Oh wow, it hasn't even been a year since I finished this and I'm rereading again?
****
I'm not sure what I can say about this massive toOh wow, it hasn't even been a year since I finished this and I'm rereading again?
****
I'm not sure what I can say about this massive tome that hasn't been said before, but I came, I read, and I conquered. I also really enjoyed it along the way, which says a lot due to my struggle with committing to massive books. :) Does anyone know if there will be a new book-to-screen adaptation of this one in the near future, or if the old mini series is worth the time? Anyway, I'm satisfied and a tiny bit relieved to be finished. <3 Thanks to everyone who pushed me to make 2019 the year I picked up The Stand and for all the people who cheered me on along the way....more
"We were mortals and we had no fixed future in Faerie. You were wondering about your place here, just like I was."
Can I just start by saying how surpr"We were mortals and we had no fixed future in Faerie. You were wondering about your place here, just like I was."
Can I just start by saying how surprised I am at how vital this itty bitty story is to the overall arc of The Cruel Prince? I went in wholly expecting to have wasted my $2.99 based on my overall lack of enjoyment of novellas in general, but this? This was superb. In fact, if this golden nugget had somehow been weaved into book one, even as an afterthought, wrap-up, or extended epilogue, I would have give TCP a higher rating than I initially doled out. One of the reasons I wasn't blown away with the first installment was due to my lack of connection to the characters and world; this slight tale connected all the pieces that were floating in my periphery during my first read.
While at first I was sitting around, pouting and telling myself "She can't force me to like Taryn, stop trying to make Taryn happen!", I quickly realized that Holly Black was not, in fact, trying to force this character down my throat. I'll go as far as to suggest that this minute character study is present to fill in a few gaps, sure, but also to reinforce what a truly unlikable character Taryn is, and her journey on discovering just how far she's willing to go and what she's actually capable of. I won't spoil anything for you, but reading this little treasure has made me eager for the release of The Wicked King, where before I was apathetic and resigned to continuing on just to see what happens.
"Be bold, be bold, but not too bold, lest that your heart's blood should run cold."
Merged review:
"We were mortals and we had no fixed future in Faerie. You were wondering about your place here, just like I was."
Can I just start by saying how surprised I am at how vital this itty bitty story is to the overall arc of The Cruel Prince? I went in wholly expecting to have wasted my $2.99 based on my overall lack of enjoyment of novellas in general, but this? This was superb. In fact, if this golden nugget had somehow been weaved into book one, even as an afterthought, wrap-up, or extended epilogue, I would have give TCP a higher rating than I initially doled out. One of the reasons I wasn't blown away with the first installment was due to my lack of connection to the characters and world; this slight tale connected all the pieces that were floating in my periphery during my first read.
While at first I was sitting around, pouting and telling myself "She can't force me to like Taryn, stop trying to make Taryn happen!", I quickly realized that Holly Black was not, in fact, trying to force this character down my throat. I'll go as far as to suggest that this minute character study is present to fill in a few gaps, sure, but also to reinforce what a truly unlikable character Taryn is, and her journey on discovering just how far she's willing to go and what she's actually capable of. I won't spoil anything for you, but reading this little treasure has made me eager for the release of The Wicked King, where before I was apathetic and resigned to continuing on just to see what happens.
"Be bold, be bold, but not too bold, lest that your heart's blood should run cold."...more
I'm grumbling a bit while writing this review, because I wanted to love it so much more than I actual3-3.5 STARS
"Intentions don't matter; actions do."
I'm grumbling a bit while writing this review, because I wanted to love it so much more than I actually did, but most of the reasons seem to be personal preference over actual discrepancies, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt.
I absolutely love how the author creates worlds that we can escape into that express queerness on a spectrum, rather than clunky, rigid titles dubbed to characters as an afterthought. The relationship at the focal point of Abel is a polyamorous triad, meaning that the three characters are equally involved with each other on a sexual level, as opposed to being connected via a pivot character. The transition between Abel and his former best friend/now turned enemy Eli becoming lovers is angsty, but we also get to witness Harlow's relationship with Eli rekindled, while viewing a new relationship between her and Abel. The steamy scenes in this novel are an 11/10, and if you are here for the smut, my friends, look no further.
"He's a monster, but he's a monster with a code."
My issues really stem from wanting more from the plot itself. We are immediately dropped in what feels like the middle of a scene from the second quarter of a story, and we are given very little world building into the setting and very little insight into a large cast of characters. I especially wanted more backstory on Harlow, as there were large chunks of her past that felt missing and I deemed necessary for further connection to her character, and there is a plot device used near the end that I felt was predictable, yet unnecessary. Overall, an enjoyable, quick read, and I look forward to seeing if there is more depth added to this world in the next installment.
Merged review:
3-3.5 STARS
"Intentions don't matter; actions do."
I'm grumbling a bit while writing this review, because I wanted to love it so much more than I actually did, but most of the reasons seem to be personal preference over actual discrepancies, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt.
I absolutely love how the author creates worlds that we can escape into that express queerness on a spectrum, rather than clunky, rigid titles dubbed to characters as an afterthought. The relationship at the focal point of Abel is a polyamorous triad, meaning that the three characters are equally involved with each other on a sexual level, as opposed to being connected via a pivot character. The transition between Abel and his former best friend/now turned enemy Eli becoming lovers is angsty, but we also get to witness Harlow's relationship with Eli rekindled, while viewing a new relationship between her and Abel. The steamy scenes in this novel are an 11/10, and if you are here for the smut, my friends, look no further.
"He's a monster, but he's a monster with a code."
My issues really stem from wanting more from the plot itself. We are immediately dropped in what feels like the middle of a scene from the second quarter of a story, and we are given very little world building into the setting and very little insight into a large cast of characters. I especially wanted more backstory on Harlow, as there were large chunks of her past that felt missing and I deemed necessary for further connection to her character, and there is a plot device used near the end that I felt was predictable, yet unnecessary. Overall, an enjoyable, quick read, and I look forward to seeing if there is more depth added to this world in the next installment....more
Before the Devil Fell is one of those books where the premise is promising, yet finds itself bogged down by details that cause the plot to unravel a bBefore the Devil Fell is one of those books where the premise is promising, yet finds itself bogged down by details that cause the plot to unravel a bit at the seams. I'm the type of reader where oversights, such as problems having the ability to be solved by a few simple questions or baseline communication, can break a reading experience for me. While these issues did cause me to lower my rating, I still enjoyed the atmospheric element that the suffocating small town brought to the table. If you enjoy witchy stories during the fall season, I recommend you consider this one, as it's an easy, quick read with chills and thrills abundant.
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*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
Merged review:
Before the Devil Fell is one of those books where the premise is promising, yet finds itself bogged down by details that cause the plot to unravel a bit at the seams. I'm the type of reader where oversights, such as problems having the ability to be solved by a few simple questions or baseline communication, can break a reading experience for me. While these issues did cause me to lower my rating, I still enjoyed the atmospheric element that the suffocating small town brought to the table. If you enjoy witchy stories during the fall season, I recommend you consider this one, as it's an easy, quick read with chills and thrills abundant.
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*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy....more
I'm just going to keep this one short, sweet, and to the point. If you haven't read many psychological thrillers, you'll likely enjoy Your Life Is MinI'm just going to keep this one short, sweet, and to the point. If you haven't read many psychological thrillers, you'll likely enjoy Your Life Is Mine more than I did. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this book; overall, I'd give it a "fine" stamp of approval, but I think the over-saturation of the market in this genre has made it more difficult to engage, surprise, and captivate readers. A slow burn with fairly predictable twists, but still an interesting read.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
Merged review:
I'm just going to keep this one short, sweet, and to the point. If you haven't read many psychological thrillers, you'll likely enjoy Your Life Is Mine more than I did. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this book; overall, I'd give it a "fine" stamp of approval, but I think the over-saturation of the market in this genre has made it more difficult to engage, surprise, and captivate readers. A slow burn with fairly predictable twists, but still an interesting read.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy....more
I'd like to thank Netgalley for my digital copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
WAAAAHHH! I need more DI Kim Stone! These books are top notchI'd like to thank Netgalley for my digital copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
WAAAAHHH! I need more DI Kim Stone! These books are top notch and I don't know that my thirst for them will ever be quenched. It seems each book is better than the last and that is a tough job. How do you improve excellence?
Ok, very late to the party as most of my GR friends have read this but they were right! This book was better than excellent. The short summary is that there is a cruel kidnapper(s) who is targeting wealthy families and snatching their children who are best friends. The couple who offers the highest amount ransom gets their child back; the other will die. Kim and her team sweep in and are determined to bring both children home.
This was a wild ride! The story was complex and well researched but easy to follow and sucked me right in. I couldn't put this down! We also got to see a little more backstory into one of her teammates, Kev Dawson, which I greatly enjoyed. Well-developed characters, well-written plot, well-researched details and facts; to me, this makes for a great read. I can only hope (and beg?) for another DI Kim Stone novel ASAP! Thanks Angela Marsons for another compulsive read!
Merged review:
I'd like to thank Netgalley for my digital copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
WAAAAHHH! I need more DI Kim Stone! These books are top notch and I don't know that my thirst for them will ever be quenched. It seems each book is better than the last and that is a tough job. How do you improve excellence?
Ok, very late to the party as most of my GR friends have read this but they were right! This book was better than excellent. The short summary is that there is a cruel kidnapper(s) who is targeting wealthy families and snatching their children who are best friends. The couple who offers the highest amount ransom gets their child back; the other will die. Kim and her team sweep in and are determined to bring both children home.
This was a wild ride! The story was complex and well researched but easy to follow and sucked me right in. I couldn't put this down! We also got to see a little more backstory into one of her teammates, Kev Dawson, which I greatly enjoyed. Well-developed characters, well-written plot, well-researched details and facts; to me, this makes for a great read. I can only hope (and beg?) for another DI Kim Stone novel ASAP! Thanks Angela Marsons for another compulsive read!...more
It’s tough reviewing this one, because one the one hand, I loved the fact that Snowed In for Christmas is steamy and Becca is a FMC that I can root foIt’s tough reviewing this one, because one the one hand, I loved the fact that Snowed In for Christmas is steamy and Becca is a FMC that I can root for! She has a unique position as sorority house mom, is beautifully flawed, but doesn’t compromise just because others might think she is “too much� for them. On the other hand, the miscommunication trope on this one is SO heavy, that it feels like my entire focus was just on finding out what wires were crossed after Becca and Harrison’s first date and how if this issue had been solved immediately� there would be no book to read. I settled on a middle of the road rating, but I think the pros outweigh the cons here. If you enjoy a chilly setting with a steamy romance, put this one on your TBR!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy....more
After reading and really enjoying Nanny Needed in 2021, my sister and I decided another Georgina Cross buddy read was in the cards! The author clearlyAfter reading and really enjoying Nanny Needed in 2021, my sister and I decided another Georgina Cross buddy read was in the cards! The author clearly knows how to write suspense and draw the reader in, while also crafting some wild and over the top twists, in the best way. This wasn’t quite as addicting for me as Nanny Needed, but I’m still glad that I read it.
With quite a large cast for a locked room mystery, we receive 6 POVs along the process of this story, some more prevalent than others, but all come together to tell the story of how Meghan died that fateful night “Ten Years Ago� in the prologue. Even though it seemed like the on again/off again boyfriend was the likely culprit, all have been lured to a beach house by an anonymous host to find out what really happened to the 17 year old girl. Everyone’s a suspect this time, and I think perhaps the reason that I wasn’t able to rate this one higher is due to the fact I was expecting one thing, and this book went in a different direction.
Going in, I thought that there would be a bit more buildup to the portion of Cal being brought in and the family deliberating on what to do with him. Maybe it is because Cal isn’t able to truly give his input in for basically the entire time that made things feel a bit repetitive and stuck in the middle, or maybe it was just my expectations of feeling like there would be more of an Agatha Christie cast pointing the finger at each other to keep the mystery portion alive. Either way, the ending was not exactly what I expected, but also unsurprising.
If you can go into this one knowing the ending is OTT with a dramatic flair and that the entire cast of characters are wholly unlikable, One Night is a fun domestic drama.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy....more
What a clever idea for a story! While the mystery seems to take a backseat to the female relational dynamics, I wasn’t mad about it. If you love a dysWhat a clever idea for a story! While the mystery seems to take a backseat to the female relational dynamics, I wasn’t mad about it. If you love a dysfunctional family sprinkled with darker shades of comic relief, this is one you’ll want to pick up stat. I also recommend checking out the author’s note of explanation of how this story was inspired, and how she was able to write the book with her mother’s help brainstorming and bring these characters to life. A nice mystery option for those looking for something lighter during spooky season!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy....more
”I was stripped bare in a world where I did not belong. A world of monsters and visions, where past and future had little meaning.�
A swashbuckling goo”I was stripped bare in a world where I did not belong. A world of monsters and visions, where past and future had little meaning.�
A swashbuckling good time to say the least! The world building in this book is so intricately detailed; I could practically feel the winter chill on my skin. The plot is complex, the characters are developed, and the author is not afraid to delve into the darker aspects of the Other. The only reason I’m not giving this 5 stars is due to the pacing lagging just a bit in the middle, and I was hoping the romance would develop a little more steadily in this installment, but overall this was a compelling read. I can even see myself giving it a higher rating upon a reread with the audiobook when it is time to prepare for book 2’s release.
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*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy....more
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