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librarianlayla's Reviews (954)
4.5 stars.
I enjoyed the character development in this and the high stakes thrill of the game. Parts of the ending caught me off guard which I really appreciated as I love it when I don't know what's coming. Overall a really good cat and mouse joy ride filled with touching moments.
I enjoyed the character development in this and the high stakes thrill of the game. Parts of the ending caught me off guard which I really appreciated as I love it when I don't know what's coming. Overall a really good cat and mouse joy ride filled with touching moments.
An interesting mystery set in a quirky bookstore in San Francisco.
I found the characters and the story itself quite interesting, at times the flow can feel a little stagnant, but it it all comes together for a heartfelt ending.
I found the characters and the story itself quite interesting, at times the flow can feel a little stagnant, but it it all comes together for a heartfelt ending.
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I loved delving back into this world and seeing things from Cardan's perspective, getting to know things about him that were only eluded to in the series. This book is also so gorgeously illustrated - it is breath taking.
I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
An interesting take on a pandemic-esque situation seen through the lense of a fantasy world. Fun and witty characters bring life to the magical world they inhabit, I just wish that there had been a little more depth to them. But a quick read highlighting how working together in hard times is for the good of all.
An interesting take on a pandemic-esque situation seen through the lense of a fantasy world. Fun and witty characters bring life to the magical world they inhabit, I just wish that there had been a little more depth to them. But a quick read highlighting how working together in hard times is for the good of all.
I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3/3.5 stars.
*PLEASE READ OWN VOICES REVIEWS - THIS IS NOT ONE*
I am reviewing this book from the stand point of someone who enjoyed the first book, but as I am not a part of the culture that these books are based on, I cannot speak to any inaccuracies or misrepresentation.
I think this book wasn't quite as good as the first one, the main characters who I found quite interesting and compelling in the first book felt a little washed out in this novel. I did enjoy Yemenia's chapters a lot more, and I enjoyed seeing her character development. I just felt that there was something missing overall from the story, I didn't find myself as in love as I was in the first one.
It does have action, suspense, love and betrayal but I just found that it needed a bit more work on the depth of the characters and their interactions with one another.
3/3.5 stars.
*PLEASE READ OWN VOICES REVIEWS - THIS IS NOT ONE*
I am reviewing this book from the stand point of someone who enjoyed the first book, but as I am not a part of the culture that these books are based on, I cannot speak to any inaccuracies or misrepresentation.
I think this book wasn't quite as good as the first one, the main characters who I found quite interesting and compelling in the first book felt a little washed out in this novel. I did enjoy Yemenia's chapters a lot more, and I enjoyed seeing her character development. I just felt that there was something missing overall from the story, I didn't find myself as in love as I was in the first one.
It does have action, suspense, love and betrayal but I just found that it needed a bit more work on the depth of the characters and their interactions with one another.
An amusing book trying to find it's title with the help of a colourful band of creatures, and it's author. A great bed time story for young children, but also really good for inspiring them to create their own stories.
I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found the idea of vampires and angels in an age old war to be an interesting concept. Throw in some angel/vampire hybrids and humans just trying to survive a dystopian world - and I was really intrigued.
Unfortunately for me, I felt that the book needed more work. I wanted to know more about the world, I wish there had been more depth to it and the characters as well. Some of them were interesting and had aspects that were great, however, I felt that for the most part they were just surface characters. This could have been in part due to the fact that the book flicks between time periods and between characters. So you really do have to pay attention to the character and what year it says it is, so you know whether or not you're going backwards or forwards with their character development.
I think it had some really good potential, just needed more polish to make it a book that is a page turner. It's format would suit an onscreen adaptation though.
I found the idea of vampires and angels in an age old war to be an interesting concept. Throw in some angel/vampire hybrids and humans just trying to survive a dystopian world - and I was really intrigued.
Unfortunately for me, I felt that the book needed more work. I wanted to know more about the world, I wish there had been more depth to it and the characters as well. Some of them were interesting and had aspects that were great, however, I felt that for the most part they were just surface characters. This could have been in part due to the fact that the book flicks between time periods and between characters. So you really do have to pay attention to the character and what year it says it is, so you know whether or not you're going backwards or forwards with their character development.
I think it had some really good potential, just needed more polish to make it a book that is a page turner. It's format would suit an onscreen adaptation though.
3.5/4 stars.
**Trigger warning for rape, child loss, post natal depression, suicidal thoughts, spousal abuse and drug abuse**
This story is essentially 12 short stories that interlink through, at times, brief encounters. Think Love Actually style. The stories span different periods of time and expand on the characters, their sense of self and their interactions with the world as people of colour. The chapters are broken down into sections with an easy flow to them that makes for quick reading.
And although I enjoyed most of the stories, being female, queer, black and British myself - I did wonder at why someone who, from what I have managed to gather online, is a heterosexual woman who does not seem to outwardly display any sort of allyship for the LGBTQIA+ community, is writing books that centre on them. Nor does she identify as non binary, which one of the characters in her book identifies as. I just think it would be nice for someone from the community this book is mostly centred on, to actually win the Booker Prize for a book on the same. Now if I am wrong - and she did extensive research/ is part of the community/ is an ally - then I am more than happy to amend my review.
However through the veneer of strength that she portrays her characters, there appears to be a lot of the common assumption that if you're a black lesbian - you're a bitchy, drug lover. And if you're black and gay then you're an up yourself snob, who focuses on fashion and being better than everyone else. And the perpetuated line that all queer folk are incapable of monogamy, was immensely tiresome. And a NB person portrayed as an uneducated tortured drug addicted soul, rather than taking the opportunity to show them as capable, strong and resilient was also disappointing.
The chapters that were from a straight woman's point of view, were the best written in my opinion. They seemed more rooted in authenticity and expressed more emotion and drive. There seemed to be more thought given to them.
The writing itself isn't bad, as to my rating, it's just the negative stereotypes that niggled me most.
**Trigger warning for rape, child loss, post natal depression, suicidal thoughts, spousal abuse and drug abuse**
This story is essentially 12 short stories that interlink through, at times, brief encounters. Think Love Actually style. The stories span different periods of time and expand on the characters, their sense of self and their interactions with the world as people of colour. The chapters are broken down into sections with an easy flow to them that makes for quick reading.
And although I enjoyed most of the stories, being female, queer, black and British myself - I did wonder at why someone who, from what I have managed to gather online, is a heterosexual woman who does not seem to outwardly display any sort of allyship for the LGBTQIA+ community, is writing books that centre on them. Nor does she identify as non binary, which one of the characters in her book identifies as. I just think it would be nice for someone from the community this book is mostly centred on, to actually win the Booker Prize for a book on the same. Now if I am wrong - and she did extensive research/ is part of the community/ is an ally - then I am more than happy to amend my review.
However through the veneer of strength that she portrays her characters, there appears to be a lot of the common assumption that if you're a black lesbian - you're a bitchy, drug lover. And if you're black and gay then you're an up yourself snob, who focuses on fashion and being better than everyone else. And the perpetuated line that all queer folk are incapable of monogamy, was immensely tiresome. And a NB person portrayed as an uneducated tortured drug addicted soul, rather than taking the opportunity to show them as capable, strong and resilient was also disappointing.
The chapters that were from a straight woman's point of view, were the best written in my opinion. They seemed more rooted in authenticity and expressed more emotion and drive. There seemed to be more thought given to them.
The writing itself isn't bad, as to my rating, it's just the negative stereotypes that niggled me most.
Magical and fast paced, Maya and the Rising Dark doesn't beat around the bush and throws the reader right into the action.
It is beautifully written and jam packed with adventure, self discovery and the love that comes from friends and family. I adore the way that Rena really draws her readers into the world, and paints it's history with such vivid imagery.
For fans of magical realism, ancient African gods and loyal friend groups - Maya and the Rising Dark is for you!
It is beautifully written and jam packed with adventure, self discovery and the love that comes from friends and family. I adore the way that Rena really draws her readers into the world, and paints it's history with such vivid imagery.
For fans of magical realism, ancient African gods and loyal friend groups - Maya and the Rising Dark is for you!
I'm very late to the party on this one but I glad that I've finally taken the plunge!
I enjoyed the character development and the world building. I found the lull in the centre to be a little draggy but overall I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to carrying on with this series.
I enjoyed the character development and the world building. I found the lull in the centre to be a little draggy but overall I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to carrying on with this series.