roselaina
I enjoy stories about cults and communes, and this one was no exception. I was glued to it from the first page. However, while it was good, it definitely could have been a lot better. It was quite confusing at times, and many of my questions were left unanswered. A lot of this could be explained by the fact that Green was narrating, and as she didn't know, neither did I. But some things just seemed intentionally left out or were vaguely alluded to and never brought up again. There were also a few elements that felt contrived, especially in part two. However, the characters were interesting, and the plot was eerily compelling from beginning to end. The end itself was unexpected and very well done. I would still recommend Foxlowe if you enjoy this type of book, though I wouldn't set your expectations particularly high.
PS - Dear Half Price Books: You really shouldn't have shelved this one in the children's section, LOL.
I feel like I definitely would have liked this one better if I had read the physical book rather than listening to it on audio. It's a book that you're meant to immerse yourself in; I don't recommend trying to listen while multitasking.
It is definitely unique, and I enjoyed Luiselli's writing style.
Listen. The tone of this book is clever, quirky, aware, timely, and honestly an absolute blast. I loved Nina. I loved all the trivia. I loved the pop culture references. I loved the supporting characters. It made me want to work in a bookstore again so badly I was close to running down to my local indie and begging them to hire me on part-time.
It could have been a solid 4 star book. Instead, it BARELY made 3-stars, because HOO BOY, do I have a bone to pick with it.Did Nina need to learn how to roll with the punches and adapt a little and be a less of a book snob? Yes.Did Nina need to learn she would have to make room in her life for a partner if she so chose? Yes.There were many things Nina did throughout the story that could have been criticized. But for some reason, the author chose to write the Dramatic Twist in a way that seemed to penalize Nina for having anxiety.The background: Tom and Nina have been on approximately three (3) dates. In the previous scene, Nina passed out from an anxiety attack after finding out some devastating news, on top of the stressful life-changing factors she already had floating around. Nina is fine now, and she asks to be left alone (in her own home) to process everything.A basic summary of the scene: Nina communicates what she needs. Tom ignores her. Nina tries again. Tom is Offended and still ignores her. Nina breaks up with him just to get him to stop following her around the house and breathing down her neck. Tom leaves (finally).The rest of the book is mystifyingly and infuriatingly dedicated to convincing the reader - through the narrative, the other characters, and Nina's own thoughts - that Nina was in the wrong and that Tom is Totally Justified in being an immature asshole who refuses to speak to her until she makes a Big Public Gesture and apologizes.I can't actually tell you the last time I was rooting against the main couple getting together, but congratulations, Bookish Life of Nina Hill, you made it. P.S. Nina deserves better, and I have a great suggestion on what Tom can do with his bookshelves. :)
Let me start by saying that there were things this book did extremely well. The way it addressed the sexism, racism, and homophobia of the time period was excellent, and Waite is a talented author with a gift for uniquely lovely turns of phrase.
For all of these, I gave it an extra star.
Unfortunately, the romance itself was terrible. In short, it was poorly paced, poorly executed, and quite frankly boring as hell. I didn't even get a chance to enjoy the lack of a Big Misunderstanding, because a seemingly neverending series of Small Unnecessary Dramas took its place.
With that said, I quite liked both Lucy and Catherine as characters! I loved the general story and message very much, and the secondary characters were all terrific. They were well developed, and I am looking forward to seeing more of one in particular.
In conclusion, I think I would have enjoyed this book MUCH more, had the author not tried to force it to be a romance novel. The romance was not the driving force of the story, and to spend so many unnecessary words on it made the story drag on interminably. If the romance had been a subplot, allowing Lucy and Catherine's passions for their respective projects to shine and breathe life into the story, it would have been much stronger.
I do have high hopes for the next book in the series, though, and I will be giving it a shot! Fingers crossed for better relationship development and significantly less (metaphorical) U-hauling.
*4.5 stars!
Everything you could possibly want in a book? Weak Heart has it.
Magic? Check.
Mystery? Check.
Romance? DOUBLE CHECK.
Representation? SO MANY CHECKS.
Meet Thomas. He's had strange visions for years, but they've gotten worse recently, bleeding into reality until he doesn't know which is which, paralyzing him with the accompanying migraines. Having tried solutions from therapy to exorcism, all to no avail, Thomas is on the brink of leaving for America to search out a cure when a stranger bangs on his apartment door and launches herself into his life.
Isla is a selkie who has only recently taken human form. She's cold, hungry, miserable...and dead set on discovering what has happened to her best friend. She knows that Thomas could help solve the mystery, if only she could convince him to join her. Unfortunately, Thomas has absolutely no intention of doing so...until she tells him that the person she's seeking might have a cure for his visions.
The problem? The person she's seeking is Kit.
Isla's best friend.
The boy Thomas once loved.
The boy from so many of his visions.
The boy holding the knife.
When Thomas reluctantly agrees and the two set off to the Scottish Isle of Mab, the questions only multiply. What happened to Kit? Why does no one remember Thomas's other childhood friend, Owen? What's going on with the bees? How does Tanis have such amazing arms? (Okay, that one isn't on the Official Mystery List, but it is on Isla's List of Things She Thinks About A Lot)
One by one, they will find the answers and track down Kit...or they'll die trying.
While the mystery and setting of Weak Heart lend themselves to the creepily atmospheric mood, the author manages to seamlessly weave in the perfect amount of humor, romance, and found family. The characters are fully developed and colorful, and I missed each and every one of them the second I was finished. It all pulls together to form a wonderful read that's nearly impossible to put down.
Can be read anywhere, but best enjoyed with a cozy blanket, a hot cup of tea, and - most importantly - some cheesy pasta nearby, because I can guarantee you're going to want some cheesy pasta.
As always, Siken has a remarkable ability to craft the most brilliant and beautiful turns of phrase.
Unfortunately, the poems he fashioned out of them...I hadn't a blasted clue what they were supposed to mean 80% of the time. If I hadn't been reading this for a challenge - and felt like I owed it to Siken to keep trudging through after how long I've adored Crush - I would have put it down after a couple pages.
Still, there were a couple good poems in there and several great quotes. I mean:
“Everyone needs a place. It shouldn't be inside of someone else.”
He definitely still has a way with words.
But overall, the poems were aimless, and the few themes that made any sense were strange and disturbing.
The only thing this collection succeeded in doing is making me want to re-read Crush. I didn't want Crush all over again, but I expected something with the similar depth and feeling. And I most definitely did not get it.
3 stars. Barely.
4.5 starsOne of the best romances I've read in a while! An absolute delight that actually touches on lots of issues rarely addressed in romance novels, while still delivering on swoons galore. *heart eyes emoji
However, I can't write a review without mentioning that the audiobook quality was ridiculously subpar. The narrator was great and handled multiple accents with ease. But the editing was atrocious. There were quite a few long, awkward gaps of time where there shouldn't have been. Once the quality of the narrator's voice VERY clearly changed mid-paragraph like they had switched microphones or picked up the next day with different audio settings. And worst of all, once, the narrator pronounced a word incorrectly, corrected herself on the pronunciation (not in-dialogue, and clearly not an on-purpose thing), and then went on. Obviously not judging the narrator - this is bound to happen! But not something I should hear in the final product.
Dreamscape needs to step up their game. Alyssa Cole deserves better.