What feels like a familiar premise turns into a unique and fun romp that mixes superhumans with government agencies. An excellent audioreader probablyWhat feels like a familiar premise turns into a unique and fun romp that mixes superhumans with government agencies. An excellent audioreader probably helps sell this....more
This book is so carefully planned out and Chekhov's gunned that it sometimes feels predictable. Stepping back I think that feeling is a bit false. TheThis book is so carefully planned out and Chekhov's gunned that it sometimes feels predictable. Stepping back I think that feeling is a bit false. The small things are predictable, the large plot points aren't. (Like of course the giant space laser is going to go off at some point. But when and why is a surprise.)
Ultimately this is a fun, if very zany, book that kept me turning the pages. Just the right length to not outstay it's welcome. Though you might need the right sense of humor to click with it....more
I'm not sure I even cared about who murdered Adonis by the end of this, I was just so in love with the slightly exaggerated humor of the writing that I'm not sure I even cared about who murdered Adonis by the end of this, I was just so in love with the slightly exaggerated humor of the writing that had me enjoying every word. I mean, how can you not be delighted at such language as:
"I had already established, as you know, that it was logically impossible for Kenneth to be distressed by anything that might occur between Ned and myself, but Kenneth, being an artist, has perhaps not studied logic and is unaware of the impossibility."
A whodunnit that's worthy of being read and reread. An instant favorite for me....more
The mystery itself is fine but forgettable. The relationship triangle and Amory and Milo's relationship is what makes this stand out for me.The mystery itself is fine but forgettable. The relationship triangle and Amory and Milo's relationship is what makes this stand out for me....more
Here's the thing with these books - I find the relationships cringe since the werewolf element always adds a pretty uncomfortable/toxic power imbalancHere's the thing with these books - I find the relationships cringe since the werewolf element always adds a pretty uncomfortable/toxic power imbalance, age difference, possessiveness, etc. Briggs makes her female characters pretty strong and outside the system enough to mitigate some of this, which I appreciate. And usually the focus is more on the mystery or action, and Briggs' writing is so engaging that I can kinda roll my eyes at the relationships but enjoy the characters and situations. But the first half of this book is all relationship, and with characters I haven't really fallen in love with yet, so this was just not working for me... until the latter half, where the action kicks in and I remember why I read these series to begin with.
I'll probably attempt the sequel to this at some point and hope that the relationship angle settles into the background more....more
This book is a very slow paced beginning to what I hope is a more energized series. It wouldn't be a big deal except that I don't find Meg particularlThis book is a very slow paced beginning to what I hope is a more energized series. It wouldn't be a big deal except that I don't find Meg particularly enjoyable - she's instantly adored by everyone, just because she's really naïve? But the world building here is interesting, so I might try the next one and hope she gets some depth. ...more
While her love and desire to help is very inspirational, I can't help but feel Katie is quite naïve about some things. Not helped by an audio narratorWhile her love and desire to help is very inspirational, I can't help but feel Katie is quite naïve about some things. Not helped by an audio narrator who's literally bubbling with joy, the rougher and bleaker and more serious aspects of her trip seemed overshadowed. There was also a feeling of listing about Katie and her struggles and less about the people she was trying to help and their struggles.
Her definition of "Mom" also seems to be really loose. Taking in a bunch of girls (like 11! in one year!) claiming to adopt them and be their mom, and then disappearing to the states for a multi-month long stretch doesn't feel like motherhood. Feeling personally attacked when one of their mother's shows up and wants to take their child, and spending the chapter bemoaning how life is so unfair to KATIE felt very out of touch. I understand that must hurt, but the perspective is not there....more
This is definitely a character driven story more than plot, with events slowly ramping up and drawing together. But the characters are done so well thThis is definitely a character driven story more than plot, with events slowly ramping up and drawing together. But the characters are done so well that I still had that feeling of not being able to put it down. The exploration of various themes, moral questions, and the look at three different countries dealing with the same problem in very different ways was fascinating. This is a surprisingly thought provoking read as it presents difficult questions to the reader that don't pose an easy answer. The dear friendship between Wilberforce and Pitt is my favorite POV, especially watching as they struggle with how much to compromise one belief to hold onto another. And you know you've done a fictionalized Wilberforce well when he's still convicting me to do more with my life and stand firmer in my convictions. Bravo....more
Quite charming (ha!) and a lot of fun. Good for a sort of mindless read where you're just happy to go on the ride of wherever the book takes you.Quite charming (ha!) and a lot of fun. Good for a sort of mindless read where you're just happy to go on the ride of wherever the book takes you....more
For the most part this book hits all the notes you expect it to, but it's adorable as it does so. For the most part this book hits all the notes you expect it to, but it's adorable as it does so. ...more
The worldbuilding here is cool, and I'm tempted to try the next book just to see how it develops. But I don't think the characters managed to get enouThe worldbuilding here is cool, and I'm tempted to try the next book just to see how it develops. But I don't think the characters managed to get enough depth to them to really make this sing; honestly Kira just never felt like the dark and broken character she kept being described as by the book. There were a few too many plotlines which meant that none of them got quite enough focus, and I wish a few had been cut to make it really sing.
But a fun and interesting world can be found here, so I don't regret trying it....more
This is one of those books that I just didn't rush through. One or two chapters at a time was always enough. But at the same time I was always happy tThis is one of those books that I just didn't rush through. One or two chapters at a time was always enough. But at the same time I was always happy to pick it back up again a few days later.
It's not a particularly happy or set-down-with-satisfaction sort of story, but it was beautiful in it's honest depiction of life and struggles. There were times I thought Shannon was being insufferable and wanted to dislike it for that - but I realized that those times were often when I related to her the most. This book unexpectedly taught me more about myself than I thought a coming of age novel could. I didn't agree with all of the final conclusions, but they will all be things I mull over long after the book is back on my bookshelf.
Relatable yet whimsical, this story moved me, and I think it's going to be a novel that makes permanent change in how I view myself and the world.
I liked this somewhat zany novel more than I thought I would, which I mostly credit to a great Audiobook edition and Jane and Gifford's relationship.I liked this somewhat zany novel more than I thought I would, which I mostly credit to a great Audiobook edition and Jane and Gifford's relationship....more
Short and concise, but packing a lot of thought provoking ideas nonetheless, this book is one I already feel like I need to reread and rediscover the Short and concise, but packing a lot of thought provoking ideas nonetheless, this book is one I already feel like I need to reread and rediscover the truths therein....more
Loading...
