There were moments in this book I had absolutely no idea what was happening but that seems intentional as Enger weaves a dystopian world where Lake Superior swallows people whole and children commit suicide to escape this life. 

Rainy was a lovely person but the pov was a bit disjointed for me, at points I was unsure what point in time he was referencing. 

I struggled with this book unlike any other Sanderson book. I normally feel like Sanderson’s writing is very accessible and easy for all levels of readers and that the payoff at the end with his well thought out writing and plotting is always so well done, that doesn’t really happen here. While I liked the characters there was no one that truly stood out who I loved. 

This is 3 stars not because it is a bad book, but oh my god am I FRUSTRATED after finishing it. 

$65,000 to put yourself in a position to die in a merciless and dehumanizing way?? wtf is wrong with rich people. 

You want a thrill? Find literally anything else to amuse yourself with. 

The only part of this idiocy I respected was the guides demanding clients respect the sherpas.

My god what a slow start… you have to get like 50% in before caring about wtf is happening.

I sincerely don’t know how many times in this series Pierce uses the “they’re dead… surprise no they aren’t!” trope but when people actually die it feels less real because of it. Cassius’s death should’ve hurt more but considering he died like a book ago too I’m left feeling not sad about it. 

Sevro was so annoying in this book. It’s like Pierce took all his best characters and ripped them to pieces.

What was the point of Lyria’s brain thing if she just removes it?? 

God everything was just so weird… it’s like he’s writing just to write. 

I think the growth in this book is what makes it special. But there are certainly moments that drag a bit. 

Elsa’s determination for her children in spite of a world that wants to eat them alive is a testament to a different kind of love story. Hanna’s ability to write of motherhood and hardship and femininity and create such a heartbreaking story through all of it is something I will be unable to stop thinking about. 

While the story of the Wager and its crew are actually a crazy true story of hardiness and survival, Grann goes even further and makes the story less about the shipwreck and subsequent events. But rather about the vast power of empire and how they have the ability to undermine history with the flick of a hand. Any book that focuses so heavily on the silences in the archives and in society are a 10/10 to me. Call them out, and Grann does so beautifully. 

Emily Henry just knows how to write women and their thoughts, fears, love, and dreams in a way no other person I’ve read can. Despite being different than all of her fmc characters I always feel a visceral connection to them in some way. Daphne perhaps most of all. And that is what makes this book so deliciously beautiful. The focus on herself and not just the love story, plus the growing friendship focus, as well as calling out her father. It all felt so genuine that I feel like Daphne is real, and I want to be her friend too. 

I am so mad not a single person in my life has read these because I have no one to talk to about everything that just happened…

Ghostbloods?? Kelsier?? Like wtf 

Also, Wayne’s ending was beautiful I really enjoyed that!

My favorite part of this series so far has honestly been Steris