I want wanted to like this and I did enjoy the history and folklore a bit, but I felt like the characters and plot just felt a bit flat to me. Some of them jumps (from relationships to plots) felt a bit far-fetched for me to care too much about them. I think there's potential here, but it just kind of felt life I was supposed to care more than I did because the characters just didn't feel really believable to me.

I think Monstress is typically a bit of a mind-bending series where sometimes you have no clue in hell what's going on until things click into place. If you're someone that needs all of the answers in a timely manner, this series probably isn't for you lol. This volume was definitely the biggest shift in trajectory of the plot and opened a million more questions for me, but I've always enjoyed the confusing ride of this world and how things unravel, so this apparent intentional shift is a ride I'm excited to be on, even though I'm terrified of the dark and this feels like I'm plunging straight into the abyss. 🫣🤭 But no matter how many questions are raised, our cast of characters are so compelling that I just need to see where they end up and it feels like this series could just keep on going forever lol. And one constant will always remain, I know it: that Kippa is the heart and soul of this universe and probably even our reality, somehow. 🥰

P.S. I have the newly released volume to read next and I'm not sure what I'll do with myself after I'm caught up. 😭

The future is disabled and this book paves the way for ableism to get kicked to the curb. I hope this inspires more perspectives on disabled experiences we couldn't get in their entirety here and how the future needs to adapt with disabled folx to ensure the future of our world.

I have turned this book over in my head and how I would rate it all day. I would say whatever expectations you have a quarter, a half, maybe more through this book, don't count on them to pan out. Every time I thought I knew where this book was going, I was dead wrong. There were many branches the author could have led this story and was a little let down it didn't go down the path I thought it would, which expanded upon some of the interesting sci-fi/fantasy elements so artfully set up. Instead, these elements were placed as more of a backdrop to a more introspective, transformative tale. In the end, and I mean the very end, I appreciated just how far the story and characters had come and decided that, even though it wouldn't have been my choice or probably what most people would expect from the start, I loved it. It's also rare for me that a side character leaves such an impact that the usurp the main character as the star of the show. This will be one I think about for quite some time to come.,

I have no words. Dark, dark fantasy. Masterfully done. 6 stars...

M. L. Wang, you brilliant, beautiful monster 😭💔

Such a beautiful yet harrowing story. At times, the lessons (mainly one big one) the characters were supposed to learn from this monstrous tale became redundant and illicited a couple of raised eye rolls. Really. I found myself wanting to reach into the pages and shake everyone and yell "STOP DOING THIS PLEASE." But once they figured it out, it was done quite beautifully. The main plot conflict wrapped up rather suddenly and quickly, but I don't mind this so much, as this is clearly a more character-driven narrative that is only propelled by the monster of the plot. Lots of tears and emotions in this one and beautiful prose. Looking forward to more from this author in the future! 

I felt the beginning of this was a slog at times, but once pieces fall into place and things really take off, it is a rollercoaster of a ride. It's such a unique world that I can't wait to revisit and see how our characters continue to grow and overcome challenges. This was my first Sanderson novel and I definitely get the hype and now I've unleashed a massive collection of works I'll get to work my way through.

A beautiful, wonderful, relatable, funny, important, emotional, valid coming-of-age story about asexuality and finding that where you fit in comes from understanding and having confidence and acceptance in yourself.

I wasn't sure about this in the beginning, as it was not a style I'm used to, but once it clicks it's hard to stop. Such a beautifully told story and I'm so excited that there are more in the series to devour 😍

So this means there will be a third, at least, right?! 😭 So perfect, just like the first. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll contemplate deep philosophical questions that don't exist in our world but are relevant all the same. How so much world- and character-building can be done so well with so little pages is an art form that Chambers has perfected. I'm in love with Sibling Dex and Mosscap and their beautifully unique and unexpected friendship. 💞