While I really enjoyed much of this -- most especially the mythology surrounding the Cards -- I didn't love it as much as I had hoped. Someti3.5 stars
While I really enjoyed much of this -- most especially the mythology surrounding the Cards -- I didn't love it as much as I had hoped. Sometimes the writing lent itself to being overwrought or repetitive in its descriptions, and I never felt the emotional connection between the two main leads and felt their love developed entirely too quickly (no heart squeezies with this one). Even so, the world building and created mythology were fascinating, and I am invested in seeing what happens in the second book....more
Not as good as the first title in the duology (The Serpent and the Wings of Night), but still an enjoyable read, especially for a self-published title Not as good as the first title in the duology (The Serpent and the Wings of Night), but still an enjoyable read, especially for a self-published title....more
Better than I expected, with solid writing and consistent pacing. It's not breaking ground in any new ways in the fantasy romance/romantasy genre, but Better than I expected, with solid writing and consistent pacing. It's not breaking ground in any new ways in the fantasy romance/romantasy genre, but I still found it an enjoyable read overall. I was also impressed with how clean the text was and well-formatted, given its self-published nature. Conversely, while it was an easy read, there was something lacking, whether with pacing, which was consistent but felt slow, or the romantic build-up, which didn't give me as much emotional punch as I had hoped. Regardless, I'll likely read the next one to see where the story leads. Definitely far superior in craft to books like From Blood and Ash....more
Similar to its predecessor, Fourth Wing, IRON FLAME does a lot of things well in terms of reaching its target audie A short mini-review months late....
Similar to its predecessor, Fourth Wing, IRON FLAME does a lot of things well in terms of reaching its target audience, but it takes a lot longer to get there in this slog of a novel that's a quarter-million words long. I read it and I enjoyed it, but I still found myself wishing for a tighter text, fewer unnecessary fight scenes where the outcome is always the same, and less of the "why won't you share with me?" back and forth between the two leads. There was also a lot of messy and unclear worldbuilding with the luminary and wardstones and with the basic magic system. I also wish the ending of the book hadn't seemed so obvious in its trajectory (view spoiler)[anyone who's read any amount of paranormal romance knows that bringing back one's lover from the dark side is an established trope and there's no real risk here to their relationship (hide spoiler)] and that the end point for Violet across the series not so obvious (view spoiler)[clear hints about a prophecy and her being the Chosen One TM (hide spoiler)]. However, having said that, I really enjoyed seeing the friendships developed more, the evolution of Andarna, and what I believe is the building of a foundation for better and more intriguing worldbuilding in coming books. I'm sure I will still snap up the next book when it comes out just to see where things go next....more
Whew, I did it - read the book of the moment, which I think is a first for me (I'm usually either ahead of the trend or way, way behind).
If DIVERGENT Whew, I did it - read the book of the moment, which I think is a first for me (I'm usually either ahead of the trend or way, way behind).
If DIVERGENT and HUNGER GAMES and A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES and VAMPIRE ACADEMY all got thrown into a centrifuge and someone spun out the heaviest parts (those plot points most obvious, those most likely to grab readers' attention) and then sprinkled those with a heavy dose of talking dragons, FOURTH WING is what would result. My assessment is, by no means, an original take, but I really felt I could feel and see strains of each of these prior series coming through as I read it. That's also not to say that that's not a good thing, as this book delivers on exactly what is aims to be: a widely accessible piece of commercial fantasy romance that appeals to a wide breadth of readers.
While I found much of the first half of the novel predictable and boring, for other readers (read: less jaded ones), this story is going to pull them in from the first scenes. Once the worldbuilding, conflict, and romance started to appear on the page more, I also found myself pulled in. There are a lot of things this author does well, especially for a burgeoning audience of new readers coming from BookTok and elsewhere or for those of us who rode the first big wave of YA fantasy and paranormal romance 15 years ago and might be coming back to it.
Having said that, it did take me 200+ pages to get into it, and I cringed throughout at some things (breaking the fourth wall, slang/language used, sarcastic dragons, oh-so-convenient happenings, and some plot holes or illogical worldbuilding). FOURTH WING also feels distinctly like a YA novel, not a new adult or adult tale. Clearly, it has lots of violence and detailed sex scenes, but it still felt like it had more in common with the conventions of YA than adult fantasy, and that left me wanting it to feel more mature in style and delivery. However, these things won't take away from most readers' enjoyment....more
This started out as a five-star read for me, with efficient prose that evoked emotion and a sense of place, but the second half didn't hold up to the This started out as a five-star read for me, with efficient prose that evoked emotion and a sense of place, but the second half didn't hold up to the first. This feels like the mature YA writing that I used to seek out and love, and I would have read this in one sitting had I had the chance. I was all in, feels and all, during the first part, and I loved the concept. However, there were some problems with the later world building that gave me pause and with the characters' motivations, and the instantaneous pull between the two main characters began to make less and less sense as things progressed. I think this would have been a stronger book overall if the rules of the afterlife had been more consistent and if the book had been a standalone; I was still impressed and enjoyed it, but I don't plan to read the sequels because I'd rather sit with the conclusion this one ended with. ...more
While I can see why people loved this book, especially when it first came out during the pandemic and we all needed something kind and encouraging, it While I can see why people loved this book, especially when it first came out during the pandemic and we all needed something kind and encouraging, it just wasn't for me. It was too exaggerated and saccharine, and it felt young, almost naive, at times. I do, though, appreciate the author's dedication to the craft and style of the story, and the inclusion of a sweet queer love story that wasn't bogged down by trauma. Feels best suited for those who love a boarding school-esque setting with lots of quirky characters and a British feel. I could have also done without the constant use of body descriptions (and related body-shaming) as a stand-in for character development.
A sometimes irreverent but moving tale of a boy's imaginary friend who appears when he needs it the most; a direct but gentle exploration of homelessn A sometimes irreverent but moving tale of a boy's imaginary friend who appears when he needs it the most; a direct but gentle exploration of homelessness, food insecurity, and having a parent with disabling disease.
Read as a nightly read-aloud with our seven-year-old child. ...more
I understand what the author was trying to say and I got it, but the first half of the novel felt a bit gimmicky. I was incredibly moved by the second I understand what the author was trying to say and I got it, but the first half of the novel felt a bit gimmicky. I was incredibly moved by the second half, though, and the writing was great throughout. I wish the two parts had better complemented one another, even though I think their differences were part of the point....more
A cute tale with some hidden layers of depth about two mice siblings and the unexpected places life leads them.
Read as a nightly read-aloud with our s A cute tale with some hidden layers of depth about two mice siblings and the unexpected places life leads them.
Read as a nightly read-aloud with our seven-year-old child. ...more
I wish I hadn't waited nearly seven years since buying this book, and nearly eight since I read Hallowed, to finish this series. I lacked the continui I wish I hadn't waited nearly seven years since buying this book, and nearly eight since I read Hallowed, to finish this series. I lacked the continuity that I so value when reading, and I've aged, as has the genre. I can say this, though: Cynthia Hand's Unearthly trilogy remains the strongest and most complex YA angel series I've read. However, even saying that, Boundless didn't hold my interest as I had hoped, and the ending felt too neat and too centered on the main character, Clara, and giving her what she wanted with limited consequences. Some significant plot points were left unresolved or unexplained, and many of the other primary characters weren't given due closure. I did still appreciate the focus on family relationships and the development of the angel mythology, even if those developments were entirely too convenient at times. ...more
One of the better anthologies I've read, and I'm disappointed that I put it down back in 2019 and didn't come back to it until 3+ years later. While I One of the better anthologies I've read, and I'm disappointed that I put it down back in 2019 and didn't come back to it until 3+ years later. While I don't typically enjoy horror, the feminist approach these stories took was a welcome one, both terrifying and exhilarating (and sometimes both simultaneously) in the results depicted. Standouts included the contributions from Mindy McGinnis, E. R. Griffin, Lindsey Klingele, and Kate Karyus Quinn. ...more
Loading...
