nour
“I am afraid because I can so clearly foresee my own life rotting away of itself, like a leaf that rots without falling, while I pursue my round of existence from day to day.”
I liked but didn't love Dazai's No Longer Human, I found it too depressing for me to understand the message. However, I think this book is my favorite of his so far. It's quite pessimistic, of course. But I thought it was an emotional, fast-paced read. The social status, the end of an era, and the beautiful relationship between mother and daughter were all nuanced in this story.
“A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone if it is to keep its edge.”
I can see how this series influenced so many modern fantasy books. I enjoyed the political storyline and intricate worldbuilding. I'm also a sucker for backstabbing and betrayals and it appears that this book doesn't shy away from all sorts of things. There were quite too many perspectives for my taste and but I understand it's a grand story that needs to be told from more than just one party.
“If I look back I am lost”
“Technically, I'm a murderer, but I like to think that's one of my better qualities.”
One of my favorite dual pov books because of how awesome both the protagonists were. I listened to the audiobook and it was so good! I think going into this blindly made me enjoy it more. I kinda wished there was more romance but I loved the dynamic between the main characters.
To give credit where it's due, this book is not bad. Objectively speaking, it's a great, plot-dense sequel. it was simply not for me. the things I enjoyed in the first book are somehow missing and I found myself losing interest in the romance as much as the plot. I still like our main heroine, but I'm not sure I am liking the direction of the story despite how well-written it is. at this point, only more Hermes and perhaps a Daphne/Hermes romance might make me pick up the last book.
I still recommend this series to greek-myth lovers who are looking for an awesome adventure with an amazing heroine.
“When did we get here? At this place of tallied wrongs and rights. This place where we speak the same language but cannot understand each other's words.”
It's really good, YA contemporary isn't my thing so I was surprised that I actually enjoyed this one a lot. I think the author did a great job at portraying all of the hardships of a youth, miscommunications, social status, and the what-ifs.
“That's the beauty of learning a new language. It should feel like an enormous undertaking. It ought to intimidate you. It makes you appreciate the complexity of the ones you know already.”
This book is a masterpiece, methinks. A Dark Academia game changer. It's masterfully crafted and it made me fall in love with linguistics more than I already do. It's a very thought-provoking and emotional story. I adored all the lessons about etymologies and the unique magical system.
“How strange,' said Ramy. ‘To love the stuff and the language, but to hate the country.”
“For how could there ever be an Adamic language? The thought now made him laugh. There was no innate, perfectly comprehensible language; there was no candidate, not English, not French, that could bully and absorb enough to become one. Language was just difference. A thousand different ways of seeing, of moving through the world. No; a thousand worlds within one. And translation – a necessary endeavour, however futile, to move between them.”
“My eldest sister was right; I would smile blithely if someone tried to saw off my leg. But no one ever told me I was allowed to scream”
This book was so dark and twisted but surprisingly addictive. The prose emanates pure beauty and I immensely enjoyed this gothic, atmospheric fairytale. If you love unique retellings, horror, and witchy themes then you'll enjoy this. However, I can't stress enough how dark this book was, not your standard NA fantasy.
Update after reading book 3: 2.5 stars
Nothing wrong with the series, i do actually recommend it to all New Adult romance/fantasy lovers. I just realized that this series, despite the addictive writing, beautiful prose and complex characters, is just not for me. I have no interest in the main romance and it's not what i was rooting for. I know there's a lot in the story to love besides the romance, but the endgame choice for the heroine soured things for me.
First read: 3 stars
The writing, storytelling, and settings were so enchanting and very captivating. The haunting, bittersweet tone of the story is exactly what I seek in dark fantasy books.
There's so much growth when it comes to our main heroine, and her character development was immaculate in every way. The author does not do simple characters - they're all wonderful, complex, selfish, broken, and twisted in all the best ways. I'm thrilled that we got new perspectives in this book because the depth of the characters is exemplary and I found myself invested in each character's storyline.
As for the romance department, there's a progression in the relationships. More delicious angst and sexy scenes, but also heartfelt, emotional moments. It will definitely appeal to fans of NA dark fantasy romance. I'm also very interested in the new romantic subplots with the side characters! I would love to see more of them in the next book.
I wasn't huge on the main romantic dynamic for Orlaith but I do, however, like the characters individually and I'm rooting for Orlaith to find the happiness she deserves, I mean she will, right? Because the ending delivered emotional damage.
I know I already mentioned how good the characters are but I can't stress enough how amazing our heroine is. Orlaith's character is wonderful. You can feel her emotion, rage, guilt, and triumph. She's just wonderful and an absolute badass.
The book twists all over the place, the tension is always there, I was literally on the edge of my seat when I was reading the final parts. Some of the unanswered questions are unraveled but more mysteries are yet to be revealed, this, mixed with continuing Orlaith's journey to bloom, is the perfect dose for looking forward to the next book!
I'm glad there will be more books in this world, very excited about this series and where the author is going to take us next!
“History does not care about the suffering of the individual. Only the outcome of their struggles.”
Can't articulate my thoughts at the moment, but this sequel was too much awesomeness and i was glued to every single page. There was so much in this book to dwell on, the flawed characterizations that i always seek, the games of ambitions and backstabbing, the mythology with unraveled secrets, all this mixed with tons of actions, a heroine to root for and an angsty good romance and a sly villain that makes sense that it's hard not to like or care about.
“Men were always quick to believe in the madness of women.”
“You have seen me at my worst and at my weakest. Let me show you my best.”
i honestly didn't care about Alina in the first book but she developed the spunk that i adore in this installment. This is my favorite book in the trilogy by far, it can be slow at times but i thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn't hate Mal and he made sense to me at times but i do find his relationship with Alina lacking in many ways, i also happen to root for The Darkling and i know i'm setting myself up for disappointment. Nikolai, though, him i loved, hands down, best character in this series. My favorite parts were when Nikolai, Alina and Mal gets into any kind of argument, the banter is so good.