~4.5 stars WOW. That was so good! I went in with fairly moderate to low expectations but was blown away by the innovative story and word. I don’t know~4.5 stars WOW. That was so good! I went in with fairly moderate to low expectations but was blown away by the innovative story and word. I don’t know what it is about Ross’s synopses but they are doing her books and injustice. They simultaneously feel like they are giving away too much while also not adequately capturing the story. Seriously, based on the synopsis I had no interest in reading this, but I’m so glad I did because I had so much fun.
As much as a I love a series, there’s something so satisfying about a standalone fantasy novel. It’s commendable to the author for having the ability to successfully build this whole world, and wrap up its story in one novel. She really created so much lore in so short of a time.
The magic of the world was fun— it’s based in a land where nightmares come to life and wardens are needed to protect against them. It was fascinating to see how the author structured this world, and to wonder how she came up with such an innovative and interesting take on a magical world. My biggest compliment for the book is how innovative it felt— I’ve read a lot of books that I enjoyed because they follow standard elements that I enjoy— but the magic system and the story itself here felt like a new twist and I loved it immensely.
The history of the novel is really interesting too— getting to understand the world that we’re reading about, and the lore of why nightmares haunt the land. There’s so much foreshadowing and lore throughout the story that it’s possible to follow along if you’re paying attention, but also easy to just get swept up into the magic of the story. I enjoyed the history and trying to figure out the connections between all the characters a lot.
While I enjoyed the characters, I will admit most of them were pretty flat other than the main character, and a bit of the love interest. For example, we don’t see much of the love interest’s brother, or any of the friends, we’re just sort of expected to know their general qualities and relationships with our main characters and that’s that. It’s fine, it suited the short nature of the novel, but I would’ve loved to delve more into the side characters.
As much as I enjoyed the novel, I will have to admit that the character relationships were probably the weakest element. While there is romance, it’s definitely not the forefront of the story, though it is a main driver in how the plot occurs. I would’ve loved to see more small moments for the romance to bloom, but also more interactions after all is revealed. I think that is what I was yearning for the most towards the end of the story: more interactions between the love interests. The tension was there, and it was all so good that I just felt like I needed more of it. Similarly, I feel like the characters’ relationships outside of the romance also were lacking in what we saw throughout the story. I would’ve loved to see and know more about Phelan’s relationships with just about everyone, especially his family. I also would’ve been interested in seeing more of the Wraiths’ interactions with each other. More on that in the spoiler section.
All in all, I found this to be a highly entertaining novel. The first few chapters are a little slow while you’re getting into the world, but once you get into the main deception plot line, the novel becomes deliciously fun. I found myself immediately going back to reread sections as soon as I finished it— a marker of an enjoyable story. The world is a bit reminiscent of Sorcery of Thorns— another excellent standalone fantasy— but still novel enough to feel new. If you enjoy standalone fantasy novels, this is definitely a good one.
SPOILERS
Yeah so I definitely would’ve appreciated seeing more of Phelan and Lennox’s relationship. All we really know is Lennox is a cocky asshole, but surely his character has to have more depth than that. And I always find sibling dynamics to be interesting, especially when they’re this different.
Speaking of, even more than the young twins, I wanted to see more of Ambrose and Emrys’s relationship before Emrys was killed off. I also just wanted to see more of Emrys. We have a loose understanding of his character, and his love for his brother, but we never really get to delve further into that relationship and I just really wanted to see more and understand more of this character.
Finally, I really enjoyed the whole deception plot line and was looking forward to the moment when Phelan realized it. That whole scene was not disappointing and probably one of my favorite parts of the story, however, I was sorely disappointed by the Phelan and Clem interactions in the aftermath, ESPECIALLY after it all went down in the epilogue. I was really hoping to see more. Oh well though, it was still a lot of fun and I will enjoy rereading my favorite moments :)...more
Holy shit. Struggling to find the words because that was actually SO good. I had lowered expectations after running across this book randomly on reelsHoly shit. Struggling to find the words because that was actually SO good. I had lowered expectations after running across this book randomly on reels, which I have learned not to trust, and to especially lower my expectations after seeing all the other glowing reviews (I have been burned before) but DAMN. I’m impressed.
I’d say this is a solid 8.5/10 stars for me, which means like a 4.25/5 Goodreads rating. It was really enjoyable! Especially after the midway point! Everything really gets going after around 50%. That isn’t to say that the beginning is boring, it’s actually very enjoyable, but the latter half of the novel definitely stores all of the action.
Something odd about this book is the juxtaposition of fantasy (magic/ gods level drama) with a period piece (think WWI setting ambiance? Idk honestly I don’t read many period pieces lol). It works? But it’s definitely the part I felt most hesitant about. On one hand, the majority of the novel feels like a period piece romance novel with a splash of magic thrown in to bring the characters together. On the other, the grander setting of the novel— a god’s war— leads to a much higher level fantasy outcome/ending. I really enjoyed the simple period piece romance aspect, so the huge fantasy outcome felt a bit like a slap in the face. I definitely knew there was more to come based on the percentages of the novel leftover, but I still don’t know how to totally feel about it. There was just so much difference going on that it was hard to wrap my head around at times. I do enjoy the larger fantasy aspect, just not sure how much I really felt like I needed it in this part.
Otherwise I really loved every aspect of this novel! It was stunning, beautiful writing, characters, and relationships. The romance, oh the ROMANCE. I absolutely adored it. One of my favorite and oddly specific tropes is the writing/in contact with-and-falling-for-each-other-but-they-don’t-know-it-but-they-hate-each-other-in-real-life trope. It’s SO good when done right, and man, this book did it right. The rivals to lovers hits hard in this book.
Overall I think the synopsis actually hinders the book, as it makes the story sound a lot more cliche than it really is. Shadow and Bone meets Lore is certainly not how I would advertise this story— it has much more of a central concentration on the romance than either of those stories. Basically I’d say if you enjoy rom-coms, rivals to lovers, and the falling in love with each other when they hate each other but they don’t realize it trope, you’re bound to enjoy this one! Also, if you enjoy period piece WWI-esque settings, and a splash of fantasy it’s likely you’ll enjoy this as well!...more
~4.6 stars. SO CUTE. I literally couldn’t put it down. It was predictable (in the best way possible), but also kept me guessing. I love the love inter~4.6 stars. SO CUTE. I literally couldn’t put it down. It was predictable (in the best way possible), but also kept me guessing. I love the love interest, and his chemistry with the protagonist is giggle inducing. The concept of the dream boyfriend who actually exists is really interesting, and my intrigue into how does she know this man kept me speeding through the book for a long time. However, by the time it was revealed I was so wrapped up in romance that I’d forgotten that was even the original premise lol. I cannot convey enough how sweet and fun this read was. Is it something I’ll read again and again forever? Probably not. But is it a book a thoroughly enjoyed reading? Yes. If you’re looking for a cute and fluffy read, this one is for you :) ...more
Emily Henry is my happy place… except for the fact that she reminds me that I never got my college romance/rival/male best friend a month out from my Emily Henry is my happy place… except for the fact that she reminds me that I never got my college romance/rival/male best friend a month out from my college graduation :|...more
Beautiful. Such a good friends to lovers to strangers romance. Loved it. (~4.5-4.75 stars) Some scenes I felt moved too fast, and I would’ve liked to sBeautiful. Such a good friends to lovers to strangers romance. Loved it. (~4.5-4.75 stars) Some scenes I felt moved too fast, and I would’ve liked to see be more drawn out but otherwise a fantastic read! Side note: but I also would’ve liked more closure on the big event that pulled them apart. Yes I know the loose details but I’m nosy! I would’ve liked to know more lol...more
~4.6 stars. Super fun read! Very much Hating Game vibes. It’s predictable but it’s cute & super fun so you won’t be hearing complaints about that from~4.6 stars. Super fun read! Very much Hating Game vibes. It’s predictable but it’s cute & super fun so you won’t be hearing complaints about that from me. I do wish there were more interactions with the romantic leads, but otherwise, loved it! ...more
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"She hoped.... and hope was dangerous. Hope was the most vicious evil of them all, thFor more reviews and recommendations go to anjibooks.weebly.com.
"She hoped.... and hope was dangerous. Hope was the most vicious evil of them all, the thing that had managed to thrive in Pandora's box among misery, and disease, and sadness— and what could endure alongside others with such teeth if it didn't have ghastly claws of its own?"
It has been a long while since I've read a book that has so utterly, irrevocably blown me away. Don't get me wrong, I've read a lot of good books that I did legitimately enjoy, but recently none of have struck me quite as hard as Chloe Gong's These Violent Delights. Gong seamlessly takes classic, beloved tropes and twists them with something so new, and so utterly refreshing that it's impossible for this book to not leave a lasting impact on you.
I love a good trope— am an absolute sucker for all the classics, especially, especially, ESPECIALLY enemies to lovers and all the variations of it. I also adore the whole betrayal but the other one doesn't know the whole story so they hate each other but they don't trope. And I also love the second chance romances. Basically what I'm trying to get to is that this book has all of my favorite tropes rolled into one perfect, neat package. And I enjoyed it immensely.
These Violent Delights has everything you could want from a book and more— there's a badass female character, a clever, empathetic but equally badass male lead, there' star-crossed/forbidden love, gang rivalries, 1920's Shanghai, heart stopping action scenes, a dark monster murder mystery, representation— both LGBTQ+ and Chinese! Honestly like this book has everything, and it in no way feels like it's pandering to just fit it all in, it's all meant to be there, fitting seamlessly together.
The book sucks you into a the glitzy 1920's in Shanghai, opening up to expose the dark, cruel and gritty underbelly of the city. The world is so rich, and with every additional word Gong pulls you deeper into the intricately crafted setting she has created. Right from the first page, you are truly immersed in the world. I don't know what it is about Gong's writing, but it sucks you right in, and makes you feel like you're actually there, experiencing it all. So much thought and depth has been added to everything— characters, settings, plot lines— that nothing could ever be thought of as flat. This book has so many dimensions, and that just adds to the immersive experience it has to offer.
The story follows a cast of characters, our main two being Juliette and Roma— the heirs to the cities rival gangs. If you couldn't tell, the story is a loose retelling of the timeless classic, Romeo and Juliet, only so much more enriching and intriguing.
"The stars incline us, they do not bind us."
I adore our main characters. As mentioned previously, Juliette is a total badass, and I love her for it. She's smart, strong willed, and everything you could want from a female protagonist. Plus she's Chinese. Growing up, I would've loved reading more with protagonists who looked like me, and I'm so happy to see more books like that becoming popular in the reading world. It's also so much fun to watch her struggle against her emotions for our other main character— Roma. I will definitely say that you get to know Juliette far better than you do Roma in this novel (the majority of the book is her perspective), but from everything I've seen and gotten from him, I'm already so, so utterly in love. He's sweet and caring, but forced to survive in a cruel world. I savored every moment with had with him.
In our cast of side characters we have Benedikt, Marshall, Kathleen and Rosalind. If you've read Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare's Version) you may get enjoyment from the names! I know I did. Benedikt and Marshall are Roma's friends, while Kathleen and Rosalind are Juliette's. Despite not seeing them all too often (especially Rosalind) they have very distinct personalities that easily separates them from a sea of forgettable side characters seen throughout the history of books. It was a pleasure unraveling more of their stories and connections with each other, no matter how much strain or tension there might be. I especially enjoyed Kathleen's story.
"Those who do not care, those who are violent, those who delight in that which is terrible"— Marshall shrugged, waving his hands about as he chose the right words— "they thrive. They come outside."
The plot itself was intriguing— it felt impossible to put the book down. And then there was the writing itself— it was beautiful and so utterly enrapturing. Like I said before, it really pulls you into the novel, and you actually feel like you're there. It's been a while since I've loved an author's prose as much as I enjoyed Gong's. It was beautiful writing, but not dense or heavy— easily to read, and easy to fall into.
I don't think I could recommend this book any more. 8/10 stars, it was a delight to read, and I cannot wait to sink my teeth into the next one. It brought a refreshing twist to beloved tropes, enthralling the reader in an entirely new and enrapturing world with badass, lovable characters and a gripping plot.
Synopsis:
The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery.
A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. At the heart of it all is eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who has returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang—a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette’s first love…and first betrayal.
But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows. As the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns—and grudges—aside and work together, for if they can’t stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule.
Perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Descendant of the Crane, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River....more
"Letting go is not forgetting. It's opening your eyes to the good that grew from the bad, the life that blFor more reviews go to anjibooks.weebly.com
"Letting go is not forgetting. It's opening your eyes to the good that grew from the bad, the life that blooms from decay."
Here's another beautifully written, and beautifully told story by Emily Henry. It's a story of love, loss and letting go. Henry has a knack for artfully stringing words together. Her words are, like I said before, beautiful, poetic, even. There are so many metaphors and stunning visuals used throughout. You just get lost in the words, swept up in the magical realism of the story.
"Maybe for some people, falling in love is an explosion, fireworks against a black sky and tremors rumbling through the earth. One blazing moment. For me, it's been happening for months, as quietly as a seed sprouting. Love sneaked through me, spreading roots around my heart, until, in the blink of an eye, the green of it broke the dirt: hidden one moment, there the next."
Like Henry's other novel that I utterly fell in love with (Beach Read), A Million Junes isn't pitched all that accurately. See, I was attracted to the novel because it promises a forbidden romance, which sounds like that'll be the central point to the book. And while yes, there is an adorable romance, it's not the central point. If anything, the romance is the inciting incident. I would argue that the focal point is loss, grief-- and learning to let go and deal with it. And while that wasn't exactly what I was expecting when jumping in, it was somehow exactly what I needed.
"Grief is an unfillable hole in your body. It should be weightless, but it's heavy. Should be cold, but it burns. Should, over time, close up, but instead it deepens."
This doesn't happen often, but I got a little teary while reading this. That's how well-written the story, the characters and their relationships are. I almost cried. The themes of loss and grief really hit home, and they're presented so accurately, so realistically that it was hard not to really feel the characters' emotions as my own. It hit especially hard towards the end-- when you get to see the beauty and the happiness of it all hidden along with all the sadness.
Okay, okay, the way I'm presenting this is like A Million Junes is a dark and depressing novel. It's not. It's... hard to describe. It fuses together so many different things that shouldn't work and yet somehow they do. The story and tone as a whole start off pretty whimsical, set in a contemporary world with magic intertwined along with it. It's hard at first to really combine the real world aspect of the story with the oddities going on, but once you do it's not hard to truly lose yourself in it. Yes, loss and grief are very prevalent throughout the read, but somehow the author is able to entwine those with other pieces so they don't feel quite as dense but you still get the umph from them. Does that make sense? I don't know if it does, but I can't think of a better way to describe it. Don't let the idea of some "darker" themes scare you away. There's still plenty of lighthearted, sweet moments and while it is a read that presents a lot of depth, it's not dense. The flow of the writing feels like you're really living in that moment-- it's not boring or heavy in any way.
"We both know that pain comes for us all. It's almost a relief. Because if all of us are going to someday lose the people we love the most, or be lost by them, then what is there to do but live?"
I absolutely loved the relationships in this book. Both romantic and otherwise. The romantic relationship between Saul and June is that "forbidden romance" that's pitched in the synopsis. While, yes, there is an element of forbidden-ness to it, that's not really the central point of their romance. They have intense chemistry, and their banter is to-die-for. I also adore both of their characters-- neither of which fall into any pre-set stereotype. They just fit so well together and I love it. I also want to mention that the main character's (June's) relationship with her best friend was beautiful and perfect as well. They're so loyal and dedicated to each other. There's no stupid misunderstandings that pull them apart like what tends to happen in this kind of story. Their friendship is strong, and they don't let anything pull them apart. I love that.
I also appreciated seeing June's relationship with her family. It's complicated, but hey, isn't that what makes it more realistic? June's relationship with her father is particularly interesting. She always saw him as golden and perfect-- and throughout the novel she realizes there's more to him than that, which doesn't necessary make him bad, but just real. I love that too.
"My inheritance is grief and sunlight and the ability to choose which to hold on to."
If you didn't catch on while reading this, there's nothing about this book that's "typical" or can fall into a pre-set stereotype. Every aspect, character, relationship is actually pretty unique-- you won't be stumbling across many cliches in A Million Junes. While cliches can be fun, this book shows how breaking out of those can be a breath of fresh air. This was an immensely enjoyable read. It was nothing like I expected it to be going in, and somehow that made it even better. It really made me feel things, and will have a special place in my heart. I'd rate it a good 7.5/10 stars. A definite must read for anyone out there dealing with loss or just looking for a good book that'll make you smile, laugh, cry and just all together feel all the feels....more
"People were complicated. They weren't math problems; they were collections of feelings and decisions and dumb luck. The world was complicated too, no"People were complicated. They weren't math problems; they were collections of feelings and decisions and dumb luck. The world was complicated too, not a beautifully hazy French film, but a disastrous, horrible mess, speckled with brilliance and love and meaning."
This is an incredible read. Honestly, while it's a cute title, I think the title of "Beach Read" does this novel an injustice. "Beach Read" sounds like it's just some cute, lighthearted romance that you'll read and enjoy, but won't necessarily stick with you once it's over. While this novel does have a cute romance, it's certainly not one that you'll be forgetting about anytime soon. Beach Read delves so much deeper than your typical beach read (confusing sentence, I know). It's not just a romance. While romance is an aspect of the book, it certainly isn't all of it.
I dove into this book fully expecting what the title said I'd get-- a simple beach read. I was pleasantly surprised the deeper I delved into the pages to discover that it's so much more than that. This book is love. It's loss. It's discovery, and realizing that people aren't perfect, and that's okay. Don't let this turn you off if you're not looking for a particularly deep, dense and heavy novel. The deep, emotional side of this novel is somehow masked with the light, sunny tone of the story. So yes, it's deep. It's emotional, you can really feel and emphasize with the characters. But it reads like a light and warm contemporary novel. While there are deeper and more emotional ideas and scenes in this, don't worry. There's still plenty of sassy, laugh out loud or giggle moments. The romance is amazing-- it's built up at just the right pace and the two leads have magnetic chemistry. The added depth just makes the book all the more better because it makes the characters feel so much more real and relatable. They're imperfect, they have issues-- just like the rest of us. Honestly, I was disappointed when I finished, and then I just turned the book over and started again. That's how much I loved reading this.
The book follows January Andrews, a romance writer who has recently been disillusioned with life. The death of her father, and the realization that he wasn't the man she'd thought he was knocks the rose-colored glasses off her face, making her realize that the world isn't nearly as perfect and beautiful as she'd thought.
Throw in Augustus Everett, January's ultimate rival since college and polar opposite. He's dark and a bit brooding. Someone mentioned this in another review that I read and I thought it was worth mentioning: while he's a dark and a little bit mysterious, he manages not to be a total asshole as the typical dark male lead usually is. He's actually a big sweetheart and I adore him with all my heart and soul.
The two make a bet-- try to write in the other's genre. January will write more 'literary' novels, and Gus will write romance. Every week they take each other on "field trips" to help the other get in the mindset of their writing. And let's be real here, these are basically dates but am I so down for them? YES I AM. Like I mentioned earlier, the pacing of this romance is perfect. From the beginning there's chemistry between the two main characters. Their teasing and banter is enough to put a goofy grin on anyone's face.
I'd give this book 9/10 stars. The writing is beautiful, the relationships are amazing, the plot is perfect and the characters are imperfect in ways that make them even more perfect. It was a stellar read and I honestly just want to sit down and read it again, again and again. If you're looking for a book that will melt your heart and hit you right in the feels while simultaneously making you giggle and grin? This is the book for you. ...more
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