I narrowed my eyes, noticing the slight flush of her skin. Maybe she wasn't quite ready to spill my entrails across the classroom. Perhaps she'd kiI narrowed my eyes, noticing the slight flush of her skin. Maybe she wasn't quite ready to spill my entrails across the classroom. Perhaps she'd kiss me first and then scatter my innards.
⚠️TW: Graphic Death
I have been itching to read this for a while now and was definitely NOT disappointed.
Thomas Cresswell is the perfect man. Hands down one of the most wonderful fictional love interests in modern literature, and this short story proves it once more. Basic B's should be taking notes from him. I seriously felt like I fell in love with him all over again just by reading these few chapters. Seeing firsthand the way he simps over Audrey Rose right from the beginning and feeling insecure about whether she'll like him, knowing full well she is already crushing on him, was the anti-anxiety pill I didn't know I needed. Also, if I didn't already hate his dad, this short story alone would be enough to make me wish for his gruesome, violent demise. He's such an ass!!...more
I'd disembowel the world and bathe in its blood if someone murdered him.
⚠️Trigger Warning: Graphic Death, Violence⚠️
This book is perfection! Not oI'd disembowel the world and bathe in its blood if someone murdered him.
⚠️Trigger Warning: Graphic Death, Violence⚠️
This book is perfection! Not only does it repair all the damage from Escaping from Houdini that its ending and the novella couldn't fix, but it also details the most shocking case in Audrey Rose's and Thomas's careers. The White City Devil is Audrey Rose and Thomas's most horrific foe to date, and one who has a personal connection to both of them, especially Audrey Rose. He is certainly something to fear. Also, Audrey Rose recurringly mentions throughout the series that: 1. she constantly feels watched, no matter where she is, and 2. that she refuses to become the kind of monster she hunts, both of which are spectacular foreshadowing for the events of this book.
Even though the whole wedding sub-plot between Thomas and Audrey Rose is barely a conflict and is entirely anticlimactic, especially in comparison to the shock of the main plot, I can't find it in me to hate that my babies are finally happy and officially together and that this issue barely makes a dent in their feelings and behavior toward each other....more
If she asked me to, I’d unleash every one of my desires, pleasuring her in a way that would let her know precisely how much I cherished her.
Not thIf she asked me to, I’d unleash every one of my desires, pleasuring her in a way that would let her know precisely how much I cherished her.
Not that anyone isn't aware of this already, but Thomas Cresswell is the most wonderful fictional human being in existence. No one deserves him, even Audrey Rose, and he should be worshiped like the Dark God he is. This novella repaired a lot of the damage the last book caused. I am wholly back on team AudreyxThomas (I don't know their ship name) and I almost forgive her for what she's done.
Other than that, I loved Thomas's point of view during and after Escaping from Houdini. There's something so special about rereading (parts of) the story from the love interest's narrative and I will never get tired of it. Besides, the setup for the next book is impeccable.
Nothing could ever compare to this. Mephistopheles was simply an illusion. Thomas was the real thing.
⚠️Trigger Warning: Graphic Death⚠️
I'm a littlNothing could ever compare to this. Mephistopheles was simply an illusion. Thomas was the real thing.
⚠️Trigger Warning: Graphic Death⚠️
I'm a little disappointed, to be honest. The murder mystery is as fantastic and horrific as ever, but the romance made me want to scream and pull on my hair in frustration. I am not a fan of Audrey Rose in this one. Her behavior toward Thomas is unacceptable, especially after everything they've been through in the previous books. Why on earth would she even consider courting another man?! Honestly, if it weren't for that ending this book would be an atrocity. It saved their relationship, the rating...and my sanity.
Mr. Thomas Cresswell might not truly hold the title of prince, but that was perfectly fine. To me, he'd always be the king of my heart.
⚠️Trigger WMr. Thomas Cresswell might not truly hold the title of prince, but that was perfectly fine. To me, he'd always be the king of my heart.
⚠️Trigger Warning: Graphic Death⚠️
Unsurprisingly, this murder mystery is just as amazing as the first one. It's been a while since I devoured a series this quickly. Also, I totally called the killer which clearly means I'm a genius (I refuse to entertain the idea that it is predictable ...more
And goddamn, does she taste good. He shakes as he inhales her feminine scent. He wants it in his beard. The smell of her. The kind of scent that brAnd goddamn, does she taste good. He shakes as he inhales her feminine scent. He wants it in his beard. The smell of her. The kind of scent that brands him, leashes him.
Writing is such a solitary activity. You have no assurance that what you’re creating has any value, and any indication that you’re behind in t
Writing is such a solitary activity. You have no assurance that what you’re creating has any value, and any indication that you’re behind in the rat race sends you spiraling into the pits of despair. Keep your eyes on your own paper, they say. But that’s hard to do when everyone else’s papers are flapping constantly in your face.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
❗This review may contain some minor spoilers❗
After reading Babel I had no doubt that this book would be an absolute masterpiece. I was obviously not disappointed, R.F. Kuang is a wonderful writer and I am officially obsessed with her. To begin with, this is one of the most intelligent plots I have ever read. It's full of mystery, satire, pain, and betrayal. There are also plenty of plot twists and several moments that leave one utterly baffled, in tears, or just straight-up confused in an enthralling kind of way. The ending, especially, is bittersweet and open-ended and perfectly fits the tone of the story. Kuang also addresses several major issues in the modern world, more specifically, racism both toward people of color and white people, cyber-bullying and the dark side of social media, and the horror show that is the publishing industry and being an author. (I knew that publishing a book is a horrifying experience, but the knowledge of what truly goes on is absolutely petrifying.)
Moreover, June Hayward, also known as Juniper Song, is such an interesting and complex character. It cannot be argued that stealing her dead friend's manuscript and passing it off as her own is a truly terrible thing and she absolutely deserves the consequences of those actions. Not only that, but she also sparks great controversy over said book being based on Chinese history given the fact that she is a white woman as well as allegations that her work is, in fact, stolen, many contempt her. Besides, her general behavior, while not outright racist, shows she is definitely ignorant and inconsiderate. She also sees herself as the victim, even though everything she's going through is entirely her fault. Despite that, I had a hard time hating her completely, not because she is the main character, but because she has some redeeming qualities. Even though her behavior and actions are examples of a malicious person, she's still a human being with feelings, insecurities, and trauma. The psychological torture she experiences because of her guilt and the excruciating bullying she suffers from haters online and face-to-face, while deserved, in a way, are so severe I just couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her.
Furthermore, even though Athena Liu dies early on, her presence never truly leaves the page. While alive, she is seen as the epitome of perfection, talented, beautiful, and a representative of Chinese culture, although the latter is not by choice. She is not as good as she seems though, and June sees the facade. Athena is self-centered and inconsiderate. She lures people in with her charm and then benefits from them. She may not have stolen anyone's manuscript, but she stole other people's personal and traumatizing real-life stories for profit. She's done that to June as well. It can be argued that she is as much of a bad person as June is. Regardless of their relationship, which is equal parts love and hate, June is deeply affected by Athena, especially after her death. Athena is an inescapable, haunting presence in June's life, the memory of her prominent in June's every waking and sleeping moment.
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