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librarianlayla's Reviews (954)
I am one of those people who have an unhealthy love for AIDAN and getting to see more of what the days were like in the run up to the entire Illuminae journey was so good. I adored this snippet as much as I adored the trilogy. Makes me want to dive in for a reread.
If you haven't read the Illuminae Files then I highly recommend it, although any books written by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman should come with warning labels for emotional distress. These books will draw you into the vortex and spit you out into a different dimension where you are no longer a strong, independent person who has never shed a tear, ever. Rather you will become a mewling, snivelling mess, with intense trust issues and self doubt. But what a hell of a ride it is to get there.
If you haven't read the Illuminae Files then I highly recommend it, although any books written by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman should come with warning labels for emotional distress. These books will draw you into the vortex and spit you out into a different dimension where you are no longer a strong, independent person who has never shed a tear, ever. Rather you will become a mewling, snivelling mess, with intense trust issues and self doubt. But what a hell of a ride it is to get there.
3 maybe 3.5 stars.
If you can push through to Act Four, you'll find that you enjoy this book.
However, Act Four, is three quarters into the story. Now, this book is beautifully written, do not get me wrong. My fear is that I am not of a high enough intellectual calibre with which to appreciate it's depth. The first three quarters of the book are written in a confusing manner, this is done so deliberately, and anyone who has fought with their own mind can relate to the turbulent abyss of one's own refusal to accept facts. Especially when facing grief.
But you do need to be able to push through the confusion and constant back and forth to get to the good bit, the parts that made Gideon the Ninth, great. There was a loss of soul to the first four acts, which if you push through, makes a lot more sense in Act Four. I flew through that last Act, I felt it, it hurt me a little. Do not go into this thinking it will have the same humour, banter or heart that the first book had, prepare yourself to fall down the rabbit hole. We're all a little mad here.
If you can push through to Act Four, you'll find that you enjoy this book.
However, Act Four, is three quarters into the story. Now, this book is beautifully written, do not get me wrong. My fear is that I am not of a high enough intellectual calibre with which to appreciate it's depth. The first three quarters of the book are written in a confusing manner, this is done so deliberately, and anyone who has fought with their own mind can relate to the turbulent abyss of one's own refusal to accept facts. Especially when facing grief.
But you do need to be able to push through the confusion and constant back and forth to get to the good bit, the parts that made Gideon the Ninth, great. There was a loss of soul to the first four acts, which if you push through, makes a lot more sense in Act Four. I flew through that last Act, I felt it, it hurt me a little. Do not go into this thinking it will have the same humour, banter or heart that the first book had, prepare yourself to fall down the rabbit hole. We're all a little mad here.
Such a delightful snippet, I adored The Raven and the Dove and this has geared me up perfectly for diving into the sequel!
If you are looking for a unique world, with bird human hybrids, mystery, dark lore, dragons, love and betrayal, then this might just be for you.
If you are looking for a unique world, with bird human hybrids, mystery, dark lore, dragons, love and betrayal, then this might just be for you.
I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Dark and fast paced, this tale is an interesting take on dreams and nightmares.
It delves into the human psyche, tackling a variety of human emotions through not only the characters but their world. It was well written but it seemed to lack something, I didn't feel anything. There were small infrequent moments that were meaningful, but I think it was really missing connection with the reader. I sadly found myself feeling a little bored at times, and it had such a morbid undercurrent to it, that it should have appealed to my melancholic nature. However, it just missed the mark for me.
I really enjoyed the entire concept though, and I don't think I've read a book quite like it. Truly original and will certainly appeal to those of a darker demeanour who enjoy tales of a more twisted nature, the writing was just missing something to draw this particular reader in .
Dark and fast paced, this tale is an interesting take on dreams and nightmares.
It delves into the human psyche, tackling a variety of human emotions through not only the characters but their world. It was well written but it seemed to lack something, I didn't feel anything. There were small infrequent moments that were meaningful, but I think it was really missing connection with the reader. I sadly found myself feeling a little bored at times, and it had such a morbid undercurrent to it, that it should have appealed to my melancholic nature. However, it just missed the mark for me.
I really enjoyed the entire concept though, and I don't think I've read a book quite like it. Truly original and will certainly appeal to those of a darker demeanour who enjoy tales of a more twisted nature, the writing was just missing something to draw this particular reader in .
An interesting introduction to the Grishaverse.
I enjoy the depth of the world and feel that so much more is in store with regards to exploring it and the different regions/people.
I wanted a little more from the main characters but found Genya to be perhaps the most interesting of them all, she had layers that I wanted to delve into. I wanted a little more depth to The Darkling, more for me to love to hate and hate to love.
I am loooking forward to carrying on with this series though and seeing where their story takes them.
I enjoy the depth of the world and feel that so much more is in store with regards to exploring it and the different regions/people.
I wanted a little more from the main characters but found Genya to be perhaps the most interesting of them all, she had layers that I wanted to delve into. I wanted a little more depth to The Darkling, more for me to love to hate and hate to love.
I am loooking forward to carrying on with this series though and seeing where their story takes them.
A tough, determined girl seeking answers and claiming what is rightfully hers.
I adored this book from start to finish, I love the gritty determination of Fable and her story is so compelling. The sea faring aspect of this is done so well and I couldn't put this book down.
If you are looking for a story with a strong female character, plenty of deception and mystery all taking place in a world reliant on seafarer's and their trade - then this may just be for you.
I adored this book from start to finish, I love the gritty determination of Fable and her story is so compelling. The sea faring aspect of this is done so well and I couldn't put this book down.
If you are looking for a story with a strong female character, plenty of deception and mystery all taking place in a world reliant on seafarer's and their trade - then this may just be for you.
September 2020 - I received an extended excerpt of this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was only a 52 page long excerpt, but it gripped me from start to finish! I cannot wait to have the whole book in my hands!
Mystery, monsters, beautiful raw emotion, interesting characters and cultures. It has it all within those first 50 odd pages and I wanted more. I really appreciated that the majority of the introduced characters communicate in sign language, I also appreciate that so much history was conveyed so quickly but in enough depth that you didn't feel lost. Fantastic world building.
If you enjoy dystopian-esque, sci-fi novels that start off swinging, then I think this may interest you.
October 2020- After reading the entire book, my thoughts on this did not change, this is Marie-Lu's best novel yet!
I adore the relationship's between characters, their development over time. The twists and turns throughout keep you turning the pages. I cannot wait for the sequel, my heart needs it.
This was only a 52 page long excerpt, but it gripped me from start to finish! I cannot wait to have the whole book in my hands!
Mystery, monsters, beautiful raw emotion, interesting characters and cultures. It has it all within those first 50 odd pages and I wanted more. I really appreciated that the majority of the introduced characters communicate in sign language, I also appreciate that so much history was conveyed so quickly but in enough depth that you didn't feel lost. Fantastic world building.
If you enjoy dystopian-esque, sci-fi novels that start off swinging, then I think this may interest you.
October 2020- After reading the entire book, my thoughts on this did not change, this is Marie-Lu's best novel yet!
I adore the relationship's between characters, their development over time. The twists and turns throughout keep you turning the pages. I cannot wait for the sequel, my heart needs it.
I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3/3.5 stars.
This wasn't exactly what I thought it was going to be. It began dark and gothic and I thought were headed for perhaps a fantasy realism story, however it just turned into a teen contemporary.
I liked some of the characters and felt that Ava had depth and layers to her. There was a haunting sad undertone to the whole story that I appreciated and had hoped was going to be the main theme of the story.
The small nods to Beauty and the Beast are subtle and infrequent, so I'm not sure it can be fully classed as a re-imagined version.
Overall if you love teen romances with happy endings, this may be for you.
3/3.5 stars.
This wasn't exactly what I thought it was going to be. It began dark and gothic and I thought were headed for perhaps a fantasy realism story, however it just turned into a teen contemporary.
I liked some of the characters and felt that Ava had depth and layers to her. There was a haunting sad undertone to the whole story that I appreciated and had hoped was going to be the main theme of the story.
The small nods to Beauty and the Beast are subtle and infrequent, so I'm not sure it can be fully classed as a re-imagined version.
Overall if you love teen romances with happy endings, this may be for you.
I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A Supernatural-esque world with the heir to the throne of Hell, who doesn't want her birthright. Angels, demons, creatures and fae all intermingled in one story sounded right up my alley! However, unfortunately, it fell a little short for me.
I felt that the story seemed a little rushed and out of sync at times, I really wanted there to be more from the characters as a whole. Particularly Klara, I wanted to feel for her journey. There are some really good nuggets in the rough, I liked her attitude and wit, she had some really good sassy one liners, but I just wanted to feel more for her as a character given the trials she faces. The romance seemed a little patchy and unnecessary.
A really good idea though on the whole, and has so much potential, I just needed more from it.
A Supernatural-esque world with the heir to the throne of Hell, who doesn't want her birthright. Angels, demons, creatures and fae all intermingled in one story sounded right up my alley! However, unfortunately, it fell a little short for me.
I felt that the story seemed a little rushed and out of sync at times, I really wanted there to be more from the characters as a whole. Particularly Klara, I wanted to feel for her journey. There are some really good nuggets in the rough, I liked her attitude and wit, she had some really good sassy one liners, but I just wanted to feel more for her as a character given the trials she faces. The romance seemed a little patchy and unnecessary.
A really good idea though on the whole, and has so much potential, I just needed more from it.
I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warning to those who may be affected by themes of bullying and suicidal thoughts, these are themes within this graphic novel.
Delicates is poignant, heartfelt and filled with an important message.
I loved this one even more than I loved Sheets, it really hits home with it's underlying message of acceptance and tolerance. I could not put this down, it really hit home and left me feeling so much. I adored it from start to finish and I hope that we may be blessed with more stories in the future of Marjorie, Wendell and Eliza in the future.
Trigger warning to those who may be affected by themes of bullying and suicidal thoughts, these are themes within this graphic novel.
Delicates is poignant, heartfelt and filled with an important message.
I loved this one even more than I loved Sheets, it really hits home with it's underlying message of acceptance and tolerance. I could not put this down, it really hit home and left me feeling so much. I adored it from start to finish and I hope that we may be blessed with more stories in the future of Marjorie, Wendell and Eliza in the future.