Amanda

3.5 stars. I related more to this MC than in The North Wind, and I liked the setting more. But I found it more difficult to get into. Maybe because I did see so much of myself in Brielle, but I kind of found her annoying at times.

And no spoilers, but I HATE the trope that is used at the climax. I almost rage quit the book, but there are only about 50 pages left at that point, so...

Where's the button for “I'm in this book and I don't like it”?

This book affected me more than a chick-lit book really should. But, I really saw myself in the main character. The relationship between Harriet and Wyn reminds me of my relationship with Jason, or at least the way it could end. And how we feel about each other. He is what I think of. He is what I want. And that is kind of scary. I don't want to build my life around a person, but here I am.

I also really felt the idea of growing away from friends, whether on purpose or not. I really felt the idea of living my life the way others want me to. I just really felt this book.

4 stars because it was a little predictable. But, not bad at all. I probably would have thrown the book at the wall if it didn't end the way it did. But for so long it seemed as though this book was going to break the norm of the genre, but alas. It ended well, but a little cliche.

Cried. Hard-core cried.

I completely fell in love with this book when I read it this summer. So much so, I am now reading it with my sophomores. Every time I pick it up, I am surprised by the voice that comes from it. The lyricism of the verse. It is just so. good.

 Category Weight % Rating 0-10PLOT 2  originality 0.3 8pacing 0.1 6structure 0.1 3conflict 0.5 8CHARACTER 1  depth 0.25 1development 0.25 0diversity 0.3 0believability 0.2 5SETTING 2  world-buliding 0.4 9atmosphere 0.3 5originality 0.2 9impact 0.1 5CRAFT 1  prose 0.35 8dialogue 0.25 7show vs tell 0.4 6STYLE 1  voice 0.3 5tone 0.3 5impact 0.4 5RESONANCE 1  impact 0.5 2connection 0.5 2THEME 2  central message 0.4 6subtlety 0.2 3universality 0.4 9

I would recommend this to anyone who loves Buffy, though it is probably helpful to watch the last season before listening. It has been several years since I watched the final season, and I think that made some of the more minor plot points between the two universes confusing. 

I love Benson's writing. It is truly a shame that this is my introduction to her as an author. Not because Slayers is bad (I mean, 5 stars... so) but because I wish I knew her as an author away from Tara first. Tara is one of my favorite characters in all of fiction, so it is difficult for me to separate the actress (and author) from the character. 

CAWPILE breakdown with FANTASY multipliers below:
Character 8 (x1.2 =9.6)
Atmosphere 8 (x1.3 = 10.4)
Writing 9
Plot 7 (x1.2 = 8.4)
Intrigue 10
Logic 6 (x1.2 = 7.2)
Entertainment 10

Total = 64.6 / 7 = 9.23 - 5 stars