Dee
Aw this was cute. It didn't hurt as much as I had set myself up thinking that it would which was a pleasant surprise for me. This book has the potential for pain but each was handled so gracefully: Spoilerher Mother's absence, her father's new girlfriend, the fact that the mother/daughter trip that she'd built up in her head was nothing like the reality because the pedestal that she'd placed her mother on was not hers to begin with, the set up for a potential love triangle between her/Rose/Hamlet and I couldn't be happier. Sometimes it's nice to not have to feel pain EVERY TIME you read. lol.
These were particularly interesting stories to experience, most of which I'd never been exposed to before, which all lent to an enjoyable time. However, I didn't love any one more than the others which is unusual because I usually find at least one that I connect with overall. Not this time. The one that came closest was Julie Kagawa's story about the Kitsune (because I'm still not over her Shadow of the Fox series and this is the closest I'll get to it without actually rereading it).
Despite my neutral feelings, this isn't a terrible anthology and you should pick it up, if just for a little variety in your life. It introduced me to some new authors so I appreciate that too
I'm gonna sue. Why does Elizabeth Acevedo make me cry like this? I'm so scared to read Clap When You Land....
This one hurt me more than With the Fire on High because all I wanted was to protect Xi and her brother from all the pain of their world. From the men that couldn't see past their own predatory tendencies, to their mother who was so lost in her religion that she couldn't see how her children were yearning for a space of their own, to their father who was so checked out that he couldn't see how his past and his wife was making things so much worse. They didn't deserve any of it, but at least they had each other through it all.
If I could say one thing about Elizabeth Acevedo's books is that her MC always has a strong, if small, friend circle. I appreciate that. I also appreciate that there was positive growth and room for more.
Worth. Every. Tear.
If you're here for main characters that you can't help but route for, whose love you wholly buy into despite one of them not saying something completely vital, then this is the one for you. If you want an additional level of wtf is happening here, then you've got it. You want some sugary sweet yet steamy moments, come right in. You want a villain to hate? Definitely proceed with reckless abandon.
I didn't love it more than their others, but it certainly was as enjoyable as I've come to expect their work to be. I wouldn't hate a novella that shows us Carey post the isht hitting the fan. Is that something I can interest you in Christina Lauren? Let me know. I'll be here.
Well, that was a ride. A good one? I'm not sure. Gimme some time.
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I wasn't expecting this to end the way it did, with so many layers of pain and betrayals and reveals. I hadn't expected to feel for Cora the way I did, or hate Grandma King as much as I did, but alas, here we are. I hadn't expected SpoilerFiona to be involved in the way that she was. I had honestly though she was Carmen incarnate not her spurned lover. What?! And then we see Cora waking up as possibly Carmen in the end when Meiner and the others have finally let their guard down. The omen of the three crowns at the end? That's CREEPY af.
The abuses that both Meiner and Dayna experience at the hands of the people that are responsible for their care and safety was heartbreaking. No one should be treated that way and not feel like they could escape it. Cora never stood a chance.
So...that happened. This book took so much out of me. I was raging at all of the stupid people in our MCs lives, but NO ONE made me as upset as Shazi's father. I mean, I was ready to punch something every time I watched him make yet another stupidly selfish decision. The only reason I kept reading, (aside from my reading buddies) was the fact that I was so invested in Khalid and Shazi's story. I wanted to see them triumph. So, if you don't mind being infuriated by almost every other character, then I'd recommend this one. Otherwise, their love might not be enough.
I'm crying. Hearing the emotion in Elizabeth Acevedo's voice coupled with just the hardships Emoni has to go through, constantly having to choose between wanting her dream versus her responsibility to her family. The only way to consume this book is through the audiobook, none of you can convince me otherwise. But, above all else, you should just read this book because it's just that good. It's food for the soul.
I want more of Emoni's cooking journey, I want to see Emma blossom, I want to see where this thing with her grandmother goes. I just want. Everything. Elizabeth Acevedo, what do I have to do to get more of this goodness???
I still don't have a rating, but I did enjoy this book. I loved Khalid, my grumpy bean. I enjoyed Shazi's smart mouthed, no nonsense, never backing down attitude. I aim to be her. But...there was my absolute least favourite trope: miscommunication/lack of communication. Like, just talk to each other for crying out loud. And then there was a love triangle which only irritated me because the other love interest just would not open his eyes to the truth!!!
As far as reimaginings go, this was wonderfully done. I forgot that it was a reimagining, just as I like it. Overall, if there was a way to get Shazi and Khalid without all hemming and hawing and without the additional family drama on her side... I'd love the heck out of this. Sigh. Idk
3.5 stars, rounding up to 4.
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This voice sounded authentically gen z but this is also coming from a millennial so...forgive me gen z. Lol.
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Okay, first of all... Rachel is disgusting and it hurts that she is a replica of real people that exist out there. This book is full of the little micro aggressions black people face everyday and Liz experiences it twicefold as a queer girl in small minded small town America.
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It might hurt to have to relive this I'm a book, but it's worth it, because Liz Lighty is able to draw courage from those in her corner and you can too.
Read. This. Book. You deserve it.
4.5 stars. #tw/cw critical illness (cancer and relapse symptoms)
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When the first one came out, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it enough to do a full review on my blog and recommend it to people as a good example of a starter mystery. But I found it predictable and the characters didn't own me. Don't get me wrong, I appreciated their stories but I didn't think about them once I closed the book.
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This one though? This one felt different to me. It felt more high stakes to me. Yes, I figured out the who and the why (of one layer, because baby there were layers...) but I was married to the characters so I didn't mind. Also, I understood the motivation. Don't agree, but understand.
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I think if you enjoyed the first one, you'd also appreciate this one.
People have been complaining about how much they hate this book but...I don't get that. Not with this one. Just as I didn't quite get the love for the first one. Maybe I'm a contrarian, but what this book does was exactly what I hoped for with the conclusion of this trilogy. It was high stakes and there were levels and hoops that Jude and Cardan had to jump through in order to get where they are at the end. They ARE endgame. Taryn is still the worst person to exist and neither she nor Locke suffered enough for their hatefulness.
Looking forward to the Elfhame stories coming out later this year.
All this did was reinforce how awful and annoying Taryn is. Ugh. I hate her.
OK. I've calmed down enough to give this some justice. This is beautifully written and Holly pours Taryn's heart onto the page, however no matter how much flowery words she puts on the paper I absolutely could not abide by Taryn's logic. Like was Locke so beautiful and was the promise of some fae lovin so intoxicating that you didn't care what it meant for your TWIN sister??? Girl, bye.
That said, if you've read the trilogy, this is essential reading.
OK, OK, OK. I get it. Whew this book was a lot and I am not okay. Jude and Cardan when they're working together, reaaaaallllly work, but boy do they know how to manipulate and hurt each other. I am desperate to finish thos series, because wth Holly? How could you end it like that? Break my heart and then so ‘oop, I'm out'? No!!! I need more XD
Aww, that was adorable. Our MC is so worried about doing right by his little girl that he goes to the most hilarious lengths to hide what he does for a living.
Definitely worth it if you're looking for a lighthearted read about a father loving his daughter with everything in him. The bonus insight from the author is also nice.
I can't wait to see what Vol 2 has in store.
I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I kept listening because what was I gng to do? Not find out who was trying to kill her? No! That's not how we do things around here. Unfortunately that's the ONLY reason.
OK, but for real. Sigh. I wish this story gripped me the way it promised to, but I just didn't care enough about the characters, the pacing or the narration for this to not feel like a chore.
On top of that I really didn't like the stylistic choices of the narrator. At all. Listening at 1.2x speed helps somewhat.
But looking at other reviews, my opinion of this book is held by readers of the ebook as well, so it's not all down to the narrator.
The idea is great, the execution less so. It's your choice.
I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review
Grumpy love interest? Check.
Headstrong main character? Double check.
Undeniable chemistry? Check, check, check!
Bonus: Our love interest is also a dad ❤️❤️❤️
OK, here's what you really need to know, because this can be a deal breaker for some ppl. There is a slight lack of communication bump in the road but Reid gets us through it so if you hold strong, it's worth it.
The narrator takes a little getting used to, but also worth it.
OK. Well at least the ending answered my biggest question cuz child...SpoilerI couldn't understand why Annie would voluntarily return to ANY ship again, let alone one that is a twin to the ship that nearly made her lose her life. It just didn't make any sense to me, at all. What also didn't make sense was her infatuation with one of the passengers, which was also explained by the end.
This novel was a journey, with flawed characters making strange decisions that are blamed on the sea or the ship, with a split in the timeframe between the Titanic and the Britannic (to a lesser extent). I found myself missing the other whenever we switched (which might be more a fault of my lack of focus than the plot/writing).
I did appreciate that there was a Jack and that we saw the lack of sufficient lifeboats. All in all, the setting was suitably spooky and mysterious and I would recommend to anyone who likes Historical Fiction who wants a little thrill in their read.
3.5 stars
This is typical Natasha Queen: a quick read, two characters that are too stubborn to realize how good they'd be together and some lines that leave you going “well damn.” Oh, and a HEA.
Do not expect these characters to suddenly love each other, because it takes us a little over half of the book to get civility, and I love it! Talk about a slow burn! (If that's not your bag, I'm sorry.)
I do wish it didn't end there, but you do get the promised HEA so I can't complain too much.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
