I flew through this book most because it was a nothing burger in terms of plot. It was very easy, I couldn't get super invested in the characters, andI flew through this book most because it was a nothing burger in terms of plot. It was very easy, I couldn't get super invested in the characters, and by the end I wasn't surprised that the conflict was super easy to solve (barely an inconvenience).
I loved the idea of the book - cozy fantasy, a haunted ish villa, a wedding, and a romance for the ages. However, what I got was insta-lust, two characters who had one defining trait each, magic that didn't do much after the first quarter of the story, and a wedding that we barely got to see. It felt like the ingredients were all there but the final product went wrong somehow.
Also, there's a green flag and there's a doormat, I feel like the MMC was definitely a doormat. Also, he smirked every other time he was on the page, so that's a no.
Anyways. Three stars for an easy read, two stars knocked for all this story is lacking.
I absolutely adored this book. The main messages were to believe in yourself and take up space, understanding that the choices you make impact who youI absolutely adored this book. The main messages were to believe in yourself and take up space, understanding that the choices you make impact who you are. Never let people make you feel small because you're different.
I loved the exploration of the underworld - the author notes that she mixes Shintoism with Buddhism - and it gives Studio Ghibli vibes in the best way.
Beautiful art and colorization; a strong, empowering story; and a heroine who learns to love who she is by the end of the story makes this book absolutely wonderful!
TW: kidnapping, death of a child, mass grave, murder, violence, bullying, racism
What a fun book! This fed the part of me that is still sad that Galavant got cancelled (to no ones surprise, but my disappointment). This story is basWhat a fun book! This fed the part of me that is still sad that Galavant got cancelled (to no ones surprise, but my disappointment). This story is basically, what if the main character of the heroic action movie died?
Apparently, everything falls apart. Ten years after they save the kingdom and Galwell's death, Beatrice is going through a divorce, Elowen lives in a tree, and Clare is trying to stand in as the hero everyone wants. When they're called to the palace for the queen's wedding, they all go (mostly) reluctantly.
I found the sad sack heros to be so funny, but I also loved their vulnerabilities that made them relatable. The imposter syndrome Clare has, the fear of love Elowen deals with, and the survivor's guilt Beatrice battles made them so human. I enjoyed the banter and the soft moments, as I grew to love these deeply flawed characters who are so lost but also so full of heart.
I will say that I docked a star because they spent ten years avoiding their problems and that led to a lot of miscommunication and a lack of communication throughout the story. It was frustrating at times, because I really wanted to just yell at them to talk. I ended up tearing up during those harder conversations, when they eventually happened, but it was frustrating for a good chunk.
This is not a hero's journey, or even really a romantasy (at least not how I'd qualify a romantasy). It's a character-driven adventure, set in a mixed modern/medieval fantasy world, with romance. Again, think more Galavant or Princess Bride - very much more focused on banter and relationship development of all the characters. The romance is a big focus, but also still felt like a subplot.
As a whole, I loved this book. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I finished, I just loved the world and magic so much. The stakes never felt high and I kind of loved that vibe of meandering their way through potentially world-ending quests. Like, same lol.
TW: violence, death, war, manipulation, injury detail, sexual content, isolation, survivor's guilt, alcohol consumption; mentions kidnapping, death of a sibling, infidelity
Sleep Like Death was an easy read. I feel like I flew right through it despite it being 350 pages. It's very much a slow burn of a book, and, though iSleep Like Death was an easy read. I feel like I flew right through it despite it being 350 pages. It's very much a slow burn of a book, and, though it talks of Eve being the queen's fury, there isn't as much action in it as I thought there would be. That being said, it was the dark and twisted fairytale I had expected, so it was a good time overall.
A huge part of the story was definitely the relationships between a parent and their child. Eve with her mother, Claude and his kids, Nova even. It was largely about what we are willing to do for those we consider kin and the expectations we have for each other as a result. I loved that there were various depictions of parenthood, but I especially loved Claude and his kids.
I found some of the twists surprising and I enjoyed the adventure we go on with Eve as she attempts to vanquish the foreboding Knight. I do wish there had been more action, but I liked how the retelling shakes out and the changes that were made to fit this new story.
As a whole, I enjoyed Sleep Like Death. I found the world building interesting and Kalynn's way of storytelling straightforward and easy to comprehend. I'm now considering going back to the rest of the books to see how they all fit into this larger world, and I look forward to seeing how all of these stories come together in the end!
TW: death of an animal (hunting), blood, violence, torture, injury detail, death, mutilation, death of a parent, death of a child, grief; mentions suicide, pregnancy
This book was relatable to the point it felt like a personal attack, and I both resent being called out and alsoWhew, that was too relatable, oof. RTC
This book was relatable to the point it felt like a personal attack, and I both resent being called out and also applaud Lily Chu for it.
Dee is a Diversity and Inclusion consultant, Teddy is the heir of a huge fashion business, and chaos ensues when Teddy's family business is thrust in the spotlight for terrible D&I practices (in that there wasn't really any D&I). The main plot was hard to get through - the micro-agressions, white privilege, and outright racism - it was a wild storm. However, so many great conversations came out of it and it was a huge undertaking on Chu's part to write about and shine a light on some of these issues.
The personal attack was Dee's family. The way they sweep everything under a facade of toxic positivity and general avoidance. It was a bit too real at times, and I commend Chu for really hitting me where it hurts. So much of my family was reflected in this book and it was an oof. Dee's growth through it was amazing, even though it takes her a while to fully settle into it (relatable, as well).
While I liked Dee, I loved Teddy. He was my favourite part of the story. Lily Chu always makes her men so real and outside of the conventional "manly man" template. Teddy is a fashion designer who loves art and isn't intimidated by a smart woman and he's almost entirely green flags and I love him for it. He and Dee really click and seeing their relationship with each other develop and grow was a lot of fun, despite the growing pains.
The book was a ride and while I definitely didn't like confronting some of my own issues as I read it, a book where you see yourself reflected and your experiences shared is really a testament to Chu's ability to write real and relatable characters. That ending also was so vindicating, my goodness!
Rep: biracial MCs, bisexual secondary character
TW: toxic positivity, biphobia, racism, micro-aggressions, racial slurs, bullying, sexism; mentions fatphobia, cancer, death of a parent
eARC gifted via Colored Pages Book Tours by Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
Holy heartbreak, what a phenomenal story. With its short chapters, harsh and realistic depiction of generational trauma in different forms, and the soHoly heartbreak, what a phenomenal story. With its short chapters, harsh and realistic depiction of generational trauma in different forms, and the soft moments between our MCs and their friends, I absolutely left this book in awe of the fact that this is a debut novel.
I'm not going to cushion it - Deedee's mom is emotionally abusive. The generational trauma is so evident and much of this book is Deedee understanding her mother. I love how the abuse isn't justified, but in finding the root of it, Deedee is able to advocate for herself and for a better relationship with her mother. There are a lot of moment of tension and grief from Deedee wishing her mother was different, along with guilt for even thinking it. I honestly think if I had read this book when I was sixteen, I would've been a totally different person. This spoke so much to my own relationship with my mother, and some of the harsh things that have been said in the past. As such, this book was super realistic and healing, in a way, for me.
I also relate to Jay - the need to be everything to everyone else but himself. He tries so hard for the people in his life and doesn't leave anything for himself. As our MCs get to know each other, we unearth the ways they are similar and the ways that they still needed to grow. I love that despite finding this strong connection, they constantly acknowledge throughout the book that a romance won't save them, that they need to grow apart to grow together. With the heavy nature of this story, I found that message so important. I know so many people who think a relationship is what they need to fix their lives (even now, at the age of thirty), and it's hard to see them crash and burn every time. I truly believe that this book provides fantastic lessons and strong messages for healing and growth in a way I haven't seen before in YA. I loved it so so so much.
I also love how these characters build a community around them without really realizing it - Jay is someone who's afraid to be seen a burden to his community, despite people caring about him and his well being and wanting to support him; while Deedee thinks shes unlovable and that she'll ruin every relationship she has. I love how both their friend groups prove them wrong time and time again throughout the story, showing their support in little ways - it really built them up and made the ending even better.
Honestly, I have so many feelings around this book and I don't fully know how to express it. I will say, the positive therapy rep feels like a kick in the butt to get myself back into therapy to work through years and years of familial issues. I honestly think this book has one of my favourite ends ever - how everything came together was so satisfying after all the work our characters put into getting there and I'm tearing up thinking about it. A moving and inspiring debut, I rooted for these characters from beginning to end and I am in absolute awe of this book.
Rep: biracial MCs, positive therapy rep
TW: emotional abuse, generational trauma, domestic abuse, violence, forced isolation, racism, micro-aggression; mentions physical abuse, death of a parent, car accident, gore, blood, death, cancer
Loading...
