2.5 This book is a lesson. This book is why I shouldn't buy a sequel when I haven't read the first one just because it is on sale. I liked the second h2.5 This book is a lesson. This book is why I shouldn't buy a sequel when I haven't read the first one just because it is on sale. I liked the second half more than the first but this both way too long and too dry. The ending saves it from a one to an almost three-stars. I shouldn't read the sequel but maybe it will improve....more
This was a lot of fuss over ... nothing. The characters were dull; I didn't buy into this version of Lucrezia de' Medici or how she lived and died. I This was a lot of fuss over ... nothing. The characters were dull; I didn't buy into this version of Lucrezia de' Medici or how she lived and died. I found the writing to be clear and concise, but lacking when it came to characterization. There was ample tension and atmosphere; I can't fault O'Farrell for those. There are multiple stretches where very little happens and Lucrezia and Alfonso II aren't interesting enough to propel the narrative through those stretches. I have heard that this doesn't do justice to the author's talents but I am unsure if I will try Hamnet....more
I hate that this series doesn't work for me. It contains nearly everything I love in a fantasy - rich, complex worldbuilding, intriguing characters, uI hate that this series doesn't work for me. It contains nearly everything I love in a fantasy - rich, complex worldbuilding, intriguing characters, unique magic systems - but somewhere along the way, I get bored. There's perhaps just too much going on in Labyrinth's Heart - reducing some of the smaller plotlines or focusing more on the main characters would have yielded a more streamlined novel....more
Lessons in Chemistry doesn't know what kind of story it wants to tell. It jumps from very dark subject matter (TW: rape, sexual assault) to the ridicuLessons in Chemistry doesn't know what kind of story it wants to tell. It jumps from very dark subject matter (TW: rape, sexual assault) to the ridiculous; there's no consistency to the tone. This book sent me into a funk. It was a struggle to pick up. I also just did not care for Elizabeth's cold, remote narration. An overhyped, underdeveloped mess of a book....more
Originally rated this 3-3.5/5 but the more I think about it, the less satisfied I am with the last 200 pages, especially. Rachel Hartman is capable ofOriginally rated this 3-3.5/5 but the more I think about it, the less satisfied I am with the last 200 pages, especially. Rachel Hartman is capable of such great storytelling, it's shame to see it curtailed here....more
Mediocre murder mystery centered around art and a love triangle. Starts off strong but the pace slows and meanders for too long. Maggie is distant andMediocre murder mystery centered around art and a love triangle. Starts off strong but the pace slows and meanders for too long. Maggie is distant and makes connections that aren’t intuitive or sensible. Didn’t guess the killer but frustrating....more
Half-predicted the main twist just from how hard the narrative was pushing obvious red herrings. Middle noticeably lags - a lot of repetition; finisheHalf-predicted the main twist just from how hard the narrative was pushing obvious red herrings. Middle noticeably lags - a lot of repetition; finished for the reveal and confirmation. Half surprised me so 2 stars instead of 1....more
Jessie Leigh
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