Mollie

Just barely 3. Barely.

Nothing much happens & it's so short compared to the other novels that it feels rushed and unnessecary. Sure it's still enjoyable to read but it's definitely the most boring of the series.

Here's two things that drive me nuts about this whole series:
1.) everyone is barring their teeth. It's such a common phrase here but like.... why?
2.) I hate the word mate and I roll my eyes every time.

3.5

I did really enjoy the pace of this one- it keeps you guessing and trying to figure out just what is going to work to save the world. As a whole, the entire book feels tense. The ending did feel like a bit of a cop-out. The reader might ultimately be happy, but it also makes the series as a whole less effecting.

3.5

This one does really improve upon the first. The complexity I felt the first lacked is found here. I found Feyre's trauma (and reaction to those who “protect her” to feel very real in this very unreal universe. This sequel does well to show how sometime the thing you always wished for is not the thing you want or need- and the leaving for the unexpected is the best thing you can do for yourself.

I struggled to rate this between a 2 and a 2.5.

Listen, I'm not going to judge anyone for reading this and I will finish the whole series since I've already started but..... I can't say I'm impressed by the writing or the lack of originality in storylines here. It really does feel like some slightly (and I do mean slightly- the spice is low) NSFW version of Beauty & the Beast. Also- then how many different popular fantasy novels can have some brooding man who reads the main character's mind in them?? What is that phenomenon? The characters are all fairly one dimensional despite how much world building there seems to be happening.

If you had asked me what I thought my rating would be before the end, it would have been 3.5 to 4. I just felt a little let down by the end- it felt rushed, the years going by in a blink, left wondering what was really going on with certain characters. There's so many important topics touched on in this book, but feels like we never get deep enough to really glean meaningful lessons from them in here. Perhaps that's intentionally- there's parts of this book that feel so long- which in some ways mimics the distance between the twins. And maybe it's intentional that the end feels so sudden and empty, as life happens a day at a time but the years pass by all at once. I just was left wanting a little more conclusion at the end.

I feel like this book is quite good at nailing the anxieties and fumblings of being a teenager, especially when you don't fit quite into what boxes the world defaults to.

I found this book compelling and a realistic look at how someone's ideals are worn down by toxic environments. I was however so confused by the end being so abrupt- what happened in those years?? Just didn't feel like it was a well crafted conclusion and due to it's shortcomings made me speculate to why that was the case.

1.5.

I don't even know where to start.
This book isn't poorly written so much as baffling in it's choices. It needs to either be far more over the top or way less- it does some weird middle of the ground choices that make no sense in any sort of way. Is this real world or not? No decision seemed to be made in that regard. It's like a bad teen book version of Get Out meet Hunger Games.

4.5

Really enjoyed how unique this was. I loved the touches of real life and art throughout. There were times where I wanted more about Addie's historical events but overall, I just really liked this. Something dreamlike about the whole thing, but not one you are sure of. A nice parallel to how Addie moves through the world.

I struggle to rate this one, but somewhere between a 3.25 and 3.5

It was still very compelling to me, but this one didn't fly by as seamlessly as the first. I'm still looking forward to the next, but just wasn't quite as fun to breeze through. I will say the last chapter really soured me a bit (not even because of the ending itself) but that the chapter from Xaden's point of view sounds exactly like Violet- they do not have seperate enough feels/tones.

3.5

Is this earth shatteringly well written and super original? No. But it's entertaining and easy to breeze through and sometimes you just want something simple to bring your brain some joy.

This just wasn't it for me. While I enjoyed some of the more outdoorsy joys, I really struggled with his writing style. It was interesting in its syntax and structure but a chore for me in some regards, as the sentences can run on for quite a long time- which obviously from this sentence alone, you can tell I usually don't care about. But here, it's too much, too long, too complicated for me to read as easy and without an in depth narrative.

12 year old me who blasted “Stupid Girls” on her iPod daily has some apologizing to do to Paris. I'm not claiming she's perfect but she reveals a depth and a journey here that is incredibly important. What awful things- things that still happen today. I was shocked by how good this was.

4.5

A quick read, but it sure packs a punch.
More than just a “middle” grade book- this is suitable and applicable for all.
If you work with kiddos and already worry about the things they endure, just be ready for this one to hurt.

Just under an actual 4 star.

I think this book would have been excellent if it just got a bit more editing.
Kitty's chapters are far more interesting to the reader and Elise's feel like cardboard in comparison. Additionally, I felt there were some pacing issues and some more explanation to what happened to certain characters would have strengthened the overall effect.

However, Kitty's story is incredibly compelling and worth the read even with the other minor issues.

Listen, I'm so very happy she gets to make her own choices now and the hell her family and the media put her through is horrible. That said, if I'm rating this as a book and thoughtfully approaching the memior and writing itself, it's a bit rough. Very surface and not well written. I'm glad she's able to use her voice and for that alone I'm happy to support it, I just can't give it a high rating on literary merit.

The things she endured are awful, horrible, and a glimpse into an industry that exploits children- especially those with mentally ill parents who have unfurfiled dreams. I hope Jennette continues to be able to heal from all the hurt of her formative years.

This read is very compelling and a real page turner, for better or for worse. I will say the only reason it is not rated higher for me is that it's not the most complex/intricate writing, but it is still effective.

Listen, I'm just a sucker for TJR's writings. They are just my preferred type of “easy” read that doesn't feel dumb or like rotting my brain. I find them compelling every time even if they ultimately have no big life changing impact.

Required reading for the system and culture women must exist in America.
Chanel speaks for so many.

I can't really rate this book so I gave it an average just because it does not translate to kindle editions well and is more of a collection of quotes you'd give as a gift or use as a coffee table.

Now, I will say, that Dear Sugar/Tiny Beautiful Things will always be one of my very favorite books to read when you need a good heart to heart. Buy that instead, it makes a great gift, too.

This was an interesting read so closely behind the Poet X as there are definitely some similarties between the two, but the style used is completely different. I was rooting for the characters here, but sometimes everyone just felt a little bit unrealistic, a little too manufactured.

I found this book so very compelling and comforting. Though very honest about the intense dread and anxiety that being alive means- I found it to be the most hopeful novel I've read all year.

2.5

Felt a bit off with pacing- times where it felt slow and other times where it felt incredibly rushed. Either way, an interesting look into a disaster I didn't know about, but ultimately felt like we were missing a bit of the more meaty retrospectives or greater themes.

What a powerful quick read. 4.5 more likely. A beautiful tribute to the form of poetry, the kind of book that is a lifeline for teens like X.

Absolutely brutual, gut-wrenching, yet so very brave and hopeful.
Kudos to Stephanie for being a light and telling her story in such a raw and honest way.
This was a good follow-up read to You Should Talk to Someone. Additionally, I was fascinated by the later discussions of culture, genetics, and trauma.