished nature, and cliche-filled plot. I predicted most things pages before they happened, which takes away the fun of any surprise. As well, the first chapter was a blatant info-dump; I haven't read a book in ages that actually starts with "My name is..." Like, no, that's not how to start a book. Show, don't tell. In general, this book suffered from more showing than telling, with little subtleties ever shown. The only thing close to subtle was an instance of foreshadowing using a flower, but it was glaringly obvious it was meant to foreshadow or symbolize something.
There's an actual line in the book that goes like: "My sixth sense trembled" and I just about lost it. (This line followed the flower scene.) You know it's bad when I told all of my friends at school about that line (or even other lines because it just got worse from there). I was actually dramatic-reading it to multiple friends at times. There's a scene where Paige rebounds from the person she liked (who doesn't feel the same way) and I cringed the entire time. It was just so...awful. And she just seemed so desperate. I was not a fan.
So it wasn't off to a good start with the writing, but I was intrigued by the world it started in!! And then...well, we're kicked out of the world. So. The world-building died right around there as well; I think if it were set in the beginning location (the Citadel, I believe) or if the rest of the book had been given the same attention, I would have enjoyed it a lot more.
The magic system started out making sense, but then it gradually got more complicated and more extensive. At least there's a chart in the front of my copy that actually said everything, but I was so confused throughout the novel. It just seemed really messy. While the magic system was actually fascinating, there were so many facets to it that complicated it to the point of confusion.
One of the worst things for me was the blending of genres. I like knowing what I'm getting into. I didn't read one of the Nancy Drew books because I knew there was time travel in it and all of the others were "realistic." I just...don't blend genres. It doesn't work for me. So I was basically "okay" (I mean, I still hated the book, but not to this extent) until all of a sudden it turns out that there's...vampires? For anyone who cares about context, I'm not a huge fan of vampires. I can take werewolves, but vampires are just a nope from me. In moderation, sure, but the whole concept of drinking blood and whatnot is eh, especially when romanticized (or sexualized).
In the other realm of problematic things, I really, really hate when sexuality is used as a plot twist. Nick's sexuality was thrown in as a way of making Paige's life "worse." (Not to mention, I totally saw it coming because it's such a cliche).
All in all, this book just didn't work. It was messily written, had some problematic content, and wasn't structured well given plot, world-building, and the magic system. I couldn't connect to the characters because they all felt like archetypes. There were times when Paige acted out of character; I never really could place her personality because she was so underdeveloped.
Honestly, I think if this book underwent a few more stages of editing it would have been somewhat okay. I could have taken the genre blending (that's mostly a personal preference) if the writing hadn't been so awful. While her next two books may be better, I don't care enough to try when there are so many other books out there waiting to be read.
There were two good things about this book: the dialogue between characters was strong (maybe not written well, but like the characters knew each other off-page) and the cover is beautiful. The amount of times people came up to me at school saying how pretty the book was without the dust-jacket...like, dang. I had to break their hearts just a little with "but the insides aren't."
Thank you for reading if you've gotten this far. Again, this is just my opinion and no disrespect is meant to the author or to anyone who loves Shannon's work. Of course, if you think you'd like it, give it a shot, because I know this is everyone and their mom's favorite book.
-Book Hugger