I ate this book up, literally could not put it down. The writing was both easy to read and so well done I enjoyed it immensely. I loved the dark story telling aspect and language used through out that just added to the setting. I also loved the characters! I really have no complaints because a book that leaves me thinking is my favorite type of book. I am just going to thought dump in this review as well but the rest will be spoilers.

First off it was really well done how Dove was written in; I had no inkling that she was dead until Andrew saw the painting of the three of them and we heard more conversations between Thomas and Lana. Maybe that’s just me, but I think the first couple parts with Andrew seeing her in the car with him, her fight with Thomas that made Thomas “avoid” her, and the glare between Thomas and “Dove” in the auditorium on the first day that was probably between Thomas and Lana were excellent touches. So many things said from Andrew to Thomas also hit harder such as when they had their fight and Andrew told Thomas to “Go be with Dove then”. OOF I wonder if Thomas took that as “go die” or if he was only concerned for Andrew’s wellbeing. This leads me to Andrew’s imagination and how much of what was going on was actually real. Now it’s possible the monsters are real given the fact that Thomas could also see them and all the events that happened around the school, especially when everyone fell asleep and Andrew killed the monster; but I also think it’s possible they aren’t real and Thomas is going along with Andrew so he doesn’t upset him. I should have seen this sooner too because I kept thinking why wouldn’t they tell Dove? She is the smart one and can at least make a better plan for dealing with the monsters. This also puts into perspective the deaths that occurred; Thomas’s parents, Mr. Clemens and Bryce… Did thomas actually kill them? or was it the monsters? It could be Andrew’s way of coping with what Thomas may have done so that He can stay with him. This can also be backed up by the amount of injuries they stacked up that went unnoticed by peers and adults. Lastly, the ending!!!! Oh my god I can’t believe it would end like that. Now I don’t know if it was like they died together or if Andrew killed Thomas and when he spoke it was similar to the Dove that Andrew created and he is not real. Taking both the real monster and monsters not real theory; the forest needed a heart so we know one died, or Andrew ended up killing Thomas after dealing with all that trauma and grief. Either way it’s definitely a dark ending not unlike Andrew’s stories which made for the perfect finish.

Edit: I am still thinking about this book and if anyone wants to keep feeling it too I made a playlist on spotify at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1dyd0V1yjXpCvAkJNFANlj?si=1yZJs--SQNeMXpvkK3TeXA&pi=uOchxb4DQYaVP

Love a good age jump but that happened kind of fast!

These boys are kinda selfish towards Rygen damn, I don’t particularly like the way women are being talked about and portrayed in these books and now that they’re older I think it is only going to get worse.

I think the story is getting better and finally moving along but a lot of it focuses way too much on the characters. There’s still not that much plot.

This book was so slow and the only thing that kept me listening was the fact that I am working while I do. I like the idea of the world it set up but it took until the last 15% of the book to get there. The entire book focused on each of the characters lives in poverty and what they did for work. I also wish that the narrator was younger given there are two young boys being voiced (10 and 13) and their father is only 31 so his voice could be younger too. I also disliked how the author portrayed the women in this book.

First with the weird comments on the mage from the father; which felt out of character… why did he mention dreaming of her taking off her robe huh?! Second with Leo and his friend, with whom he suddenly started taking an interest to (they’re 10 this is unnecessary). Third with the rebel army and how the leader who recruited the father just has no idea how to actually fight or survive without his help.

Despite this I think the story will get better so I am going to continue on.

Sooo beautifully written. I loved how this book was written and loved it even tho it’s not a book that’s driven by plot. It was slow in the beginning but it picks up soon after and I was fully invested quick.

I enjoyed all the stories Addie had to tell but do wish she did more with her time or explored more ways to loophole her curse; she doesn’t find Henry until 300 years in and we learn it wasn’t coincidental but it still leaves you thinking maybe she could have done more. Her relationship with Luc is also very interesting and even after finishing it I cannot tell if he “loves” her or not. I am so happy Henry didn’t die!

. Going to be reading more by this author.

Tony is wayyyy too smart to be doing what he does… He knows how to get out in and out of trouble and avoids nearly every major disaster that could’ve happened. This book was just as entertaining as the second but felt a bit like the same thing. I was hoping for more but I still really enjoyed it. The way these books are written make it seem like the author could write 20 more and it would just be Tony getting into trouble.

I enjoyed this much more than the first story! Tony gets into some shady stuff and it spirals after that.

This was definitely dark but also a crazy concept to think about. A new loophole to murdering someone was discovered which is forcing people to commit suicide, meaning they can’t come back. I wonder what else counts. Also I didn’t mention this in the last review but if the place someone appears after being killed is their happy place (theorized) could someone just think of a place before they die and end up there? if they will it enough this could be really useful.

I hope Tony gets into more shady stuff cause it was highly entertaining.

Loved the concept of this book, felt like a quick immersion, short and … not sweet but intriguing! I also loved the idea of a main character that’s not a hero in his line of work and isn’t evil either. I can’t say he’s morally grey yet even tho he does some shady stuff. I can’t wait to read the next one and see what he does next. I am also hoping to learn more about this death phenomenon.

Obviously there will be loopholes but what kinds and what other crimes does this open up?

I really enjoy books by lilly chu and this one was no exception. Very cute and an easy read. I wish there was more to the romance aspect or more build up. I also wish there was more of a relationship between  Gracie and Wei Fangli but I get where the main focus is at. Loved the realistic touch of mental illness and bad coping mechanisms tho!

What a wild ride this book was. I think that so many parts of this book were confusing and would have benefitted from a more written out plot but it was still very good. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives between Darcy and Hope. The council reminds me of the twilight volturi, and I could not stop picturing the wife as Jane/ Dakota fanning haha. Need the next book now and didn’t know it wasn’t out yet (‘: 

This series is so fun to listen to! However, I do wish more of the plot was written out rather than just noises, especially during the fighting scenes as it makes it hard to understand what is going on. Hope’s growth in this book was great and I couldn’t wait to see what she accomplishes.  Some parts of this book felt slow to me but it was still good.