Mari
The beautiful language eased into a misty dark world of intrigue and magic. The Circus itself could be so many things from fantasy to love letter to nightmare. The pacing of the book was a little frustrating, since the first third did so much world-building with Celia and Marco. Then, new characters are introduced that tore me away from the story I cared about the most. The stringent rules of The Circus felt a little derailed by Tsukiko's abilities, but everything folds into each other more or less in the end.
The beautiful language eased into a misty dark world of intrigue and magic. The Circus itself could be so many things from fantasy to love letter to nightmare. The pacing of the book was a little frustrating, since the first third did so much world-building with Celia and Marco. Then, new characters are introduced that tore me away from the story I cared about the most. The stringent rules of The Circus felt a little derailed by Tsukiko's abilities, but everything folds into each other more or less in the end.
The fables I wandered through were lush and beautifully written, but Zachary was an empty vessel without anything except curiosity driving him, so everything around him including pacing crumbles. Zachary didn't seem to risk anything or grow in any way, and when I actually felt closer to getting to know Zachary I was interrupted by another story about another set of (sometimes) nameless characters that signified nothing and killed pacing. For as much as this book is lauded, I was laughably underwhelmed and disappointed. That said, I actually liked the last few chapters and afterword, especially everything involving the bees. The few surprises left for the end felt contrived and left me cold, since I had no emotional ties to Zachary. Unfortunately, this book was overwritten and and should've just ended sooner.
The fables I wandered through were lush and beautifully written, but Zachary was an empty vessel without anything except curiosity driving him, so everything around him including pacing crumbles. Zachary didn't seem to risk anything or grow in any way, and when I actually felt closer to getting to know Zachary I was interrupted by another story about another set of (sometimes) nameless characters that signified nothing and killed pacing. For as much as this book is lauded, I was laughably underwhelmed and disappointed. That said, I actually liked the last few chapters and afterword, especially everything involving the bees. The few surprises left for the end felt contrived and left me cold, since I had no emotional ties to Zachary. Unfortunately, this book was overwritten and and should've just ended sooner.
Love this book! Lies and Weddings embodies the sassiness, fabulousness and love triangles of Crazy Rich Asians with a dash of mystery thriller. This book would make a spectacular movie too! With settings ranging from English estates to volcanic Hawaiian weddings and resorts. Kwan always knows how to sweep a reader away behind velvet ropes swathed in couture, and this book is no different.
Love this book! Lies and Weddings embodies the sassiness, fabulousness and love triangles of Crazy Rich Asians with a dash of mystery thriller. This book would make a spectacular movie too! With settings ranging from English estates to volcanic Hawaiian weddings and resorts. Kwan always knows how to sweep a reader away behind velvet ropes swathed in couture, and this book is no different.
As a Downton Abbey and The Gilded Age fan, this book hit all the right notes. I couldn't put it down! Plenty of bread crumbs and red herrings were sprinkled throughout great world and character-building. The author struck a satisfying balance between sumptuous settings and drama. The ending left me a little cold but it felt true to the characters. This was one of my most fun reads this year.
As a Downton Abbey and The Gilded Age fan, this book hit all the right notes. I couldn't put it down! Plenty of bread crumbs and red herrings were sprinkled throughout great world and character-building. The author struck a satisfying balance between sumptuous settings and drama. The ending left me a little cold but it felt true to the characters. This was one of my most fun reads this year.
The pacing turned dismal about halfway through. Annie and Sam's relationship was problematic in the first half, and then they talked in so many circles that I lost interest and had to speed read to the end. The Rotten Rosie angle was vaguely interesting, but I would've rather spent more time with Sam's family, the Cheyenne.
The pacing turned dismal about halfway through. Annie and Sam's relationship was problematic in the first half, and then they talked in so many circles that I lost interest and had to speed read to the end. The Rotten Rosie angle was vaguely interesting, but I would've rather spent more time with Sam's family, the Cheyenne.
