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rebeccasreadingrambles's Reviews (3.06k)
2.5 stars
I really wanted to love this book. I LOVE reading historical fiction and ESPECIALLY about Tudor history. So Tudor alternate history sounded just awesome. And add some magical shape shifting and I thought wow this book was written for me. But I was let down by this book. The writing can be snarky at times, but even more heavily near the end of the book, so it wasn't that consistent. Also I felt like the characters were so flat. These are interesting characters with amazing traits and they go through some seriously dangerous situations, but I still felt blah about them and even the story line was kind of slow for me. I wish the Eðian questions was explored more because that was a really fun part of the story. But some parts just kept repeating and got a little stale. I liked the ending, but I probably won't be reading the next book.
I really wanted to love this book. I LOVE reading historical fiction and ESPECIALLY about Tudor history. So Tudor alternate history sounded just awesome. And add some magical shape shifting and I thought wow this book was written for me. But I was let down by this book. The writing can be snarky at times, but even more heavily near the end of the book, so it wasn't that consistent. Also I felt like the characters were so flat. These are interesting characters with amazing traits and they go through some seriously dangerous situations, but I still felt blah about them and even the story line was kind of slow for me. I wish the Eðian questions was explored more because that was a really fun part of the story. But some parts just kept repeating and got a little stale. I liked the ending, but I probably won't be reading the next book.
The perfect summer book. I loved Love & Gelato so I had high hopes for this one and it didn't let me down. I read it in 24 hours and am kind of sad it's over. I love how this author hints at past dramas and how something is going on that we're not quite privy to. And then drops little pieces along the journey for us to wonder at, as she leads us down the path to answers. I've been to many of these Irish places described and the author did a wonderful job. I wish she would write a book about every country. The inclusion of the heartbreak tour book was hilarious and each passage had me laughing at the narrator's descriptions. It was a sweet story with great characters and my biggest disappointment was that I wish it was longer! This book was a little lighter than Love & Gelato and I want more of these characters. Definitely recommend summer reading.
Hmm I'm conflicted about this one. I enjoyed the series overall, but I do think it was a bit dragged out. What I DID really enjoy about this book was getting Dorothy's perspective (and now I'm wishing we had that all along the series). She's one of the most interesting characters in the series and I love to see ion her messed up, ego-centric head. I don't like the Nome King and I think that story line took too long to develop when it was VERY obvious where it was going. I also wish we saw more of Osma because I think she had lots of potential. Most of this book was predictable except the ending. The ending was great! I loved how I would give this series a 3.5 overall.
Spoiler
Amy had to give up her love for Nox and her love for everyone in Oz in order to save this place that wasn't really her home. I love that she chose to return to her mom and try to work things out. And since I'm a sucker for a happy ending, I did like how Nox got to join her in Kansas. And that ending left things so open ended which is a nice feeling that these characters may have more adventures in store.
I really enjoyed this novel and thought it very good for a first in the series. (I didn't care as much for the first in her other series so I was very pleasantly surprised). I immediately liked Pru and all the disappointment she faced really made me sad for her. I loved all her knowledge of various gardens; it was interesting without getting to bogged down. I hope we see even more of this in future books. The characters were fun, though I couldn't get much of a feel for them (even Christoper confused me for a bit). The romance is nice and I hope we get more of her friends later. The mystery was a little confusing because it took a twisty path and I couldn't get a great grasp on who the suspects were I liked the juxtaposition of this Texan who feels like an English-woman coming home, even though so many people see her as an outsider. I enjoyed the pace of this book and can't wait to continue the series.
Spoiler
other than Malcolm who I absolutely thought did it and I didn't like him from the very first.
I love this collection of smart mystery stories that Mr. Holmes seems to solve in an instant. Thhinking back, I cannot even think of a favorite because they were all so different and most of the resolutions were pretty shocking. I love Holmes' amazing skills and quick wit and charm. I cannot wait to read more from him.
Spoiler
Except the one with the dentist and the two Russian men.Spoiler
I am so glad I am reading these now and not at the time of publication. What an ending!!! I would have been so upset if I really thought Holmes had died at the end.
4.5 stars
Wow I can say I was really blown away by this book. I didn't really know what to expect, as this is my first Holly Black book and I didn't know the world she had built. But I jumped right in and ended up reading it in 2 days. Her writing style grabbed me and didn't let go. The prologue was so insane that I was like yep...I'm in this thing!
I found the MC Jude so interesting because of her juxtaposition in this world. Human growing up in the Faerie world. Raised by the very man who murdered her parents and capture her and her sisters. An older sister who is fae, but hates them...a twin who is human and loves/fears the fae. Jude wants to be a warrior. She has not only embraced her new world, but wants to risk her life to fight for it. Even though her Fae classmate hate her and like to threaten and torture her just because she is human. I was intrigued by every character and honestly need to know more and more about them. If they could each have their own book I would devour them all.
My emotions were wrung dry during this book. At one point it made my chest hurt with everything that was going on, but instead of taking a break I pushed on because I could NOT put it down. I needed to know what would happen, even if it was terrible and broke my heart. The last third of the book especially crushed and revived me.
Needless to say I absolutely recommend this book and I am planning to read The Darkest Part of the Forest because I need more of this world. The wait for the 2nd book might just kill me. I have a few of her books on my TBR and they are all getting bumped up because of this amazing book.
Wow I can say I was really blown away by this book. I didn't really know what to expect, as this is my first Holly Black book and I didn't know the world she had built. But I jumped right in and ended up reading it in 2 days. Her writing style grabbed me and didn't let go. The prologue was so insane that I was like yep...I'm in this thing!
I found the MC Jude so interesting because of her juxtaposition in this world. Human growing up in the Faerie world. Raised by the very man who murdered her parents and capture her and her sisters. An older sister who is fae, but hates them...a twin who is human and loves/fears the fae. Jude wants to be a warrior. She has not only embraced her new world, but wants to risk her life to fight for it. Even though her Fae classmate hate her and like to threaten and torture her just because she is human. I was intrigued by every character and honestly need to know more and more about them. If they could each have their own book I would devour them all.
My emotions were wrung dry during this book. At one point it made my chest hurt with everything that was going on, but instead of taking a break I pushed on because I could NOT put it down. I needed to know what would happen, even if it was terrible and broke my heart. The last third of the book especially crushed and revived me.
Needless to say I absolutely recommend this book and I am planning to read The Darkest Part of the Forest because I need more of this world. The wait for the 2nd book might just kill me. I have a few of her books on my TBR and they are all getting bumped up because of this amazing book.
Wow, were my emotions jerked around with this one! So much love hate fury tension. It hooked me right away and I had trouble putting it down. I didn't love Travis for most of the book, but he's definitely grown on me. AND THAT ENDING!! I am totally crushed and confused and I need more!
Oh Alex Bishop. He's a heartbreaker and I fell for him almost immediately. These Bishop Brothers are something else. I thought this was a fun story and loved River right away. What could be more fun than a vacation romance? The chemistry was on point and the romance was great. I love how he handled everything and the second half of the book had me swooning almost more than the first. I can't wait for more of these cowboys!