So far, this author is 2/2 with books that hit me the right way at the right time. I think I prefer this over The Wishing Game, although the build up So far, this author is 2/2 with books that hit me the right way at the right time. I think I prefer this over The Wishing Game, although the build up was similarly long before the story really got rolling....more
Actual rating would be 4.5 stars, but I don't even know where to begin. There were some parts that I adored, some parts in the middle that dragged andActual rating would be 4.5 stars, but I don't even know where to begin. There were some parts that I adored, some parts in the middle that dragged and made the ending seem more wild by contrast, and now I think I have a crush on a British naval officer from the 19th century ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This was just very different than what I expected going in. The sci-fi aspect was very background till the last third or so, but the characters caught me off guard and I loved the sense of humor in their day-to-day lives.
At one point, I thought this was going to be a 5 star till I felt I had to round it down because of some aspects of the writing. But similar to my experience reading We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry, I am not going to forget this one any time soon....more
Oh my god, I loved this. I'd probably give it 4.5 stars because there were a few obvious plot points that characters were conveniently missing, but itOh my god, I loved this. I'd probably give it 4.5 stars because there were a few obvious plot points that characters were conveniently missing, but it didn't detract from how good the reading experience was, and it still found ways to surprise me.
There were a few elements that reminded me of Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb and The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart, but a less traumatic YA version. I just really there was a map because the world, and particularly the island setting, was great....more
In the words of Enid: Hey, this has nothing to do with you, but I need a little space, so I am no longer dating. Sorry if this is weird, or coming outIn the words of Enid: Hey, this has nothing to do with you, but I need a little space, so I am no longer dating. Sorry if this is weird, or coming out of the blue, I just wanted to let you know. Again, nothing to do with you. I really like you, and I would love to stay friends if you would.
Here's the thing. Enid was relatable, but in a very distressing way, because I recognized all the neurodivergent thought patterns and I was frustrated by all her choices.
But there was no fucking plot. The chapters were incredibly long, all the sections were short and jumpy, and the ending was abrupt and unsatisfying. Plus, I read about 60% of the book, accidentally put it down for over a month, and it didn't even matter that I couldn't really remember much of the beginning when I started back up again....more
I've never read anything by Elizabeth Acevedo before but I also went into this expecting it to be like The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida CI've never read anything by Elizabeth Acevedo before but I also went into this expecting it to be like The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova, and I was pretty disappointed.
I think there were just too many characters on top of a dual timeline. I actually loved reading about the past, when the sisters were growing up in the Dominican Republic, but I was so frustrated during the present-day events. Keeping track of all the nonsense going on wasn't enjoyable, and the pacing wasn't great, so the ending felt very abrupt by the time I was finally invested.
Also, the word "chortle" was used, and that was almost enough for me to knock this down to 1 star....more
This was even better than I was hoping! I was a little hesitant since the setting was so different than the alternate histories of her other novels, bThis was even better than I was hoping! I was a little hesitant since the setting was so different than the alternate histories of her other novels, but I was still sucked in. I appreciated the reveals along the way (some of which definitely surprised me), and I was satisfied with the ending.
There were some elements of this book that reminded me of The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert, but this was less fairy tale and more myth. And I really loved the way that this author incorporated different versions of the same story as time went on....more
Technically this is a 4.5, but emotionally it's 5 stars for me. It's not actually fantasy, but it is definitely "Willy Wonka for adults" and features Technically this is a 4.5, but emotionally it's 5 stars for me. It's not actually fantasy, but it is definitely "Willy Wonka for adults" and features a children's book series that I desperately wish was real.
Some of the characters felt pretty 2D outside of Lucy and Hugo's POVs, and yes, this was very unrealistic. But sometimes it's just nice to read a book that sets out to heal the childhood hurts of nice people....more
Welp, I just cried like a baby. I can't even hold it against this book for being set in New York.Welp, I just cried like a baby. I can't even hold it against this book for being set in New York....more
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