I had put off reading this book initially bc the idea of the blind man who can "see" ghosts turned me off. However, since it was on sale and I am despI had put off reading this book initially bc the idea of the blind man who can "see" ghosts turned me off. However, since it was on sale and I am desperately trying to meet my reading goal by the end of the year, I decided to give it a try. The writing was good, too, so I figured it was worth the risk.
The book is shockingly good - and despite my worries about a cliched/ableist presentation of blindness, Danny was portrayed really well and fairly realistically. He's still fairly recently blinded, but at the same time, he values his independence. There is no miracle cure here (unless you count his "seeing" ghosts, etc. as such), which was also a relief--I'd worried a bit about it initially, I'll confess.
It was really interesting to see three POVs: Danny's, Logan's, and Sophie (the ghost). I liked the way Danny's POV tried to represent that of a blind man (we don't see that very often), and attempted realism, such as the way Danny eats or pours his drink, for example.
Although the love does happen quickly, it's shockingly believable. The chemistry between the two men is well developed, and both characters are sympathetic. It was interesting to see a ghost drawing power from emotions (specifically sex), and it really was a page turner.
It ends very satisfyingly, too, though I wouldn't have been disappointed to see this turn into a series.
My only gripe is there seem to be a few inconsistencies, but the book really is a nice treat, so I was willing to overlook those.
Merged review:
I had put off reading this book initially bc the idea of the blind man who can "see" ghosts turned me off. However, since it was on sale and I am desperately trying to meet my reading goal by the end of the year, I decided to give it a try. The writing was good, too, so I figured it was worth the risk.
The book is shockingly good - and despite my worries about a cliched/ableist presentation of blindness, Danny was portrayed really well and fairly realistically. He's still fairly recently blinded, but at the same time, he values his independence. There is no miracle cure here (unless you count his "seeing" ghosts, etc. as such), which was also a relief--I'd worried a bit about it initially, I'll confess.
It was really interesting to see three POVs: Danny's, Logan's, and Sophie (the ghost). I liked the way Danny's POV tried to represent that of a blind man (we don't see that very often), and attempted realism, such as the way Danny eats or pours his drink, for example.
Although the love does happen quickly, it's shockingly believable. The chemistry between the two men is well developed, and both characters are sympathetic. It was interesting to see a ghost drawing power from emotions (specifically sex), and it really was a page turner.
It ends very satisfyingly, too, though I wouldn't have been disappointed to see this turn into a series.
My only gripe is there seem to be a few inconsistencies, but the book really is a nice treat, so I was willing to overlook those....more
Wow. I didn't really realize what a gift Josh Lanyon had until these last couple of Adrien English books. Dark Tide is definitely the best of the seriWow. I didn't really realize what a gift Josh Lanyon had until these last couple of Adrien English books. Dark Tide is definitely the best of the series - the most poignant as well as the most poetic. It's beautiful how the mystery echoes the story, and there were moments I truly cried.
It's amazing how I could go from mystified as to why Adrien liked Jacob (in the early books) to hoping Adrien would finally wise up and realize the truth.
"He was the best friend I ever had - and the worst," as Adrien says early in the book.
So many beautiful moments in the book. Adrien's recovery from his surgery felt like a necessary moment in his character development over the course of the series, as well as incredibly realistic. He's grateful to be alive, to have the hope of a quasi normal life (that he never imagined he'd have), yet at the same time is dealing with fatigue and perplexing emotionality that throw him off kilter.
While of course, you can't get the full understanding of the complexities of their relationship without reading all five books, I feel like - of all of the books in the series - this is the one that can most stand on its own.
My only complaint is the abruptness of its ending. Perhaps Mr. Lanyon had originally planned more adventures for Jake and Adrien, but an epilogue would have been nice.
Fortunately, I found this "interview" online that serves a similar purpose to an epilogue:
And I'll leave you with my absolute favorite moment in the series, a section I read and reread over and over, tears in my eyes:
"And you said you did beg once - and you got what you asked for." I waited, wondering if I was going to like what I was about to hear.
Jack said, "When your heart stopped on that fucking boat." The sudden fierce glitter in his eyes had to be a trick of the light. "I begged then."
I couldn't think of a thing to say. It was the last thing I'd expected. Almost the opposite, in fact, of what I'd expected.
"I've never been that afraid. Not even close. I worked over you, and I called you every name in the book." His face twisted. "I cried. And then I begged. You're damn right I begged. I promised - not that I had anything worth promising - but I was willing to give anything for you to be able to walk away from that." His smile was a rare one, the wide and unguarded one. "And you did."
Adrien English has to go down as one of my favorite literary characters, and I say this as someone who isn't a huge fan of the mystery genre.
Definitely recommended.
Merged review:
Wow. I didn't really realize what a gift Josh Lanyon had until these last couple of Adrien English books. Dark Tide is definitely the best of the series - the most poignant as well as the most poetic. It's beautiful how the mystery echoes the story, and there were moments I truly cried.
It's amazing how I could go from mystified as to why Adrien liked Jacob (in the early books) to hoping Adrien would finally wise up and realize the truth.
"He was the best friend I ever had - and the worst," as Adrien says early in the book.
So many beautiful moments in the book. Adrien's recovery from his surgery felt like a necessary moment in his character development over the course of the series, as well as incredibly realistic. He's grateful to be alive, to have the hope of a quasi normal life (that he never imagined he'd have), yet at the same time is dealing with fatigue and perplexing emotionality that throw him off kilter.
While of course, you can't get the full understanding of the complexities of their relationship without reading all five books, I feel like - of all of the books in the series - this is the one that can most stand on its own.
My only complaint is the abruptness of its ending. Perhaps Mr. Lanyon had originally planned more adventures for Jake and Adrien, but an epilogue would have been nice.
Fortunately, I found this "interview" online that serves a similar purpose to an epilogue:
And I'll leave you with my absolute favorite moment in the series, a section I read and reread over and over, tears in my eyes:
"And you said you did beg once - and you got what you asked for." I waited, wondering if I was going to like what I was about to hear.
Jack said, "When your heart stopped on that fucking boat." The sudden fierce glitter in his eyes had to be a trick of the light. "I begged then."
I couldn't think of a thing to say. It was the last thing I'd expected. Almost the opposite, in fact, of what I'd expected.
"I've never been that afraid. Not even close. I worked over you, and I called you every name in the book." His face twisted. "I cried. And then I begged. You're damn right I begged. I promised - not that I had anything worth promising - but I was willing to give anything for you to be able to walk away from that." His smile was a rare one, the wide and unguarded one. "And you did."
This book was well researched and sweet. It could have used some pruning, but I'd give it a god 4.5 stars. I'd like to Re-read it before I write a fulThis book was well researched and sweet. It could have used some pruning, but I'd give it a god 4.5 stars. I'd like to Re-read it before I write a full review.
Merged review:
This book was well researched and sweet. It could have used some pruning, but I'd give it a god 4.5 stars. I'd like to Re-read it before I write a full review....more
I enjoyed this series, but I think it¡¯s too compressed¡ we don¡¯t get enough time seeing their relationship bloom amd Develop imo, and like we literallyI enjoyed this series, but I think it¡¯s too compressed¡ we don¡¯t get enough time seeing their relationship bloom amd Develop imo, and like we literally only see one day of Tamahiko at school! I also felt like his father gave in too easily? Like he¡¯d had this grand scheme for Tamahiko to be the backup heir and then when he says he¡¯s leaving the dad just let¡¯s him go? I would think he would have forbidden it, maybe even sent Yuzu away or something¡ idk. It was a cute story, but it definitely would have been better if it had been 10 volumes instead of 5¡.
I was hoping the sequel continued their story, but I guess it¡¯s about Tamako instead¡ not super motivated to read it tbf. Maybe eventually¡...more
**spoiler alert** I forgot to mark the last volume read so it¡¯s hard to remember what happened in vol 3 vs vol 4¡ the story moves a bit ¡°fast¡± time-wi**spoiler alert** I forgot to mark the last volume read so it¡¯s hard to remember what happened in vol 3 vs vol 4¡ the story moves a bit ¡°fast¡± time-wise (it¡¯s already been 3 years time by the end of vol 4!). I wish the story had had a little more time to grow, as it feels ¡°rushed¡± in that I don¡¯t feel like I¡¯ve really seen that three years of time¡ but I do really appreciate all the historical info that¡¯s put into this, like how the school system was different, for example. The cliffhanger at the end of this volume was rough but not unexpected¡ I suspect his father will want him to marry someone ¡°proper¡± now that he¡¯s the oldest (remaining) son¡ I¡¯m curious what will happen in the last volume, and ofc the sequel¡...more
This volume was so so cute and heartwarming. It was really nice to see a little more into each of the characters and watch them grow a bit¡. But that This volume was so so cute and heartwarming. It was really nice to see a little more into each of the characters and watch them grow a bit¡. But that cliffhanger at the end!!! I¡¯m so worried ...more
I saw the anime of this and was intrigued bc I love the Taisho era and the idea of a disabled protagonist, since we don¡¯t see that often in manga.
CompI saw the anime of this and was intrigued bc I love the Taisho era and the idea of a disabled protagonist, since we don¡¯t see that often in manga.
Compared to the anime, the manga is a bit clunky, but it¡¯s still cute to see the two innocent characters falling for each other....more
**spoiler alert** I loved this volume! It¡¯s rare to see characters with disabilities in manga, and it¡¯s even rarer to see someone portrayed well.
This **spoiler alert** I loved this volume! It¡¯s rare to see characters with disabilities in manga, and it¡¯s even rarer to see someone portrayed well.
This is a great example of how you can have a fantasy world and still have characters with disabilities as a viable part of it.
Part of why this character made me so excited is bc he¡¯s one of the three most important people in the witching community¡ªand that¡¯s something you almost never see. Even better, his limitations and adaptations are shown in a way you rarely see (especially in a fantasy world setting). He has limitations ofc but they don¡¯t keep him from being capable and doing his job, or make him any less admired.
And the fact that the kids considered using magic to expand the narrow halls so his wheelchair-contraption would fit so he could experience something he hadn¡¯t before/in a long time was an amazing touch. It endeared me even more to this series. ...more
Bought for $0.99 so I figured why not. The concept is very intriguing¡ª a very ugly girl is able to use a magical lipstick to steal people¡¯s faces for Bought for $0.99 so I figured why not. The concept is very intriguing¡ª a very ugly girl is able to use a magical lipstick to steal people¡¯s faces for a kiss¡ª but the conceit disturbed me and not in the way I think it was intended... maybe bc ultimately the message is, you can¡¯t be successful unless you¡¯re beautiful? And ofc there¡¯s some sad truth in that, but idk... I may buy another volume while it¡¯s on sale because I am intrigued to see where the story goes next......more
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