Ya know....when I was younger, this book coulda been a guilty pleasure read. But it's just so littered with plotholes and mess that I couldn't get intYa know....when I was younger, this book coulda been a guilty pleasure read. But it's just so littered with plotholes and mess that I couldn't get into it. Evermore makes me roll my eyes with almost everything she does, and that paired with the plotholes made this an unfortunate dnf. Maybe it's just me...but my goodness, this book wasn't it. ...more
Not including the incredibly disgusting plot device of "enslaved woman falls in love with her master" and a bunch of other tropes that just scream ~glNot including the incredibly disgusting plot device of "enslaved woman falls in love with her master" and a bunch of other tropes that just scream ~glorifying abuse, sexual slavery~, this book is an info-dump fest with writing that's so hard to get through (editors??? exist????) that I had to dnf by the 80% mark. And I got so far!!! What a total bummer, especially for a book I had on my tbr for the longest time....more
I remember seeing this cover before the release and loving it. Alas, the story wasn't near as fun. The protagonist runs on the bland side, not becauseI remember seeing this cover before the release and loving it. Alas, the story wasn't near as fun. The protagonist runs on the bland side, not because she has no personality, but because she has no flaws (though I suppose that begs the question: when a character personality has no flaws, is it a full-fledged personality?) which makes her whole journey just...well, bland. Couple it with plot holes and unrealistic scenes (look, I'm all for female empowerment, but scientifically, a girl consistently describe as skinny/small is not going to win against two male warriors - and not just average warriors, but the best ones, as the author reminds us. The logic ain't logic-ing). And then the ending - that must be the quickest ending ever. The book dragged on, then made a full-stop and hit me over the head with it. Two stars for a cool ass idea and equally cool ass cover, but I can't give it any more. ...more
I am iffy on this book. For one, the cover is beautiful. And boy, do I have a thing for beautiful covers. The idea is also strong. And yet, when it coI am iffy on this book. For one, the cover is beautiful. And boy, do I have a thing for beautiful covers. The idea is also strong. And yet, when it comes to the actual content - the actual writing, character crafting, world-building, romance, and plot progression...the book falls short, and I was left a bit disappointed. I'm not even shelving this under "romance" because I felt the romance was so...sparse. Not interesting??? Not sure how to categorize it. Either way, what could've been a very interesting and immersive book left me massively wanting. Too bad, because my, I am still obsessed with that cover.
I'm sorry...but this book is really why I don't favor traditionally published books. Penguin Teen picks this one up and claims to be a choosy publisheI'm sorry...but this book is really why I don't favor traditionally published books. Penguin Teen picks this one up and claims to be a choosy publisher when there are thousands of well-written indies out there that wouldn't have been considered? Ugh. Enough with my rant on the publishing industry though.
I like the cover of this book. I really do. And some of the descriptions were nice. But this book traded in actual good writing/a developed plot for fluff and overly "big and fancy" words. There was so much info-dumping and I felt like the author was just trying way too hard to be a writer that people think of and say "wow. I have no idea what half those sentences mean, but that just must mean the author is much more intelligent and eloquent than I, a lowly reader!" Gah, I sound so harsh, but I'm just bummed because I always look forward to newly released reads and jump right on buying them when I get the chance. Especially ones that look really cool, like this one. But sadly, because of all the ridiculous elements (info dumping, overly big words, odd style), I DNF @ around 40%. I just couldn't get into it... I felt like the story was going nowhere.
I still to this day don't understand why some elitist readers will scoff at independent books when many traditionally published books fall way below the indies. But what do I know? I'm not a writer and I'm not a publisher, only a reviewer and reader who...very sadly...could not finish this one....more
I went into this book with an open mind, really not knowing what I'd think. But it just didn't do it for me. There were some witty parts and the charaI went into this book with an open mind, really not knowing what I'd think. But it just didn't do it for me. There were some witty parts and the characters weren't all bad, but I just found the whole thing a bit cringy to the point of not engaging me, and I DNF at over 50%, which is extra sad because I was halfway there. I also am not a fan of the cover...usually that doesn't affect my review, but I have to say, covers generally reflect the quality of the book. Maybe just not my personal cup of tea. ...more
Aaaaand we jump from a 5 star to a 1 star. I usually dislike rating books as 1 star because I feel like such an "armchair quarterback" (and I'll admitAaaaand we jump from a 5 star to a 1 star. I usually dislike rating books as 1 star because I feel like such an "armchair quarterback" (and I'll admit, when other reviewers litter books with low ratings, i.e. 2 and below, I wonder what they have ever done equivalent to writing a book. Probably not much. I'll be honest where I need to be). That said, if I can acknowledge that I have no talent to write a book, I can also acknowledge a book that just doesn't vibe with me. I felt like the characters were underdeveloped and the storyline was very boring and cliche to the point where I could easily predict what would happen next. Sadly I won't be reading #2. I'm sure West is a lovely person, and she has enough talent to publish a book which I greatly admire, but this one in particular (minus the lovely cover) just did not do it for me....more
I enjoyed this book, I really did. The prose was eloquent and wonderful, and the overall storyline was something to be sought after. But at the same tI enjoyed this book, I really did. The prose was eloquent and wonderful, and the overall storyline was something to be sought after. But at the same time, I felt like there was MORE prose than story. More fluff than not. I love words and how they can be strung together to make beautiful sentences, but those sentences have to mean something. So...why 2 stars? Well, I thought it was an enjoyable book, but it lacked substance. If there had been a bit more substance, I would've given it a 3. If the substance had been overflowing while also including the prose, I would've given it a 4 or 5. Sadly, the prose was there - strong as ever - but the story easily lost me and I felt like I could've been way stronger. So it all leveled out to a 2. I think some could enjoy it, but I wanted something a little deeper.
Basically a slightly better Twilight. I don't know what else to say. It was fine...I'm not a big fan of twilight, and this book was better, but not myBasically a slightly better Twilight. I don't know what else to say. It was fine...I'm not a big fan of twilight, and this book was better, but not my kind of book at the end of the day. Oh well, I gave it a try. ...more
Just didn't do it for me. It's cute an all, being a Cinderella retelling with some HP sprinkled in there, but the story just didn't draw me in quite aJust didn't do it for me. It's cute an all, being a Cinderella retelling with some HP sprinkled in there, but the story just didn't draw me in quite as much as I hoped it would. ...more
I went into this domestic thriller excited because the idea sounded REALLY interesting. Sadly, the execution just didn't do it for me. The author seemI went into this domestic thriller excited because the idea sounded REALLY interesting. Sadly, the execution just didn't do it for me. The author seems to have a tough time in keeping things non-confusion/non-muddled while switching between the gal's POVs - it could've been interesting (esp when Thad was added), but it ended up just being mind-numbing. So yes, it was an interesting thriller IDEA, but the execution was below par for me personally. It's not a "why was this published" kind of book because I see potential - the idea itself isn't terrible - it's more of a "why wasn't this edited in a way that fixed the muddled nature of the book?"...more
I wish I wasn't disappointed with this, only because I love Leno as an author and Horrid was such an interesting book that dove into complex mental diI wish I wasn't disappointed with this, only because I love Leno as an author and Horrid was such an interesting book that dove into complex mental disorders like pica. This one just didn't feel as real and raw...I struggled with the actual content of the story in getting me to feel engrossed. Still love Leno, of course, this particular book of hers just didn't do it for me. ...more
This book is angsty Twilight (as if you thought Twilight couldn't get any more angsty...pfttttttt, you were wrong!) It even has a similar tiDNF at 30%
This book is angsty Twilight (as if you thought Twilight couldn't get any more angsty...pfttttttt, you were wrong!) It even has a similar title font, for gods sake. Not much originality with this one. Basically, it's Twilight, but creepier (not in the eerie kind of way, in the freaking weird kind of way), and the MC is just as bland and annoying as Bella.
Yet another one of these predictable books with the most bland MC who all the boys love...I just couldn't do it. I'd say maybe another time, bDNF ~25%
Yet another one of these predictable books with the most bland MC who all the boys love...I just couldn't do it. I'd say maybe another time, but I know that's not the case. ...more
For starters, I think the cover and title are awesome. But the story and the writing...eh. Ok, the writing is decent enough, but the story/plot is basFor starters, I think the cover and title are awesome. But the story and the writing...eh. Ok, the writing is decent enough, but the story/plot is basically what you'd expect of a "gossip girl-esque" mainstream book...it's predictable. So predictable and stereotypical that it almost gives me Riverdale vibes. I'm not surprised - I know these type of books sell, especially to teen girls, and maybe it's just me who can't get into it. But at the end of the day, I find it predictable.
More often than not, covers DO set a precedence for how the book will be in terms of quality. And this cover is...cheesy. Kinda cringy. And so was theMore often than not, covers DO set a precedence for how the book will be in terms of quality. And this cover is...cheesy. Kinda cringy. And so was the book. Maybe it's a personal thing. I liked Astrid and the beginning, but the rest just did not engage me as much as I was hoping (since steamy romances are a fav of mine). Eh, oh well. Not my personal cup o' tea. ...more
Nothing against Gabbie Hanna...I don't even really watch her. But I think everyone knows about her infamous "poetry" books. Again, my issue here isn'tNothing against Gabbie Hanna...I don't even really watch her. But I think everyone knows about her infamous "poetry" books. Again, my issue here isn't with Hanna. I know she's not well liked, but I truly don't have an opinion on her. My issue is with YouTubers and other influencers who honestly have very little talent for writing getting published simply because they have followers. There's so many amazing writers out there who pursue the traditional route that get turned down BECAUSE they aren't influencers. And then a YouTube throws together a "poetry book" that really just angsty words on a page and it gets published despite the fact that not many people even like the work that much. But hey - at least they have IG followers! I'm not even a writer myself, but I'm an avid reader, and it's a bit of an insult to me when publishers throw trash out there and gip us of the good stuff because they think blind followers will buy and "love" the book. Gah, that was harsh, but I need to be honest - the turning of books from art into products really grates on me. I gave it 1.5 stars, though, because the cover is cool.
I've noticed a lot of the reviews of this one tend to be divided into those who HATE it and those who LOVE it. I personally fell in the middle. Th2.5*
I've noticed a lot of the reviews of this one tend to be divided into those who HATE it and those who LOVE it. I personally fell in the middle. The world-building was commendable, and Bardugo usually writes great fantasy. At the same time, cliches are RIDDLED throughout the book. That's where I come in undecided - in some senses, cliches and tropes work. But when the mainstream publishing industry consistently and constantly reuses them, it makes me loose my respect for trade publishing and how everything goes toward a "product." Plain girl - she's actually the chosen one! Then she goes to magic school and deals with drama and a love triangle. Sound familiar? Probably, since literally 90% of YA, fantasy, magic books follow this plot more or less.
I did like Alina, don't get me wrong. I even related to her at points. And Bardugo will always be an author I cherish because she has a talent for writing fantasy. But at this point I wonder what she - or an author like her - could do if not for the confines of the trope-ridden, cliche littered publishing industry. Just something I notice as a reader. I'm nowhere near a writer, so I'm not saying what I would've changed - but as a reader, I'm saying what made me loose engagement from time to time.
I love enjoyable romance books, I really do. Emphasis on enjoyable. Sadly for me this book didn't quite do it. There were cute parts, sure, but overalI love enjoyable romance books, I really do. Emphasis on enjoyable. Sadly for me this book didn't quite do it. There were cute parts, sure, but overall the pacing and plot just did not keep my attention. I can't point to anything in particular, so maybe someone would disagree with me (books are subjective, after all), but I just found this one to be quite boring.