Sandy
This felt like it took me forever to read and not really because of length but there is just so much happening in this book. So many characters and plot and subplots to follow and yes it was a lengthy read I found myself thinking many times near the end (because I was getting impatient) can we just get to the important stuff because a lot of the writing was a lot or at least felt like a lot of characters working through their feelings which understandably all the stuff they are going through there will be feels and I usually don't mind beautiful deep writing about all the emotions but this time around I could have done with less of it. If this is ever adapted for the screen it has to be a TV series because there is no way a movie could squish all this into 2-3 hours and be good. I am happy I finally got to finish this series, I picked up the first book years ago. 2011 or 2012 and I LOVED it so much, the sequels not as much but they were still very good reads.
Beautiful stories matched only by beautiful illustrations. There were many versions of stories and fairytales I did not recognize a couple that I did with satisfying and unique twists and one a prequel of sorts to a familiar story that I loved loved loved. You do not need to read the other books in the Grishaverse to enjoy this book it stands wonderfully on its own.
3 out of 5
The author sold this book as a hallmark Christmas movie buy with kitchen sex and I can't say that's not accurate. There was the small quaint town where everyone knows you and is friendly a handsome Navy officer looking after his nephew and a rescued cat, a veterinary doctor weary of getting involved with anyone because of past hurts. It was short, had some funny moments and a happy ending. The characters themselves didn't grab my interest too much so I didn't love it but it wasn't bad.
I would give this book a 3.5 (all these updates Goodreads and you still can't give us 1/2 stars?). It was a struggle in the beginning to get into because I had no idea what was going on (what was real, what was hallucinations/dream) and it gave me a real headache. I had to put the book down and I didn't come back to it for months. Then I picked it back up in October because I though hey this could be a good Halloween read. Once I started understanding what was going on I had no problem speeding through the book. I wanted to know what happened. Who was innocent, who was lying? And I got my answers, sort of. There is one question that didn't give an answer but alas I'll just have to live with it. The writing is good though I felt the storytelling most likely intentionally made to be misleading/confusing to create tension and add to the creepiness (I didn't care for it). There can be creepiness and tension without heading causing scenes.
This book took me longer to get to this time around. Its been years since I last read it and I forgot a lot of the beginning which felt slow to me, I just wanted to hurry up and get into the meat of the story so it took me a while to get through the beginning but once things started picking up I enjoyed the book again.
Usually when my husband comes to bed I'm already asleep but the last couple of nights when he turns in for the night I was still up reading this book and he would say “you must really like that book”. I don't know if I would say I like it, its not an enjoyable book. It was hard to read but I couldn't put it down and last night when my husband was ready to sleep I only had a few pages left so I continued to the end wanting to see what note the author chose to leave the book on and she ended it thankfully on a bit of hope. After reading the horrors the characters went through (horrors based on true stories) I was grateful the little bit of hope she gave in the end. This was such an important story to tell and one I had not known about until I picked it up. I highly recommend it to everyone.
Such and entertaining read. I loved the world building and Alex's family and their dynamic. Seeing the family and how they interact with each other and how close they are reminded me a lot about my family especially when they got together to celebrate. I wish there was more Rishi and Alex before we went on full magic adventure or at least there was more background story given throughout the book as I didn't feel too connectedto their relationship. I will definitely read the sequel, I hope it has more of Alex's family as I felt that was the strongest and most interesting part of the book.
It was slow going in the beginning and I was sad that I wasn't liking the book as much I wanted to. Granted I didn't pick it up for enjoyment or fun I wanted to learn about this young girl who has already done so much and experienced so much in such a little time. Who is so brave, smart and inspiring thousands of people all over the world. However there was a lot more history than I exepected so it was slow going reading about all the events and people involved but once I got into the book things flowed pretty smoothly and ended on a very inspiring note. I lool forward to what Malala has planned for the world because I know she will do great things.
More of 3.5
It was a solid read but that last third took an odd turn which pulled me right out of the story and it took determination on my part to just accept what was happening and go with the flow. Those who have read it know what I am talking about. Apart from that section of the book and a little bit in the beginning I thought it was great book. Andi and Alex aren't the most likeable characters when you meet them but they grow on you the more you get see into their heart. I loved reading about modern Paris. Revolutionary Paris was BRUTAL, Jennifer Donnelly does not shy away from the terror of that time and she did an excellent job at describing just how dire and terrible it all was. So much was happening in the book - science, music, history - It was a lesson in all those things including grief and love and hope. I would recommend it and I definitely will check out the author's other works.
I found this book to be a quick read.
I enjoyed hearing about the different places Betsy and Warren visited.
I loved the stories of when they ran into obstacles and figured out ways to work through it together.
I liked learning what worked for their relationship and what didn't
and how what they learned can be tried by other couples in relationships without needing to travel the world. Though who doesn't want to travel the world? I know I do but I don't think I want to live my life as a nomad.
I would definitely recommend everyone read it even if you are single it's not just for people in relationships but everyone could take away something from this book I believe.
I am sad to say this is my least favourite Sarah Rees Brennan novel.
I wasn't interested in the characters, I didn't really care about them or their relationships.
I thought the world building was very shallow, I saw no need for the magical elements in the story, the story would have been nearly the same without them with a few changes.
There were a few gems in the book that address female autonomy and how women are treated in the media.
I would recommend if you haven't to instead read Ms. Brennan's other works - The Demon Lexicon or Unspoken or even Team Human which she co-wrote with Justine Larbalestier, they are all much better written with much more interesting and developed characters then Tell the Wind and Fire.
I loved it.
The relationships with her brothers, her parents, Linus and even her friend Natalie were perfect.
I've never been diagnosed with anxiety but I could relate to to Audrey so much I loved reading about her jagged progress throughout the whole book her strides and her set backs and how she felt through all of it.
This books was also hilarious.
You want a cute, funny, summer read? Pick this up!
Madam Chima still got it!
The story starts off dark
with death and broken hearts.
Our heroes become assassins and rebels
in this dark world where an evil king
wages war on the Wolf Queen of the Fells.
You don't need to read the previous series
to enjoy the adventures, magic, and schemes of this one
but you'll be doing yourself a disservice if you don't
go back and read them while you wait for the sequel to Flamecaster.