Jessica
I found this a challenging read. Parts I felt talked down to me, parts I felt I did not understand the dynamics. It just felt uneven. But for a domestic novel, it was a story of very flawed people being very flawed. Ultimately, I think I was left feeling a little empty as it just didn't really feel like there was a lot of actual growth for the characters. I also found the Katrina to be underwritten and presents mostly as a vehicle for presenting the more pointed diatribes at the book's cis audience. Without a lot of generosity or grace, whenever Katrina stumbled, it was not really okay. And whenever Katrina asserted understanding based on her experiences as a different minority, it was dismissed. I think I found this book to be unwelcoming -- even to those who may be trying. And IMO, none of these people are ready to be parents.
Writing is over-wrought and pretentious and repetitive. Plot is SLOOOOOW until <spoiler>suddenly 1000 reveals from characters we don't know or understand with motivations that are non-sensical, or characters that we do (theoretically) know and understand but we just weren't told this massive major thing. A jail break that requires Ocean's Eleven style organization. Massive rip-offs from Forest Gump and Shawshank.</spoiler> Started thinking I should DNF around 30% the way through, and just absolutely hate-read the last 30%. Wasn't willing to not know the 'ending', but literally nothing in this book made sense or rang true. Just absolutely maudlin tripe until the end.
A really interesting trio. This is billed as non-fiction, but it feels more like the most highly researched historical fiction imaginable. I knew the story of each woman less and less aasnd the book progress but found myself more and more engaged with the stories. I would have loved a lengthier and more in-depth afterwards.
Reads like a beach read, but I have a feeling it will stick with me. IDK maybe because I am a Houston girl, or remember the Challenger so clearly, because I am married to a man who wanted to be an astronaut and loves flying planes. But the main characters felt fully realized. Definitely will be checking out more books by Reid.
I am a sucker for a myth retelling. So 3 stars. Learned a lot about smaller characters. Learned a lot about Hercules, TBH. The extreme modernization of language with all of the slang was a bit much for me somehow. But my main gripe is that there wasn't a strong enough thread for me to really connect to any of the characters or to Hercules. It was close, but not quite there. You end up feeling quite sorry for Hercules by the end. Pocked and scarred from a lifetime of abuse by the gods. Will def read [b:Aphrodite 227772355 Aphrodite Phoenicia Rogerson https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1755253356l/227772355.SY75.jpg 227286888] though, as book was easy to read and engaging.
Was nervous this would be too big a departure from the [a:Stieg Larsson 706255 Stieg Larsson https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1595150953p2/706255.jpg] trilogy, but I think Lagercrantz did a good job maintaining both the style and the characterization. Will read the next two of this trilogy for sure.
Like a wreck on the side of the road that you cannot look away from. First stories are stronger than later ones. Horrible people being absolutely horrible. To a one. So cringe, but also couldn't put it down. Would not have chosen to end it in the somewhat smug and just too too sort of way. But definitely a good popcorn read.
