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laurelthebooks's Reviews (662)
This was fun, full heists and hijinks, some pretty keep-you-on-your-toes characters, and an interesting magic/pseudo-science set-up.
It was very, very predictable, but no less engrossing for it.
It was very, very predictable, but no less engrossing for it.
This review is of an advanced reader's copy. Many thanks to Wednesday Books!
A romp through displays of magic and ambition with some constantly teased mysterious pasts & twisty minds? Sign me up! Not to mention the cover has some shinies on it.
This wasn't a perfect read, it had some off pacing, loose strings, odd ends, and somewhat two-dimensional characterizations, but it was definitely fun read with some electric lines. The visual descriptions were right up my alley as well, and who can resist a cut-throat competition with some circus aspects? Not I! Once I started it was hard to put down, not to mention the ending. I won't say too much more here in deference to spoilers, but it was quite the cliffhanger.
I have plans to get my hands on the sequel when it comes out.
There are some YA cliches with romance as a big part of the second half, which isn't quite my jam, but the setting and background here have so much potential. The world in Where Dreams Descend simply begs to be explored.
Overall it is a fascinating story that carries you along at a fast pace. I recommend for fans of books like Caraval or Wicked Saints.
I will have a more in-depth review on my blog later this month.
A romp through displays of magic and ambition with some constantly teased mysterious pasts & twisty minds? Sign me up! Not to mention the cover has some shinies on it.
This wasn't a perfect read, it had some off pacing, loose strings, odd ends, and somewhat two-dimensional characterizations, but it was definitely fun read with some electric lines. The visual descriptions were right up my alley as well, and who can resist a cut-throat competition with some circus aspects? Not I! Once I started it was hard to put down, not to mention the ending. I won't say too much more here in deference to spoilers, but it was quite the cliffhanger.
I have plans to get my hands on the sequel when it comes out.
There are some YA cliches with romance as a big part of the second half, which isn't quite my jam, but the setting and background here have so much potential. The world in Where Dreams Descend simply begs to be explored.
Overall it is a fascinating story that carries you along at a fast pace. I recommend for fans of books like Caraval or Wicked Saints.
I will have a more in-depth review on my blog later this month.
I will have to mull this book over and return for a more thorough review (and a rating I suppose), but my first impulse after finishing was to pout and want to read it again.
Anyone who is interested in the concept of stories - why we tell them, how they get told, where they come from, how they impact lives, or any other numerous facets of stories - should read this book. Although it follows one primary character, Zachary Ezra Rawlins, throughout the book there are other stories told from multiple books and perspectives woven throughout the entire book.
The created world also fascinates me. I want to go over the descriptions again and again to try and build this place in my mind, but I'm well aware that I don't think I'll ever be able to truly manage it. It really gives you beautiful descriptors, yet allows your imagination to flourish.
This book definitely rates high on the magical fantasy list for me after my first read, and I can't wait to discuss it with others who have finished it!
Anyone who is interested in the concept of stories - why we tell them, how they get told, where they come from, how they impact lives, or any other numerous facets of stories - should read this book. Although it follows one primary character, Zachary Ezra Rawlins, throughout the book there are other stories told from multiple books and perspectives woven throughout the entire book.
The created world also fascinates me. I want to go over the descriptions again and again to try and build this place in my mind, but I'm well aware that I don't think I'll ever be able to truly manage it. It really gives you beautiful descriptors, yet allows your imagination to flourish.
This book definitely rates high on the magical fantasy list for me after my first read, and I can't wait to discuss it with others who have finished it!
1) I now dearly wish to find time to read David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.
2) The Literature major in me desires to travel back in time with this book and hand it to the young-me sitting through Literary Theory classes. This would have made me perk up and pay closer attention to the joy that can be mined when analyzing a text. The use of literary theories here is beautiful.
Those points aside, this was a fun read with an entertaining premise. Who wouldn't want to read out Sherlock Holmes to deal with life if they could? Some more modern books and characters would have been awesome to see, but there was a certain charm to the assortment of Classics that appear throughout.
The sibling relationship manages to relate the utter annoyance and love that comes with growing up together, although the personalities depicted meant that I didn't always understand where the character was coming from initially. I recommend this to anyone who has studied literature and enjoys a gratifying adventure (or just anyone, I'm not picky)!
2) The Literature major in me desires to travel back in time with this book and hand it to the young-me sitting through Literary Theory classes. This would have made me perk up and pay closer attention to the joy that can be mined when analyzing a text. The use of literary theories here is beautiful.
Those points aside, this was a fun read with an entertaining premise. Who wouldn't want to read out Sherlock Holmes to deal with life if they could? Some more modern books and characters would have been awesome to see, but there was a certain charm to the assortment of Classics that appear throughout.
The sibling relationship manages to relate the utter annoyance and love that comes with growing up together, although the personalities depicted meant that I didn't always understand where the character was coming from initially. I recommend this to anyone who has studied literature and enjoys a gratifying adventure (or just anyone, I'm not picky)!
Stunning characters, a gripping narrative, and a wonderful journey into a beautiful and nuanced culture - this book was a joy to read!
It was also very predictable in terms of plot and where the characters end up, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment
It was also very predictable in terms of plot and where the characters end up, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment