It's time to admit that I'm just not finishing this book. I made a great effort though, reaching pretty much 90%.It's time to admit that I'm just not finishing this book. I made a great effort though, reaching pretty much 90%....more
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
It should probably be illegal to keep reading an authors work when you’ve so thoroughly panned it twice before but, you see, I was curious. Take away It should probably be illegal to keep reading an authors work when you’ve so thoroughly panned it twice before but, you see, I was curious. Take away the horrible plotting and burdensome story of The Goddess Test, could Carter write something I liked, because I always suspected she could. If Pawn had continued in quality from the first half into the second, then I’d probably be giving it four stars right now.
Pawn started out very promising indeed. Kitty, ranked a three in a society that lives and dies by rankings, has two choices. Shovel shit in a far off city away from her beloved boyfriend, or take to prostitution. Figuring prostitution is temporary, she chooses option B but is quickly given a third option. Become the body double of the newly deceased princess.
Kitty, living as Lila Hart, still isn’t safe. She knows her days are numbered and the only way to survive is to play the game and hope she can outsmart the other players. Pawn is really well written and well actualised up until roughly this point. The players are all there, you can see the intrigues and alliances and power plays are all ready to be explored.
Where Pawn lets you down is that they aren’t explored at all. Despite Kitty’s plan to try and outsmart the others, despite the myriad references to a chess match which spawns the title of the book, Kitty does not play or dalliance in any kind of battle of wits. She is a very reactionary character, making decisions and acting on the spur of the moment, often to her detriment. This would be okay, except the other characters fare little better in their plotting. Eventually it becomes a jumbled mess with too many plot holes and not enough sense to see it through to a satisfactory end. I don’t think any characters knew what the fuck they were doing. It kind of feels like the author just kind of went with whatever plot twists occurred to her at that moment.
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Which means that I want to be annoyed, but I’m not. I’m relatively impressed with this offering from Carter, but still disappointed at the wasted potential. The writing has improved, as has Carter’s use of characterisation and gender roles. Plotting and plotholes aside, the writing and pacing of this book was pretty good – a definite improvement!
This is the third Carter book I’ve read now. I want to read the sequel to this, but doesn’t that constitute some kind of cruel and unusual book reviewing behaviour? On one hand, if I’d hated this book, I’d be like:
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But I didn’t hate it, and I doubt many readers will despite its faults. It’s a pretty endearing novel and I’m glad that I read it. So onto the next one for me!
Even if maybe, at this point, Carter is like:
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This book was given to me for review purposes. No money was exchanged for this review though, ya know, that would have been nice for me.
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 actually thought it was illegal for a novel with a cover this good to be so painful. Illegal! But when I checked with my lawyer, she said I should gI actually thought it was illegal for a novel with a cover this good to be so painful. Illegal! But when I checked with my lawyer, she said I should get out unless I was going to pay her – and I am definitely not going to pay her! Pfft. So I’m still not sure about that. But what I am sure about is that Amanda Sun has a lot of potential as a writer, even if this book was a painful mess for me. I know that doesn’t seem to make sense. Even I can’t explain it.
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It’s redeeming feature is that, once the relationship between Katie and Tomo was underway, the story did pick up considerably due to the not-insignificant sexual chemistry between the two. No points if you’re able to guess the reason for that!
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Okay, I lie. I never really got Katie’s Tomo obsession. I can tell Amanda Sun has a talent and knack for manufacturing a sweet and tender relationship. When Tomo and Katie were together, it was the only time I really liked them. Individually, though, meeeeehhhhhh. Tomo was more like the paper drawings he made – just a bunch of ink on the page.
Katie fares only marginally better. This girl must seriously be a 9/11 truther or false flagger. Everything makes her suspicious. Give her a look and she’ll stalk you for months! Teenage boy spends time alone? Most normal people would rightly assume excessive masturbation on his part. Not Katie. Something’s gotta be up with that, amirite? I could make fun of her all day, but you have to give it to her. Crazy stalker or not, the girl has agency. She believes in her instincts, stands up for herself and makes her own decisions. Especially when it comes to the decision to stalk. Gotta give that girl some serious stalking props too, may I add.
So the characters can be flat and irritating, but the story still has entertainment value and the setting itself is detailed and almost lovingly illustrated for the reader. But, and here’s the big BUT. Narratives are a bit like pitches. If you see them coming too often then it’s gameover. Ink has so many tells, I hope it doesn’t play cards. The characters are always about five steps behind the reader and every plot point is thoroughly predictable.
Ultimately, it’s not a horrible book. It’s just generic, which is the most disappointing of all. Because for many people out there, Japan and everything related to it holds a special place in our hearts. So when an author is setting their novel there, it really needs to be something amazing. It needs to be near perfection to live up to all our hopes and dreams. There’s a lot of power in fulfilling hopes and dreams. And you know what they say about great power?
This ARC was provided to me by the publisher for reviewing purposes. This did not entice me to be any less annoyingly opinionated than I would otherwise be....more
Whilst I was aware of this novel before Stephanie read and reviewed it, it didn’t strike me as something that I needed to read until that point. ThereWhilst I was aware of this novel before Stephanie read and reviewed it, it didn’t strike me as something that I needed to read until that point. There are many unfavourable comparisons to Twilight floating around. This is not an invalid point.
-6 inhuman teenagers who pretend to be siblings – 1) the love interest (Edward/Daemon) 2) the delicate best friend of the protagonist (Alice/Dee) 3) The bitch sister who doesn’t approve (Rosalie/Ash) 4+5) Background dudes who we don’t see a lot of – one of which is partnered with Alice/Dee.
-New girl MC goes to school and meets asshole who is only behaving that way to protect his family.
-New girl is with sole parent who provides highly dubious supervision and new girl acts like the parent – cooking, cleaning, shopping etc.
-Love interest is devastatingly, unbelievably, inhumanly hot.
Blah, blah, blah – we all know the deal. And I knew this going in – but was willing to go with it anyway because, as Steph repeatedly told me, “It’s like she wrote what Twilight SHOULD have been.”
To that I say: maybe, yes, kind of, no, a little – but mostly… I guess?
So let’s get this out of the way quickly:
If you enjoyed Twilight but found the relationship dynamics, i.e. Bella Swan’s permissiveness and stalkish tendencies to be aggravating, then this is your perfect novel. Go forth and multiply, my friend. You will be in heaven.
And I can certainly see how this novel could be as addictive as many of my friends say it is. Katy and Daemon scenes, when he’s not being a complete and utter dick, were exceptionally hot. But, to be clear, by scenes I mean “scene” (because there was only one of them – and he went right back to being a dick afterwards) and that wasn’t enough for me.
But I could have put that aside, technically, and given this book a higher rating if I hadn’t found myself, for a not insignificant amount of time, bored with the story. Don’t be fooled by the fact that I breezed through it in a few hours. I was trapped in bed all day with sickness. There were a couple of times where the slightest distraction, had one existed, would have fairly swept me off my feet and away from the narrative.
Then I started imagining a drinking game for every time I could have come up with a better comeback than Katy. Not an alcoholic one, because I’m sick, but with actual water in the hopes that I wouldn’t dehydrate – which I didn’t. Some of my favourites included: “Glow-stick-for-a-dick”, “Over-grown Fairylight”, “Skinny, limp Twat-bedazzler” and “You have all the charm of a facehugger and only the half the technique, you extraterritorial welfare-mooch!” (this one, clearly, happened after a certain scene that readers will all know and understand my reaction to.)
But, and it must be said, having such a strong reaction to the love lives of the characters was a huge indication that I was at least invested, and after reading hundreds and hundreds of books, the ability to still get invested can sometimes be something of a gift. Ultimately I did like Katy even if, as far as I was concerned, she was far too permissive of Daemon’s behaviour. Sticking around and giving him a break when my personal sense of vengeance would have seen a different, more violent and less polite response. And I did, in true guilty-pleasure style, enjoy enough of the book to at least read the free chapters of its sequel, posted at the back.
I decided that I will very likely read the next book, because it seemed much more my thing – and I think that interest in reading the subsequent novel is the highest praise I can give.
Extra points* to whoever comes up with the best curses to throw at Daemon in the comments!
*Points are completely meaningless, have no value, and result in nothing other than my esteem.
There are some things I saw done very well in Giarratano's new novel, Disharmony. Her first mark comes for characterization as she successfully buildsThere are some things I saw done very well in Giarratano's new novel, Disharmony. Her first mark comes for characterization as she successfully builds and maintains several very authentic, interesting voices. Each with a story that is a little like a crocheted doily in how the pattern touches at the right time in the right places. The second comes from the settings which are engaging and rich. It was like a breath of fresh air and I enjoyed the exposure to her take on the Roma families and the juvenile detention center - both of which were a very welcome break from the now very familiar middle American setting that many books take place in.
I should mention that the format that I read it in was different to how I receive most ARCs, making reading difficult and frustrating. It probably interfered somewhat with my ability to relate and engage with the story and contributed to me giving up and being unable to finish reading the novel.
Where the story fell apart for me was its painstakingly slow start. The story seems to feel no rush and rambles on, sometimes seemingly aimlessly. You can kind of excuse Bronte for taking more than three chapters to get to the point. The setup felt worth it for the creepy atmosphere. The waffling and slow beginning seemed to fit. But often, while reading Disharmony, I wondered what the actual point of several of the first chapters were. Certainly we were introduced to the characters and settings and early story - but the important parts seemed steeped in superfluous scenes that bogged down the story. Understandably, this could all be explained later and be a brilliant setup to a most amazing story - but if the audience stops caring and reading, is it worth it? I guess I'll never know....more
For me, there’s two kind of books I give low ratings to. Books that I thought were bad, or books that I simply didn’t enjoy. This is the later of thFor me, there’s two kind of books I give low ratings to. Books that I thought were bad, or books that I simply didn’t enjoy. This is the later of those two options. It’s not that Arise was necessarily bad, but that it wasn’t for me. For starters, I believe I mentioned in my review of The Treachery of Beautiful Things, that I need to pay more attention to book covers in order to avoid the whole purity thing. Once again, I clearly should have anticipated a big sex issue with this book based on the puritanical white dress and girl holding some type of greenery. I’m not sure who in our culture decided that white dress and foliage equaled hymen – but they did a really good job convincing everyone else (yes, the ferns represent death, but work with me here, people!). I was thrown off by the ghost part, because I honestly didn’t anticipate a book about a ghost in love with a boy would be all about how to have sex. It just wasn’t my thing – and particularly wasn’t the kind of book I wanted it to be. Which must be really annoying to fans reading this review and going:
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It’s not that the writing was bad. I didn’t feel like there were any real technical issues the author suffered from, but the plot took a significant amount of time to kick into gear, which made keeping my interest difficult. Because, you know, if someone isn’t about to have illicit smoochies or die on the very page that I’m reading then I’m bored. And this book started out well because it started out with illicit smooches. Between ghost girl and her boyfriend. So I was simultaneously impressed and disturbed.
[image] There’s a meme for everything, ya know?
But then we get to the main source of tension and part of the driving plot – they can’t…how do I put this politely? They can’t seal the deal, understand? It’s over before the cigar’s lit. The party’s started but the guests can’t come. I have no clue what I’m saying. Look, they can’t bone, alright?
So whilst other, more involved stuff is happening, in the background there’s all this tension on can they, or can’t they do the horizontal mamba. This is probably going to be very interesting, involving stuff for people who aren’t me. The point was always moot because it’s not my bag, baby. I’m more of a The Ghost and Mrs Muir kind of girl. I like my ghost stories to be all about that insanely secret, entirely emotional/intellectual bond. I want that bittersweet, mournful love where it’s already lost before it’s even started. For a dead girl, Amelia sees a lot of action. For starters, her and her boyfriend can make out and touch. A good portion of his family can see/talk to her and they even go out dancing together at a bar at one point. That felt like cheating a little. Being almost entirely intangible, immaterial and unable to touch or shape the world around you is one stable aspect that makes ghost stories powerful. Take that away and I feel like the whole story loses it’s best, most emotionally stirring aspects.
Maybe it’s an obsession YA has with being perfect and getting the perfect ending. When Vampires can come out in the sun and sparkle, when miracles are pulled out of a hat, when ghosts can go clubbing, they start to lose their interest for me. Which is a shame, because monsters and supernaturals, as they are, are the perfect metaphor for the awkward, disturbing, intimidating, frustrating experience that is puberty. Instead you just have pretty people with pretty problems and that’s simply doesn’t hold my interest....more
I met Kendall Grey in Kara's chat and resolved to try and read every author who attended since they were all fabulous people. Inhale was my maiden voyI met Kendall Grey in Kara's chat and resolved to try and read every author who attended since they were all fabulous people. Inhale was my maiden voyage into this endeavour and came with a strong recommendation from my dear friend.
I purchased a copy and eagerly sat down to read. I applaud Grey on her imagination and unique world-building. Also her research and attention to detail gets a credit. I wasn't able to finish this novel despite rather liking both of the main protagonists and generally appreciating the magic system and society she created.
I had to stop reading though because I found the writing very difficult to submerge myself in.
It felt like every third sentence was doused in jarring, uncomfortable metaphors and the similes were not a great improvement.
Of course, the first odd bit of writing to really catch my eye was on page 19 - not a great start:
"Or innocent people woke up dead."
Someone in the comments mentioned a Cordelia quote from Buffy.
[image](Image is from Coalitiongurl.tumblr) If anyone remembers this episode, Giles' reaction to that comment was my exact reaction to the line above.
And if that had been the worst of it I would have gotten the hell over it and gotten back to reading and trying to submerge myself in the world and narrative. But it wasn't.
"The implications rushed like a runaway bowling ball on a pre-ordained path to a game-winning strike. For the opposing team."
"The Sentinel's body convulsed, her fear producing more Fire. Like pulling spaghetti from a steaming pot, the jackals dredged out the last few red sparks and fought over them with bared teeth."
These are the examples that most stick out. It's not that they're horrible but, to me, they felt craftless and cumbersome in the text. There was an awkward, rough quality to the prose that made it difficult for me to connect to the writing.
When I realized how hard I was working to try and enjoy the story, I mostly gave up. For this caliber of novel, I expect to be swept away, not to endure a hard slog against the current.
Goodness, now I'm doing it too! Signing off before it spreads and gets worse!
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
A list of things I would do if I were in someone else’s body:
*Moon nunneries *Spend a day doing nekkid performance art in illegal locales *Yell atA list of things I would do if I were in someone else’s body:
*Moon nunneries *Spend a day doing nekkid performance art in illegal locales *Yell at people randomly that they can’t handle the truth *Trick various people into skinny dipping with people and then steal their clothes. *Randomly strip on trams and use the pole to dance
A list of things old people would apparently do in my body:
*Drink/Club *Sports *Sex *Bungee Jumping
If anything is representative of the generation gap – I think that is.
[image] See Dad, first I mooned the nuns while a friend took pictures. Then we uploaded the photo to fifteen different social media sites. Then we photoshopped their faces to meme rage faces, loaded it to our blog, monetized it and made a fortune from all the clicks. Now I’ll show you how I paid my own college fund by replying to popular youtube videos and turned a Republican candidate’s name into a euphemism for something you’ll ground me for describing. This is how we have fun!
This is not a bad novel – but nor is it a perfect one.
Price has strengths, which make this book an enjoyable read, but she also has marked weaknesses. It is those weaknesses, unchecked, that ruin an otherwise enjoyable tale.
The story, a futuristic dystopian Body Snatchers of sorts, is a fast paced, thrilling read. It has a great cast of characters, an interesting story-line, and a tight plot.
Price’s strengths lean toward the adrenaline-pumping action, the intriguing plot side of things. Where the novel falls apart is all related to the relationships and how her characters interact.
I’m quite sure Michael plays some pivotal role in a future book – but for this book he felt entirely unnecessary and his relationship with Carlie felt baseless and meaningless.
Similarly, Blake’s reactions and relationship with Carlie felt forced, inauthentic and completely unbelievable. Whatever spark Price wanted us to feel, just wasn’t there for me.
Perhaps the biggest factor that crippled the novel for me was in the M. Night Shyamalan like story telling. Everything was a twist!
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When your villain is always one step ahead, it’s fascinating and exhilarating. When your villain is 2,568 steps ahead, it starts to look a little comical and super villainy with twisty mustache included. Or like the author is giving him inhuman powers of foresight to act as a deus ex machina.
I really, really wanted to like this novel. Despite the low rating, I would be interested in reading the sequel to see where Price takes some of the themes and storylines and to see if she improves on the weaker elements of her writing.
Until then I’ll be over here planking, splanking and plankouring.
[image] My generation makes no sense. Planks can’t parkour!...more
There is something ineffably magical about Marillier’s novels. There are precious few authors, in my opinion, who create as earnest a fantasThere is something ineffably magical about Marillier’s novels. There are precious few authors, in my opinion, who create as earnest a fantasy environment replete with mysticism and magic as Marillier does.
I feel a little embarrassed and ashamed. I was desperate for this book. After loving Wildwood Dancing and Heart’s Blood with a fiery passion, I was sure I’d adore this one too.
The first thing that you should know about Shadowfell is that it’s not as much the same ilk as Wildwood Dancing and Heart’s Blood. It’s closer to her Daughter of the Forest series in tone and story telling though less adult. The second thing you should know is that the pace and story telling of this novel is even slower than that of Daughter of the Forest. If you’re not familiar with Marillier’s prior work then you will need to consider where the aspects of Lord of the Rings series in which Sam and Frodo were walking to Mordor were something you enjoyed as a reader. If they weren’t then I would highly advise you give this a skip. In fact, if you’re not a fan of walking in general then give this book a skip – there was a lot of damn walking in this book. A LOT.
Whilst the prose and characters and suspense made up for a lot of the stagnation in plot – it didn’t always feel enough to carry the novel enough for me to give it four stars. Neryn’s character in particular gave me great pause. Marillier’s female protagonists are often strong, capable, wise and dignified. That’s just the way she writes them and I love her for that. But Neryn lacked the spark of personality, of substance that I usually enjoy. She has no real flaws – unless you count not being able to trust a man who she has no reason to trust (I call that common sense). Perhaps she has a whole breadth of character that we haven’t seen yet. I don’t know. This novel doesn’t afford her to show much since she lives in a constant state of survival mode.
Over all, I would still pick this novel up over a whole host of novels, but for a Marillier novel, I felt a tad let down. I’m hoping the next in the series shall rectify that and contain a great deal less walking.
*This book was provided to me by the publisher....more
Shatter Me, otherwise known as: When Creative Writing Class Goes Wrong.
I am all for experimental writing, for stretching your abilities anShatter Me, otherwise known as: When Creative Writing Class Goes Wrong.
I am all for experimental writing, for stretching your abilities and trying to find fresh ways to express ideas. Occasionally you end up with genius, but most of the time you result in pretentious, awkward prose that stick in the proverbial craw of readers. This book is that writing. There are plenty of examples that I can give as evidence – but I shall stick with two relatively short ones:
“His eyes scan the silhouette of my structure and the slow motion makes my heart race. I catch the rose petals as they fall from my cheeks, as they float around the frame of my body, as they cover me in something that feels like the absence of courage.”
The absence of courage? Are you fucking kidding me? We have a word for that. I believe that is almost the dictionary definition of the word coward. I would explain what was wrong with the rest of the paragraph too but I want to keep this review to a 10,000 word thesis at max.
“I always wonder about raindrops.
I wonder about how they’re always falling down, tripping over their own feet, breaking their legs and forgetting their parachutes as they tumble right out of the sky toward an uncertain end.”
…right.
I get, artistically, that Mafi wanted to expose her readers to the mind of a girl whose sanity is fragile and questionable, and that she’s trying to show this through the prose. I don’t think the effect works or is done particularly well. I think the workings of a troubled mind would result in more than bad analogies and a bunch of numbers. Despite the fact that Juliette’s backstory and premise is interesting, we still end up with the same mundane, cookie-cutter heroine that can be seen in the vast majority of Young Adult literature. The only thing insane about this novel is how predictable and trite it is.
[image] It would not be completely unreasonable to question my sanity in regards to reading Young Adult novels.
When are popular young adult authors going to provide more to the characterization of their main protagonists than: Irresistible, unique outsider, in love with a guy?
Can’t male protagonists have other qualities than: in love with main character, hot, tragic backstory to illicit excessive brooding?
The entire premise of Shatter Me promised something different and new. Yet we still end up with the same bland old fare.
The plot and pacing is awkward and cumbersome. Even when situations are supposed to be tense, there is a sense of boredom and predictability. I feel sad that this is yet again, another disappointing dystopian Young Adult novel that will join its sisters in the Mediocre Hall of I Can’t Be Stuffed.
But, if you do decide to visit, at least you get a free shirt!
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One last thing (view spoiler)[– the ending? That pissed me off the most! Xavier’s school for Mutants in Rebellion of the Oppressive Dystopian Régime? FML! And the suit, using that word loosely, that they provide for her at the end? Yeah, that’s great…
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Doesn’t EVERY woman look at this suit and just say to themselves, “Yes! I can’t wait to wear this! This doesn’t objectify me as a woman, degrade me as a human being and make an embarrassment out of everyone involved. Not. At. All.
Grave Mercy is the improbable tale of an assassin-y murder-nun, Ismae, on a mission to rescue the Duchess of Brittany from a fate worse than death – aGrave Mercy is the improbable tale of an assassin-y murder-nun, Ismae, on a mission to rescue the Duchess of Brittany from a fate worse than death – a really disgusting old, pervert man. She’s joined along the way by a studly lord-type person, Duval, in order to defeat evil (the French), crown the Duchess, and get laid. So on the positive side there’s court intrigue, crossbows, britches untied and skirts hitching and all those kinds of shenangians. And given those facts, you would be forgiven for thinking that this is your average bodice ripper with all it’s stripped-to-the-shift, sexy occupational hazards of the 16th century, man-rooty goodness (…or badness?) But this is actually a YA novel, which makes it awkward because it actually reads far more like it should have this cover:
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Look, you can’t just clean up an historical romance, put it through the wash, cut out all the descriptive sex and relabel it YA. It doesn’t work like that. The result is an Historical Romance without any sex - and you’ve just removed the one reason why I WOULD read a Historical Romance. They tried to do that with that Pirates porn movie. The director loved it so much he cut out the sex and rereleased it as a feature movie. But YOU STILL HAVE A PORN MOVIE! There’s just no three way pirate sex scenes to off-put the fake books, stilted dialogue, ridiculous non-sensical story-lines… actually, it sounds like I AM describing Pirates of the Carribean – so let’s just move on.
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The premise was very interesting and I think the idea was most noteworthy. There’s nothing much to complain about with LaFever’s writing and stylistic choices in that regard. But it’s the plot and the pacing that is its biggest let down.
Quite early in this novel we see the plot mostly dry up and the fantasy of a badass killer-nun seems to be unattainable as we’re left with a soggy romance that never feels quite convincing. Certainly, both characters are likable and work well together as a team. But the actual romance is never particularly breathtaking or impassioned. Which would be fine if the movie had more throat-cutting and less awkward moments where the two main characters almost kiss.
The mystery is laughably easy to deduce which, for me, just added to a rather average reading fare. I recommend this book to those that like the idea of assassin-nuns without dealing with the mess and teenagers who want a gateway book to the historical romance genre.
In one regard, life has taught me not to expect too much from a Novella. Yet I think this one still managed to let down even my low expectations and IIn one regard, life has taught me not to expect too much from a Novella. Yet I think this one still managed to let down even my low expectations and I'm a little depressed about that.
Cate and her family are seers of the Fae and so must hide their abilities. Rook is a fae who stalks Cate, thinking she can't see him. Their paths collide when one of Cate's friends is kidnapped by the fae. She needs to get into the Fae world to get her friend back and he needs her to begin the Fae conquest of Earth. Also they fall in love and shag along the way.
And thus we come across our first issue and it is one in which the author has bitten off more than they can chew. This is, in its essence, a massive story to undertake in a novella.
Kidnappings? Peril to the human race? Forbidden hunky fairy love? You don't say! I'm intrigued. Tell me more.
Yet all of this is rather handled in the most cavalier way by the author, leaving the reader with desperate, gaping, plotholes and burning questions.
For starters, the kidnapped girl: Meg.
Before she is kidnapped, our only insight into this character is that she is someone who invites a friend to lunch, planning the entire time to ditch her for a preplanned date. This same friend is also a work colleague and she also plans (ahead of time) to ditch their important presentation for the aforementioned date and expects to still take half the credit for the work done.
Cate's gifting is hereditary, and she has several sisters. It's a gift she's had to hide her entire life. If the fae discover her gifting then she'll disappear forever as her mother once did. To reveal herself may put her family in extraordinary danger. She knows this. Keep all of that in mind when I tell you that she throws it out the window to save the friend I just described. Call me cruel, call me evil, call me a bitch. I don't care. There's no way I would endanger my life and my family for someone like that, and I don't think most normal people would either. I might even dust my hands off, kick my feet up and consider my life burdened with one less oxygen thief.
Secondly, Cate's brilliant scheme for getting the world's worst friend back is nonsensical.
Go to Fairyland + Hot Fairy + ? = profit getting friend back.
She doesn't have a plan. THIS is NOT a plan! This is a concept and a vague intention. Making out with a random Fairy and traipsing off into Fairyland with a) no way to return home, b) no plans or assurances this Fairy will help you or c) absolutely no clue what you're doing is not clever thinking!
Rook's characterization is, if possible, even more aggravating. He's been stalking this girl since she was sixteen and not once has she given a hint of her abilities. He is right there watching when her supposed friend is kidnapped right in front of her. Of all the days to reveal her abilities and seduce him, she chooses that day. Look, kids, this is not hard maths here. It doesn't take leaps and bounds in logic to assume the woman has a hidden agenda. Yet Rook is shocked, shocked I say, when he realizes that she came with him to fairy in order to retrieve her friend.
Lastly, and perhaps the most aggravating aspect of this novel. He is a fairy. They're planning to invade our planet, subvert our autonomy and replace us as supreme rulers of earth. There is no convincing him otherwise. As a human being, her reaction to all of this is?
[image] Doesn't matter; had sex. Thanks, Cate. Sold out your whole race for Fairy Peen. Good job there.
I have said this before and I’ll say it again. I have no problem with an implausible story vehicle. As long as the ride is good and it relates a mI have said this before and I’ll say it again. I have no problem with an implausible story vehicle. As long as the ride is good and it relates a moral or philosophical value.
But where the line is drawn is when the world isn’t consistent and in the confines of that world, things don’t make sense.
That’s my limit. That’s when I start getting frustrated and annoyed. And it’s not because an author tried something new, okay? Lauren Oliver is AMAZING. She is a great author who is erudite and verbose and interesting to listen to. I’ve seen her speak live and frankly to an audience and her ability to relate to them and express herself is fantastic.
But this novel still didn’t work for me. Delirium, unfortunately, failed for me. Which is saddening, because Lauren Oliver is a good author and I know, with Delirium, she was reaching out and trying something different. I just wish it had been more successful.
Now, here’s where it all buggered up:
1. Inconsistent world building.
The main protagonist says the word “love” twice. Once in conversation and the second time mentally. Love is a concept that’s stigmatized to such an extreme degree that even the whispered word “sympathizer” is verboten. Yet the main protagonist SAYS it to her aunt – that she LOVES children. It just doesn’t make sense. And she’s wandering around with Alex and making out with him in public like the consequence for that is a slap on the wrist. Look, she lives in a highly autocratic world where even a hint of the disease will land you in prison – and she makes out with her boyfriend in the middle of public places.
2. Characterization.
I loved the characterization of Lena. I thought it was accurate and realistic. It’s the characterization of Alex that left me hollow and empty. He felt like a place-holder. Simply a textbook demonstration of today’s YA expectations of a love interest. Devoted, stalkerish, sad back story. Oliver’s love interest in Before I Fall was so much more dynamic even though he comprised a relatively small part in the story. Alex felt like a definition of desirable love interest instead of actually being a person Lena fell in love with.
3. Writing.
I never thought I’d say this because, in my mind, Oliver is – and always will be – a fantastic writer. But there were aspects of the writing in this book that were obvious, cliche and simplistic. For example, Lena is emotionally stunted but it’s an obvious parallel. Whenever she feels intense emotion she blames it on the air conditioning or weather etc. She is the result of a childhood of emotional detachment – but not really – and this is where it gets personal for me.
Because, if you don’t religiously read my reviews, then you wouldn’t know that my son was almost diagnosed with Attachment Disorder. Because when my first son was born, I was one of those weird religious people that ascribed to books like Baby Wise, etc. For the first six months of his life, he barely looked at me in the eye. Attachment disorder babies are those that, from their infancy, do not experience consistent, loving care. They are children that learn, early on, that they are not truly loved and this results in a wide swath of behavioral and emotional problems.
Lena is the result of a childhood that had a mother who loves her and responded accordingly to her needs, but other children in the society didn’t receive this – something that I felt was a huge cope-out. What about the characterization of a person who wasn’t loved? Who was a product of the system? I feel like this wasn’t examined enough – wasn’t inspected enough. Like it was handled by someone who just assumed that children would still reflect some modicum of normality after being raised in a world where they aren’t being lovingly raised by people properly attached to them. And the assumption that you can have attachment without love – it’s mind boggling because I kind of feel like she was out of her depth on this one.
It’s not Oliver’s fault. But what I wanted from this is a deeper understanding of society from the point of view of someone willing to delve into a harder, grittier, more realistic story. Someone willing to ask the tough questions and write the tough characterization. Instead the novel glosses over a lot of those things and thus felt cheap and shallow.
Kat Kennedy
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