I am so obsessed with theme parks and behind the scenes at them right now (I've also got my eyes on the Fairyland Romances by JThis was such good fun.
I am so obsessed with theme parks and behind the scenes at them right now (I've also got my eyes on the Fairyland Romances by Jaxon Knight), so I was excited for this one, but also hesitant because I'm wary of "girl dates another girl to get a guy's attention" plots, because they are often riddled with problematic ideas. Fortunately both the pov character and her 'accomplice' brought up many of these problems, and the point was much more about getting close to him in a non threatening way (supposedly) not using the other girl to make her sexier or more appealing to him.
I love love love bi leads <3 Though I was a little confused, because we were thrown into her being obsessed with Nick, but the fact she had crushes on girls didn't come up for several chapters, so by then, mentally I had her straight in my head. Not to mention her crush on Nick felt so very real(and was so strongly and repeatedly established) it made me a bit sluggish to shift focus, even though Seeley is very crush-worthy too. I feel like if there'd been more scene of Lou enjoying time spent with Seeley(especially when it was also time with Nick so sometimes she was more focal than him still), admiring Seeley ect even while shenanigans with Nick were happening I could have shifted gears quicker.
Lou as a character is very well fleshed out, but she suffers (as a few teens I know do) with a severe case of selfishness. For real, this girl doesn't care that her dream guy has a girlfriend, doesn't care about her friend's feelings (not just the ones she doesn't know about, but even when she says, I don't like this' Lou goes puh-puh-puh-please, and makes her), doesn't care that Mr. P might have his own, very valid reasons for selling the park off. She doesn't give a fuck. Well, not until the end anyway. She's also totally one of those dog-with-a-bone characters, but frustrating as all that is, it makes her feel more real to me (even though I would pay money to slap her face).
And while we're on characters can we all take a moment to appreciate Nick. Nick was a magnificent character who deserved so much better than he ended up getting (view spoiler)[ cheated on by his princess girlfriend, cheated out of his hot dog girlfriend by bad timing. (hide spoiler)]. Seriously, Dugan, write a follow up story where this boy gets his HEA please. He deserves it. I will buy it.
A quick read, often fluffy, occasionally a teeny bit problematic, but over all quite fun....more
A great look at what actually happened on the original voyage.
Bugged me a bit because there was a different narrator and she pronounced things like tA great look at what actually happened on the original voyage.
Bugged me a bit because there was a different narrator and she pronounced things like the ship's name completely differently to the narrator of Into The Drowning Deep. It wasn't a scream at my iPhone like a psycho level annoying, but it threw me almost every time.
I still didn't get enough description of (view spoiler)[ the female damnit, still left like a Lovecraftian 'Unknowable Horror' (hide spoiler)], but I enjoyed it enough I wasn't too concerned. If anything I wish it went on longer.
Some of the characters weren't as wonderfully fleshed out as in the novel, which can be put down to time of course, but it meant I didn't have any solid faves, because the cast was still as huge as the first. I really loved the mermaid troupe girls though.
It's a great companion novella but I don't know how well it would go if someone read this before reading the novel....more
Heads up, spoilers for the end of book two ahead. You've been warned.
I felt like if we hadn't already known Sherman had dosed the water sources with eHeads up, spoilers for the end of book two ahead. You've been warned.
I felt like if we hadn't already known Sherman had dosed the water sources with eggs the start might have been a bit more suspenseful and interesting, like I'd actually be worried, what is causing even the chimeras to get sick as well as thoroughly quarantined individuals? But sadly that was not just knowledge left from the end of the last book, but reiterated early on in this one too, in case you hadn't binge read them like I did.
I also still honestly cannot believe that (view spoiler)[ Sally's father would be like, sure tapeworms, have my other daughter's shell, my wife's gonna divorce me any way. I usually can sort of see why character made certain decisions even if it wouldn't be the choice I'd have made, but this one, nope. It didn't fit with his previous actions IMO (hide spoiler)]
Apart from that unfortunately I'm writing this review almost a month later and after having since read another 10 books and I can't remember the ending. Like seriously. I don't remember it. You can make up your own mind if that's brain overload, my own forgetfulness, or that the ending wasn't quite as memorable as some others, but overall I do know I still thoroughly enjoyed the characters and story....more
A good continuation of the previous book, and a solid middle book for a trilogy (no saggy middle here). Glad we finally got to the end of Sal's convenA good continuation of the previous book, and a solid middle book for a trilogy (no saggy middle here). Glad we finally got to the end of Sal's convenient fainting. At least there was a legit reason for it.
(view spoiler)[I really love the way we're getting to look at this 'zombocalypse' through the eyes of the monster technically. I love litRPG books where the POV character is a monster, so am extra on board with this here too. (hide spoiler)]...more
I'm seriously off on a Mira Grant/Seanan Mcguire kick right now. I didn't start it intentionally, but I'm totally just rolling with it now. I love herI'm seriously off on a Mira Grant/Seanan Mcguire kick right now. I didn't start it intentionally, but I'm totally just rolling with it now. I love her writing style, so nicely descriptive and deep, so much representation, and such awesome ideas.
As with any other Grant novel, the characters are wonderfully thorough. Sal is so awesome. I love her and her partner's connection to animals and their love for carnivourous plants (view spoiler)[though I'm a tiny bit disappointed that never tied into the main plot as some kind of 'solution' or something ;p (hide spoiler)]. I totally want a sundew now ;p
The pacing is good, with progressive revelations and good action. It was starting to get seriously annoying however, when Sal kept not figuring a certain thing out though. It did make sense the couple of times where she was like "but I can't face that right now" because denial, especially of such a thing makes perfect sense, but it just seemed obvious much earlier on (but that might just be me.
A swift smooth read, though - despite the fact there are essentially zombies - it's sort of low intensity on the fear level. I was much more stressed/anxious for the characters in Newsflesh and Into The Drowning Deep. That wasn't a negative though, just a different style IMO....more
A bi protagonist, an autistic love interest, amazingly real character interactions, AND mermaids are real? Shut up and take my money.
A boatload (liteA bi protagonist, an autistic love interest, amazingly real character interactions, AND mermaids are real? Shut up and take my money.
A boatload (literally ;p ) of marine biologists and crypto-zoologists head off on a trip to a place where a 'documentary' was filmed several years back intending to prove mermaids exist, only to be found floating with not a soul on it. They're going to prove it's real - there really truly were mermaids, mermaids who killed every soul on board - so as to exonerate Imagine Entertainment(the production company who sent of the original doomed mission).
Every character is so much fun, and (because this is a horror) you're almost always sad to see them go. Even the crazy animal hunter couple.
Wonderful world, wonderful tension, brilliant diversity in the cast (not just one 'token disabled person'). Also loved seeing ASL. I only wish we'd got a more thorough description of (view spoiler)[ the female. It was sort of left to our imagination like some kind of 'unknowable' Lovecraftian horror, but I wanted MORE (hide spoiler)] , I guess I'll have to read the prequel and hope I get more there. ...more
The whole concept of binding is so interesting and such a cool idea. I wish we'd seen so much more of Seredith's style of tutelage.
When we first met LThe whole concept of binding is so interesting and such a cool idea. I wish we'd seen so much more of Seredith's style of tutelage.
When we first met Lucian (when he was staring at Emmet through the bindery's window/door, waiting to be recognised) he was described as 'a boy', and so in my head I literally saw a boy, like a 7 maybe 8 yo kid glaring at him and so it took a while for me to realise he was older. It didn't take me long to ship them once I realised their ages were much more compatible, and then I got the pleasant surprise of my ship being canon. Always a treat ;p
The language, style, and pacing Collins used is amazing, I was sunk deep in the story and loving every second. I am deeply horrified though how horrible some people are (I'm looking at you Lucian's father)
So wow. I'm not sure if it was something about the epistolary style or what but this story grabbed me by the heartstrings and puppeted me around my hoSo wow. I'm not sure if it was something about the epistolary style or what but this story grabbed me by the heartstrings and puppeted me around my house (I tend to read audiobooks while doing housework if that line made no sense ;p ).
There was something just so cute about the slow and steady progress of these two boys falling for one another, something so touching about their struggles and the way they came together. The characters are deeply and wonderfully fleshed out. I want to read more of Henstra's stuff so i can start to analyse her characterisation techniques ;p
There were times that the realist in me was like "C'mon there is no way they would write this out in letters to each other", Henstra did try to address this by having the characters even write their reasons for doing so down in the letter, but I wasn't always buying it. What I did buy however was the emotional journey. Hook, line, and sinker y'all. I actually got misty eyed in one of the romantic bits around the middle of the story, and repeatedly enjoyed giddy moments right alongside the boys.
A sensible adult part of me was wary from the start about the boys' age gap. Three years is HUGE in high school. It's like if I'd hooked up with my husband in high school. Yeah, no way that would have happened. (For the record I am three years older than my husband and we did attend high school together and did know each other back then, but as the elder of the two I can assure you he wasn't even on my radar that way back then ;p ) I was also a bit wary of the age gap dynamics, but then Jo ended up being such a mature young man, and a lot of the time Kurl seemed like he was so deep in love that I didn't feel any creepy 'grooming' vibes that I'd feared(as I would if I saw an 18yo guy dating a 15yo girl).
All up the book was a delight. It really swept me up. I'm tempted to try a reread later this year to see if it still hits the same emotional resonance a second time....more
I loved the old school icelandic deep worldbuilding, it felt so real and true (and I assume thoroughly researched). This was a world I could merrily sI loved the old school icelandic deep worldbuilding, it felt so real and true (and I assume thoroughly researched). This was a world I could merrily sink into. Painful through the squashing of women's rights was, it was an otherwise wonderful world.
I was so excited when my ship turned out to be secret canon. But then the end. Why? And not that good OMFG Why *weep* kind of end, but an angry fist through the wall, why? There was no reasons for it, I felt no resonance in it, no foreshadowing for it. (view spoiler)[It was just hey, let's kill off this gay main character at the end of the book so we get to have a 'tragic' ending and we can feel all snooty and 'literary'. I mean, who needs a happy ending? I *might* have spun into a 'bury your gays' tirade at the dishwasher I was loading at the time of listening to the ending. Especially because nothing is mentioned about what happened Petur after. I mean the book literally ends on Jon committing suicide. His last thoughts are the books last lines. FFS. (hide spoiler)]
Rich atmosphere, deep world building, intriguing characters, and it felt like a historical retelling of a fairy tale with the whole 'don't go into the *** part of the building'. I was loving it. This would have been my first five star of the year without a doubt. Until that ending. I still love the rest of it enough to not burn everything to the ground, but I cannot forgive and forget that sort of ending....more
I am so glad this book exists, but also sad because it has several classic middle-book-of-a-trilogy problems, such as an ending where only the conflicI am so glad this book exists, but also sad because it has several classic middle-book-of-a-trilogy problems, such as an ending where only the conflict re: the book's antagonist was cleared up, literally none of the other tension. Nothing. I'm fine with lingering tension regarding Baz and Simon, and possibly Simon's own malaise about being a normal, but so much is left utterly unadvanced I'm left groaning.(view spoiler)[ I mean literally the only person who had any sort of change arc I noticed was Agatha, and she was still a damsel (hide spoiler)] I would already have bought book three, I didn't need to be left in the lurch so much (though TBH it's better than a few other books I read this year where nothing at all was wrapped up and you were left on a 100% cliffhanger, that's much worse)
On the up side, Baz and Simon are still perfect, and the tension between them is so beautiful. The multi POV was so much fun too. I loved how dramatically America varied from the UK n regards to magic/magic users and the new character was so much fun for me.
Heads up for those expecting a story extremely similar to Carry On, this is on a distinct tangent, but it also fits well with the previous books ending and what would probably happen as a result in reality. The tone is bleaker, but there's still just as much delicious yearning (no change there at least ;p )
Overall it was a good book, but the ending... well that's why it not a five star....more
So I was late to the new Queer Eye craze, and I only got into it because they did their Japan mini series, but I had so much fun with them in Japan I So I was late to the new Queer Eye craze, and I only got into it because they did their Japan mini series, but I had so much fun with them in Japan I went and binged the whole rest of the series, and after stumbled across this book in Goodreads recommendations. The book is perfectly in Van Ness' voice (so I'm pretty darn sure no ghost writers were used, which makes me happy (nothing against ghostwriters, just when someone has a strong own voice I'd rather they do it)) and also the audiobook is narrated by him too. Van Ness tells about his childhood and moves steadily on from there up to present day, where he is now a well known personality. The road is long and fraught, trigger warnings for discrimination, sexual abuse, drug use, sex working, and suicide. It's a beautiful and deeply emotional account, I genuinely cried when he and his mother were in the doctors office near the end. I loved how he finished the story with an assurance that is he does fob you off on the street its probably because he's hella late for a meeting or something else important. That's true of so many people....more
I love Holly Black's modern faerie stuff, so obviously wanted to dive into these. They are a lot grittier that your typical YA fae stories, the teenagI love Holly Black's modern faerie stuff, so obviously wanted to dive into these. They are a lot grittier that your typical YA fae stories, the teenage characters smoke, shoplift, are somewhat promiscuous. I have no problem with it myself, just a heads up for people who may not want their younger teens consuming fiction with younger protagonists doing such.
The characters good and bad alike are all good fun, and I tweaked pretty early to the truth of Kaye. (view spoiler)[ I've always wanted to write a 'never knew I was a Changeling' story ;p but now I have to somehow do it better than this ^^; (hide spoiler)]
It seems like the same sort of faerie realm as anyone who's read other fae books by Black (like the Folk of the Air), steeped heavily in the lore of it all, and I enjoyed the swapping of knights between the seelie and unseelie courts and the 'hilarity' that ensues.
Another fun addition to Black's fae stories....more
This book is right up my alley - it feels like a fairy tale retelling, but isn't really - like Diana Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle, existing in thThis book is right up my alley - it feels like a fairy tale retelling, but isn't really - like Diana Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle, existing in that fairy tale world but more than just that.
The real world elements such as prejudice toward the Jews added a cool depth and realism to the world to the point where I wondered if there were myths about the staryck in reality.
I loved all three of the main girls and the way their stories wove together. I really enjoyed the slow reveals and character growth from not just those three but many others too. I also loved the myth and fairy tale elements, and of course the doomed romances ;p
Novik has a talent for really making you FEEL what her characters are feeling. The sheer frustration you stew in when Miryem has to deal with her asshat neighbors who borrow money, intending to never pay it back who get all persnickety when she finally makes them pay it back - like she's in the wrong - is delicious and horrible simultaneously. I especially loved it (view spoiler)[ the occasional times we were in Wanda's little brother's POV and saw him dealing with his sensory processing disorder
The ending is wonderfully satisfying on so many levels. I would recommend this book to any fantasy fan, but especially those who like fairy tale and or fae themes/plots. (hide spoiler)]...more
I read this book because one of my friends in my writers group used it's opening line as an example of how an opening line should hook you. It did. I I read this book because one of my friends in my writers group used it's opening line as an example of how an opening line should hook you. It did. I was 600% "shut up and take my money" ;p
The book seems to share the fae world that exists in the 'Folk of the Air' series (which is currently the only other Holly Black I've read thus far, and I kept trying to see if there was any real crossover. I love the idea of the town of Fairfold, so close to fae for so long that everyone just rolls with it, and if you aren't just infatuated with the idea of a horned boy on a glass coffin in the forest then clearly fairy tales and fae worlds are not your jam.
I liked the character of Hazel quite a bit, the neglected upbringing, the knightly aspirations from a young age. However Ben felt flat to me, a bit like he was an accessory, there to enhance her story - when he should have been more. This didn't really diminish my enjoyment of the story however. I did love Jack and wish we'd got to see more of him, an Severen too ;p The character relationships were all nicely complicated and delicious.
A good fun romp through the darkside of fae which seemed over all too soon....more
This is a satisfying conclusion both from a romance reader perspective and from a fantasy reader perspective. We get to enjoy surprises and twists aboThis is a satisfying conclusion both from a romance reader perspective and from a fantasy reader perspective. We get to enjoy surprises and twists about the 'dark beasts' and 'dark elves' up to the very end, and get a nice little HEA. Also political machinations an intrigue aplenty in this volume. Sadly also a lot of creepiness and rape, mostly inflicted on other characters, but the threat is laid on the mains as well. I'm just not a fan of rape in my romance. I don't find it sexually stimulating, and it feel soo problematic in my mind it can often put me in a really awful headspace. When I read romance I want popcorn and fairy floss feelings, not creepiness and revulsion. I accept rape has a place in fantasy as one of the great threats one can suffer, and while the threat is one that would exist in the world created by the author it just never sits right with me. fortunately there is a no point ever a rapey vibe between our mains. If there was I would have DNFed the book promptly.
The world building and characters of Ayden and Freyrik are still great strengths in the book, and the extra twisty fun on the plot were all good but I do have some issues with the actual climax (the story one, not that other kind you cheeky reader you ;p ) (view spoiler)[where I loved all the bits about the betrayed leaders ect, and the confrontation but the words said to 'appease' them and the actions in response just seemed not quite right and a little rushed, and I didn't like how Ayden both died and was conveniently revived, both felt like they didn't actually work. It was frustrating considering so much else was so good for me. (hide spoiler)]
Overall a good conclusion. I would read other books by this author....more
I read this because it was recommended to me when I asked for a slow burn mxm fantasy romance. I promptly learned that you can have 'slow burn' but stI read this because it was recommended to me when I asked for a slow burn mxm fantasy romance. I promptly learned that you can have 'slow burn' but still very sexy scenes from early on ;p It wasn't what I was expecting, but I'm not complaining. Though heads up if explicit sex scenes aren't your jam, because when these tow get around to it they sure do get around to it.
I enjoy the enemies to lovers trope(though rivals to lovers is my fave ;p ), but I always struggle when there's such a severe power balance discrepancy between partners so master x slave relationships often feel wrong to my romantic heart (unless there's a good twist eg/ Bloodbank where the slave is the dominant one and the master the submissive), but in this one, right from the start, though he has the ability to abuse his power, and his culture gives him permission, Prince Freyrick never takes advantage of his power over Ayden(or at least not to rape him, he does use it to keep him close).
The concept of the darker beasts (apologies if that's misspelled, I read via audiobook), and their creation from betrayal, the beliefs each race has of the other, the specific reason and ways women are oppressed in this society as a result of the darker beasts and the betrayal all result in some rich worldbuilding, despite the 'nature loving elves with song powers' is not a new concept.
Ayden's snark and the pair's banter is so much fun, and as a couple I like them together once the power inequality is solved.
The book suffers a little from tunnel vision though. Ayden and Freyrick are perfectly fleshed out but the vast majority of the others don't have much if anything to them. Many of the secondary characters felt hollow to me, and is seemed like no other human had any empathy for elves - which would make Ayden's empathy a true anomaly, which typically won't happen, susually a few people involved with raising or close rebellious friendships would start that feeling/thought in him. Also, Freyrick has no friends (apart from perhaps his advisor) which strikes me as odd. As crown prince he'd have a bevy of cronies and/or hangers-on, and at least one 'real' friend (who fiction dictates would either die for him or horrilby betray him, but still ;p ), but he has no one except for perhaps Lord Linney (apologies again if misspelled), who is his attendant. I just couldn't buy that.
The cliffhanger left a bad taste in my mouth. I don't like when series books end on notes where you truly have to read on to get closure. I like to be lured in by the what *might* happen next, rather than forced to read on by a rough hand. I would have read book two anyway to find out what would happen anyway regardless of the dramatic and terrible cliffhanger, but I felt like I was being manhandled into it by the final lines. Honestly if I hadn't already got the pair on the same day and had already intended to just barrel on I would have refused to read the second one just because I'm an obstinate ass like that. Also even if it's part of a series for me a romance book needs a HEA or at minimum a HFN and this was a very bleak end. Additionally I'm not looking forward to the start of the next book because I can see it's going into a very rapey place, and that's something I detest in my romance fiction.
Overall, I like the book, and continued onto the second immediately....more
A fun slow burn mm fantasy romance with an interesting setting that plays on the gruff veteran x younger bookish kind of trope.
The setting a country wA fun slow burn mm fantasy romance with an interesting setting that plays on the gruff veteran x younger bookish kind of trope.
The setting a country with its religion and people being policed by a colonising force. at first it feels like this is merely the millieu, but the deeper you get in the story the more pivotal it becomes. similarly the one of the character's back story also proves pivotal to the external plot, not just the emotional one.
From the start it's clear there's something not quite right going on in the officiating clergy, but by the end I was chuckling since it seemed like the entire clergy was sexually repressed ;p
I liked the narrator. Normally I won't comment on narrators for the audiobook, but there was something about his voice I enjoyed.
On the downside though, I got confused with the names a fair bit. The names used for the main characters frequently changed and not just because of the POV character shifts. Al things considered that's not the gravest offense though.
A good bit of fun, slow burn with a little heat, and not just the stock standard medieval Europe fantasy setting....more
I'll admit I was pretty excited when I first saw this book - it's so right in what's rapidly becoming my favourite niche both to read and to write - sI'll admit I was pretty excited when I first saw this book - it's so right in what's rapidly becoming my favourite niche both to read and to write - so when I finally got the audiobook I was wary of my enthusiasm exceeding the books ability to provide, so prepared myself. This was one of the rare times I needn't have bothered with the preparation.
The book is definitely more character driven than action, as most of the action is in the past. It does nicely mix the preceeding adventure with the current personal drama with 'before'(ie/ the quest adventure itself) in past tense and 'after'(ie/ the current events in the lives of the heroes post-grand quest) in present tense. Detractors of first person present tense might not like the 'after' chapters but I enjoyed it all.
There is a lot of great reprentation that is typically missing from old-school style fantasy. The main cast is populated by bi, lesbian, trans, and an aro-ace character, and most of the main cast are people of colour as well. I especially love that the travellers of the original quest is nearly entirely all female, most of them knights, with only a single, dare I say 'token' male. It gave me giggles.
At first glance the world is a very stock standard fantasy(reminiscent of Eddings and Jordan), but the sheer inclusiveness of the world, the lack of questions as to why an almost all-female troupe are the ones to undertake the grand quest, show a bit more imagination than a basic 'medieval Europe with magic'. Also the law system, the knights training system ect show little hints that there's a deeper world we haven't fully scratched the surface of.
Considering how character driven the story is it's a good thing the characters are so strong ;p I totally ship Olsa and Kalanthe (you can still ship cannon ;p ). I also wanted to see more of the other knights than some of the glimpses I saw. I think it's a really interesting take on the grand quest style fantasy story.
There was however a slight problem with there being no real, well, problem. Because we were seeing both of the young women's POVs in the 'after' we knew before too long that all would be well. It seemed like whenever a problem arrived it mostly solved itself without the characters having to do much for themselves. The plot was still interesting and the characters still felt like they had agency, just the problems didn't carry the extended drama I sort of hoped for.
Regradless, an amazing book I'd recommended for lovers of queer fantasy and people who want to see a world filled with knights like Brienne of Tarth....more
Bardugoooooo! *fist shake* (view spoiler)[you didn't have to kill him, why'd you have to give me these feels >.< (hide spoiler)]
This follow-up to theBardugoooooo! *fist shake* (view spoiler)[you didn't have to kill him, why'd you have to give me these feels >.< (hide spoiler)]
This follow-up to the exciting and dark heist novel Six of Crows is everything you wanted. So much twists, adventure, betrayal, but solidarity where it matters most. If you enjoyed the first you won't be disappointed in this one.
I did have a few small issues, like (view spoiler)[ Genya changing Wylan back so easily. When the change was made in the first book it was played off as an impossible amount of change, thus totally unexpected. Yet Genya changes him back in a matter of about an hour or two (or at least that was how the passage of time read for me). It irked me it was this simple. I get that Genya is super talented, but I would have liked it so much better if it was a passage of days and there were still bits that were a smidge off, that Genya would promise to work on later. It just felt unbelievable which meant either this moment was wrong or the earlier moment... and a few other nit picky things like that.(view spoiler)[
Oh wow. I read the blurb a while back and promptly put this book in my Audible cue, but then proceeded to listen to about thirty other books before itOh wow. I read the blurb a while back and promptly put this book in my Audible cue, but then proceeded to listen to about thirty other books before it finally reached the top of my cue and since the book prior to this was 'Lost In A Book'(a Disney spin-off book) and i new this book was from a Disney publisher my brain thought I was about to leap back into another Beauty and the Beast retelling/reimagining. Lol, nope - but in a good way.
So what does this book have? Magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, familial love, representation, and of course drama. We'll start with mystery: why are the people of Orléans *actually* cursed to be grey-skinned, red-eyed, and gross haired? What's the truth of the Belles, thier magic, and how they're born? What lies beyond the realm of Orléans? (there was some mention of walls and foreign trade, but nothing about whether there are other people out there that don't turn grey without Belle powers). So many questions. There is no way I wouldn't pick up the next volume because I need to know.
Magic: the 'Arcana' the Belle's use to make grey people beautiful is an intriguing power. It's blood ties, it's need to be replenished, sometimes by leeches (lol, yuck). It's a very cool magic system, and I feel sure we're going to find it goes much deeper yet.
Intrigue: This was the good kind of politics! no boring machinations extensively laid out by talking heads, instead just a young woman stuck between political powers that all want her to do things that are counter to someone else's wishes.
Representation: The lead character is a gorgeous woman with dark brown skin but she isn't a token, there are many other people of colour and it seems like people embrace all those different colours without hesitation (though they also embrace unnatural colours as well, as long as it's not grey). While it's almost a throw away line there was a headline about how the queen passed a law that allowed a young trans woman to use the Arcana to finally transition. There's also so many girls with other girls which made me happy(though I'm miffed that the only on-page fatality was a queer woman >:( nope thanks), but I'm trying to remember if there were any men with men (I might just have missed it in all the other awesome tho).
I honestly did not pick (view spoiler)[ the betrayal by August, but it didn't matter because I already preferred Remy anyway ;p (hide spoiler)]
I loved the feel of the world, the society felt reminiscent of the Capitol in The Hunger Games: the decadence, the self-centeredness, the passion for fashion, but it didn't feel like a carbon copy. There was way more to it all. Also I want a teacup dragon, but I wonder if there are any non-teacup pets. It was always tea cup this, tea cup that, no one just had a dog or cat.
Most importantly, Camille herself started out determined to show everyone how they were beautiful in their own way - character in hooked noses, adorableness in freckles, ect - but she was coming up against people adamant to not see what she could see. I'm sad she didn't reach the point of growth (view spoiler)[where she could stand up to Sophie until it was too late for it to make a difference, but I suppose in a series you can't do all the growing in the first book ;p (hide spoiler)]
The first chapter follows Yukiko and her mother (who are largely the linchpins for the whole series if not always the actual main characters) and theiThe first chapter follows Yukiko and her mother (who are largely the linchpins for the whole series if not always the actual main characters) and their complicated relationship which becomes more complex when you add the mothers new husband, who is younger than Yukiko! The characters are all wonderful and fun, and I'm gad I got to read more about them in the following chapters too.
I struggled a lot reading the second chapter/story. Especially the ending. (view spoiler)[The self degradation on the female character, the rape (btw it's the guy being raped, which doesn't get depicted much but it's treated rather lightly by his friends when he reveals it which is horrible and only made it harder to read. And to top it all off when he falls for her (which felt soooo wrong to me) and treats her nicely she leaves to find someone who treats her terribly again. I know this is possible, there are abused women out there who genuinely feel they don't deserve better, but it's so hard to read a story with this much hopelessness in it. (hide spoiler)]
The third story, about Sayako looking for a partner through arranged marriage was surprising and wonderful. Tatsuhiko is a such a cool character. I loved him (view spoiler)[and am super sad he didn't 'get the girl' in the end *sob*, but also I'd never want to force an aro ace person(Sayako) into marrying anyone. Still, I could have been perfectly happy to leave chapter three at the end of part one ;p (hide spoiler)].
Chapter four with it's school-hood friends losing touch/reconnecting is touching, especially watching their life goals changing as times moves on to reconnect with the present.
In the final chapter we reconnect with Yukiko and her mother and uncover more about the relationship between Mari and HER mother and how that affected how she in turn mothered Yukiko. It was a lovely way to round out the book.
Overall I enjoyed the book (ignoring that difficult second chapter) and found it an interesting look women in Japanese culture. As usual Yoshinaga-sensei's art is lovely too....more
Ok first up y'all, let us praise the publishing gods that they didn't release this third book in January next year (following the pattern of the previOk first up y'all, let us praise the publishing gods that they didn't release this third book in January next year (following the pattern of the previous two release dates) but rather released it in mid-November <3
I had an hour and a half left of the audiobook I started listening to yesterday the morning this book released and seriously considered not finishing it(the other book) until later, but I don't like hanging threads ;p so did finish it.
The swift pace continues with all the twists and fun and danger you love and the characters you adore. PLENTY of unexpected stuff too (view spoiler)[ OMFG Taryn killed Locke y'all! (hide spoiler)], and I loved how the prophecy was used and resolved. The ending is satisfying and I doubt any fans of the series thus far would disagree with me....more
In the sequel to A Gentlemen's Guide To Vice and Virtue we get to follow younger sister Felicity, a few years older, but still as stuck both on and awIn the sequel to A Gentlemen's Guide To Vice and Virtue we get to follow younger sister Felicity, a few years older, but still as stuck both on and away from her dream. Expect plenty of adorable reappearances of Monty and Percy, but also an adventure every bit as sweeping and grand as the previous.
I love love loved Johanna and Felicity as children. To every girl who played similar games as children I salute you (personally most of my games were more swashbuckling, but sciencey adventures are just as cool).
Regarding the expected romance elements, (view spoiler)[at first I was disappointed, expecting some high romance between Felicity and Sim, but it just wasn't jiving with me. Then I was feeling more of a connection between Felicity and Johanna and hoping she wouldn't get with Sim(awesome though she is) because it would feel too slapped together, but also wanting the friendship with Johanna to stay a friendship. And then bam, it was better than all that. I love that this book acknowledged the fact that not every story requires the sweeping romance end. (plus I love ace characters) (hide spoiler)]
There is so much fun to be had in this story. A grand adventurous romp, and plenty of twists to enjoy. The voice isn't quite as fun as Monty's was, but still distinct and enjoyable and the pacing is impeccable.
Just like with it's predecessor, so many social issues are tackled, many reflecting through to modern commentary as well, but the majority of the time you're having almost too much fun to notice.
If you enjoyed the first book this one will not disappoint....more
The voice of this book is just so much fun, it really resonates both sounding perfectly old school British, but also clearly enjoyable and understandaThe voice of this book is just so much fun, it really resonates both sounding perfectly old school British, but also clearly enjoyable and understandable to a modern (in my case) Australian.
The story is a hilarious romp through what should have been like a modern gap year for the young and rich of the Edwardian era (or somewhere thereabouts), but quickly becomes far more dangerous because of a silly, spoiled mistake Monty makes. The story deals with issues of race, substance addition, child abuse, feminism/sexism, gender preference, how illness was viewed in that time, and classism/elitism. There's probably more that I missed or have forgotten to mention while writing the list. However, when reading the book, you're mostly just having so much fun you barely even notice the social commentary.
The main three characters are all amazingly vivid. They jump off the page perfectly and right into your imagination. The secondary characters for the most part are well drawn and defined, and the two antagonists are perfectly dastardly.
Good research has been done to ensure the world works as it did back in the day, and it makes the story an extra fun read for those who like a good bit of historical fiction but without too much info-dumping.
I swear to god I've read that scene on the pirate ship before. I don't know if maybe it was a promotional snippet played on one of the podcasts I listen to like 'The Big Gay Fiction Podcast' or if there just happens to be an insanely similar scene in some other book, but I spent the whole scene just knowing that I knew it somehow.
There was one facet of the ending that I found a tiny bit hollow. (view spoiler)[I wanted to actually see the confrontation with his father. i wanted Monty to return home, face his responsibilities as a grown up and soon-to-be lord of the estate, but also to face off against his father directly, not just write in a little letter. It would have felt far more satisfying to me. Also could have given the father a chance to repent change and apologise too, or not as the case may be. (hide spoiler)] That doesn't mean the whole ending was ruined, it was a very good ending, but I would have liked the extra bit of character growth and resonance with the beginning that such an ending could have provided.
I'm definitely going on to read the next volume....more
I got this for Valentines Day (my husband let me loose in Kinokuniya XD ) but didn't read it until the weekend. You will not find a more lovely presenI got this for Valentines Day (my husband let me loose in Kinokuniya XD ) but didn't read it until the weekend. You will not find a more lovely present for such an event. The sweetness and slow build of their relationship is adorable. Expect plenty of pastry-making montages ;p
The characters are deep and wonderful. Ari trying desperately to find his place in the world (like most of us did as soon as school was over), finding Hector who knows what he wants to do, but is lost in other ways is a wonderful set up and neither of the main characters or any of the secondary ones comes out looking like an author puppet(the only person who did was creepily flirty Deb, and she wasn't in there much).
One thing I especially enjoyed was (this is going to sound weird) the bullying culture. I don't mean the actual bullying, but how it and the aftermath were handled. Non-apologies being called out, Ari growing from a follower to someone who'll call people out too.
Also if you like to bake, there's recipes at the end.
The art style is as sweet as the story. I like the way the green (the only other colour besides black and white) was used in so many shades and gradients to define and highlight, it's a nice change from the black and white manga I typically read.
So with so much good Y U no five star, Kirstie? Something in the ending just missed for me. Not the final confession/get together moment (that was wonderful) but the epilogue (view spoiler)[We leap forward in time (all well and good) and it turns out they're having a long distance relationship, which is HARD but gets largely glossed over in the rush to show us tied up loose ends like the bakery being fixed. And there's no sort of promise made that once school is over one of them will move to where the other is, or even a 'its a few years off lets decide when it comes'. Maybe I'm needy but I want to feel certain that these two are together forever. Yes in reality there isn't a lot of 'forever' to go around and that's why in my fiction I need it so badly. It might seem like a tiny nit-pick, but this is the ending feeling I walk out of a book with. If your very final note played upon my putting down the book isn't quite right that's the feeling I'm ultimately left with. (hide spoiler)] However that's far from a book ruiner, especially because the rest of it is so strong. I'm glad this comic is in my collection and can see it getting many re-reads in the future....more
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