This book was beautiful and thought provoking, but I was expecting a bit more of a gut punch from it, emotionally.
I think the characters were very weThis book was beautiful and thought provoking, but I was expecting a bit more of a gut punch from it, emotionally.
I think the characters were very well-written, and the pacing was good too. I kept being interested and read it fairly quickly. But I also wish there was a bit more explanation of the world building. I wanted that to be explored a bit more, but that wasn't what the book was about.
All in all, I liked it. But I think my expectations were perhaps a bit too high to enjoy it as much as I wanted.
Merged review:
This book was beautiful and thought provoking, but I was expecting a bit more of a gut punch from it, emotionally.
I think the characters were very well-written, and the pacing was good too. I kept being interested and read it fairly quickly. But I also wish there was a bit more explanation of the world building. I wanted that to be explored a bit more, but that wasn't what the book was about.
All in all, I liked it. But I think my expectations were perhaps a bit too high to enjoy it as much as I wanted....more
I've been reading the Bridgerton novels at a rapid speed over the past days, after I binged the show. But thiAnd with that, the spell has been broken.
I've been reading the Bridgerton novels at a rapid speed over the past days, after I binged the show. But this one was not nearly as entrancing and fun as the first two. It had the same great historical atmosphere and addicting background characters and society gossip, but the romance was just terrible, which honestly ruined the book for me.
I did not like Benedict in this book, at all. He was awful to Sophie at many different points and hardly seemed to care about what she thought or wanted. I didn't like Sophie a lot either, as it did feel at times like she was keeping a lot of secrets for no reason, but it was mostly Benedict that ruined this for me. He was terrible to Sophie.
I also felt like the plot just wasn't as good as the other ones. Or maybe it's just harder to sell me on a plot if I dislike the main characters. It felt at times like it was trying too hard to fit into the Cinderella narrative, even when it didn't quite fit.
The only reason this does not have 1 star is because it was still an easy read and entertaining at times, even if it really tried my patience.
I still plan to read at least the next book, as I've seen it is many people's favorite, but if you're reading these books in order I'd honestly skip this one....more
Welp, the show put me in a mood for these books and I haven't been wanting to read anything else. They're fast, entertaining reads that are honestly gWelp, the show put me in a mood for these books and I haven't been wanting to read anything else. They're fast, entertaining reads that are honestly great escapism. I really like the atmosphere in these books, and I feel like that is the part that keeps me coming back.
I didn't love Anthony in the show, nor did I really like him here. There were a few scenes where he was downright awful, but for the most part I managed to chalk that up to the time period. I did really like Kate and her family, I think they were lovely and I'm very curious to see if the TV show will go in the same direction.
I'm mostly loving these books for the background characters and the relationships between them. I think that is the strength of this series....more
So, I watched Bridgerton on Netflix and immediately started this book after finishing it. I think I just wanted more from this world, and while this bSo, I watched Bridgerton on Netflix and immediately started this book after finishing it. I think I just wanted more from this world, and while this book didn't exactly go deeper than the show, it was definitely entertaining.
I don't usually enjoy romance books a lot, but in a historical setting I like them better. I enjoy being pulled into this world of balls and etiquette, and I think that's really the appeal of these books. I do prefer the show in a few ways, but I liked seeing what the story was based on. I also feel like the book stays closer to realism (not that I mind that the show went a bit wild). There's also parts of the book that haven't aged very well since it was written in 2000. I believe the show did certain things slightly better in that regard as well, which makes sense.
I'm currently really in the mood for these books, so I already picked up the sequel. I don't think I'll commit to all 8 books, but they're a lot of fun if you like a light, entertaining read. And I think it was brilliant of the author to tie all these stories together through the siblings, as they are background characters in the other books so you already like them. ...more
I can tell this is mostly setup for something bigger, but I still enjoyed the book. It was short and pretty simple, but the char3.5 stars rounded up.
I can tell this is mostly setup for something bigger, but I still enjoyed the book. It was short and pretty simple, but the characters were still intriguing and memorable enough to keep my interest. I'm very curious about the rest of this series, because I've heard a lot of things. But I also thought this was a good start, even if I wish it had been a bit longer. ...more
I really enjoyed Girls of Paper and Fire, but the second book was a bit of a letdown. Without the strong premise of the first book, it just didn't feeI really enjoyed Girls of Paper and Fire, but the second book was a bit of a letdown. Without the strong premise of the first book, it just didn't feel nearly as strong. It felt long and a bit boring, with (romantic) drama thrown in that felt forced. It wasn't bad, just not very riveting either.
I feel like the first book would have been better as a stand alone, and I'll likely drop this series now. I don't think I'm very interested in the final book at the moment....more
I have been reading this series for a long time now, and it is a bit strange to end it now.
I really liked the book, it felt very similar to the othersI have been reading this series for a long time now, and it is a bit strange to end it now.
I really liked the book, it felt very similar to the others in the series, in a good way.
I'm going to write down some reasons to try out this book series, as I do feel it's a pretty unique mystery series.
- atmosphere: These books have a quiet atmosphere that pulls you in. It's not flashy with a ton of plot twists, but you get pulled along into the stories.
- characters: The main character is someone that grows on you throughout the books. I found her a bit annoying at first, but that changed as I progressed through the books. The side characters are really great too.
- progression: Because these books are all about the same person, you can see how the stories interconnect and follow each other. Frieda's reputation changes throughout the series, as do her relationships with others.
I really recommend this series of books to anyone who enjoys mysteries/thrillers. They have a unique feeling for me, but one I really enjoy....more
I read the original Dutch version of this story called Lampje.
As far as I can tell it is published in English under two different names, last year as I read the original Dutch version of this story called Lampje.
As far as I can tell it is published in English under two different names, last year as Lampie and the Children of the Sea , and this year it will be published as Of Salt and Shore
If you are interested in slightly surreal middle grade fantasy stories, I would recommend this. It is about mermaids, and is written in a very enchanting and atmospheric way. It is difficult to describe the style, but it felt different than most other stories for this age group I have read.
I would definitely recommend it if the summary seems interesting to you. ...more
I saw all the praise for this book, and I can only say I agree with all of it entirely. This book was wonderful in every way, and it might be my favorI saw all the praise for this book, and I can only say I agree with all of it entirely. This book was wonderful in every way, and it might be my favorite book of the year. It gave me such a warm feeling, and the world and story were perfectly crafted in my opinion.
It feels very unique, I don't think I can really compare it to other books I've read. I really, really, loved it. I definitely will keep an eye out for more by this author. ...more
I enjoyed this as a wrap-up for this series. I liked it a bit less than the first book, but a bit more than the second. Overall, a 3.5 star rounded upI enjoyed this as a wrap-up for this series. I liked it a bit less than the first book, but a bit more than the second. Overall, a 3.5 star rounded up.
I liked Daniel as a protagonist. He had a different perspective than both Elle and Marlie, which was interesting. I also liked his relationship with Janeta and how it developed. (view spoiler)[I'm glad the conflict between them didn't go the predictable way
I still really appreciate this series for being romance books with a lot of plot and background. I normally don't really go for romance, but I really did enjoy all three of these books. I definitely recommend the series. (hide spoiler)]...more
I have a lot of the same issues with this book that I had with the previous one. The atmosphere in the school was a bit better, but I felt like the myI have a lot of the same issues with this book that I had with the previous one. The atmosphere in the school was a bit better, but I felt like the mystery failed to betoo compelling and the writing style didn't really suit the story. It felt too simplistic for some of the darker things that happened, and that made or a strange reading experience.
I still enjoyed it, but it is not a series I want to continue at this point. I'm not invested enough in the main characters or the setting to really want to dive back into it....more
I think this book was an improvement compared to the first one. It helps that the world was already established a bit, I think. I remember being very I think this book was an improvement compared to the first one. It helps that the world was already established a bit, I think. I remember being very confusedby the world building in the first book, in a way that I wasn't with this one. I also feel like I now have a better grasp of the characters and their dynamics, and found the plot easier to follow.
It still dragged at times, but the story was interesting and kept me intrigued. It also resolved enough while keeping things open for future books.
All in all, a good sequel. I'm looking forward to the next book. ...more
This series continues to be delightful. I don't read it as much for the mysteries as for the characters and their development, but the mysteries are sThis series continues to be delightful. I don't read it as much for the mysteries as for the characters and their development, but the mysteries are still good fun. I just don't really find myself wondering who is behind it or what is happening, I'm always happy to just be along for the ride in these books.
As always, the side characters were wonderful and diverse. I really like how the Jack the Ripper murders were mentioned in the book, (view spoiler)[ but weren't the focus of the plot at all. I just liked the way it was done (hide spoiler)]
And now I actually have to wait for the next one. Boo :(...more
Honestly a big disappointment for me. It's closer to a 2.5 than I'd like to admit, but it had some redeeming qualities that made me round it up to a 3Honestly a big disappointment for me. It's closer to a 2.5 than I'd like to admit, but it had some redeeming qualities that made me round it up to a 3.
What bothered me most about the book was the lack of surrounding plot that wasn't centered on the romance. I know it is a romance novel so it was expected that it was the main plot, but what I had hoped for was more family shenanigans around it, some background story. There was a bit, but not enough to keep my interests.
While the characters were nice and memorable, the relationship was not. The start was kind of cute, but then it quickly became sort of generic to me. It just didn't grab my attention. I also didn't love how the biggest conflict was right at the end, it felt very rushed.
What I did appreciate was the representation in the book, how very real the characters felt, and how it touched on very important topics like chronic pain and abusive partners (a female one to a male person, which is an incredibly rare thing to see). But appreciating those things didn't make the book any more engaging to me.
So all in all, I think this was a bit over-hyped for me. I won't be reading the sequels probably. ...more
Every time I read one of Becky Chambers books, it turns into this unique and wonderful experience I haven't really had with other scifi authors yet. TEvery time I read one of Becky Chambers books, it turns into this unique and wonderful experience I haven't really had with other scifi authors yet. There is something about the world she created in this series that completely draws me in. Every time, I hesitate because it is a new cast of characters instead of a continuation of the previous story, and every time I'm blown away by it.
This book in particular got to me emotionally. It really hit me for some reason. After a certain point, I had trouble putting it down, which is a rarity for me these days.
5/5 stars without hesitation, I wish I could get the next book already. ...more
I felt much the same about this book as I did about the first one. It was entertaining and interesting at times, but something about it just failed toI felt much the same about this book as I did about the first one. It was entertaining and interesting at times, but something about it just failed to completely capture me. I think the worldbuilding is maybe partly to blame, as I don't think the way witches work in these books is particularly interesting. I was glad to see less of Veronica and more of Morgan, and the LGBT+ rep is always good. But overall, I think it was an average book for me as far as plot and worldbuilding goes.
If this series interests you I'd still give it a go, but if you didn't love the first book I doubt you'll love the second. It had a very similar tone and feeling to the first one. ...more
This was a very good book. It had been pretty hyped, so I had high expectations, and I was not disappointed. It didn't wow me enough to be a 5 star, bThis was a very good book. It had been pretty hyped, so I had high expectations, and I was not disappointed. It didn't wow me enough to be a 5 star, but it is definitely an insightful book on matters of race and racism, and what forms it can take.
Alix was a very interesting character to read about, and I really liked that the book was partly in her perspective. As an outsider, you can easily see how her actions are harmful and her view of Emira is strange, to say the least. But you can also easily see how she is genuinely convinced she is doing the right thing, and how the end of the book completely baffles her.
The way she treated her daughters was unforgivable, though. It was very well written in how subtle it was, but that didn't make it less frustrating. (view spoiler)[ I was so happy when Emira called her out at the end (hide spoiler)]
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I definitely understand the hype around it....more
After loving the first book and feeling a bit 'meh' about the second, this book is a step in the right direction again, even if it doesn't quite live After loving the first book and feeling a bit 'meh' about the second, this book is a step in the right direction again, even if it doesn't quite live up to the first book to me. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the characters a lot in this novel, as well as the writing style. I could easily imagine children enjoying the funny anecdotes and jokes in the narrative.
But my biggest issue with this series right now is how few questions are answered. It's still keeping me interested, but I do wish we would get a few more answers instead of only more questions to ponder. I'm very curious how everything will end up, but I do hope the next book will actually start answering a few things. Right now it feels a little bit too much like all these books have mostly been set-up, and three books is a lot of time to only set things up for later in the story.
All in all, I enjoy this series but I am hoping for some revelations soon. ...more
It was a delight to be back in this universe again, dark and grim as it is. I enjoyed this book a lot, much like the first one. It didn't pull any punIt was a delight to be back in this universe again, dark and grim as it is. I enjoyed this book a lot, much like the first one. It didn't pull any punches, and i was invested from the start.
The one complaint I have about it is that the pacing felt strange. It took me a bit to get into the second half of the book, and that took me out of the story a little bit.
But overall, I liked it a lot. It was great to see Jane and Katherine again. They are both wonderful and well-written characters who you can see grow and change throughout the story. Their relationship is the cornerstone of this duoligy, and I loved seeing it develop and change in this book.
The whole setting is just very well done. The zombies are integrated into the historical setting flawlessly, and it is very interesting to see how their influence shaped history and changed it.
I definitely recommend these books, they're really great. ...more