This gripping novel has something for everyone: an appealing group of magical friends, plus angels, vampires, a sentient house (one of my favorite chaThis gripping novel has something for everyone: an appealing group of magical friends, plus angels, vampires, a sentient house (one of my favorite characters), and an evil fae creature, all adventuring through a well thought-out fantastical world. There is humor and tension, drama and love (both heartfelt and steamy!). The book starts in a wizarding academy, which inevitably invites some Potter comparisons, but this story fully stands on its own as its own unique world. The author continues to slip in touchstones from the Potter universe, but they are woven into the story in ways that make them not imitation but a winking nod to a classic. The pacing kept this reader turning pages and the tension built to a satisfying conclusion. ...more
This is a good book and I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure I get the incredibly type it's received. There were things that annoyed me: I felt lectured to This is a good book and I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure I get the incredibly type it's received. There were things that annoyed me: I felt lectured to occasionally about the natural world and I also thought that every character was there solely for the purpose of advancing the main character's growth. It was not clear to me why she was so irresistible to either of the love/lust interests.
It is well written, though. The author draws memorable mental images of the place and the story is intriguing and original....more
Haunting and beautiful. A story that bounces around in time with appealing characters placed in unusual circumstances. Thought about the book long aftHaunting and beautiful. A story that bounces around in time with appealing characters placed in unusual circumstances. Thought about the book long after I put it down. ...more
Very fond of this author, but this book didn't do a lot for me. Try her other books!Very fond of this author, but this book didn't do a lot for me. Try her other books!...more
Liked, didn't love, but still love the author! The book offers multiple narratives for the same story which is interesting, though not totally satisfyLiked, didn't love, but still love the author! The book offers multiple narratives for the same story which is interesting, though not totally satisfying. I did appreciate that the plot line detoured from the more typical "light" YA coming of age. There was real trauma underlying the main character's story and the author dealt gracefully with the character's struggles to come to term with her family's problems. ...more
I loved this book! It's a compelling story with well-drawn, complicated characters. I loved the sweep of history and the twining (no pun intended!) liI loved this book! It's a compelling story with well-drawn, complicated characters. I loved the sweep of history and the twining (no pun intended!) lives. There is so much here about identity and who you are and how much that's based on what you look like. A perfect book for this time, when so many people are thinking about race and identity. Highly recommend....more
I enjoyed the first half of the book. It was clever and readable and fun. Then it took an unexpected turn into a murder mystery and after that it kindI enjoyed the first half of the book. It was clever and readable and fun. Then it took an unexpected turn into a murder mystery and after that it kind of fell apart for me. The unlikely trio investigating the crime were too unlikely as partners, the two who weren't the main character felt like conveniently placed side kicks, and the steps they took to unravel the mystery felt unrealistic. (Plus the final logic jump to the discovery of the murderer was a huh? moment.)
I've read this author before and would again, but this isn't one of my favorites. ...more
I loved these books. The trilogy got better as it went along. It's such a refreshingly new version of fairy - horrible and wonderful and terrifying. HI loved these books. The trilogy got better as it went along. It's such a refreshingly new version of fairy - horrible and wonderful and terrifying. Holly Black's world is detailed and mesmerizing and the characters layered. I would happily spend more time with them all!...more
Very thought provoking and enjoyable read. Emira is a realistic and complex character and her story is a page turner while simultaneously an excellentVery thought provoking and enjoyable read. Emira is a realistic and complex character and her story is a page turner while simultaneously an excellent representation of every day racism (without ever being heavy handed). All the characters are well drawn and the story builds naturally toward the inevitable clash that builds throughout the book.
My only critique is that I wish the Alix was presented in a way that made her not quite so thoroughly dreadful - she's so unequivocally awful and I think the book could have been even more thought provoking if one could sympathize with her actions I say this not because I think Alix's behavior should be softened or excused but because it's easier to condemn her actions as obvious racism that "good people" would never engage in, rather than a cringe worthy reminder of all the subtle ways society (even good people) unconsciously promote inequality in the world.
None of which is to imply this book is preachy! I love books where characters have different world views and the reader gets to see each character from the others' perspective -- it's hard to do well and even more to do so while making all of them feel real, but this author pulls it off. ...more
I really enjoyed this book. It's a well done YA story about a girl from a theatrical family finding herself and falling in love for the first time. ThI really enjoyed this book. It's a well done YA story about a girl from a theatrical family finding herself and falling in love for the first time. The characters are appealing, the story line is fun, and I was happy spending time in the world. I knew the central romance was between two girls and I expected a typical YA love story except with a same sex couple. I was really pleased to find that the book instead explores more subtle complexities of sexuality and identity. I really appreciated this nuance. So many teen/tweens these days are questioning their own sexuality and I found it really refreshing to read a book that didn't make gay/straight the only options. For kids to feel heard and understood they need to see many options for self identity and happiness in both the real and the literary world....more
I really wanted to love this book. Since I write in the "time travel" genre (a terribly misleading label) myself, it seemed like a perfect fit, but I I really wanted to love this book. Since I write in the "time travel" genre (a terribly misleading label) myself, it seemed like a perfect fit, but I ended up only sort of liking it. The premise of the novel is that the main character (whose name changes, I'll use Tom) ages extremely slowly. The action takes places over centuries, with a current day story alternating with Tom's very long history. My problems with the book were 1) there was a LOT of existential angst. Granted, this is kind of the point of the whole story, but Tom's constant agonizing over his loneliness and lack of direction wore on me after a while. 2) this guy holds a flame for a lost love for literally hundreds of years. Call me a cynic, but even the most heartfelt love moves on and I can't buy that his heartbreak is so visceral 300 years later. I can accept that he wouldn't want to risk the complications of loving someone guaranteed to die on you, but to mourn her for that long just didn't ring true for me. 3) I kind of hate to make this complaint since I have a manuscript that suffers the same problem, but a lot of the backstory is really the author exploring what it would be like for someone to live basically forever (see point 1) and not truly moving the plot forward. Totally sympathize with this, but it made parts of the book drag.
All that said, I don't NOT recommend the book. The concept is super cool, the writing good, and despite my complaints there is a lot about the story that felt original. ...more
There was a lot I really liked about this book. I listened to this as an audio book and I thought both narrators were good (and I appreciated they useThere was a lot I really liked about this book. I listened to this as an audio book and I thought both narrators were good (and I appreciated they used separate voices for the two narrators, and that the readers had--mild-- Spanish accents, which deepened the experience). I enjoyed learning about the Cuban revolution, something I don't know much about, and seeing a glimpse of early Hollywood. I definitely sympathized with all three generations of these women: each of them struggle in ways that make sense given their (entwined) backgrounds.
All that said, I didn't love the book. Maybe it was partly the audio experience and the fact I heard some sections in relatively short doses, but the pacing of the story felt off. The heart of the book takes place in Cuba, but it takes the characters a long time to get there, the reason for going there there felt unrealistically impetuous, and their relocation was prefaced by an (especially in retrospect) unnecessary side trip to Mexico. I also found the two main characters' constant harping on their lack of communication frustrating. The daughter, especially, often does not ask for information that seemed logical to ask about--she is afraid and unhappy about being stuck in Mexico yet asks very little - nor seems particularly afraid - when trapped in the much more dangerous Cuba. I get that one of the points of the book is about their difficult/distant relationship but I also wanted to shake them both and just say: tell your mother/daughter what you want!! ...more
This book was . . . OK. It has a lot of similarities to Normal People, which I enjoyed quite a bit - the tone is similar and the main character similaThis book was . . . OK. It has a lot of similarities to Normal People, which I enjoyed quite a bit - the tone is similar and the main character similarly self destructive - but I didn't feel drawn into the story in the same way. Part of it may have been that the entire novel is from a single point of view. Frances is not a happy person and she makes many terrible decisions so it's hard to spend so much time in her head. Normal People provided contrasting perspectives and a sense that other people didn't see the main character(s) as such total disasters.
I also had a hard time with the romantic relationships that make up a bulk of the story. Frances is so consistently self-denying I hard time parsing out what/who she really wanted. The ending to me was also vague and felt unresolved. The shifting desires and emotional confusion are clearly part of the author's intent, but it left me feeling like I didn't quite understand what was going on.
The writing itself is often quite lovely and definitely casts a particular spell. The characters are nuanced and well developed. I think, for me, it just wasn't a world I enjoyed spending time in....more
I've read a couple of books by this author and enjoyed them as pleasant beach reads, but this one isn't up to the same quality. I didn't like any of tI've read a couple of books by this author and enjoyed them as pleasant beach reads, but this one isn't up to the same quality. I didn't like any of the characters and failed to feel anything but irritation about the main love triangle (they all behaved badly in my book and I got really tired of Maribel sobbing over Mack). Plus there were various unrealistic plot points I could not get over (you threaten a co-worker with a gun and don't immediately get fired???). The author has published a lot of books, I recommend moving on to one of the other ones.
Note: I listened to this as an audio book. The narrator is good....more
I blew through all three of the books in the series, back to back. Quick read, sympathetic main character, and well rounded secondary characters. The I blew through all three of the books in the series, back to back. Quick read, sympathetic main character, and well rounded secondary characters. The love story is believable and sweet. The series maintains its quality through all three books, and the will-they or won't-they drama doesn't feel belabored, which is a win....more
I enjoyed this book, but didn't love it. It's a fun romp that makes NY in the 40's seem glamorous and fun, but didn't feel terribly realistic. I neverI enjoyed this book, but didn't love it. It's a fun romp that makes NY in the 40's seem glamorous and fun, but didn't feel terribly realistic. I never really worried the main character would suffer in any serious way (even when she claims she did) and her success came annoyingly easy. The book also suffers from one of my pet peeve: the application of modern values on historical times. I am irritated by characters placed in the past who spout values (rejection of traditional gender roles, homosexuality, easy sex) that were wildly taboo at the time. Toward the end of the book, the main character even congratulates herself on being ahead of her time. I get annoyed with the authorial wink that we all know better and of course the sympathetic main character would "do the right thing". Even it was by far the right thing at the time. I don't regret reading it, I recommend it as a fun, light read, but if you're looking for something meaty or a more realistic representation of NYC before and after WWII look elsewhere.
(note: I listened to this book on audio - the narration is well done)...more
I LOVED this book. There are definitely parts of it that made me squirm as a reader (and a parent) but it's a gorgeous book: beautifully written, fullI LOVED this book. There are definitely parts of it that made me squirm as a reader (and a parent) but it's a gorgeous book: beautifully written, fully realized characters, and a painfully realistic world. It really makes you think about societal norms and how much context can shape the decision about what is "right". Life is complicated and everyone benefits when we explore the nuance of individual experience....more
This is a super fun book with an original premise, at least I've never read anything about dead people protecting souls. The pacing was great, with loThis is a super fun book with an original premise, at least I've never read anything about dead people protecting souls. The pacing was great, with lots of exciting twists and turns and it has enough of a complex story line that it's well set up for a continuing series. While the book doesn't directly reference mythology, it definitely has the sense that these are archetypal events and characters. Definitely worth a read! ...more
This is a thoroughly engaging book with interesting, believable characters, and a story that keeps you turning the pages. Sparrow sees ghosts, but thiThis is a thoroughly engaging book with interesting, believable characters, and a story that keeps you turning the pages. Sparrow sees ghosts, but this isn't a ghost story, it's a story of loss and acceptance and finding your place in the world. Young readers are sure to relate to Sparrow's struggles and cheer her successes. The author tells a story which could be terribly sad but somehow isn't. Even though Sparrow's motivation is based on the loss of her mother, Sparrow herself moves through the novel with a positive, adventurous energy that imbues the story with a sense of optimism even when things seems at their most bleak. Highly recommended!...more
This is a touching story about a girl struggling to accept her mother's mental illness. Young Della travels a variety of emotions, from denial to selfThis is a touching story about a girl struggling to accept her mother's mental illness. Young Della travels a variety of emotions, from denial to self blame, all of which are realistically portrayed. This is a difficult subject that the author handles gracefully, telling the story and Della's reactions in ways that I think would resonate with a middle grade reader. Mental illness is not a subject that is often discussed, and rarely are those that suffer from it shown in a positive light. This novel offers a welcome change from that norm. Plus, it's a flat out good story: well written, compelling, and a pleasure to read....more
Robin Kirk immerses the reader in her brilliantly imagined society, where children are created through precise genetic engineering and males have beenRobin Kirk immerses the reader in her brilliantly imagined society, where children are created through precise genetic engineering and males have been virtually eradicated. Dinitra uncovers secrets that shake the very foundations of her belief system. This story may be fantasy, but the issues it raises are universal: the price of war, loyalty vs. freedom, individual rights vs. the common good. THE BOND is a rollicking adventure story whose underlying questions make for a read that is as thought-provoking as it is highly entertaining. ...more
I really loved this book. The story kept me on my toes, every time I thought I knew what was going on, the author took a turn I did not expect. I was I really loved this book. The story kept me on my toes, every time I thought I knew what was going on, the author took a turn I did not expect. I was intrigued straight through to the end. It's an imaginative original story with a great, believable protagonist. Highly recommend!!...more
This book is a super fun read! The characters are strong, the world well developed, and the conflict between humans and synthetics well thought out. TThis book is a super fun read! The characters are strong, the world well developed, and the conflict between humans and synthetics well thought out. The author also uses a variety of points of view very effectively to add tension and complexity to the plot. I zoomed through the book pretty quickly. My only complaint is that now I want to know what happens next.
Quirky. Entertaining. Odd. Beautifully written. To enter Will Ludwigson's world is to step sideways into a reality that is just a little bit off. HistQuirky. Entertaining. Odd. Beautifully written. To enter Will Ludwigson's world is to step sideways into a reality that is just a little bit off. History is tweaked just so. Stories move in ways that are not quite possible. Reading these stories entertains, but the words also stay with you. They are haunting and strange, always starting with the best of all literary questions: what if...? ...more
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