Dina

This was a lot of fun, in a bubblegum movie kind of way. I look forward to the next book.

This was delightfully creepy and I kind of want to read it again right away.

2.5 stars

I really loved this.

My favorite book of the year so far!

The twist revelation was obvious from the middle of the book but that wasn't what made the heart of this story. And I loved the characters so much that I can't rate this less than 4 stars.

Very silly and shallow, but fun and great against reading slumps.

4.5 stars
This started out as a bit of a wobbly read for me, but once I knew what tale I was in, I could really fall into it and enjoy it. There's so much cool stuff to discover, not least the connection to Slatter's brilliant (!) mosaic novels/short story collections. Which reminds me, I've been wanting to re-read those...

I'm torn between rating this 3 or 4 stars. I did enjoy it, although I think it wasn't as strong as the first book. I loved the characters, especially some of the newer ones, but the plot was a bit thin. And as a second book, it has the unfair disadvantage of not showing us a new world but one we already know a bit.

So let's call it 3.5 stars. I'm leaving it at 3 for now and may change the rating once I've thought about it some more.

ETA: Okay, I rounded it up to 4 stars. I keep thinking about the book and even though it didn't fulfull all my expectations, it was really good. Plus, Twenty Cicada deserves half a star all by himself, so there.

Started out as a 5 star read, ended as “only” a 3.5 to 4 star one. But I am very much hooked and want more of this world!

James McAvoy is a voice actor god. That is all.

3.75 stars
I am intrigued enough to want the second book.

So this book has a cool premise and some nice representation but sadly lacks in all other aspects.
There is almost no world building. The aliens don't make sense, they exist merely to turn this cheesy love story into a “star-crossed” one.
The romance is not developed at all. We're told the protagonists are suddenly in love and from that moment on, they don't let us forget. Dramatic declarations of undying love ensue, without any real basis in reality.
The plot is repetitive and boring. Everything happens only for the sake of the romance. Get into trouble, get saved from trouble (usually by a convenient third party), drive around and talk about books...
Oh and about that. What self-respecting lover of literature would prefer just SUMMING UP some of the best books to someone instead of making them read and experience them themselves????? Like sure, I'll just tell you Jane Eyre in a few hours, it's not like you're missing anything.
Add to that a very silly deus ex machina ending, Ellie's conveniently out of the way parents, her suddenly forgotten best friend and you have a book that's an utterly forgettable, incoherent cheesy trope-fest.

This is a first draft, a collection of ideas. Sadly, unlike the ones it mentions and quotes from, this is not a good novel.

3.5 stars

2.5 stars. I thought this would be my favourite in the series but it's actually my least favourite so far. :(

This was nice. Good twists and very quick to read.

2 stars for the sff story, 4 stars for the historical novel.

4.5 stars

2 stars
Ironically, one of the most forgettable books I've read this year.

Edit: The more I think about it, the more I dislike this book. It has no substance and is just author-insert wish fulfillment. Can't believe this took 10 years to write... half of it is repetitions with the names changed, the other half is descriptions of freckles, curls, and the bland characters ‘ general beauty and not-like-the-others-ness.

3.5-ish stars

This was awesome! More like 4.5 stars.

What a bore! This should have been Zuri's story instead.

4.5 stars

4.5 stars. This was wonderfully creepy and a bit gross and super compelling. And I adore Noemí!

3.5 stars. Maybe 3... I'm not sure yet.