alex
I wish I was a bit more attached to the characters, liked the writing style a bit more, maybe just a bit more and I could have found an attachment to this like I have with Ishiguro's other novels. But still, I really liked it. the bits with adult Kathy felt a bit too juvenile at points, but that's alright; they're still young, far too young for what's happened to them. The scene with Miss Emily towards the end is fucking peak.
The perfect companion to Klara and the Sun!
Convoluted structure asides, my main issue is how seriously this thing takes itself. First one was fun, the sequel... not so much. I liked it, don't get me wrong, but I think it was a bit too long. Lacking cohesion, additionally. The June stuff just felt unnecessary unless she's being set up for something in the future (which I suspect is the case, but the point still stands). I didn't feel attached to anyone in this story, contrary to the last book. Anyways, pretty good book
Marcella was just a poorly done character tho. I think V.E. Schwab was possessed by some old guy while writing all the parts with her because... seriously lmao. not compelling in the slightest, irritating at best. I wish this had stronger villains in place of Marcella and June, Eli was pretty okay in this book though.
Oh yeah this is like a 4.25-4.5 because some subplots were unnecessary and didn't add much in terms of character development and the middle dragged in places but some bits were easily in the 5.0 category.
Oh and with that my Goodreads yearly reading goal thing is done! Glad it ended with this, twas quite the novel (I'm not as sad anymore might cry myself to sleep but idk)
Great book, you don't get a new Amor Towles novel every day (year. many years actually) so yeah maybe I should have savoured it a bit more but I can re-read Rules and Moscow
:'(((
Don't really know how I feel about this one, the ending was good I guess. The use of language made me care for the characters in the individual moments, but nothing about the characters themselves is likely to stick with me. Miller is clearly a talented author, I'll definitely be reading Circe soon if I get a chance
ok i have decided on 3.5 stars goodbye
The ending parts, maybe the last 50 pages are basically the best thing ever. The rest is various degrees of good, a somewhat clunky novel but certainly a good one. Some elements feel out of place, or underdeveloped, too much time is spent on a certain plot point that feels weirdly unsignificant thematically. But that ending? Holy shit it really got me. The beginning is great but the ending is, again, sort of the best. Rating and deeper thoughts later maybe? great great book
If it weren't for some stuff in the middle this would absolutely be one of my favourite books. At this point, probably top 30 idk
4.5
I've been a fan of the first Cottons book since it was released, and this did NOT disappoint.
The art style is amazing, the worldbuilding is one of the best from any middle-grade series I've read, the characters are AMAZING as well, and the political systems within the series are so well-done. I'm so excited for Book 3!
The dialogue is the only somewhat weak part, but since this is middle grade and has a fairly complex plot and world, the amounts of exposition make absolute sense. It's been a while since I've read book 1 soo yeah
Also I checked my clock and I read this is 25 minutes?! So engaging throughout. Might read it again. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS