Take a photo of a barcode or cover
553 reviews by:
gabberjaws
Well, I was right. This book did cripple me
Review to come as soon as I get a handle on ALL MY FEELINGS.
Review to come as soon as I get a handle on ALL MY FEELINGS.
.jpg)
4.5 stars
WTF. That ending was so rude. Someone give me the next book, stat.
WTF. That ending was so rude. Someone give me the next book, stat.
4.5 stars.
Love it. Just wish this was longer, because damn, I can read about Wade for eternity and never get bored.
Love it. Just wish this was longer, because damn, I can read about Wade for eternity and never get bored.
I wanted to have this up a week ago, but GOD. Last week was crazy.
4.5 stars
Aladdin is probably my favorite Disney prince. Second only to Flynn Ryder (for reasons that should be obvious to you by now). Phoebus is a close third. Love me some Phoebus. Mmm.
Where was I?
Oh, right. Aladdin.
This book, as you may have already figured out from the blurb, is a retelling of Aladdin. If you're not familiar with the original story, you're probably familiar with the Disney version. And if not... what kind of sad life do you live?
My issue with retellings is that, often, they're not retellings. They're the same exact story we've heard before with, perhaps, a love triangle slapped into it. *cough* The Wrath and The Dawn *cough* I mean, what's the point? If I wanted to read the same story, I'd just pick up the book and reread it. Your retelling needs to offer me something new - they need to light my imagination on fire. They need to say, "Hey, look at me. I'm different and worth your time".
The Forbidden Wish was absolutely one of these books.
I'm going to start off by saying that this book is very romance-heavy. And that's usually a put-off for me. But lemme tell you, it didn't bother me one bit. Because here's the thing - the plot had a lot more to offer than romance. There was a lot of it, and I was shipping them from the get-go, but I never once felt like Zahra's and Aladdin's relationship was the most important thing in the story.
There were tons going on. Evil adviser trying to take over the throne. Douchey Prince just being a general asshole to everyone. The Hero's thirst for revenge. The Heroine's guilt and determination to win her freedom. Evil, immensely powerful djinn trying to murder everyone.
You see? A lot.
Another thing to love about this book was all the girl power. There was absolutely no female-female hate in this book, which was such a delight to see. The girls, and there were many of them, respected and supported each other. Zahra even spent most of her time addressing her "Habiba". Such a treat. So nice.
Zahra, the genie in this version, was amazing. I loved her. She was tough, smart, funny and incredibly vulnerable. She hurt, and she doubted and she did things she wasn't proud of. And she loved. She loved deeply and fiercely and was loyal to a fault. And even though she fell in love with Aladdin, her actions were never purely driven by her love for him. When she questioned her need for freedom, it was logical - not simply the doubts of a love-sick damsel. And I loved her more for it.
Aladdin was very different from the street rat we all know and love. Oh, he's still a street rat alright, but he's a street rat with a dark thirst for revenge. He's also an unapologetic flirt, who maaaaaay have needed to go to a few AA meetings if you catch my drift. And he was charming as hell. No, really. Aladdin was as sweet as he was sly - and you know how much I love characters like this.
I have a problem. Sue me.
There's not much more I can say about this book without sounding like a gushy loon. The story was great, the characters were delightful, the world building and the writing were fantastic. I especially liked how Zahra kept talking to her "Habiba". It gave me a sense of immersion that I really really loved.
The only complaint I had about this was maybe the ending. It was a little rushed, I felt, and that was such a shame. I had to dock half a star.
But beyond that, this was brilliant. It was new and exciting and WHOO! Girl power! Read it. Even if you're like me and dislike overly romance-y books. Trust me, the loveth do not taketh over.
This review and more
4.5 stars
Aladdin is probably my favorite Disney prince. Second only to Flynn Ryder (for reasons that should be obvious to you by now). Phoebus is a close third. Love me some Phoebus. Mmm.
Where was I?
Oh, right. Aladdin.
This book, as you may have already figured out from the blurb, is a retelling of Aladdin. If you're not familiar with the original story, you're probably familiar with the Disney version. And if not... what kind of sad life do you live?
My issue with retellings is that, often, they're not retellings. They're the same exact story we've heard before with, perhaps, a love triangle slapped into it. *cough* The Wrath and The Dawn *cough* I mean, what's the point? If I wanted to read the same story, I'd just pick up the book and reread it. Your retelling needs to offer me something new - they need to light my imagination on fire. They need to say, "Hey, look at me. I'm different and worth your time".
The Forbidden Wish was absolutely one of these books.
I'm going to start off by saying that this book is very romance-heavy. And that's usually a put-off for me. But lemme tell you, it didn't bother me one bit. Because here's the thing - the plot had a lot more to offer than romance. There was a lot of it, and I was shipping them from the get-go, but I never once felt like Zahra's and Aladdin's relationship was the most important thing in the story.
There were tons going on. Evil adviser trying to take over the throne. Douchey Prince just being a general asshole to everyone. The Hero's thirst for revenge. The Heroine's guilt and determination to win her freedom. Evil, immensely powerful djinn trying to murder everyone.
You see? A lot.
Another thing to love about this book was all the girl power. There was absolutely no female-female hate in this book, which was such a delight to see. The girls, and there were many of them, respected and supported each other. Zahra even spent most of her time addressing her "Habiba". Such a treat. So nice.
Zahra, the genie in this version, was amazing. I loved her. She was tough, smart, funny and incredibly vulnerable. She hurt, and she doubted and she did things she wasn't proud of. And she loved. She loved deeply and fiercely and was loyal to a fault. And even though she fell in love with Aladdin, her actions were never purely driven by her love for him. When she questioned her need for freedom, it was logical - not simply the doubts of a love-sick damsel. And I loved her more for it.
Aladdin was very different from the street rat we all know and love. Oh, he's still a street rat alright, but he's a street rat with a dark thirst for revenge. He's also an unapologetic flirt, who maaaaaay have needed to go to a few AA meetings if you catch my drift. And he was charming as hell. No, really. Aladdin was as sweet as he was sly - and you know how much I love characters like this.
I have a problem. Sue me.
There's not much more I can say about this book without sounding like a gushy loon. The story was great, the characters were delightful, the world building and the writing were fantastic. I especially liked how Zahra kept talking to her "Habiba". It gave me a sense of immersion that I really really loved.
The only complaint I had about this was maybe the ending. It was a little rushed, I felt, and that was such a shame. I had to dock half a star.
But beyond that, this was brilliant. It was new and exciting and WHOO! Girl power! Read it. Even if you're like me and dislike overly romance-y books. Trust me, the loveth do not taketh over.
This review and more
TRIGGER WARNING: Rape, Violence, Murder
This book was awful. But in the best way.
I thought I’d read just about every serial killer/rapist thriller you could come up with. I thought Law & Order SVU had shown me every story I hadn’t read. And then I read The Butterfly Garden.
This book opens with two FBI agents trying to solve a case they’ve just uncovered. They don’t know much, besides that the place they have just discovered a place called The Garden, and it was the prison to around thirteen girls who their captor liked to call The Butterflies. They know he abducted these girls, some as young as sixteen, and brought them to a glass prison near his family mansion. They know he tattooed butterfly wings on their backs, gave them new names, and raped each and every one of them.
But, as you’d know if you’ve watched any cop show, this isn’t enough. If the FBI wants to solve this case, if they want justice served, they need to know the entire story. And this is where Maya comes in.
This book, as awful and as chilling as its story got from time to time, was beautiful. It was brilliantly crafted, and wonderfully complex. It reads like a movie, constantly flipping from Maya’s first person recounts of life in The Garden, to the third-person present, where Maya is being interrogated by Special Agent Victor Hanoverian and his partner Brandon Eddison. And everything is so vivid. One minute you feel like you’re detective Hanoverian, questioning Maya, listening to her story and forming your own opinions about this strange, unusually calm girl. The next you are Maya, inside her mind while she does her best to survive in The Garden, while she tries to be a figure of comfort and sorority to the other Butterflies.
And then sometimes, you’re an outsider, watching the events from the corner of the room because what’s happening is just so awful, so gruesome, that you have to detach yourself.
Considering that the book begins after the girls have been rescued, you wouldn’t think there’d be a sense of urgency or thrill factor. But you’d be wrong. Hutchinson weaves her tale with remarkable skill, and you’re always at the edge of your seat, turning page after page to just try and understand what’s going on.
The Butterfly Garden was dark, heavy, and painful at times, but it still managed to find moments of light and humor. It was a bittersweet tale – a story of monsters in the world, and love, family, and strength. And it was a hundred different kinds of messed up. There was this one reveal at the end that I wasn’t a very big fan of, but honestly? That’s just me nitpicking. It took nothing away from the painful beauty of this book. It’s one of those books that you just don’t forget.
And the fact that I might read this again is mildly concerning to me.
I received a copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This book was awful. But in the best way.
I thought I’d read just about every serial killer/rapist thriller you could come up with. I thought Law & Order SVU had shown me every story I hadn’t read. And then I read The Butterfly Garden.
This book opens with two FBI agents trying to solve a case they’ve just uncovered. They don’t know much, besides that the place they have just discovered a place called The Garden, and it was the prison to around thirteen girls who their captor liked to call The Butterflies. They know he abducted these girls, some as young as sixteen, and brought them to a glass prison near his family mansion. They know he tattooed butterfly wings on their backs, gave them new names, and raped each and every one of them.
But, as you’d know if you’ve watched any cop show, this isn’t enough. If the FBI wants to solve this case, if they want justice served, they need to know the entire story. And this is where Maya comes in.
This book, as awful and as chilling as its story got from time to time, was beautiful. It was brilliantly crafted, and wonderfully complex. It reads like a movie, constantly flipping from Maya’s first person recounts of life in The Garden, to the third-person present, where Maya is being interrogated by Special Agent Victor Hanoverian and his partner Brandon Eddison. And everything is so vivid. One minute you feel like you’re detective Hanoverian, questioning Maya, listening to her story and forming your own opinions about this strange, unusually calm girl. The next you are Maya, inside her mind while she does her best to survive in The Garden, while she tries to be a figure of comfort and sorority to the other Butterflies.
And then sometimes, you’re an outsider, watching the events from the corner of the room because what’s happening is just so awful, so gruesome, that you have to detach yourself.
Considering that the book begins after the girls have been rescued, you wouldn’t think there’d be a sense of urgency or thrill factor. But you’d be wrong. Hutchinson weaves her tale with remarkable skill, and you’re always at the edge of your seat, turning page after page to just try and understand what’s going on.
The Butterfly Garden was dark, heavy, and painful at times, but it still managed to find moments of light and humor. It was a bittersweet tale – a story of monsters in the world, and love, family, and strength. And it was a hundred different kinds of messed up. There was this one reveal at the end that I wasn’t a very big fan of, but honestly? That’s just me nitpicking. It took nothing away from the painful beauty of this book. It’s one of those books that you just don’t forget.
And the fact that I might read this again is mildly concerning to me.
I received a copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Del Rey for giving me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. What a book.
The Bear and The Nightingale was evocative, lyrical, and wonderfully captivating. Right from the get-go, it’s filled with magic and atmosphere so intense and well-woven, you can almost touch it. And although it’s slow to build, it’s endlessly captivating from start to finish.
The story follows young Vasya, a wild, stubborn, fiery girl with the ability to see things that no one in her village – save for her extremely religious, wicked step-mother – can. Vasilisa is incredibly easy to love. She’s witty, she’s brave, and she’s filled with love and compassion for the people around her.
Everything starts to go to hell (heh) with the arrival of Anna, Vasya’s cruel stepmother, and Father Konstatine, an ambitious, slightly power-hungry priest with a mission to spread fear and Claude Frollo vibes. With the village caught in between old religions and new, Konstatine and Anna put the Fear of God (quite literally) into the hearts of the villagers, to the point where the guardians of the forest and the village grow impossibly weak and Vasya, with her wild ways and her Sight, is branded a witch.
The slow build-up did worry me a couple times, but it shouldn’t have. This book was stunning – nothing like I expected it to be, but wonderful nevertheless. Like Naomi Novik’s Uprooted, it’s filled to the brim with magic; a fairy tale for adults. The characters were strong, even the ones who had short appearances, and the atmosphere in this thing was brilliant. It was a little more serious than Uprooted, and had barely any romance (but there was some. My shipper senses are tingling). I’m fairly sure that, at the end of the year, this will definitely have a place on my Best of 2017 list.
If you enjoy fairy tales, atmospheric fantasy, and meaty, well-written stories, then you have to read this. Don’t let the slow pace deter you – Katherine Arden is an author you need to keep your eye on. This was a wonderful read.
And I would very much like the sequel. As soon as possible.
This review and more here
Wow. What a book.
The Bear and The Nightingale was evocative, lyrical, and wonderfully captivating. Right from the get-go, it’s filled with magic and atmosphere so intense and well-woven, you can almost touch it. And although it’s slow to build, it’s endlessly captivating from start to finish.
The story follows young Vasya, a wild, stubborn, fiery girl with the ability to see things that no one in her village – save for her extremely religious, wicked step-mother – can. Vasilisa is incredibly easy to love. She’s witty, she’s brave, and she’s filled with love and compassion for the people around her.
Everything starts to go to hell (heh) with the arrival of Anna, Vasya’s cruel stepmother, and Father Konstatine, an ambitious, slightly power-hungry priest with a mission to spread fear and Claude Frollo vibes. With the village caught in between old religions and new, Konstatine and Anna put the Fear of God (quite literally) into the hearts of the villagers, to the point where the guardians of the forest and the village grow impossibly weak and Vasya, with her wild ways and her Sight, is branded a witch.
The slow build-up did worry me a couple times, but it shouldn’t have. This book was stunning – nothing like I expected it to be, but wonderful nevertheless. Like Naomi Novik’s Uprooted, it’s filled to the brim with magic; a fairy tale for adults. The characters were strong, even the ones who had short appearances, and the atmosphere in this thing was brilliant. It was a little more serious than Uprooted, and had barely any romance (but there was some. My shipper senses are tingling). I’m fairly sure that, at the end of the year, this will definitely have a place on my Best of 2017 list.
If you enjoy fairy tales, atmospheric fantasy, and meaty, well-written stories, then you have to read this. Don’t let the slow pace deter you – Katherine Arden is an author you need to keep your eye on. This was a wonderful read.
And I would very much like the sequel. As soon as possible.
This review and more here
All my faves were in this one!!!
