You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
librarianlayla's Reviews (954)
Dark and heartbreaking. A take on The Little Mermaid that leaves you breathless and yet empowered. A story of sisterhood and the battles that women have fought and will continue to fight. Enthralling.
I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this story, the main character can be a tad infuriating. However by the end, I couldn't put the book down and it ends in such a way it is left open for a possible sequel.
Fast paced, mysterious, dark.
Fast paced, mysterious, dark.
Holly Black does it again.
I adored the Cruel Prince, little did I know how much more my adoration could grow with The Wicked King. My heart hurts, but I love it. I want more. I need more.
The cunning, the wit, the sarcasm, I loved it all. The third book can't come quick enough.
I adored the Cruel Prince, little did I know how much more my adoration could grow with The Wicked King. My heart hurts, but I love it. I want more. I need more.
The cunning, the wit, the sarcasm, I loved it all. The third book can't come quick enough.
*CW for mentions of both physical and sexual violence*
Dark, fast paced, raw.
I love edgy dystopian stories, and New World Rising didn't disappoint. Right from the start it is brutal, and grips the reader. The world is split after apocalyptic events, and the main character Phoenix has had to learn how to survive in it, all on her own.
There are a diverse collection of characters, and a lot of blurred lines as to who is really good and who is wrong in this world. A lot of underlying depth to so many characters.
If I had anything negative to say, it would be that the events that happen to her parents, are relayed a little too often. I feel that the opening sequence gave enough detail, and maybe it needed to be mentioned once after. But not as frequently as it was. It is clear enough that her past has shaped the way she is now, and I think that there could have been more to her, without the constant need to repeat the exact same lines over and over.
But I thoroughly enjoyed the fast paced nature of the story, the gritty determination and intellect that makes Phoenix so intriguing and the development of her character. I hope I can pick up the sequels in the future.
Dark, fast paced, raw.
I love edgy dystopian stories, and New World Rising didn't disappoint. Right from the start it is brutal, and grips the reader. The world is split after apocalyptic events, and the main character Phoenix has had to learn how to survive in it, all on her own.
There are a diverse collection of characters, and a lot of blurred lines as to who is really good and who is wrong in this world. A lot of underlying depth to so many characters.
If I had anything negative to say, it would be that the events that happen to her parents, are relayed a little too often. I feel that the opening sequence gave enough detail, and maybe it needed to be mentioned once after. But not as frequently as it was. It is clear enough that her past has shaped the way she is now, and I think that there could have been more to her, without the constant need to repeat the exact same lines over and over.
But I thoroughly enjoyed the fast paced nature of the story, the gritty determination and intellect that makes Phoenix so intriguing and the development of her character. I hope I can pick up the sequels in the future.
I was lucky enough to be sent an eARC of this story through NetGalley, for an honest review.
A fast paced mix of folklore and cultures. Dark, raw and filled with the unknown.
I don't think I've ever seen such a mix of New Orleans voodoo, Native American spiritualism coupled and Hinduism. There is so much rich history interwoven into this one story.
I am always fascinated by New Orleans and the atmosphere that it creates. And I've always been interested in Native American beliefs. So I knew that this story of self discovery would really speak to me.
If I had anything negative to say it would be that it can sometimes be confusing as to whose voice you're reading. The story is told from multiple view points but all of them are in first person. Therefore it is a little hard to understand who's viewpoint you're reading from until several pages into a chapter. But this could be down to it being translated from Spanish to English, I'm not 100% sure.
The way it is written could easily be translated to screen and I feel that a TV adaptation would do this fantastic story, justice.
A wild ride from start to finish.
A fast paced mix of folklore and cultures. Dark, raw and filled with the unknown.
I don't think I've ever seen such a mix of New Orleans voodoo, Native American spiritualism coupled and Hinduism. There is so much rich history interwoven into this one story.
I am always fascinated by New Orleans and the atmosphere that it creates. And I've always been interested in Native American beliefs. So I knew that this story of self discovery would really speak to me.
If I had anything negative to say it would be that it can sometimes be confusing as to whose voice you're reading. The story is told from multiple view points but all of them are in first person. Therefore it is a little hard to understand who's viewpoint you're reading from until several pages into a chapter. But this could be down to it being translated from Spanish to English, I'm not 100% sure.
The way it is written could easily be translated to screen and I feel that a TV adaptation would do this fantastic story, justice.
A wild ride from start to finish.
Nightbooks is a great introduction to spooktacular stories!
It was filled with fantastic snippets of fairy tales, new scary stories and really great characters.
It was filled with fantastic snippets of fairy tales, new scary stories and really great characters.
3.5 stars.
Gilded Wolves felt like an immense world that had already been established in the authors head but she had forgotten to let the reader in on it.
The start was slow, I felt as if I was reading a sequel, rather than the first in a series. I felt as though I should know a lot more information about the characters, the world, Forging ect and because I didn't I floundered. I felt as if, perhaps, I wasn't intelligent enough with which to grasp the deeply intellectual story.
However it really picked up for me in the latter part of the book, and I found myself being able to enjoy it more. But I really did struggle in the beginning.
Laila is my favourite character. Be that because I don't often see my own name in a story and so latched on with the desperate need to connect to something. Or if it is because she had the most compelling and heart breaking back story. I'm unsure, but I connected and was moved by her.
Zofia I felt was written very well, and I really enjoyed her character too. Although the math heavy chapters did make me feel like I was drowning a little, completely out of my depth. Adding to the feeling that I probably would have enjoyed this story so much more if my IQ were a little higher.
Hypnos brought some much needed comic relief in the latter part of the book, however I found it disappointing that his 'ability' was only used once, at the beginning. And then didn't make an appearance anywhere else in the book, when perhaps it could have been used.
I adore the diversity of backgrounds, ethnicities and sexualities of the characters. It honestly is a melting pot of cultures and personalities. More of which needs to be seen in today's literature.
The ending was so emotional, part of me wants to know how it all ends, but I'm unsure if I will pick up the sequel.
Gilded Wolves felt like an immense world that had already been established in the authors head but she had forgotten to let the reader in on it.
The start was slow, I felt as if I was reading a sequel, rather than the first in a series. I felt as though I should know a lot more information about the characters, the world, Forging ect and because I didn't I floundered. I felt as if, perhaps, I wasn't intelligent enough with which to grasp the deeply intellectual story.
However it really picked up for me in the latter part of the book, and I found myself being able to enjoy it more. But I really did struggle in the beginning.
Laila is my favourite character. Be that because I don't often see my own name in a story and so latched on with the desperate need to connect to something. Or if it is because she had the most compelling and heart breaking back story. I'm unsure, but I connected and was moved by her.
Zofia I felt was written very well, and I really enjoyed her character too. Although the math heavy chapters did make me feel like I was drowning a little, completely out of my depth. Adding to the feeling that I probably would have enjoyed this story so much more if my IQ were a little higher.
Hypnos brought some much needed comic relief in the latter part of the book, however I found it disappointing that his 'ability' was only used once, at the beginning. And then didn't make an appearance anywhere else in the book, when perhaps it could have been used.
I adore the diversity of backgrounds, ethnicities and sexualities of the characters. It honestly is a melting pot of cultures and personalities. More of which needs to be seen in today's literature.
The ending was so emotional, part of me wants to know how it all ends, but I'm unsure if I will pick up the sequel.
4.5 stars.
Murder, mystery, madness. It really has it all.
I have always been a fan of Alice in Wonderland. The madness, the nonsense, finding sanctuary deep within one's mind. And I am so glad to say that Ever Alice doesn't disappoint.
I must admit, I saw the ending coming. But it didn't take away from the nonsensical journey that H. J. Ramsey takes us on. This story helped me connect to Alice more so than I think I have in years. The back and forth between 'reality' and Wonderland helps add authenticity.
I really enjoyed that the characters that you think you know and love, are all a little changed in this retelling. I was very glad that it wasn't more of the same. It isn't the Wonderland that you grew up knowing, but it certainly is the Wonderland you can imagine it being.
A tale for all those of us who are a little mad, and are looking for somewhere to belong.
Murder, mystery, madness. It really has it all.
I have always been a fan of Alice in Wonderland. The madness, the nonsense, finding sanctuary deep within one's mind. And I am so glad to say that Ever Alice doesn't disappoint.
I must admit, I saw the ending coming. But it didn't take away from the nonsensical journey that H. J. Ramsey takes us on. This story helped me connect to Alice more so than I think I have in years. The back and forth between 'reality' and Wonderland helps add authenticity.
I really enjoyed that the characters that you think you know and love, are all a little changed in this retelling. I was very glad that it wasn't more of the same. It isn't the Wonderland that you grew up knowing, but it certainly is the Wonderland you can imagine it being.
A tale for all those of us who are a little mad, and are looking for somewhere to belong.
A gorgeous story celebrating the important of friendships, maintaining patience and upholding traditions.
Beautiful illustrations highlight the beauty of the story itself. I adored this. I can't wait to see more in the future.
Beautiful illustrations highlight the beauty of the story itself. I adored this. I can't wait to see more in the future.