I was really interested to try this author's writing. The jury is out. I seem to have more objections than anything else.
The first chapter was killerI was really interested to try this author's writing. The jury is out. I seem to have more objections than anything else.
The first chapter was killer (literally)! It was creepy and all the things the synopsis promised. Then, things got a little unfortunate for me. Okiku, who is allegedly the main character, and her incessant counting things over and over and over and over and over about drove me to madness. She also "spoke" in a stream of consciousness sort of form. Never ending sentence fragments, repetition of words with no breaks. Wordsandwordsandwordsandwords...that kind of thing. I got it. I got it a long time ago
I'm not sure the writing style is for me. It kept taking me out of the story how repetitive it was. A worse offense, in my opinion, was the constant switching of POV. It goes from first person to third person omniscient. It does this whenever it wants, for whatever reason, and leaves the reader with no idea who is actually speaking, why we are there, and how we got there.
Okiku, who is really the only one I cared about that much, wasn't actually even the main character at all really. It was an angsty smartass 15-year-old boy. This could be a "me" issue because I have one of my very own of those at home, so I definitely did not need this in my life. The hero cousin is all wholesome and Marcia Brady like, also without really any other redeeming qualities. The dad was dry without personality.
It's a 2.5 for me. I rounded up only because I loved the idea of it, and I did some of the chapters. I'm not sure I will continue with the series. I know this book is an older title, so I wonder if her writing has changed dramatically with her newest novel, Silver Under Nightfall. ...more
Book 3 of 4 in series. Who am I even about to actually complete a series? I'm giving this another 4. I am shockingly really, really enjoying this storBook 3 of 4 in series. Who am I even about to actually complete a series? I'm giving this another 4. I am shockingly really, really enjoying this story. And I am absolutely invested in all the characters now, and I can't wait to see what happens. I hope to see Queen Levana get hers in the end because she absolutely sucks. I love how the characters are all woven together and the found family aspect of it all. I'm looking forward to Winter, the fourth book, and how she fits in with this group. ...more
It's crazy how good this writing is. Book two into this series that I picked up strictly because I had FOMO and had to prove I wouldn't li4.25 stars.
It's crazy how good this writing is. Book two into this series that I picked up strictly because I had FOMO and had to prove I wouldn't like it. But I like it a lot! The world is so vivid, and I feel like I really know the characters well. I didn't know that Cinder was such a big part of this book, but it takes place essentially right where the first one left off. I also didn't know that Scarlet was based on Little Red Riding Hood. I wasn't much for fairy tales as a child, and I'm not much for reading synopses now so I went in pretty blind. It has thus far served me well. I don't know what the next book in the series is about, and I plan to keep it that way. But I'm really enjoying it! ...more
I was excited to get my hands on this for spooky season. YA horror can be a lot of fun, and this was overall a good time. The Camp Mirror L3.5 stars.
I was excited to get my hands on this for spooky season. YA horror can be a lot of fun, and this was overall a good time. The Camp Mirror Lake atmosphere brought everything you would want, and our final girl, Chastity, was an admirable boss for a young woman who is both playing the final girl and taking on more responsibilities that she expected.
The ending got a little wild and a bit too far out for me, but that is kind of the hallmark of slasher movies so I shouldn't be mad about it. I did particularly like one of the ending twists. For me, I wish I had a bit more character development and backstory but it was a short book which makes that more difficult. For the YA audience, this is a stellar read. ...more
2.5, rated down after doing a little thinking on it. This was really a miss for me. I almost DNF'd so many times but pushed through for the sake of th2.5, rated down after doing a little thinking on it. This was really a miss for me. I almost DNF'd so many times but pushed through for the sake of the series. But I have no intention of continuing this series. I so do not care at all about Mare or Cal or any of the other characters in this book. The overall premise of royals with superpowers is pretty awesome at face value. Unfortunately this reads like a lesser version of other, much better YA dystopian books. If I had to hear "anyone can betray anyone" ONE more time...ugh. ...more
3.5, rated down. It was a good book, and I binged it quickly as YA goes. I realize I'm not the audience for this, so won't fault it for some of the th3.5, rated down. It was a good book, and I binged it quickly as YA goes. I realize I'm not the audience for this, so won't fault it for some of the things I found annoying. I'm sure I would have loved this had I read it back in my actual young adult days. Ultimately I heard this book was going to make me so emotional that I would never be the same. Not one tear was shed for me....more
I was worried this wouldn't be for me, but I truly enjoyed it. It is a rich and colorful world, and I kind of ate it up. Yes, some of the commentary iI was worried this wouldn't be for me, but I truly enjoyed it. It is a rich and colorful world, and I kind of ate it up. Yes, some of the commentary is pretty YA and cheesy sometimes, but I was here for it. Tella was an insufferable brat, and Scarlett made some ridiculously dumb decisions, sometimes in the quest of protecting the insufferable brat. The ending seemed a little rushed, and I still may or may not be a bit confused about what happened, but as this is book one in a trilogy, I trust this will be worked out. I'm looking forward to getting back to this world. ...more
It was as expected. Kinf of like trash TV. Much anticipated, fun to watch, and then I feel bummed when it's over. I'll probably pick up the sequel. ItIt was as expected. Kinf of like trash TV. Much anticipated, fun to watch, and then I feel bummed when it's over. I'll probably pick up the sequel. It's an extremely quick read and a good palate cleanser in between some heavy books....more
"Am I not merciful?" Spine chilling! This was the most immersive read I have ever had. This book is really a piece of art. With each page turn, you ha"Am I not merciful?" Spine chilling! This was the most immersive read I have ever had. This book is really a piece of art. With each page turn, you have no idea what you're getting next. I have a difficult time with sci-fi, and I did struggle in the first 100 pages or so trying to figure out what was going on, but the payoff is so worth it. I read this in tandem with the audiobook and was blown away. It is full cast with sound effects and really adds that extra layer of pending doom that left me on the edge of my seat. It was like being at the movie theatre watching Armageddon. It is YA but other than the age of the main characters, it certainly does not feel that way. There is drama and suspense and emotion and fear! My god the fear. 10/10 recommend for anyone, whether you like sci-fi or don't. This is incredible. I can't believe this gem has just been sitting on my shelves for this long. I can't wait to get to the rest of the series....more
This was quite low on my TBR, but I had FOMO since everyone and their dog has read it. It came up available on Libby, and I thought what's the worst? This was quite low on my TBR, but I had FOMO since everyone and their dog has read it. It came up available on Libby, and I thought what's the worst? Who knew I would have such a good time! I read the entirety in one sitting, and honestly, if I had read this in my true YA era, I think it would been the greatest thing I ever read.
This is my first Marissa Meyer, and I am definitely going to continue on with this series. The story was so well done. Totally a Cinderella retelling but so far advanced and weird that it made it super interesting, even for an old reader like me. The character development was done really well. We have quite a few new characters due to the context of the sci-fi dystopian setting...but the stepmother still sucks, and we love to hate her. The other characters though are really quite loveable. The world was interesting. Some of the dialogue, while cute, was a little too YA-y for me, but I really can't fault the author for that since I'm not the intended audience.
4.25 stars. Well done. And I'm on board for the next book and my journey with this author!...more
This was just really wholesome. I enjoyed the first half so much. I loved the characters! Ellie and her mom and her friend were so great. And the dog!This was just really wholesome. I enjoyed the first half so much. I loved the characters! Ellie and her mom and her friend were so great. And the dog! I think this is such a positive book for a YA audience - to live in a reality where your parents just believe what you tell them at face value and accept it all as fact. No question or indifference. I think the plot could have used a little something the second half, it felt a little underexplained and forced a bit. ...more
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