the_pale_woman's Reviews (542)

I really enjoyed this book, but I was caught off guard by the ending. It was abrupt and slightly disappointing, specifically the last few scenes. I couldn't help but cringe a bit. I will keep reading, but I expected better of and from Ky as a character.

This series has thoroughly tainted my willingness to try unfinished works or personally untested authors. I've had *Red Sister* on my TBR for a while, so when *The Book That Wouldn't Burn* came out, I thought I'd give it a go. It was good. Unfortunately, after years of waiting for these sequels, I'm angry at myself for reading them on release. Never again will I blindly pick up a new release that's part of a series. Continuity and endings matter to me. The second book was inarguably a step down from the first, but only a quarter of the way through this one, and I'm dying of boredom and apathy. What happened? Beyond calling this series the Library Trilogy and failing to spend time with books at all? The marketing on this was such a huge misrepresentation that I feel cheated on multiple fronts. I also feel the need to add a warning to my review of the first book and to remove any Mark Lawrence from my TBR. He can't be trusted.

I read three of these stories and plan to go back and read a few more some time in the future but only because I like Ken Liu so much. I'm just not a short story reader. Hopefully one day he'll write an other epic. 

I wouldn't say I enjoyed this sequel as much as the first book, but I thought it was a good continuation. 

Mickey offers the same level of humor and absurdity. But, for better or worse, this story gives more time for other characters to shine. Nasha wasn't specifically annoying, but I didn't think she added anything to the story other than being a companion. Berto felt slightly more rounded, but the highlight was Speaker. For his character alone, I would recommend the audiobook. Hearing his voice portrayed with the same accent as Berto was a nice touch. My big disappointment was Marshall. His actions at the end felt out of character and unearned. 

Regardless, I thought both books were fun, quick reads and would definitely recommend them. 

To paraphrase her own writing: If Emily Henry is a charlatan, then I'm an easy mark. 

This is only my second Henry romance, and unfortunately, I didn't like it. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's bad; it just had too much going on for 400 pages, or it spent too much time on the foreplay. 

At first, I thought the side plot interview was way more interesting than anything else happening in the book. However, I think it ended up relying too heavily on pulling from headlines and other similar stories like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or Daisy Jones & The Six. Additionally, I think I've reached a point where I am incapable of feeling pity for the ultra-rich. Ultimately, I could not empathize with the old lady and was almost disappointed when they all ended up happy in the end.

Finally, a title that is extremely apt. It tells you almost everything you need to know. She is a trader, and she is consistently in danger. 

This story feels like it borders on the YA genre. It is plainly written, and the protagonist is a young woman who is constantly dealing with unfair circumstances. Thankfully, she rarely complains, never whines, and is believably competent. Her personality, combined with the frank violence of the story, is what gives it a slightly more adult vibe. 

The pacing was interesting. There were consistently steady additions of new conflicts. While the action picks up a little toward the end, the constant danger added a lot of tension. It kept me intrigued and reading. 

I would recommend reading this physically, as I ended up doing. I haven't heard the graphic audio version, but the regular audiobook makes the book feel more YA than it should, in my opinion.

I have yet to encounter a mystery thriller that has fully satisfied my expectations. This book, while a thoroughly enjoyable read, was unfortunately no exception. 

Don't get me wrong; the journey and ending were certainly adequate. However, I had hoped for additional plot twists, further exploration of established relationships, or perhaps more character development. Titus was an intriguing, perceptive character, but I wanted to see him succeed in more than just his murder mystery case. His insightful self-analysis was a captivating trait, yet his concluding thoughts felt somewhat abrupt after the story's climax. Similarly, his romantic relationships felt underdeveloped, abrupt, and ultimately inconsequential. 

The book's greatest strength, in my view, lies in its creation of the fictional town of Charon County. It is both believable and effectively unsettling, reminiscent of Stephen King's work, where the setting itself becomes a significant character, enhancing the atmosphere and suspense. 

Despite my minor criticisms, I would recommend this book, particularly the audiobook version. The narrator expertly conveyed the book's mood and tone.

Urban fantasy goes camping. 🙄
I think I'll take a break from these for a minute. 

It is what it is.

Better than the last one.