Mercer

Holy god, this book is so good. All of the popular novels over the past 15 years or so pull tropes from this book.

There was nothing new here, but it was certainly well-written. I don't think I'd recommend it if you are familiar with the story at all unless you want a refresher.

I am happy this book is done. It was very informative but extremely long. I also listened to the audiobook which is normally fine, but really didn't work for this text. I felt I lost a lot in translation, as it were.

I also think I appreciated the first part of the book where introduction of the experiments took place. I liked hearing about practices that I could play out on my own. I'll recommend this to others, but surely with the caveat on length.

Gets weirder and weirder. I did not see it going this way and I am INTO IT.

There were great anecdotes. However, the transitions in this book came out of left field, and I was often left wondering how, for example, we got from
Grandmaster Flash to the Talking Heads without even a subheading in between.

This book was meant to be an “all new series” separate from darker shade of magic, yet there was so much that I didn't understand or grasp the weight of because I have only read the first in that series.

I felt like I lacked all context needed to enjoy this book, and so only enjoyed one specific character's story. That part was very invigorating, but the left felt me feeling like “yeah? So what?”

I gave it 3 instead of two because I could have stopped and just gone back to read the darker shade series, but it's the principle of the thing. Also, Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere did the “magic london” concept better, and the Six of Crows series did heists AND a new series in the same universe better.

Easy reading, though nothing particularly ground-breaking.

Definitely overwrought and dramatic in some places, but he's going through chemo! I thought the convolutedness of it was appropriate–it was confusing and alienating when, likely, he was feeling confused and alienated.

I actually thought there were some interesting things in this book. AFAIK, people dislike it for a multitude of reasons, but the primary one is that they don't see it as a valid BDSM relationship given Ana's reticence. I think that's an accurate portrayal of the start of someone's BDSM experience, and thought it was interestingly deep (even if unintentional) to watch Ana process her feelings around submission and dominance.

Otherwise: basically just super-trite smut. I will finish the series because I'm a completionist and they're such easy reads.

Interesting information, but written in the least accessible way. So meandering and vast.

I loved this book. It was delightful, informative and brought back so many fond memories. I thought it struck the right balance of giving facts and history while still keeping it entertaining and engaging.

Oh my GOD THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING. It had mystery, intrigue, interpersonal drama, family dynamics, everything. From start to finish it was excellent and had so many plot twists that I absolutely never saw coming. Beautiful.

I watched this show and hated every second of it. I'm really glad that I decided to read this because the development felt much better, and I was more readily able to get into the story. With the show, I let my attention drift in and out. It's possible that the multitudes that were in this book were there too and I was just so checked out I didn't see.

I'm very excited that there are still two other books in this series, as the show itself, it seems, only encompasses this one?

Loved this book as a kiddo, loved reading it with my kiddo. Can't wait to continue on in the series.

I read this on our honeymoon when I plowed through all of the books that we had brought with us. While it is certainly an interesting story, and Ellroy does a great job at immersing his audience in the dialect and culture of the place he is talking about, it wasn't really my cup of tea. I do not think I will be reading any of his other books.

Everyone who cares or is interested in race relations in the history of the US must read this book.

Meh. The comics were cute, and this was a quick read, but there was nothing groundbreaking here.

Super interesting information presented terribly blandly.

This book was super interesting in that I felt that I learned a lot about traditional Japanese cuisine and cooking. That being said, I wish Booth had devoted just a bit more time to each chapter, as often times I was left wanting more.

Well-done

Sure, this was a little self-indulgent, but it really brought me in to what the author was feeling. The reeling was confusing and effective

Disappointing end

I loved this trilogy. Perhaps that is why I was so disappointed by the end? I feel that the last 25% was rushed as an effort to tie up lose ends. While everything was resolved, I didn't think it was done artfully. Bummed that an awesome series and individual book had to end like this.

Fun, but nothing special

Well-written and conversational, but nothing to write home about. The essays were good, but I wish there had been more tying them together. I didn't feel as though the organization of the individual essays was executed well, either.

Interesting premise. A quick, easy read, but nothing groundbreaking.

There's some good information here, but my god the author doesn't know how to kill his darlings. There is a ton that could be edited out and the only thing lost would be a little of the author smug, self-satisfaction.

I'm not sure if the stars are for the writing of the book or the content of the book, and there is a difference. I'd never delved into Toltec theories on attachment, and I bet they could be life changing. This book feels like it gives it a good surface scratch, and there are some meaningful concepts introduced. I want to look more into this philosophy after reading this book!