Eryca Liskovec

I wanted to like this book so badly, and I think there is a lot to like - the characters are fun (if a little one dimensional), the concept is something I was excited about, and starting each chapter with letters to Lady Agony was cute.

I could not get into the writing of this book, however. There were long portions of the book when it seemed like all of the sentences were the same length, which took away from the flow of reading. The author also doesn't seem to trust her own writing, or doesn't trust the reader to decipher it. For example, there was a scene when the two lead characters were calling on a lady and wished to speak to her maid. She brings the maid into the room:

“Deeply appreciated,” said Simon. “We'll ring if we need further assistance.”

Amelia was glad for his comment. His statement indicated that they planned on talking to Lena alone.

I picked this book entirely on a whim. I am so glad that I did, and I cannot recommend it enough.

This book broke my heart in every way. It is beautifully written, with timelines threading together from before, during, and after WWII. Alix is a character to immediately fall in love with, and as her secrets and the splinters in her soul are slowly revealed throughout the story, her indomitable spirit is on full display. This is a book about war and the casualties of every kind that come with it, but it is also a book about taking on the status quo, women's rights and empowerment, the reality of justice in an imperfect world, and the people who are brave enough to love through it all.

I laughed, I cried, and I think this book will haunt me for a while. Natasha Lester - thank you so much for creating this story that I didn't know would impact me on such a deep level. And I hope that everyone who reads this book finds just a little bit of Alix St. Pierre within themselves.

I honestly wanted to love this book, and I think a lot of the concepts and creativity with the magic system/supernatural beings have so much potential. The first 60% of this book flew by, and then I started to get hung up.

The author has some beautiful descriptions and imagery, but also has some places where the writing is stilted and can jar you right out of the scene. The author would also be very repetitive about certain things - to the point of blatant over explaining - but some of the more important details and plot lines were left unaddressed and foggy.

It also read as a weird mash up of YA and adult - like it had one foot in both worlds and couldn't choose which way to go, and just ended up feeling a little awkward.

Overall? I probably won't pick up the rest of this trilogy, but I'd love to read what she writes a couple of years from now as she grows as an author. The talent and imagination are 100% there!

I adored this book - it was honestly a slow start, I didn't immediately connect with Quincy, but I'm so glad I stuck with it. This book has the most heart that I've read in a while and Brower did an incredible job creating a beautiful, sometimes raw, and thoroughly real journey for these characters. They made my heart hurt, and they made my heart smile so hard.

I'm circling back to review this because I cannot say how much I adore this series! I picked it up because I needed something light between some heavier books, and I have been completely sidelined and devoted to reading these journals instead, and I wish Emma was a real life part of my friend group. She is ridiculous, spunky perfection.

The town, the characters, everything is slightly absurd but in all the best ways - truly. It reminds me of the TV show Psych, in which everyone was ridiculous, but completely lovable and it all freaking worked because everyone embraced it.

I could sit here gushing over this all day, but seriously, this has been my favorite reading experience this year and it makes my heart happy.