City of Lost Souls? More like, City of I'm going to bore you to tears for the first three quarters of the book.
So, obviously, I was pretty underwhelmCity of Lost Souls? More like, City of I'm going to bore you to tears for the first three quarters of the book.
So, obviously, I was pretty underwhelmed by this. After really loving Fallen Angels, I was super excited to jump into this, but guys. This book has almost no purpose of existing besides furthering all romantic relationships/creating new ships/tension/making sure every possible character is paired up. This wouldn't bother me if there was significant character growth going on as well, and while there was some, I just need more if I'm going to read about that many ships. So, to match the theme of this wannabe cutesy romance, I'll review by ship!
Jace and Clary~~~ I don't really know what I can even say about these two anymore. Basically, half of the book is a romantic montage of them exploring Europe even though Clary knows she should probably be focusing on stopping Sebastian (but Europe!!!) so I still don't support them as a couple really, but this book did give me a greater appreciation for their individual characters, and there was significant growth in both of them, especially Clary towards the end. And I didn't hate Jace, which is always good.
Simon and Izzy~~~ Ok guys their vibe was so freaking weird in this book. It was almost Twilighty to me to be honest. But I somehow ended up really liking it? I don't know, maybe it's just because I really appreciate both their characters individually, but I'm glad they're finding each other and learning that you don't always have to be completely independent all the time.
Magnus and Alec~~~ Oof, this was a rough book for them. I still love them, of course, but Alec! Gah, I wanted to smack him sometimes! I guess this book technically portrayed their relationship in a more realistic light and delved into it farther than the series ever had before, but I also just want them to be happy and not have a care in the world.
Maia and Jordan~~~ I don't really know what to say about them. I like them, but also feel bad for saying that??? But I also feel like their sexy scenes got like way too much page time??? My theory is that Cassie Clare must really like writing kissing/making out scenes because she can stretch them out for like ten pages. But I liked their individual character growth!
So overall, it's not like that I hate any of the ships or characters, (quite the contrary I pretty much love them all)! it's just that's all this book has going for it. The plot is pretty weak until the last fourth, and I don't feel the relationships and minimal development of the characters could cover that up. I also found the PoV changes in each chapter like twenty times to be quite jarring, mainly because it would go from one couple's kissing scene to another's.
Oh, also, how many more times can Clare describe Jace's golden hair, skin, and eyes, because I don't think I can take it anymore. We get it Clary. He's an angel straight from heaven, you don't have to remind us every thirty seconds.
Despite this mostly negative review, I still liked this well enough just because I'm so invested at this point. Also the last fourth of the book was amazing and I'd give it five stars. It's a good sign that I'm excited to read City of Heavenly Fire after this slightly rocky journey!...more
**spoiler alert** Okay so like this book was really good but as i've mulled it over i've realized how kind of silly and unrealistic the ending is?
like**spoiler alert** Okay so like this book was really good but as i've mulled it over i've realized how kind of silly and unrealistic the ending is?
like, it made me feel a lot of emotions but the fact that there really ended up being no resolution to the love triangle pissed me off. like, you're the one who decided to write a love triangle so don't be a baby and crush one of the character's heart and dreams, as customary.
also, the unrealistic part!!! like jem and tessa were separated for 150 years, and then just like that, they're back on??? no. you definitely can remain loving someone for all that time, but i feel like there's no way you'd remain IN love with them. especially considering the fact that jem and tessa fell in love while they were teenagers, so just like...nah
BUT LIKE I ALSO LOVE THE FACT THAT THAT HAPPENED AND TESSA GOT TO BE WITH BOTH OF THEM EVEN THO ITS LIKE THE EASY WAY OUT BUT THE POLYAMORY IN THE LOVE TRIANGLE ALSO MADE ME HAPPY LIKE HOW CAN YOU SIMULTANEOUSLY HATE AN ENDING AND LOVE IT AT THE SAME TIME AAAAAAHHHHHHHH
also WTF will and tessa had cave sex like five minutes after tessa found out jem died??? thank u, next
i know Cassie was trying to make it seem as if the odds were completely balanced between will and jem, but tessa so obviously loves will more and there's way more chemistry with them. also, doubt tessa would've screwed jem right after finding out will had died. it just made me mad.
*but like also maybe thats just what i think and like other people think the opposite?*
all rants aside, i like actually loved this book a lot and i just love the characters a lot and the developments of the new relationships (but like also everyone was paired off but that's a normal ya thing) and how like the plot excluding the love triangle was closed. also charlotte slayed for this entire book and is an entire icon. and cecy and gabriel like my heart
i think this finale is definitely overhyped tho bc like the ending is kinda lame but also like that quality trash u read fanfic for and no one except some side characters die fr and clockwork prince was definitely the best in the series for me and i think i just really overhyped this in my head as like a phenomenal conclusion when it was more of a trashy typical ya conclusion but it's fine i still like kinda adored it...more
"Lies and secrets, Tessa, they are like a cancer in the soul. They eat away what is good and leave only destruction behind."
Good golly. If this is any"Lies and secrets, Tessa, they are like a cancer in the soul. They eat away what is good and leave only destruction behind."
Good golly. If this is any indication, Clockwork Princess is gonna be absolutely devastating.
4.25 stars (I remember when I was like "oh I'm never gonna be one of those people who gives oddly specific ratings" now look at me)
I don't actually hate love triangles. I think when done well and in a way that makes them somewhat essential, they can make fantastic plot devices. However, those high-quality love triangles are few and far between. I'm happy to report that this is one of those love triangles.
Clockwork Prince is by far the most character-driven, least action-packed Clare novel I have yet to read. And you know what? That's not a complaint. Because the ability Clare had to make me feel for all of these characters, fall in love with all of them, is what made this book so fantastic. It's also the main reason the love triangle works so well.
We have three, well-developed, deep characters grappling with their various emotions, each with well-defined personalities and qualities that make them unique. In Clockwork Angel, I just semi-liked Will, and was totally all for Jem and Tessa. Now, I love Will, LOVE Jem, and see no possibly outcome where I won't end up crying my eyes out on my kitchen floor.
Let's just take a moment to talk about my newest book boyfriend, Jem Carstairs. Can I actually have him? He is just such a pure, sweet, amazing human and I love that he has just as much claim over Tessa's heart as Will does, because in my personal experience with love triangles, the bad, broody boy always wins. It's great to see such an awesome male character who is NOT a broody bad boy being represented here, and not as the less appealable option in a love triangle. No, Jem stands completely on his own. His strength is the quiet kind that reveals itself when you least expect it to, and despite his calm demeanor, he has just as many emotions as anyone else underneath. He's just so awesome. Which leads me to his opposite, Will.
Will Herondale is just a great character. I know he's the bad boy with a tragic past, and usually that trope doesn't work for me (cough cough Jace), but here, it somehow does. I just found myself sympathizing for Will on a soul-deep level and really understanding him, (something I have never done with Jace). All of the decisions he's made, everything that's led up to his coldness, it's well-acknowledged and it's made clear he regrets these actions, but thought it necessary to take them. For Jace, he is unapologetic, and doesn't really have a specific reason, whereas Will does. I also love how snarky and silly Will can be, he always makes me laugh. But there's just a kindness that's buried deep inside of him that shines through when he let's it and those are honestly the moments that make the book.
So, I will absolutely marry whoever Tessa doesn't pick.
Another reason the love triangle works is because Tessa has real, organic, chemistry with both boys. I find it shocking how many authors struggle writing chemistry in love triangles; that's usually their downfall. But, I honestly think this is the best-written chemistry I've ever read in any love triangle. There are so many complex emotions, just so much feeling that goes into both Jem and Will's relationship with Tessa, and makes them each so unique. Right now, I think Tessa might have slightly more chemistry with Will, but I only think that because their relationship developed earlier than Jem's, and that next book it will be super even and even more painful. Jem and Tessa seem to have a connection on a soul-deep level.
Next, let's talk about our female characters, mainly Tessa, Charlotte, Sophie and Jessamine.
Though Charlotte's always known what she wanted, I felt the others very much struggled with their inner-misogyny in the first book. Here, they're obviously still struggling with it because of the time they live in, but I was just so impressed by all the agency they all gained. No longer is Tessa timid about things, she's going after what she wants and what she believes is right, whether or not it's something "a woman would do," as she'd stop to consider in the first book. Sophie became a key player who's playing a huge role in the overall plot, and without which this book would not have gone the direction it did. And Jessamine, she's always known what she wants. However, I think that she came to some realizations in this book that will really help develop her character in the next and she'll come back and kick butt. Charlotte was just awesome, as always, and proved those misogynist Shadowhunters wrong.
Speaking of which, I loved the development of Charlotte and Henry's relationship! Not only was it adorable, but I feel that the fact that a married couple is included and is one of the main pairings in a YA book scores major points with Clare, as she demonstrates the trials and tribulations of a romantic relationship, even if you've already said "I do," and portrays a fairly realistic marriage.
Finally, (view spoiler)[I really think we should just look for a cure for Jem and focus on Mortmain later. Yes, the whole Shadow world is at stake, but Mortmain didn't make a major move this whole book, and my heart is at stake! I think we should just completely change the direction of the whole plot for the sake of my sanity, ok? Also, on a totally unrelated note, I think Cecily Herondale is gonna become one of my favorite characters and I thought the ending was awesome, heartfelt while adding an element of mystery to the next book! Why is Cecily at the Institute? What happened to Will's parents that caused her to go there? (hide spoiler)]
In conclusion, Clockwork Prince is excellent and is the most well-written book I've read by Clare, as well as my personal favorite thus far....more
Well this was a nice step out of my comfort zone! *scuttles quickly back into comfort zone*
Haha, that's not to say I didn't enjoy this book at all2.5*
Well this was a nice step out of my comfort zone! *scuttles quickly back into comfort zone*
Haha, that's not to say I didn't enjoy this book at all, it was highly entertaining and I read it super fast! I just don't think I can give it anything above 2.5 because it's not necessarily good quality like at all?
As someone who really doesn't read thrillers, especially adult ones, I was expecting a highly twisty and shocking plot and unfortunately, I don't feel like there was a big twist, or I saw all of the smaller ones coming.
That being said, I feel I am in no way qualified to recommend/not recommend thrillers, but if you're looking for an entertaining, quick, fun, sexy read then I'm sure you'd enjoy this book!...more
OH MY GOODNESS. THESE BOOKS GUYS, I ACTUALLY CANNOT. I'm in love. Review to come!OH MY GOODNESS. THESE BOOKS GUYS, I ACTUALLY CANNOT. I'm in love. Review to come!...more
This....might be my favorite book in TMI so far. Now, I say that very tentatively, as I don't think I could distinctly say which is my favorite at thiThis....might be my favorite book in TMI so far. Now, I say that very tentatively, as I don't think I could distinctly say which is my favorite at this point, but this...was really good. I know that's kind of an unpopular opinion because some people HATE the second trilogy and rue the day it was published and think it unnecessary, but I really loved this.
-I thought the new plot and aspects we're seeing of the story were tons of fun and deviated from the path the original trilogy took, because if we're being realistic, the original trilogy's plot is basically Harry Potter. It was just so cool to see how Clare kind of grew into her world, writing, and characters, and began to expand and provide some cool and unique original plot points.
-The characters, most of which annoyed me to no end in the previous books, were SO MUCH BETTER, so much so that I didn't feel the need to punch one (or all) of them in the face every five minutes. They all gained so much depth and weren't shallow shells as they were previously, which made me so happy. And....yes, I even enjoyed everyone's favorite sarcastic jerk Jace in this book. And Isabelle! Dang! She's so much better than she used to be! And Simon's own agency and place in this whole world is so much more well-defined and he's not just Clary's lovesick best friend written to be a point of a love triangle! I didn't even used to like Simon and now I do! It's all great!
-I love how Clare is managing to keep the angst and tension up between Clary and Jace even though they're a well-defined couple, it's definitely keeping things interesting whereas I've seen other relationships (cough cough Feysand) go completely flat and dull after the initial get-together. Yes, I still think Clary deserves better than golden-boy, and there are DEFINITELY communication issues and Jace issues they have to resolve, but I guess I'll let them be in love.
-I loved all the revelations we got in this book about various character's pasts and more! It definitely kept things interesting in the relationship aspect of this book, as characters were constantly learning new things about one another as the reader was.
-That ending was the first semi-intense cliffhanger-y one of Clare's that I've ever read (Unless you count Clockwork Angel but that wasn't as intense) and I was LIVING for it and am so excited to start the next book!
-All TID references! I'm seeing why publication order is recommended! Camille was there, there were a lot of Will Herondale references, and a specific line that made me think a certain character is still alive.
My only other note is that while I see why publication order is recommended, it's kind of driving me crazy, because as soon as I finished Clockwork Angel, I wanted to read Clockwork Prince, but had to move on to this, and when I finished this, I wanted to move straight on to City of Lost Souls. I have a strong suspicion this will continue for the entirety of my reading experience of TID and TMI, but I refuse to NOT read in publication order, so I'm just gonna be strong, you know?...more
Wow. This was just....very well done. Schusterman really knows this world and how to write in it. How to*Full review now posted!*
3.75/4 out of 5 stars
Wow. This was just....very well done. Schusterman really knows this world and how to write in it. How to make it scary. How to question everything we thought true. How to speculate on humanity and life itself.
And let me tell me you, it's pretty fantastic.
The more and more I told people about this book, the more it made me think and rethink. The books that you can't stop thinking about are always the best.
If you don't know the basic premise of Scythe, it essentially takes place in a post-mortality world where humanity has conquered disease, war, hunger, pretty much everything that's wrong with the world and are ruled by a giant AI known as the Thunderhead. The only thing the Thunderhead doesn't have any jurisdiction over? The scythedom, a group of specially selected individuals chosen to control the population since no one ever dies.
As we delve more into the world and learn more and more about this society, we see how insane this futuristic utopia is and how unimaginable it is compared to modern-day society, and how Schusterman twists some sci-fi tropes or things we would consider "bad" (such as an AI ruling over everything) into good things or things that make sense. This is especially reflective through the journal entries of different scythes we get at the beginning of each chapter, talking about their world and ours.
Scythe follows two teenagers, Citra and Rowan, who get entangled with the scythedom and then are taken on as apprentices to train for scythehood. While I definitely enjoyed them both as characters, (especially Rowan, I love how complex he became), I did feel a certain disconnect from them and all the characters, actually. For Citra and Rowan, it definitely had lessened by the end of the book, but I can't just forget it completely. It took me a second to get into their stories. I'm not exactly sure what to attribute that to, but I have a feeling it was Schusterman's writing style. His writing is perfect for books with premises like this, but in terms of characters, I feel it's kind of hard to use, just because you're not really in the characters' heads a whole lot and sometimes go pages and pages without seeing them. I feel this was really only the problematic aspect of this book I could identify though, and I think the characters in Thunderhead will be so much better since we've gotten the chance to know them!
Other than that, this book is nonstop action with no shortage of crazy plot twists. Before reading this, I saw many reviews that dubbed Scythe "boring" and after finally giving into the hype and reading it myself, I can definitely tell you that they're wrong. The plot is complex, fast, and delicious.
This is a book I'd pretty much recommend to anyone at this point just because of how interesting it is. So, if you're hesitant like I was, definitely give it a go!...more
Guys, the more I let this book marinate, the more I realize I didn't enjoy it enough to give it a higher rating than 2.5 staFULL REVIEW NOW POSTED
2.5*
Guys, the more I let this book marinate, the more I realize I didn't enjoy it enough to give it a higher rating than 2.5 stars.
This has been my biggest disappointment of the year so far, which saddens me to say because this was my most anticipated release and I was SO underwhelmed.
I originally read the 80 page sampler, and I can say without a doubt those are the strongest pages in this entire book. They are the ones that made me purchase the book, and though the hardcover is beautiful, it is somewhat a decision I regret.
First of all, let's start by talking about the insane hype surrounding this book because it is so not worth it. I feel like people were just excited about this book because it was a "diverse West African-inspired fantasy", not because of anything to do with the plot or characters. But honestly guys? I want ALL my fantasies to be diverse, and it saddens me greatly that not all authors seem to think that. I hope for a day when fantasies no longer need to be marketed as diverse, and it's just something the reader can count on, that they will recognize some aspect or character of the book that remind them of themselves.
And it's not that I don't appreciate what Tomi Adeyemi was trying to do, her author's note and reason for writing this book nearly brought me to tears. But when I see people calling her the next JK Rowling, I'm just kind of like ????
I will give credit where credit is due, however, and address the few things I did like about this book.
-Tomi Adeyemi is very clearly a fantasy writer. Her world building is honestly some of the best I've ever read, and I feel that with some more experience and work on her plot and characters, she has the potential to become a well-defined and potent voice in YA fantasy. -I liked one character, Amari. I feel she was the only one who had any noticeable and well constructed growth throughout the book.
Now, we get into everything that I found to be poor or bad in this book. For the first section at least, I will keep this non-spoilery, but will alert you when I get into spoilers.
I don't really have much else to say. I will never eloquently be able to describe my complete and total disappointment in this book, and it's just not worth the read....more
Before I begin, I want to say it physically pains me to give any book in this series below four stars. Like, I get this stab of guilt in my c3.5 stars
Before I begin, I want to say it physically pains me to give any book in this series below four stars. Like, I get this stab of guilt in my chest whenever I think about how I'm rating this. That being said, this book didn't reach the standards I have for four star books, and it also pains me to imagine lying to myself about my feelings for this book and giving it four stars when it doesn't deserve it. I just felt...so underwhelmed by this??? Like, I know there are three more books, but when this was published, I have no idea if that was common knowledge or had been announced or if Cassandra Clare herself even knew. (If you know, let me know). But, as sort of a finale book, it just didn't reach my standards.
This book took me a while to get into. It felt like nothing was happening for about the first half, and the plot only really started moving for me once I'd reached the halfway point. But then, the ending still somehow felt rushed to me, which doesn't really make sense, considering how much preamble and buildup there is in the first half of the book and the book's overall length.
And then, there were my issues with Clary and Jace. I feel like these two had SO much development in City of Ashes, and were making rational, adult decisions. But then, that all was just erased for me here. Jace was back to being a stuck-up jerk, and his whole sorry-for-himself act didn't evoke any sympathy from me nor did it justify any of his actions. And then there's Clary, who seems to have once again, lost her brain. Honestly, how is this girl not dead? If this were the real world, she would've died a long time ago. She charges into situations without any thought or plan, and then Jace always swoops in and saves her. I was so happy when she was making tough, adult decisions in City of Ashes, but she seems to have forgotten that because she was back to being petulant and rash. I can only suspend my disbelief so much, and I just couldn't do it with these two anymore in this book, because they were honestly ridiculous.
But, I still really enjoyed my experience while reading this book! I'm just hoping we'll get more of the other characters' points of view in the next books, because I love reading from their points of view and wish they had more!
(view spoiler)[There is no way Sebastian is dead though because what would happen in the next trilogy? Also, I'm not okay with Max dying. That was not cool. (hide spoiler)]
I'm soooooooo excited to start TID now and am itching to pick up Clockwork Angel, but am trying to maintain some semblance of self-control. We'll see how it goes. For now, City of Ashes remains my favorite of TMI!...more
**spoiler alert** Oh my goodness, I love these books. This series is just so addictive and good and I am no longer daunted by the amount of Shadowhunt**spoiler alert** Oh my goodness, I love these books. This series is just so addictive and good and I am no longer daunted by the amount of Shadowhunter books there are because they're just so easy to read and fun and good!
That being said, I think this was a HUGE improvement compared to the first book! While I still love the first book, the characters were just so much more fleshed-out and I got a better sense of all of them! I think switching perspectives more often definitely worked in this book's favor. Jace wasn't as big of a jerk, Clary grew a brain, Simon gained more personality than just the main character's best friend, Isabelle wasn't as snobby and rude, and Alec and Magnus were great.
The plot was fast-paced and non-stop, just like in the first book, and I really like the direction the plot's going in.
I do feel the need to say that I am uncomfortable with the tension between Jace and Clary, though. While it is heavily implied that they may not actually be siblings, it's just so so weird. And when Clary was in tears at the end of the book because Jace made the responsible, smart, undisgusting decision? Gah. I'm hoping we get closure on whether they're siblings or not or this whole plot line is brought to a close in the next book. Also, I feel the inclusion of a love triangle was highly unnecessary. The incest was enough angst for me, but I'm glad this plotline was brought to a close by the end of the book, (although I'd much rather prefer the incestuous relationship to be finished, I'd rather read about a love triangle than that)
In conclusion, these books keep getting better and better and I'm so excited to read City of Glass!...more
A lot of people have seemed to like it, saying that it's really set apart from some YA fantasies because of its uniqueOk. Um...this was disappointing.
A lot of people have seemed to like it, saying that it's really set apart from some YA fantasies because of its unique premise...but honestly guys it was so bland and didn't stand out to me at all.
And it's not like this book is even bad! It was just...so average...maybe slightly below. I connected to around none of the characters and I felt like this world needed to be explained a lot better. Speaking of which, it was info-dumpy, which made me understand the world less and so I was even more confused.
I think the only characters I even liked a little bit were Ina and Liam, which is a stretch seeing as none of these characters really had personalities, especially our main character, Jules. For me, a unique setting and magic system isn't enough, characters are what really make or break a book for me. I think this book definitely needed more length, it would definitely have helped both the characters and the world.
And, I was not surprised or shocked by the plot twists because I really couldn't understand the full impact of them because I thought the world-building was so poor.
It gets two stars though because the writing was fairly decent and it kept me reading til the end. However, I have absolutely no inclination to pick up the sequel.
I'm really sad about this one, it was one of my most anticipated releases of 2018, but it just didn't work out for me.
Aw. It's over, and it was so cute and wonderful and adorable and I loved it so much and I just want more and...and...*sniffle*
I'm happy with the way tAw. It's over, and it was so cute and wonderful and adorable and I loved it so much and I just want more and...and...*sniffle*
I'm happy with the way things turned out, but I'm also mad that it just ended like that! It was so sudden, and I want more books about Lara Jean and Peter!
I don't really know what else to say about this, because it was just fluffy and adorable and fantastic and I just cannot.
"Brave doesn't mean you're not scared, Starr," she says. "It means you go on even though you're scared. And you're doing that."
4.75 stars
There is not"Brave doesn't mean you're not scared, Starr," she says. "It means you go on even though you're scared. And you're doing that."
4.75 stars
There is nothing for me to say about this book that hasn't already been said in a much more eloquent fashion. Yes, it's worth the insane hype. Yes, if you haven't read it, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!??! Seriously. This is a book that everyone needs to read. I loved all the characters and how Thomas took on the various issues dealt with in this story. It's just all done in such a cohesive, satisfactory manner. The only reason I took .25 stars off is because I feel like the plot could have arced slightly better, but honestly, that may be my own fault, as I took many breaks while reading this for other books, so when I reread it, the plot may feel just fine. Anyways, that's like SUPER minor. I just can't reiterate enough the sheer importance of this story. It's timeless, and destined to be a classic piece of YA literature. I loved it. ---------------------------------------------- It is time I finally get my life together and read this book....more
FULL REVIEW UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!! (sorry it took me so long, hope y'all enjoy!
4-4.5 stars (I can't decide!!!)
I have tried to be better than them, and I FULL REVIEW UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!! (sorry it took me so long, hope y'all enjoy!
4-4.5 stars (I can't decide!!!)
I have tried to be better than them, and I have failed. What could I become if I stopped worrying about death, about pain, about anything? If I stopped trying to belong? Instead of being afraid, I will become something to fear.
This was fantastic, and deserves all of the hype its getting. It definitely wasn't what I was expecting, but nevertheless I am still blown away; possibly more because of that fact.
The Cruel Prince is a complex story of moral values, right vs. wrong, what you must become to protect yourself in a situation where most people won't give a second thought about hurting you, political intrigue, the battle within yourself, trickery, twists, and much, much more. And you can bet that while we've seen all of these elements in stories before, Holly just does them so well and manages to put a clever twist on each and every one of them.
This was my first Holly Black book, (technically speaking, I read the Spiderwick Chronicles years ago but that's co-authored, so I'm not counting it) and I definitely understand now why she is called by many the Faerie Queen. She has definitely earned that title. I loved how she used traditional faerie elements from folklore, such as the inclusion of the Seelie and Unseelie courts, but managed to put a creative twist on all of them. Also, I am an absolute sucker for traditional folklore faerie elements, so I appreciated them a lot. Holly definitely knows her stuff.
No matter how careful I am, eventually I'll make another misstep. I am weak. I am fragile. I am mortal. I hate that most of all.
Going into this, I didn't realize that it was going to be urban, (even though I probably should've known as all of Holly's books appear to be urban fantasy), and while high fantasy is my everything, I think the urban aspects worked really well for this novel! I loved how it would be like: Death Death Death, intrigue, Death, plot twist!, death, and also, death, and then the next chapter would be like: "I'm standing in Target, shopping." Because it was just like WHAM! and would jolt you back to the real world. I think it worked super well for this particular story because it really showed you how easy it is to get swept away in this world, like Jude's mother, while us readers were ALSO getting swept up in this world. It was clever and executed so perfectly.
In Faerie, there are no fish sticks, no ketchup, no television.
CHARACTERS: *I will preface this section by saying that none of the characters in this book are particularly likeable, nor are they meant to be, but that didn't stop me from loving some characters and hating others.*
Jude:
If I cannot be better than them, I will become so much worse.
Jude was a fantastic character. She is mean and bitter and cynical, but is also cunning and clever. I love how Holly makes it abundantly clear that if Jude's early life would've been different, she would've have grown to be a much different person than she is, but because of her upbringing, she turns into this fearful person who pushes their fear down and masks it with anger and intimidation. She was definitely trying to be a good person, at least some of the time, but then you'd turn around and she'd be doing something awful and you'd be like ???. Her spontaneity and overall vibe were perfect and I just loved her.
Vivi:
Awesome. Vivi was just so great. I don't really have anything else to say about her, I just think I should let everyone know she was great.
Taryn and Locke: (I'm grouping these two together because honestly my thoughts for them are the same)
*Stands up on chair* *Clears throat* AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *Sits back down*
Cardan: OMG MY PRECIOUS MY LOVE CARDAN AKA THE CRUEL PRINCE I JUST LOVE HIM SO MUCH AND HE'S SO MEAN AND IS LIKE RHYS BUT NOT BECAUSE RHYSAND IS ACTUALLY A GOOD PERSON AND CARDAN IS NOT BUT I LOVE HIM AND AAAHHH
SPOILERS AHEAD!
Ok Cardan and Jude are actually going to be the death of me. Their relationship isn't even a love to hate, it's just like a hate to hate but also with love? I don't really know but I am so here for it and things are just going to be sooooooooooooooooooooooo intense in the next book!
Taryn and Locke's relationship:
*Stands up on chair* *Clears throat* AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *Sits back down*
Oooooook plot twists!! I kind of saw the first one coming because it's pretty obvious that the expected heir isn't actually going to take the throne but I did not realize there'd be so much..death? involved? Anyways it was bloody fantastic!
The last plot twist though i am actually freaking out about though cuz it was amazing and jude is queen and nothing else matters and aaaahhhh
Overall, just..just go read this book. I'm telling you, the hype is completely validated because this book is actually amazing.
Ok I'm sorry this review starts out eloquent and slowly turns into a train wreck because those were actually my feelings while reading this and if you read all of this i'm really sorry to the damage i just did to your brain cells but have a nice day :)
Ugh this trilogy is so good. I absolutely flew through this, and although I can't say it was a very satisfying conclusion to the series, I stil4 stars
Ugh this trilogy is so good. I absolutely flew through this, and although I can't say it was a very satisfying conclusion to the series, I still really liked it. I just wish it had been longer. However, all of the loose ends and untold stories of these characters can definitely be revisited when King of Scars comes out, so I'm pretty happy. I didn't love it quite as much as Siege and Storm, but I think that's just because I wish the plot were more drawn out and the ending did not go where I wanted or expected it to go. But, I still love all of these characters. My heart belongs to Nikolai Lantsov and the Darkling! :)...more
Loading...
