Take a photo of a barcode or cover
This sequel immediately picks up from where the first book ends, and unfortunately, it pales in comparison and nearly falls victim to the Second Book Syndrome (aka when the second installment consists of gigantic filler content between the first and last books). The adventure-filled journeying format from its predecessor is retained, albeit the writing is not as strong and tended to drag in places.
Ultimately, I tried really hard to love Soul of the Sword, but I just couldn’t. Nonetheless, I am cautiously optimistic about the final book of this trilogy.
Full review to follow.
Ultimately, I tried really hard to love Soul of the Sword, but I just couldn’t. Nonetheless, I am cautiously optimistic about the final book of this trilogy.
Full review to follow.
There are so many things that I adored about We Set the Dark on Fire that I really don’t know where to begin! That gorgeous, gorgeous book cover? A dystopian society with harrowing parallels to current real-life political issues, namely, wall-crossing “illegal” immigrants? A forbidden Sapphic relationship between two intelligent Latina women? Smashing the patriarchy and setting everything ablaze? Oof, that was a great ride. Review to follow.
Unapologetically and fiercely feminist? Rich with nuance and introspection? A burly lumberjack man who will make chai to cheer up our beloved STEM heroine? The purest and most adorable gay couple in the world? An interracial romance that will have readers curling their toes in delight? Farah Heron’s debut novel has got everything covered, and it is absolutely criminal that The Chai Factor isn’t receiving the attention and praise it deserves. This book deserves more hype, imo.
Full review to follow.
Full review to follow.
If I’m being honest, Just for Clicks baffled the cheese out of me. It has a fairly interesting mix of good and bad qualities that made it difficult to decide whether I was enjoying the story or not.
Just for Clicks makes for a decent romantic contemporary with a cute friends-to-lovers trope. And it does have a unique premise that should pique quite a lot of interest: a vlogging mother and her two social media famous twin daughters. But outside of that, I don't think it has much to offer.
I’d like to think that I understand what this novel is trying to do, and I don’t want to unfairly dismiss the merit behind its key message. However, there is definitely something in its execution that led to a disconnect between me and the story, which I was never able to overcome — and I think that something is the fact that Just for Clicks reeks of unchecked privilege and white girls constantly framing themselves as “oppressed”. In fact, a lot of the time, Claire and Poppy came across as shallow and bratty.
While I applaud how this book delves into the terrifying dangers of Internet fame and social media (which is absolutely an issue that concerns everyone), the characters fail to sufficiently reflect on their many, many privileges. And. It. Was. Just. Difficult. To. Empathize. With. Them.
Plus, the family dynamics and sibling relationship made me feel all sorts of uncomfortable. I am not at all saying that families should be perfectly loving and supportive, but the interactions within Poppy's family really struck me as ingenuine (and occasionally manipulative). I also had a very difficult time with Poppy and Claire as sisters because they just lacked, well, everything. Excluding the romance between Rafael and Poppy, all the character relationships in this book were awkward, stilted, and ultimately, inorganic.
Just for Clicks makes for a decent romantic contemporary with a cute friends-to-lovers trope. And it does have a unique premise that should pique quite a lot of interest: a vlogging mother and her two social media famous twin daughters. But outside of that, I don't think it has much to offer.
I’d like to think that I understand what this novel is trying to do, and I don’t want to unfairly dismiss the merit behind its key message. However, there is definitely something in its execution that led to a disconnect between me and the story, which I was never able to overcome — and I think that something is the fact that Just for Clicks reeks of unchecked privilege and white girls constantly framing themselves as “oppressed”. In fact, a lot of the time, Claire and Poppy came across as shallow and bratty.
While I applaud how this book delves into the terrifying dangers of Internet fame and social media (which is absolutely an issue that concerns everyone), the characters fail to sufficiently reflect on their many, many privileges. And. It. Was. Just. Difficult. To. Empathize. With. Them.
Plus, the family dynamics and sibling relationship made me feel all sorts of uncomfortable. I am not at all saying that families should be perfectly loving and supportive, but the interactions within Poppy's family really struck me as ingenuine (and occasionally manipulative). I also had a very difficult time with Poppy and Claire as sisters because they just lacked, well, everything. Excluding the romance between Rafael and Poppy, all the character relationships in this book were awkward, stilted, and ultimately, inorganic.
Quick thoughts:
- What I found most enjoyable about Markswoman was its incredible world-building, which was teeming with Asian influences (particularly Indian culture and mythology). Plus, some aspects of the world-building had a bit of a nice sci-fi feel.
- I really liked the first chapter! The last line totally hyped me up for the rest of the book (only to eventually feel disappointed).
- I was not emotionally invested in any of the characters. I felt that their characterization, as well as the relationships among each other, was sorely underdeveloped.
- Kyra was not a compelling lead at all. I wanted to empathize with her grief and the loss that she felt, but... I just didn't. Not a lot of character growth happened either.
- I was confused about why Kyra, despite her youth, was chosen to become a Markswoman before her fellow apprentices. It seemed to me that she was pretty mediocre in terms of training and skill. Basically, I couldn't see why the elders deemed her ready to take on the responsibility of being a Markswoman.
- The pacing was really, really slow. There's a lot of telling and internal monologuing. Plus, the writing style itself was quite passive.
- The story was told from two perspectives, but I don't think that the voices of Kyra and Rustan were sufficiently distinct from one another.
- The romance was???
- There were a lot of great ideas, but I don't think they were effectively explored.
- Quite underwhelming and anticlimactic, especially towards the end.
- The ending is a huge, huge cliffhanger that I just can't appreciate. Plus, so!!! many!!! loose!!! ends!!!
- This book honestly disappointed me. I felt disconnected from the characters and the plot all throughout. The enjoyment I felt was rare, if not minimal -- and the ending left me wholly dissatisfied. Nonetheless, I'm still pretty curious about what happens next, so I will most likely still give the sequel a shot.
Full review to follow!
- What I found most enjoyable about Markswoman was its incredible world-building, which was teeming with Asian influences (particularly Indian culture and mythology). Plus, some aspects of the world-building had a bit of a nice sci-fi feel.
- I really liked the first chapter! The last line totally hyped me up for the rest of the book (only to eventually feel disappointed).
- I was not emotionally invested in any of the characters. I felt that their characterization, as well as the relationships among each other, was sorely underdeveloped.
- Kyra was not a compelling lead at all. I wanted to empathize with her grief and the loss that she felt, but... I just didn't. Not a lot of character growth happened either.
- I was confused about why Kyra, despite her youth, was chosen to become a Markswoman before her fellow apprentices. It seemed to me that she was pretty mediocre in terms of training and skill. Basically, I couldn't see why the elders deemed her ready to take on the responsibility of being a Markswoman.
- The pacing was really, really slow. There's a lot of telling and internal monologuing. Plus, the writing style itself was quite passive.
- The story was told from two perspectives, but I don't think that the voices of Kyra and Rustan were sufficiently distinct from one another.
- The romance was???
- There were a lot of great ideas, but I don't think they were effectively explored.
- Quite underwhelming and anticlimactic, especially towards the end.
- The ending is a huge, huge cliffhanger that I just can't appreciate. Plus, so!!! many!!! loose!!! ends!!!
- This book honestly disappointed me. I felt disconnected from the characters and the plot all throughout. The enjoyment I felt was rare, if not minimal -- and the ending left me wholly dissatisfied. Nonetheless, I'm still pretty curious about what happens next, so I will most likely still give the sequel a shot.
Full review to follow!
Quick thoughts:
- Gorgeous, gorgeous cover! I love all the gold.
- Historical fiction and magical realism!
- Russian folklore, Jewish history, and reimagining of Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti!
- I love that Liba's POV was told in prose, while Laya's was told in verse. It made a lot of sense to me because Liba is more level-headed and grounded, while Laya is a huge daydreamer with rose-tinted glasses.
- Beautifully lyrical, enchanting writing style. (I highlighted so many passages in my copy!)
- I love Liba and Laya equally, although I found myself more than occasionally frustrated with both of them. They're both pretty immature and naive, but in a totally understandable way.
- Discusses real-world atrocities, particularly the horror of anti-Semitism and prejudice.
- Also tackles sexual/romantic awakening of two young girls.
- This is a very character-driven story with an agonizingly slow pacing. The middle part, in particular, is a bit of a plateau.
- But if you're a patient reader in search of a great coming-of-age story with magical realism and atmospheric writing, then The Sisters of the Winter Wood is for you!
Full review to follow!
Rating: 4 stars
* Find more of my bookish shenanigans in my natural habitat!
- Gorgeous, gorgeous cover! I love all the gold.
- Historical fiction and magical realism!
- Russian folklore, Jewish history, and reimagining of Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti!
- I love that Liba's POV was told in prose, while Laya's was told in verse. It made a lot of sense to me because Liba is more level-headed and grounded, while Laya is a huge daydreamer with rose-tinted glasses.
- Beautifully lyrical, enchanting writing style. (I highlighted so many passages in my copy!)
- I love Liba and Laya equally, although I found myself more than occasionally frustrated with both of them. They're both pretty immature and naive, but in a totally understandable way.
- Discusses real-world atrocities, particularly the horror of anti-Semitism and prejudice.
- Also tackles sexual/romantic awakening of two young girls.
- This is a very character-driven story with an agonizingly slow pacing. The middle part, in particular, is a bit of a plateau.
- But if you're a patient reader in search of a great coming-of-age story with magical realism and atmospheric writing, then The Sisters of the Winter Wood is for you!
Full review to follow!
Rating: 4 stars
* Find more of my bookish shenanigans in my natural habitat!
