Taffy :)
This book was a nice little trip down memory lane & one of the more notable books that made up my 7th-grade year
I haven't decided if I like the book or the movie better... anyways, if you're looking for a book about the strange and unusual, time travel, and one with interesting vintage photos, then this is the book for you. Just know it might not be as fast-paced or scary as expected...
3.85
Keep in mind, this was a first read-through. I'll probably reread it later in life and enjoy it more. It took me a while to get through the book - not necessarily bc Frankenstein is super boring (although it did have its moments - giving background info, setting a scene, etc) but you have to be in the right mindset to really enjoy the book.
For anyone not familiar with the Frankenstein story, I'll try not to spoil too much but read at your own discretion
♦ Victor is 100% a narcissist and loves his family and best friend as much as he possibly can.
» That was another thing that threw me off for a bit! Since the families used to arrange marriages and stuff, people - specifically guys - would create these super close bonds - they're basically brothers. So the way that they talk about each other is kind of romantic bc the language at this time was kind of extra. Don't get me wrong it's pretty, but if you're not expecting it, it's weird.
» It's funny how little people have changed tho... After making his creation come to life (and realizing what he had actually done), he decided to just go to bed and hope that his problems would go away... and then only when he absolutely HAD to did he deal with it. I feel like we as a society do this all the time and I'm fairly confident that Mary wrote her characters in certain ways based on other people and what she saw but I could be wrong.
♦ The Creature was a super gentle being! (If a little grotesque and 8 FEET TALL - still cant get over how he just walked out of a college one day - IN THE LITERAL MORNING - and NOBODY noticed anything strange!) He just needed a friend... Like Victor at college.... and Walton...
You don't understand how intricate this book was! It was crazy - layer upon layer upon layer! And it would never stand up in court bc it's literal letters... so it went a little something like this:
sometimes the Creature
Now, I still have a few questions about the book, but my biggest one: What about Earnst??? What happened to him? This poor middle-child kept getting forgotten in the storyline and I'm just- where did he go?
I will say I enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting to... It took me a bit to really get into it, but once I got about 60% in i was hooked... honestly not sure how i feel about Madoc - like i think he actually does love his kids and he seems to relate best with jude but well idk
BEWARE! Spoilers ahead
Fav characters (or somewhat liked):
OAK - he deserves to have a great childhood!!! don't know if he'll necessarily be the best king... but he is just precious!!
Bomb/Roach/Ghost - how can anyone not like them. I mean they're just trying to live their best life with as many explosions as possible
Vivi - she ACTUALLY cares about her family cough taryn cough (even if she does get a bit sidetracked...) the scenes with her and Oak were so cuteee
Professor Noggle -he was funny
Oriana - while not the nicest to Jude, idk I couldn't help but like her. She had so much love for Oak and I'm kinda curious what she thought about some of what happened in the book
Cardan & Jude:
he kinda gives misguided Gilbert Blythe vibes... if Gilbert was spoiled and cruel. I'm not excusing ANY of his behavior, however that is the vibe I kinda got by the end of the book. These poor children just need some proper love. and poor Jude needs to feel safe somewhere so she can have some fun... and maybe good therapy sessions...
Despised characters:
Taryn&Locke:
-ugh- the traitorous piece of slime DESERVES Locke. They can off and be horrible together!
but the fact that Locke was all ‘I still like you Jude' ugh HE is the one who chose the slimy traitor so he can NOT try to have both.
I LOVE the sister bond so much!! but it's sad what happened to make it that strong...
now there's definitely more going on with the guys than what we see
HOWEVER does it really excuse what they did?! Also, does Seth specifically get better? Or am I going to hate him even more as the series continues?
As of right now, I'm not entirely sure how I feel- about them, the book, everything - but I will keep reading the series. Kinda intrigued as to how this is going to play out, but it's mostly for a friend. But I gotta say that last half was just whack and I don't know if I can take all of this for another -what is it 8-10 books?!
Giving it a 3.7 bc I don't even know how I feel about this book right now
Edit: will NOT be continuing the series in the foreseeable future...
Honestly, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this book... I definitely enjoyed parts of it, but there were other times where I was a little confused - not by the events but of the reaction of the narrator. Also, I think I personally just can't relate to the fmc, Cassie. And one specific phrase just really bugged me bc of her ‘oh I'm the only person who's suffered and know tragedy' attitude. I totally get it cause I have a pretty good life and even I can get in those funks, but it just got to the point where it was annoying to read...
Now, I did really like the fact that you as the reader FELT the loneliness, distrust, and fear of being the last person but also of encountering other people. I will say, that while I didn't LOVE his writing, he did manage to transport me emotionally into the story- at least until she's ‘rescued'... what I mean is, I usually end up watching a movie when I'm reading (it's not a full emotional connection to the character and the events..?), rather than feeling like I am experiencing it (like being transported as the mc to that time/place). Idk if this makes sense 100%... I might come back and polish up my review later
Sorry for the rambling that will 100% be happening. I am wayyy to giddy and sleep-deprived for this right now - HOWEVER you know when you start reading and you're just immediately immersed and you can NOT put it down? That's exactly what this book does! or at least for me ... i know not everyone has the same tastes or reacts to things the same way. BUT THE PLOT TWISTTTT - I totally fell for it and I couldn't be happier
this book is so good and it's like this perfect combination of Criminal Minds (well maybe NCIS is more accurate but CM was the 1st one I thought of so - hnstly u could probably put any good crime show...) + well actually I cant really think of a good example right now - maybe SoC bc of the dysfunctional characters that somehow work relatively well together??
I don't know how to feel about Chaol and Celaena. I just don't understand the relationship - I get her and Dorian, not Chaol. Aside from the ridiculously unnecessary triangle, I mostly enjoyed the story, and I'm glad Celaena got to experience a real friendship through Nehemia. I was a little disappointed though bc I was expecting a little bit more idek, not exactly action but, something!
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I miss sam! I'll give this a 4 bc it left me intrigued and bc shes like 18 and I keep forgetting how young she was when she was adopted by Arobynn and sent to Endovier
You know when you've JUST finished a book and you're still riding that emotional high that the book caused? That is exactly what happened! Granted it was also midnight at the end of a VERY long day BUT I will say the author surprised me by how much she captured my attention.... I did start to suspect certain things were gonna happen based on yknow events and stuff, however it's the WAY she did it
Also her imagination is just
It's funny cause this book has been on my TBR bookshelf for about 12 yrs now.... you know how it goes sometimes. New books are constantly grabbing our attention. All I can say is why? Why didn't I just put it in the freezer? I knew the reputation of the book - just why? That being said, it was really well-written and I would recommend it bc of the writing alone
I have never really hated anyone - at least until I read this book
YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH I DESPISE Arobynn!! However, this book was well-written and aside from my pure HATRED for Arobynn, i really did enjoy it....
And I understand why Sam had to die but I'm still a little sad bc I actually liked them together. I mean he was part of the reason celaena was able to get out from under Arobynns thumb and...
“Families are messy. Immortal families are eternally messy. Sometimes the best we can do is to remind each other that we're related, for better or worse... and try to keep the maiming and killing to a minimum.”
The character dynamics are so good and so funny! I personally think if any other character was narrating this series, it wouldn't be NEARLY as funny.
Probably my favorite character dynamics aside from the trio are:
- Tyson & Rainbow [Tyson is so adorable;e and honestly just like a big innocent kid who like playing with his best friend Rainbow!!
This book was definitely heavier than AGGGTM, but it still managed to pull off an insane twist!
Poor Stanley!! he just wanted to live a happy life and leave his past behind and every time he opens up it's like a slap in the face... and while I can't hate Charlie for hating Jack (as much as i want to), I can hate him for unnecessarily trying to burn Pip ALIVE ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! He already had her phone, there were no cops, and she was a little bit preoccupied with Stanley's SIX BULLET WOUNDS. That and the horrible manipulation of poor Jamie :(I will say I think Jamie x Nat are gonna be such a cute couple and really good for each other!!
