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ninetalevixen
Buddy read with Sam! ❤
I received a review copy from Netgalley. This does not affect my rating or opinions.
I knew from the title and cover that this would be one of The Best or else one of The Worst books I read this year, and I am so excited to announce that it turned out to be the former!
I received a review copy from Netgalley. This does not affect my rating or opinions.
I knew from the title and cover that this would be one of The Best or else one of The Worst books I read this year, and I am so excited to announce that it turned out to be the former!
When have you ever heard of two Manic Pixies in love? I mean, wouldn't the universe explode from an overload of quirky cuteness?
This is so delightfully meta and so delightfully cute, self-aware and playful and ironic and whimsical. It has funny scenes, and cute scenes, and heartbreaking scenes, and some ... colorful references to pop culture. (Though I will say that I think the John Green shade goes a little far at times; I had a little snicker at some of the punchlines, but I do actually like a lot of his books — not to mention his other work as a YouTuber and general public figure.) And it's funny — I actually laughed out loud several times, which is rare for me! — with both multifaceted slow-build jokes and "bathroom" level humor. As a writer myself, I felt so called out by certain lines and scenes, but in a way that made me feel like I was in on the joke: #soaccurateithurts.
It's always something with these Authors. Why can't they just sit their butts down, do the nine-to-five grind like everyone else, and write in a linear fashion? Is that so freaking hard?
One of this book's greatest strengths is that there's something new around every corner, whether it's a bit of worldbuilding, a "different" Trope, an unexpected insight on emotional health and/or identity, or a development in one of several simultaneous storylines. It's an adventure in the truest sense of the word: there's travel between different parts of TropeTown (oh, and a fun map of Riley's world!), as well as moments of self-doubt and self-discovery, but there are (slightly) calmer moments where we get to just hang out with the characters in group therapy, getting to know them and vicariously enjoying all the different kinds of pie provided.
It's important to me that you like me. Because the more you like me, the more you'll care about what happens to me, and the more likely it is you'll continue to read my story. And I want you to continue because I don't exist otherwise.
Riley and the other Manic Pixie Tropes really exemplify "show, don't tell" — beyond their character sheets (which we get to peek at!) and flashier quirks, they each have so much personality and so much heart. (Or, well, varying amounts of heart.
This book definitely isn't for everyone, as the Goodreads average rating and some early reviews demonstrate. But if you like your romcoms with snark, a vivacious (and sometimes petty) friend group, and some crises of existentialism, I really think you'll like this one.
Quotes are taken from an Advance Reader Copy and may change upon publication.
This has been sitting in my Kindle library since I picked it up for free in 2015, and only now have I gotten around to actually reading it. It's a quick and sufficiently entertaining read, more style than substance (with the kinds of photos you'd put on a writing moodboard but usually wouldn't include in the actual book). While there is a clear climax, there isn't much in the way of falling action or resolution ... it kind of just ends, so that the whole episode feels like just a blip in the protagonist's life.
And honestly, I just don't buy the repeated use of "Oh, I was in a bad movie where I learned the exact skill that will get me out of this alive" — especially since I've watched Mythbusters and have friends who just can't resist debunking these scenes during a casual movie marathon.
And honestly, I just don't buy the repeated use of "Oh, I was in a bad movie where I learned the exact skill that will get me out of this alive" — especially since I've watched Mythbusters and have friends who just can't resist debunking these scenes during a casual movie marathon.
Honestly, this feels like about what I'd expect from a Classic^TM (including some period-typical racism, with use of the n-word, and sexism). Wells is an engaging storyteller, but it's quite to-the-point, with a straightforward plot and straightforward morality and straightforward characters; the sci-fi aspect is definitely present but the focus is much more philosophical.
★ 3.5 stars ★
content warnings:
rep:
I had such high hopes based on the premise and first few chapters, but ultimately I was somewhat underwhelmed, relative to how much I wanted to love this one. It's still a better-than-good read with interesting worldbuilding — though there were so many elements and I didn't feel like they all quite fit together — and a likable enough cast — though the characters mostly felt a bit flat, which is ironic given the metanarrative about character development; part of the problem might be that so much of the plot feels like it's happening to the characters, rather than happening because the characters make deliberate and significant choices.
Still, I did like the way this handles the books-within-the-book trope, and the matter-of-fact pansexual representation. I have a feeling a certain pairing will get together before the end of this series, and I do think their romantic relationship could use more development in the meantime; that said, I liked that romance wasn't a major aspect of the plot of this book.
All things considered, I'm invested enough to pick up the next one.
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CONVERSION: 9.3 / 15 = 3.5 stars
Prose: 5 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 6 / 10
Emotional Impact: 5 / 10
Development / Flow: 5 / 10
Setting: 8 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: 3 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 4 / 5
content warnings:
Spoiler
major character death(s), panic attack, mention of cancer, mention of suiciderep:
Spoiler
pansexual Black? MC [Claire], Black/multiracial (?) MC [Leto]I had such high hopes based on the premise and first few chapters, but ultimately I was somewhat underwhelmed, relative to how much I wanted to love this one. It's still a better-than-good read with interesting worldbuilding — though there were so many elements and I didn't feel like they all quite fit together — and a likable enough cast — though the characters mostly felt a bit flat, which is ironic given the metanarrative about character development; part of the problem might be that so much of the plot feels like it's happening to the characters, rather than happening because the characters make deliberate and significant choices.
Still, I did like the way this handles the books-within-the-book trope, and the matter-of-fact pansexual representation. I have a feeling a certain pairing will get together before the end of this series, and I do think their romantic relationship could use more development in the meantime; that said, I liked that romance wasn't a major aspect of the plot of this book.
All things considered, I'm invested enough to pick up the next one.
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CONVERSION: 9.3 / 15 = 3.5 stars
Prose: 5 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 6 / 10
Emotional Impact: 5 / 10
Development / Flow: 5 / 10
Setting: 8 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: 3 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 4 / 5
An enjoyable enough read, though after a while Bartimaeus's footnotes/ asides start to become more tiresome than humorous.
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CONVERSION: 7.93 / 15 = 3 stars
Prose: 5 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 6 / 10
Emotional Impact: 5 / 10
Development / Flow: 5 / 10
Setting: 7 / 10
Intellectual Engagement: 3 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 2 / 5
Rereadability: 2 / 5
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CONVERSION: 7.93 / 15 = 3 stars
Prose: 5 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 6 / 10
Emotional Impact: 5 / 10
Development / Flow: 5 / 10
Setting: 7 / 10
Intellectual Engagement: 3 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 2 / 5
Rereadability: 2 / 5
content warnings:
rep:
This was okay, but I didn't feel like it added much to the series. I felt like Asmira didn't have much personal integrity, with all the lying and empty promises and condescension, especially compared to how. Though I get how it ties into the rest of the series, I also found the ending note — — to be more than a little problematic.
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CONVERSION: 6 / 15 = 2 stars
Prose: 5 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 4 / 10
Emotional Impact: 3 / 10
Development / Flow: 4 / 10
Setting: 4 / 10
Originality / Trope Execution: 2 / 5
Spoiler
slavery (human & demon), whipping, abuse & torture, human trafficking, attempted kidnapping, murder, parent death (precanon/flashback), passing mention of animal sacrifice, implication of being buried aliverep:
Spoiler
Israeli setting & charactersThis was okay, but I didn't feel like it added much to the series. I felt like Asmira didn't have much personal integrity, with all the lying and empty promises and condescension, especially compared to how
Spoiler
Nathaniel and Kitty both worked super hard to be able to summon Bartimaeus, despite various obstacles; meanwhile, Asmira had it spoon-fed to her and got luckySpoiler
basically that Bartimaeus likes his enslavement despite his moaning; in context this particular sentiment doesn't seem to take human slavery into account, but the connection should be obvious given that human slavery is present in this book-----------
CONVERSION: 6 / 15 = 2 stars
Prose: 5 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 4 / 10
Emotional Impact: 3 / 10
Development / Flow: 4 / 10
Setting: 4 / 10
Originality / Trope Execution: 2 / 5
>> Buddy read with Emily, Vilina, Mel & David!
"Black-Eyed Women"
★★★★☆
Quietly profound; the slice-of-life structure thoughtfully depicts a turning point, with meta themes of storytelling and writing, a play on words (ghostwriting), lots to unpack here.
"The Other Man"
★★★☆☆
Demonstrates the power and complexities of human connection, discovery/ exploration of sexuality and self. Easy to focus on the superficial story, in its universality-through-specificity, and thus miss any deeper significance.
"War Years"
★★★☆☆
Compelling narrative voice, though there's a lot of disparate elements and themes and motifs that for me didn't quite come together. Also, the fixation on female nipples is super uncomfy.
"The Transplant"
★★★☆☆
An interesting take on the organ-donor trope, but the themes of race and heritage lose some nuance when they're made so explicit, and the overall narrative arc is not very strong.
"I'd Love You to Want Me"
★★★★☆
Twisty, with tons left unspoken (unwritten): food for speculation. A fascinating study of a particular relationship.
"The Americans"
★★★★☆
The narrator borders on insufferable, but it's a well-written perspective that gives good insight into the other characters and their beliefs.
"Someone Else Besides You"
★★★☆☆
Family relationships are certainly tricky, particularly when there's a cross-cultural element. Not a fan of the sexist gender roles, but I respect their cultural and narrative significance.
"Fatherland"
★★★★☆
Despite the title, for me the major appeal is the two sisters who share a name and a father and little else. An interesting look at the interplay between choice and circumstance, and of course familial relationships too.
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[2019 original review]
To this day, I have yet to find a collection of short stories as engaging and compelling as [b:The Things They Carried|133518|The Things They Carried|Tim O'Brien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1424663847l/133518._SY75_.jpg|1235619] — but this comes pretty close, and is fascinating in its own right besides. Normally I'd write up a rating and sort of reaction blurb for each short story, but in this case I think their themes are interwoven strongly enough that it would be hard to make them distinct. Suffice it to say that the plots aren't all memorable and the characters aren't all likable — however, the composition of the stories made me stop and think.
"Black-Eyed Women"
★★★★☆
Quietly profound; the slice-of-life structure thoughtfully depicts a turning point, with meta themes of storytelling and writing, a play on words (ghostwriting), lots to unpack here.
"The Other Man"
★★★☆☆
Demonstrates the power and complexities of human connection, discovery/ exploration of sexuality and self. Easy to focus on the superficial story, in its universality-through-specificity, and thus miss any deeper significance.
"War Years"
★★★☆☆
Compelling narrative voice, though there's a lot of disparate elements and themes and motifs that for me didn't quite come together. Also, the fixation on female nipples is super uncomfy.
"The Transplant"
★★★☆☆
An interesting take on the organ-donor trope, but the themes of race and heritage lose some nuance when they're made so explicit, and the overall narrative arc is not very strong.
"I'd Love You to Want Me"
★★★★☆
Twisty, with tons left unspoken (unwritten): food for speculation. A fascinating study of a particular relationship.
"The Americans"
★★★★☆
The narrator borders on insufferable, but it's a well-written perspective that gives good insight into the other characters and their beliefs.
"Someone Else Besides You"
★★★☆☆
Family relationships are certainly tricky, particularly when there's a cross-cultural element. Not a fan of the sexist gender roles, but I respect their cultural and narrative significance.
"Fatherland"
★★★★☆
Despite the title, for me the major appeal is the two sisters who share a name and a father and little else. An interesting look at the interplay between choice and circumstance, and of course familial relationships too.
-----------
[2019 original review]
Spoiler
3.5 stars.I am a bad refugee because I insist on seeing the historical reasons that create refugees and the historical reasons for denying refugee status to certain populations.
To this day, I have yet to find a collection of short stories as engaging and compelling as [b:The Things They Carried|133518|The Things They Carried|Tim O'Brien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1424663847l/133518._SY75_.jpg|1235619] — but this comes pretty close, and is fascinating in its own right besides. Normally I'd write up a rating and sort of reaction blurb for each short story, but in this case I think their themes are interwoven strongly enough that it would be hard to make them distinct. Suffice it to say that the plots aren't all memorable and the characters aren't all likable — however, the composition of the stories made me stop and think.
This review (and more) can also be found on my blog, Nine Tale Vixen.
content warnings: major character death(s), precanon loss of loved ones, grief & guilt, animal deaths (cat, cows), alcoholic parent, non-graphic murder & violence, anxiety attack, ableist language, past suicide, mention of overdose, mention of possible-drowning, mention of fatal car crash, mention of relationship with large age gap, mention of infidelity, mention of blackmail
rep: gay Northern Irish-American Catholic MC [Ronan], bisexual LI [Adam], established M/M relationship, Black bi/pan MC & secondary characters [Jordan Hennessy & Co.]
While Call Down the Hawk wasn't at all what I was expecting, I have to admit that I'm not sure what I expected — and it does seem like an organic progression from the Raven Cycle. It's definitely (New) Adult instead of Young Adult, with the protagonists entering a different stage of life; I hesitate to label this more mature because that's a loaded phrase, but thus far the Dreamer trilogy feels darker and more complex than its predecessor.
This centers on New Adult-aged characters, who are technically adults but far from being grown up: they have some sense of who they are and who they want to be, though that doesn't equate to knowing how to make it happen. (Honestly, I always wish there were more books about this life stage, but I digress.) For me as an early-20s reader, it's both relatable and cathartic. It seems like the stakes are higher, less because the dangers are more extreme — though this is arguably also true — but more because the protagonists have learned to think about the endgame rather than the immediate issue, yet they still have all the stubborn resilience of youth that keeps me believing in their victory.
Part of TRC's appeal to me was the wonderful group dynamic and the characters' specific personalities and quirks. So since this is a spinoff of the Raven Cycle, I really miss Blue and Gansey (my faves!) and Noah (RIP sweet cinnamon roll) and Henry. That said, the interpersonal dynamics and characterization in Call Down the Hawk are top-tier, as is characteristic of Stiefvater books. I find myself fully invested in the Lynch brothers, the brothers Lynch; obviously their familial bonds are different from the Gangsey's friendships, but it is every bit as evocative and nuanced and even relatable, at its core. I'm also fascinated by Jordan Hennessy & Co., whose narrative arc brings up questions of identity, individuality, and morality (plus casual QPOC rep!).
As this is the first book in a trilogy, obviously there's a lot of setup that needs to be done; you can theoretically keep up without having read (or reread) the Raven Cycle, though I personally wouldn't recommend it. There's references to previous episodes, which you can just skip over but are much more enjoyable if you know the full story; also, it's fascinating to track how far Lynches have come since The Raven Boys. And it helps not to be starting from ground level as far as dreaming goes, since we learn more about dreamers and dreams ... and art! (Gotta be honest, I'm much more interested in art than I am in cars, so I am here for this change in focus.)
Just please, more Declan POV and more Adam Parrish in the next book. That's all I'm asking for.
-----------
[original score - first read, 2019]
CONVERSION: 14.4 / 15 = 5 stars
Prose: 9 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 10 / 10
Emotional Impact: 10 / 10
Development / Flow: 9 / 10
Setting: 10 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: 5 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 5 / 5
Rereadability: 5 / 5
Memorability: 5/ 5
content warnings:
rep:
While Call Down the Hawk wasn't at all what I was expecting, I have to admit that I'm not sure what I expected — and it does seem like an organic progression from the Raven Cycle. It's definitely (New) Adult instead of Young Adult, with the protagonists entering a different stage of life; I hesitate to label this more mature because that's a loaded phrase, but thus far the Dreamer trilogy feels darker and more complex than its predecessor.
This centers on New Adult-aged characters, who are technically adults but far from being grown up: they have some sense of who they are and who they want to be, though that doesn't equate to knowing how to make it happen. (Honestly, I always wish there were more books about this life stage, but I digress.) For me as an early-20s reader, it's both relatable and cathartic. It seems like the stakes are higher, less because the dangers are more extreme — though this is arguably also true — but more because the protagonists have learned to think about the endgame rather than the immediate issue, yet they still have all the stubborn resilience of youth that keeps me believing in their victory.
Part of TRC's appeal to me was the wonderful group dynamic and the characters' specific personalities and quirks. So since this is a spinoff of the Raven Cycle, I really miss Blue and Gansey (my faves!) and Noah (RIP sweet cinnamon roll) and Henry. That said, the interpersonal dynamics and characterization in Call Down the Hawk are top-tier, as is characteristic of Stiefvater books. I find myself fully invested in the Lynch brothers, the brothers Lynch; obviously their familial bonds are different from the Gangsey's friendships, but it is every bit as evocative and nuanced and even relatable, at its core. I'm also fascinated by Jordan Hennessy & Co., whose narrative arc brings up questions of identity, individuality, and morality (plus casual QPOC rep!).
As this is the first book in a trilogy, obviously there's a lot of setup that needs to be done; you can theoretically keep up without having read (or reread) the Raven Cycle, though I personally wouldn't recommend it. There's references to previous episodes, which you can just skip over but are much more enjoyable if you know the full story; also, it's fascinating to track how far Lynches have come since The Raven Boys. And it helps not to be starting from ground level as far as dreaming goes, since we learn more about dreamers and dreams ... and art! (Gotta be honest, I'm much more interested in art than I am in cars, so I am here for this change in focus.)
Just please, more Declan POV and more Adam Parrish in the next book. That's all I'm asking for.
-----------
[original score - first read, 2019]
CONVERSION: 14.4 / 15 = 5 stars
Prose: 9 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 10 / 10
Emotional Impact: 10 / 10
Development / Flow: 9 / 10
Setting: 10 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: 5 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 5 / 5
Rereadability: 5 / 5
Memorability: 5/ 5
I received an advance review copy through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest. Quotes come from the ARC and may change upon publication.
3.5 stars.
I requested this ARC to ward off my impending post-Wayfarers book hangover, since I just could not get enough of queer characters in space; Of Kindred and Stardust turned out to be totally different, an interesting reading experience in its own right.
There are some really great quotable passages; some readers might find them a bit much, but I felt they were well incorporated into the narrative flow and beautifully written.
I also appreciated the representation [listed below, under a spoiler tag] which is not at all mainstream. I hadn't been expecting the pagan elements to be as prominent as they were; while I can't speak to their integrity, I found them really interesting, and they added some more dimension to the characters. (On the other hand, I was aware of and excited for the polyam representation — I've always loved that the fantasy setting means that cis-het-monogamous doesn't have to be treated as the default.)
At times Dath's narration (and the chapter titles) are reminiscent of Percy Jackson — if he were older and swore like asailor astrobiologist. It's sarcastic, slightly self-loathing ... and if I'm being honest, a bit cheesy in parts.
Unfortunately the POV switches felt a little unbalanced: somewhere between a primary POV supplemented by others, and a traditional split-POV. This made it a little difficult to connect with the characters and took some of the suspense out of the story, but it hardly ruined the narrative.
Finally, I found the resolution a bit abrupt/choppy. Actually the plot in general wasn't as compelling as I had hoped, especially considering my love for second-chance romances and, again, my appreciation for the diverse characters and relationships. There's a lot of emotion flying around, but I just wanted more out of this book.
content warnings:
rep:
3.5 stars.
I requested this ARC to ward off my impending post-Wayfarers book hangover, since I just could not get enough of queer characters in space; Of Kindred and Stardust turned out to be totally different, an interesting reading experience in its own right.
Maybe that's what we all were in the end: individual leaves on the universal tree, dancing, waving, and taking in the light until the universe let us go, giving us its blessing to find our own way and a place to fall, rest, and leave the world with whatever we'd done along the way.
There are some really great quotable passages; some readers might find them a bit much, but I felt they were well incorporated into the narrative flow and beautifully written.
I also appreciated the representation [listed below, under a spoiler tag] which is not at all mainstream. I hadn't been expecting the pagan elements to be as prominent as they were; while I can't speak to their integrity, I found them really interesting, and they added some more dimension to the characters. (On the other hand, I was aware of and excited for the polyam representation — I've always loved that the fantasy setting means that cis-het-monogamous doesn't have to be treated as the default.)
My feelings were set on Fucking Complicated, while my body was set to Shitastic and quickly moving onto Freshly Frozen Hell.
At times Dath's narration (and the chapter titles) are reminiscent of Percy Jackson — if he were older and swore like a
Unfortunately the POV switches felt a little unbalanced: somewhere between a primary POV supplemented by others, and a traditional split-POV. This made it a little difficult to connect with the characters and took some of the suspense out of the story, but it hardly ruined the narrative.
Finally, I found the resolution a bit abrupt/choppy. Actually the plot in general wasn't as compelling as I had hoped, especially considering my love for second-chance romances and, again, my appreciation for the diverse characters and relationships. There's a lot of emotion flying around, but I just wanted more out of this book.
content warnings:
Spoiler
referenced loss of loved one (sibling), explicit sexual contentrep:
Spoiler
polyam relationship, demisexual Pagan (Druid) MC, Kiwi MC with depression, nonbinary [xe/xem] Irish-Brazilian Canadian MC
I knew going in that I don't love Meyer's writing style — which is why I deliberately chose the audiobook, so that I could focus on the story over the prose. That helped, as did a pretty expressive narrator, but it didn't make me any more invested in the characters (archetypal and pretty flat, honestly) or the plot (tropey, with lots of shoehorned allusions).
So as much as I usually love a good villain backstory, I didn't find this all that engaging.
TBR swap for BnT reading challenge with Skye Rose.
So as much as I usually love a good villain backstory, I didn't find this all that engaging.
TBR swap for BnT reading challenge with Skye Rose.