When I heard this book was a "gothic high fantasy with magic that has a brutal cost and a tinge of forbidden romance," I was intrigued, but I didn't hWhen I heard this book was a "gothic high fantasy with magic that has a brutal cost and a tinge of forbidden romance," I was intrigued, but I didn't have high hopes. I thought I'd open it up and read a few pages before inevitably growing too bored to continue.
I was wrong.
Very, very wrong.
This book was excellent. Not in a guilty-pleasure way; it was excellent in the most book-critic way imaginable. It is rare to find a fantasy world (outside of the classics) so well constructed, with well-defined rules and believable limits. Oftentimes, I've found that fantasy books just shove random magical tropes together, add in some oddly-spelled names, and tie it all together with bonding soulmate magic.
It gets tiresome.
But One Dark Window did not fall prey to any of those pitfalls. It is high fantasy at its best: unique magic systems, terrifying fantastical beings, and flawed characters that drive the story forward. The author uses Providence Cards and magical infection as the primary way characters manipulate magic, and I am absolutely in love with how everything fit together to create genuine conflict in the story.
The characters, speaking of which, were nearly as perfect as the worldbuilding. They are brilliant and brutal, flawed and strong. There is a refreshingly large cast of characters, all living in the isolated town of Blunder. The town is dependent on the wood, and as such, all their families are named after trees: Pine, Spindle, Yew, Rowan, etc. (and as a side note, this naming system is a rather ingenious way to add a mythical element to names without resorting to ridiculous twistings of modern names).
The best part of these characters is that we never truly know where their loyalties lie. Families love and hate each other, while those that express hate are revealed to hold much more love than those that outwardly express love. Rachel Gillig truly created a masterpiece of magic, betrayal, and healing. And that's not to mention the heartwrenching enemies-to-lovers romance with the hero actually embodying the if-you-hurt-her-I-will-kill-you trope <3
But I won't provide more details of that here, quite honestly because this is the book you never knew you needed to read so I need to keep some of it in suspense ;)
Ratings: Book Rating: ★★★★★ If This Book Was a Movie Rating: PG-13
Recommendations If You Liked This Book: Belladonna by Adalyn Grace The Darkening by Sunya Mara...more
In all the reading I've done, I've figured out one thing: the best crime novels aren't about how a random detective in a random town solved a random mIn all the reading I've done, I've figured out one thing: the best crime novels aren't about how a random detective in a random town solved a random murder. The very best crime novels pry apart emotions, strip away morality, and delve into the darkest parts of the human heart. They take all your standards of justice and challenge each of them, one after another. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, and now Good Girl, Bad Blood, are two of those novels.
no spoilers
While the plot was brilliant and full of twists, the characters are what really makes this book so heartwrenching. As uncomfortable as it is to shine a light on ugly things, Holly Jackson does just that, vividly painting how broken and painful each of us are, even those who are meant to be exacting justice.
Our "random" detective is Pip, someone who, by every conventional trope, should be the good girl. She is the straight-A student, the one who's kind and caring and hates it when bad things happen to good people. She should be the one who seeks justice because they believe in the good of humanity, of fairness, of right and wrong, of the inevitability of justice.
But Pip is not that person. She lies, she steals, she manipulates, she blackmails. She knowingly walks through that gray area between right and wrong and can't find it in herself to care. She handles her cases the way she does, not because she believes in the good of humanity or the inevitability of justice, but because she has seen just how awful humanity can be.
The book also touches on other topics: justice, forgiveness, and the whole domino effect of murder.
There will never be true justice. As much as we complain about how broken and corrupt our justice systems are, there's no way to completely fix it. Sometimes the killer will get away. Sometimes the innocent are bullied and shamed. Sometimes the person that searches for the criminal is just as awful as those they're searching for. That shouldn't mean we stop seeking justice, but know this: we can do our best, but there will never be perfect justice.
This book, even more than the first one, explores forgiveness. Giving people second chances, even when there is no way in hell they deserve it. Maybe there is hope for some of these people. Maybe one of them could be saved. It's impossible to escape the demons of your past when no one will let you forget and try again.
Finally, Holly Jackson truly illustrates how murder is never about just one person. One death kills a army of people, breaking them and hurting them and making them bleed out. One death could have been prevented by a whole other army of people, people that stood on the sidelines and did nothing while the world went up in flames. In the end, who really was the murderer? Was it the one who pulled the trigger? Or all those who stood by and looked away?
I don't know any of the answers to these questions. Maybe there are no answers, maybe there isn't a solution. I suppose it all depends, really, on the details of the case....more
I will be perfectly honest: I read this book in order to properly hate it. Everyone said it was awful and all the marketing was a lie.
They weren’t wroI will be perfectly honest: I read this book in order to properly hate it. Everyone said it was awful and all the marketing was a lie.
They weren’t wrong. It was bad. But it was also weirdly addictive.
Let me give the publisher’s blurb and then I’ll explain.
“Every 100 years, the island of Lightlark appears to host the Centennial, a deadly game that only the rulers of six realms are invited to play. The invitation is a summons—a call to embrace victory and ruin, baubles and blood. The Centennial offers the six rulers one final chance to break the curses that have plagued their realms for centuries. Each ruler has something to hide. Each realm’s curse is uniquely wicked. To destroy the curses, one ruler must die.
Isla Crown is the young ruler of Wildling—a realm of temptresses cursed to kill anyone they fall in love with. They are feared and despised, and are counting on Isla to end their suffering by succeeding at the Centennial.”
Back in August, this book was going viral across booktube, booktok, goodreads, basically anywhere that books are talked about on the internet. People were saying that Alex Aster (the author) had lied in her marketing material about all the tropes and quotes, and that none of that stuff was in the actual book.
Well, I also noticed a lot of the negative reviews were for the ARCs. A lot of quotes that ARC reviewers said didn’t exist ended up being in the final copy (the one I read).
So I will provide my own, more neutral take: this book was objectively not good. But it wasn’t vomit-inducing horrific. Like I said in a status update, it felt like watching a fail compilation: bad and nonsensical at times, but ridiculously entertaining. Honestly, however, it really was just your average YA fantasy that just had ridiculous hype and false advertising.
That sad fact, however, will not stop me from roasting this book into oblivion.
*cracks knuckles*
PLOT.
I think the best thing I can say about the plot was that it was fast-paced.
Let’s just take a look at some of these quotes, shall we?
“Lightlark was a shining, cliffy thing.” I looked it up and tell me how cliffy is an actual word.
“She glared at him meanly.” What, are we in preschool now? What is this meanly? (edit: meanly was said eight times I’m not even joking)
“It made the crowd’s cheers echo and braid together.” “Isla’s stomach twisted into a braid.” “They weren't chains at all. They were braided water, firm as a rogue wave and strong as the tide.” I counted nine times where the word “braid” was used, all not in the context of hair.
[while threatening a ghost] Isla pulled her new dagger from her waist and brandished it. “Don’t take another…float.” Isla, that is objectively a horrible comeback.
“Wildling, Starling, Moonling, Skyling, Sunling, and Nightshade.” These are the most unoriginal names for realms and fantasy groups you could possibly think of. Also (and I'm being petty here), what was the issue with just finishing the pattern and saying Nightling? WHY THE ONE NON -LING ONE I DON’T LIKE THAT
Honestly, if you hate unoriginal names, don’t read this book. Isla is the ruler of Wildling, Celeste is the ruler of Starling, Cleo is the ruler of Moonling, Azul is the ruler of Skyling, Oro is the ruler of Sunling, and Grim is the ruler of Nightshade. And if that’s not enough: “Sky Isle for the Skylings, Moon Isle for the Moonlings, and Sun Isle for the Sunlings.”
HEAVEN FORBID WE FORGET WHERE THESE RULERS COME FROM PLEASE—
A lot of the plot felt very infodumpy. Something interesting would happen, and then it needed a whole page of exposition because the magic system wasn’t structured enough for us to just intuitively grasp anything. And then most of the time, the exposition wouldn’t make sense. Case in point, there’s one moment where Isla is attempting to explain the magic of Starlings: “Starlings channeled energy from the stars, allowing them to move objects.” That objectively does not make sense. Maybe wind power would make objects move, but why star power?
The worldbuilding and magic systems were hazy at best. I had so many questions that never got answered. Let’s just take a little look at the Starlings (mild spoilers until the end of the paragraph): the Starlings’ curse is that they all die before they reach the age of twenty-five: are all the Starlings getting married at ten and having kids at fifteen? How are these children raised? How do they all know all the details of these prophecies if everyone’s dead AHHHHHH I DON’T GET IT
Other random questions: why do the rulers wear their crowns all the time? Like how the heck do they stay on with all this jumping and slashing and life risking these people do? (they are all constantly adjusting their crowns just take the stupid things off ...more
ugh. men like Rhodes and his "who did this to you" scenes just got my standards too high and now real-life boys don't stand a chance ugh. men like Rhodes and his "who did this to you" scenes just got my standards too high and now real-life boys don't stand a chance ...more
honestly a great book, Nora's dedication to her career and her Peleton was so so relatable and i loved how much she loved my New York City <3honestly a great book, Nora's dedication to her career and her Peleton was so so relatable and i loved how much she loved my New York City <3...more
before I read this book, I imagined I was going to write a rant review about how ridiculous it was that this book beat out the Love Hypothesis by 563 before I read this book, I imagined I was going to write a rant review about how ridiculous it was that this book beat out the Love Hypothesis by 563 votes in the GR Choice Awards.
but then I actually read it.
it fully deserved to win the GR Choice awards ...more
**spoiler alert** alright. I read it. I went with it. and i'm really disappointed. For like the first 84% of this, I legitimately enjoyed this book. S**spoiler alert** alright. I read it. I went with it. and i'm really disappointed. For like the first 84% of this, I legitimately enjoyed this book. Sure, Daphne and Simon were a touch overaggressive and had a bit too much lust in their relationship, but it was overall fine. Annoying, but fine.
And then what happened at the 85% mark?
rape.
just because they're married and just because a woman did it to a man does NOT make it okay. That was awful. And the fact that Daphne faced no consequences? she bloody didn't even feel bad?
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When I say I had high expectations for this book, know that they were absolutely ASTROThanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When I say I had high expectations for this book, know that they were absolutely ASTRONOMICAL. When I read that delicious premise, felt that Gothic vibe, and saw that enemies-to-lovers trope, this darling became one of my most anticipated reads of 2022.
Fortunately, my dearest reader friends, this book LIVED up to the hype.
CUE THE CELEBRATIONS BECAUSE THAT LITERALLY NEVER HAPPENS AND NOW I HAVE A NEW FAVORITE BOOK ...more
“You're going to drive five miles just to give me a hug?" "I'd run five miles just to give you a hug.”
Contrary to all my expectations, this book was a“You're going to drive five miles just to give me a hug?" "I'd run five miles just to give you a hug.”
Contrary to all my expectations, this book was absolutely beautiful.
buddy read with the wonderful shell! ❤️
warning: spoilers ahead for It Ends With Us
PREMISE.
This sequel begins a few hours after the epilogue of It Ends With Us. Lily and Ryle have been divorced for a year and a half, and Lily and Atlas have just met up again. Both want to try dating, but Lily is terrified of how Ryle will react to Atlas in her and her daughter’s life. Ryle blames Atlas for their divorce, and he’s been grounds for several fights between Lily and Ryle.
PLOT.
As reviews were initially coming in for this book, I saw that a lot of people were very frustrated with the way Lily let Ryle stay in her life after the divorce. To that, I’d argue that while both we the readers and Lily know how horrible and abusive Ryle is, there's only so much Lily can change about her situation. Emerson is his daughter (and he still has the legal right to see her), Lily’s best friend Alyssa is his sister, and she doesn't want to abandon her whole floral business and dream of living in Boston out of fear of her ex-husband. Leaving an abusive relationship is extremely difficult, and with so many emotional and situational ropes tying you to your abuser, it’s nearly impossible to cut every rope. It’s an unrealistic expectation to place on anyone, and I’m glad Colleen showed just how messy and emotionally painful that split truly is.
The other thing I saw many people saying was that this book was the quintessential “sequel that shouldn’t have been made.” I would disagree. Every action has consequences, and yet in many books, we don’t see those consequences. We see the happily-ever-after ending of Cinderella, skipping the part where the nobles reject and rebel against a commoner as queen. In many romance novels, we see nothing after the main couple get together. We skip the part where they get into fights over who picks up the kid and why one of them is working far too late. We see only the good and none of the hard. This book, on the other hand, showed those consequences. The consequences of abuse don't go away when you get out of an abusive situation. The consequences of divorce don’t end with signing a paper. Maybe the ending of It Ends With Us felt more final, more perfect, but It Starts With Us showed that even the best endings are messy too.
CHARACTERS.
Ryle Kincaid. I imagine that Ryle Kincaid is what happens if a classic male romance hero existed in real life. Ridiculously attractive, over six feet, very well-educated, possessive, slightly narcissistic, and has a tragic backstory. In any other novel, I don’t think very many people would think twice. Yet in these two books, Colleen examines the dark side of that archetype. In fiction, characters like him don’t have the abusive streak that often runs alongside possessiveness, narcissism, and a difficult past. Reality, however, is much closer to Ryle. I hate him for what he did to Lily, yet it’s worth noting how disturbingly similar he is to heroes that we love.
Atlas Corrigan. I adore Atlas with every fiber of my being. In this book, we see more of his own journey with abuse and abandonment, one that was merely hinted at in the first book. If Ryle is the classic male romance hero, Atlas is the secondary love interest. He didn’t end up with Lily the first time around, but he gets a second chance. Like Ryle, Atlas worked his way out of a difficult past, yet unlike Ryle, Atlas overcame it. He didn’t turn possessive and narcissistic and vengeful. He sought to understand, to apologize, to forgive. He is the antithesis of Ryle, and the lover that Lily truly deserves.
Lily Bloom. Lily, Lily, Lily. I am so proud of you. All the pain and deliberation you went through and the consideration of your daughter and the standing up against Ryle was beyond difficult, but you did it regardless.
Lily truly broke the cycle of abuse. She began breaking it in the first book when she walked away from Ryle, and she ended it in the second book by not making the same mistakes. She changed a multigenerational cycle of abuse, and for that, I am so proud of her.
“I can draw a seedling with two tiny branches. Yours and mine. We’ll be on our own brand-new, tiny family tree—one that starts with us.”
Ratings: Star Rating: ★★★★★ If This Book Was a Movie Rating: PG-13
Recommendations If You Liked This Book: Beach Read by Emily Henry...more
This book. This heartbreaking, bittersweet, beautifully broken book. I don't think I'm ever going to be the same again.
“It stops here. With me and you.This book. This heartbreaking, bittersweet, beautifully broken book. I don't think I'm ever going to be the same again.
“It stops here. With me and you. It ends with us.” ...more
“I’ve done so many stupid things that you’ve made me regret—things I hope you will forgive me for and look beyond— but this, waiting a little longer f“I’ve done so many stupid things that you’ve made me regret—things I hope you will forgive me for and look beyond— but this, waiting a little longer for the love of my life, I can do.”
OMIGOSH OMIGOSH I CAN’T I’M SCREAMING LAUGHING CRYING THIS WAS SUCH AN ABSOLUTE SLOWBURN ✨MASTERPIECE✨
I haven’t read a book that’s gotten me this happy since December and so EJFIOJEOFHSIEOUHFJFIOSF THIS WILL BE A VERY CAPITALIZED REVIEW SORRY NOT SORRY
*sobs in pure and complete joy*
here’s the publisher’s plot summary (i know i know this is cheap i’m sorry i just don’t have time to write it all out rn i’ll come back later and rewrite it ...more
DECEASED. I AM DECEASED. THAT MASTERPIECE DESTROYED ME. THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST ADORABLE, MOST AMAZING BOOKS I'VE EVER READ. ALSO IVAN LUKOV HAS MY HDECEASED. I AM DECEASED. THAT MASTERPIECE DESTROYED ME. THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST ADORABLE, MOST AMAZING BOOKS I'VE EVER READ. ALSO IVAN LUKOV HAS MY HEART NOW I LOVE HIM TO LITERAL PIECES OMIGOSH ...more
i tried. i really really tried. but when a book describes its hero with the word "big" exactly 328 times, i cannot legitimately enjoy it.i tried. i really really tried. but when a book describes its hero with the word "big" exactly 328 times, i cannot legitimately enjoy it....more
i feel like i screech at least 20% of each review. BUT I DO NOT CARE. FIVE BEAUTIFULLY DEADLY STARS BECAUSE THAT WAS PERFECTION. WARNETTE FOREVER. I LOVEi feel like i screech at least 20% of each review. BUT I DO NOT CARE. FIVE BEAUTIFULLY DEADLY STARS BECAUSE THAT WAS PERFECTION. WARNETTE FOREVER. I LOVE THEM. CAN I JUST SCREAM WITH JOY PLEASE y’all Chapter 55. *coughs* That will be all, thank you very much.
EEEEEEEEKKKKK NOPE WHO AM I KIDDING LET’S GET STARTED.
*cackles because she now gets to rave about her new favorite book*
warning: in the rest of the review, there will be spoilers for the first two books (Shatter Me and Unravel Me) but no spoilers for this book (Ignite Me).
I’m really too tired to figure out how I’m supposed to introduce this plot, so I’m just gonna give you the publisher’s summary. I know. I’m a monster. Deal with it.
“With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.”
AHFUEFIEHFIESHDFIUESDHF “but that’s not all he wants with her” WARNER I CAN’T WITH YOU ...more
Violet Made of Thorns was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022. I was intrigued by the morally-gray-heroine premise, added it immediately after heViolet Made of Thorns was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022. I was intrigued by the morally-gray-heroine premise, added it immediately after hearing the romance was compared to Jude and Cardan from the Cruel Prince, and queen Chloe Gong’s personal recommendation never hurt anyone ...more