I love me some books with twists and turns but they have to make sense in the end. Even though I figured it out (with a lot of rereading, mind you), tI love me some books with twists and turns but they have to make sense in the end. Even though I figured it out (with a lot of rereading, mind you), the execution seemed really clunky. It could read just right for another person but not for this thriller reader! I wish it unfolded a little more clearly. I think the best twists are when everything makes sense but you’re still thrown for a loop. Here, I was thrown for a loop because I didn’t know what the heck was going on. Meh....more
I did it. I caved. And I'm sorry, but no. This was a waste of time. I should have dnfed, but my stubborn ass rarely does that. Now I'm overburdened byI did it. I caved. And I'm sorry, but no. This was a waste of time. I should have dnfed, but my stubborn ass rarely does that. Now I'm overburdened by the sheer number of useless characters, useless information that never pans out and well, heck, I hate to say it, but bad writing. You're telling me this girl is in college practicing high level skates? I'm not even a skater and I know you can't do half of what this chick does when you're only in a college pairs skater. Whatever I guess she's just in the top 1%, but that's not the point, because there is a hot guy(s)! I wonder if where editors are when I read this book because I know there had to have been one. But Stassie (Anastasia, Ana, Annie, Stas, UBER SLUT, good grief!) isn't the worst character. No, that would go to one of, maybe all, of the boys. I'm too exhausted to give them my energy. They suck, there's no romance, I wasn't pining for anyone at all ever. Also, could be serious topics like EDs were handled with the depth of a spoon.
Hey, I don't mind hockey romances. I didn't go into this book because I loved them, more because everyone has an opinion on this and truth be told, the cutesy, middle school cover getting the design into trouble because kids were bringing this smut-filled monstrosity to school was what had me cackling. I stopped cackling when I realized that not only is this indeed a bit of a shallow, smutty read, but it's not good. I'll be the first to say I've read some shallow smutty reads that were in their own way "good." Not this one. Oh, and now I can't watch Despicable me without cringing. Thanks, Hannah Grace. ...more
Eeeehuuugggh this was okay. To be honest I thought I would rate it a lot higher. There is a good idea here and extra cool that it dabbled in magical rEeeehuuugggh this was okay. To be honest I thought I would rate it a lot higher. There is a good idea here and extra cool that it dabbled in magical realism. Where there's fantasy, there's me. We knew this. Who hasn't wondered where they'll be in five years? It's a cool concept and I was giddy to see where it would go. What followed was a bit of a (pardon my french) *clusterfuck* of who knows what crammed into less than 300 pages. Nothing made sense. The story or what the characters did. I didn't like the MC. As I write this, I'm thinking, "Maybe I should give it a 1 star." But as always with my tentative 2 stars-1.5 might feel more appropriate-I have to credit the author for a cool idea only to wallow in my disappointment that the execution wasn't better. Smh. Alright, onto the next, I guess....more
Disclaimer: I read The Hedgewitch of Foxhall and it rocked. I'll still read Bright's books because my experience with her most recent was so positive.Disclaimer: I read The Hedgewitch of Foxhall and it rocked. I'll still read Bright's books because my experience with her most recent was so positive. But man oh man this was a let down. I won't continue with this series even if I'm open to her other books.
I love me some young adult fantasy. The problem is, there are instances where young adult fantasy either blows my socks off (usually due to the characters) or makes me feel like I dunked those same socks into warm, swampy water (usually due to the characters). I guess you could say, "Alana, isn't that the same across most genres?" Yup... and no. YA fantasy is a unique genre because of how starkly different two young adult books can be, more so than any other genres I read, imho. It's no secret I'm a character reader and I gravitate strongly towards character writers. My favorite authors write characters that aren't perfect but they do it well. There's maturity and depth alongside flaws. But Selah... oh, Selah. My rant is imminent.
I guess this was a light retelling, but I wouldn't go as far as to say that. There are similarities to Cinderella and supposedly the Odyssey but you could go into the book not expecting either and still feel the story is complete for the first book in a series. And, yup, the story was complete. It wasn't written poorly either. The idea was fleshed out, the characters well thought of, and the pacing sound. But well thought of characters does not make for good execution of those characters, and Selah is everything I dislike about the immaturity in YA fantasy combined into one. She's not flawed in a way that is addressed and changed in the book, she's just... flawed. She's your typical emerging/young adult who acts like a young disney princess teenager who realistically has no skills but she's decently nice and kind of feisty and outspoken but also stupidly passive. Hey, maybe that is where the Cinderella retelling comes in. And oh, yeah, she has a stepmom who isn't "nice." The problem is, none of Selah's glaring flaws are truly painted as flaws. In fact, her ineptitude is largely ignored. The choices she make remind me of a 14 year old instead of an 18 year old (heck, I've read 14 year old characters more mature than her). This is where my rant comes in: I'm not sure when certain YA books hopped on the train of making the usually female main character so childish. Teenagers can be more mature than most adults in my opinion, but hey, who's asking me. Selah isn't even technically a teenager anymore, but she acts like the stereotype of one. Think: Little Mermaid at her most incompetent. Or Cinderella, Snow White levels of naivety. This is not a ruler, barely even an adult. But it never feels addressed. Instead, I spent most of the book disliking Selah and not rooting for her which made everything else almost impossible to get through. It isn't a DNF but it isn't a happy finish either. Generously, I'll grant it 1.5 stars and round it to a 2 because believe it or not, I like Bright's writing (I loved The Hedgewitch of Foxhall). The saddest part is that this could have been a great story, but the unrealistic, trope-y, and un-nuanced character work, mainly for the fmc, made it a drag to get through. No more for me. This is where I end the series. I won't go as far to say "why was this published" because there might be people who don't get as worked up as I do over blatantly immature characters (whose immaturity isn't really addressed in a deep or effective way), but it was disappointing for sure....more
DWYLABF has everything I want. Pretty sapphic vibes, ballrooms, and what I thought would be swoon worthy romance. It had...some of that? A little of tDWYLABF has everything I want. Pretty sapphic vibes, ballrooms, and what I thought would be swoon worthy romance. It had...some of that? A little of that? Mostly this book was about the parents. Fine, but not what I signed up for. The relationship between the mcs felt forced, partially as a result, partially because there was no chemistry. They were cute. The characters were cute. But, well, dang. That's about it. ...more
A DNF this early in the year?!? Pleaseeee don't be a taste of what's to come. To defend myself, I did make it through more than half. Actually, I was A DNF this early in the year?!? Pleaseeee don't be a taste of what's to come. To defend myself, I did make it through more than half. Actually, I was well into the end portion of the book and I just had to put it down. None of these characters had any redeeming qualities and by the time I put this book away, there was no space for them to develop any. Also, some of the things that happen in this book had me GASPING, and not in a good way. I'm sure Penelope Douglas is a swell person, but wow, a lot of this should not have been written. Or if it was written, maybe it shouldn't have been published. Dang that was rough on so many levels. Maybe I brought this on myself because I had heard about this being not that great before I read it, but I decided to try anyway. "I'm an open minded reader," I thought. "Not much bugs me," I thought. This bugged me. The end....more
It's hard to rate a book when the plot is thick and intriguing, but the writing is...not exactly up to par. I actually read Collins The Betrayals prioIt's hard to rate a book when the plot is thick and intriguing, but the writing is...not exactly up to par. I actually read Collins The Betrayals prior, and the writing wasn't my gripe. Has my pickiness changed or was the writing particularly juvenile in this one? 'Tis the great mystery of reading so many books. Here, it wasn't the plot that was the problem, or the characters for that matter. There were actually some parts I liked, believe it or not. But had the writing not felt so...overdone?...the story could have left more of an impression on me. Ya'll, I have a pet peeve when authors overdo their word choices, or when one thousand flowery phrases are thrown at the reader instead of a simple one that might suffice. I get a high schooler writing like that, but a published author? What??? Ugh. I'll leave my rant here....more
Ya'll, my ADHD is at its wits end. First of all, I actually started this book earlier in October. Then I got distracted with life and finally rememberYa'll, my ADHD is at its wits end. First of all, I actually started this book earlier in October. Then I got distracted with life and finally remembered to mark it here. Which got me started reading it again, and I realized why I'd been so shaky with this book. I dnf this but at around 90% so I count that as a read. I love me some romance but I don't think chick lit does it for me. Moreover, though, this didn't feel like Halle's writing. She wrote with beauty and nuance in River of Shadows. Even Sins & Needles, which I read a few years ago and didn't particularly like, had solid characters.
So what the F was this!? These characters were ridiculous. Is this the genre or did Halle's evil twin replace her for this book? I wouldn't be shocked if that had happened. I'm obviously hot and cold with this author and at this point I'm just letting my brain decide what to read, when to read, and when to stuff. I call it quits with trying to stick with books that I'm not enjoying just so I can mark it as completed and write a review/rate. Doubly so, I call it quits with marking shit as currently reading. I don't have the memory for that. If I'm reading a book and have strong feelings about it, I'll remember to rate and review it. My feelings here were strong enough to where I absolutely needed to get on and type rant. Arrrgggh. I'm frazzled. This month has been wacky af with books which probably says something about me more than the books but I'm proudly saying this one is a dnf.
I cannot believe I finished this. I cannot believe I put up with this horseshit for longer than a second. Not only was the writing far below average, I cannot believe I finished this. I cannot believe I put up with this horseshit for longer than a second. Not only was the writing far below average, but the implication that rape is enjoyable???? I'm sorry, did I interpret this wrong? The characters are one dimensional, the writing is bad, and most of the shit was problematic....more
Just...meh? Maybe it's me. Maybe it's that there are SO many retellings of Romeo and Juliet that they all start to get muddled in my head and feel unoJust...meh? Maybe it's me. Maybe it's that there are SO many retellings of Romeo and Juliet that they all start to get muddled in my head and feel unoriginal. Somehow, this book also just barely held my interest in addition to being the 1000000th retelling of Romeo and Juliet I've read. C'mon, authors! Let's think of a new love story. Or maybe I just need to stop trying these retellings because they're personally getting old....more
I mean...he's a grump? Ok? This is one of those books where I see glowing reviews but don't understand how/what those readers are thinking (I'm not saI mean...he's a grump? Ok? This is one of those books where I see glowing reviews but don't understand how/what those readers are thinking (I'm not saying they're wrong, if anything, I'm second-guessing myself). But ohhhh my god this book is slow as heck, and that's a complaint coming from a self-proclaimed slow-burn lover. But this wasn't slow-burn, this was repetition after repetition, dragging monologue after dragging monologue, the same shit again and again and again until I legitimately asked myself "what is this book about?" and "why am I still reading this?" Yes, I got to the part where they kissed and the "romance" finally came about, but after that, I put it away, because there was still no plot, or if there was, I couldn't find it amidst the countless internal thought processes or dialogue that has no direct correlation to the plot itself but is just there as...filler? Gah. This just wasn't it. Not for this reader. ...more
I try to stumble through subpar writing. Oh, how I try. I tried here, but this just didn't do it for me, plot, prose, or otherwise. I set it down almoI try to stumble through subpar writing. Oh, how I try. I tried here, but this just didn't do it for me, plot, prose, or otherwise. I set it down almost 80% through because it was just SO. PAINFUL. Even more painful than writing this review, which is exceedingly painful, because I was hyping this book up in my head before I even began. ...more
Because I'm a fantasy romance fan, I felt I had to give this book a read, even though I've heard all ranges of reviews on it. Truthfully, I had no ideBecause I'm a fantasy romance fan, I felt I had to give this book a read, even though I've heard all ranges of reviews on it. Truthfully, I had no idea what to expect, so I counted on one of two outcomes: either the book would pleasantly surprise me, and I'd think it was yet another popular vampire title getting reamed for minuscule issues, or the issues wouldn't be minuscule at all, and the book would've been a waste of time. It was the last one. Oooooof. Somehow, I'm STILL disappointed. No hate to anyone who loves this book - I love my fair share of novels with reviews that are in the gutter - but (personally, subjectively, my opinion alone) this was a dumpster fire, and not in a good way. The writing, complete with slang that wrenches you out of the story and sends a cringe throughout your entire body, sounds like something I would've read on Wattpad in high school. It was...really subpar. I finished it, but there's no way in hell I'm moving onto the second. I release myself from this prison and move onto fantasy books that - hopefully - I'll rate higher....more
I love dark, broody characters and steamy romance....but oh man. This was one of the worst books I've read, in that it was cringey, unrealistic, and jI love dark, broody characters and steamy romance....but oh man. This was one of the worst books I've read, in that it was cringey, unrealistic, and just all around ridiculous. Did any beta readers or editors point out the massive inconsistencies and the illogical way things played out? Obviously, the answer is no, or they were ignored, but this ended up feeling like the kind of story that should've stayed out of the public eye....until at least it was reconsidered and rewritten to actually make logical sense....more
Man. This is a book where it pains me to my core to give 2 stars because Lim writes gorgeous world-building, beautiful characters, and her prose is unMan. This is a book where it pains me to my core to give 2 stars because Lim writes gorgeous world-building, beautiful characters, and her prose is unparalleled. But ooooh was I bored. Even though the characters had great personalities, their interactions left much to be desired, and the romance was just meh. I don't know if it's my own reading slump headspace and if I try again in the future, maybe I will change my review. But this time around, despite sooooo much goodness in characters and writing, it fell flat overall and left me with 2, maybe 2.5 stars....more
So despite this being nominated for best mystery thriller (and despite ya girl being super into mysteries and thrillers), I really couldn't get into tSo despite this being nominated for best mystery thriller (and despite ya girl being super into mysteries and thrillers), I really couldn't get into this book. It's not that the writing is bad, even if some dialogue felt a little dry, but the overall mystery felt bland af. I almost dnfed. The book does have its moments, mainly in descriptions, and Michaelides is a good writer, but the execution and plot left a lot to be desired. ...more
This is the kind of book where I went through the whole thing thinking I'd give it a happy 4 stars (maybe even 5), but then when I got to the end, thoThis is the kind of book where I went through the whole thing thinking I'd give it a happy 4 stars (maybe even 5), but then when I got to the end, those stars just came right off. Without giving too much away, I hated the twist. I really thought it was not only dumb but also a wee bit problematic. I'll give it 2 stars because the book was good up until the end, where it punched me and made me feel like everything else I'd read was a big old lie and didn't matter anymore. Big oof. ...more
I really, really wanted to like this. Love this, even. But it feels like just another manic pixie dream girl trope shoved into a setting used in so maI really, really wanted to like this. Love this, even. But it feels like just another manic pixie dream girl trope shoved into a setting used in so many classics. Dnf at like 90%. Life is too short!...more
Dnf (but I got way more than half way through and I'm not sure if I should be proud or disappointed by that). For a book for adults, the characters suDnf (but I got way more than half way through and I'm not sure if I should be proud or disappointed by that). For a book for adults, the characters sure do read like teenagers, and I think it almost drove me insane. I didn't like a single one of them and they felt very immature...I couldn't go on....more
For a book centered around the relationship of two women, the chemistry in said relationship felt...nonexistent? I liked the idea here, and Hart makesFor a book centered around the relationship of two women, the chemistry in said relationship felt...nonexistent? I liked the idea here, and Hart makes an interesting choice when it comes to not naming one of the women, which honestly I liked. It made the obsession feel more "obsessive" rather than "romantic" which seemed to be the goal. But that was about where the strong stylistic choices on behalf of Hart ended for me, because otherwise, the characters lacked the depth they needed to feel legitimate and realistic. Not a horrible book, but not a great one, and I wouldn't recommend it to many people. I wouldn't not recommend it, though. Gah. I don't know. Just didn't like as much as I hoped....more