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prioryofprose's Reviews (1.06k)
There has been so much hype over Red Rising and almost everyone seemed to love it, well that is, everyone but me. I struggled through the whole book, thought about DNFing but forced through since everyone else loved it. I felt super guilty not loving it to pieces.
Likes:
The story was original, which is getting harder when the dystopian genre is so flooded with new books every day.
The main characters were interesting, I really enjoyed Eo (how the heck do you say that) and Darrow. I think the desire for vengeance and bettering a low state is always intriguing in a book.
The cast system was so interesting, colors defining who you are and how you live. It is really sad to think that still happens in our modern world. I don’t see it hard for something to happen like that again if the Earth did fall into chaos like all of the books in this genre suggest.
The progress in the book was interesting. I was so unique how Darrow was carved and changed. I found that part of the book the most intriguing.
The final part of the book was like Hunger Games on steroids. I really thought it resembled the game a lot, there were “game keepers,” kids killing kids, living off the land and people watching what was happening. This game was months long and a lot more intense.
Gripes:
The world-building was not explained. This was a HUGE gripe for me. The author would just a new made-up word and never explain it. It drove me nuts. Sometimes you could figure out what he was aiming at with how it fit into the sentence, but it was so annoying. I love world-building where you learn new things and get a really good idea of how the world works and looks. This book read like a second book in the series, where you were already introduced to the world.
I was bored quite a bit, and it was a longer book. This really just has to be a “me thing” because I was not into all the action, the war, the killing. I think people who like Game of Thrones would really like this book. I am just not that person.
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
Likes:
The story was original, which is getting harder when the dystopian genre is so flooded with new books every day.
The main characters were interesting, I really enjoyed Eo (how the heck do you say that) and Darrow. I think the desire for vengeance and bettering a low state is always intriguing in a book.
The cast system was so interesting, colors defining who you are and how you live. It is really sad to think that still happens in our modern world. I don’t see it hard for something to happen like that again if the Earth did fall into chaos like all of the books in this genre suggest.
The progress in the book was interesting. I was so unique how Darrow was carved and changed. I found that part of the book the most intriguing.
The final part of the book was like Hunger Games on steroids. I really thought it resembled the game a lot, there were “game keepers,” kids killing kids, living off the land and people watching what was happening. This game was months long and a lot more intense.
Gripes:
The world-building was not explained. This was a HUGE gripe for me. The author would just a new made-up word and never explain it. It drove me nuts. Sometimes you could figure out what he was aiming at with how it fit into the sentence, but it was so annoying. I love world-building where you learn new things and get a really good idea of how the world works and looks. This book read like a second book in the series, where you were already introduced to the world.
I was bored quite a bit, and it was a longer book. This really just has to be a “me thing” because I was not into all the action, the war, the killing. I think people who like Game of Thrones would really like this book. I am just not that person.
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
I really believe that you enjoy a book more if you are in the right mood for it, and I think I was in the perfect mood to listen to Belles by Jen Calonita. I had never really read a review or even heard about the book before I got it from the library. Sometimes it is really nice to be pleasantly surprised by a book. It was like the Belles from Hart of Dixie meets Gossip Girl’s Blair! Mean girls in North Carolina! Belles was read by Julia Whelan. It is 9 hours, 8 minutes long.
Likes:
I really liked the main characters, Isabella and Mirabella. Both of them were stuck in situations that were out of their comfort zones and were really trying to figure out how to survive when things changed so drastically.
On Isabella side - I cannot imagine how awful it would feel to lose all of the family I have known and then be moved in with some relative you didn’t even know existed. Plus, going from barely making ends meet to excessive wealth would be hard. I still have trouble understanding paying $1200 for a purse when that is more than my mortgage payment!
On Mira’s side – to have a girl move into your house and completely throw your routine out of order would be tough. It would be hard to be told to like someone and have to cart them around every day. Although she really made some huge mistakes with the relationship, I can understand how hard it would be for a teenage girl in a preppy high school!
The villains in the story – the mean girls were so AWFUL! I so wanted to punch them! They were really well written. They were definitely fun to hate!
The side characters were really fun, the artsy boy, the surfer boy and Isabella’s best friend! So much to love in this book, it went smoothly and kept a good pace!
Gripes:
I just started the second book in the series, Winter White. I am just worried that the first book should have been a stand-alone. It seems odd to make a series out of this book when the secrets were let out in the first book. I am “pre-judging” which I know is not fair. I will have the second book to report on soon, but I just felt it would have been a good stand-alone.
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
Likes:
I really liked the main characters, Isabella and Mirabella. Both of them were stuck in situations that were out of their comfort zones and were really trying to figure out how to survive when things changed so drastically.
On Isabella side - I cannot imagine how awful it would feel to lose all of the family I have known and then be moved in with some relative you didn’t even know existed. Plus, going from barely making ends meet to excessive wealth would be hard. I still have trouble understanding paying $1200 for a purse when that is more than my mortgage payment!
On Mira’s side – to have a girl move into your house and completely throw your routine out of order would be tough. It would be hard to be told to like someone and have to cart them around every day. Although she really made some huge mistakes with the relationship, I can understand how hard it would be for a teenage girl in a preppy high school!
The villains in the story – the mean girls were so AWFUL! I so wanted to punch them! They were really well written. They were definitely fun to hate!
The side characters were really fun, the artsy boy, the surfer boy and Isabella’s best friend! So much to love in this book, it went smoothly and kept a good pace!
Gripes:
I just started the second book in the series, Winter White. I am just worried that the first book should have been a stand-alone. It seems odd to make a series out of this book when the secrets were let out in the first book. I am “pre-judging” which I know is not fair. I will have the second book to report on soon, but I just felt it would have been a good stand-alone.
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
DNF for me. The storyline was intriguing but it went so slow I could not carry on past 50%. There were some good moments but too many slow moments for me.
Where She Went is the sequel to If I Stay. I admitted in my review of If I Stay that I was really worried this book would ruin If I Stay for me. It definitely did not. It was so real, full of life and emotion. I totally fell into the story. I listened to the audiobook read by Dan Bittner. It was 5 hours, 20 minutes long.
Likes:
The reality of it. Death is not easy, change is not easy. This book showed how the death of Mia’s family took a toll on all the relationships in her life, including that with Adam. I really admired that it was a fairy tale romance.
This side of the story was told from Adam’s perspective. He was so in love with Mia, but everything changed and she cut him out. It was really interesting to hear the path his life had taken.
The ending was awesome. Exactly what it needed to be.
Gripes:
Not a single one.
Quote:
“Before there is a next, there is a now that needs tending to.”
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
Likes:
The reality of it. Death is not easy, change is not easy. This book showed how the death of Mia’s family took a toll on all the relationships in her life, including that with Adam. I really admired that it was a fairy tale romance.
This side of the story was told from Adam’s perspective. He was so in love with Mia, but everything changed and she cut him out. It was really interesting to hear the path his life had taken.
The ending was awesome. Exactly what it needed to be.
Gripes:
Not a single one.
Quote:
“Before there is a next, there is a now that needs tending to.”
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
I love magic and have been searching for that book to fill my magic void since Harry Potter finished. I really enjoyed Miss Mabel’s School for Girls, so I decided to keep going down the magic route and read Born of Illusion. The sequel is coming out soon and I love being “fresh” when I read books in a series.
Likes:
I loved the dynamic between Anna and her mother, Marguerite. Anna’s mother is a fake medium with a massive stage presence. Anna is her assistant who does a magic show at the beginning on the show. Anna is really good at magic and kinda steals the show. Marguerite is stuck somewhere between being jealous of her daughter and loving her like a mother should.
I love the time period, especially with the NY setting. It was so fun to read about Houdini and “news” that happened during that time period.
Cole and Mr. Darcy were too of my favorite characters. I am really interested to see what transpires next in the series.
Anna’s powers, past and future are all so mystifying. It was interesting to see where the storyline and plot too us. The book was well-paced.
Gripes:
Cole, as much I enjoyed his character, sometimes drove me nuts. I always hate when people say “I can’t tell you that” after telling you half of it. Argh. Just say something or nothing. There was so much push and pull with him, drove me batty!
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
Likes:
I loved the dynamic between Anna and her mother, Marguerite. Anna’s mother is a fake medium with a massive stage presence. Anna is her assistant who does a magic show at the beginning on the show. Anna is really good at magic and kinda steals the show. Marguerite is stuck somewhere between being jealous of her daughter and loving her like a mother should.
I love the time period, especially with the NY setting. It was so fun to read about Houdini and “news” that happened during that time period.
Cole and Mr. Darcy were too of my favorite characters. I am really interested to see what transpires next in the series.
Anna’s powers, past and future are all so mystifying. It was interesting to see where the storyline and plot too us. The book was well-paced.
Gripes:
Cole, as much I enjoyed his character, sometimes drove me nuts. I always hate when people say “I can’t tell you that” after telling you half of it. Argh. Just say something or nothing. There was so much push and pull with him, drove me batty!
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
I netflixed (binge-read) the entire Belle’s series in a couple days. I felt like I was watching a tasty ABC Family series and I just had to know what was going to happen next. This series would actually make an awesome series out there, so I could totally see one of the networks grabbing it up. Since I listened to the books back-to-back, I decided to do reviews for both Winter White and The Grass is Always Greener together. Both books were read by Julia Whelan. Winter White is 9 hours, 35 minutes long. The Grass is Always Greener is 7 hours, 29 minutes long.
Let’s start with Winter White:
Likes:
The most interesting part of this book was seeing what it has to be like for a family in the public eye. Because of Isabelle’s father’s political race, the girls were constantly in the news. It would be awful to have your ever moved photographed and talked about.
I think doing a cotillion would be fun and loved hearing about the silly stunts and learning how to be a proper lady was.
It was fun seeing the relationship between Izzie and Mira grow as they learned more about each other and became sisters.
There was an interesting twist at the end of the story that kept you wanting more.
I know it would be so hard to learn to forgive someone who has lied to you,. The progress between Izzie and her dad was really heartwarming.
Gripes:
Izzie was a little dramatic a few times in the book. I can understand that teenagers are sometimes irrational (we have all been there) but still. I wanted to strangle her a few times!
Now onto The Grass is Always Greener:
Likes:
The story was entertaining and fast-paced. I loved being involved in this girl’s lives and was easily into the story.
The boyfriends were so stinking cute, I was a little jealous of how well they treated the girls. Definitely had a little book crush on Izzie’s boy!
There is always something desirable about a mean girl put into her place. I loved Savanna’s character and how Izzie really stood up for herself.
Izzie really came into her own, grew up and started to take responsibility for herself in this book.
Gripes:
I have gone through loss, it is so tough, but the beginning of the book Izzie is out of school for weeks in bed. I just thought that she was once again being so dramatic, it seemed out of character for the strong Izzie we were initially shown.
As the final book in the series, it really didn’t wow me. It was interesting, but I was not in love with it as much I enjoyed the first two books.
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
Let’s start with Winter White:
Likes:
The most interesting part of this book was seeing what it has to be like for a family in the public eye. Because of Isabelle’s father’s political race, the girls were constantly in the news. It would be awful to have your ever moved photographed and talked about.
I think doing a cotillion would be fun and loved hearing about the silly stunts and learning how to be a proper lady was.
It was fun seeing the relationship between Izzie and Mira grow as they learned more about each other and became sisters.
There was an interesting twist at the end of the story that kept you wanting more.
I know it would be so hard to learn to forgive someone who has lied to you,. The progress between Izzie and her dad was really heartwarming.
Gripes:
Izzie was a little dramatic a few times in the book. I can understand that teenagers are sometimes irrational (we have all been there) but still. I wanted to strangle her a few times!
Now onto The Grass is Always Greener:
Likes:
The story was entertaining and fast-paced. I loved being involved in this girl’s lives and was easily into the story.
The boyfriends were so stinking cute, I was a little jealous of how well they treated the girls. Definitely had a little book crush on Izzie’s boy!
There is always something desirable about a mean girl put into her place. I loved Savanna’s character and how Izzie really stood up for herself.
Izzie really came into her own, grew up and started to take responsibility for herself in this book.
Gripes:
I have gone through loss, it is so tough, but the beginning of the book Izzie is out of school for weeks in bed. I just thought that she was once again being so dramatic, it seemed out of character for the strong Izzie we were initially shown.
As the final book in the series, it really didn’t wow me. It was interesting, but I was not in love with it as much I enjoyed the first two books.
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
I netflixed (binge-read) the entire Belle’s series in a couple days. I felt like I was watching a tasty ABC Family series and I just had to know what was going to happen next. This series would actually make an awesome series out there, so I could totally see one of the networks grabbing it up. Since I listened to the books back-to-back, I decided to do reviews for both Winter White and The Grass is Always Greener together. Both books were read by Julia Whelan. Winter White is 9 hours, 35 minutes long. The Grass is Always Greener is 7 hours, 29 minutes long.
Let’s start with Winter White:
Likes:
The most interesting part of this book was seeing what it has to be like for a family in the public eye. Because of Isabelle’s father’s political race, the girls were constantly in the news. It would be awful to have your ever moved photographed and talked about.
I think doing a cotillion would be fun and loved hearing about the silly stunts and learning how to be a proper lady was.
It was fun seeing the relationship between Izzie and Mira grow as they learned more about each other and became sisters.
There was an interesting twist at the end of the story that kept you wanting more.
I know it would be so hard to learn to forgive someone who has lied to you,. The progress between Izzie and her dad was really heartwarming.
Gripes:
Izzie was a little dramatic a few times in the book. I can understand that teenagers are sometimes irrational (we have all been there) but still. I wanted to strangle her a few times!
Now onto The Grass is Always Greener:
Likes:
The story was entertaining and fast-paced. I loved being involved in this girl’s lives and was easily into the story.
The boyfriends were so stinking cute, I was a little jealous of how well they treated the girls. Definitely had a little book crush on Izzie’s boy!
There is always something desirable about a mean girl put into her place. I loved Savanna’s character and how Izzie really stood up for herself.
Izzie really came into her own, grew up and started to take responsibility for herself in this book.
Gripes:
I have gone through loss, it is so tough, but the beginning of the book Izzie is out of school for weeks in bed. I just thought that she was once again being so dramatic, it seemed out of character for the strong Izzie we were initially shown.
As the final book in the series, it really didn’t wow me. It was interesting, but I was not in love with it as much I enjoyed the first two books.
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
Let’s start with Winter White:
Likes:
The most interesting part of this book was seeing what it has to be like for a family in the public eye. Because of Isabelle’s father’s political race, the girls were constantly in the news. It would be awful to have your ever moved photographed and talked about.
I think doing a cotillion would be fun and loved hearing about the silly stunts and learning how to be a proper lady was.
It was fun seeing the relationship between Izzie and Mira grow as they learned more about each other and became sisters.
There was an interesting twist at the end of the story that kept you wanting more.
I know it would be so hard to learn to forgive someone who has lied to you,. The progress between Izzie and her dad was really heartwarming.
Gripes:
Izzie was a little dramatic a few times in the book. I can understand that teenagers are sometimes irrational (we have all been there) but still. I wanted to strangle her a few times!
Now onto The Grass is Always Greener:
Likes:
The story was entertaining and fast-paced. I loved being involved in this girl’s lives and was easily into the story.
The boyfriends were so stinking cute, I was a little jealous of how well they treated the girls. Definitely had a little book crush on Izzie’s boy!
There is always something desirable about a mean girl put into her place. I loved Savanna’s character and how Izzie really stood up for herself.
Izzie really came into her own, grew up and started to take responsibility for herself in this book.
Gripes:
I have gone through loss, it is so tough, but the beginning of the book Izzie is out of school for weeks in bed. I just thought that she was once again being so dramatic, it seemed out of character for the strong Izzie we were initially shown.
As the final book in the series, it really didn’t wow me. It was interesting, but I was not in love with it as much I enjoyed the first two books.
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
I loved the cover of The Geography of You and Me so much that I had to read the book. I barely read a synopsis but had seen enough favorable reviews that I figured it would be a safe bet. I am so glad I got it, I read it all in one night! It was such a cute book!
Likes:
Lucy and Owen were so stinking cute. I loved both their characters originality and personalities.
The meet-cute (the way Lucy and Owen met) is so awesome! I can see how awkward it would be to be stuck with someone you do not know at all.
The story was so easy-going. It was a good lying in bed read, but it would have been even more amazing reading at the lake. It was one of those perfect sunny day reads.
The travel and distance aspect to the story was neat. It was truthful and I liked that it wasn’t easy and perfect. Humans aren’t perfect and I always appreciate when a book is done with this in mind.
Gripes:
I really didn’t have any gripes, there was so weird, small chapters, just weird formatting.
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
Likes:
Lucy and Owen were so stinking cute. I loved both their characters originality and personalities.
The meet-cute (the way Lucy and Owen met) is so awesome! I can see how awkward it would be to be stuck with someone you do not know at all.
The story was so easy-going. It was a good lying in bed read, but it would have been even more amazing reading at the lake. It was one of those perfect sunny day reads.
The travel and distance aspect to the story was neat. It was truthful and I liked that it wasn’t easy and perfect. Humans aren’t perfect and I always appreciate when a book is done with this in mind.
Gripes:
I really didn’t have any gripes, there was so weird, small chapters, just weird formatting.
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
A Special Love was offered to me by the author to review and I am so glad I said yes. I am a little sad I took so long to read it. It was one of those memorable books that “sticks to your insides” and stays with you.
Likes:
Autism is one of the most misunderstood conditions with children. The spectrum is so large that it is hard to diagnosis and has such an awful stigma with this. I love the message in A Special Love and how Krissy really gave you an inside view of the family dynamics.
The story was intriguing and well-paced. The beginning from the parents perspective almost sounded like a documentary / biography but once you got into Ann Marie’s POV, it was much more like a YA novel.
Ann Marie was amazing, she was strong, smart, but yet weak and fragile at the same time. I really feel like this is a great description of all my favorite “heroines.” They are not perfect and that makes them human.
Michael was so much fun, his love of water was so interesting. I really enjoyed all the things we learned in the book without even trying!
Not trying to give anything way, but there is definitely a boy crush in this book! So many feels, he is amazing!
Gripes:
The book did lack that big story, climax, plot situation. It definitely could have been flushed out and more background, family-building given. It was short and sweet, but I definitely wanted more.
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
Likes:
Autism is one of the most misunderstood conditions with children. The spectrum is so large that it is hard to diagnosis and has such an awful stigma with this. I love the message in A Special Love and how Krissy really gave you an inside view of the family dynamics.
The story was intriguing and well-paced. The beginning from the parents perspective almost sounded like a documentary / biography but once you got into Ann Marie’s POV, it was much more like a YA novel.
Ann Marie was amazing, she was strong, smart, but yet weak and fragile at the same time. I really feel like this is a great description of all my favorite “heroines.” They are not perfect and that makes them human.
Michael was so much fun, his love of water was so interesting. I really enjoyed all the things we learned in the book without even trying!
Not trying to give anything way, but there is definitely a boy crush in this book! So many feels, he is amazing!
Gripes:
The book did lack that big story, climax, plot situation. It definitely could have been flushed out and more background, family-building given. It was short and sweet, but I definitely wanted more.
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings