I like to read a silly romance from time to time when I’m so done with heavy reads. And it was time yesterday to read something light, fun, and easy tI like to read a silly romance from time to time when I’m so done with heavy reads. And it was time yesterday to read something light, fun, and easy to fly through. So I went for recommendations to my dear friend, Fernanda, who recommended me several books and I eventually chose this one and it served its purpose! Sure I’m rating it 3 and not 4 because I had some issues with this book but I didn’t take them seriously while reading it. I have to mention them however in my review. Still, this was a very enjoyable romance to read if you’re not looking for a serious read but instead just relax, make 0 mental effort, and watch the romance.
3 1/2 I haven’t read the first installment in this series but it’s not necessary to read this book. It’s obvious who the lovers were since they make an appearance but since I’m not planning on reading book 1, I didn’t mind. It was also a fast read and I enjoyed the banter between the main characters. There was also a good tension build up but I have some reservations regarding the ending, it was kinda too cheesy. The epilogue sets up the stage for the next book in the series.
What's weird about this book is that the most of story takes place during only one day. We have some flashbacks, that served the story well, but other than the beginning and the end, the whole story takes place in the maze.
I have to mention first that the characters have known each other since kindergarten. They have a very long history but never got romantic (though the "beast" was always interested even if he didn't show it). It's more like their past was a built-up, romantically, to that day in the maze. While it doesn't feel like one day, I still think it all happened too fast. I wish the story and the final romance took place during a longer period of time.
Moreover, I am not a fan of soulmates. I don't believe in soulmates as nice as it sounds nor enjoy this trope in books. We had here "true love" which is equivalent to soulmate and while I was okay with it at first, it was repeated too often to my liking by the end of the book.
Another issue that prevented me from giving this book 4 stars is that the story because too much saccharine to my taste. While this is expected, faced with a romance that bloomed in one day... I couldn't stomach it.
These were minors things because I genuinely enjoyed reading this book. The banter was so fun to read and the sexual tension was sparking! I also like our main characters. Overall, it was an entertaining romance retelling and it was exactly what I needed. A book that requires zero effort to read + cute romance + likable characters, in other words, a book that doesn't take itself too seriously. While I won't be continuing with this series, I will look up Gannon's other books. I believe fans of romance retellings would enjoy this book!...more
These Violent Delights doesn’t deserve the hype.
I decided to read 3 new fantasy YAs, released in 2018 or after (that's when I stopped reading new YA rThese Violent Delights doesn’t deserve the hype.
I decided to read 3 new fantasy YAs, released in 2018 or after (that's when I stopped reading new YA releases) because this genre can be fun to read. Except that I'm now much pickier. This book was easy to read and it didn't take me long to finish, at least. But otherwise, I didn't like much.
I will be writing six not so short points explaining why.
� I feel like I want to shout this, THIS BOOK IS NOT FANTASY. I don't know why it was marketed as such. It's more of historical fiction with some paranormal/sci-fi-ish thing. Basically, it's the same old Shanghai but reimagined through two major gangs. We also have a monster that isn't natural. It's spreading something they call "the madness" and then Juliette was like: [image]
Couldn't they find something more creative? Then most of the book is about this madness, our characters trying to stop it.
Where's the fantasy I was waiting for? It's only a mediocre PNR at best. So yeah: if you want to read a YA fantasy, ignore this book. If you want to read a historical + a tiny bit of paranormal, think twice before picking up this book.
� Juliette. First, this is supposed to be a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, couldn't Gong change the names a bit more? Maybe Julie, at least since she removed a letter and changed the other, from Romeo to Roma. Adding "te" to Juliet is NOT creative.
Anyways, Juliette certainly got most of the spotlight in this book. I couldn't relate to her character and I had to roll my eyes at how tough she's trying to sound:
it was practically Scarlet urban legend: speak to Juliette when she had a plant in her hand and risk the consequences.
[image]
Not sure how she built up this particular legend since she left Shanghai for several years since she was 15.
She was just a spoiled and cruel rich girl. I really wanted to root for her but I couldn't. I didn't hate her, she was just not my type of main character.
� Roma. Again, I didn't dislike him. He was just.. there. It's as if he was only in the story to serve Juliette's plot. He was a two-dimensional character at best. Roma was nice but not a strong character. He lacked a presence. Case in point: we barely learned anything about his Russian background other than the general Bolsheviks-related events + people escaping Russia.
Me looking for his personality: [image]
The secondary characters also didn't mean anything to me and while some were fun, I failed to emphasize with any of the characters in this book.
� Another reason why I read this book is the romance. One of the most forbidden love stories ever written is the story of Romeo and Juliet. And please, who doesn't like the forbidden romance? Imagine the tension! The chemistry such characters should have!
But These Violent Delights offered none. I didn't feel the high stakes. The need for one another but oh we can't! I was very underwhelmed by the romance. It's might be partially because the initial interactions when they were young happened off-page but I still expected something better.
A gif inspired by the Office since I started watching it today: [image] On a side note, I liked that the characters were over 18.
� The stupid decisions. Sure I did like that they were 19 but the decisions they made sometimes were so so so dumb. For example, they took the word of a bad guy on who is a bad guy and did something terrible to the latter without evidence.
I honestly didn't expect them to do what they did but oh they didn't hesitate. And before I started looking for a valid explanation, I was like: [image]
That's just one example. They took too long to discover stuff and connect the dots on events that were obvious to the reader (I even assumed the characters already know but then they "found out"). It was terrible.
Also, we were made wary of a group of people (won't name which) but then the ending came and they didn't do anything. This plotline wasn't well-handled at all.
� The boredom and predictability. Okay sure, this book wasn't difficult to finish but I also found lots of chapters dull where I only wanted to see some actions. Yet nothing happened. Also, the reason why Roma betrayed Juliette was so so typical. A person who is ignored at first turns out to be this important person. Honestly, these all are signs of inexperience. I think Gong is a good writer, her writing style is solid but the whole structure and development of the book was it through the characters or the events, lacked depth. I loved that we discovered a new city, especially back in time, but other than the history part.. the book itself needed more work.
[image]
Also, I wonder why barely anyone used Chinese names even between them? According to a simple google search, Chinese only started using English names in the 1970s but I'm obviously not an expert. What confused me however was Juliette's relatives using her English name, the same as Tyler's. They even used English names between them? That was odd.
Overall, These Violent Delights wasn't just boring, the characters made some stupid decisions and weren’t particularly smart. I thought Juliette was more cruel than badass. Roma’s part was only to serve her story -or so it felt. They were trying too hard to be mature but it was a cringe sometimes. The romance was a dud too, I’m a huge fan of forbidden romance but this one was lackluster and I failed to feel the true tension of this trope. I also expected fantasy, which was lacking. It’s PNR at best. I might still read Gong's future books because she surely has potential. Please read several reviews on this book before starting it. That's all I can advise.
PS: Never request the arc of a sequel or even buy it if you haven't read the first book/not familiar with the author. I have the arc but am not really interested :/
These novellas were utterly useless. Something Old, Something New should've been an epilogue in Winter
The Little Android: 1 star Glitches: 1.5 stars TheThese novellas were utterly useless. Something Old, Something New should've been an epilogue in Winter
The Little Android: 1 star Glitches: 1.5 stars The Queen’s Army: 2 stars Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky: 2.5 stars The Keeper: 2 stars After Sunshine Passes By: 1 star The Princess and the Guard: 1.5 stars Something Old, Something New: 3 stars...more
Well this was better than I expected. Sure it dragged. But it was nice to know more about Levena and get a few glimpses Selene and Winter's childhoodWell this was better than I expected. Sure it dragged. But it was nice to know more about Levena and get a few glimpses Selene and Winter's childhood....more
This book is loosely based on Peter Pan story. It reimagines many aspects of the story such as Peter's motives, Nevernever, and the Captian. This willThis book is loosely based on Peter Pan story. It reimagines many aspects of the story such as Peter's motives, Nevernever, and the Captian. This will be a very short review.
Our Peter in this book is more like an anti-hero. I loved him. He’s not perfect, he made many mistakes, and certainly did questionable things but Peter's smile is a most contagious thing.
This is not YA. It’s grim, gory, and has sensitive content such as rape, abuse, sexual act. our heroes are children lured by Peter’s promise to escape their violent world. But little they know, there’s always something to lose regardless of what they’ve went through.
We follow the story from Peter’s eyes and a boy named Nick. While other children adore Peter, Nick is not convinced. He’s not in awe of his speech and action. In his opinion, Peter tricked him. He wants out. however, things aren’t so simple and life in Avalon, even if not by a conscious choice, still has its magic and wonder.
I enjoyed reading this book and seeing things unfold. It’s not predictable and definitely one of the darkest retellings I’ll ever read. It also features some beautiful illustrations of the characters and creatures in the story!...more
No one wanted to like this book more than I did, the disappointment is mostly my fault. I expected too much. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this book mNo one wanted to like this book more than I did, the disappointment is mostly my fault. I expected too much. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this book more than Cinder, it was so much better. However, I wanted to be wowed, needless to say, I wasn't. I feel terribly guilty, I'm the outcast here. Again. And this is such a beloved series by everyone
I read Cinder two days ago, I had 0 expectations, and I'm glad for it. Before I started Scarlet, I was waiting for something mind-blowing. I should learn to lower my hopes for hyped books. But seriously, you can't blame me! The whole population is in love with the Lunar Chronicles.
Pros: - Like I mentioned before, I read Cinder recently, the difference is obvious. The writing is better, the world-building more detailed, and the characters more developed. - Kai and Cinder. While I didn't really care about them in the first book, they definitely grew on me, especially Cinder. She seems more mature and lovable. - Scarlet! I definitely liked her. She's hot tempered, badass, and simply awesome! - Captain Thorne.
What I didn't like: - Wolf. Yep, you heard me, folks. I did not like him -I didn't hate him- he was just meh. So his name is Wolf and naturally, his name gives you the alpha vibes (view spoiler)[which he is (hide spoiler)] and here's the thing. I love alphas. Naturally, I expected to fall in love with him. That's the main problem, I was hoping too much to like Wolf. He was too sweet, too shy, too not so alpha. Where's the territorial caveman shit?? Well, I know that this is YA but still, he was too tame. I wanted him to be more daring with Scarlet, to be dangerously sexy? Anyway, he wasn't. Not really. I feel awful for not liking him. - Even though it was fun, I can't ignore the boring parts. I read this in one sitting but it was so putable-down. -The romance. Ok so it's not like I don't like them as a couple but I didn't crave for them, at least not as much as I wanted to. But the fan arts are beautifulllll. - While the book was mostly unpredictable, I wasn't surprised/shocked.
I will be looking forward to reading Cress, although not anytime soon (finals). I really hope it'll be better, this series has so much potential, I can see why it's popular even if I’m not sold yet.
Spoiler alert: nor will I be after reading the last 2...more
Still debating whether I should give this book 1 or 2 stars. Still not sure if I'll review this book or not because other than the fact that "it's me Still debating whether I should give this book 1 or 2 stars. Still not sure if I'll review this book or not because other than the fact that "it's me not you" kind of book, I don't have enough historical facts to back up my points for now. Hope meanwhile I'll have time to read more about these times to make up my mind....more
This was surprisingly perfect. I did not expect this. Not in a million years. I forgot everything about ACOTAR, anyway. I knew it was okay but the detThis was surprisingly perfect. I did not expect this. Not in a million years. I forgot everything about ACOTAR, anyway. I knew it was okay but the details were so hazy. But I wasn't waiting for anything splendid.
Let's start by saying I love Rhys so much. I love the night court. I love his inner circle. And now I love Feyre even though I dislike her in ACOTAR.
I was expecting a love triangle. And I hate love triangles in an inexplicable way. I did not get this. What I saw was a mature girl who realized how bad she's living and decided to change that. A girl who was clear about who she was now. What she wanted and how to get there.
The one I liked the most from the secondary characters is Amren. I mean who doesn't love kickass girls?
Thank God we had no cliffhangers. Not a major one, at least. Can't wait for the third!! And little romance. She needed time to settle her thoughts about herself. And the longer we wait the hotter it gets.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I don't know how to rate it. While I liked the writing style, the idea behind the bookactual rating: 3.5 stars
I have mixed feelings about this book. I don't know how to rate it. While I liked the writing style, the idea behind the book and its difference, there were some things that I couldn't ignore. Like the annoying heroine. You see, I've read The Arabian Nights before starting this book just to read it later. And I loved it. So naturally I supposed I'll like The Wrath and the Dawn. But I ended up disappointed. Normally, I hate love triangles. And this book was no exception. It was useless. And since it's a retelling, the book must have some similarities to the original one. But they were very few. Except for the stories (which weren't that much, I assume because they are well known) and the world construction, we had an annoying heroine. I know exactly why she was an exception. What he saw in her. She was so contradictory. In the original tale, we had a smart, kind and wise Shaharazad, but we got an arrogant stupid annoying girl who THINKS she's smarter than everybody else. The last 30% of the book were the best. And I wanted more then.(view spoiler)[ I still don't get it. Why didn't she contact her family, even after she knew she loved him? It's not hard to find a way to assure them that everything is okay. That she loves him. She was surprised by herself, I get it, but she knew they will do anything to get her back. Especially after knowing Tariq's intentions. But how then the story would continue? (hide spoiler)]And the description was too much sometimes.
Now let's move to the good stuff, I liked the romance, but I wanted more of them talking. Like, what was that about her that made him change? We all know he'll accept her so that's not a spoiler. Like I said before I liked the world construction. I also liked Khalid so much. He was so intriguing. I was rarely bored. Oh, and Jalal. In other words most of the characters except for Shazi. They were also some beautiful quotes.
“My soul sees its equal in you.� Which was my favorite.
Looking forward to reading the next book since I enjoyed this one. I prefer the original version. And this book would definitely do better if there were more common things with the original one.
Daughter of the Forest has been on my tbr list for a long while now, I’m glad I finally read it. I have read mixed reviews about this book so my expecDaughter of the Forest has been on my tbr list for a long while now, I’m glad I finally read it. I have read mixed reviews about this book so my expectations weren't particularly high. It was interesting enough, the writing was beautiful, makes you feel like you're living in a different world and a different time, the characters were lovable, and the story was gripping. It really had a magical fairytale retelling feel to it.
Probably what I liked the most in this book was the characters, especially Sorcha's brothers. I have not read the original fairytale thus I cannot judge whether it was faithful to it or not. It definitely had a retelling vibe, however. By the end, not all of the issues were resolved and I suppose we can find out what happened in the next books, which I'm not going to read (because I heard none is as good).
I have to mention the writing again for it was alluring and I am not one who pays much attention to it. It was truly captivating and made it difficult for me to stop reading. Sometimes the book dragged but it was fine because it didn't last long.
Before reaching the end, I was thinking of rating this book 4 stars (even though I had my reservations, for example, once Sorcha was forced to take only one thing with her and she was starving so instead of eating the food and taking whatever else she wants, she left it behind. I found this pretty stupid). A very apparent weakness of the Marillier's book was that everything happened to Sorcha. She did not take initiative and choices were mostly made for her because she was always unsure. Yes, she went through a lot and she is strong. However, I like my heroines to be more audacious. Other than that, she was likable. The ending was not satisfying for me, I mean sure I like many of its aspects but it could've been better. Again it might be partially because I wanted more answers...
Even though the Sorcha is in her early teens, this book can't be classified as young-adult or middle grade since it contains a somewhat explicit rape scene.
As for the romance, I feel like I should clarify something so that if anyone reads this review and later the book, doesn't fall into this trap like I did, which affected my reading experience considerably. This book is classified as Romance too and all the time I was waiting for it to happen... because I thought Simon is the love interest. Well, he's not. So don't do early matchmaking because it's someone else. (view spoiler)[all the time I was waiting for Simon while it was actually Red. What Simon told her at the end was frustrating because it's truly unfair for him, I shipped them! Red also never told her what Simon meant with his carving, unfair of him. I don't blame her, she was a child couldn't have known, I just wish I knew early on it was Red and did not miss out the whole romance! I did not feel much chemistry between the two maybe because I had this idea that Red is too old for her and she's like a best friend! Another thing I hoped for after being sure that it is not Simon, is that he and Elaine love each other BUT NO, WE HAD TO HAVE A DAMN LOVE TRIANGLE! My poor Simon. Although brief, it was very unnecessary. This sealed the 3 stars deal for me. (hide spoiler)]...more
It was a really tough decision. I really liked this book. I couldn't stop reading. I like every single character (EXCEPT "the queen"), from F3.5 stars
It was a really tough decision. I really liked this book. I couldn't stop reading. I like every single character (EXCEPT "the queen"), from Feyre (her name is still ridiculous) to Tamlin to Lucian to Alis to Nasta and Elain and especially Rhys.
However, before starting reading it, it was mentioned that it resembles George R. R. Martin books. I was like oh, nice, a young-adult version of The Game of Thrones. But no. It wasn't. If the author imagined a new map and a new world, that doesn't mean it would look like George R. R. Martin novels. These are a lot more complicated. I mean in this book there aren't even important alliances! Or traitors, or enough drama. I don't have a problem with this book like I said before I truly loved it, but it needs more complexities. The only similar things are the names.
I can't just ignore Feyre ignorance and stupidity sometimes. I don't understand how she didn't avail her chance to learn reading and writing. That really irritated me. And the first riddle, how that she couldn't solve it right away? If she really thinks about it, she'll find that the answer is the one that made ALL the problems in her situation, it was in front of her eyes all this way.
Anyway, enough negatives, this book is awesome, and Tamlin is so sweet, but maybe TOO sweet and everything. Poor Lucian, I hope his relationship with his family will get better, he's really a good man.
Can't wait for the next book release. I'm sure it'll be great. This was surprisingly or not, my first book by Sarah J. Maas. Because I really enjoyed it, I'm certainly looking forward to reading Throne of Glass. Let's pray it would be this good!...more
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