By all accounts, this should have been a new favorite of mine. We have a cool magic system that is Dark Academia adjacent. We have a secret world hiddBy all accounts, this should have been a new favorite of mine. We have a cool magic system that is Dark Academia adjacent. We have a secret world hidden just beside our own. We have a main character working through her daddy issues.
But somehow, it just felt like a slog to me. Susan, the main protagonist and the Special Chosen One, doesn't really react to anything with any strong emotion. Not the revelation of magic, not her kidnapping by a giant wolf, not the multiple attempts on her life... and if she can't be bothered to care very much about her own story, why should I?...more
Another satisfying romance from Emily Henry, who I'm convinced can do no wrong. Does she need a kidney? Just let me know.
What I most appreciate in heAnother satisfying romance from Emily Henry, who I'm convinced can do no wrong. Does she need a kidney? Just let me know.
What I most appreciate in her novels, besides being legitimately laugh-out-loud funny, is the issues that keep the couples from getting together on page one aren't dumb miscommunications or mistaken identities or other manufactured bullshit. It's caused by legitimate personality conflicts that resolve when each person decides to work on themselves and grow as people. My secret kink is actual character growth.
I also enjoyed the focus on friendship and found family in Happy Place. Platonic relationships are just as important as romantic ones and need as much work and renewal at times....more
Harry wakes up morning after morning, covered in strange tattoos he doesn't remember getting. He starts having nightmares, flashbacks focusing on peopHarry wakes up morning after morning, covered in strange tattoos he doesn't remember getting. He starts having nightmares, flashbacks focusing on people and things he's never actually experienced. Harry thinks the two things are definitely linked.
Harry is just not a protagonist I like spending time with. He's both a sad-sack and an arrogant asshole. He's terribly insecure and totally cocky. And his contradictory nature doesn't reveal a complex and three-dimensional character, but instead, it just feels like Kemble didn't really know the character he wants to write.
It took me a week to read just the first 100 pages of this book. I'm just not that interested....more
This book really took me a long to get into and to get through, but in the end it was worth it.
The is historical fiction/alternative history that looThis book really took me a long to get into and to get through, but in the end it was worth it.
The is historical fiction/alternative history that looks and Shakespeare's early life and marriage, but especially what the death of his child Hammet did to the family.
I mention Shakespeare in my summary, but frankly, he's the least important part of the story. He's not even named, but referred to obliquely as "Agnes' husband" or "the tutor" or "the playwright." The focus is on the women in the story and especially Agnes, as mother and wife.
O'Farrell has a beautiful way with words and Hamnet is no exception. She paints pictures... of a place, a time, and characters with little to do with our modern world. But since people have been people since people have been people, the scenarios and feelings still resonate strongly....more
The first two books in this series were so promising, and this one fell so flat.
First of all, Alexander is the most boring love interest of all time. The first two books in this series were so promising, and this one fell so flat.
First of all, Alexander is the most boring love interest of all time. He's cold, standoffish, and tries to put Saffron in a neat little box.
Secondly, Saffron herself is absolutely insufferable. She won't work for the government, won't work for profit, can't work for the police, and doesn't ever seem to bother with doing her own actual job. She's a mediocre friend and a boring girlfriend. Get over yourself, woman.
The mystery made zero sense to me. And fungal science just isn't fun science. I'm done with this series....more
It's taken me a really long time to get on the Brandon Sanderson train, so I am certainly not going to be the first to say: Hey, this is really good!
TIt's taken me a really long time to get on the Brandon Sanderson train, so I am certainly not going to be the first to say: Hey, this is really good!
The magic system is cool. The characters are fun, although some of the crew could use some more page time. The mysteries of the world are very compelling.
I really like Vin and her dynamic with Kelsier; their father/daughter slash student/teacher relationship feels natural, and I was really rooting for Vin's change and growth. Sazed may be my very favorite. Elend, the rich boy love interest is the only dud in the group.
I guess I'm in it for the long haul. And from what I understand, it's a pretty long haul....more
I had to DNF after about 80 pages. This was so bad.
My complaints mirror many other reviewers: First, this is the laziest type of historical fiction. TI had to DNF after about 80 pages. This was so bad.
My complaints mirror many other reviewers: First, this is the laziest type of historical fiction. There's been no care in regards to the dress, language, or attitudes. I realize this is fantasy with a historical flair, but seeing words like "dumbass," "butthurt," or "cutie" come out of the characters' lips was so off-putting.
Next, the chemistry between the two (I presume) romantic leads is non-existent bordering on completely toxic. Why is Alexis so in love with Jerusalem? And if she hates him so much, where does her attraction come from? So gross and, worse, tedious.
Finally, it feels like nothing happens. We get a lot of exposition, a lot of flashbacks, but I had no inclination of where the plot was actually going.
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