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themoonwholistens's Reviews (698)
This book is about learning to understand the people who have hurt you the most... because usually they are also the people you love the most.
I just loved this so much. We love a book that makes you excited for your next read.
Two aspects that were simply executed to perfection: Chemistry. Writing.
It's a good day to read a story about fiction writers dealing with life and just being regular, flawed people, just trying to get through their problems. Regarding the romance: this is exactly what I mean when I say that I love the enemies to best friends to lovers trope. But at the same time, Emily Henry really took the time to make the story more than the romantic aspect.
All those rave reviews.... were so right. If you haven’t been hyped about this book yet I shall do it with pleasure. PLEASE DO NOT let the cover and the premise fool you.
I was so curious as to how they were going to fall in love... and it was done so well? There’s a very unique feeling to the story and even the tropes that we have seen still felt fresh.
It explores the process of writing (obviously) but also grief, understanding, and other heavier topics in more light hearted scenarios... which, again, made it the story feel more than a love story. Which is always what I look for.
The witty humor and great chemistry... ohmygoodness... all the perfect parts were balanced with the right amount of tragedy, which made it feel real and made room for character development. I was invested in their relationship and to me they were just meant to be. I aspire to be this in love.
The only other thing I can say about this is to not get caught up in the hype. Save this for when you need a solid fantasy refresher and need a hard hitting rom-com, and maybe when you're just sad about the world.
I was looking for an easy read when I picked this up and although this isn't the most light-hearted of stories, it is definitely easy to get through and will leave you feeling full and hopeful. If you want an adult contemporary that tackles more serious topics without sacrificing the typical elements in an adult rom com... this is perfect.
I was literally laughing out loud and crying in the same sentence.
I might go on an Emily Henry binge the next time I feel sad and lonely. This satisfied my contemporary impulses and I will now peacefully return to Gus' genre of fiction, epic and high fantasies where tragedy is always around the corner.
[It's not every day I give a perfect rating but this is one of those days...]
— 5.0 —
I just loved this so much. We love a book that makes you excited for your next read.
Two aspects that were simply executed to perfection: Chemistry. Writing.
It's a good day to read a story about fiction writers dealing with life and just being regular, flawed people, just trying to get through their problems. Regarding the romance: this is exactly what I mean when I say that I love the enemies to best friends to lovers trope. But at the same time, Emily Henry really took the time to make the story more than the romantic aspect.
“Sometimes making art is a horror story but other times, you fall head over heels in love. Either way, you’ll probably laugh.”
All those rave reviews.... were so right. If you haven’t been hyped about this book yet I shall do it with pleasure. PLEASE DO NOT let the cover and the premise fool you.
I was so curious as to how they were going to fall in love... and it was done so well? There’s a very unique feeling to the story and even the tropes that we have seen still felt fresh.
It explores the process of writing (obviously) but also grief, understanding, and other heavier topics in more light hearted scenarios... which, again, made it the story feel more than a love story. Which is always what I look for.
“That perfect moment that made it come alive. That made the book more than the sum of it’s words.”
The witty humor and great chemistry... ohmygoodness... all the perfect parts were balanced with the right amount of tragedy, which made it feel real and made room for character development. I was invested in their relationship and to me they were just meant to be. I aspire to be this in love.
“It’s okay to let a little ugliness into your story. It will never rob you of all the beauty.”
The only other thing I can say about this is to not get caught up in the hype. Save this for when you need a solid fantasy refresher and need a hard hitting rom-com, and maybe when you're just sad about the world.
I was looking for an easy read when I picked this up and although this isn't the most light-hearted of stories, it is definitely easy to get through and will leave you feeling full and hopeful. If you want an adult contemporary that tackles more serious topics without sacrificing the typical elements in an adult rom com... this is perfect.
I was literally laughing out loud and crying in the same sentence.
I might go on an Emily Henry binge the next time I feel sad and lonely. This satisfied my contemporary impulses and I will now peacefully return to Gus' genre of fiction, epic and high fantasies where tragedy is always around the corner.
“We have to write what we think is true.”
[It's not every day I give a perfect rating but this is one of those days...]
— 5.0 —
Buddy Reading with Audrey and Caitlin!!
FORMAT READ: Paperback, Audiobook, eBook (iBooks)
SIMILAR VIBES: This Savage Song, They Both Die At the End (ominous vibe)
⟹ MY BLOG ⟸
⟹ SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI ⟸
*All of my reviews are as spoiler-free as possible unless states otherwise*
We love a good emo anti-hero :D Victoria Schwab's books always seem to have the same effect on me. They are never the stories and plot that I expect them to be but I end up loving them anyway. She did not let down in this book.
The writing was so flawless for my reading style that I could just not put it down. I was reading it every chance I get and let me tell you: this is the first time I got a single book in all 3 formats (ebook, physical and audiobook) just so that I could continue reading. I was reading it on the bus, I was reading it while waiting in line for anything, I was reading it on the plane, I was reading it before I slept, etc. Even though it took me longer that it would usually take, I was really busy these past few weeks and I only get like this with a book when I'm busy if I really like it (idk if that made sense but the point is, I was addicted!).
I actually thought the main characters would only be Victor and Eli, but I was pleasantly surprised to be invested in the other characters in here as well. The plot, although not that complicated (I love complicated plots) was still very intriguing due to the way V.E. Schwab wrote it and formatted everything. Everything always had me wondering and anxious to know what would happen next. The moral ideas were also evident for me here. The fact that we have anti-hero characters here also made this story much more unique given the plot dynamic. This book was one step away from being cliche but Schwab was able to balance on the line between predictable and what was not.
Lastly, I pray for the souls of those who had to wait years for the sequel of this book and I'm happy I get to read the sequel as soon as I can since it's now out XD
stay alive x
~ Althea
VILLAINS SERIES REVIEWS
Book #1 : Vicious ★★★★★
Book #2 : Vengeful ★★★★★
"Someone could call themselves a hero and still walk around killing dozens. Someone else could be labeled a villain for trying to stop them."
FORMAT READ: Paperback, Audiobook, eBook (iBooks)
SIMILAR VIBES: This Savage Song, They Both Die At the End (ominous vibe)
⟹ MY BLOG ⟸
⟹ SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI ⟸
*All of my reviews are as spoiler-free as possible unless states otherwise*
We love a good emo anti-hero :D Victoria Schwab's books always seem to have the same effect on me. They are never the stories and plot that I expect them to be but I end up loving them anyway. She did not let down in this book.
The writing was so flawless for my reading style that I could just not put it down. I was reading it every chance I get and let me tell you: this is the first time I got a single book in all 3 formats (ebook, physical and audiobook) just so that I could continue reading. I was reading it on the bus, I was reading it while waiting in line for anything, I was reading it on the plane, I was reading it before I slept, etc. Even though it took me longer that it would usually take, I was really busy these past few weeks and I only get like this with a book when I'm busy if I really like it (idk if that made sense but the point is, I was addicted!).
I actually thought the main characters would only be Victor and Eli, but I was pleasantly surprised to be invested in the other characters in here as well. The plot, although not that complicated (I love complicated plots) was still very intriguing due to the way V.E. Schwab wrote it and formatted everything. Everything always had me wondering and anxious to know what would happen next. The moral ideas were also evident for me here. The fact that we have anti-hero characters here also made this story much more unique given the plot dynamic. This book was one step away from being cliche but Schwab was able to balance on the line between predictable and what was not.
Lastly, I pray for the souls of those who had to wait years for the sequel of this book and I'm happy I get to read the sequel as soon as I can since it's now out XD
stay alive x
~ Althea
VILLAINS SERIES REVIEWS
Book #1 : Vicious ★★★★★
Book #2 : Vengeful ★★★★★
I feel at peace.
It’s like Jade Legacy isn’t haunting me anymore. So yeah, best read after the original trilogy so you can sleep at night peacefully haha
We follow the high ranking members for the most part in Green Bone Saga that it was more than lovely to actually see the world from the relatively more ordinary citizens of the clans <3
— 4.5 —
⇢ content warnings// Human Trafficking (mentioned), Drug Abuse, Child Abuse (mentioned)
——
Pre-review:
i'm waiting...
It’s like Jade Legacy isn’t haunting me anymore. So yeah, best read after the original trilogy so you can sleep at night peacefully haha
We follow the high ranking members for the most part in Green Bone Saga that it was more than lovely to actually see the world from the relatively more ordinary citizens of the clans <3
“It was worthless, just steel and wood and jade. It wasn’t alive, it didn’t love or feel, it didn’t hurt or mourn or suffer from guilt or the pain of failure. And yet it was coveted and considered more valuable than some lives.”
— 4.5 —
⇢ content warnings// Human Trafficking (mentioned), Drug Abuse, Child Abuse (mentioned)
——
Pre-review:
i'm waiting...
We need more child-mother-father protagonists in fantasy like this, I said what I said.
the only thing i have the energy to say right now is that you are SLEEPING if you have not read this STANDALONE FANTASY masterpiece. this reads like an anime with Demon Slayer and ATLA/Avatar: The Last Airbender vibes, in all the best ways.
This is a brutal, angsty, intense, imaginative, heart-warming, satisfying, and hard-hitting fantasy standalone that centers around a powerful water-ice power wielding family/community. These nuanced family dynamic tropes in fantasy will always have my heart.
It’s perfect for those who like a lot of heart and action in their fantasy. I found out that ML Wang works at a martial arts school and it really shows in the writing. The characters and maximized potential of their powers were so investing. The battles scenes are some of the most realized and vivid (and brutal) that I have ever read. I AM SO IN LOVE. The potential of water-based elemental powers wasn’t wasted since we already get so little of it. Or at least not in the feeling and detail that ML Wang does while incorporating sociocultural context and practical applications into it.
I say it's like Demon Slayer and ATLA because it takes tropes and themes from both then combines it in a way that satisfied me on another level i can’t explain without spoiling. The effects of transparency/communication on government-level and family-level environments were so well implicated that I lost count of the number of times I had to close the book because I had to take a deep breathe at the intensity before continuing. It was an insane time.
ML Wang doesn’t hold back when describing what needs to be described and brutally shows the tragedies of war, fair warning. It honestly felt weird at first to think that 14 year olds and 5 year olds are capable of the things they do in this book but I see how that’s the point of the story. That these children who are so young are also so burdened by that much power. The reversed prejudice on light skinned people was so interesting to read about and this might be the first book that tackled it so blatantly while still underlining that any kind of racial prejudice shouldn’t be perpetuated.
The early and successfully established family dynamics were built on so well. I didn’t expect to get the perspective of the mother (i like being surprised with books) but it really was a stroke of genius. It added another layer of depth that this book would have been lacking otherwise, both in character dynamics/relationships and world-building. Besides, we love seeing women saving women and themselves in this household.
The character developments and themes were so well-executed. The things that were meant to be slow burn were so SATISFYING to see unfold *ehem*. I was rooting HARD for that to tie up well.
For those of you who care: this has an arranged marriage trope as a side plot.
I would describe the pacing as chunky because it's not really slow nor fast but in the action parts, it's a lot of action. In the parts where it's world-building, it's all world-building. I didn't mind it but that may be why some people might find it tiresome to read, I guess.
Wang tends to use conversations to info-dump but i honestly didn’t mind. In my opinion, it wasn’t done in a way that was boring? I think there is a huge difference between info dumps that suit the plot and info dumps that are lazy writing. And I think this fits under the former. Just keep the glossary handy and you’ll be fine.
If there’s something to be nitpicky about, I didn’t really agree with the undertones of how the queer rep was executed but it was so short and towards the end that i didn’t even have time to dwell on it. Some lines towards the end did feel weird in the sense they suddenly felt more modern and didn’t fit the vibe but it felt miniscule to everything else I loved, as a character-oriented person. There are also some dialogues that felt weird and out of place (in the end mostly) but it didn’t bother me that much. My critiques seem so insignificant compared to what I loved. The character arcs are worth every little critique I can think of.
Everyone who not-so-subtly influenced me to read this was right.
I was destroyed.
I had to meditate on my own feelings for a hot minute.
↣ I have nothing else to say, I was shaking at how much I loved every second of this. I both want more and want to preserve this precious book in it’s standalone glory. This feels like it would be one of those books that only gets better with a reread. It’s truly like if Demon Slayer met ATLA, you cannot convince me otherwise. Give me more child-mother-father protagonists in fantasy. READ THIS. ↢
— 4.5 —
⇢ content warnings// Physical Abuse (implied) Violence, Graphic Deaths, Graphic Violence, Mass Death, Suicide Bombing, Suicide, Mentioned Murder of Baby, Mentioned Attempt at Murder of Baby, Rape, (Post Partum) Depression
the only thing i have the energy to say right now is that you are SLEEPING if you have not read this STANDALONE FANTASY masterpiece. this reads like an anime with Demon Slayer and ATLA/Avatar: The Last Airbender vibes, in all the best ways.
"We keep to the old warrior tradition the rest of the world has forgotten and we're proud of it.”
This is a brutal, angsty, intense, imaginative, heart-warming, satisfying, and hard-hitting fantasy standalone that centers around a powerful water-ice power wielding family/community. These nuanced family dynamic tropes in fantasy will always have my heart.
It’s perfect for those who like a lot of heart and action in their fantasy. I found out that ML Wang works at a martial arts school and it really shows in the writing. The characters and maximized potential of their powers were so investing. The battles scenes are some of the most realized and vivid (and brutal) that I have ever read. I AM SO IN LOVE. The potential of water-based elemental powers wasn’t wasted since we already get so little of it. Or at least not in the feeling and detail that ML Wang does while incorporating sociocultural context and practical applications into it.
“A life of dangerous adventures might seem worth it now, when you are young and seemingly invincible, but one day, you will have children, and you will not want that life for them."
I say it's like Demon Slayer and ATLA because it takes tropes and themes from both then combines it in a way that satisfied me on another level i can’t explain without spoiling. The effects of transparency/communication on government-level and family-level environments were so well implicated that I lost count of the number of times I had to close the book because I had to take a deep breathe at the intensity before continuing. It was an insane time.
ML Wang doesn’t hold back when describing what needs to be described and brutally shows the tragedies of war, fair warning. It honestly felt weird at first to think that 14 year olds and 5 year olds are capable of the things they do in this book but I see how that’s the point of the story. That these children who are so young are also so burdened by that much power. The reversed prejudice on light skinned people was so interesting to read about and this might be the first book that tackled it so blatantly while still underlining that any kind of racial prejudice shouldn’t be perpetuated.
"You might look like a decorative flower,
but you're more sword than anything else.”
The early and successfully established family dynamics were built on so well. I didn’t expect to get the perspective of the mother (i like being surprised with books) but it really was a stroke of genius. It added another layer of depth that this book would have been lacking otherwise, both in character dynamics/relationships and world-building. Besides, we love seeing women saving women and themselves in this household.
The character developments and themes were so well-executed. The things that were meant to be slow burn were so SATISFYING to see unfold *ehem*. I was rooting HARD for that to tie up well.
For those of you who care: this has an arranged marriage trope as a side plot.
"There was no way you could have understood. You can't until it's you."
I would describe the pacing as chunky because it's not really slow nor fast but in the action parts, it's a lot of action. In the parts where it's world-building, it's all world-building. I didn't mind it but that may be why some people might find it tiresome to read, I guess.
Wang tends to use conversations to info-dump but i honestly didn’t mind. In my opinion, it wasn’t done in a way that was boring? I think there is a huge difference between info dumps that suit the plot and info dumps that are lazy writing. And I think this fits under the former. Just keep the glossary handy and you’ll be fine.
If there’s something to be nitpicky about, I didn’t really agree with the undertones of how the queer rep was executed but it was so short and towards the end that i didn’t even have time to dwell on it. Some lines towards the end did feel weird in the sense they suddenly felt more modern and didn’t fit the vibe but it felt miniscule to everything else I loved, as a character-oriented person. There are also some dialogues that felt weird and out of place (in the end mostly) but it didn’t bother me that much. My critiques seem so insignificant compared to what I loved. The character arcs are worth every little critique I can think of.
“Wholeness, she had learned, was not the absence of pain but the ability to hold it.”
Everyone who not-so-subtly influenced me to read this was right.
I was destroyed.
I had to meditate on my own feelings for a hot minute.
↣ I have nothing else to say, I was shaking at how much I loved every second of this. I both want more and want to preserve this precious book in it’s standalone glory. This feels like it would be one of those books that only gets better with a reread. It’s truly like if Demon Slayer met ATLA, you cannot convince me otherwise. Give me more child-mother-father protagonists in fantasy. READ THIS. ↢
“The moon and the ocean fear no change.”
— 4.5 —
⇢ content warnings// Physical Abuse (implied) Violence, Graphic Deaths, Graphic Violence, Mass Death, Suicide Bombing, Suicide, Mentioned Murder of Baby, Mentioned Attempt at Murder of Baby, Rape, (Post Partum) Depression
✧ You can find this review and more on my blog ✧
This series is just so well executed in my opinion.
You gotta love the books that make you fall back in love with reading so deeply. I want to create a time machine and experience this series for the first time all over again.
The #1 historical fantasy ghost story in Best Atmosphere, Best Character Dynamics (specialized in Found Family), and Best Themes
I will forever praise this series for taking serious themes and weaving it into a supernatural ghost/dream plot with high levels of humor and charm. While of course incorporating actual pieces of history (KKK, american eugenics movement, xenophobia, racial injustive and government sactioned abuse, abuses of power, white supremacy, +++) seamlessly.
Trust me, this book has a lot more to it than kids running after ghosts.
It has also been proven that until the end… I hated Jericho
This series is just so well executed in my opinion.
You gotta love the books that make you fall back in love with reading so deeply. I want to create a time machine and experience this series for the first time all over again.
The #1 historical fantasy ghost story in Best Atmosphere, Best Character Dynamics (specialized in Found Family), and Best Themes
"The way narrative, especially the stories of those who have lived these injustices first hand, can be used to bring truth into the open. Story is powerful. I believe we can write a better one together, going forward. But if only we are willing to truly see and reckon with, our ghosts... and we are surrounded by them."
"They are with us always. They are talking to us. It's up to us to listen."
I will forever praise this series for taking serious themes and weaving it into a supernatural ghost/dream plot with high levels of humor and charm. While of course incorporating actual pieces of history (KKK, american eugenics movement, xenophobia, racial injustive and government sactioned abuse, abuses of power, white supremacy, +++) seamlessly.
Trust me, this book has a lot more to it than kids running after ghosts.
It has also been proven that until the end… I hated Jericho
"Sometimes we just have to wait long enough. Then we can find out why exactly it was that we kept believing."
2nd read update: Reading this 5 years later… I can confidently say that this series holds up big time.
1st read:
FUTURE ALTHEA UPDATE: If I could have any superpower I wanted, I would choose to erase my memory of this series... so that I can experience all the emotions I had all over again <3
This is by far one of the best and definitely one of my favorite fantasy books that I have ever read. It's like everything had a realistic explanation. Vin wasn't special just because. It was because of a specific, realistic-to-the-mistborn-world explanation. The laws of physics actually take place in this world, and it got me shook because this is, i think, the very first fantasy book that I've read that is like this. The magical element is so unique. I never imagined a world like it and now that I have learned about it... I never want to forget it.
I wish I picked this book up sooner. Especially given the fact that it was published ages ago.
The plot. IS. GREAT. I did not see that coming. The pacing of the plot and the world building is great. When there is not some very detailed fight scene that makes me hold my breath, its scenes that makes me think "what else can happen?" and "is there anything that can make this book better than it already is?".
With the pleasure of reading this wonderful book, there is also so much that Sanderson has given to his readers. There is a lot to learn in the span of one book, like just how much people are willing to do what ti takes to save what they love and who they love.
"There is always another secret"
The author did a wonderful job in creating a world that would not just engage readers due to the thrill of the writing, but also because the readers have fallen in love with each of the characters that were created and the fact that readers, while reading, feel like there is still more to know.
"We can't do this. We aren't invincible."
"We're not helpless either"
Vin was a wonderful protagonist, the challenges she faced were written so well that I felt like I was reading the challenges that a personal friend went through. Kelsier was a wonderful father figure and I can't just help admire him. Vin and Kelsier's relationship throughout the book developed really well. It went from Vin not even wanting to be seen by Kelsier and the crew to her being scared that she would never get to see all of them in the same place anymore. It hit me every time it was mentioned how much Vin thought of him as a father figure even though it was never explicitly stated in the book. I think that was the reason it hits that much more.
She grew so much in the span of one book, but it never seemed forced.
Their thieving crew is an amazing family. With their own abilities and strengths, they work so effortlessly well together. Kelsier was written out to be the perfect leader while still having his own weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
There is more that I want to talk about regarding the other characters, but I feel there is too many for me to talk about each of them in detail and while bringing justice to each one of them.
PRAISE FOR BRANDON SANDERSON by Orson Scott Card
"It's rare for a fiction writer to have much understanding of how leadership works, how communities form, and how love really takes place in the human heart. Sanderson is astonishingly wise."
I cannot agree more.
I was seriously not disappointed with this book (even though it cracked my chest open and shattered my heart). Perfect for fantasy readers looking for a good read.
(((A summary: This book was crazy)))
If you read fantasy: READ THIS
If you read mystery: READ THIS
If you read romance: READ THIS
If you want to feel warm and fuzzy inside: READ THIS
If you love intense battle sequences: READ THIS
If you want to think: READ THIS
If you want a good series: READ THIS SERIES
you can thank me later.
"In the end, they will kill us,
but first, they shall fear us!"
- Elend Venture
Never has a quote struck me as hard as this. Especially the scenes post this quote. It was just... so... impactful (is that a word).
I’m not sure if I will ever be able to write a proper review for this book and this series. There is too much to say and the most important thing you need to know is ^^ whatever I said above.
SIMILR VIBES: The Blood of Olympus (Heroes of Olympus series... but more epic fantasy)
———————
ORIGINAL:
THIS IS EPIC FANTASY ROYALTY!!!!!!
I would just like to say that this series is everything I wanted it to be and more. This is me being calm 5 hours after finishing the book. It is so beautiful, smart, entertaining, AND JUST A GOOD BOOK OKAY!
It took me a while to finish, but it was worth every second.
RDTC (Review DEFINITELY to come). It is always the books that I love the most that are also the hardest to review.
---
If you read mystery: READ THIS
If you read romance: READ THIS
If you want to feel warm and fuzzy inside: READ THIS
If you love intense battle sequences: READ THIS
If you want to think: READ THIS
If you want a good series: READ THIS SERIES
you can thank me later.
"In the end, they will kill us,
but first, they shall fear us!"
- Elend Venture
Never has a quote struck me as hard as this. Especially the scenes post this quote. It was just... so... impactful (is that a word).
I’m not sure if I will ever be able to write a proper review for this book and this series. There is too much to say and the most important thing you need to know is ^^ whatever I said above.
SIMILR VIBES: The Blood of Olympus (Heroes of Olympus series... but more epic fantasy)
———————
ORIGINAL:
THIS IS EPIC FANTASY ROYALTY!!!!!!
I would just like to say that this series is everything I wanted it to be and more. This is me being calm 5 hours after finishing the book. It is so beautiful, smart, entertaining, AND JUST A GOOD BOOK OKAY!
It took me a while to finish, but it was worth every second.
RDTC (Review DEFINITELY to come). It is always the books that I love the most that are also the hardest to review.
---
NOOOO this is so cute and wholesome while being so well-written!! this is the kind of happy pill animangas perfect for me
*ARC sent by the publisher -Hodder & Stoughton- for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
I FOUND IT. I think I found my favorite YA Fantasy of the whole year (slightly ironic since this is releasing Feb 2022 and I'm writing this Oct 2021).
I very rarely find myself enjoying YA fantasy recently without being irked by the decisions of the characters but this was an exception.
My favorite aspect might be how open to interpretation so many different parts of the story was. If you pull out of context the mechanism of their powers, they don't really seem that bad and worthy to be called "monsters". However, if you actually think about the nature of it and how its meant to work… they definitely are monsters and Vanessa Len does nothing to make it sound right. Which I loved. Because she was still able to humanize the characters without compensating for the fact that what they do is harmful to people who aren't them.
To be honest, other books might have given it some redemption arc but VL said: "nope! but I'm gonna make you love them anyway."
This has all of my weaknesses bundled up in one book:
Character dynamics that sweep you up? CHECK.
Themes about humanity and monsters? CHECK.
Magical underworld? CHECK.
Time travel and forgotten memories? CHECK.
(Enemy) Soulmate trope? CHECK.
and This cover? *chef’s kiss*
(whoever made this cover captured the essence of the story really well)
Also, did I forget to say that this is set in London…
Despite the enemy soulmates trope being the main reason I read this, Vanessa Lee was able to perfectly balance both the romance and plot, so if you’re a reader who enjoys that (like me), I think you’ll love this.
I'm going to be honest that I still don't know who exactly Vanessa Len is referring to with the "enemy-soulmates" bit. By that I mean I don't which one of the two male leads is actually her soulmate because the "enemy" part can be interpreted in two different ways depending on how you look at it. In my case, I think one of the main reasons the story affected me as much as it did was because I think I assumed the wrong person in the “enemy-soulmate” trope. I only realized it more than half-way through the story and it destroyed me because I think my ship might drown. If you fall in the same hole that I did, you'll probably be destroyed too.
Before reading, I was actually really curious to know if they really are monsters or if it meant something else. There is just something so intriguing reading about monsters that might not really be monsters. The fact that it was not explicitly said in the synopsis why they are considered monsters was a very smart and effective move. It made things that more surprising to me, especially given how effectively executed it was for my preferences. (I am a very big fan of fantasy that is borderline dark, is dark, or has dark themes).
There are some tropes that we have arguably seen a fair share of in YA but the way VL wrote it made it feel so fresh. There are some things left to be desired in the writing style and I'm not saying it was perfect but, oh, Vanessa Len’s skills in creative writing shows. I can’t pinpoint what exactly it is about her writing style but I was affected more than I thought I would be?? There’s something about this book, I swear, it gets you a certain way. When I know that the same scenes would not have hit as hard if VL’s writing was not what it was. There were just so many parts where I thought to myself that “this could have been a boring” but my intrigued never dwindled.
I don’t know what I thought the magic system would be like but it wasn’t what I thought it was gonna be with the title and premise. It was slightly more magical but still had that tinge of dark if you give it more than a second's thought. Given that I’ve read a great deal of fantasy with their fair share of magic systems, I get extra excited whenever one still manages to surprise me, especially in urban fantasy.
I do admit that there were times Joan frustrated me and made me want to shake her with her decisions but we're not going to get into that because I was still in love with the character dynamics at play. I also just want Aaron, my cinnamon bun, to be happy.
If you’re losing faith in YA Fantasy, I hope this helps give that hope back to you. This was definitely more [b:The Last Magician|30312855|The Last Magician (The Last Magician, #1)|Lisa Maxwell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1468598919l/30312855._SX50_.jpg|50799556] (another favorite) than Passenger to me though, but it was definitely [b:This Savage Song|40642172|This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity, #1)|Victoria Schwab|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529942103l/40642172._SY75_.jpg|42855493]. I am so destroyed right now. I actually teared up when I finished this T_T
I was so affected by this story and it ended on a very destroying, heart-throbbing, and fulfilling note but also, I need the second book, like, yesterday. I have not hyped a YA Fantasy like this in so long but Vanessa Lee honestly deserves all the praise and excitement I can muster.
↣ Highly recommended if you want some fun fast-paced YA Time Travel Fantasy with ~maybe morally grey characters~ that is easy to get into but still holds the serotonin rushes that you are craving for. Especially one that holds aspects that are open to interpretation as of this first book. ↢
— 4.5 —
⇢ content warnings// On and offscreen deaths of parents and guardians, On and offscreen deaths of family members, Threats of violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Weapon use, Brainwashing, Interrogation, Involuntary drug use, Real-world racist microaggressions, Fantasy xenophobia
⇢ representation: diaspora Chinese-English main character, Chinese side characters
✧ you can find this review and more on my blog ✧
⤜ pre-read review ⤛
"Because in this story . . . she is not the hero"... hello??
there's something about stories about monsters not really being monsters that is so intriguing to read
i also hear enemy-soulmates and angst and i am here for it
I FOUND IT. I think I found my favorite YA Fantasy of the whole year (slightly ironic since this is releasing Feb 2022 and I'm writing this Oct 2021).
I very rarely find myself enjoying YA fantasy recently without being irked by the decisions of the characters but this was an exception.
My favorite aspect might be how open to interpretation so many different parts of the story was. If you pull out of context the mechanism of their powers, they don't really seem that bad and worthy to be called "monsters". However, if you actually think about the nature of it and how its meant to work… they definitely are monsters and Vanessa Len does nothing to make it sound right. Which I loved. Because she was still able to humanize the characters without compensating for the fact that what they do is harmful to people who aren't them.
To be honest, other books might have given it some redemption arc but VL said: "nope! but I'm gonna make you love them anyway."
“Real monsters look like me and you.”
This has all of my weaknesses bundled up in one book:
Character dynamics that sweep you up? CHECK.
Themes about humanity and monsters? CHECK.
Magical underworld? CHECK.
Time travel and forgotten memories? CHECK.
(Enemy) Soulmate trope? CHECK.
and This cover? *chef’s kiss*
(whoever made this cover captured the essence of the story really well)
Also, did I forget to say that this is set in London…
Despite the enemy soulmates trope being the main reason I read this, Vanessa Lee was able to perfectly balance both the romance and plot, so if you’re a reader who enjoys that (like me), I think you’ll love this.
I'm going to be honest that I still don't know who exactly Vanessa Len is referring to with the "enemy-soulmates" bit. By that I mean I don't which one of the two male leads is actually her soulmate because the "enemy" part can be interpreted in two different ways depending on how you look at it. In my case, I think one of the main reasons the story affected me as much as it did was because I think I assumed the wrong person in the “enemy-soulmate” trope. I only realized it more than half-way through the story and it destroyed me because I think my ship might drown. If you fall in the same hole that I did, you'll probably be destroyed too.
Before reading, I was actually really curious to know if they really are monsters or if it meant something else. There is just something so intriguing reading about monsters that might not really be monsters. The fact that it was not explicitly said in the synopsis why they are considered monsters was a very smart and effective move. It made things that more surprising to me, especially given how effectively executed it was for my preferences. (I am a very big fan of fantasy that is borderline dark, is dark, or has dark themes).
There are some tropes that we have arguably seen a fair share of in YA but the way VL wrote it made it feel so fresh. There are some things left to be desired in the writing style and I'm not saying it was perfect but, oh, Vanessa Len’s skills in creative writing shows. I can’t pinpoint what exactly it is about her writing style but I was affected more than I thought I would be?? There’s something about this book, I swear, it gets you a certain way. When I know that the same scenes would not have hit as hard if VL’s writing was not what it was. There were just so many parts where I thought to myself that “this could have been a boring” but my intrigued never dwindled.
I don’t know what I thought the magic system would be like but it wasn’t what I thought it was gonna be with the title and premise. It was slightly more magical but still had that tinge of dark if you give it more than a second's thought. Given that I’ve read a great deal of fantasy with their fair share of magic systems, I get extra excited whenever one still manages to surprise me, especially in urban fantasy.
I do admit that there were times Joan frustrated me and made me want to shake her with her decisions but we're not going to get into that because I was still in love with the character dynamics at play. I also just want Aaron, my cinnamon bun, to be happy.
“We believe that if people belonged together...then our timeline tries to repair itself by bringing them together. Over and over and over....”
"Like soulmates?"
"Yes. If you believe in fairy tales,"
If you’re losing faith in YA Fantasy, I hope this helps give that hope back to you. This was definitely more [b:The Last Magician|30312855|The Last Magician (The Last Magician, #1)|Lisa Maxwell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1468598919l/30312855._SX50_.jpg|50799556] (another favorite) than Passenger to me though, but it was definitely [b:This Savage Song|40642172|This Savage Song (Monsters of Verity, #1)|Victoria Schwab|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529942103l/40642172._SY75_.jpg|42855493]. I am so destroyed right now. I actually teared up when I finished this T_T
I was so affected by this story and it ended on a very destroying, heart-throbbing, and fulfilling note but also, I need the second book, like, yesterday. I have not hyped a YA Fantasy like this in so long but Vanessa Lee honestly deserves all the praise and excitement I can muster.
↣ Highly recommended if you want some fun fast-paced YA Time Travel Fantasy with ~maybe morally grey characters~ that is easy to get into but still holds the serotonin rushes that you are craving for. Especially one that holds aspects that are open to interpretation as of this first book. ↢
— 4.5 —
⇢ content warnings// On and offscreen deaths of parents and guardians, On and offscreen deaths of family members, Threats of violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Weapon use, Brainwashing, Interrogation, Involuntary drug use, Real-world racist microaggressions, Fantasy xenophobia
⇢ representation: diaspora Chinese-English main character, Chinese side characters
✧ you can find this review and more on my blog ✧
⤜ pre-read review ⤛
"Because in this story . . . she is not the hero"... hello??
there's something about stories about monsters not really being monsters that is so intriguing to read
i also hear enemy-soulmates and angst and i am here for it