This was shaping up to be my favorite entry in the series...until I hit the second half. Unfortunately, the incredibly rushed climax and conclusion loThis was shaping up to be my favorite entry in the series...until I hit the second half. Unfortunately, the incredibly rushed climax and conclusion lower my rating. My lads, I wanted more angst before that *ahem* certain saucy scene. (view spoiler)[It plays out like that “where your clothes at” TikTok. (hide spoiler)] Still, I enjoy The Queen of Nothing equally to The Cruel Prince, which I usually can't say for a fantasy trilogy. The conflict between Madoc and Jude is better than ever here, which I much appreciate because their dynamic is fascinating.
(view spoiler)[On a final note, the fight between Grima Mog and Jude is perhaps my favorite scene in the series. I just love everything about it: the dialogue, the clever tactics, Mog's cannibalistic threats. It's a great time. I'm sad that Mog was introduced this late because I quite enjoy her character. (hide spoiler)]...more
**spoiler alert** 4.5 ------- Relationships in Faerieland are pretty damn efficient, at least for Jude and Taryn. All you gotta do is meet someone as a **spoiler alert** 4.5 ------- Relationships in Faerieland are pretty damn efficient, at least for Jude and Taryn. All you gotta do is meet someone as a seventeen-year-old, throw in a good amount of toxicity, and boom bam: MARRIAGE! I mean, cool for Jude on getting the good ol' handy dandy. She needs that. Taryn can still suck it for not noticing the red flags in her relationship, and also for choosing a thotty man over her literal twin sister. [image]
Jokes aside, this is a great follow up to The Cruel Prince. Seeing Jude throw herself headfirst into politics with little to no experience is quite entertaining. I would have liked for there to be more conversations between Jude and Cardan, but that's more of a personal preference.
Oh, and justice for Heather. She deserves better than Vivi's half-baked schemes....more
I spent the majority of the novel thinking, "I'd rather be watching Knives Out."
Yeah...I wish I followed through with that. You see, the characters inI spent the majority of the novel thinking, "I'd rather be watching Knives Out."
Yeah...I wish I followed through with that. You see, the characters in Knives Out are funny, charming, and speak like normal people, even despite being out-of-touch rich people. Unfortuantely, I really can't say the same about this book.
I don't care for any of the characters in the story. Avery has no personality. Jameson and Grayson are pretentious as hell, and the "sexual tension" between them and Avery feels incredibly forced. (view spoiler)[HOW DID THOSE BOYS MANAGE TO START ANOTHER LOVE TRIANGLE????? (hide spoiler)] Xander...is Xander. Max's "swearing" is too cringy and overindulgent to be taken seriously. Everyone else is so cookie cutter. The only people I semi-like are Nash and Libby, and yet they really don't have much to offer besides their cowboy x gothgirl vibes.
And the story, oh the story! How does it manage to be mostly boring??? It's a mystery, but when the characters are this flat, the plot needs to carry. It...doesn't.
There's one saving grace about this book though, and that's how ironically funny it is to read. The puzzles are legitametly well-thought out, and enjoyable to crack. However, I just couldn't stop picturing old Texan billionaire Mr. Hawthorne setting up his little trail of clues, maniacally laughing to himself in the process. LIKE THE MAN IS SO EXTRA?????? This is how I picture Tobias Hawthorne celebrating after planning one of his games: [image]
So yeah...I'm very intrigued to see what book club has to say about this one....more
**spoiler alert** 3.5 ------- “There are no good men in this game.”
^^ I agree Victor. I agree. The devious endeavors of the various antiheroes featured **spoiler alert** 3.5 ------- “There are no good men in this game.”
^^ I agree Victor. I agree. The devious endeavors of the various antiheroes featured in this book are the highlight. Vicious is fast-paced, action-packed, chock-full of creative superpowers, and, most importantly, has a lot of murder. Gotta love it. The novel also feels Neil Gaiman adjacent for some reason, which of course kept me intrigued. Something about Schwab's environmental descriptions and charming dialogue proves to be a similar writing style. Additionally, The central trio (Victor, Sydney, and Mitch) have an incredibly endearing dynamic that makes me smile. [image] Unfortunately(and I cannot emphasize enough how unfortunate this is), the characters are so poorly lacking in development that it's distracting. I kept waiting for some big revelation or details about Victor or Eli's past. Schwab keeps hinting that there were always monsters lurking under the surface, but um, why?? What happened in their past to make them this way? Why exactly is Eli so obsessed with EOs during his thesis??? The lengths Victor and Eli go to to achieve their superpowers reminds me of the "suffer for the aesthetic" adventures in The Secret History. If you've read my review of that book, that's really not a good thing. Eli's religious motivations feel half-baked too, as his justifications for killing EOs are just...extremely basic?? The whole "God chose me to kill abominations because I am the chosen one" motivation is one I've grown extremely tired of in stories because of how lacking in nuance it is.
I've also got major problems with how drastically the characters shift once they become EOs. Their loss of humanity is constantly stated, but the actual transformations are so abrupt that it doesn't truly sink in. It's a bit inconsistent too. Serena is a straight-up manipulative bitch when she becomes an EO, but Sydney is pretty much fine? Victor is supposed to be extremely detached from human emotion, but he already kind of was that way prior to the EO experiment.
Finally, I didn't fully feel the stakes of this novel, partially because of the near-invincibility of Eli and Sydney's powers. I can't really root for Eli's death because it's nearly impossible to achieve. Sydney can literally raise the dead, making most character deaths irrelevant as they're easily reversed. Call me crazy, but if I were Victor, I would lock Eli into a coffin and bury him alive because that man will literally spend the rest of eternity in darkness because he's constantly healing. Yeah...I need help.
It probably sounds like I hated this novel, but I really didn't. I had a fun time with Vicious, and I flew through the chapters as I was constantly entertained. However, I just can't get past the issues I have with it. Until next time Schwab....more
3.5 ——— Nothing groundbreaking, but a nice little Gaiman fairytale to treat myself with today. :)
The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, as to be exp3.5 ——— Nothing groundbreaking, but a nice little Gaiman fairytale to treat myself with today. :)
The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, as to be expected from Chris Riddell....more
This book is a delightful puzzle. While I find the ending to be far too abrupt, the overall journey is hypnotizing, surprisingly funny, and endearing.This book is a delightful puzzle. While I find the ending to be far too abrupt, the overall journey is hypnotizing, surprisingly funny, and endearing. Plus, the descriptions of the House are so beautiful and imaginative.
(view spoiler)[Piranesi, I hope you get better at spotting Red Flags in the future. I love you, my charming, seashell-collecting journal man. [image] (hide spoiler)]...more
**spoiler alert** “Our dead don't leave us. They'll hunt you as long as you let them.” ------------ [image] Alternatively: [image]
I will never not be am**spoiler alert** “Our dead don't leave us. They'll hunt you as long as you let them.” ------------ [image] Alternatively: [image]
I will never not be amazed at how dynamic and effed-up Kuang's characters are. This series does a spectacular job of portraying the inherent corruption of most political/militia leaders, RIN INCLUDED. LIKE SHE MAY BE A GIRLBOSS, BUT UMMMMMMMMMM REMEMBER THE GENOCIDE????AHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAAHAHHAHA
Everyone finds themselves to be righteous in their cause, justifying war crimes for their own selfish, hidden agendas. You can go from loving to hating a character in a few pages, as they flip back and forth between friend and foe. Even the seemingly unforgivable enemies, such as the Federation soldiers and Su Daji, can draw sympathy through their eerily similar backstories to our protagonists. Oh how the turntables...
BTW...I would so read an entire prequel series about the Trifecta. Kuang plsssssss I BEG
Kuang does a great job at introducing the colonialism plotline previously hinted at in The Poppy War. It makes for some great world expansion. I found the religious conflicts to be quite intriguing, which says a lot. Religion tends to be the subject matter I find most dull or overplayed in fantasy stories.
Now, I went through a whirlwind of emotions in this novel because of our dear friends/enemies/pieces of shit Atlan + Nezha. How did I experience the storylines? Well...
Me: Atlan you've been making me sob for the last 300 pages. WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DIE???? Me, literally 20 pages later: KICK HIM IN THE BALLS RIN!!!! HE'S A BASTARD AND YOU KNOW IT! Me, again, literally 20 pages later: OWO???? AHHHHHHH HE ONLY EVER WANTED TO BE HAPPY??? I AM SAD TOWN!
I went through a bad breakup before reading this, and it really shows oop.
Welp, Nezha, you have one more book to win me back. I hated you in the last one, really liked you in this one (for the most part), and the jury is still out for the finale. We shall just have to wait and see......more
**spoiler alert** 3.5 --------- [image] OHHHHHH BOY AM I CONFLICTED
This is probably one of the most difficult ratings I've ever had to make. At the end o**spoiler alert** 3.5 --------- [image] OHHHHHH BOY AM I CONFLICTED
This is probably one of the most difficult ratings I've ever had to make. At the end of the day, I've decided to let my objective judgment dictate it. The Burning God made me experience a variety of emotions: rage, frustration, and absolute sorrow. However, they're all underlined by my general disappointment.
I think this finale should have been split into two novels, honestly. First, dealing with the Trifecta and the growth of the Southern Coalition. Second, training the new shamanic army and defeating Nezha/the Hesperians. This world and Rin's neverending problems were simply too many, and couldn't be wrapped up in a single book.
I adored the first two books in the series, and I'm just not satisfied with this conclusion. The Trifecta is defeated way too easily. Rin's conflicts/relationships with Daji and Jiang could have been majorly expanded, as there's so much interesting groundwork. Hell, even her realization that she may be worse than Riga could have been a point of conflict for at least 100 pages.
Here are some other minor confusions/complaints. What happens to Lianhua???? I GUESS SHE IS TECHNICALLY THE LAST SHAMAN OF NIKAN??? Also, I thought Atlan was dealt with, so why are visions of him still plaguing/affecting Rin? ALSO, RIP I GUESS THEY WERE COUSINS AHAHAHA...hey, what's a fantasy without a little sprinkle of incestuous themes?
Also, Venka, my dear, you do not deserve an ending like that. Your death is far too abrupt and doesn't satisfyingly conclude your arc. It works in the context of Rin's post-war suspicions, but that scene would have worked better with another character.
I know it sounds like I really dislike this book, but I don't. As with the other novels, I was at the edge of my seat the entire time. The arc that remains in top form is Rin's, as her continual descent into (probable) madness wrecks devastation across Nikan. Nezha (I am back to hating him again, yay!!!!!!) is also well-portrayed. When Rin shows Petra the Pantheon, it's such a badass scene. And bruh, that final climax on the beaches of Speer emotionally devastated me to the 100000000th degree. Rin turning on Kitay, as much as it pains me, is exactly the development necessary to demonstrate just how power-hungry, conflicted, and paranoid Rin has become. This story couldn't have ended any other way, so in that regard, the final scenes were perfectly executed.
The fact that Rin's war is practically for nothing is especially poignant. War is how deranged, power-hungry people gain opportunities to exploit devastated civilians; turning their rage into weapons for a faulty agenda. Additionally, despite Rin's power, she realizes that she is still not strong enough to take on the Hesperian armies. Their technology is several centuries beyond Nikara's, and although their racist beliefs are inherently vile, the enemy cannot be beaten simply through moral battles. Nikara loses no matter the victor because millions have died and will continue in these bloody wars. Now, to prevent another genocide, Rin must admit defeat and bring about her own death. It's a realistic, believable ending that perfectly suits the trilogy's tone, and remains consistent with its messages.
So yeah...I want more. In another universe, let's just pretend this series was a tetralogy....more
**spoiler alert** [image] This was disappointing lads. :( I was really looking forward to this. I mean, a gothic horror book with forbidden romance? I **spoiler alert** [image] This was disappointing lads. :( I was really looking forward to this. I mean, a gothic horror book with forbidden romance? I WAS HOOKED.
Fortunately, the book solidly delivers on the former end. The setting is delightfully spooky, and the suspense is quite effective. From the ghostly apparitions to the haunting voices, the story's atmosphere is positively bone-chilling. Cañas is well-adept at writing the scary stuff!
However, the latter half of The Hacienda's tagline is where I find an issue. First, the romance itself is not very well-established. It feels entirely rushed, as I think Beatriz and Andrés didn't form a strong enough connection outside of their shared experiences with the hauntings. The "forbidden love" angle also didn't quite work for me, considering no obstacle was actively fighting against it. I suppose Andrés' priesthood would get in the way, but his faith isn't particularly strong. IDK, maybe Fleabag just set my expectations too high for a forbidden priest romance lmao.
Second, Beatriz and Andrés aren't very interesting characters. Beatriz is sort of all over the place. She's strong and independent one moment, but then surprisingly meek the next? It doesn't help that her motivations and backstory are only delegated to a short chapter. That makes for a rather muddled basis for her character. Meanwhile, although Andrés is interesting conceptually — a witch that joins the priesthood to avoid persecution because his magical abilities are only accepted under the Church's influence — he's actually quite dull. His personality is just kind of...meh. I found myself tuning out a lot because I just wasn't interested in the inner thoughts of these characters, which is always a negative sign.
However, I think the ending of this novel is very effectively done. I'm a sucker for doomed love, and Cañas does an excellent job of crafting the angsty turmoil. If the rest of the romance was written like this, I probably would have sobbed reading those last few chapters. Unfortunately, that just isn't the case.
If I'm being honest, I think Juana should have been the main character of this story. Yeah, yeah, I get that she's supposed to be the antagonist, but she's by far the most intriguing. Her personality is engaging, her dialogue is a great balance between funny and sinister, and her backstory is fascinating. It could have been fun to get a gothic horror story from the perspective of a villainous character, instead of the standard innocent, "fish out of water" archetype that Beatriz fulfills.
Well, for a book that promised two things in the summary, I'm happy one of them was good. That's more than I can say for some other novels. ...more
“I hate being known as Sam. I absolutely hate it.”
iCarly was one of my favorite shows as a kid. I, like many others, adored characters like Sam Pucket“I hate being known as Sam. I absolutely hate it.”
iCarly was one of my favorite shows as a kid. I, like many others, adored characters like Sam Puckett and Gibby for their wacky schenanigans and goofy humor. I remember being disappointed when Sam&Cat was canceled, as it felt like the end of an era. More recently, when it was announced that Jennette McCurdy wouldn't be returning to the iCarly reboot, I had a similar feeling.
Now, I'm so incredibly happy that Jennette has escaped that environment. To think so much horror was lurking underneath the surface for one of the most cheerful, entertaining icons of my childhood is extremely disheartening. The title of this memoir has sparked controversy, but I couldn't agree more. Her mother was one of the vilest people imaginable, and Jennette doesn't owe her anything. She's more than Sam Puckett, and she's more than her mother's daughter.
I'm Glad My Mom Died does an extraordinary job at capturing the road to recovery. It's a harrowing narrative embedded with clever jokes and the essence of naivete. Can't recommend it more. ...more
“When have we ever believed that the world wasn’t ending?”
What a lovely, beautiful gift of a book. For such a short novel, Sea of Tranquility is more“When have we ever believed that the world wasn’t ending?”
What a lovely, beautiful gift of a book. For such a short novel, Sea of Tranquility is more witty, moving, and heartfelt than others manage in over five hundred pages. What I love most about Mandel's writing is her ability to capture the painful essence of solitude and longing, and infuse them with hope. Faith in humanity's enduring will to survive, despite the onslaught of hundreds upon hundreds of pandemics, embraces the story. While melancholic, her words provide great comfort. Plus, it's so delightfully meta — in regards to Mandel's real experiences as an author — that the emotions feel more authentic than most pieces of fiction.
While simple, the book's structure packs a punch. The lack of detail for timelines or technologies will likely irritate many readers, but it fits here. Human emotion and expression is the key focus, not the interworkings of advanced societies. Chronicling several different characters across several centuries, it would be easy for the story to feel overwhelming or underdeveloped. Yet, Edwin, Mirella, Olive, and Gaspery are such breathable characters. Whether it's their sarcastic retorts or undying love for their families, the novel's cast is incredibly endearing. Mandel knows when to hold back or when to deeply explore a character's inner monologue, lingering on their thoughts as they comprehend the incomprehensible.
I wish I could talk more about why I adore how the storyline flows, but I don't want to give anything away. This book is best experienced completely blind, in my opinion. The twists are expertly crafted and weaved into the ongoing mystery. For once, the book blurb manages to hide crucial details about what really drives the plot. I did not expect this novel to be about what it is at all. My jaw dropped more than once, if I might say so.
Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to have myself a good cry. :D...more
"But at the same time, I’m guilty, too. Guilty of playing this role. Letting it define me. Internalizing the role so completely that I’ve lost track o"But at the same time, I’m guilty, too. Guilty of playing this role. Letting it define me. Internalizing the role so completely that I’ve lost track of where reality starts and the performance begins. And letting that define how I see other people."
This took me a while to get into at first, but once it took off, man oh man, the brilliance of this book truly shined. While a little slow to start, the story more than enough makes up for that. Interior Chinatown is so damn creative with its format, leading to one treasure of a novel. It's hilarious, salt-inducing, and heartwarming all at once. The "Kung Fu Dad" section made me want to cry and burst out laughing simultaneously. The book contains such well-executed satire, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. ...more
This book is a page-turner. Nevermind that my sister explained the entire plot to me days before in our hotel room. Nevermind**spoiler alert** [image]
This book is a page-turner. Nevermind that my sister explained the entire plot to me days before in our hotel room. Nevermind that.
It's no surprise that I enjoy stories about deeply messed-up women. Everyone in this book has something to hide, and Verity...girl...I don't know what to believe. I love me some ambiguous endings, and Lowen ain't exactly the saint I thought she'd turn out to be.
Most impressively, this book is full of effective jumpscares. How do words on a page manage to jump scare me???? Scenes are disturbing, creepy, and fulllllll of smut. Normally, that bothers me in a novel(if I want something spicy, I usually just go for fanfic lol), but here, the sex scenes feel purposeful. Verity's supposed obsession and need to be with Jeremy is bolstered most by sex and intimacy, so those scenes don't disrupt the flow of the narrative.
That being said, I have a few issues. First, is the lack of nuance for Jeremy's character. He's practically perfect in every way, but then again, Lowen does idolize nearly every facet of that man (quite similarly to Verity ahahahhahaha I love parallels). However, it's revealed towards the end that Jeremy may have played a hand in Verity's accident, but idk...his actions feel it of place. Maybe Verity was lying in her letter, but the fact that Jeremey rather easily went through with the muder of his wife? Hmmmmmm. I would have appreciated more foreshadowing for the darker side of his personality. Second, I wish there was more development for Crew and Verity's relationship. There's an imbalance between Verity's complex feelings for her twin daughters, and simplistic ones for her son.
Colleen Hoover needs to write more thrillers. End of story....more
**spoiler alert** 4.5 -------- “We belonged to each other, but had lived so far apart that we belonged to others now.”
I had three thoughts while reading**spoiler alert** 4.5 -------- “We belonged to each other, but had lived so far apart that we belonged to others now.”
I had three thoughts while reading this: 1) Apricock 2) [image] 3) [image]
Less than a month until the Lil Nas X concert lads. I'M ALMOST THERE!!!!!!
This is probably the most intimate book I've ever read. It's also one of the most beautifully erotic. This is the sad bisexual representation I've been craving. God knows I'm a sucker for an angsty ending. The scene where Elio speaks with his father, after Oliver leaves, makes me tear up. 10/10 parenting. There are a few off-putting scenes—mostly when Elio's chronic overthinking feels far too relatable, and his word choice is a little dramatic—that lower the rating. Oh, and Oliver bothers me immensely. The age gap is a little yikes too oop. Otherwise, GAHHHHHH this is great....more
“War doesn’t determine who’s right. War determines who remains.”
NOW THIS IS WHAT I CALL A GRIMDARK FANTASY! The Poppy War ga**spoiler alert** [image]
“War doesn’t determine who’s right. War determines who remains.”
NOW THIS IS WHAT I CALL A GRIMDARK FANTASY! The Poppy War gave me everything I could have wanted for a story of this scale. 10/10 world-building. A gripping rise to power. HINTS at romance, instead of actual romance. I love me some platonic relationships. Also...death! So much death! WOOOOOOOO I LOVE CRYING!!!
This book, especially the third part, is a brutal depiction of war. Battle scenes are especially bloody, with aftermaths even more horrifying. Whoever marketed this book as YA needs to do a thorough re-read of the Golyn Niis chapters. That shit reads straight out of a WWII textbook. I am traumatized. The novel also hosts an excellent breakdown of the spread and inaccuracy of propaganda. Histories are well-established, only to be proved wrong in nearly every facet. That made for such a satisfying unfolding of Rin's gradual exposure to Nikara's faults. The indoctrination of child soldiers doesn't truly dawn on you until you realize just how out of place these adolescents feel in the grand scheme of violent, bloody massacres. The military school, as entertaining as its traditions and structure are to learn about, is a sinister institution at its core.
Rin is the type of protagonist I tend to find most compelling. I've read some other reviews where people called her entirely unlikable, because of her willingness to enact destruction and genocide for sake of vengeance. Well, she's literally based on Mao Zedong and Azula from ATLA so like...yeah???? A bloodthirsty dictator's rise to power will always be 10x more interesting to me than a Wonder-Bread™ "do the right thinggggggg" teenager. Rin's descent into a war criminal is frightening and well-executed. Her accomplishments feel well-earned, and it's established early on that she's willing to do anything to achieve power. The girl literally destroys her uterus. Being thrust into a war where she witnesses atrocity after atrocity, you understand why her sanity and judgment cripple. Learning battle and strategizing sacrifices are one thing, but enacting them is an entirely different feat. The scene where she calls the people of the Federation, including the civilians, insects?? MMMMMMMMM the hypocrisy.
Also, I really like how the shamanic magic operates. Great power comes at a cost, and the gods crave worship through blood. There are actual consequences to calling upon unearthly powers. Shamans lose their minds, nations are wiped out, and the gods remain unsatiated. War breeds only destruction, as does engaging with the Pantheon. No one is invincible, and I really appreciate that this story was willing to go there.
I can't wait to read this entire trilogy. It's going to be absolute madness. I'm very curious what book club has to say about this one....more
**spoiler alert** [image] --------- “I spent half my time loving her and the other half hiding how much I loved her.”
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo**spoiler alert** [image] --------- “I spent half my time loving her and the other half hiding how much I loved her.”
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was sold to me as a page-turning sapphic love story, and it definitely fulfilled that criteria. The glitz and glamor of the titular character's Hollywood life made for a never-ending scandal fest. I was at the edge of my seat for most of this novel, truly. The twists and turns in this book are very well-executed, and that final reveal of what connects Evelyn and Monique had my jaw on the floor. It was so satisfying to see how Evelyn formed her marriages, each stemming out of entirely unique circumstances and relationships. She's a fascinating, mysterious, and complex character that you never quite fully know. Now that just makes for a fun time.
The depressing parts of this book also hit you harder than a semi-truck going at full speed on a highway. WHY HARRY WHYYYYYYYYYY??? HARRY YOU WERE MY FAVORITE!! WHY DID REID HAVE TO DO THAT TO YOU MY DUDEEEEEEEEE???
But sadly, not everything in this novel is a winner. Y'all...this book has got to have some of the most tone-deaf, poorly written musings on biracial identity that I've ever read. While I can't speak on behalf of all biracial people, I found Reid's depiction of it lacking any sort of nuance. For a book that thrives off the complexity of its characters, Monique's struggles with race are just...not it. Reid tries to discuss the difficulty of not feeling black or white enough, and how that's negatively impacted Monique's perception of her racial identity. Yet, that's about the extent Reid spends on it, presenting it as the end all be all for what it's like to be a biracial woman. For me and my sister (I asked her lol) being biracial is a constant flip-flop between that feeling, to a sudden embracement of one side, then another the next day, to not thinking about race at all, and then just not having any idea what race even means etc. etc. etc. There's no "penultimate" experience or feeling biracial people have. Being biracial is just who we are, and we don't really have to make a big deal of it all the time, because that would be exhausting. I know this is such a small section of the book, but it's so early on that it kind of muddled my reading experience.
This article does a very succinct job of exploring the issues I have, so I recommend checking it out for a more cohesive analysis. These are the gripes that kept me from truly adoring this novel, so it's a shame. :(...more
3.5 --------- “You can always count on a murderer for a fancy prose style.”
^Very astute of you Humbert. Objectively, this is an expertly written novel. 3.5 --------- “You can always count on a murderer for a fancy prose style.”
^Very astute of you Humbert. Objectively, this is an expertly written novel. Subjectively…ew.
There's a lot of discourse behind the story, as it's been highly controversial since publication. Some think it's brilliant, beautiful, or even romantic. Others find it wholly degenerate and disgusting, citing it as "pro-pedophilia." My feelings on the matter are complicated, to say the least. First, I do not view this as a romantic story in the slightest, and I don't believe that Nabokov was aiming for that. [image] This novel isn’t creating empathy for a pedophile. It’s portraying a pedophile manipulating you, the reader, into having empathy. The flowy language and delicate prose are merely a distraction from the horrors beneath. Humbert is trying so desperately to justify his actions, and he clearly understands what he's doing is wrong. (view spoiler)[In the final few chapters he expresses some remorse for stealing and corrupting Dolores' childhood. (hide spoiler)] I've seen some debates online arguing that Dolores is welcoming to the "relationship," even instigating it. However, taking into account that Lolita is in Humbert's perspective, I very much disagree. Humbert is an abuser and Dolores is his chosen victim. (view spoiler)[She's only twelve when he begins to subject her to that abuse; abuse that negatively impacts her social skills and understanding of what constitutes healthy romantic/sexual relationships. She cries nightly, frequently attempts to escape, and argues aplenty. Dolores is not happy to be with Humphert, and his paranoia at her leaving reflects that. (hide spoiler)] Of course he's going to believe their "love" is reciprocated because Dolores is simply a part of his deranged nymphet fantasies.
However, although I find Lolita to be a fascinating portrait of the mind of a sociopath, I can't say I enjoyed reading this novel at all. I found it to be a painful, draining process most of the time. Simply put, I couldn't wait for it to be over. I even took a three-month break between reading Part 1 and Part 2 because I just couldn't manage to consume all of it at the same time. (view spoiler)[I can only take so much of Humbert talking about Dolores fulfilling her "duties," or her being an "aging mistress" at the ripe age of fourteen. (hide spoiler)] So, I'm unsure as to whether to not say I "liked" it. I'm certainly glad I read it though, as I'm now better informed when reading articles or engaging in debates about it.
Humbert deserves to be hit in the knees with a crowbar, enough said....more
For all the overexposure I get to this series on a daily basis, I'm surprised my initial impression of the story was so far o**spoiler alert** [image]
For all the overexposure I get to this series on a daily basis, I'm surprised my initial impression of the story was so far off. I thought this would be some overly angsty, dark fae story. What I got is so much better. Please give me more stories about faeries being petty bitches. That's the true and accurate representation we deserve.
I had such a fun time reading this book. It's got a good balance of humor and bloody murder, which I always appreciate. There's a solid amount of plot twists I legitimately didn't see coming. Jude is a great MC and she's well earned her position in power. Really, good for her. A true gaslighting girlboss in the making. Even Carden is surprisingly likable, for as troublesome and arrogant he is. Taryn can suck it though.
Quite wonderfully, this is an enemies-to-lovers storyline I can actually get behind. They barely touch upon romance in this book, and I doubt it's going anywhere substantial until the end of the series. That's just how I like it. Give me the slowest of all slow burns. I love to suffer.
I'm going through my 80th Labyrinth phase of the year so please forgive me, but I kept drawing connections to that movie while reading this. I pictured Madoc as Jareth (which is hilarious because that's like comparing Shrek to Ziggy Stardust). When Jude gets high on the fairy apple it reminded me of Sarah's peach-induced trip. Even the mix of modern dialogue (which sometimes took me out of the narrative, unfortunately) and scenes in the human realm fit the Labyrinth vibe idk. I take this as a sign that I need help. That's all. Goodnight folks....more
3.5 ——— A difficult but rewarding read. It’s got brilliant prose and captivating set pieces, but I find the plot structure too jumbled. The time skips a3.5 ——— A difficult but rewarding read. It’s got brilliant prose and captivating set pieces, but I find the plot structure too jumbled. The time skips and abrupt POV shifts keep me from truly connecting with the characters, unfortunately.
(view spoiler)[On another note, good on Cora for kicking the shit out of Ridgeway more than once. Quite satisfying, I must say. (hide spoiler)]...more
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