The good: I read this 500+ page book in like two days, so obviously it held my attention. Part One was highly entertaining in fact. Our heroine, Rin, The good: I read this 500+ page book in like two days, so obviously it held my attention. Part One was highly entertaining in fact. Our heroine, Rin, is at school and like a true fish out of water has to fight the hardest to carve out a place for herself. Which was truly enjoyable. I was caught up in the character development and tantalizing glimpses of what it mean to be a shaman.
But then Part Two and Three come along and proceed to dismantle everything Part One so painstakingly built up. New characters who aren't given adequate space to become fully realized are added to constant and bloody descriptions of war. Lots of lots of descriptions of war. The enemy felt one dimensional as a result and familiar faces were brought back simply to die horrible deaths which felt contrived. The twists were either not built up properly or were simply confusing. I wanted so much more from the plot and pacing but it just didn't come together like I'd hoped.
**I keep seeing this on YA lists but it so very far away from the YA genre in tone and plot.
So not really my favorite but entertaining on some levels. ...more
I honestly really wanted to read this book but ugh... the characters are so blasted annoying. It's like CATCHER IN THE RYE mixed with HARRY POTTER/NARI honestly really wanted to read this book but ugh... the characters are so blasted annoying. It's like CATCHER IN THE RYE mixed with HARRY POTTER/NARNIA in the worst possible way. So much misery. So much drinking. And Nothing Even Happens. Which is baffling because the writing itself is beautiful and full of detailed imagery but I just don't like any of the characters. Ugh.
I guess I'll just go watch the series instead since I've actually heard good things about it....more
I’ll admit I was bit lukewarm about THE LAST WOLF, book 1 in this series but I had heard wonderful things about this second book that I was willing toI’ll admit I was bit lukewarm about THE LAST WOLF, book 1 in this series but I had heard wonderful things about this second book that I was willing to try again. I'm so glad I did. Elijah’s story blew me apart. His dissection of what it means to be an alpha while trying not to lose himself within the human world was so raw and honest.
Maybe my heart was just a bit tender at the time, but the rawness of his internal struggle had me ugly crying by myself while on a cross-country flight. Vale has crafted a complicated but glaringly logical shifter world that just feels right. Like, the closest thing I can compare it to would be JULIE OF THE WOLVES but waaay more adult. That's probably a terrible comparison, but nothing I can think of gets it quite right. It's just a beautifully crafted character study set in a perfectly constructed world. ...more
Gah! I am nursing the biggest hangover after finishing this intense book! Fonda Lee has been on my radar after reading ZEROBOXER, but in JADE CITY sheGah! I am nursing the biggest hangover after finishing this intense book! Fonda Lee has been on my radar after reading ZEROBOXER, but in JADE CITY she reveals her true talent for crafting an intricate world full of unique mythology with complex characters and compelling action.
I was constantly in awe of her plotting and ability to drop little breadcrumbs of information before unleashing each new unexpected twist. This is epic fantasy with a complex magic and clan system based on the culture of honor that reminds me a bit of Brandon Sanderson. I am so glad this is the first in a new series because I am seriously reeling from that ending!! I just want to know that Anden is going to be okay.
Do yourself a favor and carve out a nice chunk of time to sit down with this one, because you are not going to want to stop once you begin....more
Genie Lo is an ordinary Bay Area teen (albeit one with a slight anger problem) studying her brains out Well this unexpected book was just so much FUN.
Genie Lo is an ordinary Bay Area teen (albeit one with a slight anger problem) studying her brains out in hopes of making it into the pearly gates of Harvard. Yale. Princeton. Really, she's not picky. But a new student at her school reveals that together they are fated to fight a hungry demon horde invading earth and Genie is launched into a world of myth and danger.
Filled with Chinese mythology, hilarious dialogue, and supremely satisfying fight scenes, I now am nursing my own epic crush on one Genie Lo. Feeling the weight of her newfound responsibility to protect the innocent while juggling school, friends, and her family, Genie is a hero truly worth rooting for. ...more
Whew! This book is intense and twisty with incredible power dynamics.
In the future, when technology has cured disease and crime is almost non-existenWhew! This book is intense and twisty with incredible power dynamics.
In the future, when technology has cured disease and crime is almost non-existent, humans have selected certain individuals and charged them with a sort of population control. By randomly killing people.
It's as chilling as it sounds and Neal Shusterman does a fantastic job at examining what such a job would do to a person's psyche and how difference individuals handle the responsibility. The ethics alone would allow hours of discussion, but I kept coming back for more about the two scythe apprentices. Can't wait for the sequel!
Hunted is so much more than a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It's a gorgeously penned story of a fierce female huntress with an incredible weight Hunted is so much more than a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It's a gorgeously penned story of a fierce female huntress with an incredible weight on her shoulders. The setting becomes almost a character in and of itself and yes, there is a truly epic love story. It's one of those books where I caught myself physically petting the pages because of all the beautiful words....more
This book is HUGE, like over 1,000 pages huge, and everyone who actually finishes it should get an prize. Seriously, the publisher should consider addThis book is HUGE, like over 1,000 pages huge, and everyone who actually finishes it should get an prize. Seriously, the publisher should consider adding a cut-out "You Finished" gold star to the end pages, because talk about an accomplishment. But Brandon Sanderson needed every single one of those pages to fully embrace all his characters on their incredible journeys.
This series does such a phenomenal job of fully capturing the nuances of good and evil. It's like he's taken a lens to each character when their back is to the wall, simply to find out, what will they do now? Riveting stuff.
Plus, the illustrations are beyond gorgeous!!...more
Suitably chilling retellings from one of my favorite authors. Unique spins on familiar tales with unexpected heroes and villains. What is truly impresSuitably chilling retellings from one of my favorite authors. Unique spins on familiar tales with unexpected heroes and villains. What is truly impressive are the countless detailed, intricate illustrations that I spent just as much time devouring as I did the words themselves. A truly beautiful book....more
Neil Gaiman never fails to capture my imagination and his latest collection of Norse myths is no different. Written sometimes almost informally, he maNeil Gaiman never fails to capture my imagination and his latest collection of Norse myths is no different. Written sometimes almost informally, he makes the Norse gods and goddesses come alive with such ease. Full of power, Gaiman manages to infuse human frailties into all his Thor, Loki and the rest. I came into this collection, not very familiar with the various stories and found each presented with Gaiman's trademark sharpness and subtle wit. ...more
Wow. This book lived up to every expectation VE Schwab set in the previous books and then some. Her character arcs were heartbreaking and beautiful anWow. This book lived up to every expectation VE Schwab set in the previous books and then some. Her character arcs were heartbreaking and beautiful and maybe I cried for like the last 30 pages of the book. Maybe.
Aside from the characters what makes this book truly stand out it the gorgeous writing. I wanted to get lost in the words and luxuriate in the descriptions. Schwab is a master at her craft and I so loved every single moment I spent with Kell, Lila, Holland, Rhy, and Alucard in the four Londons. ...more
I've had this book sitting on my shelf for a few years now and finally got around to reading it thanks to some prodding by a friend. I knew going in, I've had this book sitting on my shelf for a few years now and finally got around to reading it thanks to some prodding by a friend. I knew going in, it was a high fantasy and while it did take me several hundred pages to really get invested in the story, I am suitably impressed with Brandon Sanderson's ability to create worlds, religions, histories and above all, characters who inspire and who are incredibly real. I've come to expect this from all of his books, honestly but was pleasantly surprised at how intricately developed this book really was.
Well thought out and intriguing (even if I didn't always know where the story was going), Sanderson wrapped up this first installment with several character arcs intersecting in a very satisfying way.
As always when finishing a book this size (~1,000 pages) I feel like I deserve a big old fat gold star!...more
I'm probably the last person to be starting this series but I'm so glad to have finally joined the party. Full of intelligent observations and hard chI'm probably the last person to be starting this series but I'm so glad to have finally joined the party. Full of intelligent observations and hard choices about politics and ethics, I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced fantasy. Kestrel and Arin are both multi-faceted characters and I cannot wait to see where the series will go next. Ms. Rutkoski kept me guessing with each new chapter and I'm so happy all three books are already out so I don't even have to come up for air....more
Truthwitch boasts highly original world-building centered around the adventures of Threadsisters Safi and Iseult, who set off on an epic quest -- whicTruthwitch boasts highly original world-building centered around the adventures of Threadsisters Safi and Iseult, who set off on an epic quest -- which they have no idea about. Alternating POVs from a multitude of unique characters keep the story moving, even if it is sometimes hard to immediately tell at what point they are in the narrative. The dialogue is witty and probably my favorite aspect of the story is the friendship between Safi and Iseult. They watch each other's back and are extremely loyal. While this installment does have some resolution, there is plenty of conflict and intrigue left for several more books. Will be picking up the sequel for sure....more
Blerg. This book was a hot mess with so many different concepts bumping up against each other with no real discernable goal in mind.
The writing was suBlerg. This book was a hot mess with so many different concepts bumping up against each other with no real discernable goal in mind.
The writing was superficial and the characters one-dimensional. Plus, Snow is pining after not one, not two, but THREE boys. THREE! Make up your mind already, honey.!
So no. The super-special Snowflake did nothing for me....more
I love Kate. I love Curran. And Julie. And Derek and Jim and Dali and Andrea and Desandra and and...
But most of all I love Kate. SI love this series.
I love Kate. I love Curran. And Julie. And Derek and Jim and Dali and Andrea and Desandra and and...
But most of all I love Kate. She is tough but loyal and full of love and understands that there are some hard lines in life you don't cross even when it seems like you don't have any other choice. Instead she carves out her own path and deals with the fallout.
Ilona Andrews knows how to write characters that live and breathe and who are just so dang unforgettable. Filled with snappy dialogue and intriguing battles set amidst the cares of daily life (magic-wielding, too smart for her own good teenager, anyone?), this series just makes me happy with each new installment.
Also, I'm a sucker for weddings. There may have been tears invovled.
And I even like Roland. At least when he isn't doing his destroy-the-world bit. One of my favorite bits of dialogue comes from a conversation Kate has with him. It's a glimpse of normalcy into their otherwise explosive lives with an unexpected dash of wicked humor - especially when you consider the source:
"Why are you here, Father?" "I thought we'd talk." I sighed, went to the back, and got two bottles of beer from the fridge. He followed me to where a rope hung from the ceiling, attached to the attic's pull-down ladder. I handed him the beer. "Here, hold my beer." "Famous last words."...more
Imagine Kristin Cashore's FIRE and The Kate Daniel's series went and had a Greek mythology* baby. A magic-wielding, snarky, crazy family politics babyImagine Kristin Cashore's FIRE and The Kate Daniel's series went and had a Greek mythology* baby. A magic-wielding, snarky, crazy family politics baby.
I case you were wondering, that's a compliment.
**without the smug, shove it down your throat, I-know-more-than-you Greek mythology name regurgitation found in so many of those types of stories.