Ah, regrettably I did not love this, though I had hoped to.
The premise I like, and theoretically I like the character archetypes used in this story. HAh, regrettably I did not love this, though I had hoped to.
The premise I like, and theoretically I like the character archetypes used in this story. However, the writing and overall characterization did not deliver for me. I struggled to get into this book, and by the time I was halfway through, I just wanted it to be over.
The writing was a weak point for me. I found it to be very YA and cliche, which was not what I was looking for. Certain phrases were often used, and once I started noticing them, I couldn’t help but internally groan with every occurrence. For example, there were so many lines about characters’ lips: they quirked, they curled, they upturned– incessantly. Characters also inhaled sharply or had twinkling eyes a lot, and they seemed to wince and flinch after every other sentence. This is just personal preference, but I’d rather read that a character “sighed” instead of “loosed a sigh.”
Also, not only was the bad guy cartoonishly evil and just as corny, but (view spoiler)[ Omar and Imad were practically the same person. (hide spoiler)] After finishing this book, I rewatched Kim Possible: So Not the Drama and Drakken reminded me a lot of The Stardust Thief’s main villain. (I also feel like there are other parallels between Kim Possible and The Stardust Thief character archetypes: Mazen is Ron, Aisha is Shego, Qadir is Wayne, Loulie is a less capable Kim, etc.)
Because this was written from multiple perspectives in third person (Loulie, Mazen, and Aisha), some sections that felt so repetitive, because the author had to establish the same realization of information for each character’s point of view. Much of the writing could have been pared down or better spent filling out characters’ personalities and motivations or the novel’s stakes.
The pacing was also a roadblock to my enjoyment. It felt like it dragged. The plot and the writing felt repetitive, and the action was not even compelling enough or sometimes even clear enough to visualize what was happening. The final battle felt like a confusing cluster of fighting that I just skimmed through it, all to end on a cliffhanger anyway.
There was also a lot of moodiness, which wouldn’t necessarily annoy me on its own, but I think in combination with my other grievances, it got on my nerves how much the characters cried or pouted or were rude to each other.
While I did like the component that Loulie fears being weak or dependent on others, I do think she was a little bit like Harry Potter: ultimately not that talented, but we keep being assured that she is special or chosen for some reason. But why? She’s fairly clever, she can hold her own all right, but I’m not really sure what endears Qadir to her so much (obviously I read the book, so I know it’s “destiny,” but why destiny?). Their relationship was sweet and one of my favorite parts of the book with the found family trope, but I just didn’t really find Loulie to be much of a compelling character at all. And so in hindsight it feels like her fear of being weak was added in during the editing process when the author/editor(s) noticed that she kept needing to be saved by Qadir.
I can see why others may love this book, which is why I will give it 3 stars instead of 2, but for my reading taste, it just didn’t hit home. I am not sure if I am invested enough to pick up the second book once it is published....more
This book was so gripping. A novel about telepaths contending among society and creating their own community, and the power struggle between Doro and This book was so gripping. A novel about telepaths contending among society and creating their own community, and the power struggle between Doro and Mary. Questions of morality and free will, contentment. As always, Butler's writing is top notch and the story nuanced and layered. While this is the second chronologically in this series, it can be read as a standalone.
This was cute! Not much plot; a bunch of vignettes as Alpi travels searching for her parents. Nice illustrations.
Trigger warning: near the end of the This was cute! Not much plot; a bunch of vignettes as Alpi travels searching for her parents. Nice illustrations.
Trigger warning: near the end of the book, there is a flashback to one image of a side character's father hanging himself in the distance, and then reference to his suicide later on....more
I dislike the author’s writing so much but I read this for the characters.
Two quotes that sum up the arbitrariness of the magic in this series:
“BeetlI dislike the author’s writing so much but I read this for the characters.
Two quotes that sum up the arbitrariness of the magic in this series:
“Beetles didn’t have bones, but they had chitin, and whatever magic his flute possessed seemed to work on it just fine. He didn’t think about it too hard.” (Page 124)
“He didn’t honestly know. No one did. Maybe it was something about his connection to the dead, or maybe he was just lucky. Magic was funny that way.” (Page 125)
In this series, there’s magic, and there’s “rules” for the magic, but it’s also always totally random. I know magic isn’t real so it can be whatever anyone wants it to be because it is MAGIC and up to anyone’s creativity, but it just feels kind of lazy or apathetic to me to acknowledge a loophole or uncertainty and then just essentially shrug about it in the narration.
I don't know, I think I just don't really like Seanan McGuire as a writer. I do love this cover, and I love the concept of a place where lost items go.I don't know, I think I just don't really like Seanan McGuire as a writer. I do love this cover, and I love the concept of a place where lost items go. Antsy is a likeable character, but at some point many of the Wayward children in this series kind of blend together and don't have distinguishable personalities aside from one or two token differences. The story was anticlimactic, which is fine, but I kept feeling irritated with the writing and the willy-nilly rules of magic that can do whatever is convenient for the narrative. Having read the author's note at the beginning, I really feel for McGuire and the alluded trauma she endured, but unfortunately I was disappointed by this installment. I should really just give up on this series because I've only truly liked a couple of them, but I admit I am somewhat invested in where these ambling chronicles wind up going, so begrudgingly I am curious enough to read the next one in the series....more
I liked this, but I was not necessarily wowed. I like the setting of this, with the mountain people. The Night Coats were barely a presence in this, tI liked this, but I was not necessarily wowed. I like the setting of this, with the mountain people. The Night Coats were barely a presence in this, teased only a few times throughout. (Third installment coming this year I think.) I appreciated that the main character learned it’s important for someone who is a part of the mountain’s community to represent their own story.
The art is strong, and the characters are cute, but the storytelling is not my favorite and overall I just feel underwhelmed by the series so far. BUT, I can definitely imagine middle grade readers being drawn to this for the illustrations, maps, and whimsy....more
I don't know, I just feel so conflicted about this series.
Where the Drowned Girls Go, unlike what the title may imply, takes place at a boarding schooI don't know, I just feel so conflicted about this series.
Where the Drowned Girls Go, unlike what the title may imply, takes place at a boarding school much the antithesis to Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children (no water-related setting in sight). Whitehorn Institute is quite like a prison, aiming to snuff out the individuality and uniqueness of those who have visited other worlds. Our protagonist is Cora, who is now hearing voices from her stint in Come Tumbling Down.
I do like Cora, but I don't always like how McGuire writes her or writes about her, primarily in relation to her weight.
At one point, the narrator says that Eleanor West's is somewhat of a refuge from the everyday name-calling and bullying of the real world: "where the students had all, by some unspoken consent, restricted their teasing and name-calling to things they'd done or places they'd gone, never targeting people for who they were" (p. 52) but that is just not true? In an earlier book I distinctly remember a character or two being anti-trans towards Kade.
This book kind of didn't feel like a complete book, and we don't get a lot of answers. What's up with Drowned Gods? Why is Whitehorn like this? Who is that guy?
Some things I did like: (view spoiler)[ I was happy to see Sumi enter the picture at Whitehorn, because the narrative needed the excitement and zest she brings. I was also quite happy to cross paths with Regan, though sad that she wound up in such a negative predicament. (hide spoiler)] I also appreciated that the "bad" characters in this were humanized to an extent, and acknowledged to have been hurting, thus leading them to act in opposition to the main character, who must confront whether her actions innately make her the "hero" or if she's operating in a gray area.
What ultimately rubs me the wrong way with this book is the dialogue and narration can just be too corny or summarize-y or, like, meandering and meaningless. There's one part where the narrator goes, "Many people would have been surprised by the gentleness in her voice, the understanding; she sounded like a general trying to talk to a foot soldier back from the edge... Many people would have been surprised, but almost as many wouldn't have been" (p. 125-126). I laughed when I read this, because what are you even saying? Sometimes the writing reminds me of the type of things I'd write in middle school and I guess I just can't get over that sometimes.
As always, I am continuing with the series despite my grievances....more
Ember is just a small fellow living in a big world, until one day he makes it to the sea and a turtle named Lua takes him under her wing. They set saiEmber is just a small fellow living in a big world, until one day he makes it to the sea and a turtle named Lua takes him under her wing. They set sail and bond, and Lua takes him to an island of lost creatures where Ember can attend school and make friends. However, once there, Ember has a hard time making friends. The other kids are mean to him, not to mention Ember seems to keep having bad luck. But he manages to stay true to himself and keep kindness at the forefront. Along the way, he learns about other creatures in nature.
I liked the premise and the illustrations were strong, but there were a some story elements that felt underdeveloped or incomplete, such as Ember's past and his relationship with Lua. I was seeking a little more resolution at the end, too.
This also felt like it took me FOREVEr to read; this could have been me, but it was hard for me to get into the story which could have been a pacing issue.
This is a good graphic novel for fantasy lovers but not the strongest story I've come across. Decent!...more
Across the Green Grass Fields is one of my favorites in this series along with In an Absent Dream. I think I prefer the individual stories of childrenAcross the Green Grass Fields is one of my favorites in this series along with In an Absent Dream. I think I prefer the individual stories of children’s journeys through their doors over the Wayward Home quest beats.
In this, Regan is an intersex MC who travels to the Hooflands, where she becomes a part of a group of centaurs. I liked this! The messaging is gradually becoming a bit more nuanced and the Hooflands was an enjoyable setting for me to read about....more
Jack and Jill's saga continues... This time it takes place after Every Heart a Doorway and Beneath the Sugar Sky.
I liked this one because I f3.5 stars
Jack and Jill's saga continues... This time it takes place after Every Heart a Doorway and Beneath the Sugar Sky.
I liked this one because I feel like the narration is finally striking a better balance for me, and I really like Jack so I really enjoy when she's on the page. But I think I prefer these books when they focus on one or two characters. Because the narration is omniscient third person, sometimes having a gang of five characters doesn't work as well because the author has to bounce around between all their thoughts and feelings and if they miss, it feels like the character floated away for part of the conversation/interaction/situation. The pacing for this one felt kind of slow, too, and then everything just happened right at the end quite conveniently. But, I liked this more than Beneath the Sugar Sky, which was probably my least favorite in this series so far....more
The third installment in the Lightfall series, The Dark Times continues its tradition of excellent scenic illustrations, discussion of anxiety and selThe third installment in the Lightfall series, The Dark Times continues its tradition of excellent scenic illustrations, discussion of anxiety and self-doubt, and humorous characters. This one had some especially stand-out scenes, including from inside the Citadel library, the starry sky, and the creation tale at the end....more
I enjoyed this one a lot more than the previous two!
In the prior novellas, I've had trouble with the narrative tone being too strong, but this one felI enjoyed this one a lot more than the previous two!
In the prior novellas, I've had trouble with the narrative tone being too strong, but this one felt more 'toned down' without losing the essence of the narrator. (I still hate when the author writes parenthesized paragraphs but that happened a lot less in this one and is my own personal peeve.)
Despite this being a prequel (view spoiler)[about a character who dies in the first book (hide spoiler)], I felt pretty hooked by this one, which I think had to do predominantly with my fondness towards Lundy and most especially with my intrigue by the Goblin Market. The fair value philosophy was very interesting and well fleshed out.
There were some gaps in the events where major adventures were left out, which was quite a choice considering the events narrated are all rather mundane, but aside from that really good! Liked this more than I expected!...more
This is a pretty strong middle grade fantasy graphic novel! It also seems to almost exclusively feature female and non-binary characters which is awesThis is a pretty strong middle grade fantasy graphic novel! It also seems to almost exclusively feature female and non-binary characters which is awesome. There's also a sapphic pair in it.
Atana is a mermaid living alone on an island when Atana, a firebird, falls from the sky and the two befriend one another and decide to explore the Earth. They both must hide their identities for their own safety, as magic hunters pose a threat. They wind up on the Wandering Isles with the Queen and her Witch Guard, who swear to protect the two as the Queen uses their presence to learn more about firebirds and mermaids.
I love the illustrations, both the style and the subject matter. It's a bit predictable, but I don't have any real critiques of this other than that I liked it but it doesn't necessarily stand out to me. Certainly a solid graphic novel that depends on its upcoming sequel to complete the story....more
Down Among the Sticks and Bones serves as a prequel to Every Heart a Doorway, and it can be read as a standalone or prior to Every Heart a Doorway.
In Down Among the Sticks and Bones serves as a prequel to Every Heart a Doorway, and it can be read as a standalone or prior to Every Heart a Doorway.
In this novella, the origins of Jacqueline and Jillian (known as Jack and Jill) are explored. Opening with descriptions of their parents, the story then details their childhood, their fateful passing through the mysterious doorway, and their acclimation to the Moors.
With this installment, I particularly favored the gothic setting of the Moors, with figures like vampires, "mad" scientists, and village people populating it. I enjoyed that there was a sapphic thread woven in to the latter half, and overall I liked Jack a lot as a character. (Jill, not so much.)
However, while this universe clearly derives inspiration from the fairy tale tradition, including its "narrator virtually serving as another character" trait, and while I absolutely respect and appreciate that, I think it was definitely overdone in this one. I think that some degree of this narrative tone is necessary to elevate the vibe of the story and connect it to the fairy tale tradition, but I wish the narrator had been slightly toned down than what it was, what with all the commentary and parenthesized paragraphs--there were so many paragraphs with parentheses around it where the parentheses could have been removed and it would have been perfectly natural. The message of "children are their own people and not props" was so laboriously overstated that there was no nuance in sight.
This book was great for the vibes and backstory of Jack and Jill, but just a bit off the mark for me....more
I read this and listened to part of it on audiobook, and I recommend the listen! The narrator is great and since it’s so short, it’s about a 3 hour liI read this and listened to part of it on audiobook, and I recommend the listen! The narrator is great and since it’s so short, it’s about a 3 hour listen (on 1x speed).
I was hooked when the cover blurb said “Haitian sky pirates.” It was a little more grounded than I expected, but I loved the setting. This takes place in an alternate 1880s era steampunk New Orleans. The main character is a 13-year-old who goes by Creeper and dreams of becoming a sky pirate. Her idol, the Captain of the Midnight Robber, is a badass disabled bisexual Haitian woman. But Creeper (Jacqueline) also is the goddess of storms Oya, and the pair has to team up to stop a force that threatens the city.
I really loved the setting and the lore, and the characters were so cool. A really quick read, but one that will stick with me!...more
In Super Boba Cafe, Aria spends the summer in San Francisco with her grandma, who runs a boba cafe. After an incident at her school involving a mean-sIn Super Boba Cafe, Aria spends the summer in San Francisco with her grandma, who runs a boba cafe. After an incident at her school involving a mean-spirited photo leak, Aria is taking a break from her phone. Instead, she bonds with her grandma, and they have a great time together--except every evening, her grandma leaves to go take care of mysterious business...
I love the fun, vibrant colors and the bubbly art style, as well as the characters and the granddaughter/grandmother relationship. I think the monster element is a little weak and the ending felt incredibly cheaply wrapped up and abrupt; even though there will be another graphic novel (and therefore we know the ending isn't truly "wrapped up") it still felt unsatisfying. I also think throughout the graphic novel there were some confusing location changes and it was a little difficult to orient myself.
As the final pages transpired, I cried into my sleeve...
This novella is told by Ester, a young woman who has chosen to become a ruhker, or someone whoAs the final pages transpired, I cried into my sleeve...
This novella is told by Ester, a young woman who has chosen to become a ruhker, or someone who trains the giant birds known as rocs, who provide food for others but most importantly, slay manticores. Ester forms a powerful bond with her roc, Zahra, and relishes the death of the human-eating monsters with a vengeful determination. There is love, victory, jealousy, agony, and heartbreak. I was surprised how quickly I became immersed in this story about a woman and her bird, but it had an unexpected impact on me for sure, and the arc of the story was well-rounded and well-concluded.
While this book is adult fantasy, I think it would be suitable for an older teen to read.
Content warnings: (view spoiler)[ animal training, manticores eating people, description of dismembered human body parts, animal-on-animal violence, injured animals, injured humans (hide spoiler)]...more
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