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amber6108's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
it was a really interesting plot, but the way it was written made it hard to keep interested at times
elvia_a's review
4.0
4.5/5!
I read this in 9 hours which I usually only ever do for romance novels or when Queen of Nothing released! Despite the juvenile 2009 writing style I was completely enamoured by the characters (Finn, I’ll just say it, yes Finn) and the plot - though being of the faeries - I enjoyed reading about the Fae from an ordinary human world point of view where all the dazzlement was offputting and genuine rather than the GORGEOUS BABES we’re all used to reading.
I read this in 9 hours which I usually only ever do for romance novels or when Queen of Nothing released! Despite the juvenile 2009 writing style I was completely enamoured by the characters (Finn, I’ll just say it, yes Finn) and the plot - though being of the faeries - I enjoyed reading about the Fae from an ordinary human world point of view where all the dazzlement was offputting and genuine rather than the GORGEOUS BABES we’re all used to reading.
dillydallydesigns's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
aklev13's review
2.0
It had so much promise - clearly some good ideas behind this but it took way too long to get to the point - it shouldnt take me half a book to learn whats written in the blurb and the writing was quite repetitive.
zanybibliophile's review
3.0
This was an okay read but I would be pushing it to call it good. It all felt very random and very little was fully explained.
The first half of the book was like a poorly executed crime cross YA novel and the entire book was filled with 'but that is so cliche' remarks that trying to go against cliches became annoying. There were parts where I thought it would finally start adding up and making sense, but then more crazy just got added in.
I will read the next book, which I hope will tidy up this story, but I am not holding my hope too high. That may sound cruel but this book only just earned the third star because there is potential for this story and I am curious to see where it goes.
The first half of the book was like a poorly executed crime cross YA novel and the entire book was filled with 'but that is so cliche' remarks that trying to go against cliches became annoying. There were parts where I thought it would finally start adding up and making sense, but then more crazy just got added in.
I will read the next book, which I hope will tidy up this story, but I am not holding my hope too high. That may sound cruel but this book only just earned the third star because there is potential for this story and I am curious to see where it goes.
sohini's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
faithl's review
3.0
Instead of spending Valentine's Day with a significant other, I spent the 'day of love' with this book. It was a nice read which did not live to my expectations, shallow and lacking a depthful plot and character list. Ah, I really wanted this book to blow mind!
Pearl in an overachiever who really hates Finn. Despite that, she is sooooo lusty for him. Honestly, Pear was one the most annoying characters I've ever had to read about. SHE IS SO BLOODY SELF-RIGHTEOUS AND CONDESCENDING. She takes any opportunity to yell at Finn or point out if he or anyone for that matter is doing something wrong in her eyes. I can totally imagine that she was that annoying kindergarten kid who dobbed on you every single time. Additionally, she is also that heroine who thinks she's being brave in these paranormal situations when rather, she is just being extremely dumb - 'Let's just assume everything!'. It took ages for her to get to the truth - like dude come on, I got what was going on before you. Creepy black cat seems to everywhere you are and you choose to ignore it?! ARE YOU DUMB?! People crawl into your room and you don't implement some more security measures? Mate, you stupid?
So there are evil fairies determined to kill the Valentine which is pretty much some fairy who was swapped for a human baby and also has some significance to their magical community. I feel like this book lacked the sense of urgency that comes when someone is trying to kill you. Not mildly injure you, TAKE AWAY YOUR LIFE. It takes a long time for both characters to actively do something about their situation. Finn will be like 'Pearl stay safe and I'll figure out what's going on'. Does he do that? Nope, he does nothing. Most of the time, they figure stuff out by Pearl mentioning a bunch of faeries-related things she found on Goggle (such a reliable source of information in a time of supernatural things happening - and Finn will just confirm whatever is true due to his innate memory of the faeries world. It really did feel like a cop out to the pair actually figuring things out which is why the book seemed rush and uneventful.
The romance was honestly less than memorable. You know when a fictional couple click? Yeah Finn and Pearl didn't. It all felt flat and I felt like the author tried to make up for it by piling on the lust. I really enjoy hate to love romances but this just didn't work out. I wish the book was longer so it would be able to flesh out not only the plot but also both of the characters and their relationship better. That would've added more dimension and perhaps make the whole book more interesting. However this book did have a positive. It really was entertaining to read. It wasn't like I struggled to finish the book because it was so boring. Valentine is not boring but it does get frustrating at times because the concept has the potential to become a great story.
All in all, an enjoyable read which did lack depth in both the story and characters. I do have hope, though, that the sequel will be much better!
nutata_10's review
3.0
I'm going to be totally honest here...
The writing style was immature as hell. From the start, the author was using abbreviations, which I don't mind that much but other people consider a red flag. And the fact that she had a crush on these 2 boys, Cardy and Finn, seemed to be the only thing keeping this book going for the first few chapters. Her feelings were too exaggerated, like the author was shoving in my face, 'oh, the typical teenage girl Pearl has a crush, so you better know it!' If only it were more subtle. Yes, the book was unique and the plot was different from most fantasy books, but still... c'mon, WTF and OMFG in the first 15 pages of the book? If your gonna add something like that, you might as well just cuss and leave out the abbreviations.
The characters could be better. Pearl was a good main character, but the 'twist' was predictable. I didn't even know it was considered a twist until reading the reviews. The book dragged on and took ages until it reached the climax, where my perception of the book changed. The writing was more precise and detailed. I especially loved Finn at this point of the book, and I think Jodi McAlister has done an incredible job in writing him as an attractive character. I loved Pearl's independence, how she didn't go head over heels over some mediocre boy and choose him over her best friend.
At the end of the day, I could've read worse.
The writing style was immature as hell. From the start, the author was using abbreviations, which I don't mind that much but other people consider a red flag. And the fact that she had a crush on these 2 boys, Cardy and Finn, seemed to be the only thing keeping this book going for the first few chapters. Her feelings were too exaggerated, like the author was shoving in my face, 'oh, the typical teenage girl Pearl has a crush, so you better know it!' If only it were more subtle. Yes, the book was unique and the plot was different from most fantasy books, but still... c'mon, WTF and OMFG in the first 15 pages of the book? If your gonna add something like that, you might as well just cuss and leave out the abbreviations.
The characters could be better. Pearl was a good main character, but the 'twist' was predictable. I didn't even know it was considered a twist until reading the reviews. The book dragged on and took ages until it reached the climax, where my perception of the book changed. The writing was more precise and detailed. I especially loved Finn at this point of the book, and I think Jodi McAlister has done an incredible job in writing him as an attractive character. I loved Pearl's independence, how she didn't go head over heels over some mediocre boy and choose him over her best friend.
At the end of the day, I could've read worse.
farfromsarah's review
4.0
4.25/5 (super specific I know but it wasn't a 4 and it wasn't a 4.5 sooo)
I LOVED this. I'm super fussy with fairy books and I'm so glad that I enjoyed this one.
Finally a book where the characters actually act their age; listening to current music, constantly on Facebook, and crushing on all of the cute boys. There were so many pop culture references and I loved it. And the writing actually sounded like the inner monologue of a 17 year old girl.
I also loved how realistic everything was, like if this actually happened in the real world it would happen like this. Not even just the magical stuff, the romances and friendships too. Nothing was fast tracked, nothing happened easily, the characters were just doing their best in such a horrible situation. It was just so refreshing to read an urban fantasy that portrayed perfectly what would happen if random everyday people got thrown into a magical world. Props to Jodi McAlister, I am super excited for the sequel!
I LOVED this. I'm super fussy with fairy books and I'm so glad that I enjoyed this one.
Finally a book where the characters actually act their age; listening to current music, constantly on Facebook, and crushing on all of the cute boys. There were so many pop culture references and I loved it. And the writing actually sounded like the inner monologue of a 17 year old girl.
I also loved how realistic everything was, like if this actually happened in the real world it would happen like this. Not even just the magical stuff, the romances and friendships too. Nothing was fast tracked, nothing happened easily, the characters were just doing their best in such a horrible situation. It was just so refreshing to read an urban fantasy that portrayed perfectly what would happen if random everyday people got thrown into a magical world. Props to Jodi McAlister, I am super excited for the sequel!