Daijah
the final chapter june 2024 bookclub pick: https://www.patreon.com/daijahsbookworld
i enjoyed this one a lot and the audiobook is really good. i just wish we had a lil more gore and it was more showing and not telling but with it being told completely through interviews, that's kinda just the nature of it.
ashley poston has done it again with her latest novel, weaving a heartfelt and enchanting love story that seamlessly blends emotional romance with magical realism. from the very first page, i was captivated by eileen merriweather's journey and the quaint, mystical town of eloraton.
when life hits rock bottom—pain from a breakup, a job you despise, and feeling left behind while everyone else finds happiness—who wouldn't crave an escape to a fictional small town created by their favorite romance author? that's precisely what happens to elsy, albeit accidentally, and it's the beginning of a tale that's as magical as it is moving.
poston's storytelling shines with its emotional depth and lighter tone, focusing on self-discovery rather than the heavy grief present in some of her previous works. this shift doesn't detract from the story; instead, it offers a refreshing exploration of healing and finding one's path after loss. elsy's character is wonderfully relatable, embodying the struggle many face when trying to move forward after an unexpected life event. her journey resonates deeply, whether you're grieving a relationship, job, or friendship.
the town of eloraton itself feels like a character, with its charming quirks and timeless atmosphere that reminded me of stars hollow but with an extra touch of magic. poston's attention to detail is evident, as every aspect of the town and its inhabitants serves a purpose in elsy's journey. the side characters add richness to the story, creating a vibrant small-town romance vibe that i absolutely adored.
initially, i hesitated to give this book a full five stars, wishing for a deeper exploration of anders, the grumpy bookstore owner. however, once his backstory is revealed, it brilliantly ties together his closed-off demeanor, adding depth and understanding to his character. this revelation was a turning point, fully developing anders and solidifying my love for the story.
while i noticed some repeated descriptions, this is an arc copy likely undergoing further revision, and it didn't diminish my overall enjoyment. the themes of healing, self-discovery, and finding home are beautifully interwoven throughout the narrative, making every detail purposeful and impactful.
ashley poston has crafted yet another masterpiece that left me both heartbroken and hopeful. this novel is a testament to the power of love, the magic of second chances, and the importance of finding one's own path. i wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone in need of a magical escape and a heartfelt, emotional journey.
thank you to berkley publishing, ashley poston, and netgalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
the final chapter april 2024 bookclub pick: https://www.patreon.com/daijahsbookworld
i appreciated the commentary on women being hurt by men, colonization, etc. but i didn't care about the plot, the writing, especially the sex scene were so cringe, and honestly it was like pulling teeth to read this book.
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eric larocca truly shines in a short story format. his stories always have a way of getting under my skin and living in my head rent free. even if not completely grounded in reality, they always display the truly horrific reality of humanity. the writing is impeccable. the concepts are astounding. and i truly cannot get enough of their work.
this skin was once mine: 4.5/5 stars
seedling 3.5/5 stars
all the part of you that won't easily burn 4.5/5 stars
prickle 4.5/5 stars
thank you to titan books, eric larocca, and netgalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review
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if you're looking for a blend of shadowhunters and the bridgerton era, this book is perfect for you. the journey through the story was enjoyable, but i found the pacing to be quite slow. the atmosphere, characters, and historical details were great, yet the story felt like it dragged on for too long, making it feel like it took an eternity to finish. the main characters, especially lord carlston, stood out. he's the dark, brooding figure that many readers love in their books. however, there were too many side characters overall, which often left me confused about who was who. despite the slow pace, the plot was intriguing. demon hunters in the 1800s? absolutely! however, the complexity of the world was often confusing and didn't necessarily add up. i did have a really fun time with this story despite the couple of problems i had.
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this book was a quick and easy read for me. i appreciated the commentary, particularly the subtle nuances of code-switching which were very relatable. the exploration of navigating a white workplace as a black woman, including figuring out if another black woman in the office is an ally or not, was well done. despite these strong points, i found the overall story underwhelming. the plot felt long and drawn out, and the quick resolution in the last 10% of the book left me disappointed. and i hated the plot twist. i'm really grappling with having a 3.5-star time for 90% of the book and then a 1-star time in the last bit. my rating for this one was extremely hard.
for being such a short audiobook, lucinda berry really dove into some deep, heavy topics and handled them with the utmost care. the audio elements and voice acting in this were amazing. the plot was slightly predictable but because the novella was so short, it didn't really take away from my enjoyment of the story
actual rating: 3/5 stars
i really loved the italian vacation vibes of this and the commentary about not fitting into your family but i feel like the author literally lost the plot in the second half. the horror was lowkey disappointing and i didn't enjoy that the vacation element basically disappeared in the second half of the book.
