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themoonwholistens's Reviews (698)
Oh to go take off on an adventure with the god of death and fall in love and want to bury myself in the ground alone with my pain.
— overall: 3.75 —
*All of my reviews are as spoiler-free as possible unless stated otherwise*
After reading Mexican Gothic I knew that I wanted to see what Silvia Moreno Garcia’s writing would look like in a fantasy setting. I don’t know if this is a legitimate category but I would label it as dreamy but sensical. My favorite kind.
It's not too heavy while still delivering the emotional gut punches. But there were just certain things that were not clicking for me.
Anytime a book is about gods or just great all powerful beings that mix with mortals and they set off on an adventure together,, *heart eyes*
The conflict felt very high stakes which just added to the already angsty relationship that was going on.
I’ve only just read the first chapter of The Poppy War so I might be wrong with this comparison but our main characters in both of these books kind of begin in the same position. They are both this poorly treated child in these households that seem to not want them that much. And how that affected her relationship with her cousin was I think a greatly explored concept that we don’t see quite often as a main focus.
There are complex characters placed in complex situations that was all kinds of funny and angsty.
The way that Mr. god’s agelessness (I listened to the audiobook and for the life of me cannot figure out how to spell his name I'm sorry) was portrayed was so well written. I never thought it could be written the way it was and it fit the theme of the book so well. Plot arc really goes full circle but I have to admit that I liked the plot a lot more when it was just the two of them traversing and fulfilling this journey.
It’s easy to get through and SMG writes it the way it is and doesn’t bother with somersaults just to get to the point which was nice. It’s also exactly like Mr. god’s personality so it fit quite well. Being someone who has 0 knowledge on Mexican folklore, iit was a grand time reading the whole book.
I enjoyed Casiopea and Mr. god’s individual characters a lot more than their dynamic… why is weird because the idea of it really makes my heart clench. In theory, I would have fallen head over heels for the forbidden love dynamic but there were just something keeping me from doing so. I still having heart pains from that ending though.
As much as I was invested in what was going to be the outcome, it was mostly just that, the outcome. I didn’t feel like I was pulled into the story, immersed and drowned in the writing. The ending and the beginning were the most engaging for me. There were lines that felt over the top and it just made me roll my eyes a bit.
This is bit more technical but each chapter felt like it kept ending so abruptly and at just weird times. I don’t know.
I’m happy this isn’t a series because i feel like it would be really dragged on.
If you like Cassandra Clare books, I think you’re gonna enjoy this one. If you don’t like CC’s writing style don’t worry, Silvia Moreno Garcia’s writing style is almost entirely different, the only reason I compare them is because of the character arcs and the flow of the plot with these eternal beings. Probably some Rick Riordan in there too.
And plus: you don’t need to read 12 books, just this amazing one <3
I'm tempted to reread a physical copy of this.
— overall: 3.75 —
*All of my reviews are as spoiler-free as possible unless stated otherwise*
After reading Mexican Gothic I knew that I wanted to see what Silvia Moreno Garcia’s writing would look like in a fantasy setting. I don’t know if this is a legitimate category but I would label it as dreamy but sensical. My favorite kind.
It's not too heavy while still delivering the emotional gut punches. But there were just certain things that were not clicking for me.
“Is that why you stare at the stars? Are you searching for beauty or dreaming with your eyes open?”
Anytime a book is about gods or just great all powerful beings that mix with mortals and they set off on an adventure together,, *heart eyes*
The conflict felt very high stakes which just added to the already angsty relationship that was going on.
I’ve only just read the first chapter of The Poppy War so I might be wrong with this comparison but our main characters in both of these books kind of begin in the same position. They are both this poorly treated child in these households that seem to not want them that much. And how that affected her relationship with her cousin was I think a greatly explored concept that we don’t see quite often as a main focus.
There are complex characters placed in complex situations that was all kinds of funny and angsty.
The way that Mr. god’s agelessness (I listened to the audiobook and for the life of me cannot figure out how to spell his name I'm sorry) was portrayed was so well written. I never thought it could be written the way it was and it fit the theme of the book so well. Plot arc really goes full circle but I have to admit that I liked the plot a lot more when it was just the two of them traversing and fulfilling this journey.
“Dreams are for mortals."
"Why?"
"Because they must die.”
It’s easy to get through and SMG writes it the way it is and doesn’t bother with somersaults just to get to the point which was nice. It’s also exactly like Mr. god’s personality so it fit quite well. Being someone who has 0 knowledge on Mexican folklore, iit was a grand time reading the whole book.
I enjoyed Casiopea and Mr. god’s individual characters a lot more than their dynamic… why is weird because the idea of it really makes my heart clench. In theory, I would have fallen head over heels for the forbidden love dynamic but there were just something keeping me from doing so. I still having heart pains from that ending though.
As much as I was invested in what was going to be the outcome, it was mostly just that, the outcome. I didn’t feel like I was pulled into the story, immersed and drowned in the writing. The ending and the beginning were the most engaging for me. There were lines that felt over the top and it just made me roll my eyes a bit.
This is bit more technical but each chapter felt like it kept ending so abruptly and at just weird times. I don’t know.
I’m happy this isn’t a series because i feel like it would be really dragged on.
“Gods may not fight with swords but they are just as petty as men.”
If you like Cassandra Clare books, I think you’re gonna enjoy this one. If you don’t like CC’s writing style don’t worry, Silvia Moreno Garcia’s writing style is almost entirely different, the only reason I compare them is because of the character arcs and the flow of the plot with these eternal beings. Probably some Rick Riordan in there too.
And plus: you don’t need to read 12 books, just this amazing one <3
I'm tempted to reread a physical copy of this.
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“The more alone you are, the more important it is to have someone you can rely upon.”
FORMAT READ: eBook (iBooks)
SIMILAR VIBES: Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices series), Six of Crows
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*All of my reviews are as spoiler-free as possible unless states otherwise*
GENIUS ! GENIUS !
At first all I was getting here was some Six of Crows vibes set in the Victorian Era. And it definitely was for the most part, but what really got me was how it still had Brandon Sanderson written all over it.
The logic. the writing style. the attention to details. He is full of foreshadowing but you wouldn’t even realize it was until you’ve read the plot twist. And at that point you’ll just feel stupid for not seeing it earlier.
I was so convinced that I was giving this a solid 4 stars, until the last of the story that reminded me why the Mistborn trilogy is fantasy royalty and that this book is like it’s baby brother. And I just need to say that I love the way Sanderson connected the stories on the more personal level.
Just like what I’ve seen another reviewer say: It’s different, it’s not Elend and Vin and The Final Empire, but it’s definitely worth the time of those who loved and read the previous trilogy.
P.S.
I live for Wayne’s humor
FORMAT READ: eBook (iBooks)
SIMILAR VIBES: Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices series), Six of Crows
⟹ MY BLOG ⟸
⟹ SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI ⟸
*All of my reviews are as spoiler-free as possible unless states otherwise*
GENIUS ! GENIUS !
At first all I was getting here was some Six of Crows vibes set in the Victorian Era. And it definitely was for the most part, but what really got me was how it still had Brandon Sanderson written all over it.
The logic. the writing style. the attention to details. He is full of foreshadowing but you wouldn’t even realize it was until you’ve read the plot twist. And at that point you’ll just feel stupid for not seeing it earlier.
I was so convinced that I was giving this a solid 4 stars, until the last of the story that reminded me why the Mistborn trilogy is fantasy royalty and that this book is like it’s baby brother. And I just need to say that I love the way Sanderson connected the stories on the more personal level.
Just like what I’ve seen another reviewer say: It’s different, it’s not Elend and Vin and The Final Empire, but it’s definitely worth the time of those who loved and read the previous trilogy.
P.S.
I live for Wayne’s humor
My emotions are tired from the rollercoasters :>
— overall thoughts: 4.25 —
⇢ content warnings//
What I loved the most about this book was how it explored the different kinds of mother-daughter relationships through the plot (there were like at least 4-5 different mother-daughter pairs that I could write an essay breaking it down). I wish I could word this better but it showed, the different ways that a mother expresses her love, what she would do for her children, what she wants for her children, etc. It was so emotional and raw... getting to understand what these people have been through and then seeing how their children perceive it, while also living their lives with them... I am speechless.
I really thought the plot was just going to be about this baby that came into the town but it really dives into the histories of each of these characters and puts you into their headspaces.
The ethical discussions (THAT I LOVE), mother-daughter relationships, complex characters, slow build-up, the realities we have to face, weird plot/writing format that actually worked with the story… amazing.
It also ended on such a perfect place (for me!) because this felt like a story that exceeded the pages because the plot just went so far back and it felt to me that it's a story that could keep going on.
... but I also just had to pause my audiobook and say to myself (regarding how the plots closed): Celeste Ng really chose to do that.
The character developments make me want to cry because I want all character developments everywhere to evolve in this way huhu
It is definitely a character driven book that if we consider the pacing of the main plot, I would describe it as slow. BUT this is because the way the story is written is sort of backwards as it introduces most of the characters at the present time before going back into a very detailed history of how they got to where they are in this very posh neighborhood.
morally grey characters(?) + great writing. need i say more? especially in mrs. richardson and miya (at some point)… actually in all of them. It’s complicated.... but I was there. I was living for it. I need more of these in my books.
+ they all had such interesting backgrounds and mindspaces that I didn’t care that the timeline was jumpy as you do learn about the characters in detail. But in no way was it confusing and was just filled to the brim with substance that I could not put it down.
If you were wondering about the age range I would say this is a perfect New Adult read as it follows both adult and teen aged characters which really puts the differences (and similarities) in perspective. Speaking of the teens in this story, I enjoyed all their dramas more than I normally would because I was just invested in all of their families already. They also added a bit of lightheartedness to everything that was going on. Just the fact that Celeste Ng executed that so well was amazing.
In terms of that case with the baby: all the perspectives on the case were so well-written and substantial that I really had no idea whose side I was supposed to be on. But I understood where they were all coming from. And I think that was the point. There was no exact wrong or right way because someone will always end up getting hurt. That maybe we just had to love and understand one another. It's very broad I know... but the book does a lot better job explaining what that means.
What didn't I like?
Uhm... I loved it but it isn't a book that I would think so hard about and made me stare blankly at a wall pondering about my life. There really isn't anything that I found disagreeable with the book itself but it's more of in the way I received it, personally. It also just had a lot of hype to live up to hehe
Nevertheless, still a perfectly well-balanced story and I would seriously recommend this to all those looking for a perfect new adult read that will make you.... emote.
start your little fires everywhere people <3
I finally broke my contemporary curse but I think it's time for me to binge some fantasy again.
SIMILAR VIBES: [b:The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo|32620332|The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo|Taylor Jenkins Reid|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498169036l/32620332._SY75_.jpg|46885151]
TRIGGER WARNINGS: child pregnancy
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“What made someone a mother? Was it biology alone, or was it love?”
— overall thoughts: 4.25 —
⇢ content warnings//
Spoiler
Abortion, Alcohol (mentioned), Alcoholism (mentioned), Animal abuse (mentioned), Arson, Bombs (mentioned), Bullying by authority figure, Car crash, Cigarettes (mentioned), Death, Domestic abuse (mentioned), Drugs, Earthquake (mentioned), Hospital scenes, Infertility, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, National socialism (mentioned), Pee, Periods (mentioned), Postpartale depression (mentioned), Poverty, Pregnancy, Psychiatry (mentioned), Racism, Rape (mentioned), Sexism, Sexual content, Spiders (mentioned), Stalking, Stripping (mentioned), Victim blaming (about the negative consequences of an abortion), War (mentioned)What I loved the most about this book was how it explored the different kinds of mother-daughter relationships through the plot (there were like at least 4-5 different mother-daughter pairs that I could write an essay breaking it down). I wish I could word this better but it showed, the different ways that a mother expresses her love, what she would do for her children, what she wants for her children, etc. It was so emotional and raw... getting to understand what these people have been through and then seeing how their children perceive it, while also living their lives with them... I am speechless.
I really thought the plot was just going to be about this baby that came into the town but it really dives into the histories of each of these characters and puts you into their headspaces.
The ethical discussions (THAT I LOVE), mother-daughter relationships, complex characters, slow build-up, the realities we have to face, weird plot/writing format that actually worked with the story… amazing.
It also ended on such a perfect place (for me!) because this felt like a story that exceeded the pages because the plot just went so far back and it felt to me that it's a story that could keep going on.
... but I also just had to pause my audiobook and say to myself (regarding how the plots closed): Celeste Ng really chose to do that.
“She was supposed to be an adult. When childish indulges were to be set aside, not dived into head first,”
The character developments make me want to cry because I want all character developments everywhere to evolve in this way huhu
It is definitely a character driven book that if we consider the pacing of the main plot, I would describe it as slow. BUT this is because the way the story is written is sort of backwards as it introduces most of the characters at the present time before going back into a very detailed history of how they got to where they are in this very posh neighborhood.
morally grey characters(?) + great writing. need i say more? especially in mrs. richardson and miya (at some point)… actually in all of them. It’s complicated.... but I was there. I was living for it. I need more of these in my books.
+ they all had such interesting backgrounds and mindspaces that I didn’t care that the timeline was jumpy as you do learn about the characters in detail. But in no way was it confusing and was just filled to the brim with substance that I could not put it down.
If you were wondering about the age range I would say this is a perfect New Adult read as it follows both adult and teen aged characters which really puts the differences (and similarities) in perspective. Speaking of the teens in this story, I enjoyed all their dramas more than I normally would because I was just invested in all of their families already. They also added a bit of lightheartedness to everything that was going on. Just the fact that Celeste Ng executed that so well was amazing.
"The problem with rules is that they implied a right way and a wrong way to do things. When in fact, most of the time, they were simply ways.
None of them quite wrong or right,”
In terms of that case with the baby: all the perspectives on the case were so well-written and substantial that I really had no idea whose side I was supposed to be on. But I understood where they were all coming from. And I think that was the point. There was no exact wrong or right way because someone will always end up getting hurt. That maybe we just had to love and understand one another. It's very broad I know... but the book does a lot better job explaining what that means.
What didn't I like?
Uhm... I loved it but it isn't a book that I would think so hard about and made me stare blankly at a wall pondering about my life. There really isn't anything that I found disagreeable with the book itself but it's more of in the way I received it, personally. It also just had a lot of hype to live up to hehe
Nevertheless, still a perfectly well-balanced story and I would seriously recommend this to all those looking for a perfect new adult read that will make you.... emote.
start your little fires everywhere people <3
I finally broke my contemporary curse but I think it's time for me to binge some fantasy again.
SIMILAR VIBES: [b:The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo|32620332|The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo|Taylor Jenkins Reid|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498169036l/32620332._SY75_.jpg|46885151]
TRIGGER WARNINGS: child pregnancy
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I am willing to read this whole series solely for Murderbot.
— overall thoughts: 3.5 —
⇢ content warnings//
Chai sums up perfectly how I feel about Murderbot. I was not capable of not loving Murderbot.
The plot and the world-building fell a little flat for me and I just wasn't as invested in that as I was to our half human and half robot main character. But that didn't bother me too much in this case since the pacing is pretty fast with the length of the novel. At the end of the day, it's a light and fluffy sci fi, which is I think what I needed right now. It has just the right amount of thought provoking content to keep the world alive and that was enough for me. For an AI, Murderbot was one of the most relatable and realistic characters that I have encountered (and they are just so funny???).
↣ If you are looking for a quick read that has you in it for some fun and will get you in a sci fi mood, check this out! ↢
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"fast-paced space thriller"
i have been living under a rock
— overall thoughts: 3.5 —
⇢ content warnings//
Spoiler
Blood, Body Horror, Death, Injury, Mind Control (of androids), Murder, Prostitution (mentioned), Slavery (of androids), ViolenceChai sums up perfectly how I feel about Murderbot. I was not capable of not loving Murderbot.
The plot and the world-building fell a little flat for me and I just wasn't as invested in that as I was to our half human and half robot main character. But that didn't bother me too much in this case since the pacing is pretty fast with the length of the novel. At the end of the day, it's a light and fluffy sci fi, which is I think what I needed right now. It has just the right amount of thought provoking content to keep the world alive and that was enough for me. For an AI, Murderbot was one of the most relatable and realistic characters that I have encountered (and they are just so funny???).
↣ If you are looking for a quick read that has you in it for some fun and will get you in a sci fi mood, check this out! ↢
------------------
"fast-paced space thriller"
i have been living under a rock
damn. This book put me through a lot and I let it.
This book basically follows these two people who have known each other since they were young and we see glimpses of their relationship at different points whenever they meet over the years. That's it. That really is the only thing that goes on. Despite that, it wasn't the reason that I wasn't obsessed with the story by the time I finished it. I have decided that in totality, I guess I did like portions of it for what it was.
This was going to be a 5 star book for the first 70% and I was completely in love but then the ending 30% was so frustrating.... I am sorry but the ending really ruined this book for me. It wasn't because I think that the story was pointless or that nothing happened but as a reader... it was just incredibly unsatisfying and, I'm going to say it again, frustrating. I don't care if it's a sad ending, I just want to feel contented.
It's frustrating and it's messy, I know. And I get that this is supposed to be real life and sometimes it's just like that but... I needed something satisfying and that's not what it was. I honestly understand how this can be so polarizing to read and even until now I don't exactly know if I can say whether I like this book or want to throw it off a cliff (note: I have since changed my mind and decided that I do want to keep it on my shelf and not sink it in the ocean).
All I can say is: this book lives up to its title. It's about normal people and it both balks me and has me in awe.
Although it didn't really bother me, you need to give it some focus in the beginning in order to understand the story due to the lack of quotation marks and brain processing power to decipher the time skips. To be honest, I did like the format because it made the flow more natural to me. However, if you are already having a hard time getting into the story, I see how it could just add to the frustration.
Marianne and Connell aren't perfect people, they frustrate each other, the people around them, me and you as the readers.... it's full of miscommunication and toxicity at times... but it's real. And it's complicated. And let's face it, that's how a lot of people are, maybe even you and me at some point in our lives and maybe people we have loved as well. But that doesn't mean that I necessarily liked how certain themes and scenarios were portrayed in this story without being given proper closures and solutions.
I do stick by my earlier statement that I do not like how this book ended despite loving a majority of it. At the end of the day, I think that whether or not you like this book will depend on what you want from it. What I can tell you is that, to me, this isn’t a happy love story that made me hopeful about love… which is not my kind of story, I like to think.
— 3.5 —
⇢ content warnings// Abuse (physical, emotional), Alcohol use, Anxiety, Bullying, Death, Death of a parent (past), Depression, Domestic violence, Drug use, Sexual assault, Suicide ideation, Suicide, Toxic relationships, Violence
This book basically follows these two people who have known each other since they were young and we see glimpses of their relationship at different points whenever they meet over the years. That's it. That really is the only thing that goes on. Despite that, it wasn't the reason that I wasn't obsessed with the story by the time I finished it. I have decided that in totality, I guess I did like portions of it for what it was.
This was going to be a 5 star book for the first 70% and I was completely in love but then the ending 30% was so frustrating.... I am sorry but the ending really ruined this book for me. It wasn't because I think that the story was pointless or that nothing happened but as a reader... it was just incredibly unsatisfying and, I'm going to say it again, frustrating. I don't care if it's a sad ending, I just want to feel contented.
It's frustrating and it's messy, I know. And I get that this is supposed to be real life and sometimes it's just like that but... I needed something satisfying and that's not what it was. I honestly understand how this can be so polarizing to read and even until now I don't exactly know if I can say whether I like this book or want to throw it off a cliff (note: I have since changed my mind and decided that I do want to keep it on my shelf and not sink it in the ocean).
All I can say is: this book lives up to its title. It's about normal people and it both balks me and has me in awe.
Although it didn't really bother me, you need to give it some focus in the beginning in order to understand the story due to the lack of quotation marks and brain processing power to decipher the time skips. To be honest, I did like the format because it made the flow more natural to me. However, if you are already having a hard time getting into the story, I see how it could just add to the frustration.
Marianne and Connell aren't perfect people, they frustrate each other, the people around them, me and you as the readers.... it's full of miscommunication and toxicity at times... but it's real. And it's complicated. And let's face it, that's how a lot of people are, maybe even you and me at some point in our lives and maybe people we have loved as well. But that doesn't mean that I necessarily liked how certain themes and scenarios were portrayed in this story without being given proper closures and solutions.
“Life offers up these moments of joy despite everything,”
I do stick by my earlier statement that I do not like how this book ended despite loving a majority of it. At the end of the day, I think that whether or not you like this book will depend on what you want from it. What I can tell you is that, to me, this isn’t a happy love story that made me hopeful about love… which is not my kind of story, I like to think.
— 3.5 —
⇢ content warnings// Abuse (physical, emotional), Alcohol use, Anxiety, Bullying, Death, Death of a parent (past), Depression, Domestic violence, Drug use, Sexual assault, Suicide ideation, Suicide, Toxic relationships, Violence
“When you love a thing too much, it is a special kind of pain to show it to others and to see that it is lacking.”
[2nd read] Nghi Vo's distinctive writing really makes it so easy to get lost in the story. The amount of depth that is put into these short stories astounds me. It felt like I watched a scene from a movie.
I don't want to give too much away but this takes place in the same world as TEOSAF and it's when these two people find themselves in the mercy of these tigers in a snowwy forest, to be vague. The prose isn't exactly lyrical but the overall vibe does give it that feeling. Reading the actual words and listening the audiobook were both very different experiences and I do recommend both/either one.
[1st read] such charming characters and stories that talk about the wonders of storytelling?? we love those.
↣ If you’re into short stories that pack a lot of themes and culture into it, you will fall in love with this series. Nghi Vo has such a unique voice and I could listen to the narrator of these audiobooks talk for hours. ↢
— 4.0 —
⇢ content warnings// Animal death, Cannibalism, Cheating (minor), Death (on-page), Drug use, Gore, Manipulation, Murder, Sexual content, Violence
⇢ representation: Vietnamese cast and setting (coded), Non-binary main character, WLW main and side characters
"It's not so uncommon for others to have more faith in someone than he has in himself."
FORMAT READ: ePub (iBooks) & Audiobook
READ IF: looking for a starting Brandon Sanderson book and a high-but-not-so-high-fantasy with a unique magic system
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*All of my reviews are as spoiler-free as possible unless states otherwise*
OVERALL: 4.75
I can definitely see hints of the Cosmere series in the novel AND I LOVE IT! I am always so blown away by anything Brandon Sanderson creates and this is no exception. I just wanna hug it and become my little sister.
If Mistborn is Major in Religion and Minor in Politics. Warbreaker is Major in Politics and Minor in Religion. It still amazes me how Sanderson is able to incorporate these ideas so vividly in fantasy. How everything comes to play is so mesmerizing and I just cannot stop reading his books.
All I am going to say is
Spoiler
Vasher and Susebron ARE MY BAES!!! LIKE HELLO!!! They’re both like all powerful cinnamon buns that looks like they can kill you, can actually kill you, but won’t really. I cannot wait to see what else Vasher and Vivenna, Susebron and Siri will be up to next!! I shipped them all so much *heart eyes*This review does not begin to express my love for Brandon Sanderson and, more specifically for Warbreaker. I don't know how to properly write just how genius I think he is but this is a great novel to start your Sanderson journey and an overall great high fantasy in general. This is one of his earlier works and his writing style does change through his books.
~ NO SPOILERS but if you would rather go into the book with no idea what happens I suggest to only read up to here ~
PLOT:★★★★★
It’s like just getting a taste of such a complex magic system. You think you have everything figured out until Sanderson comes out of his hole like NOPE! THERE’S MORE! The events were mostly contained in Hallandren which I was not entirely sold on as it made the world a bit more contained. Though, it was still VERY interesting.
Everything that was going on was so interesting and I just needed to know more about this new and intricate magic system. What I like about how Sanderson’s novels is how the magic systems always seem to ”make sense” (or how close to “making sense” a fantasy book can go). Considering that this is just the first book, I am pumped up to see just how far Sanderson can go, especially since I have already seen what he is capable of in Mistborn.
AND HELLO PLOT TWISTS! If you love plot twists (who doesn’t?) you might want to give this a try until the very last page.
WRITING STYLE:★★★★★
Flawless, descriptive in the right parts, without being too flowery. I have a new compartment in my head of the Warbreakerverse. Sanderson writes in the way that seems to be leading to one point but you're not really sure whether to fully trust that path or not.
CHARACTERS:★★★★★(4.5)
I have to say that from the hundreds of fantasy characters that I have read, the characters were still unpredictable to me. Which is good!!! They are all well-written in terms of their actions and ideas but they were all pretty straight forward except for one character. I just wanted more complexity to match the rest of the book, which I have no doubt Sanderson will give in the rest of the series.
There were times when the two sisters annoyed me and I was not vibing with their characters. Though, towards the end, they did redeem themselves and I fell in love with them anyway.
Special Mention: Lightsong my baby boy!!!!!!!! <3 <3 <3
THEMES:★★★★★
This particular book (obviously I do not know about the whole series because it isn’t out yet) had a lot to say about how political systems work as well as how religion played into it. A bit hard to explain if you have not yet read the book without spoiling what goes on but that’s the essence of it.
It did not discuss a lot of sisterly bonds as much as I expected and focused more on the journey of the sisters individually.
PACING:★★★★★
Not too fast paced, some slow parts but a lot of things always seem to be happening. Especially details during battle scenes.
There were times when my attention falters but I just plugged in the audiobook and problem solved! This is more my problem than the book however :)
Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s ability to jump from genre to genre, write completely different stories, but still have the same touch, astounds me.
This has the echos of the likes of Cassandra Clare’s The Infernal Devices and The Last Hours but make it a little more magical realism than fantasy. I would have wanted more magic and nuance that explores the socialite society but this was the historical romance I needed before reading Jade Legacy and I thank it for it's service.
the first 70% of this book is 4 stars for the yearning and pining *chef's kiss* I was so SOLD... but the ending got a lil bit too cringey and dragging. I still loved it for the most part though.
[ Full review to come !! ]
— 3.25 —
⇢ content warnings// Betrayal, Bullying, Classism, Emotional Manipulation, Misogyny, Suicidal ideation, Gun violence
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this cover is really serving isn't it
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the part that got me to add this was when someone mentioned the theme "about choosing a relationship"
This has the echos of the likes of Cassandra Clare’s The Infernal Devices and The Last Hours but make it a little more magical realism than fantasy. I would have wanted more magic and nuance that explores the socialite society but this was the historical romance I needed before reading Jade Legacy and I thank it for it's service.
the first 70% of this book is 4 stars for the yearning and pining *chef's kiss* I was so SOLD... but the ending got a lil bit too cringey and dragging. I still loved it for the most part though.
[ Full review to come !! ]
— 3.25 —
⇢ content warnings// Betrayal, Bullying, Classism, Emotional Manipulation, Misogyny, Suicidal ideation, Gun violence
-----
this cover is really serving isn't it
-----
the part that got me to add this was when someone mentioned the theme "about choosing a relationship"
I loved this most for the way that it handled the fact that you can love (or care about) multiple people in your life and love is ultimately a choice you make. How people change over the years and even the person you love would have different versions of themselves.
*shakes book in front of crowd and announces into a microphone* yall have no idea how much I love the best friends to lovers trope
UGH *screams incoherently at the cuteness*
Even though I wish it was more flushed out, the overarching theme was on the connections you meet with people on vacation and I really do see this appealing a lot to those who have wanderlust embedded in their hearts, just like I do.
I did like Beach Read more because themes other than the romance were better incorporated into the actual plot but I love the way Emily Henry plays with character dynamics. There’s always some version of nostalgia and sentimentality to it while still being wholy romantic. Which is exactly my style, very good people.
— 4.25 —
⇢ content warnings// Death of a parent, Physical illness, Depictions of anxiety, Bullying (Past)
⤜ pre-read review ⤛
emily henry romances are already an auto-buy for me but i just realized it so may i interest you in a friends to lovers romance told over 10 (12?) summers
*shakes book in front of crowd and announces into a microphone* yall have no idea how much I love the best friends to lovers trope
“It’s fascinating how so much of love is about who you are with someone.”
UGH *screams incoherently at the cuteness*
Even though I wish it was more flushed out, the overarching theme was on the connections you meet with people on vacation and I really do see this appealing a lot to those who have wanderlust embedded in their hearts, just like I do.
I did like Beach Read more because themes other than the romance were better incorporated into the actual plot but I love the way Emily Henry plays with character dynamics. There’s always some version of nostalgia and sentimentality to it while still being wholy romantic. Which is exactly my style, very good people.
“It’s not your job to make me happy, okay? You can’t make anyone happy. I’m happy just because you exist, and that’s as much of my happiness as you have control over.”
— 4.25 —
⇢ content warnings// Death of a parent, Physical illness, Depictions of anxiety, Bullying (Past)
⤜ pre-read review ⤛
emily henry romances are already an auto-buy for me but i just realized it so may i interest you in a friends to lovers romance told over 10 (12?) summers