Is this where Rupi Kaur got her inspired writing style from?
I love bell hooks for her everything and the poetry is no different. the subject matter isIs this where Rupi Kaur got her inspired writing style from?
I love bell hooks for her everything and the poetry is no different. the subject matter is her expertise, but the poetry style feels incomplete in some way. Nevertheless, this touches every shade of love; first love, heartbreak, the carefree feeling, the dread of it ending, the memories, the time passed, and what is to come.
Remy Pendergast is a Reaper - an elite hunter who can kill vampires. He's a pariah because of his controversial birth - his mom was bitten b2.5 stars
Remy Pendergast is a Reaper - an elite hunter who can kill vampires. He's a pariah because of his controversial birth - his mom was bitten by a vampire while pregnant with him leading to rumors that he's a dhampir. His dad is distant and abusive but had a reputation as one of the greatest Reapers of his generation, so he's trained Remy to be just that, despite the hatred from other Reapers.
There's a new breed of vampire wrecking the city and Remy's paired with the powerful Third Court Vampire king Zidan Maleck and his fiancee, the Fourth Court heiress Xioadan Song to solve the mystery.
Great start, but a disappointing ending.
That's the worst, because it had amazing potential and a generous array of threads that could have woven into a lovely tapestry. Instead, it felt like a scratchy sweater. Don't get me wrong, there were pockets of brilliance littered here and there, but that only serves to disappoint even more.
The world-building was nice, but standard for the vibe it was going for (medieval gloomy world with metal weapons, pseudo-catholic religion, hot vampires, and mutated demons). I truly do not understand the Priory of the Orange Tree comparison because it is a VASTLY different book from this even when broken down to its bare bones.
Writing poly relationships are difficult and triads have their own special type of complication. It's worse when one of the partners is harder to get into than the rest. I did state that it felt very fanfiction-y at certain points which isn't an insult but there's a certain amount of indulgence in fanfics that don't translate to traditional books. Problems pop up and get solved in a snap. No real consequences for most of their issues. They're friends with everybody, even the humans who are meant to be their enemies, and can fix any issue for Remy with a handwave.
Xiaodan's past and her powers were interesting but as a character, she felt....meh. I think I like Zidan more because he at least had the quiet, mysterious thing going for him. To a point.
The main plot twist was predictable which didn't faze me but the BIG plot thing with the Rot had a very handwavy conclusion. (view spoiler)[ His father caused it all and Remy didn't even tell Zidan or Xiaodan which made no sense. Naji's death was tragic but considering the fact that he was mind-controlled to do it makes Zidan's sudden hatred feel slapped on. Especially after the shit Remy forgave him for. (hide spoiler)]
The fight scenes rocked the most and I enjoyed all the mentions of Breaker, Remy's main weapon. The Rot and the creatures were cool but the science especially in the time period felt dubious. (view spoiler)[ like really, in medieval times we can essentially study blood types and splice DNA and create viruses? Really? (hide spoiler)]
Some tweaks would have made this so much better, but if there's a sequel, I wouldn't mind reading it.
This book made me have no less than three panic attacks, which is high praise indeed. I honestly wish I could write longer rAh, my elusive five stars.
This book made me have no less than three panic attacks, which is high praise indeed. I honestly wish I could write longer reviews because there's a bucket of emotions I want to articulate. I can say this:
1. Phedre's arc is going awesomely.
2. Side characters are treated with respect and very fleshed backstories.
3. The political intrigue reads as if an intelligent person wrote it.
Shelving this as one of my favorite fantasy series ever....more
I come here to sneer haughtily at what I expect to be aDo you think it's funny to make me eat my words?
Do you think you're so clever?
Because you are.
I come here to sneer haughtily at what I expect to be a kink-filled ride with no doubt many problematic elements and you present me with a masterpiece of characters more well-done than a moist roast turkey, political machinations worthy of being called machinations and villains developed enough to be worthy adversaries.
Dammit, I'm humbled.
Also (view spoiler)[ Hyacinthe my baby please let him get free of the curse, you just had to rip out my heart there and I can't - (hide spoiler)]
So shocking that sometimes unanimous praise is actually deserved.
Who knew?
4 and a half stars, because most of those problematic elements were well delivered on! Tbh that's just me still being a bit iffy because, mild spoiler, I can't quite unlook dubiously at the idea of sixteen year old being courtseans for people old enough to be their parents but that's just me ...more
There is a sweet spot to political intrigue I did not know existed until I started this series. Whalen Turner is boFirst of all,
There is a sweet spot to political intrigue I did not know existed until I started this series. Whalen Turner is both heavy and light on character work which leaves a delicious balance I don't often see in political fantasy.
Some aspects like (view spoiler)[ Gen provoking Costis from the beginning all along (hide spoiler)] earned an eye raise from me but the burnt edges of a casserole are all the more sweeter, if my metaphor makes any sense.
All in all, this is tight plot with breathing room and a flawless ending....more
I feel like I was supposed to give this a higher rating but I am happy with three solid stars.
The writing is obviously good; vivid prose without flowI feel like I was supposed to give this a higher rating but I am happy with three solid stars.
The writing is obviously good; vivid prose without flowery fluff over-polluting. But there's still something missing that I can't quite put my finger on. Perhaps, that is the point. This novel examines a single moment in time in the life of a gay biochemistry grad student, Wallace, and narrates his horrifying ordeal of being both known and unknown.
What got to me, incidentally only after I finished reading this book, is how much I can relate to Wallace. I do hope that I'm not this annoying though but I do understand why. All the racism, loneliness, and gaslighting he experiences are so fucking visceral that I could not get through certain parts. That French POS in particular deserved to have his eye poked out with a fork.
I am still pretty incoherent but I thought it hit all the notes that it should have. ...more
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