I tried alternating between the audio and a physical copy but I just couldn’t get into the story. Was a bit too slow moving for me

My first Hannah Whitten and I'm def looking forward to reading her other duology and for the rest of this series.

This book is immediately so interesting right from the get-go. I find it hard to describe when writing is not good, but on the contrary when it’s THIS good it just works and is so easy to read. The world building is top notch, like I was not confused at all (beyond that this is a very mysterious book so obv there are things left out on purpose).

1.5/5 🌶️ (so much tensionnnn)

My notes while reading:
-Literally the prologue I am already "WTF"ing
-Leigh Bardugo is a goddamn genius. That is all.
-Cat scream gif forever.
-I AM READY TO GO TO HELL!
-IT HURTS (& theories)
-THE GASP I GUSP
-I AM ON FIRE

Anyway I really wish we didn't have to wait years for the next book :')
It's also somehow technically 0/5 🌶️ but still I'm 🥵

I was very excited about this book, but it did not live up to my expectations. I did listen to the audiobook, and I was very confused by a lot of things for most of the book. I read a lot of fantasy so this is beyond the typical confusion that happens as world building happens at the start of a story. There is not enough about the world explained early on enough for me to understand what is going on. And at the same time there is almost too much going on, with the multiple POVs (it seems like they were changing often and I didn't really understand why), the group runs into pretty much every type of fantastical being there is, and then there's also love triangles/trapezoids going on making everything that much more complicated.
1/5🌶️

I struggled through this a bit, and only kept with it because I had an ARC and it was a short read. There is not enough background or description of why the main character Ramona has a crush on Caleb, we're just told that she does. I found it kind of hard to be on her side throughout this mess she creates without having that investment of why she is so obsessed with him. I think this book would resonate with younger readers, or anyone who is particularly into cosplay (which is Ramona's main hobby).

1/5 🌶️

This was ok. There was not a very interesting plot to follow, it's just a lot of smut. I prefer a good storyline to accompany my smut. 

I personally liked Katee Robert's Hades & Persephone retelling more.


4.5/5 🌶️

This book will keep you on questioning everything until the end it's super mysterious. You're gonna be like "wtf is going on" for 80% of the book, but in the best way possible.

THE ROMANCE. 
What are these YA Fantasy Romance authors doing to me???? I have *feelings* How do they keep everything so PG but I am sweating?! IT'S SO GOOD.

Protect Colton at all costs. That is all.

If you're a fan of: Belladonna by Adalyn Grace (new adult) or Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (NOT YA) I think you'll really enjoy this.

IDK where to even put the spice cause it's completely 'closed door' if anything even really happens it's vague in the most beautiful way. So 1.5-2/5 🌶️??

There was a bit of pacing issues in the book. The first half is rather slow, and while I did enjoy most of the world building and following the two MCs in discovery of the Emporium, it really took until the halfway point for things to get interesting. Much of the first half is also consumed with their insta-love romance (while also simultaneously saying 'this is crazy' so at least they're self-aware I guess). I also got very annoyed with a line that keeps getting repeated which Quinta's mother said to her, like ok we get it!!

The Emporium itself is of course really the most interesting thing about this book (along with the magical lace weaving). I heard this book described as Howl's Moving Castle vibes... personally because that is a movie I love intensely that was a high-bar to set. I wish I hadn't heard/read that because I think I would've enjoyed this book on it's own more without the comparison.

The second half got a lot more interesting once some *things* happen

the ball, and once they get separated

to really move the plot along and the focus isn't quite as much on the romance. And from this point on I really enjoyed the book, and the ending. So much so that it added a half star to my overall rating.

In the end while this book had some flaws, I definitely think it's worth a read if you're a YA fantasy fan, because perhaps some of my qualms are rather personal.

I also really enjoyed the author's note at the end where she talked about her inspirations for the book.

2/5 🌶️ (closed door)

Are you tired all the time? Rest Is Resistance explores the reasons why we all are. In particular why marginalized groups are.

Let it be a step in the direction to reclaiming your life. We were not meant to live the way our capitalist culture dictates.

(Forgive if this quote is not exact as I listened to the audiobook and can't remember exactly when it was to go back and confirm)

Super cute queer cooking/baking workplace romance! 

Slow burn

real spice (besides a dream) isn't until 98% point

3/5 🌶️