Dee
There are moments in your life when you wish you can do/read/watch x-thing again for the first time, just to relive the magic. This book does that for me. Gregory is that exact kind of outcast that you feel sorry for. Watching him come into his own is beautiful. The soundtrack adds perfectly to the fantastical world of the Bockles on their journey to fix the humans (Lord knows we need fixing). If only it were really that easy in real life, am I right? For fans of Terry Pratchett and Madeleine L'Engle.
4
I despised the cheating arc (it was unnecessary - did absolutely nothing for the story at all!) otherwise it would have been a full five. As is classic Stephen King, we're left off with a bittersweet conclusion.
This one had a lot of waiting around, with nothing happening, and I kept hoping that there would be more. Maybe, seeing the movie first spoiled it for me, because I knew what was coming and so was too impatient to see the buildup for what it should have been.
Can't wait for my next King read.
4.25
Certainly my favorute of the series. Everything is wrapped up nicely, which I appreciate. I hated seeing SpoilerLilac be made a villain while Tarver has to stand by and lose her again.
I was really happy to get more Sofia because I liked the glimpse we got of her in the second book. And her relationship with Gideon may have been my favorite of all the couples we've encountered thus far. Never thought there would be a love interest that was cockier than Tarver, but somehow Gideon achieved it.
People are predictable. It's when you think they might not be—that's when you get in trouble.
The way they connected even the little details throughout the series, so that even SpoilerSimon, Lilac's first love, was brought back into the mix. The closure she and Gideon got on this issue was satisfying was a thing to behold.
DOWN WITH LAROUX!!! I wished his comeupponce was more ‘comeupponcey', but, c'est la vie.
Good Spell Gone Bug - 2.5
The Trouble with Love Spells - 2
All the Pretty Curses - 2.75
The Perfect Mate Fiasco - 3.5 (casual mention of an*rexia)
A Matter of Perspective - 4
A Poppet Named Dave - 3.5
Rex may have been my favorite character in this entire Anthology (Perfect Mate), the innocent bystander that didn't ask for all this witchy drama. I also really liked the twist on the overdone love spell trope.
The only character I could tolerate in Poppet was Evelyn. River was annoying and Dave was twice as annoying. But the story was enjoyable.
There were quite a few things in this one that sold me: it wasn't a traditional graphic novel but it wasn't a regular chapter book either; it was quirky (Anne and her friends are little oddballs); there was D-R-A-M-A.
I saw some people referring to the lgbt storyline as being poorly done/resolved too quickly, but I think it was perfectly paced for the length of the book overall. We had our conflict-we got an explanation-the entire situation was resolved. Voila.
Of course more could have been said, of course real life never fixes itself so quickly or easily, of course the excuse of ‘I was hurting so I hurt others' is NEVER an acceptable excuse. Of course, of course.
There are flaws, yes, but I think it's still worth the read.
(3.5 stars)
This was a fun middle grade read that could easily be as addictive as the Daniel X series were for me. Quick, adventure driven story told from the perspective a thirteen year old nerd (self-proclaimed) as we try to stop the evil Mistress Jane from destroying reality as we know it.
I would recommend this to any one who likes action with a side of mystery solving.
If I had read this as a child, I would have loved it immensely.This is the kind of adventure and world that I'd been expecting when I picked up [bc:A Wrinkle in Time 18131 A Wrinkle in Time (A Wrinkle in Time Quintet, #1) Madeleine L'Engle https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1329061522s/18131.jpg 948387]: a strong female heroine, crazy rescue mission, magic and strange characters. Granny Aching sounds like the kind of character I could vibe with for sure, and I see Tiffany growing up to be equally badass, for sure. Now for the title characters, the Nac Mac Feegle's. What a weird, weird bunch of men. Fierce but cowardly, rugged but big hearted all wrapped up in the body of a thief and lush.Not sure what would make this a five star read because I enjoyed it alot, but...there ya go. 4 stars.
I'm over here confused as hell about my feelings for this one.
What can be said, above all else, is that this book is dizzying and represents a very scary possible reality for us ‘modern' humans. Censorship and group think evolving to the point of oppression and control...that is no future I want to be a part of.
That final paragraph...???????????? I can't believe Spoilerafter all that he's been through, he couldn't hold out any longer. So sad, that he's fully lost his identity.
I understand why it's studied as a great work of literature.
I liked it enough, but I don't think this is a series that I'll be continuing. There was too much time spent with not enough happening, and it certainly underwhelmed. Maybe that's an unfair assessment considering I found the TV series long before picking this one up, but, I expected it to be more.
Quentin was more whiny and annoying that he came accross as in the show, (which was VERY whiny), Penny wasn't as badass as I'd hoped and Eliot was less...everything.
Not the HP for adults that I was told either, so, there's that. But it was entertaining enough for me to not feel the need to DNF.
I need to sleep on this one...
Full Review: www.deereadsforfood.wordpress.com
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I've decided that I need to do a full review of this one (deereadsforfood.wordpress.com) but I will say this: It was entertaining enough, but if you're searching for a book that is mainly mystery solving, THIS is NOT that book.
This book carries you on a journey of familial hurt, mental illness and deceit. Our main character makes some very stupid decisions where her sister and boyfriend are concerned and her sister likewise, reverts to a version of herself that she least likes when the twins meet up.
All in all, it's not a terrible read.
Somebody make me a dentist's appointment, Becky Albertalli just gave me cavities!The secret humiliation of being insulted by proxy.This. Book.Where Adam Silvera excells at BREAKING ME, Becky Albertalli's books are like warm hugs on hard nights. There is an underlying ache but she somehow makes it okay to hurt, and she's sure to make you okay again before she leaves you. Sorry I didn't turn out to be much of a boy sobbingWhen I read [bc:The Upside of Unrequited 30653853 The Upside of Unrequited Becky Albertalli https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1487956734s/30653853.jpg 45749039], I instantly knew that I wanted to pick this one up, but I wasn't ready to do so immediately. This was the perfect time to read this one. As blackmailer's go, Martin is really inept and misguided, especially considering Spoilerhis BROTHER IS GAY. I wish I understood his logic, because even after he explains why he did it I'm still left going WTF, you idiot!Sidenote: Leah is an exhausting friend to have, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it takes work to be friends with her. Abby is awesome.Blue: I had a small inkling that he was who he turned out to be. My other guesses were: SpoilerCal (ruled out pretty quickly when he was constantly brough up as an option. No way it could've been him with all those hints.), Nick (ruled out because ABBY!!!) and Garrett, which is kinda close to reality..Off to count down the days until [bc:Leah on the Offbeat 31180248 Leah on the Offbeat Becky Albertalli https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png 51820754]
Damn. Damn. Damn. Damn.
This series isn't all action, all the time, but this particular slow burn is fun to read. Each little discovery working towards solving the puzzle that is Avon.
If I were to compare this one to the first, though my heart beats for Tarver, I think this one is the better of the two. The love to hate romance that this series is known for works much better here than it did in the first. Their hatred/mistrust of each other made sense at the very least.
There were a few moments in there that I didn't understand how Tarver and Lilac would be connected to Lee and Flynn and boy was I shook when it was revealed.
The odd whispers/feverish flashbacks were puzzling until it finally made sense closer to the end and now all I want to do is see Roderick LaRoux burn. Can that please be arranged? Thank you.
Oh, and #JusticeForMolly #JusticeForFergal #JusticeForAvon, that is all. KThnxBye
Imma be over here aljdfkjdlkjfadfad'ing for a moment.
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Okay, I think I'm ready now.
You know that dread you feel when you pick up a really hyped book, hoping against all hope that it doesn't disappoint you? That was exactly what I felt when I started reading this book. The RELIEF I felt when I realized that I loved this book just as much as EVERYONE else was unreal.
Maggie Stiefvater's writing is intoxicating. It takes you on an emotional roller coaster in the best way.
One of THE MAJOR plot twists, that wasn't really a plot twist because IT ACTUALLY TELLS YOU in the beginning of the book, had me so shocked that I put down the book for a few minutes just staring into space.
STARING.
INTO.
SPACE.
I already know I'm going to love the next one. Gansey is bae, Adam deserves hugs and Noah...more of him please.
What's that Griff? All Theo left you was history? Well all Adam Silvera left me was HURT. So there, I win!
This book meant so much to me, more than I can ever put into words, because sometimes you have to sit by and watch people move on, and sometimes it's you that needs moving on.
What follows this point is going to be my stream of conciousness thoughts as I read the book.
SpoilerOh God, that condom situation had me cringing from second hand embarrassment. Loved it!!
Constantly tearing up. Oh, Adam you are a genius and a cruel man.
I feel for both these boys, both of them are hurting so wholly that I just want to hug them both and make them feel better.
The birthday video <3 and 3. Graduation(!) and Valedictorian certificate!!
That restaurant/birthday scene has me gagging from the awkwardness and palpable hurt.
Their breakup killeeeed meeeee
Griff has become SERIOUSLY dependant on Jackson...woooow but so cute
This trip to California is not a good idea!!!
Packing up that room uuuuuugh my heeart
OMG!!! That beach incident. To be so close to ‘dying' in the same way that he did, in the same place that he did
Theo showed him the kisses omg wow and then the real kiss SHOOOOK. But, Griff, doing that to get back at a dead person is stupid
The change in him...and then the REVELATIONS!
Theo is awful for stringing both these boys along like this, but he's torn so understandable if unforgivable.
Wait! Wait! Wait! Wade is gay??? Oh poor Wade, loving Griff while he was too busy loving Theo
That final voicemail. Yiiiikes And then I was too lost to take any more notes. You're welcome. Off to cement this book in my memory.
3.5 starts, it would have been four if not for some very poor decisions in the last few chapters re: Lilac. Of course it all works out in the end, but, I'm not happy. Also, because of the fact that the second book doesn't center on this pair. (RUDE!)
It delivered on what it promised, I CAN say that much. A space adventure, sci-fi mystery that hints at romance, growth and the ever present danger of death on an unknown planet.
Lilac was not my favorite character of all time, she was spoilt, naive and overly stubborn. Prone to making stupid decisions, however her growth during this book made those flaws ALMOST forgiveable. Tarver on the other hand was hard and entirely focused, but extremely weak where Lilac was concern. I much prefer him to Lilac as a main character. The duo worked so well, balancing each other out nicely. I hope we get to see more of them in the future.
I want to know more about Spoilerthe creatures they found on that planet though, so I really hope we learn more as the series continues
Warning: this text may contain spoilers Nooooo! It's over! This is not allowed, I never said that it could end!!!!!!! I need more Levi, Cath, Wren, Raegan....more, more, more!!!
I'm also desperate to read Carry On because I'm equally invested in Baz and Simon's life.
**
I started this book already knowing that Rainbow Rowell's writing style was fun and easy to read and captivating, and I was fully prepared to walk away broken (Eleanor and Park anyone?). I got the first, but the second thankfully proved false. I fell in love with these characters, but I especially loved the love that we were able to witness.
The evolution of Cather and Wren Avery's relationship was satisfying to witness, even if I wanted to scream from frustration. Nick (ugh), was a necessary part of Cath's growing up, but that doesn't mean that I don't want to shave his hair off while he sleeps, and I will always be eternally grateful that Cath had people to lean on during difficult moments.
Can this please be a part of a series now, thank you.
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09/2019 It still holds up, and this time I was even more invested in the Simon and Baz sections.