Take a photo of a barcode or cover
1.25k reviews by:
paragraphsandpages
I would like to thank the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the ARC of this book. I read an advanced copy of this book, so the final edition of the book might be slightly different. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.
This is my second book by H.M. Long, and those two books have already been enough to mark Long as an author to watch out for. There’s just something so unique about her prose, world-building, and use of magic and mythology that makes her stories feel so utterly immersive.
This is especially true for Dark Water Daughter. The setting was so detailed and well-written. You can tell just how much time was spent crafting the world the story takes place in, and this care comes through in Long’s descriptive writing throughout. She also does a fantastic job of describing the weather and more physical aspects of a setting as well, meaning that I felt the cold rains of every storm that Mary summoned. This is incredibly important for a book like Dark Water Daughter because so much time is spent outside and on ships. It makes the entire book feel incredibly atmospheric, which always makes the book easier to fall into.
This strong descriptive writing only enhances an already strong magic system. This system felt so incredibly unique, and I loved how literal Stormsinger was as a title. I felt like the magic had so many layers to it, and I loved slowly peeling them back as the book continued. Magic also came with a cost, though, which is something I always really appreciate in books. It makes the magic feel less limitless, and forces characters to make difficult choices regarding their use of it. There were also plenty of magical and mythical creatures and beings woven throughout the story, which only further deepened the magic and history of the story. It really felt like everything clicked together like a satisfying puzzle, even if we couldn’t always see the full image it was slowly piecing together.
The characterization in this book is incredibly strong as well. I was swept up in Mary and Samuel’s stories and found myself rooting for both even when they were on opposing sides. I loved finding out more about their pasts and what drove them, and getting to see the plot shape and change them was a joy. I can’t wait to see how their story continues in Black Tide Son!
Lastly, I can’t wrap up this review before commending the narrators of the audiobook. While Moira Quirk is a narrator I’ve listened to before, Samuel Rokin was new to me. Both did a fantastic job at bringing Long’s writing to life, and this already immersive book was somehow made even more so by their narration of the characters. I will definitely be listening to the sequel, and seeking out more audiobooks narrated by them!
+Character-driven
+Compelling writing
+Easy to read
+Great resolution
Honestly not surprised that TJR was able to pull it off again. There's just always something so compelling about her writing, and Malibu Rising is no different.
I was honestly shocked (and so so excited) when I got approved for this ARC, as this was one of my most anticipated reads this year after loving Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo last year. I loved the premise of this one, and couldn't wait to dive in.
This book had me hooked from the beginning. I just couldn't stop reading! Unfortunately I always picked the wrong moments to start reading, and kept being forced to put this down so I could sleep, but I couldn't wait to get back to it the next day. This book was just so easy to read, and the way it was formatted made it easy to just say 'one more chapter', which I haven't had often lately. Malibu Rising combined my favorite aspects of both Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones yet gave the story of fame it's own special twist.
Reid always excels when it comes to making you connect with and feel for the characters, and Malibu Rising is only further proof of her skill with character building. From the beginning you feel a connection for the Rivas, siblings who seem to have it all on the surface, and you're immediately drawn in by their close relationship and their story. The first part of the book consists of alternating flashbacks and present scenes building up the events to happen later, allowing you to connect both with who the characters are now and understand what shaped them in the past. Even in this part, Reid managed to keep me hooked in both the past and the present, with one never seeming to overshadow the other. By the second part, where all the build-up goes somewhere, you're already quite invested in the characters and all their individual stories and problems. I honestly don't think this story could have been told differently and had the same effect. While I definitely favored some characters over others, I felt all had their own moments to shine, and their dynamic as a family also played a huge role in the story.
This is definitely more of a character-driven story, though the plot is still interesting in its own way. The present story hinges around the 24 hours leading up to and after the famous Riva party. While the events of the party itself sometimes disconnect from the turmoil of the siblings themselves, it's a great background for the tension that builds over the course of the night. As the conflict with each character grows, so does the party grow more wild. It was the perfect complement to such a character-driven story, and keeps the reader excited and interested even when emotional conflict may seem slow to some.
Overall, I loved this latest book by Taylor Jenkins Reid (and the nods toward Evelyn Hugo it contained), and I can't wait to see what Reid writes next! In the meantime, I still have a few more of her books to read...
+Compelling writing
+Easy to read
+Great resolution
Honestly not surprised that TJR was able to pull it off again. There's just always something so compelling about her writing, and Malibu Rising is no different.
I was honestly shocked (and so so excited) when I got approved for this ARC, as this was one of my most anticipated reads this year after loving Daisy Jones and Evelyn Hugo last year. I loved the premise of this one, and couldn't wait to dive in.
This book had me hooked from the beginning. I just couldn't stop reading! Unfortunately I always picked the wrong moments to start reading, and kept being forced to put this down so I could sleep, but I couldn't wait to get back to it the next day. This book was just so easy to read, and the way it was formatted made it easy to just say 'one more chapter', which I haven't had often lately. Malibu Rising combined my favorite aspects of both Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones yet gave the story of fame it's own special twist.
Reid always excels when it comes to making you connect with and feel for the characters, and Malibu Rising is only further proof of her skill with character building. From the beginning you feel a connection for the Rivas, siblings who seem to have it all on the surface, and you're immediately drawn in by their close relationship and their story. The first part of the book consists of alternating flashbacks and present scenes building up the events to happen later, allowing you to connect both with who the characters are now and understand what shaped them in the past. Even in this part, Reid managed to keep me hooked in both the past and the present, with one never seeming to overshadow the other. By the second part, where all the build-up goes somewhere, you're already quite invested in the characters and all their individual stories and problems. I honestly don't think this story could have been told differently and had the same effect. While I definitely favored some characters over others, I felt all had their own moments to shine, and their dynamic as a family also played a huge role in the story.
This is definitely more of a character-driven story, though the plot is still interesting in its own way. The present story hinges around the 24 hours leading up to and after the famous Riva party. While the events of the party itself sometimes disconnect from the turmoil of the siblings themselves, it's a great background for the tension that builds over the course of the night. As the conflict with each character grows, so does the party grow more wild. It was the perfect complement to such a character-driven story, and keeps the reader excited and interested even when emotional conflict may seem slow to some.
Overall, I loved this latest book by Taylor Jenkins Reid (and the nods toward Evelyn Hugo it contained), and I can't wait to see what Reid writes next! In the meantime, I still have a few more of her books to read...
