first book in this series is one of my favourite YA ever and genuinely underrated, imo. But the more the series went on the more it just... lost sightfirst book in this series is one of my favourite YA ever and genuinely underrated, imo. But the more the series went on the more it just... lost sight of what made it so good.
This book is. WAY too bloated. you could easily lose 200-300 ages and keep the gist of the story intact. I did think the actual ending and the way the series wrapped up was well done. But this book is just not well written, which is sad, when the first is so tightly written and so clever.
If it was not for the fact I love the characters, this would be a 2 star book. Which is such a shame for this series...more
“If the universe were static, I could stand anywhere in this world and I swear my line of sight would end on you. I swear I'd find you in the dark.”
Crier's War was definitely one of my favourite books of 2019, and I enjoyed it just as much when I reread it. It took me way too long to get to this sequel (life happens etc) but when I finally did get to it, I enjoyed it immensely.
Iron Heart maintains exactly what was great about Crier's War; characters who have interesting character development as individuals and as a couple, slow-burn romance full of yearning and tenderness and fun political fantasy elements + worldbuilding. Plot and world-wise, it's not overly complex - but it's fun, and it has a little historical mystery at it's core which is one of my favourite fantasy tropes.
I found this to be pretty action packed with good pacing for the first two thirds. I really liked the use of dual POV to build suspense and create intrigue. Dual POV was utilised skillfully to create drama and mystery, ending each POV with a cliffhanger that forced you to keep going. I think both POVs were interesting, though I tended to prefer Crier's just a tad.
The use of a dual POV also allowed for an excellent build-up toward the climactic reunion scene. The core of this series really is the relationship between Crier and Ayla, and this climax understood that.
UNFORTUNATELY, this is where we run into my issues. I thought the third act was a mess. It was anti-climactic and poorly paced, feeling like too little time was left to manage too much, which led to unsatisfying reveals and conclusions to plot threads. Major discoveries were made in ways that seemed to be extremely easy and cheap, which made some of the build-up seem pointless and disappointing. The conclusion seemed way too simple and too easy, and considering this is a 400 page book I think it left too little too late. It should have been longer, or certain discovering should have been made earlier.
That said, overall I did still really enjoy my time with this book, and this series. Crier and Ayla's story was concluded well, and I thought their romance was so well done. It's definitely one of my favourite slowburn f/f stories to date. I would love to see Varela write more in this world, I think it has potential and I would definitely read something with more deep, complex worldbuilding because I would find that so intriguing....more
reread feb 2021: HELLOO time passes but my love for this series does not FADE. I love them so much. I really loved rereading this, I picked up on so mreread feb 2021: HELLOO time passes but my love for this series does not FADE. I love them so much. I really loved rereading this, I picked up on so many things I missed the first time around.
I need more book series like the foxhole court but specifically for found family vibes that go THAT HARD, character growth, actual slow-burn romance that develops over three books, characters doing their best in the face of incredible odds and most importantly, wack descriptions of sporting games and a nonsensical plot...more
“Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was g
“Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort.”
It's probably my least favourite of the books (or closely tied with PS for least favourite) but in this case ''least'' favourite still means a book I love
I love the mystery elements of this book, and the role Sirius plays in it. I also like how well it bridges the lighter tone of the earlier books and the darker tones of the next. The quidditch world cup is also a highlight, as is getting more information about the first war and the death eaters we don't really get prior to this one. And I think this one has great side characters between Fleur, Cedric, Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, Rita Skeeter, Cho Chang and Krum
I love these illustrated editions so much and I'm liking rereading each year as they come out ...more
some points - in my original review, I say I liked this less than The Diviners, but on reread I liked it more - EVIE O'NREREAD JAN 2020: Original review
some points - in my original review, I say I liked this less than The Diviners, but on reread I liked it more - EVIE O'NEILL - Evie being drunk for like the entire showdown at the end #iconic #queen I love her so fucking much - Sam Lloyd UWU - Sam and Evie's fake romance easily the best part of this book - NEEDED MORE MEMPHIS - sorry to Henry but I find him ... not that funny? He's still my boy tho - Mabel is so annoying lmao - despise Jericho Jones - the subplot about the government/diviners/conspiracy is the best part of the series - i just lov the group dynamics - evies relationship with James is probably my favourite thing - evie's 'why can't the party go on forever' monologue to sam.... my fave of their interactions ...more
Due to the fact this was my second time reading it, the suspense didn't get me as much this time. But I still really, really loved reading about the characters. I somehow love Evie even more, and I already loved her with my whole ass heart? I also appreciated Theta a lot more this time around reading this.
There was also A LOT of foreshadowing to the later books I missed and I found it so fun to see it in here again. I really love the construction of these books and how many different elements are involved.
I am so sad this series is ending but I am also already having a lot of fun in my 'pre king of crows release' reread...more
“I think if I gave you my heart, you would treat it tenderly.”
So, this series definitely doesn't do it for me as it does for others but I have to
“I think if I gave you my heart, you would treat it tenderly.”
So, this series definitely doesn't do it for me as it does for others but I have to say this is easily and by far the best book in the series. Both on a technical level and on a personal enjoyment level. I found the writing much smoother in this book and the characterisation better executed. Laurent definitely has one of the most iconic character redemption arcs, truly outstanding. I can't believe it but this book did finally convince me to ship it.
I feel better now, knowing what all the fuss with this series is about. I can now rest easy x
“I heard my dad” Harry mumbled. “That’s the first time I’ve ever heard him” Harry suddenly realised that there were tears on his face mingling with
“I heard my dad” Harry mumbled. “That’s the first time I’ve ever heard him” Harry suddenly realised that there were tears on his face mingling with the sweat.
“You heard James?” Said Lupin, in a strange voice.
the book that launched a million fanfiction careers
Okay - so everytime I read a Harry Potter book I'm like "this one is my favourite!" but if I'm being realistic this probably IS my second favourite after Deathly Hallows which is my everything. I LOVE the characters so much, the focus on the Marauders, and the construction of the mystery. This has the best balance of dark and light elements. Some of my favourite scenes in the WHOLE SERIES are in this book (eg. The Shrieking Shack chapter, the Slytherin/Gryffindor quidditch game for the Cup, Harry and Lupin's scenes, ANY TIME FRED AND GEORGE APPEAR) and also its REALLY FUNNY (please, Fred/George, Lee Jordan, and Draco make me laugh out loud). It also doesn't take too long to get to Hogwarts like some of the others, and I love the early scenes of Harry in Diagon Alley before he goes to Hogwarts a lot. (the irony that the only one I love more is the one where they don't go to Hogwarts even though I love Hogwarts stuff?)
Anyway, those of us who grew up on a solid and fattening diet of Marauders fanfiction can appreciate this book because every tiny mention of Lupin, Sirius and James at school together causes my physical pain (you're gonna suffer but you're gonna feel good about it you know) and I LOVE that like, Lupin and Sirius care about Harry so much because of James and Lily? BRB crying??
This book is genuinely sad in parts, Harry is my favourite character (unpopular opinion i know!) but he's so sweet and I love all the scenes of him thinking about his parents UHH my boy deserved better.
“You think the dead we loved truly ever leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly in times of great trouble?”
Anyways, we all love Harry Potter so whats the point of going on and goin here's some pics of Jim Kay's artwork (I read the illustrated edition) which are so beautiful and make this whole thing even more magical.
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Anyways, might fuck around and read a 300k fanfiction about the Marauders ...more
“I just need to get out of here. I'm doing what I have to do to survive. I'm not signing up to set things on fire.”
This book was chosen by my twit
“I just need to get out of here. I'm doing what I have to do to survive. I'm not signing up to set things on fire.”
This book was chosen by my twitter followers as my book to read this month and I actually ended up enjoying it A LOT more than I thought I would
We Set the Dark on Fire is a wlw, latinx inspired YA fantasy that incorporates modern-day political concerns, especially those emerging in the Trump era, and explores poverty, sexuality, misogyny and race and how these identities intersect. It is comparable to works like The Handmaids Tale or Girls of Paper and Fire - but is also distinct from these, primarily in how it more strongly deals with politics, protest and the impacts of poverty and race. We follow Daniela Vargas, who is graduating from the Medio School for Girls at the start of the novel. This school trains women to be the wives of important political men, a tradition originating from a cultural folktale that says the salt god required two women for his wives and further, that the people who live beyond the borders of the Salt God's realm are of lower importance and value to society.
While many of the elements are familiar, such as the heteronormative society, the sexist society and the 'women as submissive and subservient' ideas, I do think this book tries to do something new. First, the incorporation of an f/f romance subverts the expectation of the romance and is posited as a form of protest against the patriarchal, sexist society. The protest and the resistance are also much more active here and I really liked how protest and resistance are such a large part of this book. Finally, many of the ideas and themes can easily be linked to contemporary political concerns. One of the main villains wishes to build a wall in between the inner city and the outer borders, the book deals with sexism and misogyny that infuses contemporary politics and poverty and how it links to race and class is a central tenet of the book.
“In a battle between two men trying to control her, she'd chosen herself.”
My favourite part of this was the inclusion of the resistance, and the f/f romance between Carmen and Dani. At the start of the book, Daniela is blackmailed into becoming a double agent working for the resistance. I really liked the political intrigue the inclusion of this group gave, and it was what surprised me. While I expected this to be 'woman deals with her horrible sexist husband for 400 pages', it was much more about Dani becoming embroiled with the resistance and the politics of tjat group.
I also LOVED the relationship between Carmen and Dani, it's slow burn and is so satisfying. The girls have a lot of chemistry and they're so sweet and I loved the development of their relationship throughout the whole book. The next book is from Carmen's POV AND I CANNOT WAIT. This is one of my favourite f/f ships I've read in a while, I was literally yelling in my car in some of their scenes.
“On the outside, she was frozen, but inside her, whole cities were being razed to the ground. Explosions were shaking the walls of her stomach. People were screaming in her throat.”
This book definitely wasn't as intense or pulse-pounding as it could have been. There's some good political tension and mystery elements but sections and reveals were a little predictable. I did like it for how it drew out the political threads, but some of the scenes that were supposed to be nail-biters didn't hit it for me.
I also thought the writing was a bit corny at times. Some of the metaphors and similes used were a bit ... strange. I thought sometimes the author was trying too hard to make something sound pretty and she just ended up using some words that don't actually mean anything. It wasn't horrible, I just noticed a few too many times something being likened to something else that didn't make sense.
“You have a big heart, a strong mind, and you will find a way to make a life you love. No matter how different it is from the one you left.”
We Set the Dark on Fire has a lot of elements that might tempt people to give it a miss. The sexist/heteronormative world and the 'Handmaids Tale' elements might be something people are growing tired of. However, I do think this is worth the read. It deals with a wide array of issues and presents new perspectives on these issues. It does more to be intersectional and explores more issues, especially class and poverty. It also has a central f/f romance that is amazing and includes more 'plot' in the resistance/political machinations and a more active main character than some similar works.
I am so glad I gave this a chance. I really enjoyed it more than I thought I would and I can't wait for the sequel ...more
reread may 2020 me @ nina varela: HEY QUEEN! girl, you have done it again. constantly raising the bar for all of us .... and doing it flawlessly. I'd reread may 2020 me @ nina varela: HEY QUEEN! girl, you have done it again. constantly raising the bar for all of us .... and doing it flawlessly. I'd say I'm surprised, but I know who you are. I've seen it up close and personal. Girl, you make me so proud . and I love you .
I AM A MESS!!! This book is everything. I have wanted this for so long. A TRUE slowburn angsty enemies to lovers where they're REAL ENEMIES who want to KILL EACHOTHER and its so beautiful.
The entire set up of this world? the plot?? amazing. We're in a world where Automae, created by humans, ended up overpowering and subjugating them. And it has so many fantasy tropes I love - like hidden/secret/forgotten histories and well constructed political intrigue. And SO MANY POWERFUL FEMALE CHARACTERS!! AND LOTS OF PLOT TWISTS!!
Anyways the ending destroyed me I cannot BELIEVE we now have to wait for book 2 when Nina Valera did me like that in the end
OUR TREASURE all i care about starts at nine Dance twelve hundred steps on the northern line To the left bank three hundred times E+A Line flag tiptoe
I
OUR TREASURE all i care about starts at nine Dance twelve hundred steps on the northern line To the left bank three hundred times E+A Line flag tiptoe
I can't believe this series is over! I had so much fun with this spooky, atmospheric mystery. It was a lot of fun and enjoyed revelling in some tropes and cliche's of dark academia/detective mysteries and I thought that was enjoyable. And at times it was genuinely creepy which was fun too.
I think I liked the middle book most of this series. One thing that did slightly annoy me about this one was I felt too many of the biggest reveals were just given to the reader, and then it didn't feel earned / you didn't get the rush of watching Stevie figure it out. I also think the end reveal, while fun, was a little left of field and I was thinking there should have been more hints and clues leading up to the reveal. However, I did like how the pieces ultimately fit together and the final reveal did have a fun, playing with cliches kind of moment which I enjoyed.
(Admittedly, I have watched knives out like twice this month which may have made me biased against all mystery reveals which aren't specifically the final scene of knives out so there's that)
“The wonderful thing about reality is that it is highly flexible. One minute, all is doom; the next, everything is abloom with possibility.”
I thought some of the character work wasn't all there. I just do not care about David and Stevie's romance or all the David related side plots. They fit awkwardly into the story and felt really displaced in this final book. The side characters didn't really do or say much, and Nate especially just was kind of ... there. But it didn't really matter too much since the entire time I was in this book for the mystery, not the characters. But the David side plot coming up all of a sudden was the one (1) point I put this book down for a bit, so it did impact my enjoyment somewhat.
That all said, I feel I'm complaining about this too much because I did enjoy it and read it in less than 24 hours. It's well-paced and fun, with some great reveals that really tie all the loose threads together. I felt I was given every answer I was longing for, and I liked the ultimate reveal of the motivations behind certain mysteries. The ending was also great, not too vague but not too tight. I thought it had a lot of creep and spook which I liked. Johnson is great at playing with atmosphere and setting, bringing this creepy old school with it's hidden passages and secret tunnels and trick staircases to life. I also liked the blending of the past and present, how the characters from 1936 felt so present and real in this one compared to the other books.
I feel like this series didn't need to be three books. It could've easily been a duology, or even one big book. But I think Johnson did well to fill out the series and not make every book seem like a needless drag, and I appreciated that! Especially since I was a little worried going into this one given the reveals in the one before.
Overall this is a really fun series. If you like fun detective/whodunit mysteries that play with the atmosphere you'll like this. It's a good spin on true crime and a genuinely fun mystery to unravel, and I think it's just the perfect thing to pick up in the afternoon and read on into the night. Actually, since I mentioned it - If you like Knives Out and how it played with genre and tropes and had a bit of fun with it, you'd probably like this too.
The only interesting part of this series is Jude and Cardans relationship so in hindsight Holly Black was giving them like only 5 chapters together thThe only interesting part of this series is Jude and Cardans relationship so in hindsight Holly Black was giving them like only 5 chapters together the best idea?
“This, I think, is the crux of evil in this world, Majesty: those who feel entitled to anything they want, anything they can grab.”
I'm so sad I fi
“This, I think, is the crux of evil in this world, Majesty: those who feel entitled to anything they want, anything they can grab.”
I'm so sad I finished this series but so glad I loved the ending! The ending is super controversial and I was worried but I thought it was great. Usually, I wouldn't go for that kind of ending but I think it fit perfectly with the themes of the book and the bitter-sweetness was REAL. I was glad Johansen took a risk with it and even though it broke my heart I think it was such a perfect and logical end to Kelsea's story.
- I loved how non-stop it was. It starts right at the heart of the story and it never stops moving and there are SO MANY REVELATIONS. Some I guessed, but I did like that the character's reaction was well written so it felt dramatic nonetheless. - Kelsea and the Red Queen scenes! - I really liked the chapters from the past and the way this blended the past, present and future so much - the destruction of the Fetch's character and the entire history behind Row Finn and the Fetch *chefs kiss* - I honestly just loved the worldbuilding of this whole series and especially in this final book. It has sci-fi elements and such expansive worldbuilding. I also love the themes and the focus on sacrifice, religion and politics which has always been the pillars of this series. I think this was really clear in the flashbacks to the original Tearling, it was all done so perfectly especially given the ending - finally, I LOVE KELSEA. She's one of my favourite characters ever. I love that she has such a dark, angry side and feels like a real and complete character with lots of flaws but also strengths
what i didn't like - PEN AND KELSEA UM?? - Some moments were vague and left me a little confused about what the author was trying to convey - Javel's storyline was completely useless and so was Aisa'a
Kelsea wondered suddenly whether humanity ever actually changed. Did people grow and learn at all as all the centuries passed? Or was humanity mere
Kelsea wondered suddenly whether humanity ever actually changed. Did people grow and learn at all as all the centuries passed? Or was humanity merely like the tide, enlightenment advancing and then retreating as circumstances shifted? The most defining characteristic of the special might be lapse.
This is gonna sound batshit but ... even though I can see so many problems with this book I still ... liked it. Objectively, there's a lot wrong with it. It's slow-paced, too drawn out, doesn't capitalise on its setting and intrigue as much as it could, and sets up arcs only to brush them away with little satisfying resolve. And yet, I really liked reading this
I love Kelsea so much she is SUCH an interesting main character, and I liked that she had a bit of a anti-hero arc in this book. She's definitely becoming more morally grey and I LOVED IT. I think she's a genuinely interesting main character to follow.
I liked the alternative timeline settingThere is a pre-crossing timeline in this book and I genuinely enjoyed these parts. It's dystopian in high fantasy which is fun, and the intertwining of the stories to create mystery and intrigue was my favourite part of this book, plot wise
Pen and Kelsea is kind of everything bodyguard and queen trope? mutual pining? perfection. The romance could/should have been more drawn out but I can Accept it not being so since it's a background aspect of the plot
I love the politicsThere is A LOT of politics and I love political fantasies so this worked for me. You've got the religious/church politics, the invasion, the court politics. Again, I think some could have been more drawn out and complex, but I still liked it
its so uniqueI've read a lot of fantasies but I honestly don't think I've read one quite like this. The setting and the characters and the world feel so fresh, and the way this blends and bends genre is so much fun. It refreshes tropes and definitely has a new take on fantasy.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE SO MUCH
?? racism there's a part where they describe a gang, and the leader is black, and then they refer to them as 'those people' and talk about their proclivity for rape/looting/violence. Even if they meant 'those people' as in, another gang, identifying the leader as a Black man despite noone else race ever being mentioned still feels icky
lots of homophobia/raping/violence It's not necessarily a critique because I don't necessarily think books shouldn't include these themes, but sometimes it felt like misery porn. Almost every female character is raped/faces an active threat of rape and the church is violently homophobic and misogynist. I understand this book Was trying to critique these aspects and mirror them with our world, but I kind of found it all exhausting.
(almost) bury your gays There is two explicitly gay characters in this book. One is a priest who is violently mutilated by the Church on-page (and it's pretty graphic) and left for the dead. The other is only mentioned to be gay as he lies on his deathbed so that his boyfriend can weep over his death. In both cases, I felt it was weird we only see gay characters when they suffer/so they can suffer. Neither die, but the depiction again felt icky.
its pretty slow like the first book, this felt like a lot of set-up and not much pay-off. It is the second book, so the pay-offs may be in the third, but I still thought this took to long drawing out tension and too little time actually have the action this tension leads to occurring. Honestly, not a whole lot happens in this book despite it being nearly 600 pages long.
IN CONCLUSION
Despite having many a grievance, I still did have a fun time reading this. This is far from a perfect series so far, but it's got a great main character and lots of unique and fresh elements. I like the world a lot and I'm definitely intrigued and excited to read the third book. I have heard mixed things about the ending, but I think I know whats going on and I don't think I'll be surprised. I am glad I've read these books, and I like them, but maybe they're just not amazing books I'll want to reread over and over again.
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