My DNF finger has been on a hair trigger lately, and at 10% I was about ready to toss this one back in the pond. Since I really liked the only other bMy DNF finger has been on a hair trigger lately, and at 10% I was about ready to toss this one back in the pond. Since I really liked the only other book I’ve read by Easton so far, I decided to give it to 25%. Next thing I knew, I was halfway through it.
The immediate problems were mediocre character development and a lot of telling, which made for a pretty flat experience. Also, waaaay too many exclamation points. Not that you asked, but here’s my fantasy. It’s pretty kinky, be warned:
Author: ! Computer: Are you sure you want to use that? Author: � Computer: Really think about it. Author: ! Computer: Try a period instead, or different verbiage. See if it reads less wide-eyed naïf cartoon. Author: � Author (99 times out of 100, minimum): .
And the thing is, I can’t say these things got a whole lot better? But the story had a few cute elements that grabbed me anyway, as the tension developed between them. It wasn’t a lot of tension � there was a high degree of sweetness in their dynamic, and the emotional connection came well before anything else. But the slower burn did work. I still finished it wishing for better characterization and thus, connection to them. But not a bad several hours spent.
Merged review:
My DNF finger has been on a hair trigger lately, and at 10% I was about ready to toss this one back in the pond. Since I really liked the only other book I’ve read by Easton so far, I decided to give it to 25%. Next thing I knew, I was halfway through it.
The immediate problems were mediocre character development and a lot of telling, which made for a pretty flat experience. Also, waaaay too many exclamation points. Not that you asked, but here’s my fantasy. It’s pretty kinky, be warned:
Author: ! Computer: Are you sure you want to use that? Author: � Computer: Really think about it. Author: ! Computer: Try a period instead, or different verbiage. See if it reads less wide-eyed naïf cartoon. Author: � Author (99 times out of 100, minimum): .
And the thing is, I can’t say these things got a whole lot better? But the story had a few cute elements that grabbed me anyway, as the tension developed between them. It wasn’t a lot of tension � there was a high degree of sweetness in their dynamic, and the emotional connection came well before anything else. But the slower burn did work. I still finished it wishing for better characterization and thus, connection to them. But not a bad several hours spent....more
DNF @18%. Something definitely went wrong here, idk. This has been widely adored, and I've had it waiting in the wings for a long time, feeling sure tDNF @18%. Something definitely went wrong here, idk. This has been widely adored, and I've had it waiting in the wings for a long time, feeling sure that I'd love it too. I pushed a lot further than I would have without the glowing endorsements, but I haven’t been able to buy a single thing that’s been offered yet. Brogan’s actions and inner narrative are ridiculous, inconsistent, and not believable.
I'm sure it gets better. But I'm getting more and more annoyed by this off-putting writing and it's gotten to the point where that will definitely affect how I read anything to come.
I loved the Woodbury Boys series so I’m chalking this up as an anomaly, and I’m still hopeful about Bell’s future releases....more
"If men could get pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament." This quote is often attributed to Gloria Steinem, but she's made it known that she wasn't t"If men could get pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament." This quote is often attributed to Gloria Steinem, but she's made it known that she wasn't the originator. Regardless, we've all heard the sentiment, and while many of us agree wholeheartedly, of course we'll never be able to prove it. Damn shame, that.
Picoult's audio short is based on this concept. Literarily it's a bit too on the nose, and I suspect will only preach to the choir who listens to it, but still a solid effort....more
Warning: the below contains spoilers for the previous volume.
The second in The Bird and the Sword Chronicles duology, The Queen and the Cure picks up Warning: the below contains spoilers for the previous volume.
The second in The Bird and the Sword Chronicles duology, The Queen and the Cure picks up a few years after the first book, with different but related main characters. Overall, it had a few weakness that the first one didn't, and therefore didn't make me feel as much, but it was still entertaining. I wouldn't recommend this one as a standalone, but the first can definitely be treated that way.
His head ached dully and the tips of his fingers were numb from holding on to his temper.
From the beginning, my buddy reader and I decided that the most significant weakness here as compared to The Bird and the Sword was the narrative voice. Kjell, the male MC and the POV, never felt quite as he was described. He was supposed to be a gruff, guarded soldier, who we got to know well in the previous volume. We knew he had a fierce and loyal heart, as evidenced by his devotion to his brother, but coming into this book, one could argue that he would be even more gun shy about love... considering the last time didn't go so well.
But that's not how it went down. This was an insta situation, which rarely works to begin with, and here it especially didn't because it also flattened his characterization. His narrative was effusive, even if his communication was (slightly) less so. This meant very low tension, which is a shame because Harmon built great tension between Lark and Tiras, and there was potential for the same here.
I fell in love with you in pieces. Layer by layer, day by day, inch by inch.
The world was still enchanting, though not quite as tightly developed. You know how in fantasy, you want to feel that the characters exist within the world that's been created, rather than the world being created out of convenience for the characters' story? I got the former in Bird, but the additional details here occasionally made me feel the latter.
My last significant gripe was that the antagonist wasn't well developed. Ariel's arc did add elements to the adventure, but in the end I was never really afraid of her, and her motivation felt weak at best. Having said that, there were still times of apprehension in the story elsewhere, and those kept me interested.
“She is pleased with the grey in my hair.� “She is pleased with the hair on your arse, but don’t let that convince you it’s attractive.�
One element that was stronger in this one was the wit. Kjell had that long-suffering kind of humor even when he didn't mean to, and his banter with his troops (and brother) brought the lols. The book finished stronger than it started, with the last quarter or so being the only time I found it difficult to set down. So I didn't end up feeling too disappointed, but it had the potential to be a lot better....more
Another from this author. Tight prose with excellent wordcraft, as I've come to trust from Kirkcauldy. He has such a rare giftAnother from this author. Tight prose with excellent wordcraft, as I've come to trust from Kirkcauldy. He has such a rare gift, and I live in hope that we will get more from him, one day....more
Magical not just because it's fantasy, but atmospherically as well. This was my first read from Amy Harmon and I found it easy to sink into the world,Magical not just because it's fantasy, but atmospherically as well. This was my first read from Amy Harmon and I found it easy to sink into the world, story, and chemistry between the characters. It was more about the plot than the characterization, but both were strong enough for me to stay absorbed the entire time. I had a great time with my evolving and often incorrect theories. ...more
2023 was the first year I returned to anywhere near my pre-pandemic reading activity. I still had fits and starts, but logging over 100 titles is a dr2023 was the first year I returned to anywhere near my pre-pandemic reading activity. I still had fits and starts, but logging over 100 titles is a dramatic improvement from the past few years.
I'll start with my absolutely-amazing-grade-A-perfection reads. Only a few, but they were mighty.
Thanks to a daily work commute, my audiobook consumption has continued. In audio, I prefer nonfiction, especially memoirs read by the author. Some investigative journalism and psychology ones have enthralled me as well. I think my ratings are stingier on ABs, partly because I often find nonfiction less captivating in general, and also because I am beyond particular about narration. My only 5-star listens were Mating in Captivity and Hysterical, but I loved the others below and definitely recommend them as well.
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Finally, it wouldn't be a review of 2023 without highlighting Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation. Not only did it inspire some of my reading besties to take the deepest dive to ever dive deep (not calling out anyone in particular), but the series also pulled me out of a months-long reading hiatus over the summer. (To be fair, the slump was enthusiastically abetted by my gaming alter ego and the release of Diablo IV. ...more
When I was in college, a professor told me something I will never forget. She told me that, at one point during her tenure there, every single man on When I was in college, a professor told me something I will never forget. She told me that, at one point during her tenure there, every single man on the football team had been accused at least once of rape. Every. One.
I know it's a problem in other sports too, but in the US no one is elevated to godlike privilege quite like football players are, and the problem starts well before college.
Not Krakauer's strongest narrative � big chunks are essentially court transcripts � but still infuriating, frustrating, scary af. A whole lot of books like this (and well more) are needed to even make a dent in the ignorance and complacency....more
I am quite new to manhwa (/manga/manhua) and don't have a gauge on how to rate it yet, but I did like the art a lot and got sucked into the story. So I am quite new to manhwa (/manga/manhua) and don't have a gauge on how to rate it yet, but I did like the art a lot and got sucked into the story. So much so that I'm figuring out � with help, thank you friends � new-to-me apps and sites and systems for reading/purchasing. (jsm, the old I feel is real)...more
You know those times when you didn't like a book, but criticizing it feels like shouting at a puppy? Yeah. (To those who've read and loved this, whichYou know those times when you didn't like a book, but criticizing it feels like shouting at a puppy? Yeah. (To those who've read and loved this, which I think might be everyone but me, please avert your eyes. ...more
DNF at 27% without prejudice. I'm... bored. There's nothing obvious about the writing that's bad; it's possible that the subject matter just isn't griDNF at 27% without prejudice. I'm... bored. There's nothing obvious about the writing that's bad; it's possible that the subject matter just isn't gripping me....more
Clever empowerment tale with captivating prose. The characterization and motif could have had more dimensionality, but that didn't stop me from being Clever empowerment tale with captivating prose. The characterization and motif could have had more dimensionality, but that didn't stop me from being interested and consuming it quickly. ...more
I would listen to this woman read her grocery list, or the bible, or a stack of mortgage paperwork. So I got this AB because I knew I'd be able to reaI would listen to this woman read her grocery list, or the bible, or a stack of mortgage paperwork. So I got this AB because I knew I'd be able to read it sooner that way than via my eyeballs. And it's an excellent book. Not my favorite of her catalogue, but still outstanding characterization and story development. Any Kingsolver is still head and shoulders above most others, and it held my attention for every one of the 17(!) hours....more
Time of death 35%. I'm not clicking with this. The characterization is caricaturish, convenient, and inconsistent. Both the narrative and dialogue feeTime of death 35%. I'm not clicking with this. The characterization is caricaturish, convenient, and inconsistent. Both the narrative and dialogue feel inorganic and odd. There are several things I'm curious about but I don't have any reason to feel that this one is going to surprise me, in either quality or content, so I'm moving on....more
If Hallmark made a Regency, queerish, polyamorous romcom, it might look like this.
I went into All or Nothing blind. I opened it on my Kindle, not knowIf Hallmark made a Regency, queerish, polyamorous romcom, it might look like this.
I went into All or Nothing blind. I opened it on my Kindle, not knowing why or when it landed there, and it was my first read from this author. So when it started with a rather outlandish premise, I wasn’t sure whether it would be a quick dnf. But it held my attention well enough for a light romp.
MC Simon was drawn effectively. I didn't always like him but found it easy to identify with his longing, discomfort, heartbreak, nascent bravery. His attractions felt truly kinsey 3, and this can be hard to find written well.
Across the table sat the other MC, Maggie. At first I was pleased to see her depth after the shallow introduction, and I realized how low my expectations had been in that regard. A sex-positive, free-spirited, immigrant businesswoman, Maggie was a new presence in Simon's life and in a sense just what he needed. The problem is, I can list a lot of traits for Maggie, but I still can’t see her edges clearly defined. She was a bit all over the place. And although I think some of that was intended � for instance, she alternated between confident and insecure in ways that made sense � I’m not sure all of it was. Her mercurial reactions seemed mostly to be convenient for drama's sake, and I was left without a solid feel for her character.
The various relationship connections befuddled me too, and I didn’t always buy them. Since I spent the majority of this read unsure of who was intended to end with whom � which for the record I LOVE � I'm going to put these thoughts behind a tag in case anyone else wants to maintain the same mystery. (view spoiler)[First off... out of everyone, Simon and Clement had the strongest connection, and that’s not just because of my penchant for m/m pairings. (hide spoiler)]...more
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