And so concludes the main trilogy of this series following David and Murdo. I'm quite pleased by their ending, as well as the endings of a few other cAnd so concludes the main trilogy of this series following David and Murdo. I'm quite pleased by their ending, as well as the endings of a few other characters that followed them throughout these three books, and honestly I was the least irked by either of their behaviour in the telling of this particular installment.
If you're a fan of KJC or Cat Sebastian and you want another queer historical series to sink your teeth into, and you haven't yet tried these, I would recommend! They aren't too long and they are smartly written. And I still hope to discover a Chambers I'll love in her other series -- or maybe even in the books within this world. Fingers crossed!
Welp, that didn't go as well as I had hoped. I think this feels like a bigger disappointment for two reasons. One, according to GR, when I read this tWelp, that didn't go as well as I had hoped. I think this feels like a bigger disappointment for two reasons. One, according to GR, when I read this the first time, it was a five star experience. And two, I can see why past-Hollis thought so highly of it. So I get it.. but it's definitely not that anymore.
Overwhelmingly this series is just really weakened by the romance and things got even more busy in that sense in this second installment. Again, I can see how this once worked for me, maybe I was excited by the drama or something, and I know similar things still do work for me today, but this one? It was something of a slog.
Having not read book three (and the reason for this whole reread!), I'm very interested to see where we go from here, particularly in light of how this one ended and a few of those tiny little reveals we did get. But it's definitely going to have to blow me away in order to not only redeem this particular book, and the series as a whole, but also to keep its place of pride on the shelves. No pressure.
It's probably my fault for expecting THE PROJECT to be another SADIE but.. I expected another SADIE.
That said, the way that Summers actually utilized It's probably my fault for expecting THE PROJECT to be another SADIE but.. I expected another SADIE.
That said, the way that Summers actually utilized this concept, and your preconceived notions about how exactly that looks like, might end up being different from the reality. Or so was the case for me. And that was definitely to its benefit, I think.
This was definitely on the tamer end of a story featuring a cult, or an organization that looks like one (but is it?), so I would encourage those who are interested but afraid of the potential darkness to not despair. I think you could handle this. That doesn't mean it's pure easy going, of course, but it's far less brutal than I thought it would be. Though not without an edge.
A good read, and not one that felt very long, with a lot of meat for you to chew but unfortunately, at least for me, not one that left me feeling totally satisfied.
Full review to come.
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **...more
I wish I could say my problem with this book was the fact that I was reading about the downfall of society in the face of a zombie apolcalypse whilst I wish I could say my problem with this book was the fact that I was reading about the downfall of society in the face of a zombie apolcalypse whilst enduring a global pandemic but sadly this just sucked because of the characters. However the scary part is it is very likely to be a realistic portrayal of a group of dysfunctional teens and the drama and chaos as they try to survive.. but it still just sucked to experience.
The arguments, the antagonizing, the petty BS.. it was just never ending. This clocks in at just over three hundred pages but it felt so much longer and I dreaded picking this up every time I put it down. Which is why I powered through it this afternoon just to be done with it. The zombie aspect was fine and I actually liked those action sequences. I would've been happier with more of those, maybe? It was the humans I hated. I definitely wanted them to die off quicker. Too harsh? Sorry.
That said, I did pick up the novella that follows this, from a different POV, and that was better. Not good or great but readable. Also, short! It was more action packed but with an ending that was pretty sad, awful, sawful and yet also somewhat open ended so I don't think if there's eventual plans for more or not. But.
There are plenty of similar themed stories out there. I would give this a miss.
When you have to take a shower mid-read to wake up because the book is putting you to sleep : my experience with THE PRISON HEALER.
Look, that snarky iWhen you have to take a shower mid-read to wake up because the book is putting you to sleep : my experience with THE PRISON HEALER.
Look, that snarky intro notwithstanding, there were things in this story that felt pretty compelling and or interesting but so much just.. didn't make sense.
What saves this for me was the ending. Because.. okay, sure, yeah, that happened. I am both very excited by it and also now very frustrated by everything up until this point, but, sure, yes. I'm hooked and I will read book two (please say it's only a duology..).
I realize most people would not continue on a series where the initial book only warranted a two but I am not most people.
Full review to come.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **...more
First off, it'll feel long.. because it is long. Almost six hundred pages. No wonder my eyes glazed over oThis was a little all over the place for me.
First off, it'll feel long.. because it is long. Almost six hundred pages. No wonder my eyes glazed over or I skipped ahead for some scenes; I feel better knowing it was actual length and not just me being bored for why I just gave up every so often and skimmed. I did feel the worldbuilding was almost solid but often I would just be confused by references, sometimes even character names (and they weren't similar), or often not care enough to reread to understand. This isn't just a romance dressed up by a fantastical setting. It really feels like Vane put in the work to create this world, with lots of stakes and history, but other than the broad bones, I just couldn't keep track of things. Might just be me.
Or maybe it was compounded by the style? Because the writing.. it seemed like she was trying for something formal or old time-y but every now and then it was just too Yoda-like (which could be a major boner killer when things were getting spicy.. though that happened so much you're bound to enjoy at least a few without picturing an old wrinkled green creature). Not to mention a lot was repetitive or rehashed over and over. All factors, I think.
It had a solid hate to love foundation, though, and the push and pull of the partnership, how it evolved, was done very well. It did not feel contrived but very realistic. Also, I liked Yvenne, our queen-to-be a lot. Whereas while I think there was some character growth for the male protagonist, whose name I already forget (Maddek!), he was definitely frustrating to endure at times.
Another check in the good box column, though? Hey, here's a fantasy that talks about periods.. and more than once! We love to see it.
I can see why this hits all the right notes for so many of my friends, I do. But it wasn't quite as smooth a ride for me. I'm curious to pick up the others in the series though because I did see potential in this.. and also, why not.
I wish this was an easy, uncomplicated, round-up to four star book but I struggled a bit with this one.
I was so excited to have more historical storyI wish this was an easy, uncomplicated, round-up to four star book but I struggled a bit with this one.
I was so excited to have more historical storytelling in this world, because it's been some of the bits I've loved the most, and Gilley gave me that.. and then more. And more. And more. Do you see that page count? This book is hella long. And I definitely feel like it did not need to be as long as it was. There is no doubt that history is one of this author's passions, or she's just incredibly committed to her plot, and her research alone and dedication to that time period? Definitely deserves recognition. I just wish it had all felt necessary to the plot, you know? Most, sure. All? For me, no.
I liked the beginning, I even like the reason for how and why we got thrown into the past, and for a while it was working for me. But there was a lot of information and time to slog through before we shifted gears back to the present, which I didn't think I would have anticipated as much as I did, but that's where this book really felt solid.
I think what surprised me was how.. soft some of these characters were. Val, in particular. I mean, if you've read the book, you know what I mean. I just want to hug him. Even Vlad the bloody Impaler had his moments. Though I'm not quite sure I bought some of the rationale regarding the latter's behaviour.. even with all (and I mean all) that backstory. It felt a little flimsy. Likewise, I feel like Val had the ability to do certain things to connect with his family during a specific and critical time and didn't and.. I also don't quite know why. So I feel like part of this was a little tough to get behind. Which is what adds to my mixed feelings, particularly considering the word count and everything we had to get through to circle back to where we ended up in book two.
So I'm happy this ended on a strong note otherwise I would be sad. We had quite a few surprises in the last 20% or so; things didn't go quite how I expected, and one of those surprises had me sitting straight up with what I'm sure was a dumfounded !!! look on my face. I caught the foreshadowing literally the paragraph before but I was still unprepared. And then we get that last chapter which leaves us hanging after another surprise kick to the face and boy oh boy if I didn't have book four already on my kindle.. that said, if we don't get some rewind time with the New York crew? Imma be mad.
So, yes, for all my whining about wanting more "in days gone by..", Gilley definitely heaped far too many helpings onto my plate. I am definitely soft over all these characters (honestly, it's kind of ridiculous how precious they all are..), and though it is obviously not a quick read, it's still worth it. I'm hoping book four knocks it out of the park, though!
This book is a hard one to rate for me for a few reasons. One being this just feels.. too real. It's fiction, yes, and the author stresses in her foreThis book is a hard one to rate for me for a few reasons. One being this just feels.. too real. It's fiction, yes, and the author stresses in her foreword that this is not about R. Kelly.. but we're all drawing those paralells anyway. And a result it toes that line between fiction and reality a little too closely for me to feel 100% comfortable rating it. But I will.
I definitely think if you can handle the subject matter (please look for trigger warnings, many lovely reviewers on GR have listed them in their reviews; but also you can see them for yourself in the beginning of the book itself), you should read this. I also encourage you to seek out reviews by #ownvoices reviewers as their opinions and feelings should definitely get priority over mine.
3.5 stars
Full review to come for the blog.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **...more
This little short is from Mace's POV, years before we meet him in the main series, and.. felt pretty devastating for so few words and without much actThis little short is from Mace's POV, years before we meet him in the main series, and.. felt pretty devastating for so few words and without much actually happening.
He had learned long ago that every time he opened his mouth, he gave a piece of himself away. Talking, particularly talking to the man, somehow lessened him. He was determined to give up as little as possible.
I want a Mace-centric story now more than ever....more
Oof, man, oof. Jackson does not pull punches with her stories.
Whereas ALLEGEDLY gripped me, sometimes terrified me, twisted me up in knots, MONDAY'S NOof, man, oof. Jackson does not pull punches with her stories.
Whereas ALLEGEDLY gripped me, sometimes terrified me, twisted me up in knots, MONDAY'S NOT COMING, by contrast, was an equally important story -- this time about the children, particularly those of colour, (and in this case, a young Black girl) who go missing -- but failed to maintain that same intensity, of suspense. There was definitely some dread to be felt, as a reader, knowing that this would not have a happy ending, but getting to that moment, and wading through all the scenes leading upto it, felt a bit.. arduous. This wasn't helped by the fact that our protagonist, Claudia, read very young. I mean, she is, I believe she's fourteen or fifteen at the onset, but her voice felt even younger. Particularly when set against some of the subject matter. But maybe that was a deliberate choice.
I had some pretty high expectations coming off of reading this author's debut and this didn't quite measure up. But it's still a read touching on some very real and important issues and would recommend you give it a go.
This is a book that my mind is shying away from being too critical about because it's doing a lot of great things. And yet..
Beyond the representation This is a book that my mind is shying away from being too critical about because it's doing a lot of great things. And yet..
Beyond the representation offered in Lee's characters (one lead is bisexual and Jewish/Latinx, the other is black, I believe), this is a sci-fi/dystopian story that heavily deals with how society treats refugees. For all that this is set, like, a hundred years (or something?) in the future, this is a very timely narrative and I felt the author did a good job of making this less of just a conveniently relevant backdrop and, instead, you really feel the struggle, the disparity between the social classes, which is made more dramatic by the haves, and the locals, being magical while the have-nots, those who have fled their home, are not.
But I found the worldbuilding somehow overly complex, or confusing, and I'm not entirely sure why. It centers around this big event that tore apart the US and left the remaining habitual areas into their own countries, the wars and tragedies that ensue, and along the way we're given glimpses into that history, and particularly the figureheads of that time; one of which happens to still be around, now that he's not only all powerful but also immortal. Somehow Carolinia is the only place in the world where it's okay to be witching, someone who survives the fever brought on by a magical surge (or something.. notice a trend?) and Britain and Canada had tried bombing them, because to hell with magical people, but now.. they don't? But, instead of Carolinia being a refuge for people, they close their borders? And, specifically relevant to the current plot, there's the Carolianians vs the Atlantians conflict, because in Atlantia apparently it's really terrible and toxic and you die, but somehow they make it to Carolinia anyway, but Carolinians want nothing to do with them, and.. I don't know, like, I get what was happening but I also feel like I have no idea what was happening. Even in writing that summary (ish) I confused and doubted myself. I have no idea what's just happened, I think I blacked out.
This paragraph is where I had a bunch more words written that I've since deleted. I mention this to honour their memory. You tried. You tried to make this review work. But it just didn't.
Suffice it to say, this book is doing a lot. There are a lot of moving parts, a lot of characters we don't know if we are supposed to like, and a hate-to-love romance I wanted to get behind.. but only sometimes did. This book should've been a new favourite because of all that, plus a lot of darker and adult themes which made this YA the least YA-feeling YA book I've read in a long time (take a shot for every time I said “YA”) but I found it easy to put down, either because I was bored or my brain was just processing white noise. This should've been action packed and thrilling (and I guess it sort've was in a muted kind of way) and I should've been speculating and making theories (some of which I did, shoutout to my buddy Amanda who loves this book and got some of my reactions), and while I was clearly invested and following along enough to guess some things correctly, to see things coming, I'm still not sure what to do with any of it. Particularly after that ending. I think half the problem is there's so much still not being revealed, or left unknown, and that is why I have one foot out the door on this one.
I can only hope book two has me diving into the feels, and the love, with both feet.
2.5 stars
** I received a finished copy from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
After coming out of THE FEVER KING with much less love than I thought I would, I was pretty pleased by how strong I felt this follow up was. At least,After coming out of THE FEVER KING with much less love than I thought I would, I was pretty pleased by how strong I felt this follow up was. At least, initially.
My main problem was where this story went in regards to a certain relationship and the direction it took. There are so many complicated emotions, so many traumas, so much grief, wrapped up in the why or maybe the how of it. And Lee does (I think, at least) a good job of trying to explain the messiness of it all, the conflicting perceptions and means to which one might convince themselves of something, through her characters. But I still didn't like it, and every time it came up I wanted to put the book down and walk away. One particular exchange, between the two POVs and leads, made me oh so very angry. And hurt. So, I mean, kudos for that. But that didn't make me like the story anymore.
And the story itself, well, there's not much I can say regarding the plot for a sequel/finale, but mostly I'm just confused. I have no idea how we got to the ending we did, and how it's going to stick, considering.. everything. Additionally I guess I just don't understand why the story, the series, happened in the first place? Why these kids, why couldn't Lehrer just.. I don't know. I feel like I understood what I read, what happened, but I'm missing the point, I guess.
For all that I clearly have no idea how to feel, despite knowing I didn't love this, I have to say that Lee's writing is strong. She doesn't shy away from darker topics (there's a warning at the front, and content/triggers listed at the back) and I feel she handles a lot of it with dignity and care. These characters, all of them, have been through so much, are still dealing with so much, and while sometimes it felt like too much, it's all rather tied up in one catalyst. It's heartbreaking and awful and while I didn't hate Noam, one of our POVs, I absolutely adored Dara. Full stop.
Anyway, I don't know. I feel like this is a series I should've loved and, when pitched to me, I knew I wanted to read it. Something about this just didn't connect. And I'm sad about it. But I'm also an outlier, so, please read the glowy reviews and, if this sounds like your thing, definitely give it a try.
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
Why bother finishing the thousand series I've already started when you can start a series that has literally a thousand books in it? Right? R I G H T?Why bother finishing the thousand series I've already started when you can start a series that has literally a thousand books in it? Right? R I G H T?
Anyway.
This was hella entertaining which honestly surprised me. Not because I'm a judgy bitch and dislike Nora Roberts on principle (I do not), but I just didn't expect a series opener to hook me the way this one did. As no doubt the entire world knows, as I'm one probably only fifty people who haven't read these, the In Death series is a futuristic cop procedural, written twenty five years ago, centuring on a lieutenant in homicide and a billionaire. What was also surprising, but less enjoyable, though, is that the MCs get together in book one which, like, hello, thousand book series? Where's the payoff here? I imagine there will be many ups and downs along the way but still. Wasn't quite expecting that.
But that said, I thought this was good enough that I almost thought to slap it with a four. I enjoyed the throwback commentary on twenty-first century society, particularly the gun laws, which are still an issue today. And even if some of the futuristic elements aren't quite so science-fiction anymore, I still enjoyed Robb's version of, well, our future. However, what I didn't get on with, as I said, was the romance; in the sense that did happened way too quick for me and, also, the ending was way abrupt.
But. I'm excited to continue, and complete, this series; because for some reason I decided I'm going to do that this year. For no apparent reason. Onwards!
But the rest of this mystery, and the pacing, was a bit of a miss for me. Didn't quite measure up to the previousFive stars for every scene with Hero.
But the rest of this mystery, and the pacing, was a bit of a miss for me. Didn't quite measure up to the previous two. But still hella enjoying....more
Interesting start to a series. This mystery was much darker than expected and I actually kind of liked that gritty aspect, horrible as it was. I do liInteresting start to a series. This mystery was much darker than expected and I actually kind of liked that gritty aspect, horrible as it was. I do like Sebastian, and I'm already super enamoured of Tom, and there's a whole cast of characters I'm sure we'll be seeing more of along the way. I'm excited to finally start this binge.
My major gripes were that the dialogue felt a tad too.. modern? I didn't feel quite as immersed into the setting for some reason. And also the running too and fro to the same suspects did get a little frustrating. And, like, Amanda is horrible? Holy wow. My god.
Also, is it bad I'm already hoping for something that is likely to be hella unlikely? I don't even want to mention it for fear of jinxing myself but. B u t. Anyway, onwards. ...more
When part of what sells you as a recommendation is "enjoy the ending through your tears".. well, hi, I'm here. And hi, I did do.
This was such an unexpWhen part of what sells you as a recommendation is "enjoy the ending through your tears".. well, hi, I'm here. And hi, I did do.
This was such an unexpected (despite the warning) little book. The emotions did get me, kind of crept up on me, near the end, but for the most part this was mostly enjoyable because of how very different it was. It was a snapshot of life, of love, and loss, and two very different people bouncing back from two very different circumstances and finding the strength to heal. And move on.
I love this for how unique it is, the interesting way it began, and yeah, I got quite in my feels. I'll admit the middle was mostly just good, not great, but definitely served a purpose in the grand scheme of things. This is definitely an author I want to read more of but dear god the covers will be the death of my reader tastebuds. Yuck. But we shall persevere.
I know, I know, you might be saying to yourself, but Hollis, didn't you say in your last CLo read that you were no longer going to be requesting theirI know, I know, you might be saying to yourself, but Hollis, didn't you say in your last CLo read that you were no longer going to be requesting their advanced copies after so many disappointments? And yes, you would be correct. And this time I swear I mean it.
The concept of THE HONEY-DON'T LIST feels like a CLo take on the Netflix movie Set It Up and honestly that's why I grabbed at this one, all excited, despite my best intentions. Because I loved that movie and wanted this duo's twist to make it, possibly, even better. But sadly, for me, it wasn't.
This book centers on the results of a once great working relationship — turned pseudo-family dynamic — between a young employee and her married bosses; a relationship that has become hella toxic and abusive and manipulative and with downright thievery. The marriage between her bosses is falling apart behind the scenes whilst they are trying to run a business, promote their brand of happiness and love and success, and also launch a new home decor show — and she and the male counterpart's assistant are (for some reason) held responsible for making things seem like there's nothing amiss as they go on a book tour for their (oh irony) successful marriage memoir.
Said other assistant is only two months into the job, apparently brought in to help rein in the husband (which in a continuity aspect, in relation to something that comes up, doesn't make sense..) and as the MCs are thrown into direct proximity to each other, instead of a vague awareness of each other, and a general dislike, they get to know each other, grow to rely on each other, and boom, romance. Apparently.
I'll admit, unlike the last one, at least they don't fall in love in the span of a handful of days — I think the tour is a few weeks? — but still. I don't know. I really liked Carey, I felt for her, but her situation literally hurt my stomach. It was awful. Her sudden desire to grow a backbone, stand up for herself, seems to come so late in the game, and definitely flickers in and out, until finally she owns it. Part of me wonders if it would've ever happened without James' presence and that makes me sad. And it's not like James was terrible but.. shrug.
The fact that so much isn't resolved or owned up to by the end is frustrating. In hindsight I'm not sure why we needed the police interview interludes to break up the narrative (yes, this was a thing), I kept hoping a certain something had happened (which I won't speculate on to keep you guessing) and in the end it was just.. flat. Which is sadly how I felt about the whole story.
So that's it, it’s really over, no more CLo ARC reads for me.
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
I'm writing this review before my review for book ten of this series has even gone live on the blog. In that other post, I was effusive and bubbly aftI'm writing this review before my review for book ten of this series has even gone live on the blog. In that other post, I was effusive and bubbly after rediscovering my love for this series, as the installments before had been good, but not great. Well, we've returned to the good. But that's not a bad thing.
Book eleven feels like almost a direct continuation of the story in book ten. We have DD, Kimberly, and Flora all partnered up, along with Keith, a civilian crime enthusiast, expert in his own way, and on their way to Georgia when it appears they may have found one of the first of Jacob Ness' victims. However, things are not quite what they appeared.. and yet also more.
I'll admit the victim-ish POV story wasn't really doing much for me. I felt something but not enough to really keep me totally focused, and interested, in what appeared to be a subplot to the main event. Except.. things shifted around the 40% mark and that's when a) things took off and b) things got interesting. But overall there were definitely chapters where I just wasn't as dialed in as I was in the book before it.
This feels like a huge turning point for Flora, not quite closure but the most she'll probably ever have, and the way Gardner pivoted that moment into something bigger, connecting to the discovery in book ten, was well done. Again, big picture wise, this was huge for the series and for this trio of women, Flora in particular. And while the conspiracy that's discovered is kind of mind boggling, and crazy clever, overall I just wasn't super into it.
With the way things have resolved, I'll be curious to see how much page time we get from Flora and Kimberly in future books. Because we also have a new element introduced to DD's life, one I'm both super soft about and also a wee bit perplexed, but hey. I'm still very curious as to what comes next.
** I received an ARC from Edelweiss and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
I would like it noted for the record that this is my do-over review after accidentally losing the first (much superior) draft. I am sad. But here we gI would like it noted for the record that this is my do-over review after accidentally losing the first (much superior) draft. I am sad. But here we go; take two.
Wow, so. I knew going into this read that it would deal with some tough situations concerning bullying and hazing, but still. This was hard.
MICHIGAN VS THE BOYS feels like the second cousin to BEARTOWN by Fredrik Backman. Like that other story, this one also focuses on the mob mentality so often found in men, particularly in competitive sports. But that's mostly where the similarities end.
Michigan loves hockey. So when her girls' team is disbanded due to budget cuts, she makes the bold choice to try out for the boys' team. Except no one wants her there. Not her coach and certainly not her teammates. But she wants to play, she is talented, and so she makes the cut.
Reading what the boys put her through, how she is ignored by the staff, and only trotted out when she out-plays, and out-scores, the boys, is so hard. Watching every hard-earned win, every success, be immediately torn down by those who are supposed to lift her up, cheer her on? Brutal. But watching her continue to push herself, to continue to succeed despite so much adversity, is remarkable. Though, ultimately, tragic because it's so unnecessary and awful.
But for all that awful, there's a balance of greatness, too. It's also a story about friendship, first love, loyalty, and family. And, in some ways, so much of this is necessary. Because, as one character says, about a certain situation, which I will paraphrase, this story, the telling of it, is so important. For the girls who will see themselves in these moments; if not now, maybe in the future. For the boys who might realize that what they witness being done to others, what they don't stop even if they don't participate in, is wrong.
If you love hockey, if you love stories with great friendships or sibling relationships, hell, if you loved (or hated!) BEARTOWN, I would definitely recommend.
Hello darkness, aka I don’t know what to rate what I read, my old friend..
So my biggest problem with this book had nothing to do with this book. I gotHello darkness, aka I don’t know what to rate what I read, my old friend..
So my biggest problem with this book had nothing to do with this book. I got stuck at 30% for almost two weeks after being beat-up by the flu and then I went into a slump. I felt no motivation to pick this back up (or anything else, really, though I felt honour bound to finish what I had started) because the beginning of this book is the most uncomfortable part.
In the beginning we are neck deep in watching Alex, our rich entitled 'thinks he's a do-gooder' protagonist train our Docile protagonist, Elisha, into being the best little slave he can be — all so his family's debt can be paid and they can be afforded a stipend so they can try not to incur any more debt. Yes, Elisha's signed away all but his most basic rights, though some apparently still exist and yet everyone is shocked when they are called into play, but he exists inside a system where a drug was created so that you can be treated more or less like furniture. Worse than furniture, even. Anything can be done that does not do harm. That's a.. broad range, particularly when you're the Docile of a trillionaire and feel you are afforded the right to do anything.
But outside of the framework itself, and beyond the knee-jerk sympathy felt towards Elisha, I didn't feel much for either of these characters. Elisha is in the unenviable position of having to sign over his life to clear his family's debt, sure, and Alex is trying to do the best he can for his Docile who he has to actually consider a real person because he's not on-meds, and the whole thing is just uncomfortable because until this moment, Alex never did. Consider them real people, I mean; not that anyone but the poor seem to, either, but still. The drug is his family's legacy but, more than like, like all of the haves vs the have-nots, there's just no consideration, no awareness, and this ends up being a thirty-year-delayed wake-up call for him — and, maybe, for society?
I'm not saying this isn't supposed to be uncomfortable. It definitely is. And I suppose it's no different than comparing District Twelve to District One in THE HUNGER GAMES but, like, add sex instead of violence? It was definitely good at spotlighting at decadence and depravity of this society's culture in stark contrast to the fact that people are literally signing over years of their lives so that they, and future generations, can avoid prison or worse. But halfway through this took a sharp turn into a sorta conspiracy and then courtroom drama, all while one character is trying to recover from trauma and rediscover their agency, and it's just a lot of things.
This was a story that I requested because I wanted to be shocked, made angry, even heartbroken, but I think I wanted to feel those emotions from the complexity of the story and less uneasy over the spoiled antics of the rich. But I think therein lies the problem. Even today, the rich are just so rich, while so many people have so much less, and it's a tough pill to swallow to think that one day they might own people, too.
Ultimately, DOCILE seems to follow the standard (from what I know which, is, admittedly not much..) tropes of slavefic stories and I think if you go in knowing that, you'll appreciate what Szpara does. I just wish there'd been more explored for how this had started, whether or not the rest of the world followed along (this deals primarily with only one State and while it's mentioned vaguely that Maryland isn't the only one, I have to wonder..) and.. I don't know, I think I just wanted this to feel bigger than it did. But maybe I would've minded less if not for the slump? Which is why, well, there's no rating.
** I received an ARC from Edelweiss and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
Set in The Girl of Fire and Thorns series, this book takes place eight (ish?) years after THE BITTER KINGDOM and focuses not only on Red, a mixed raceSet in The Girl of Fire and Thorns series, this book takes place eight (ish?) years after THE BITTER KINGDOM and focuses not only on Red, a mixed race girl the protagonist from the main series had adopted, but also on the tensions in a world post-major conflict between two warring peoples.
I loved being back in this world, getting small glimpses of the much beloved dynamic between one of my favourite couples, and I did enjoy Red.. mostly. This book flashes between past and present perspectives, we see what Red endured before meeting Elisa, and all the trauma she experienced and now knowingly carries and also unknowingly carries, and how she's coping. She's not quite welcome as the Empress' heir, both because of prejudice and conspiracy, and so she finds a different way to prove herself and also discover her true self — all while also challenging so much of the tradition and stereotyping built into this society.
I'll admit I wasn't really interested in the flashback POV chapters. Maybe because it felt a little rehashed (we know some of Red's life pre-on page meeting but obviously not to quite this extent) but also it kept pulling me away from the more exciting training montages and dialogue in the present day where Red was, like, fighting the patriarchy.
"I've never trained a girl before." "You'll find it uncannily similar to training any other person."
That said, I wasn't always super into the present day stuff, either. There are some big high stakes moments near the end, a lot of which is built up along the way to that point, but things do come to a head pretty quick, and then its all over. I got the happy feels and excitement and joy at the end, don't get me wrong, but this story somehow felt both a little dragged out and also over too fast. A standalone in an existing universe where we previously had a trilogy.. I mean, that's tough. But there is an eclectic mix of new faces amongst the familiar, some good banter, and the one thing you can always depend on from this author is a fabulous ensemble cast.
So, I had almost rounded up because bias and nostalgia (infact, after finishing, I had rated this a four with a "but it's really a three" caveat but as I drifted off to sleep that night.. I knew I shouldn't have, so, here I am fixing the situation slightly) but ultimately I think where I've put it is true to the story itself. But. I loved being back with these characters, seeing some grown up, grown into their own, and others thrive despite the history and tragedies, not to mention traitor'ing (it's a word), that predate them. But is it perfect? No. But I don't think most fans will care and, best of all, I hope it inspires those who haven't yet read The Girl of Fire and Thorns series to pick it up. Because it's excellent.
3.5 stars
** I received an ARC from Edelweiss and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
Man I'm really getting hit with a lot of these YA fantasy three star series starters right now. Not that three stars are bad, as we forever have to reMan I'm really getting hit with a lot of these YA fantasy three star series starters right now. Not that three stars are bad, as we forever have to remind ourselves..
"Alfie says your trade is thieving goods, but you seem just as adept at thieving hearts." "Was that as embarrassing to say as it was to hear?"
So much of this was so good! It's an #ownvoices fantasy set in a Latinx-inspired world, with a very interesting magic system, a face-changing thief, a prince in mourning and not dealing well with grief, a kingdom of people who have only recently shaken off their oppressors, and a big bad evil unleashed because of good intentions. A recurring theme in NOCTURNA seems to be grey areas and shades of grey. Always juicy. There's also some hella dark subject matter and backstory and some pretty gruesome scenes while evil skips along wreaking havoc and twirling its mustache all diabolical and shit.
His mourning was like the fireflies -- there were moments when it disappeared from sight, but it would always spark into existence again, recurring, resilient.
But.
Magic could not speak, yet interacting with it felt like a conversation, a dance, a story shared with a friend with the ending left up to interpretation.
I'm not sure I loved the characters. One POV I found to be particularly pointless, I waffled between liking and yet also finding the protagonists too immature, and found them not very consistent at times. I know they are teens, blah-di-blah, but was a bit jarring. Which made it extra disappointing because this is so well written, so beautifully imagined, and with much potential for future sequels -- though, slight spoiler, this wraps up and doesn't have a cliffhanger which was quite a surprise. A good one, in my mind. But it makes me wonder what is to come; which is I'm sure exactly what the author wants. Well played.
So, yes, you got me. I'll definitely read on. I am intrigued. I just can't quite round up.
3.5 stars
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. ** ...more
I started writing this review at the sixty percent mark. That is never a good sign.
So, listen. I rounded up on SOLDIERS because I saw enough greatnesI started writing this review at the sixty percent mark. That is never a good sign.
So, listen. I rounded up on SOLDIERS because I saw enough greatness to want more. And I guess I also expected that greatness to continue. But alas..
There's probably like.. 14.97% of this instalment that is maybe four star worthy. But that leaves so much (seriously, so much) that just isn't. Between the lack of editing and less-than-polished scenes and/or exchanges via dialogue, some completely pointless chapters (looking at you, thirty, ffs), conversations of endless nothing, not to mention the thing that happens in the latter half of this book (fucking nope, I don't care that it resolved itself, I didn't like the journey) that also had an unfortunate side-effect of making me, for the first time ever, dislike -- though only briefly -- my favourite psycho cinnamon roll.. after all that, even though half of the issues were present in the first book, I just can't believe this is the same story.
I thought MERCENARIES : PART ONE to be totally lacklustre when compared to book one (which I thought was gritty and brutal and tense and, despite from my complaints, such a wild ride). It was also frustrating on a personal level because of things I'm going to be vague about. And how the last half just becomes, like, a total orgy of sex.
"If I touched you, that'd be it."
There was, though, some payoff that I did really enjoy in the early half -- even if it didn't go the way I thought the story was going after the brutal cliffhanger that was SOLDIERS. So, I mean, there's one good thing?
Breathing is overrated when I can kiss you.
There are a few five star, just wow, lines hidden amongst all the rough (one chapter in particular was a total lovely highlight fest for me) and up until the last thirty-odd percent (almost all of which was completely pointless and useless and just why), despite the star rating and the majority of my feelings (and that part), I really thought I was still in this. That I was invested. But now..? After that last half where the characters that had me rooting for them in book one, no matter what fucked up terrible shit they did; those broken and then on-their-way-to-healed, yet still ultimately irrevocably damaged characters.. those characters? They seem to be gone now. I don't know where they went. They've left very little trace. Only mere glimmers seem to remain and in their stead are over-sexed cartoon caricatures and that is not what I was in this for.
"Our whole past sounds like a fucking comedy." <-- fucking what? Did we read the same story? I wasn't laughing!
Having said all that, though. I buddy-read this with Moony (again!) and that experience was an easy five stars. I loved the discussion, (failed) predictions, swooning (yes there were some moments worth swooning over, and even one or two to giggle about) and overall just sharing our thoughts and reactions. It's weird to not love something but love talking about it, even love talking shit about the things that pissed us off (in his back and dear god the shades why..) but I do buddy-reads very infrequently and they are all, in their own way, special. This was no exception. So, yeah, will I continue? Undecided. But if Moony pushes on, I will. No pressure, girl!
"You bear the scars of my revenge and I wear mine."
Personally I wish I could just take book one (faults and all), delete that final scene, and paste in the majority of Thailand as an epilogue, and call it a day....more
SPECIAL FORCES : SOLDIERS is like.. nine hundred pages of triggers, death, violence, abuse, sex, violenceWhat can one even say about this experience.
SPECIAL FORCES : SOLDIERS is like.. nine hundred pages of triggers, death, violence, abuse, sex, violence, darkness, hey, did I say violence; this is not a read for everyone. Sometimes it wasn't even for me. This is a long, repetitive, dialogue-cringey epic of real, true, enemies-to-lovers the likes I've never experienced before. But it's also epic in the sense of like real, true, character growth. Overcoming unspeakable odds. Moments of decency despite overwhelming hate. Tenderness somehow grown, and nurtured, in the harshest of climates and situations.
Somewhere up in the mountain, they'd lost something. Lost white and black and came out with grey.
As I said, ad nauseam, to my buddy Moony throughout this read, the first.. 25/30% were my favourite -- which is kinda fucked up considering that portion is some of the darkest, and messiest, but certainly not the end to the dark and messy within this read. Or, rather, those chapters were my favourite until I hit the 65% mark. I found a lot of the middle to be a bit monotonous and repetitive and hard to get through (I stalled a bit and had to force myself to read on because I found I wasn't able to lose myself in the story the same way) but once the relationship shifted.. wow. I couldn't look away.
He was aching inside, a pain that told him it was, indeed, love. He'd know it, said it, confessed to it, but now that it all was at risk again, maybe forever, the pain was so keen that he knew it was the real thing. Only the real thing could hurt so much.
This read is far from perfect. There are definitely some English language struggles for one or both of the authors, there are typos, run on sentences, and overuse of descriptors. And yeah, as mentioned, much cringe with some dialogue and conversations. But the narrative, the exposition, sometimes it was just flawless. The feelings, conveyed without words, the connection that became not just sexual or based in lust but emotional.. it was incredibly intense.
This was a dark, exhaustive, and definitely not always pleasant read. And there is still a lot farther to go. Can't thank my buddy enough for tolerating my updates -- including my complaints!
3.75 "the war had kept them together; peace was tearing them apart" stars...more
So it is absolutely my fault for assuming that 'book one' in the Dangerous Beauty series just meant another group of novels tied together, but not conSo it is absolutely my fault for assuming that 'book one' in the Dangerous Beauty series just meant another group of novels tied together, but not connected, like Geissinger's Slow Burn series. I'm here to tell you that it a totally wrong assumption and this is very much a same-couple-over-multiple-books series. So, brace yourself for what that might mean..
With that bit cleared up, I'm now more disappointed by the total quick-tumble-int0-feelings dive we took. It's not quite insta-pot-love but neither is it an eight-hour-crock-pot-simmer-build. Though it still sorta manages a slow burn? Confused? Sorry.
Anyway, I'm starting to wonder if the two books that made me a fan of the author might be the exceptions and not the rule because I wasn't really into this. I quite loved the heroine but everything else? It's very extra drama on the back story, the hero is fond of dumb jokes and unfortunately the heroine thinks he's adorable and the stupid jokes never quit (seriously, it becomes their thing and I cringed through it). Honestly the author does this bodyguard-and-subject trope fairly well, she addresses certain things that other stories in this vein do not, but at the same time it's not.. great? It's far from terrible but I was pretty unmoved. But it was a nice palate cleanser from my last read and I will read on because #completionist and also because I want Eva to get herself some revenge. Get it, girl.
2.5 stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **...more
Though the current GR rating indicates I’m not the only one to not love this, I do think there are many who do, so please take this review (as one alwThough the current GR rating indicates I’m not the only one to not love this, I do think there are many who do, so please take this review (as one always should) with a sprinkle of salt.
Not that I’m salty about not loving this. To be honest, I don’t feel much of anything; not disappointment or frustration. Just pretty much nothing.
I’ll admit that my understanding of this book was totally off base. I didn’t realize it was a fantasy, or at least not the particulars of the fantasy — with human, Paper Castes, and Demons, and the imbalance of power between them (lolz, I thought Demon King was an affectation, not, like, literal) — and all I really knew to expect was diversity and some darker subject matter. Both of which exist. But so does a lot of.. I don’t know, filler?
I’ll stop beating around the bush. I was bored. I didn’t particularly like any single character. I was traumatized by an early death within the first chapter or two and don’t think I ever recovered (how could you!). I did think the evolution of the romance was well done and like the whole long-awaited revenge plot/conspiracy but I just wish I could’ve cared about the characters themselves as opposed to just the general concept of their existence.
I’m.. not excited to read on but I do have an ARC of book two, which I will still be reading, and I hope that the change of pace, and setting, is more my speed than this one was.
I'm starting to become a little disillusioned with upcoming releases by unknown or new-to-me authors. THE BINDING has an excellent marketing campaign,I'm starting to become a little disillusioned with upcoming releases by unknown or new-to-me authors. THE BINDING has an excellent marketing campaign, a gorgeous cover, and was a book I wanted to get into my hands, desperately, due to a (inaccurate) comparison to a book I love. However, for this reader, the insides don't match the outsides.
This book has three parts to it. The first act is slow, plodding, and mired in the familiar 'other characters know things but cannot tell the protagonist for reasons' trope. Act two is a major reveal, a flashback, and the only part of the story I enjoyed. Act three is a new perspective, misery, and extra unpleasantness.. when there was already a lot of that to go around.
The concept of binding memories, locking away emotions, is fascinating. There was something of a cultural clash of the rural, old-world, respect for such an exchange, versus the more urbane and materialistic -- and not to mention vile and/or wicked -- reasons for doing so. But ultimately all it did was introduce more terrible characters into a book that wasn't filled with many good ones to begin with. Infact.. I struggle to think of more than one.
There is darkness to this story, unpleasantness, and any of the magic I was hoping for was really just limited to the strange practice of the binding and the few binders who could do it. This was a lot less fantastical than I thought it would be and the only surprise was that there is a queer romance within these pages.
If I rated this book by the parts of it, it would be a slow terribly paced two star for part one, a sweet blush of a three for the middle, and an awful one star for the final section. There is a HEA of sorts but.. yeah, I don't know. This was just a lot more depressing or maybe just.. stark? bleak?.. than I thought it would be.
Great premise. Some potential. And when I was reading it, it was a smooth read; though once put down it was hard to build up the desire to pick it back up. Overall, though, I wish I could bind my memories of THE BINDING and go back to when I still had stars in my eyes at the thought of reading something new and wonderful.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **...more
"I bet you're wondering what happens to my pants when I shift." "That's exactly what I was wondering." "I don't know. They come with and they come back."I bet you're wondering what happens to my pants when I shift." "That's exactly what I was wondering." "I don't know. They come with and they come back. It's a great mystery. Or maybe not. Shifting is through the moonstone, the moon is female, and females think of everything."
We're only a week into 2019 and my track record for reads has been, so far, dismal. So when THE VOYAGES OF TRUEBLOOD CAY opened up on my kindle only to suck me in, I was a willing, desperate, victim.
"We can't take beauty and love and goodness for granted. We can't sit around and wait for the world to be made beautiful around us. We must find beauty in a troubled world. We must be the goodness."
This story is unlike anything we've had from Laqueur so far and it's.. monstrous. Massive. Magnificent. This world, the mythos, is epic. It's complex and complicated and creative and kept me completely captive.. and captivated. I was confused at times, I will admit it, but it was a confusion that pushed me on to discover more and to learn -- and also forced me to slow down, to savour. I soaked up the stories, the tellings, pieced together prophecy and followed where the stars lead.
"If you want to know what's in Trueblood's heart, ask him. [..] What he wants you to know, he'll tell you. What he keeps guarded, he'll give you the reason why."
For fans of AN EXALTATION OF LARKS and A CHARM OF FINCHES, this story will feel so familiar. And that's a strange thing to realize considering just how far away this story is from those previous ones. But the story, as told by Gil Rafael, a character from said aforementioned tales, weaves in so many elements, the obvious and the subtle, and enrich the telling and force you to re-experience everything from those previous stories.. as told by Suanne Laqueur. It's a strange, brutal, catharsis. One I imagine the character, who is the author, no doubt felt, too.
Sex can be bought and sold, but gelang has no price. And I want something priceless.
Those familiar elements might feel familiar but they also felt re-imagined, pieced together a little differently. Those old characters are made new again, different, not quite the same, and I love them all over again. Those old hurts are just as painful and I hurt all over again for those who suffered. And those treasured bits of happiness are buffed to new shine and sparkle once more, not overwhelmingly, but maybe.. just out of the corner of your eye. It doesn't overwhelm, it's just there. That's, to me, how this fits in the Venery world. Just on the edges; both out of focus but perfectly placed.
Once he believed in happy endings and tales with a satisfying moral. But now, more than ever, he felt like a walking copy of the Truviad. A book cut off in the middle of a sentence, the narrative left to dangle helplessly without exposition or an arc.
It'll come as no surprise that I cried.. a lot. Like, wow, so many tears were shed. This story, like all of the author's novels, is dark and desperate but equally bold and beautiful. There is loss, there is horror, and this time there is outright magic, not just the simple magics of healing and love as found in her contemporaries; though we have those, too. No detail felt unnecessary, no bit of banter was unappreciated, and everything pays off; and the only price to pay is time.. and maybe a bit of patience. The author will give you all this, for a little bit of that.
Look at me, he thought, reading from the story of his life. Look at me, see me, watch me. And when I slip out of sight, take the world apart to find me.
I can't say this book will be for everyone. There's a lot of information to process at the onset, and I see from other reviews that this overwhelmed some, or that the world just outright didn't work for others, and as always everyone's take-away is their own. I'm not here to shit on anyone's feet. But oh did this work for me (I mean, you could probably tell that, but whatever).
"Kepten, I think you're starting to like me." "I hate your guts but the crew enjoys having you around. They won't get any work done if they're moping over your corpse."
I will read this again. You can bet on it.
Thank you to Micky for another fabulous buddy-read. Thanks for always being there for the tough ones! And the funny ones. And the swoony ones. And ones like this which are all the above. x
** I received an ARC from the author (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **...more
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