Wtf was this book???? It felt like reading a ghostwritten book by someone who had no idea about the characters or the plot or anything. Literally halfWtf was this book???? It felt like reading a ghostwritten book by someone who had no idea about the characters or the plot or anything. Literally half of it was a London tour. The second timeline with the murder took ages to start. And then Stevie Bell without a case is literally a husk of a character. She says it herself. She has no goals, no plans, no ambitions aside from solving murder cases. She's lying to her friends when they're in the middle of acquiring recommendations and interviews for college apps all so they can solve a stupid murder??? And then, what's with the frequent sex mentions all the damn time?? She had two modes in this book: brain-dead idiot and horny for David. Speaking of which, what even was going on with them in the end??? I assume there'll be more books, but if they're gonna be like this, I'm not reading them....more
Loved the murder mystery and the summer camp setting but I still don't get why Stevie and David are together. Also I noticed that we don't get Stevie'Loved the murder mystery and the summer camp setting but I still don't get why Stevie and David are together. Also I noticed that we don't get Stevie's thought process very well. I mean we get her confusion, we get the lightbulbs going off in ger head, but we never get how she reaches her conclusions. This would all be fine if she wasn't the narrator, only the detective, like in old detective fiction, but she is and it's kinda frustrating to see we never get how her brain works to solve all these cold cases....more
I can't believe I almost DNF'ed this. This was actually pretty good. The initial pacing was off because of the dense writing (and I'm not a fan of firI can't believe I almost DNF'ed this. This was actually pretty good. The initial pacing was off because of the dense writing (and I'm not a fan of first person POVs as of yet), but I'm glad I held out!!! The worldbuilding is really intricate and I love the magic system with different teas and their making and the shennong utilize it to help or harm people. The court politics is the part that really drew me in. I loveddddd Princess Zhen and her scheming and quest to be a good empress. I love how Ning is embroiled in this but also never fails to make a point about the suffering of the working and middle classes. The romance didn't intrigue me much (Kang is still adorable), but (view spoiler)[the betrayal and lovers to enemies dynamic at (hide spoiler)] the end really ensures that I will be continuing on to the next book...more
A vision of the shrewd-eyed Reverend Prigg, thundering on about how God saves the righteous, inserts itself into my head. But if that’s truly the c
A vision of the shrewd-eyed Reverend Prigg, thundering on about how God saves the righteous, inserts itself into my head. But if that’s truly the case, why are those people—most lowly immigrants just like us—screaming so loud, I swear even the stars pale at the cry?
IN TEARS RIGHT NOW OH MY GOD. I’ve always considered Titanic to be one of the biggest, most heartbreaking tragedies of the real world, and the fact that so many people died to favour the rich boils my blood. So to get to know that there were Chinese passengers onboard too, and that their stories were completely erased due to typical white arrogance and racism was another big blow to my heart. I am so glad this book exists as one answer to that erasure of history....more
I� I have so many thoughts right now. Man, I was so excited for this one. The comp title was The Cruel Prince, and that is literally one of my favoritI� I have so many thoughts right now. Man, I was so excited for this one. The comp title was The Cruel Prince, and that is literally one of my favorite books of all time. All the tropes mentioned were right up my alley: anti-heroine, courtly intrigue, enemies to lovers with tons of tension, ruthless politics. I waited for this book for months and I was so eager to read it. Unfortunately, this is above average at best. A one-time read, at best. The male lead, Cyrus, is kind of a blank caricature. Their “hate� feels childish because it doesn't have a solid basis. No backstabbing. No betrayal. It's only resentment towards an authority figure. For all her talk, Violet comes across as a passive protagonist with mildly interesting magic. Seriously, just gimme a reason to want to make out with the prince! We don't even get a clear description of him! Camilla and Dante were okay and added some much needed humour. At times, the story felt intriguing, like it was heading the right way. And then we would go back to Violet scheming about nothing and having weird dreams. Oh also, the romance plot made zero fucking sense. I can understand hate sex and hate attraction. I can understand hooking up. What in the actual fuck was that love business at the end!?!?! Just because you say I love you, doesn't mean a reader believes it :/...more
I didn't think a book could get so insufferable and yet this one managed to hit the ball out of the park.I didn't think a book could get so insufferable and yet this one managed to hit the ball out of the park....more
OH MY FRICKIN GOD FINALLY!!!!!!!! This book was straight up a six out of the cricket stadium and it deserves all love and appreciation!! I hadn't beenOH MY FRICKIN GOD FINALLY!!!!!!!! This book was straight up a six out of the cricket stadium and it deserves all love and appreciation!! I hadn't been in the best of health and hadn't read much owing to exams, and I'm so glad this became my after exam read because this put such a huge smile on my face. I really appreciated how the author reworked the setting of the place in her own manner (Netherfield and Longbourn as private and public schools to show elitism in education, Pemberley as a lovely university that I now wish I could go to, Lady Catherine as an elocution coach of high esteem). It was very creative. In addition to the excellent re-sketching of Darcy and Lizzie’s relationship (Leela and Firoze, in this case) relationship, it also had a great cast of side characters and amazing development for both the leads. A lot of times, the heavy emphasis on romantic love being the epitome of human satisfaction squicks me, so watching the slow progression of Darcy and Leela’s banter and misunderstandings and eventual tolerance to love was a delight to read. I was laughing out loud at their arguments. Their debate about public and private education touched my heart because I know that sort of elitism from students all too well. Their final slow dance at the end� I'm giggling and smiling at people who don't exist� Again ...more
Okay sometimes dead white men do make excellent critique points. I went in blind and then I was slammed in the face with critique of societal and econOkay sometimes dead white men do make excellent critique points. I went in blind and then I was slammed in the face with critique of societal and economic structures...more
Oh boy this book was a wild ride from the start to finish. I think a bit of the charm was lost in the translation because the prose felt a bit juvenilOh boy this book was a wild ride from the start to finish. I think a bit of the charm was lost in the translation because the prose felt a bit juvenile, the sort you find in third drafts maybe? It could've been polished a bit more. It also makes me wish more than ever that I could read Urdu. Nevertheless, Ali Imran, our main guy was so freaking hilarious. He is the funny side character who finally got his own story! And also uses his foolishness and people's constant underestimation to hide a razor-sharp mind. The mysteries are pretty simple. I guessed them in my first read. But what I didn't know is that South Asia had it's own writers churning detective stories set here, with Urdu/Hindi phrases and exclamations and ethnic names. All my life has been spent reading stories set in England towns, so this was a refreshing change of setting that made this book another of my favorites! Overall, if you just want to switch off your brain, read something short and quick and a bit hilariously childish, pick this one up. The prose once again, is a bit too simple, but Ali Imran made it very enjoyable. 4.25 stars!...more
I really liked Dr. Brennan's whole character. She is smart, witty, competent without it ever being too on your nose and I really like how she stands hI really liked Dr. Brennan's whole character. She is smart, witty, competent without it ever being too on your nose and I really like how she stands her ground with people, in general. I found her and Andrew Ryan to be really cute when they had their banter and moments. The lack of romance until the end was a very refreshing aspect. Possibly because this is a adult novel. Dr. Brennan's bonds with her mom and Mary Louise and her cat, Birdie. The mystery kept me on the edge of my seat and this book has really short chapters that kept me wanting more. Mostly because they all ended on a cliffhanger...more
Actual rating: 3.75 stars Absolutely, as always, I adored Mafi’s writing, the Persian influence and worldbuilding. This seemed like a combination of CiActual rating: 3.75 stars Absolutely, as always, I adored Mafi’s writing, the Persian influence and worldbuilding. This seemed like a combination of Cinderella and Aladdin, and the politics of the this world were so very interesting to read. However, I could not help but draw parallels to her previous series. Alizeh and Juliette are once again young girls going through immense suffering but who secretly have long-lost lineages and are born with the purpose of being manipulated for the greater world. Kamran and Aaron are tortured princes/commanders who've fallen in love with the girl after meeting her only twice (how???), subject to the unsavoury decisions their sovereigns make (grandfather and father respectively). In addition, all those mentions of how Alizeh is soooooo not like the other girls and that she possesses wits too along with beauty like... it's 2022 can we please let this trope die? She's royalty, had the privilege of a fine education and the security of a good home and financial position for the first few years of her life. Not everyone is so lucky. And not all people have the same diplomatic, linguistic sort of intelligence that you seem to love Ms. Mafi. The book lacked in a cohesive plot and things started moving only at the last seven chapters. I would've appreciated seeing more friendships instead of romance and angst in the books but since this is the first one I can wait to see how the story unfolds....more
THIS WAS SUCH A WILD RIDE FROM THE START TO FINISH!!!!!!!!!!! THE PLOT TWIST AT THE END WRECKED ME EVEN THOUGH I HAD A FEELING THAT IT HAD SOMETHING TTHIS WAS SUCH A WILD RIDE FROM THE START TO FINISH!!!!!!!!!!! THE PLOT TWIST AT THE END WRECKED ME EVEN THOUGH I HAD A FEELING THAT IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH DEAR OLD PENNY AIDJDKSKDNRK. Also I'm really impressed with the way Stroud handled the girl-girl rivalry between Holly and Lucy, and their slow progression to tolerance and friendship. Very well done for it's time (much better than Rick Riordan and his 'not like other girls' feminism). I loved the little found family thing Lockwood and Co. have formed with Kipps. Loved Lucy's resolve and strength. I cannot believe I missed Skull too!!! He was hilarious in this one, especially when he whined about being separated (and the jokes on British people. I support Skull). Oh and despite all his charm and exterior, it's so easy to spot that our dear Locky is head over heels for a certain Ms. Carlyle ;)...more
He seldom spoke, and occasionally broke away from what he was doing to stare off into space, like he was following some complicated pattern in his head, trying to see its end.
That's literally scheming face!! Same minds, different presentation of ideas. Other than that, I loved the plot twists. The horror factor was great, and it did help (or did not?) That I read this at night lmao. Highly recommended for people who just want to shut off their minds want to just enjoy a good horror story without unnecessary angst, love triangles or drama. Just kids being chaotic. A haunted house to explore and a night where I lay awake regretting my life choices...more
I read this book so long ago but I was so touched every time! It's such a good, simple way to teach kids how bigotry, discrimination and child labour I read this book so long ago but I was so touched every time! It's such a good, simple way to teach kids how bigotry, discrimination and child labour works. The hints of magic, the stories of the three kids meeting in the last part, the fairytale-like charm to this book, the lovely artwork and cover. I loved, loved, loved Friedrich, Mike and Ivy. I loved their spirit and determination and that little hope they always kept in them. I loved the role music played in this book. How this book isn't more hyped, I'll never know ...more
Loading...