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aveincobalt's review
3.0
The main character, Rye, is an illegal alien from Fairyland. She has been taking care of her younger sister, Holly, for 12 years since they fled their country after Rye's wings were broken as part of a gay cure when she was 19. Almost none of the book supports the idea that they could have successfully managed to avoid notice all these years.
Rye's wings are useless. They have been broken and incorrectly set for 12 years. She has to keep them binded anytime she is public. They cause her a great deal of pain and fear. These wings are attached to her back via tiny buds, so why doesn't she just cut them off?
This book has a lot cursing, but most of the cursing is 'branch' or 'elm'. Rye is the only one who does not use forest based cursing terms, instead she uses 'fey'. Yet no one around her seems to notice.
Despite Holly knowing that her sister is terrified they'll get deported, she is shocked to find out they are not citizens of the country they are currently living in. They have been living there for 12 years, how has this never come up?
Also, the romance in this book feels very forced and strangely censored. It is completely lust at first sight. That they dive into a sexual relationship is so odd considering that one of the characters is terrified people will see her wings, realize she is an illegal alien and deport her. Most of the time they see each other is spent having sex, yet Flora grows a different type of buds. These are annoyingly never explained in the book, but from other characters' reactions seem to be an indication you have meet your soulmate. Since when is your booty call your soulmate? Also, there is a lot of sex in this book, but it is so vague I have no idea what they are doing. I think once they simultaneously orgasmed by dry humping, "They writhed and strained against each other, moaning, and rising to their climaxes.", isn't exactly specific.
This book could have improved a lot if the characters had just communicated, used common sense, and went to the library more often.
Rye's wings are useless. They have been broken and incorrectly set for 12 years. She has to keep them binded anytime she is public. They cause her a great deal of pain and fear. These wings are attached to her back via tiny buds, so why doesn't she just cut them off?
This book has a lot cursing, but most of the cursing is 'branch' or 'elm'. Rye is the only one who does not use forest based cursing terms, instead she uses 'fey'. Yet no one around her seems to notice.
Despite Holly knowing that her sister is terrified they'll get deported, she is shocked to find out they are not citizens of the country they are currently living in. They have been living there for 12 years, how has this never come up?
Also, the romance in this book feels very forced and strangely censored. It is completely lust at first sight. That they dive into a sexual relationship is so odd considering that one of the characters is terrified people will see her wings, realize she is an illegal alien and deport her. Most of the time they see each other is spent having sex, yet Flora grows a different type of buds. These are annoyingly never explained in the book, but from other characters' reactions seem to be an indication you have meet your soulmate. Since when is your booty call your soulmate? Also, there is a lot of sex in this book, but it is so vague I have no idea what they are doing. I think once they simultaneously orgasmed by dry humping, "They writhed and strained against each other, moaning, and rising to their climaxes.", isn't exactly specific.
This book could have improved a lot if the characters had just communicated, used common sense, and went to the library more often.
edict's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kaleymack's review
5.0
If you go into this book not taking anything too seriously, you will have such a treat in your hands. Look past the flying carpets and see the really beautiful love story and you won't be sorry.
breyonnamorgan's review
5.0
"Me In You" successfully describes the feelings that i have when I am with the one that I love. I haven't come across anything else that even comes close to describing that feeling.
elvang's review
4.0
4.5 Stars.
Fantasy is not my go to genre. Sure I grew up devouring Tolkien's LOTR and Anne McCaffrey's Dragon Riders of Pern. But then I became that boring adult who only had time for "literature."
Thank you L.J. Baker for bringing me back to a genre I forgot how much I truly enjoy. I loved the imagery and the world of dryads, fairies and sylphs. I got a kick out of the nature related expletives and the various ways to make algae and borage sound tasty. I may just start spouting Oh Branch instead of other four letter options now and astronomical and scathing will be new options for me as well.
I liked the way the Rye and Holly are portrayed. Rye's need for secrecy to protect her sister from what would await them back in Fairyland felt very real. Like illegal immigrants her job options and personal life must take a back seat to her hopes for Holly. Holly's rebellion, so typical for many teens pushes the plot and Rye to face her fears and the life she could have.
I did get a bit tired of the hand wringing thought patterns where Rye's dealing with Flora was concerned, but hung in there to get my HEA. Again the imagery of true love being as visible as the buds on your green hair was just lovely. Budmates indeed!
You've got a fan L.J.
Fantasy is not my go to genre. Sure I grew up devouring Tolkien's LOTR and Anne McCaffrey's Dragon Riders of Pern. But then I became that boring adult who only had time for "literature."
Thank you L.J. Baker for bringing me back to a genre I forgot how much I truly enjoy. I loved the imagery and the world of dryads, fairies and sylphs. I got a kick out of the nature related expletives and the various ways to make algae and borage sound tasty. I may just start spouting Oh Branch instead of other four letter options now and astronomical and scathing will be new options for me as well.
I liked the way the Rye and Holly are portrayed. Rye's need for secrecy to protect her sister from what would await them back in Fairyland felt very real. Like illegal immigrants her job options and personal life must take a back seat to her hopes for Holly. Holly's rebellion, so typical for many teens pushes the plot and Rye to face her fears and the life she could have.
I did get a bit tired of the hand wringing thought patterns where Rye's dealing with Flora was concerned, but hung in there to get my HEA. Again the imagery of true love being as visible as the buds on your green hair was just lovely. Budmates indeed!
You've got a fan L.J.
chocoholicwriter's review
5.0
This is a superb story on so many levels. I adore the characters (though I wanted to smack Holly a few times, are teenagers really like that?! I suspect they are...)
Aside from being fantasy and a romance the books deals with a lot of other societal issues, in an excellent way.
Absolutely recommend this book, it was a joy to read
Aside from being fantasy and a romance the books deals with a lot of other societal issues, in an excellent way.
Absolutely recommend this book, it was a joy to read
rogue_lurker's review
4.0
When I stated this book, I nearly put it down after the first couple of pages where the main character's broom dies and she's forced to walk to her sister's school.
First thought "omigod, this is going to be too cute for words". My last thought "omigod, its three o'clock in the morning. Wow, that was a good book." Obviously it grew on me.
The story revolves around a fairy named Rye Woods who, with her younger sister, has escaped from a the ultra conservative and religious fairy realm. The two are living as illegal immigrants and she has to hide what she is in a more liberal world inhabited by dryads, brownies, and a host of other mystical creatures. She meets and falls for a dryad and struggles to find a way to keep herself and her sister from being deported back to their home, where they would face torture and death.
Baker does a good job of world building - the modern setting with mythical races made me flinch at first, but by the third page, she had me hooked. Although the characters are fairies and dryads, the issues are similar to those people face today. You can't help but be impressed by Rye and all that she has gone through and goes through in the course of the story. Personally, I would have tossed the little sister back over the border which would have given Rye a happily ever after ending - or at least given me one as she was annoying as all heck. Overall, an impressive book that took me by surprise and I'm definitely looking forward to more of Baker's work.
First thought "omigod, this is going to be too cute for words". My last thought "omigod, its three o'clock in the morning. Wow, that was a good book." Obviously it grew on me.
The story revolves around a fairy named Rye Woods who, with her younger sister, has escaped from a the ultra conservative and religious fairy realm. The two are living as illegal immigrants and she has to hide what she is in a more liberal world inhabited by dryads, brownies, and a host of other mystical creatures. She meets and falls for a dryad and struggles to find a way to keep herself and her sister from being deported back to their home, where they would face torture and death.
Baker does a good job of world building - the modern setting with mythical races made me flinch at first, but by the third page, she had me hooked. Although the characters are fairies and dryads, the issues are similar to those people face today. You can't help but be impressed by Rye and all that she has gone through and goes through in the course of the story. Personally, I would have tossed the little sister back over the border which would have given Rye a happily ever after ending - or at least given me one as she was annoying as all heck. Overall, an impressive book that took me by surprise and I'm definitely looking forward to more of Baker's work.
frankvanmeer's review
5.0
This is a fun read and at the same time a commentary on social issues. The best thing is that is wrapped up in a love story set in some futuristic fantasy land, filled with all creatures fairy and fey. Fairies with cellphones? Sign me up.
I think about every issue is covered here, from illigal immigrants to homophobia. I love it that Rey is so social awkward. I stopped counting the sentences that started with "Um." Yet at the same time she works her butt of to provide a life and education for her teenage sister, who thinks eveything is scathing. But she's completely out of her league when she meets a beautiful dryad named Flora that upturns every aspect of Rey's illegal life.
Stubborness and guilt sends Rey into a spiral of angst and her worst fears come true. That happens around chapter 15 and somehow the story looses some steam there. The writing became a bit cropped, lots of short sentences. I can't figure out if that was intentionally, to show just how ill-equipped Rey is to deal with difficult situations. The ending felt a bit rushed.
None the less, I thought it was a good story, but one thing I felt cheated out of: what the hell was the deal with those buds?
I think about every issue is covered here, from illigal immigrants to homophobia. I love it that Rey is so social awkward. I stopped counting the sentences that started with "Um." Yet at the same time she works her butt of to provide a life and education for her teenage sister, who thinks eveything is scathing. But she's completely out of her league when she meets a beautiful dryad named Flora that upturns every aspect of Rey's illegal life.
Stubborness and guilt sends Rey into a spiral of angst and her worst fears come true. That happens around chapter 15 and somehow the story looses some steam there. The writing became a bit cropped, lots of short sentences. I can't figure out if that was intentionally, to show just how ill-equipped Rey is to deal with difficult situations. The ending felt a bit rushed.
None the less, I thought it was a good story, but one thing I felt cheated out of: what the hell was the deal with those buds?
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