rogier caprino
Belle Revolte is a re imagining of prince and the pauper In an elemental magical world. It's french inspired and set a time not yet in the French revolution of a country called Demeine. Emilie and Anette are the nobility and pauper stand ins. Emilie desperately wants to be a good force to the world and be trained and use the noon arts but she's forbidden to. She's girl of nobility, lower ranking but still of nobility and is not allowed. Ladies should be proper and not harm their bodies with strong labour. The switch happens on the ride to the school her mother attended in her youth . The another narrator, Annette is introduced at this point.
I love how the magic is split equally between the Lord Sun and Mistress Moon. Illusionary arts are moon based and the noon day arts sun based. Power drawn from Lord Sun is stronger and more fickle. Immense amounts of power is required to change the world through the fighting and healing Arts. Magic always comes with a price and extreme use can lead to an early died of all the ravages to the body . While illusions, scrying and divinations belong to Mistress Moon. It a safer and slower burn it can not change the world.
I have to address my complaints with this title . The beginning 60 pages were a bore to read . It picks up the after page 70. I do have to say Emilie and Annette got me through it. Although their voices sounds similar I grew attacked to the girls and the bond they shared. I did love the lore and magic system but I think Fantasy of manners or similar fantasy fiction isn't for me. I liked parts but sadly I have to say this book wasn't for me.
the storyline was okay but not that different from other african books w/ corruption. and i felt nothing for the character. i finished it because i will be having a test on it.
This title is marketed as feminist mashup of the lost boys and the craft. I'd throw in a dash of practical magic. The 80s vibes with the witchy side. The powerful Matrilineal line. I admire the female bonds between the Brayburn family. How messy but still caring family can be. The story starts when the Roxy and Mayhem Brayburn flee from Mayhem's stepdad. They flee from Texas to Santa Maria, California.
After kidnappings happen in Santa Maria, Mayhem makes it her goal to use gifts to seek revenge and save the girls.
Mayhem screams Kristen Stewart. Mayhem comes of cold and Stewart would do great. I stand by it Stewart is talented AF. Go watch Speak and Personal Shopper. Mayhem has a silent rage and needs someone like Stewart.
I really enjoyed the writing but the pacing is slower burn. You really have to like or read about Mayhem as character to read forward. Seeing other review I see where they are coming from. One thing to add this book is weird. We're sliding in to Fabulism territory. What I really enjoyed. Mayhem is part Brazilian but it feels more like a white character painted biracial. I side eyed it a couple of times
This is a personal reason but I can't stand that the lead ,Mayhem calls her mom and aunt by their first names in her narration and dialogue. It's a constant eyesore. I know that the Brayburn see each others as sisters but it was annoying and felt White. Us south Americans would not dare to speak to our parents that way. This also a reason why it didn't feel real. I finished this book feeling a 3 out of 5. Great writing with a interesting lead but why what feels like a painted over white character.
4.5 stars
My thoughts
Cover: The blue sky, the green field , the swing set in motion on a summer day got my attention like that when i first say it last year on a IMM of christi at the story siren.That scene has a huge and important part in this great and touching YA.
Book When i first say it on netgalley i flipped out[ok that???s overdoing it a bit,i was really exited] i requested.Crossing my fingers and toes. BUT i got declined,I requested it again and got declined for the second time.I finally got aprroved.Thank you Flux. I though”need to read this soon”.My contanious effort was not for nought.
Before i start this review, this is dark.I was prepared for it but got schocked still.It was meant to be schoking
These teens are f*cked up.I can???t believe the parents did not see their kids were hurting inside.But he that reality .A lot of parents are to buzzy to see or sence whats happening.I have to ad there were great parental figures. The grandpa and ma???s.
Some parts of the synopsis are abit misleading. A summer full of secrets. The story takes place over two years and not one summer.Some people might find the pacing a bit dragging.But in mine opinion it was needed to tell the story
The writing was nice to read and flowed smoothly. In four different pov???s that of Katie,Alex,Julie and Kyle???s.I have not read a other book that's written in 2nd person that i can remember.I loved.Love different pov but their chapters were a bit short at times. That only irked me. Non the less i could connect with them all. I would glad to jump through the pages to comfurt them. Probably there reaction could be??????wtf , who are you?????? lol
All four teens had 360 turn around[for the better or worst] in my opinion and character growth.The katie,julie,kyle and alex i first met were different at the end.katie was a bitch and alex a @shole.But i got to care for them.A huge plus.Kyle and Julie doubted themselves a lot but that changed[i gotta try to doubt myself]I felt connected to Kyle a lot and saw a couple of things of me in him[YA SAVES].I can say the secret that???s come to light liffted and helped with a lot of hurt and pain.And eventually a more grounded love for all of them to each other and close people around them
If you love dark topics , no let me rephrase that like reading about dark topics in contemporary YA.This not a light read.Kinda dark is an understamend.I recently read that book banners are trying to ban it of its language and real heart braking stuff teens encounter.Give it a try.I can't wait to read miss Gelbwasser other book, inconvenient.
thanks to Flux for approving my request of Pieces of Us
this review is also posted on roro is reading
this was part of the 2012 contemp challenge hosted by katiesbookblog.com
it was more intense and more politics but felt that it missed something. and the new names confused me
but i'm happy i got to see more of Gaelen
it was oke , i know i'm in the minority but it did not Wow me/ still exited 2 read the sequel tho
and can't wait 4themovie
I had an enormous slump the past few months an in order to get back into Dresden's world i figured why not pick up the omnibus. It was great re-reading the first two in comic book form. I forgot a few things but those are minor. I love how the art is drawn and seeing Harry drawn on paper strengthens the hots from this guy( roro) for Harry. I do hope that the other novels will be adapted to the comic medium some day . It will take a while , haha.
1.5
my thoughts
Cover: A pretty decent cover.Are those wings? I loved the red hue
Book:I was in the mood for an angel book thus requested it on netgalley.Sad it was disappointing.The religious undertones were not a problem , the characters were.
I always try to finish a book and finishing this one was grueling.The love triangle was annoying. I tried not to be a cynic while reading the reading romance and ended up laughing.[ i'm rarely cynical] I tried to like it but sadly no success.
The MC is supposed to be an rocking kick butting heroine but was in fact one the whiny bunch. Which boy am i going to choose, which “brother”.
Yeah falling in love is forbbiden an can is dangerous for there souls . Gimme a break. I do have to say the youngest “brother” is the best of the bunch and the funniest.Really he is a Hoot.
The prologue was freaking amasing , exiting. A chase. Nikki is being chased by hell hounds.And then the “brothers” appear . The halflings. WHY,WHY,WHY could the rest not exceed the prologue.The rest felt like reading a textbook, the prologue excluded.Flat and boring
A couple of people loved.Sad i did not. I read raving reviews. If you are interested.Give it a try.Maybe you are the one that will love it.
thanks to Zonderkidz for approving my request of Halflings
3.5
I enjoyed volume 2 a lot more. The second set of issues felt like they told a story better than the first 4 issues that felt like random stories in a volume. I think the rating of volume 3 and 4 will have a higher rating
4.5.
I'm still a comic book noob and I dont have a lot of comic book experience. With that out of the way, I enjoyed this volume. I can't wait to purchase a copy and wait for volume 2
received an e-arc through Netgalley
more of a 3.8 out of 5
really liked it but the ending was huh. why stop there
eve grew even more and less naive since book1
full review soon
4.3
My thoughts:
Cover: the ??????boring?????? cover makes it stand out in a sea of girls in pretty dresses. I???d rather have this . that???s just me
Book: A 15 year old kid will start his first year of high school . And is very nervous . He writes letters to an anonymous person. Charlie is socially akward. A loner and meets two wonderful people he befriends Sam and Patrick. A heck of a lot happens to summarize it .
I???ve read reviews and I believe some people will get bored reading it . Charlie s not a buccaneering pirate but a kind ??????boring?????? 15 year old. Admit it our lives are not that interesting. I loved TPOBAW because it is filled with human emotions. There are a lot social issues. My only complaint is that there too much to fully develop in 200 pages. I could not fully connect with the side characters , mostly with the trio.
I can???t wait for the the movie
Only the ending was cute. It didn't make any sence but it was cute . I liked the barely fleshed out main and love interest as well.
Meduse, this world we're in grows bigger this time around. You already feel how big it was in Melusine but the magic system, the wizarding school of thoughts and the politics are seen more clearly . The sequel is a traveling fantasy book as was it's predecessor. This time time traveling back to Melusine to mend the Virtu and letting our characters heal , fall and heal again along the way physically and metaphorically. We meet new characters, old ones and the hideous monster of a man returns.
The touchstones of magic and the wizardry school of thoughts are introduced in book 1 but not a lot if explained and you figure some out by context. Monette gradually explains the magic in the second one. The way different academic ways of study conflict in our society so do they as well with the Meduse. These are wizards who follow different theories of magic in a very scholarly way. I loved reading about these theories as Felix inevitably tries to get a grasp on each new concept of magic he comes across. The book show some knowledge is forgotten by time or destroyed on purpose. And why the series title is Doctrine of Labyrinths becomes known. I've never read about a magic system using mazes and labyrinths and this was so interesting to read. I loved how the magic was shown to be academic . I also loved learning about Felix ‘ connection with the dream realm and how it strengthened with the help of wizard he has grown close to and call friend. This mentoring and interacting is only possible in this realm because of his mentor ‘s state in the waking world. He is a huge part with the way Felix changes as a person for the better.
The sequel begins a few weeks after the occurrences in Melusine. We meet Mildmay and Felix again in the Gardens of Nephele. That magical order healed Felix from the magical trauma and mind . They care for each other and their brotherly bond grows stronger but it remains strained because even after year on the road Mildmay and Felix still know so little of each other. And Felix being selfish wizard with a huge ego doesn't help. Felix was often surprised to see Mildmay angry. Come on dude your at fault most of the time. You are really a more selfish, cruel and egotistical Howl lol. But I love how Felix shows more in actions and words how much he cares for Mildmay and the small group of loved ones trough out this book. But I know he'll screw it up somehow . Society in the garden , in Melusine and everwhere else sees Mildmay only as a thug. Felix doesn't understand how this hurts Mildmay. And the tension remains through out the book.
On their travel back home they meet known people, rescue some and fight others. We meet new characters of which Mehitabel is probably the biggest. She's an actress turned governess also running from her past, what we don't know yet when we meet her. I really appreciate how Mehitabel sees Mildmay as a person and not the scar faced thug most see. I admire how she doesn't make fun of Mildmay , which makes her the exact opposite of Felix's thoughtlessly cruel conversations with Mildmay.
She tries to be a proper friend towards Mildmay and notices the subtle changes that occur between Felix and Mildmay on the way home in ways others don???t. Mildmay needed someone desperately needed a friend like her that worries about him and doesn???t want to see him trod on by other people. She respects Mildmay more than he respects himself. She not afraid stand on even footing with strong characters and imposing figures Felix. He's said to unnaturally tall - I picture a 7 feet tall gorgeous redhaired man with brilliant arm and hand tattoos
But without Mildmay the story wouldn't have happened and he's the glue with these group of people. He's not as talented as Mehitabel to influence people with her acting or charming and does not have a presence like Felix. Mildmay is freaking intelligent , what he needs to believe he is. He's so funny with his dry wit , he's caring and loves the people he loves immensely. No other person would go to go underground into the ruins of an ancient death cult to rescue a rich young boy they met in their travels and no one would travel with a half-mad Felix , he just met, to the Gardens of Nephele . What Felix saw in a dream. Who knows if it would exist and were to find it. He trusted Felix to find the way in his half-mad state. Mildmay has seen so many friends burned to dead, get murdered or die in someway. I enjoy seeing his worldviews through his beautiful green eyes and dangit love him so much. The biggest thing I love about the relationship between the brothers is that no matter how complicated things get between them they still find comfort in each other. And I hope Felix shows Mildmay how deeply he cares, that huge ego is in the way. Just show it you silly.
The biggest thing I love about the relationship between the brothers is that no matter how complicated things get between them they still find comfort in each other.
I can't wait to follow these brothers in the two concluding novels.
8 - 15 September 2020 / 4.5 out of 5 . see my first read through for my thoughts
march 5 -17 - 2014 / 4.5 out of 5
My thoughts
We've all used our imaginations during our childhood ,current children still do and future ones will do the same. As we grow older were confronted with reality and the fantasies , forts build out of pillows and blankets and playing with stuffed animals stops and fades away. Of course authors never lose this marvelous thing. Though some are better then others . The riverman is a tale of the girl who imagined, the boy who wants to believe - beliefs and at the same still remains sceptic and that mysterious evil that steals all .Both real and imaginative .
You should not judge a book by its cover but I do anyway , from time to time and requested The riverman on NG for that sole reason .So glad I got approved. The riverman is about Fiona loomis and Alistair Cleary who were once close friends when they were younger . But now at the age of 12 in 1989 , they have drifted apart like some friends do when growing up. On a particular day in October Fiona needs his help to save Aquavania and stop the Riverman. Ooh , how I like Alistair . In A very skeptic way Alistair listens to her and tries to play along and helps her . He tries to figure it out but can't figure it out if it's real or not and starts to believe , still a skeptic thought remains. The story of Fiona loomis in Aquavania is written anecdotally and in the 3rd person. In this way it does not feel like there was any info dumping and it could be seen as the detachment from Alistair from what Fiona tells him.
Characters
The main characters are Fiona , Alistair and Charlie , who's Alistair best friend. I will mention my thoughts of them briefly.
Alistair is the one I could so relate with. He feels like an outsider and is friend with Charlie not because Charlie is that good of a friend but because it is convenient and Alistair is scared that he will lose that only friend if he demands Charlie to be better friend . When they hang around they only do what interests Charlie and that is playing video games. Alistair has certain maturity to him but you can still see he is still a child. I loved his eye for detail and observation. Also he's a kind kid that gets in though situations in this book but still keeps his head in the mid of it.
I've had some difficulty with Charlie. He's the resident cat lady or rather cat boy and gets bullied because of it but he does not give a kaka about that. I've had sympathy for him but along the way my liking for him changes. A mix between hatred , confusion and sympathy after the things he did and a accident that happened to him . He will be an interesting character to watch in the other two books of this trilogy.
And finally Fiona . She is very mysterious and once you think you know her , she does something unexpected . And this puzzling ambiance of her makes Alistair fall in love with her but at a steady pace. You don't really get to know Fiona at all but only see glimpses of her and this quote explains her perfectly .
She left reminders of herself, but she didn't leave herself, and I was sick of it.
I hope we get to know more of her in future books .
Ok , I was never really scared of the big kahuna . The riverman only appears at the last 30 pages but the tension is creepy and unnerving. I don't know a lot about him but I put him the same class of that of count Olaf.
The setting
Yes we get to know about Aquavania , it is fantastical and anything you can dream of can happen it but what drew me in the first place starting from page one is the town of Thessaly. I've always loved the small town feeling in books maybe because of the reason that Paramaribo , Suriname has that same atmosphere. Thessaly has that close knit community and even has a Christmas tree with lights that represent every Thessaly originated battle perished soldier. That's really cool is you ask me. This is middle grade book but an amount of darkness is present. There are mentions of sex, trailer parks, drugs , vandalism and even an scene were someone tells about murder that was committed. This book is not for the smaller of the smalls but more for upper middle grade and even an upper YAer or Adult can read it .
A younger person will enjoy the marveling Aquavania and an Adult has an coming of age book to come too. This book tells you about death in some way or an other , that living in a fantasy world or using your imagination is fine and dandy but that you should break from that and be in the present as well. I can't wait for the sequels and hoping to get ahold of Mr starmer previous books. I hope you will enjoy this mysterious , magical , grounded and smart middle grade book that people from different ages will get something out of. I will not easily forget about this book.
This book is marvelous. The goblin emperor ended so beautifully with building bridges literally and figuratively
My thoughts
Cover:One of my Love at First sightcovers.Crumbled socity and it's perfectly pictured. A teenage girl and a boy on a hill and what looks like a wartorn Chicago is in sight down below.
Book:The cover drew[but you all know that right now ^-^]since i saw it last year early august.I was pinning to read was so happy to see there were arc giveaways but 99% of those only USA allowed so i took matters into my own hands and emailed a review request to Tor publishing and fingers crossed of course. So happy they aproved[ a e-arc is still an arc]It was worth the trouble[ asking and wishing]
Wartorn America. Everything changed.Crumbled cities, broken down houses and broken lives. The bill of rights are condemned and the moral statues are declared.Say adieu to freewill.
‘Everything is stark and dark right now but things will be OK , don't know when but it's gonna be OK, there's a silver lining out there'.
thanks to Tor teen for approving my request