Enjoyably average until Cerberus came into things, and then I was happy.
Lyra was a bit of a Mary-Sue, while also somehow being the worst all the time Enjoyably average until Cerberus came into things, and then I was happy.
Lyra was a bit of a Mary-Sue, while also somehow being the worst all the time at everything? Like, I don't know how many times I rolled my eyes at her, yet again, making the wrong damn decision to piss everyone off, but somehow managing to come out of it safely because someone else saved her ass.
Still, had a lot of fun reading it. I was ready to get the next book and was disappointed to find it's not out yet...
I don't know if it has enough sticking power to survive the unfinished trilogy curse though......more
I can only say that this book fell victim to another one of my verascious reading cycles. I inhaled 3 books in the first 2 weeks of January, and then pI can only say that this book fell victim to another one of my verascious reading cycles. I inhaled 3 books in the first 2 weeks of January, and then platued for a month on this one. No fault of its own, it's just how I am.
That being said, I didn't find this one as captivating as the first, nor did I find it pulling on my heart strings quite the same, but it was still a beautiful read and I haven't read a setting quite like it before.
All-in-all, I'm so glad I was given the first in the duology and I'm glad it was a duology and not a trilogy or a standalone, I feel like it was exactly the length it should be to tell a beautiful story....more
The first half of this book, I was a bit like "Ugh, rich people being assholes again" Then Part 2 hit and I just inhaled it.
Can't really see how this wThe first half of this book, I was a bit like "Ugh, rich people being assholes again" Then Part 2 hit and I just inhaled it.
Can't really see how this would have a sequel. I'm quite happy with it as a stand along. I thought the implied ending was *chef's kiss* but more as a nice, off screen thought.
Fast paced, easy to absorb, hard to put down, fully of thoroughly unlikeable people for a good portion of the book. I can see why the wait time on this library book was so damn long....more
Well, I enjoyed this so much I immediately ordered the second one as soon as I put it down.
I went into it pretty much blind, and I'm so glad I did, beWell, I enjoyed this so much I immediately ordered the second one as soon as I put it down.
I went into it pretty much blind, and I'm so glad I did, because I didn't even realize there was going to be magic (I clearly didn't read the blurb right, or at all maybe), and it was a nice little lovely surprise.
Can't fault it. Loved the setting, loved the plot, enjoyed all the characters, was fully invested... Not much more I can ask for!...more
Christina Lauren, coming through in a genre absolutely loaded with cookie cutter characters and arcs. A nice reminder that there is variety in talent iChristina Lauren, coming through in a genre absolutely loaded with cookie cutter characters and arcs. A nice reminder that there is variety in talent in the genre just as any other, and just because I've read every trop before, doesn't mean I've read every story before.
Excellent way to end my year (if I don't manage to get another in before the 31st. It's possible, but I'm not putting any pressure on myself. Holiday mode activated). ...more
Ernest Cunningham strikes again. Another fun and creative mystery that I was way off base on my guess in the end.
I read this in two sittings, on a planErnest Cunningham strikes again. Another fun and creative mystery that I was way off base on my guess in the end.
I read this in two sittings, on a plane to and from Adelaide. Nice to have an Australian Christmas represented in a book - I think it's the first one I've seen....more
I literally yelled "Men writing women!" when she mentioned a woman's "breasts swaying" over a video call, but turns out it's a female author, so, egg'I literally yelled "Men writing women!" when she mentioned a woman's "breasts swaying" over a video call, but turns out it's a female author, so, egg's on my face.
I saw the reveal a long way off, but the threats of exposure and stuff that could go wrong out in the Antarctic kept me interested.
Whoops, looks like I missed number 2, and now it's not on sale. Oooooh well.
I liked this one better than the 1st one, but it still didn't blow my sockWhoops, looks like I missed number 2, and now it's not on sale. Oooooh well.
I liked this one better than the 1st one, but it still didn't blow my socks off. I think the whole scientists-who-don't-like-other-people-and-are-exclusively-into-their-jobs-to-the-point-of-being-rude-to-people thing doesn't really work for me. Nor does proudly claiming to be a bitch. There's being confident and then there's being a bitch, and I don't think they are the same. Harmless fun though other wise.
Merged review:
Whoops, looks like I missed number 2, and now it's not on sale. Oooooh well.
I liked this one better than the 1st one, but it still didn't blow my socks off. I think the whole scientists-who-don't-like-other-people-and-are-exclusively-into-their-jobs-to-the-point-of-being-rude-to-people thing doesn't really work for me. Nor does proudly claiming to be a bitch. There's being confident and then there's being a bitch, and I don't think they are the same. Harmless fun though other wise....more
Sorry to say that I saw the ending like, a few chapters in. Not much about this book made it stand out from other 'rich people being shitty' novels, whSorry to say that I saw the ending like, a few chapters in. Not much about this book made it stand out from other 'rich people being shitty' novels, which is disappointing because I loved her first book so much.
I decided I needed a book to tide me over until the 10th when Somewhere Beyond the Sea comes out, so I picked this puppy up from the Library on a 7 daI decided I needed a book to tide me over until the 10th when Somewhere Beyond the Sea comes out, so I picked this puppy up from the Library on a 7 day loan. I was feeling a little stressed that I couldn't keep up my current streak, but I needn't have worried, because I read half of it in the ER waiting room that night and the rest was easy to gobble up over a few evenings. A murder mystery was exactly what I was in the mood for.
I always enjoy Lucy Foley's distinctive narrators, especially the vain characters, which she writes so well. The way the mystery of both who the body is and who the murderer is unravelling at the same time is always fun.
Bit sad about the ending for one of the characters, I had hoped for better things for them! But another great read by Lucy Foley! ...more
I wish I could write a comprehensive recap of this, because I know that by the time the sequel comes out, I will have forgotten all the plot points otI wish I could write a comprehensive recap of this, because I know that by the time the sequel comes out, I will have forgotten all the plot points other than that, predictably, we're starting book two off with her being salty about something.
For a minute there, while everything was happy and fla-la-la and there was still like, 100 pages to go, I got really excited thinking shit was going to hit the fan and it was going to be the Creation of a Villain kind of story, but I counted my chickens too soon, I guess.
In any case, I went into this with basically no expectations. I didn't even read the blurb, I just got it on sale knowing I'm a sucker for the genre, so it couldn't go that wrong. I was pleasantly surprised to find it wasn't about fae, but Norse gods! Way cooler.
I had a blast reading this, I liked Freya well enough and it's hard to have complaints about RhysandXadenBjorn, because Cocky dark haired hotty is obviously The Type.
Sometimes I read Fantasy or Sci-fi for escapism and to find totally improbable and unrealistic settings and situations to take me far from my real lifSometimes I read Fantasy or Sci-fi for escapism and to find totally improbable and unrealistic settings and situations to take me far from my real life. And sometimes I read Chick-lit for cheap therapy.
I'm sitting here, having a grand time, making new friends alongside our MC Daphne, when she has a little emotional break through chat and I'm here like [image]
Who needs to pay for a therapist when you can just find yourself in the books of your favourite authors and see what they make their characters do to sort their lives out?
So, seeya later, I'm off to apply for a job at my local library before swinging by a farmers market for fresh produce and pretending all my problems don't exist.
But in all seriousness, this book was another delightful breath of fresh air with loveable characters. Just a happy place to live in for a few days. Give me less Enemies to Lovers and more Golden Retrievers please....more
OK, but we're back at it again with the Magic pens? Surely this is going to be a big deal at some point? Otherwise, it feels like the pen license obsesOK, but we're back at it again with the Magic pens? Surely this is going to be a big deal at some point? Otherwise, it feels like the pen license obsession of year 5/6.
The pace slowed marginally on this book I think, but so much stuff still happened!
I have no non-spoilery comments, so just saying I liked it and leaving it at that....more
A cosy book about magical renovations probably wasn't the right idea to help me feel calm when in the midst of my own renovations that can't be magicaA cosy book about magical renovations probably wasn't the right idea to help me feel calm when in the midst of my own renovations that can't be magically sped along, but that's my own fault.
No real notes on this except that it was alright, but I preferred Bookshops and Bonedust, which felt like essentially the same vibe....more
I did a lot of ranting while reading this book, as is my way.
I guessed most major plot points except maybe two, and one of those I was like, basicallyI did a lot of ranting while reading this book, as is my way.
I guessed most major plot points except maybe two, and one of those I was like, basically right on. The only reason I didn't get full points is because the MC withheld information in her own thoughts, and that literally always pisses me off. You can't do a clever reveal that works against the information you've given the reader? Why would anyone censor their own thoughts?
I started on book two today but I'm not sure if I'm ready for the angst when teenagers do what teenagers do in YA and pretend love is really hard and they are all star-crossed lovers.
Just- We all know where it's going, you've found yourself a boy who's defining characteristics are that he has a six pack and is physically present. Queue Avril Lavigne. [image]
Also, SJM has absolutely shattered the glass on this for me, but hard pass on this kind of writing: "Faster. They had to run faster."
"Stars. There were so many stars."
No. Stop it.
As a side note, I should probably learn how to enjoy things and lighten the fuck up....more
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