DB
I've realised I really really like angst. Like I knew I liked it, but I didn't realise that I actually prefer angst until I read Wayward Son (sequel to Carry On, by Rainbow Rowell). So, while I do really love happy endings and the sequel being all happiness and butterflies; I like the sadness and angst, especially with bountiful amounts of yearning and yearning, all the while the angst just builds and builds and it's all so gorgeous.
And this is definitely the case in this book. You have Séverin perpetually pining over Laila, and that makes him sad. And he's sad because of the very sad, awful thing that happened at the end of The Gilded Wolves (which is, you know, we don't talk about that, okay). He must be so tired from thinking he's doing things all wrong and a team that he's bound to let down and/or lose them; can we all just chip in to buy him a gift voucher for a couple of therapy lessons? Like, please, Séverin, accept some love from your team.
And then on the other hand, Laila is also pining over Séverin, and I can now definitely count them as a favourite ship, and they need to be together at the end of the series. But there's another issue that she also has to worry about, and which issue does she need to be worried about more? And the two of them go back and forth on their relationship and feelings, all written excellently and it's all so good.
Don't get me even started on how much I love Hypnos, Enrique, and Zofia. I love them so so much. Like I said below, I love all the cast equally but I do have a special super interest in these three because they seem to share the same thought – that they don't belong, that they're most likely annoying. Like, HI, I resonate!! FULLY! So that's probably why I feel so much for them because I can relate to them just a little bit more than the others.
I had so many emotions while reading this. So, so many emotions – my Kindle is just full of it. If you're a reader who reads for emotions and is wanting to find more books that'll make you swoon and squeal (or whatever your choice is), then I highly, highly recommend this series.
Roshani is just a master at creating prose for her characters. Its all so beautiful. I don't even feel like I'm sitting on my couch and watching a movie while I'm reading – the prose and the story and the way the characters speak with each other makes me feel like I'm right there with them. Basically, I just want to eat the words, I know that probably doesn't make any sense at all, but that's how I'm feeling – like I want to pick up the words and chew the words.
I love how sometimes, in the kindle notes I'm like Roshani, this and Roshani, that; like I personally have Sunday lunch with her or something, like she'll read this review and then invite me to lunch
I was like more than a hundred pages inti the story when I realised I wasn't interested anymore. Don't you hate it when that happens? I liked it, but it didn't feel quite like the middle grade fiction I'm used to. Freddie, the main character's best friend, was funny and I could see myself carrying on with the book just for him.
Another book where it looked good and then it wasn't. I think I started liking it but it didn't read like a middle grade book. I know it's historical fiction but I feel like there should be a better balance. I did feel a little bit for Cap, but I guess not enough to keep me interested. Funnily enough, it wasn't even the fact of the book being a historical fiction that put me off, just that I didn't connect to the story/characters.
Hopefully I'll like the author's other books because I've seen those synopses and like them. Then again I liked this synopsis as well so who knows? My main reason for not liking this book was solely due to the main character, Cal. I didn't like him at all. I think it was how he saw the world and thought. And because the book is written from his point of view, we unfortunately see all his thoughts.
I did see a bit of Leon (the love interest) before I dnfed and I much preferred him and would maybe even finish the book if it was from his point of view. It also looked like a certain trope was in their budding relationship, one I very much dislike, so that was even another reason for me to not want to read any further.
Another reason I didn't like Cal is that I thought his focus and idea of media and his view on social media was weird? Like he thinks badly of some media personnel because ‘they act a certain way' (I'm paraphrasing) but Cal has nearly half a million followers and you're telling me he HASN'T taken some type of media/marketing course or maybe acts a different way off camera so he can be ‘himself' off camera? Maybe I feel this way about him because (to me) it doesn't feel like he's been written to have so many followers, if this makes sense. I also feel that Cal is a bit self-absorbed and he tries to show that he isn't, which makes me dislike him more.
Oh, and also the formatting in the e-arc was really annoying me too. Bits of interviews meshed into the paragraphs and it was difficult to read. I tried to force myself to read it and fizzled out before the 50% mark. Once again, don't force yourself to read a book! There's no merit in that!
But then again, my best friend read the book and loved it. So, two different people, I guess.
Me? Rating a sports book 5 stars? Okay, it's happened before with Running With Lions by Julian Winters. And the All For the Game trilogy by Nora Sakavic. So I guess I do tend to like sports books if they have a good cast of characters. Michigan vs the Boys proved that point.
A big deal of the book focuses on the boys' team hating the fact that Michigan joined their team (after her team was cut for budgetary reasons). Which was unfortunate because she's a really good player, but because she's a girl, she's automatically seen as inferior in most of the boys' eyes. Like they keep saying that women are more ‘emotional and prone to rages' or whatever but who's out trashing the streets when their favourite sports team loses? Who gets upset when a girl tells him “No”?
That really riled me up and annoyed me to high heaven. I attended an all-girls' school from Gr. R to Gr. 12 so the only time I had to deal with boys in the classroom was in Drama (Gr.10 – 12). And even then I only liked 2 of them and either would sit by them or sit by the girls. I know for a fact that if my parents put me in a co-ed school I would be in the principal's office at least once a week for fighting with the boys. I just had no patience for them! One reason why I never dated in high school (another because I was too busy reading to find time for a relationship
Loved this book. Finished it in my history class and I was so annoyed by the ending that I slammed my hand onto the table, earning a look from my teacher.
Can't wait to read the next book and watch the movie.
A cute easy read that will certainly make you reread Little Women and wish there's magic and witches in there (just in time for the movie remake, right?). I didn't remember much of the original Little Witches, except that I liked Jo the best, probably because she reminded me of George from the Famous Five series by Enid Blyton (also my favourite character. Timmy and Julian were like tied for second place).
I've become more used to reading Comics and Graphic Novels, and while I am (most definitely) not gifted in drawing or you know, anything visual creative stuff (writing's more my speed, obviously), I can and do definitely tell and admire when the graphics are good! And this is the case with Little Witches – they're so cute and like soft? Which doesn't really make sense – but it's like their faces (facial features etc) are softly drawn.
I really liked all the characters. I'm always up for siblings in novels and I was happy to see that they looked and felt like siblings – their banter, conversations. Even if they got into some fights and arguments along the way (like listen, which siblings don't? My sister and I used to fight over the remote or even who was doing the dishes). But in the end, when it really matters, they come together and help each other and that's what I love about sibling interaction! That they still love each other very much, even though they annoy each other and fight and all that; when it comes down to it, when one sibling needs the help, the other will be there to do whatever they can.
I already spoke about Jo being my favourite character but Laurie was definitely my second-favourite! I loved him. Everything about him was great, his personality and I liked what a strong character he was. I liked his grandfather too.
And then when the magic played into the story I was even more excited. I enjoyed how the magic showed different genres – like you could be stronger in one area in magic than other. Which is always a thing I loved because as cool as it may be, it's actually more realistic for a character with magic to not be top in all categories or areas of magic. I liked how they showed the sisters practicing the different areas of magic and what they could do.
The plot was pretty interesting. It is a usual thing with magic – if you have magic, wield magic etc, there's bound to be bad/dark magic – because it's a common theme in books where magic is, or even in fantasy books where the good beat the bad. And I liked how they showed it in here.
The gorgeous graphics in this are the only reason why this is 2 stars and not 1. It was another confusing story and while I was interested in Nina, our main character, at first, that interest sort of fell away because (to me) she felt like she was constantly moving between emotions and character motivations a bit? And I'm not trying to sound like it's Nina's problem, because I think it was probably me that just didn't connect with the characters. At all.
As much as I didn't connect with the characters, it was also the plot that really put me off. I felt that they just shoved us into the world in like, mid-season of the series and we're forced to play catch-up with everything.
I liked the magic they showed and definitely how the magic and magical characters were shown through the illustrations. Maybe if they had more focus on the magic, I would have been more into the book?
THE MAGIC
Okay, you know I'm a huge fan of magic in books and the magic system. I especially loved that in here. The type of magic seen in this book is called Forging, and includes both mental and physical abilities – like I believe you would be able to change an object's appearance, or be able to tell its history – who the owners have been, where it was made, etc., just by a touch. The amount of intricacy involved in the art of each Forging and how the character used it every time is definitely something I'd love to see on screen. Will the magic be conveyed by sparks? By swirls or streams of colour? Only visible to those with Forging abilities?
The book also showed what each forging ability could do and couldn't and what their caster's limits are too. I love it when magic has limits, because then it shows that magic can't do everything; that in the end, we're all so helplessly human.
THE COSTUMES
If a movie/tv series gets a good wardrobe budget and costume designers, then you have outfits that are truly amazing. And because The Gilded Wolves is a historical fantasy, you're able to have gorgeous historically accurate clothing, rather than what's in style at the time that the book is set in (I've recently been watching Hannah Montana and... what was the fashion back then and why was it so bad?).
The outfits described in the book sound so elegant and fashionable and while we do get to see that with the occasional art, I would love to see that depicted on the screen. Great, swooshing amounts of fabric, each character showing their style – their way of dressing, their favourite clothes to wear when they're just at home; all good things I must see.
THE FOOD
Laila is the resident Mom™ Friend of the group and makes sure everyone's eating. She also likes to bake a lot, which is amazing, because I always prefer to eat rather than bake (like if you ask me to help you roll out cookie dough and the recipe says makes 40, the tray will end up making 20 if I help).
The food was described in ways that just made me want to reach into the book and pull out the food. You could almost smell the fresh food, almost feel the piece of let's say, donuts – did they have donuts back then? Maybe you could even imagine tasting whatever you were eating – I know I was thinking along those lines.
I would love to see that on screen, just be able to to see the food and it'll be almost as good as actually smelling and eating the food. Or, can you imagine, if they released a cookbook made exclusively out of Laila's recipes or recipes submitted by Roshani, something like that. Or maybe the cast's favorite foods – I would buy that book and possibly make the food in there.
THE CHARACTERS
This group of characters is definitely going in my book as one of the best cast I've ever read. There were more than just characters in the book, having to perform jobs and missions together. They were friends, wanting to be with each other, have fun and laugh with each other. They felt more like a family than just a team working together – which is great, because the whole concept of the found family trope is that they want to spend time with each other. Sure, you can add a whole bunch of banter and Feelings™, but you can't fake becoming closer.
I can't even begin to think who is my actual favourite, because it's ALL of them! Even Séverin who gets on my nerves a lot with how he thinks and treats the other characters, I still like to read his view. I loved reading how each character feels about Forging and what they think is their role in the group versus what their role is actually (which made for a lot of my comments to be ‘soft').
I'd love to see Zofia and Laila become friends, everyone crowding around Laila and asking about the food. Hypnos just randomly coming over and making himself at home, sitting too close to Enrique and flirting with him. I want to see Enrique getting all excited over something historical or linguistical (same, Enrique. Same) and no one's really interested. Tristin, even walking around casually with Goliath in his hands. is something I'd even want to see (and then he has to be back in his cage – Goliath, not Tristan, that is). And let's be real, we all want to see Séverin moping, don't lie. We all love the angst.
THE REPRESENTATION
This review would have been shorter, but I couldn't not include this, as it's so vitally important. So, the entire cast is all super diverse and I think it's extremely, majorly important that the casting respects and follows the representation. Maybe there's a Jewish Polish girl who's autistic and always thought herself to be extremely weird and unlikable – what if she sees The Gilded Wolves (with or without reading the book, we don't shame here), sees Zofia on screen, sees herself in Zofia?
Titles, whether or not they're book adaptations suffer a lot through whitewashing or dancing around labels. Either because they're afraid how the audience will react, or the studio doesn't want it; taking away a label, an identity, is something that can be harmful, and shouldn't happen. Whenever this book is adapted (I'm choosing not to say if), it should be correctly casted. Someone who understands why Laila's dancing is so important should be playing Laila. Enrique's actor needs to be played by someone who understands him and his heritage.
I'm not saying that the adaptation will be a total flop if the actors aren't a 1000% copy of the characters. I'm just saying that you don't know who's watching and who sees themself in a character, and I think that's an extremely important point to consider.
THE STORYTELLING
Okay, so, I have no idea how they'll be able to transfer the sheer and utter art of the narrative and the storytelling – the way the paragraphs were weaved together and how they seamlessly followed another onto the screen. I invite them to try, though.
I suppose that's one of the pros of the book over the movie/series. You're able to see how the characters feel about a situation, whereas with actors, you just have to hope they can convey the same feelings. Or with dialogue – we all know our favourite lines in our favourite books, but who knows if they'll be carried over 100% to the screen.
Trigger/Content Warnings: They are at the the end of the book (!! Love to see this!), but I'll add them in here. – as in this is lifted from the end of the book and not me noting which tw/cw I pick'ed up. Discussions of racism, homophobia, past minor characters' death and alcoholism. Depictions of homophobic bullying, and a scene involving brief sexual harassment/racial fetishism.
I love this book so so much! Julian is such an incredible writer. Everything that Julian writes I immediately love and snap up and as soon as I finish reading the book, I instantly want to read it again. Seriously, if you haven't read one of his books before, you need to! Either this or his debut, Running With Lions. Please and thank you.
A thing I've always loved about Julian's writing (one of the SUPER SUPER many, ok) is that he writes SUCH relatable characters – like I can easily imagine seeing these characters on the street, and what's more, easily being able to chat with them. Also!! The secondhand embarrassment I get from these characters? Is a super big YES from me because it allows me to further connect with the characters and bond with them. And I just love secondhand embarrassment – mostly because I still get to FEEL that awful embarrassing feeling, but it's not happening TO me.
The plot's basically about Remy trying to figure out what to put into the essay, how he's meant to define himself if he's still trying to find and define himself; and I thought that was great because a lot of contemporary novels are set like that – characters trying to figure themselves out, playing different roles until they find the one that works for them.
There's other sub-factors; Remy tries to find out more about his biological family – which I thought was nicely written (I'm not adopted, so I can't speak on that rep). There's also graffiti that pops up and now and then and lemme tell you, I had my suspicions about the artist, but I was wrong and pleasantly surprised at that.
You get some books where you can sort of tell the author wrote the book, you know? Sure, their writing voice can either be strong or weak, but there's another voice, a more personal voice than the writing voice. With Julian's books, there's just so much of his personal touch that shines through and that's something else I love really a lot.
Is spying a genre? Oh well, it's one now. The cover is definitely something that drew me in. I like how it's drawn but also it's super cool? There's tons of badges and the nosebleed? Excellent. But the art inside – I'm not an expert in drawing like at all, but the illustrations were a bit weird. Not like bad weird, just that the characters were drawn a bit weird. Didn't put me off wanting to read it, though.
My mother and I are always interested in reading news about the Girl Guides (she was a leader, my sister and I were part of it. It was really fun) and what they're doing. When I saw the book, I went ‘yeah, that's something I want' and clicked request and luckily they approved me!!
I love kids doing things normally done by adults – spying, fighting, being badasses. I believe this is the first book in the series of what I'm hoping will be more; but it did feel like they just dropped the reader into the middle of a case and let the reader piece together the story. These kids are young and they're ferocious but I still want to protect them? Like sure, give them weapons and send them off to various places for cases; but also give them a blanket and some snacks so they can sleep, please.
I like that there's different types of teams and they're all expert in different things and that's definitely something I'd want to see in later volumes. Another thing I think the writers did amazing work on was the camp and the map that was added in. Carcass disposal? Tactical jump scares? I found the badges to be amazing – crime scene cleaning, shark attack? Where are the issues where a scout would try to receive one of those badges?
I'm going to be honest here, I don't remember the plot at all. Obviously they were on a mission. I vaguely remember they sort of go rogue? Or maybe they don't. That's it. I remember the characters more but that's about it.
Do I recommend it?
It's a fun, easy-to-read book. If you want an adventure with kids who know what's what, this book is a good one.
Ending the review off with a happy review! Avant-Guards is definitely one of my favourite graphic novels now and I'm wanting to read the other issues! I loved every aspect of this and enjoyed every minute I spent reading it.
The characters were so much fun and I wanted to read it again and again to spend more time with the characters. Or just have a cute animated series that's just them being all cute and having fun team times. They all had such fun personalities and I just loved them all.
Olivia is adorable and I can definitely relate to her. While I could possibly count her as my favourite, the entire team are all my favourites. If you're looking for a cast you could probably all love, then this is the book for you!
The Pan's Labyrinth movie is probably my absolute movie, one that I've watched about ten million times. So when I heard there was a BOOK coming out WITH Cornelia Funke, aka one of my favourite writers – I know I needed to get my hands on it. Luckily I was approved to read it and I was so excited because my favourite director plus my favourite children's author – sounds like a recipe for YES PLEASE.
I'm very glad to say that it delivered far beyond my expectations! It was literally like I was watching the movie but in book format – which was exactly what I wanted. Funke was definitely the right co-author for this. I could absolutely feel her influence in it. It felt like I was reading one of her books but with the added benefit of also being told it by my favorite director. Literally like a dream come true.
I loved that they added little stories in between the normal (i.e. – what happened in the movie) – it added to the overall creepiness of the story and never felt out of place. Also The Pale Man? Just as creepy written down as he is in the movie, and I both loved and was once again, scared of that. It wa
I don't know how long fathers are allowed to stay in the hospital after the babies are born. But they LITERALLY JUST HAD twins, let him stay in the room overnight? But if I think for too long about the little I read of Patrick, the more I got really angry at him. He uploads a picture to Facebook without checking WITH HER. And this is like just after she gave birth – you could've waited a few hours to post it? I think I must've only read about three scenes with him in it and I didn't want to know anymore.
This is another one where the writing tried to be flowery and more than what it turned out to be. So another bit of disappointment. I think that's my issue with a lot of adult thriller novels – there's something about the writing that just doesn't do it for me.
It's a very interesting concept – diamonds being used in magic, but not just any magic – blood magic. Which does have darker connotations. And I think (one of the reasons why) I became so disinterested in this book is because I thought there would be a much bigger emphasis on the whole blood magic thing, then it was barely touched on.
I actually had this whole paragraph about how Kohl takes in people that are like nearly dead or who don't have many prospects, and then I finished the book and realised ‘oh no he's actually really bad.' Like he's absolutely awful. A terrible, terrible person. I like that we're told that he's awful, but we're also shown a little goodness, just enough to make us think he could be good. He is very good at manipulating people – which isn't a good thing of course, but he thinks he's a good guy and actually helping people – which makes him an even more complex written character – because we're fooled into thinking he can be a good character.
I liked most of the other characters. Tannis was my favourite side character – I wish we saw more of her, but maybe she's a bigger character in the sequel. As for the others, yeah, I actually wish they had given Tannis more page time rather than those that had. I'm not saying I didn't like or care for Teo or Ryuu, or the others, (okay, I am a bit) they didn't really hold much interest for me.
One of the aspects of the book I really liked was all the crime mentioned in the book. Aina being an assassin, the city basically thriving on crime and forcing the people to take on lives of crime to live and then blaming them for the crime. That was interesting to see because it mirrors real life in a way – people being forced to do what needs to be done in order to survive and then being blamed for that exact thing.
I liked the plot, until it made me very confused. There kept being another plot point behind a trap door, because that's what it felt like to me – I turn the page and boom, there's a new area of the plot I didn't know or didn't see happening. Sure, a part of that was because I wasn't paying as much attention as usual, so that's probably my fault.
The more I write this review the more I get so annoyed because I know I should be into this book and loving it, and honestly, I will probably read the sequel; but this book just made me so frustrated with dragging me along, promising me a good time, and basically, failing to provide that.
This is a non-fantasy book, to my knowledge. Aka, there's no actual vampires in the book. The book is set in New Orleans and I am a fan in believing in the extraordinary. So maybe there are actual vampires and this book just doesn't touch upon that. Was I sad that this book didn't have any vampires in it? Yes, I was, as I love vampires. At the same time, the book works well without the inclusion of the vampires.
By the mixed signals bit, I meant that I was confused about how much I liked this book, and why. Yes, I gave it 3 stars. That doesn't mean I didn't like the book, I did. But it was also confusing re plot. There's the main plot, Lucy, Mina, Arthur, and Van Helsing decide to look for Harker (Lucy's brother) as he's disappeared. And then the plot gets all muddled? And they're also focused on a game that's supposedly linked with Harker's disappearance; and while we do get to the bottom of it, I'm also perplexed. Because for me, the result/? sort of fell flat.
Poor Lucy's trying to look for her brother but the clues they get are so bare they make a skeleton cringe. But maybe that's how a mystery book is meant to be? I haven't read many, so maybe they do tend to give the reader bare clues and allow the clues to be fleshed out over the course of the book.
I loved the characters! Lucy and Mina were adorable together and I loved seeing their relationship. I loved seeing Arthur and Van Helsing interact - Van Helsing was such a fun character to read about. Even though I didn't understand much about what he said re anthology (as he's an anthology professor), I still enjoyed it. Which is something!
I liked reading about the app (Thrall) and also the ‘sub-app' that they find through Thrall - which I won't spoil for you. I would maybe use the dating app as it did sound cool?
I would like to listen to their true-crime podcast (Shadowcast) though. Even though I've never listened or am not subscribed to any true-crime podcasts.
Read the review here: https://dbsguidetothegalaxy.wordpress.com/2020/05/07/eclipse-the-skies-more-like-this-book-eclipsed-my-heart/
Spoiler-free review! Well, except for the warnings, I guess. But then again, warnings aren't spoilers. So, it's still a spoiler-free review!
Warnings: Major Character death. Depression. Racial discrimination. PTSD. Please comment if you've read the book and I'm missing some.
Is it just me or are writing sequel reviews really hard? Because you have to figure out what you wanna talk about (obvs) but also you can't talk about the review too much because what if someone is reading it and they didn't read the previous book? But then again, why are they reading a review about a sequel they haven't read about? I myself don't read reviews of books I haven't read unless they specify it's spoiler-free (she says as she keeps on forgetting to add the words spoiler-free to her posts).
I would like to say ONCE MORE that I love these characters so so much. Honestly. Where's the pill to make fictional characters come alive? Because I know what my one of my wishes from a genie would be.
So I don't cry that much in books. I'll cry a bit more in movies or series – especially if it's a hospital scene or if someone is terminally ill and it's their last scene etc (because that has personal memories for me and also a huge reason as to why I didn't watch Five Feet Apart – but also because the movie didn't seem interesting hgh) but I DEFINITELY FELT like I wanted to cry big time in here, which is another reason to read this series, please.
I just... REALLY want to see this duology become a series? But I think an anime/animation would suit it WONDERFULLY rather than a live action. And that's totally because of my utter love for Wall-e, but also Titan A.E. and Treasure Planet. I mean honestly, we need this duology as a series. Someone start a business where us book bloggers just (get paid) to read books and tell you which ones to make into movies or series.
It's hard because like I loved Brinn so much in the first book and when something happens in this book, I thought I would stop loving her but I didn't? I just kept on loving her. When we were first introduced to Goner, I instantly loved him and hoped we would have more of him. Same with Vetty. I just LOVED Vetty and how he bantered with Knives and then they became friends. I love it. Ia, as usual, keeps holding my heart because she's my favourite and she went through such a lot in this book?? Give this girl a Happy Meal, please. With a cute little plastic spaceship as the toy.
The plot was amazing. And to those in the know – sure, the ending might not be cool or what an avid reader would want for the end to a series but for me, it fits? Was I sad? Sure, definitely. Very much. But was it also an amazing end? Absolutely.
Also, Nowhere Ramen ✌✌✌✌
Warning: A lot of mentions of mad/madness/people performing actions due to their ‘madness', as that was the term used back then. Those actions are mostly in terms of violence and violent acts. There's also a bit of assault, but it doesn't seem to be sexual. Mention of suicide.
I've probably mentioned it before here (on my blog, of course) but I don't have the greatest love for historical fiction books. They're usually a hit or miss for me, more so a miss for me. But I couldn't pass up the premise of the Philosopher's Stone! Usually I am a huge (okay, massive) fan of a lot of fantasy in a book, I do also like little slivers of fantasy and science fiction in a book.
That is definitely the case in this book. Even though I first thought it would be hard to understand, what with all the alchemy and science information, but I'm glad it wasn't! Thea (the main character) is more than passionate enough about alchemy and trying to complete any alchemist's life goal and dream. I felt Thea's need and want to create the Stone – it wasn't just for her, she also wanted to prove herself to her mother.
Oh, her mother. What a character and a half. While she isn't actually physically by Thea all throughout the book, her mom's words and actions are most certainly there. And they affect her as the mom is really manipulative and only thinks of herself. She's so dismissive of Thea's alchemy skills and only wants Thea to help her in her triumph.
I won't say much of the romance because it holds some spoilers, but it did not go the way I thought it would have. But I'm also impressed that it went that way. I enjoyed it and the fact that it wasn't the usual cookie-cutter romance we see.
There was something I'm always not keen (in the slightest) to see and that was girl-on-girl hate/pitting girls against each other – whatever you prefer saying. And I'm so so tired of seeing it in books! Why do they have to think less of the other? Because the one girl enjoys ‘pretty' things while the other prefers to study? Because a certain boy pays more attention to the one girl than the other? Would the story change if it were taken out? In this book, I think it wouldn't change much if the criticising of the girls (by the girls) were taken out.
I think a big reason why I stay away from historical fiction is that there's so much of the writing, usually of the narrative and description. Which is probably funny because if you present me with a fantasy book that has an overabundance of narration and description, I'll probably thank you. But I didn't feel that way in here! I could easily keep up with all the alchemy talk and kept being intrigued by how much Thea's mom annoyed me (with how unfair she was to her daughter).
I realised it had been a while since I had read a fantasy book – and by a fantasy book, I mean like an adult fantasy book, and I forgot that with adult fantasy books, it takes some time to get into the story, be involved in the plot, connect to the characters, etc. And that was my opinion towards this book – I wasn't allowing myself to connect to the characters because I was so used to loving them the second you meet them (not that that's wrong) that I forgot about the characters that take a while to connect to and how they can be good too.
That was definitely my feeling in this book. It took me awhile to connect to the characters (though Rolf, the dragon, was a favourite from the get-go. I mean dragon, boom). But I'm glad I kept reading because I ended up loving them. Especially our main character – Riana. I felt for her, was angry when she was angry, became sad when she was sad. All which I love to see in characters! The same thing with the plot! I only realised it was great when I realised I that it was – yes, this sounds confusing, but it works. Somehow.
Loki was another great character – and by that I don't mean he was a good character – as in morally good, but just very Loki – he is the god of Mischief and Trickery, after all. Though I didn't like how he treated Riana – but that's because I loved Riana and wanted the best for her.
I'm not going to spoil anything for anyone but there are vampires!! Which, of course, gets me all excited, because VAMPIRES. They added a bit extra to the book, amongst everything else that also give the book even more extra, and I, for one, am happy about that.
this was excellent??? review to come soon
I think I liked Early to Rise the most, with The Wish-Giver next.