It's not that there was anything particularly wrong with Kindling The Moon. It's well written, well paced and reasonably readable. There was the odd tIt's not that there was anything particularly wrong with Kindling The Moon. It's well written, well paced and reasonably readable. There was the odd typo or spelling mistake or missing punctuation, but I can live with that.
But it was rather like an unfortunately boring date. You know how it is. You go to a bar together and all they want to do is talk about body fluids and how they power magical spells. They seem like a perfectly nice book. But there's nothing really special there. No spark, no chemistry.
And talking about no chemistry, I just did not feel the sizzle between the two main characters. At one point they were kissing and he stuck his finger down her panties and I felt like I was reading a text book. I felt nothing. Maybe this is because Lon didn't feel like someone I would ever go for. He's quite a bit older than Cady, at 42 for her 25 and he has a moustache. I really struggled to feel the attraction.
Around the 60% mark my interest started to wane and by the 80% mark it was pretty much gone.
This date is over, alas, but I'll bear the fond memories of Cady's parent's sex magic for a long, long time. ...more
I was actually pretty surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I bought it on a whim based on some random tweet I saw. I didn't expect much, but I cI was actually pretty surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I bought it on a whim based on some random tweet I saw. I didn't expect much, but I certainly enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
It wasn't perfect, of course, it was super jumpy with too many random scenes that had no real impact on the story. But it's relatively fun and sweet - like a toy you get from a cereal box when you didn't expect it. You don't rave about it, but you keep thinking that it's not a bum deal....more
Sometimes I see a book tweeted about, or mentioned somewhere, and on the spur of the moment I’ll buy it. Randomly, I’ll neglect my careful pile of TBRSometimes I see a book tweeted about, or mentioned somewhere, and on the spur of the moment I’ll buy it. Randomly, I’ll neglect my careful pile of TBR ARCs that I’m supposed to be reading, deviate from my schedule and try something completely left wing. Sometimes this turns out really great. Sometimes it doesn’t.
This was one of those times where it doesn’t. Ever been in a dream that you kind of liked, though couldn’t help but notice that it made absolutely no sense? If you don’t, ReVamped is a great way to experience the sensation for yourself. A young, president’s daughter is off on her first assignment! To unite a ragtag group of weirdo vamps and turn them into a team! For reasons…
Unfortunately, things go awry when mysterious forces work to attempt to kidnap her! For reasons…
Luckily, there is a super hot guy who is mysterious, sexy, there to protect her and somehow knows something about her! For reasons…
ReVamped was kind of like if you took The Vampire Diaries and Mighty Ducks and created some kind of weird baby.
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There has got to be a fanfic of this somewhere…
It had the same kind of small-world,plot twists where everyone is related/knows each other somehow. Drama! So much drama! And the ragtag group was, on one hand, extremely formulaic and, on the other, probably the best thing about this novel. They were funny, interesting characters – eventually. Unfortunately, getting them there required the smoothest road of annoying blandness I’ve ever come across.
Indeed, the beginning and ending of this story are its weakest links. The very beginning because the author hasn’t finessed the balance of info dumping and narrative commencement. Thus the beginning was like an alarmingly boring series on infomercials where I was left wondering if I could just skip it or flip to another channel.
“How’s it going, Dad?” I asked.
*Insert two paragraph explanation on protagonist’s relationship to father.
“Swell, daughter, I’m off to see the president tomorrow!”
*Insert three paragraph explanation on how her father is the president of vampires and how that came about.
“Oh, wonderful! Hey can I totes head out of here on a mission? I’m heaps bored.”
*Insert two paragraphs of the protagonist wallowing over her caged childhood and giving her entire back story.
“Sure.”
*Insert characters extreme excitement and mental checklist of everything she’s going to do*
It was so clunky and awkward that I found myself cringing, this was proceeded by the most inane, colourless writing, though that did improve. It read a lot like a child’s fanfiction, which was interesting as the writing did pick up a good deal more later in the story.
The romance with the lead character was absolutely bland. It seemed there was more focus on making him as mysterious and surly as possible to shoehorn him into a popular archetype than to actually develop him as a character, or the relationship in any meaningful way. I felt like I slipped on a banana and they were in love.
Throw in some fiendish, mustache-twirling villains, a completely ridiculous ending which stretched even my ability to suspend my disbelief and you end up with ReVamped. Something that seemed to realize how campy and silly it was, but ultimately, never managed to pack in the fun, vitality and necessary introspection to really pull off the effect.
Over all, I cautiously advise reading the free sample before purchasing this one!...more
Some people are really going to like Prophecy Girl. People who like a very distinctive protagonist voice littered with pop culture references. Fans ofSome people are really going to like Prophecy Girl. People who like a very distinctive protagonist voice littered with pop culture references. Fans of Vampire Academy, who are looking for something similar, will also probably at least be interested – if not enjoy it. I don’t think it’s unfair to state that Prophecy Girl is highly derivative of Vampire Academy. Non Academic, rough and tumble protagonist with an intelligent best friend, falls in love with hot young tutor, crazy shenanigans, magical world – it was all very highly reminiscent. Derivative doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad, but in this case the comparison doesn’t favor Prophecy Girl. In a Who Wrote It Better? competition, Mead comes out a clear victor.
[image] I would give that outfit a 9/10. Gorgeous, gorgeous job!
[image] I would say… less.
The story is heavily focused on the romance between Amelie and Jack, which I felt was a misstep as it rarely managed to run anything but hot (fan yourself, dim the lights, spark some candles hot) and cold (wet, dead, stinky-fish cold). The chemistry was there in a physical sense and I give White props for that – but any real camaraderie, relationship or love were painfully absent or ineffectually handled for me. Mostly because there simply wasn’t time to develop it.
But the plot itself was the biggest let down. I feel like by the time the author gets through all her surprise twists, the original motivations and actions of the characters don’t make much sense. I read the ending actions with critical detachment as characters did things that seemed inexplicable to me. The ending was pretty broadly forecasted in a way that sucked enjoyment from the narrative. Early on two characters step onto the page and my initial reaction was, “Well, they’re clearly evil. I don’t know how or why but… EVIL!” And I was kind of sad to see that I was right. That things were so clearly telegraphed.
Even a major plot event happened that was so obvious, my brain kind of hurt reading it. I thought, surely, it can’t be this easy. Then it happened, to everyone’s shock but mine. For me? I was just like:
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Writing was okay, no real issues there, which is a positive. And if you are looking for something just a bit steamy, then you’re surely going to at least enjoy it.
Ultimately, I think this is a good book if you’re looking for something quick, easy and that will give you a couple of laughs. But one of the greats, it is not.
I propose we begin a foundation. Survivors of the Everneath Series Anonymous. Because this book seriously gave me ALL the feels:
[image]
I’m going to trI propose we begin a foundation. Survivors of the Everneath Series Anonymous. Because this book seriously gave me ALL the feels:
[image]
I’m going to try to do this without spoiling the last book or this one, kay my friends?
Nikki needs Cole’s help in the Everneath. She has to make it through three mazes, avoid zombie-like wanderers, the Queen of the Everneath and the Shades or she and Jack are going to die.
And can I just say: GOD THIS BOOK! WHY?! WHY!??!!?! Ashton, do you feed on our tears? Do you use them in your magic spells? Do you boil them in your brews? How could you give us such an ending – AGAIN!?
I read the last page of this book with the colour draining from my face, shaking my head and going, “No! No! Noooooo! She got me again!” I mean, there’s just so mean you can be to your readers before they’re justified in kidnapping you and forcing you to hand over any and all sequels!
Nikki continues to improve as a character – taking leaps and bounds as a stronger, more amazing character. She is not afraid to hit back at life and she doesn’t hesitate to kick butt when it needs kicking. However, the scene stealer is most definitely Cole who will charm the pants off you, then charm your pants, then steal your pants. Because that boy is evil and if I were to ever translate myself into a fictional world in order to meet him then I’d probably slap him, kiss him and then slap him again for good measure.
Seriously, this sequel was amazing and has set the bar very high for the third book in the Everneath series which I absolutely need. NOW!
This review, and others like it, can be found on my blog, ...more
Blade Song is one of those rare creatures. Just when I think I can't possibly take yet another Urban Fantasy, kick ass female investigator working amoBlade Song is one of those rare creatures. Just when I think I can't possibly take yet another Urban Fantasy, kick ass female investigator working amongst pushy, powerful Supes - this one comes in and knocks me around.
In an overcrowded market of very similar stories, Blade Song manages to be fun, entertaining and highly enjoyable! Especially for fans of Kate Daniels waiting for another novel.
Kit is an intelligent, strong protagonist - Damon's your usual alpha male hunk and there is mystery a'foot! It's SOLVIN' TIME!
Seriously, I didn't expect the fun. I didn't expect to enjoy it. Which is not to say that it was perfect. Kit narrates the beginning of this novel like it's been waaaaaaayyy too long between her psychologist appointments. "Leave some mystery, Kit!" I wanted to say. She has some serious shit to get off her chest - but none of it is stuff that didn't already come up later in the novel and could have been revealed to the reader as part of the narrative/character revelations to each other. So the info dump at the beginning is truly curious.
I thought I'd have to take a jack hammer to Damon's soft and tender parts at the beginning of this novel - but I didn't have to. Kit sorted him out nice and good for me which is just so satisfying!
This is a book for those familiar with UF genre, looking for a light fun read. Those who want original world building will not enjoy this at all. It really is Urban Fantasy Lite - perfect for switching off your brain, enjoying blood, death and sex, and having a good ride.
I had an issue with the resolution at the end of the novel, but I shan't reveal it here for spoilers. Basically, I think this is more than worth the price and I would love to read more from this author. A truly delightful surprise.
The Iron Seas series is exactly my kind of shizzam. It's a buttload of plot, a healthy dose of characterizationion and then just the most delicious hiThe Iron Seas series is exactly my kind of shizzam. It's a buttload of plot, a healthy dose of characterizationion and then just the most delicious hint of sexy times - all grilled in some really fantastic world-building. It's almost like Brook is writing these books just for me! The reason is that I struggle with normal romance novels - I need romance novels that don't feel like romance novels because they're too busy being awesome sci-fi or fantasy etc with some sex in it. This is exactly what Brook does. Sure there's sex, and Iron Seas, the first book in this series is far more romance-y than the next two - but, more than that, they're just plain great Steampunk. It's almost enough to make me bow down and her feet and beg her to never stop.
To begin with, this book takes places in a different part of the same Steampunk driven world from The Iron Duke and Heart of Steel. But the great thing about this series is that Brook just keep shaking it up! She takes you everywhere and with so many great new characters. For me, Captain Corsair is my true literary love, so Annika had big ass-kicking boots to fill. She took a little while to warm on me, and whilst she can never replace Captain Corsair in my heart, she held her own. Her relationship with David was lovely, sweet and beautiful.
Riveted is a bit of a divergence from Brook's other novels. It takes the plot a long time to kick into gear. The first half is solidly centered on Annika and David developing a mutual relationship and trust. There's very little action or plot in that regard. Then the tension and action is ramped up a notch in the second half, and it's back to dodging bullets and mechanical monstrosities. AKA business as usual in Iron Seas world.
The writing was, as usual with Brook, solid and well-constructed. The plot progressed well with some interesting twists that I didn't see coming. But as usual, it was the characters, relationships and world that really makes this novel. While reading the Iron Seas series, Brook will take you to every corner of it and introduce so many wonderful marvels. The world, politics, locations and peoples are so fabulously complex and intriguing that it keeps you wrapped up in the continuing story.
Annika's home town was one of the things that truly made me fall in love with this novel. The normality of their circumstances, the brilliant and respectful way Brook represented it and wove it into the novel, it was all brilliant. I love this series and I can't wait to see what Brook does next!
*A Copy of Riveted was provided for me by the author. No favours, money or gifts were exchanged though I readily offered them for a chance to read this early. My review and opinion remains unaffected....more
This is the perfect book for fans of Vampire Diaries or soap operas. If that’s your thing, then this will be YOUR thing. I mean, in a big way. YoThis is the perfect book for fans of Vampire Diaries or soap operas. If that’s your thing, then this will be YOUR thing. I mean, in a big way. You’ll probably jizz yourself and explode in an apoplexy of fan squees. It’s not that there wasn’t a plot, but it was suffocating under a barrage of heavy, thick, awkward romances. Like that guy who was really into you but also really into mouth-breathing and you weren’t sure if his hands were always wet because he was nervous or he’d just been to the bathroom. There weren’t any serious issues with the actual technical writing. Peacock is reasonably proficient at expressing herself and conveying emotions in prose. I enjoyed the varied relationships that existed between several characters – to a degree. My main issue was that as much as I generally liked each character individually, together as a group and the ties that bound them were shallow, simplistic and juvenile. When writing, if you feel the need for your narrator to express how similar their life is to a CW program, then there’s your first sign that you may be doing it wrong. And if, at any time, all the problems in your fictional world extend from the fact that people just love the main protagonist TOO much, then there’s your second sign. The last sign is when your characters spend comparable amounts of time agonizing over their relationships and angst, as would a soap opera. Over all, it was a light, interesting read. If you’re into wangst, love triangles and paranormal YA’s then give it a go. If the combination of those three together creeps you out as much as your great Uncle Harvey, then give it a miss for your own sake.
If there’s one thing I hate, it’s this. When there’s a reasonably professional, respectful self-published whose book I just don’t jive with.
The concepIf there’s one thing I hate, it’s this. When there’s a reasonably professional, respectful self-published whose book I just don’t jive with.
The concept is pretty cool. One twin dies and then her mother performs illicit black magic to bring her back. Problem? She has to share her twin’s body like a time share thing. Awesome, right?
And it’s not like the writing is necessarily bad. The novel’s been reasonably well edited and clearly Jefford has put a lot of effort into providing a professional product to her readers. I think this is a great credit to her.
But my problem with the book came from the inexplicable actions of the characters. They acted outside the realm where you would think sense and reason exist. Their response to stress and stimuli were just foreign and completely alien to me. There was this great divide between the events of the novel, and the response of the characters.
For example, Graylee and Charlene are the twins sisters and it’s quite clear from the beginning of the novel that Charlene is a selfish horror-cow of epic proportions. When Charlene’s boyfriend leaves her for Stacey, Graylee and her mother reasonably believe that Charlene will hurt Stacey. Like just straight up murder her. There is an amazing lack of response to this from either of them. Just stop imagine if your sibling or child was honestly someone you believe would murder another girl over something as stupid as a highschool boyfriend. Just look at whatever family member is closest to you and wonder what your reaction would be if you genuinely thought they could just murder the hell out of someone.
Just the nonplussed reaction by either of them to this fact is one of many baffling character decisions in this book. Raj is another one. Why does he suddenly like Graylee? Why is Graylee terrified of him? Why is she very suddenly not terrified of him? What is it with Graylee’s complete and utter reaction to her own death? There is no chemistry between these characters because I couldn’t, for a moment, think up a single thing they actually had in common – other than both like an invisibility spell.
I found everyone in this book almost completely lacking reasonable motivation. They just seemed really cardboard and did things without genuine incentive.
The plot was, similarly, overwrought with ridiculousness. On the plus side, I finished the book and it wasn’t a horrible read. Many people will probably enjoy this book a lot if they’re into that sort of thing. I personally need a stronger, tighter storyline, plot and characters.
For Spoilers:
(view spoiler)[The weirdest thing about this book was just how full of crazy people it was and how little this bothered the other characters.
Charlene was definitely the weirdest instance. Like when Graylee was like, “Hey Mom, that girl Charlene totally wanted to kill was in an unfortunate accident two days after my death. Ya think Charlene had anything to do with that?”
Mom: “I put a protection spell on Stacey so that Charlene couldn’t use magic on her. Hey, check out this sweater!”
Excuse me, what?! Your daughter is a psychopath! You actually think she COULD kill another human and this is your reaction to that?
And the way Graylee died? This comes up later like it’s supposed to be a big shock that it was Charlene that killed Gray. Cause, ya know, that wasn’t immediately obvious by the source text?
Then there’s Nolan. Nolan is this semi stranger/casual acquaintance who agrees to help Graylee. The morning he’s supposed to go off with her, she makes out with Raj. So of course, OF COURSE, his reasonable reaction to that is to join with Charlene and purge Graylee’s soul (basically killing her). Yup. Totally reasonable and not at all insane.
No, actually, that is completely insane and there is no justification given for this by the way. I can’t express how many times a guy I’m vaguely acquainted with has tried to murder me because I’ve started dating another guy. Of course!
It’s just all so inexplicable – but the worst moment, and I mean the absolute worst, came at the very end. When Charlene’s other psychotic friend (how many sociopaths attend this school!?) purges Graylee from Charlene’s body. Whatever shall Graylee do? Well, of course, there’s Stacey’s body in a coma. Why not just go use that body?
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Cause even though the body already had a soul, all it needed was a shot of vitamin Gray! Bam! Graylee is back in the form or Stacey! Joy!
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Look, the fix to a coma is not to insert a different soul! Comas don’t work like that… Stacey’s body is not sitting around waiting for a different spirit to get in there and make some magic!
It was all just so crazily dumb that I struggled not to whack myself in the head.
So I guess the word of the review was inexplicable. Because that’s what this book was for me. Inexplicably irrational, dull and boring. But at least the review was cathartic to write. (hide spoiler)]...more
*This ARC was provided to me by the publisher. No money or gifts were exchanged for this review.
I want to make it clear that, all in all, this is not *This ARC was provided to me by the publisher. No money or gifts were exchanged for this review.
I want to make it clear that, all in all, this is not a bad book - so much as it's simply not a good book.
Dead of Night is continuation of the forbidden romance between Jesse, an almost vampire, and Catlyn, an almost Van Helsing. And the problem is that this story is almost readable - but like it's two main characters, it just can't seem to go all the way.
I'll try to give an example of what I mean.
"Jesse did even better than that; he set up a table and two chairs behind the back bookcases where we could work without being seen from the front of the shop. Then he carried out the first bin and began unloading it. I rolled up my sleeves and got started on the first tally sheet of the collection.
After he set down the first stack of books, he leaned over and gently touched the abrasion across the back of my wrist. "You hurt yourself.""
Look, you can't find too much technically wrong with the above writing. But, like the vast majority of this book, it's dry! It's bare, it's flavorless - bland. There is no flare, no spark and no passion.
Not between the characters, not in the writing, not in the plot or narrative.
There is nothing technically wrong with Viehl's novel. There's just not very much right about it either....more
I have this hangup, you see. The thing that's always bugged me about serialized novels is how they take X amount of time to catch you up on all the prI have this hangup, you see. The thing that's always bugged me about serialized novels is how they take X amount of time to catch you up on all the previous novels.
Look, I get it's important for people who can't remember all the past storylines and for those that haven't read the previous books. But I have never been one to start in the middle of a series or to need these little updates so they always aggravated me. They always seemed like gigantic wastes of time and stalled each book more and more as the series progressed.
However, I accidentally requested this title from Netgalley not knowing it was the fourth book in a series I'd never even heard of. So going in blind caused me to have a love/hate relationship with the recaps. I absolutely needed them to know what was going on with the long, involved storyline. However, on the otherhand - and this is not to say Meding did them badly but that all catchups are pretty much like this - they didn't provide enough information or understanding to truly grasp what had happened in previous novels.
And unfortunately, Wrong Side of Dead has a huge backstory to catch up on which feels disingenuous because most of these complicated, deep relationships seem to have begun only a few weeks ago. So when the main character says, "I'd trust him with my back any day!" and then a chapter later we find out that she's only known him for three week, it felt weird.
But then, I'm told the House of Night series, Marked, take place over a couple of weeks and there are a lot more of those.
So my first problem was too many characters, intricate relationships, history and backstory to really get a grasp of in this novel. The storyline kept stalling as Meding needed to go back and explain complicated history, interspecies politics and try to reinforce the importance of a romantic relationship that is scarcely seen in this book.
My second problem was that Meding takes so long to get to the actual plot that it was easy to forget there was one. This series seems to have fallen into the trap where the romantic relationship - or its lack of, has become so important that it has taken control of the story.
My third problem was that, even though I knew nothing of the history of the villain and had only been introduced to him in this book, his comical fiendishness was both predictable and a little trite. There were times when I thought, "Hey, guys... um, this is going to happen so you'd better do something about it. Just sayin'." Then three chapters later it happened, everyone reeled in shock, and I facepalmed myself.
The writing was servicable and several of the characters were certainly likable - but this just isn't a series to pick up halfway through. Perhaps the reviews of dedicated fans who have an emotional investment in the story and characters would be more helpful. I just didn't feel like this series offered anything that you couldn't find in other, tighter, better written series....more
This is not a book I’m happy about reviewing, because I really wanted to like it and its rating doesn’t truly reflect its quality. You know how you lThis is not a book I’m happy about reviewing, because I really wanted to like it and its rating doesn’t truly reflect its quality. You know how you love something like ice cream (note: I don’t like ice cream) and so you eat lots and lots of it. Then one day you pick up your favourite ice cream and it looks extra sumptuous. Even though there is nothing wrong with that ice cream, and even though it’s just like every other ice cream you’ve bought, you just suddenly can’t stomach it. That was my reading experience with Fire Baptized. Don’t mistake the three star review. This is a well-written book with a very interesting, likable cast of characters. Fans of Paranormal Romance will probably eat this right up and love it. In fact, many, many do. I got this book very, very excitedly because Wright was not only an author who composes herself amongst the reviewing and reading community with excellent manners, but the very synopsis was intriguing. I WAS INTRIGUED, I SAY! Bloody intrigued. Fascinated. Practically slobbering to get my greedy little paws on it and take it for a roll in the metaphorical reading hay. But I’ve gorged myself, you see. After taking so many others to my not-so-metaphorical-bed (that’s where I read! Get your mind out of the gutter), I just found that I couldn’t do it again. For now, I’ve had my fill of paranormal romance for now and, unfortunately, I just didn’t realize that until I started this one. Despite being reasonably well-written with fresh, different characters, there was enough similar to the formula to make an engorged paranormal fantasy book worm grab her tummy and reach for the pepto bismal. From the intensely alpha males to the mystery that can only be investigated by the heroine. On a personal level, I’ve just read too many similar things too often before. BUT on a purely objective level, I really can’t fault Fire Baptized or Wright. It’s not her fault I’m the floozy of the PNR reading world, that the glamour of the illicit paranormal smoochies has ebbed. It’s not you, Fire Baptized, it’s me. Can we still be friends? Oh, by the way. Did anyone else know that the angry, flaming woman on the cover is wearing a bikini or has years of heavy drinking and rampant book-promiscuity (reading at night!) destroyed my vision? You know, it’s nice to know that in the midst of burning, heinous, fury-fire of epic proportions, she still thought to wear a nice bikini. And she has an excellent brazillian. At least I think it is, but there’s only so much burning crotch you can look at to determine these things before people start thinking you’re crazy. Oooooooohhhhhhhh! You know, I bet she’d be MARVELOUS at a barbecue! Yeah, okay, I just crossed the line. ...more
My first inclination upon finishing Night Beach is to flood my review with several happy, dancing gifs. [image] Yeah, that will do.
That would be a helluMy first inclination upon finishing Night Beach is to flood my review with several happy, dancing gifs. [image] Yeah, that will do.
That would be a helluva lot easier than trying to express why and how I loved this book so much.
However, allow me to give you some very valid reasons to read this book:
1. Eagar is an extremely promising Australian author. 2. This book is blurbed by Melina Marchetta for a reason. 3. I told you to.
Not everyone is going to completely get Night Beach. Eagar's style is both raw and brutal, showing no mercy. Her characters, so real, tangible and lovingly created, are stripped bare for her audience. Nothing is hidden or glossed over. No emotion is withheld and no reality is too stark to express.
At first Abbie seems an unlikable character, but her self-awareness and patheticness lends her a touch of palatability. But there is a depth and strength to Abbie that becomes increasingly evident as the book progresses. At first you think Abbie's obsession is like Call of Duty Nazi Zombies - endless and a little pointless but you can't stop yourself. But Abbie has so much growth, so much passion and so much heroism that she was almost addicting.
Kane was... Kane. Kane was many young, stupid Australian boys that I've met and Eagar's ability to capture the young, male Australian specimen for display here is almost a feat of genius. I think the brilliance of Eagar's writing for Night Beach is her ability to mirror a longing in the audience that is reminiscent of Abbie's own feelings and obsession. Those brief flashes of something worthwhile and lovable in Kane which are briefly littered through out the novel. It keeps you hoping that maybe, just maybe he'll be good enough for Abbie. Maybe one day he'll be all she wants and needs from him.
If I were to describe Eagar's prose as ambitious and artistic, some readers may have horrifying Shatter Me flashbacks. This is a different kind of ambitious and artistic. Phoebe North, I believe, said it best in her review when she wrote:
"I believe that the onus is on the writer to earn our trust in their mastery over prose. I never was quite convinced that Mafi was the master here; her writing was just too imprecise, connoting all the wrong things (and clearly not intentionally) entirely too often."
[image] In other words: your language seems pretty but, on reflection, is stupid, painful and nonsensical.
This sentiment, and her entire review, I completely agree with. Happily, it is not the case with Night Beach. Eagar's language is descriptive and powerful, but it is also precise and Eagar wields it with precision and great skill. I wanted to find an example of Eagar's skill and the tightness of her prose. But her language is so understated and appropriate for the narrative that excerpts simply don't do it as much justice. The plot issues I had with Raw Blue were nonexistent here. The book felt complete and entirely satisfactory in its ending. What's more is that it made sense and was true to the themes and the characters.
Perhaps the best part of all this? Kirsty Eagar has joined with Melina Marchetta and they are both now my favouritest authors ever. They both live in Sydney. Guess where I live and what I'll be doing now?
I thought it was illegal to fail this hard without a permit.
I mean, if it were possible for a book to despise humanity and turn against people in genI thought it was illegal to fail this hard without a permit.
I mean, if it were possible for a book to despise humanity and turn against people in general, this would be its first step down the path to villainy.
This book is how they torture state secrets out of spies.
Reading this was like using a pineapple for a prostate exam.
In all honesty, it's not like there was a shortage of female protagonists who could charitably be described as useless, pathetic twats. I think Janie almost takes the cake as Queen of the Oxygen Thieves. I'd say she's more useless than someone who uses a Masterball on a Magikarp. She couldn't fight her way out of a paper bag if she had a map, GPS, and all her enemies were bunnies. Dead bunnies. If Kai wasn't there to wipe her ass for her, she stab herself with the toilet seat.
Her idea of a clever plan is to check both ways before getting stabbed with a knife.
I made it approximately halfway through the book in which she'd had about half a dozen fights with the supernatural. She didn't make it through a single one of them without Kai mysteriously showing up to rescue her. She's supposedly been trained since childhood for this position - presumably by the people who keep greenlighting Eddie Murphy movies, based entirely on the amount that Janie fails.
I guess what I was expecting was that someone who had spent years training as a feared warrior would be... competent? Able? Spend far less time on her ass watching other people do her job?
Kai was your requisite mysterious, dangerous, love interest. If you mistake him for a shadowy handpuppet reflection on your livingroom wall then you're not alone.
The writing is enough to make you weep with how disjointed, poorly structured and stagnant it is. The concept is convoluted and, frankly, laughably dumb. This is the cheesiest, silliest, worst homage to Buffy I've ever read. I had to check to see if it was trying to be ironic but, sadly, this was an honest attempt at story telling.
The only positive thing I have to say about this one?
So Allie is an orphaned teenager in a dystopian fantasy where people are enslaved by vampire masters. Then she gets turned into a vampire and strSo Allie is an orphaned teenager in a dystopian fantasy where people are enslaved by vampire masters. Then she gets turned into a vampire and struggles with the morality of being a monster.
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So at first I was like.
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But then she was like.
[image] A comparable representation on the scale of awesomeness - not a literal depiction.
And then I was like.
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Right away from the beginning of the novel Allie was pretty ass kicking.
And then Kanin the vampire showed up and I was like.
[image] Yeah, sure. Whatevs.
But then he was like.
[image]
And then I was like.
[image]
So then Allie goes trekking through the woods and I’m like.
[image]
And then she meets up Zeke and I was like.
[image]
Then Zeke is like ewwww Vampires suck and I was like.
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Then stuff with them happened and I was like.
[image]
So then I was worried about the writing since I’d been on the fence about The Iron Fey. But then Kagawa did a lot of:
[image]
And I was like.
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And then Stephanie said the plot was slow, and I was like.
Kat Kennedy
>
Books:
death-by-paranormal-romance
(29)
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