i read this for a book club and it was the most painful 11 pages i have ever read dear god this was not good. like. my god i had to stop and look up ti read this for a book club and it was the most painful 11 pages i have ever read dear god this was not good. like. my god i had to stop and look up the author in the middle because i was getting such bad vibes from all the sexism, sort of hoping maybe it was just a poorly executed attempt to critique sexism, but nah the guy just seems like a dick...more
obsessed with this series it's so ridiculous and yet heartfelt and just sort of brilliantobsessed with this series it's so ridiculous and yet heartfelt and just sort of brilliant...more
this was just incredible. I don't even know if I have words
the thing is it's not that the prose is anything special. and the plot is good but it's notthis was just incredible. I don't even know if I have words
the thing is it's not that the prose is anything special. and the plot is good but it's nothing mind-blowing. but the characters. y'all, the characters. I adored them. they were written so beautifully and with so much tenderness and they truly made this book something special
I feel like this reads like all the best parts of fanfic tbh and I'm so here for it...more
Alechia Dow i'm obsessed with the way you write <3 i just love how like. gentle and heartfelt the stories she tells are. like they're a little sappy, Alechia Dow i'm obsessed with the way you write <3 i just love how like. gentle and heartfelt the stories she tells are. like they're a little sappy, a little cheesy, but it's so fucking beautiful because at the core of these fantastical stories and strange worlds, it's really just a story about people and love and caring for each other and. idk it just makes me soft!!!
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not in any way affect my opinions.
This book is, without a doubt, one oI received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not in any way affect my opinions.
This book is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful books I have ever read.
I'm struggling to figure out how to review this one, because it is such a masterpiece and no review of mine could ever do it justice. But alas I got an arc so I guess I'll have to try and put my feelings for this book into words.
I want to touch briefly on the lot before I move onto all of my favourite parts. Personally I thought the plot was perfect, but I think you need to know what you’re getting into to. This book isn’t action packed and full of explosions. The plot was engaging, but it was also very much a back burner part of the story. It was there, and it was well done, but it wasn’t front and centre. This book was first and foremost about the characters. (but also that TWIST. The ending left me shook y’all)
I also want to really highlight the writing. It was so subtly gorgeous. I read this book very slowly, I large part because I couldn't help but linger over every word. I love pretty writing, and fall in love with writing styles easily, but it's rare for me to feel quite the need to take in every single perfect word the way I did with this one. The writing transported me into another world, and I spent the entire time in awe of it.
The world building was masterful as well. The book took place in the aftermath of an alien invasion, but due to the way it was done I felt like I was learning to understand the way the world worked after the invasion along with the characters. I didn't always understand, but I was never confused - instead it was a very purposeful thing.
The Sound of the Stars also had a lot of social and political commentary, and I applaud Alechia Dow for her brilliant handling of that. It dealt heavily with the more subtle themes of colonialism, and also had outright discussions about consent, and discrimination, and the violence that marginalized people face.
I also want to appreciate the representation. Our main character is a bi demi black girl, and the other main character is implied to be demi as well. There was also a large side character who was nonbinary.
And then, of course, that leads into the characters. The characters y’all.I do not have the words for how much I love these characters.
Firstly we have Morris. He is the literal sweetest bean ever. I love him so much. He’s a little bit confused about the whole feelings thing, but he also loves so fiercely. He adores music, and passionately believes in freedom. He always tries his best to do the right thing, even if he screws up sometimes. Also he just wants a friend and he’s so soft and sweet and I LOVE HIM
Secondly we have Janelle, or Ellie. Y’all I do not have the words for how much I love Ellie. I do not have words. She is just… an icon. She is so fucking messy, but that’s what makes her so wonderful. Ellie isn’t your typical heroine trying to save the world - she isn’t really sure if humanity even deserves saving. She’s angry and she’s hurt and she’s passionate and she will do anything for her family and her books, and to hell with the rest of the world. She is one of the most real protagonists I’ve read in a long time, and I adore her....more
This was so fun?? And Ia was stabby and precious and I loved her?? It wasn't groundbreaking or anything, but I enjoyed myself, and was thorou3.5 stars
This was so fun?? And Ia was stabby and precious and I loved her?? It wasn't groundbreaking or anything, but I enjoyed myself, and was thoroughly invested.
This was everything I ever could have wanted and I'm shook
Found family? Check! Disaster queers? Check! Idiot main character who you can't helThis was everything I ever could have wanted and I'm shook
Found family? Check! Disaster queers? Check! Idiot main character who you can't help but love? Check! Commentary on climate change? CHECK! Cool magic? Check! Fast-paced exciting plot? Check! Adorable slow burn love interest? Check! Plot twists that will leave you shook? Check! Lots of feelings? Check! Banter, banter, and more banter? Check!!
I could go on I'm sure, but I think you get the gist. Now go read the book!!...more
I read this book almost a month ago, and my immediate reaction was "Ahgdfdhgjhfdsfghfdfs I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!! NEW FAVOURITE!! I LOVE! 4.5 stars
I read this book almost a month ago, and my immediate reaction was "Ahgdfdhgjhfdsfghfdfs I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!! NEW FAVOURITE!! I LOVE! LET ME FLAIL! I WILL BE OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK FOREVER!! AHGGFGFHGJGHFG."
Meanwhile, the reasonable part of me that knows I react that way to about half the books I read, and then two weeks later have forgotten they exist was just like "No Iris. You are being silly. This book was good sure, but I don't think anything about it really stood out enough to be a favourite. Give it a week or two and you'll have forgotten it existed."
Because really. I do this every time, and I've gotten pretty good at recognizing when a book is a lasting favourite, and when a book will only be a "favourite" for a week or two.
But I clearly haven't quite perfected that art, because almost a month later, I'm still just as obsessed with this book as I was when I first finished it. Or even, dare I say it? More obsessed.
For the most part this book is pretty typical. It's well written and engaging, but the writing didn't exactly blow me away. The world building was solid and well thought out, but it didn't stand out or anything. The plot was fast paced and exciting, but not super twisty or unique.
So why did I love this book you might ask?? Two reasons.
1 - The humour.
This book was HILARIOUS. I spent the entire book just losing it. Because oh my god, this book just perfectly appeals to my sense of humour. Both the snarky banter and Nax's internal monologues were SO FUNNY.
Whether he was noticing Rion, or trying not to crash the spaceship and kill them all, or overhearing a completely nonsensical (to him at least) conversation about "some old classic book series I've never read" (aka Harry Potter)(Hush this book totally didn't win me over with Harry Potter references), he always had some sort of funny commentary about the situation.
2 - The CHARACTERS
The characters were what really made the book for me. Because they were all so wonderfully fleshed out and wonderful and I LOVE THEM.
- NAX. I already talked a bit about Nax, but my god he was SUCH an amazing character!! He's a snarky disaster bi, who managed to flunk out of the prestigious Ellis Academy (despite being a brilliant pilot). He's hella flawed, and he's an utter disaster, and I LOVE HIM SO MUCH MY PRECIOUS CHILD.
- ZEE. Zee is WONDERFUL. She's badass and talented and feisty and AHHHHHHH I LOVE HER SO MUCH!!!
- RION. Agh I love him so much!!! I'm realizing now that I... don't have the slightest clue how to describe him, but I swear he's amazing!! (And also I ship him and Nax SO MUCH.)
- ASRA. Asra is a sassy wonderful hijabi girl who saves all their lives and basically the entire universe because she's badass and amazing! (And also by far the most competent of the five.) I really really love her!!
- CASE. I have to say, Case was not personally my favourite, but she was well developed. I just didn't really feel she had quite the same spark as the others.
Overall? I FREAKING ADORE THIS BOOK GO READ IT! Do you like found families and groups of misfits? Fast paced space adventures? Sass and snark and banter?? A super diverse cast of characters?? Then you need to read this book!! It's fantastic and funny and AHJGHFDFSDFHJGHGFSDGDHFJGFGFDGFH!!!! I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!!
***Initial Reaction, January 2, 2019***
THIS BOOK. SO GOOD. It was fast paced and hilarious and OH MY GOSH I LOVED IT SO MUCH!!! I highly recommend this book. SO GOOD. This was the perfect first read of 2019, and I'm SO GLAD I picked this one up! RTC....more
Oh. My. God. I loved this book so much. I'll review it properly soon, but for now all I have to say is: SUPER QUEER SUPER AMAZING ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUSOh. My. God. I loved this book so much. I'll review it properly soon, but for now all I have to say is: SUPER QUEER SUPER AMAZING ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS FUTURISTIC KING ARTHUR RETELLING WITH A FEMALE KING ARTHUR.
And if that doesn't make you want to pick this up I don't know what will....more
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein was dark, unique, twisted, and amazing. I had fairly low expectations. I liked And I Darken, but a4.5 stars
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein was dark, unique, twisted, and amazing. I had fairly low expectations. I liked And I Darken, but at times it was tedious. I assumed (especially after reading the first few pages and having a hard time with her writing style) that this book would be the same.
How do I review this book? I really, really don't know. It's unlike anything else I've ever read, and it was absolutely SPECTACULAR! It was also superHow do I review this book? I really, really don't know. It's unlike anything else I've ever read, and it was absolutely SPECTACULAR! It was also super dark, and completely terrified me (Seriously. Can I please never go near the ocean ever again?) but wowwwww this book was so good!!
The plot was INTENSE!
- Like soooo intense! It follows this ship full of scientists on this expedition to prove that (killer) mermaids are real, after the attack on another ship seven years ago.
- And I seriously never knew WHERE it was going. Like ever. At all. SO TWISTY! AND INTENSE!!
- Also it was terrifying because this book is sort of horror, and I am scared easily. SO DARK. SO MURDEROUS. And not in a bad way, but... it was SO dark, and I could only read smooch at a time.
- Okay so the plot was too slow moving though. It would be REALLY fast paced sometimes, but others it just... dragged a little. The pacing wasn't the best.
- But otherwise the plot was good! Definitely solid, and DEFINITELY intense and twisty!
I ADORED the characters!
- Tory was our lead, and just such a strong-willed, compelling character, and I just really liked her!
- Olivia was such a SWEETHEART, and I ADORED HER! So much!! She was just such a sweetie most of the time, but she also had so many other sides to her! And SO. MUCH. DEPTH. Ahhhhh, I loved Olivia!
- Jillian Toth was a scientist who'd spent her life researching mermaids, and she was super snarky and amazing. I adored her. A lot.
- ALL the other character were also AMAZING! These three just stood out to me the most, and I CAN'T talk about each and every one of them. As much as I'd like to. (Because they were all AWESOME!
KILLER MERMAIDS
- Yes, killer mermaids deserves a segment all to itself. WHAT A COOL IDEA! Mermaids are so often portrayed as nice and sweet, or else they're sirens who... lure the sailors in by singing to them. But these mermaids were not nice and sweet, nor was there ever ANY illusion of that. They were KILLERS. And it was COOL. (Wait that sounds wrong...)
- Although did I mention terrifying? Very terrifying. This book freaked me out. I'm not kidding, I was TERRIFIED! But it was so worth it because amazing sassy characters and super cool killer mermaids.
- Also even though I couldn't care less for science (Science? What's that?), I thought the scientific aspects of them were actually SUPER interesting, and (as far as my non-scientific self could tell) very well thought out and researched. And just SOOOOO FASCINATING!
- Also just really cool. Killer mermaids.
Overall? I really loved this book! It's definitely a book that's going to stick with me for along time, and I would HIGHLY recommend it! SO worth a read!
***Initial Reaction, September 13, 2018***
This book's dark and twisted and unlike anything I've ever read. I have a feeling this one is going to stay with me for a long time. RTC....more
Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman have done it again y'all! Broken my heart into a million piecesTerrified me witless Written a fantastic book that's easJay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman have done it again y'all! Broken my heart into a million piecesTerrified me witless Written a fantastic book that's easily earned it's place on my favourites list!
I had very high expectations for this book, and I think it's safe to say it did not disappoint. In fact it blew those away.
Do yourself a favour and read this. (Or do me a favour and read it so that you can YELL ABOUT IT WITH ME)...more
This book was stunning. The writing was lovely, and I just fell completely in love with this world and these characters! Also I have feelings3.5 stars
This book was stunning. The writing was lovely, and I just fell completely in love with this world and these characters! Also I have feelings. A lot of feelings.
And I need the sequel ASAP, because THAT ENDING!!...more
This took me a good hundred pages to warm up to (keep in mind this book is not that long - only 320 or so pages), but OH MY FREAKING GOD I CO4.5 stars
This took me a good hundred pages to warm up to (keep in mind this book is not that long - only 320 or so pages), but OH MY FREAKING GOD I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN.
Ahhhhhhhhh, I love this series!!! These characters own my heart! Can I just flail?! I LOVE CAS AND SWIFT WITH ALL MY HEART!!!
THINGS I LOVED
- The plotAhhhhhhhhh, I love this series!!! These characters own my heart! Can I just flail?! I LOVE CAS AND SWIFT WITH ALL MY HEART!!!
THINGS I LOVED
- The plot was fast paced and action packed! And just interesting and good! And exciting! And kept me on the edge of my seat! And why am I writing reviews while half asleep?!
- The sea monsters were COOL! And speaking of sea monsters, BAO!! I LOVE BAO! Bao is a baby sea monster and he's huge and monstrous, and basically the cutes thing EVER. I love Bao. He is precious. And Cas's relationship with him! 😂 She's constantly insulting him and complains about him all the time, but really she actually loves him, and it's so funny and sweet!
- THE CHARACTERS!!! Cas is great! She's just... a really compelling main character? You can't help but root for her! And I just wanted her to be HAPPY, and for so much of the book she ISN'T and it caused me PAIN.
- AND SWIFT! OH MY GOSH SWIFT! SWIFT IS AMAZING!!!! I LOVE THIS GIRL WITH ALL OF MY HEART!!! AKJHDJKJHHGGDGHJGHFGFHGGG!!!!
- THE ROMANCE!!!!! Cas and Swift are just PERFECT for each other, and there's so much angst and tension, but not BAD angst and tension, REALLY, REALLY GOOD ANGST AND TENSION! AND IT'S AMAZING! AND SO SO PAINFUL! BUT SO AMAZING!!! AHHHHH I LOVE THESE TWO AND I SHIP THEM SOOOOO MUCH!!!!
- It was just a super satisfying conclusion! It tied up all the threads, and it made me feel things, and I loved it!
THINGS I DISLIKED
- I would have liked a bit more world building? I mean, it was fine, there was some, and it was good enough, I just would have liked to know a but more?
- At times I would just find my attention wandering? And I had this problem with the first book too, so I think it was more than just my mood. Like, for 99% of the book I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN, but every once and a while there would be a lull, and all of a sudden I was totally uninterested. And it was truly just a *tiny* fraction of the book, but it WAS there.
Overall? This book was SO GOOD!! Maybe not *quite* as good as book one, but it's close! And I absolutely one hundred percent recommend this duology! Seriously, if you haven't yet, you NEED to go read this! AMAZING!...more
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