I didn’t get on with the writing style in the first chapter when I started this last year. I was still determined to finish the 2024 YA Book Prize shoI didn’t get on with the writing style in the first chapter when I started this last year. I was still determined to finish the 2024 YA Book Prize shortlist, so decided to give it another go, and I ended up enjoying it so much that I can’t wait to read the sequel. ...more
I loved half of this book and hated the other half. It kills me because The Exact Opposite of Okay is one of my favourite books of all time, but LauraI loved half of this book and hated the other half. It kills me because The Exact Opposite of Okay is one of my favourite books of all time, but Laura Steven’s dark academias just don’t do it for me. I adored all of the discussions surrounding the beauty industry, the patriarchy and eating disorders, as well as the representation of a character with alopecia (which I can’t ever recall seeing in YA before) and a character with diabetes. The plot is the thing which lets the story down. The idea is outstanding, but the execution lacks. There are quite a lot of plot holes which are simply glossed over, while the eventual resolution doesn’t feel satisfying. I also found the pacing to be abysmal, particularly because the flash forward in the prologue gives away a lot of the plot and doesn’t happen until fairly late in the book. This is a book of two halves, I only wish it had been pulled back together to make a cohesive whole. ...more
This was heading towards 5 star territory for me, until the third act. Unlike some reviews I appreciated the ending, but theActual rating: 3.5 stars.
This was heading towards 5 star territory for me, until the third act. Unlike some reviews I appreciated the ending, but the damage had been done. Not what I expected at all, and I’m glad it subverted all of the tropes I’d been sure it was going to rely on! ...more
Actual rating: 4.5 stars. Enjoyed this far more than I thought I would. It’s a bit too sweet for my usual tastes, but this was the perfect palate cleanActual rating: 4.5 stars. Enjoyed this far more than I thought I would. It’s a bit too sweet for my usual tastes, but this was the perfect palate cleanser, and a lovely break from the heavier books I’ve been reading recently (which have been pushing me increasingly closer to a reading slump). ...more
Possibly closer to 2.5 stars. I didn’t enjoy this book. The characters felt like caricatures, it was trying to hard to be funny, and the Dirty Den-esqPossibly closer to 2.5 stars. I didn’t enjoy this book. The characters felt like caricatures, it was trying to hard to be funny, and the Dirty Den-esque reveal of the (predictable) murderer was the final straw. I’m interested in trying the second book because I’m hoping it’ll be less period-focused, but I just don’t understand why this was shortlisted for the YA Book Prize. ...more
I absolutely loved this! I was nervous going in because it’s quite long for a non-fiction book, but Matilda Boseley’s writing style is accessible and I absolutely loved this! I was nervous going in because it’s quite long for a non-fiction book, but Matilda Boseley’s writing style is accessible and easy to digest. A great starting point for anyone who is trying to learn more about ADHD, and a book which leaves you with plenty to think about. ...more
Possibly closer to a 3.5 star read. I really like Patric’s voice and the stories he shared about the homes of friends and family throughout the years,Possibly closer to a 3.5 star read. I really like Patric’s voice and the stories he shared about the homes of friends and family throughout the years, but I went into this one hoping for more of a focus on ‘organising� and that sadly doesn’t get the spotlight shining on it very much. I loved the idea of sustainably choosing the items you bring into your home - only having items which you really LOVE - as well as decorating to match the seasons (as a maximalist who yearns to be a minimalist, this gave me some ideas on how we could switch up the ornaments we have, putting different pieces of our collections out at different times of the year so it’s not so overwhelming). However, this is more of a book to dip in and out of rather than reading continuously, as a lot of the advice does get repeated and some of the steps are very basic. If you’re someone who likes having and displaying stuff but you just want your house to be cleaner and don’t know how, this has great advice for using eco-friendly methods to clean your space. If you’re looking to organise, minimise or declutter, this isn’t the book I’d recommend for you. ...more
I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as Frank the Unicorn Alpaca, but thought it was a great way to introduce children to Banksy, graffiti as an art formI didn’t enjoy this quite as much as Frank the Unicorn Alpaca, but thought it was a great way to introduce children to Banksy, graffiti as an art form and busking - definitely some unique topics for a children’s rhyming book! ...more
Possibly closer to 2.5 stars. I think I need to admit defeat when it comes to YA horror/thrillers because they never hit the spot for me. I liked the dPossibly closer to 2.5 stars. I think I need to admit defeat when it comes to YA horror/thrillers because they never hit the spot for me. I liked the discussions of gentrification and the different experiences of mixed race people depending on whether they pass as White, but that aspect was only the focus for a brief period of the book. Manny’s character development is also good - he matures on the page - but the speed with which it happens is slightly unrealistic. I found the descriptions more gross than scary and unfortunately found the twist to be very predictable. I blame myself rather than the book, as I considered DNFing quite early on and I probably should have! ...more
The pacing in this book is much better than the pacing in A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, which is why this one got an extra star. I found mThe pacing in this book is much better than the pacing in A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, which is why this one got an extra star. I found myself getting quite choked up during the epilogue because I don’t want to leave these characters behind. Reading these back-to-back has been a rollercoaster of emotions, and I loved getting to see the quaint streets of Winchester vs. the vibrant city of Miami. I would love to get another companion novel in the future: maybe Baz and Kelly could come to Winchester on a photography trip and they could finally fall in love, making their parents� dreams come true? It would be a great excuse to see Lila and Flora (and Orion and Gordon!) again in the future. ...more
3 stars might be generous. I enjoyed reading the trials and the interactions between Paedyn and Kai, but I found this very predictable. The ending has3 stars might be generous. I enjoyed reading the trials and the interactions between Paedyn and Kai, but I found this very predictable. The ending has left me interested in continuing the series, but I’m hoping the next book will be less disjointed (and deviate from copying Red Queen quite so closely)....more
Loading...
