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pagesplotsandpints's Reviews (2.1k)
Read Completed 10/15/23 | 2.5 stars
FRIEND LIKE ME was intriguing and definitely an action-packed thriller. I liked the main character, Amy (as new identity Lisa) well enough, even though she made some silly decisions, as most thriller heroines do. The first half of the book went along nicely, entertaining as it was and I was genuinely curious to see where the book was going to go.
At about 65% - 70%, things started to get weird and wild. If you're into popcorn thrillers purely for the excitement, wild twists, and making things as crazy as possible, then you'll probably enjoy this one. I'm all for a popcorn thriller myself given the right time and place, but the ending of this book was just too sensational for me and I couldn't get on board with it. I would have rather had a tamer ending that made a bit more logical sense than what happened here.We have brutal rapist turned secret serial killer because it was easier to kill the girls when he wad done with them (who wasn't even the main cause of all the drama in this book), people getting thrown into wood chippers, a British Viking rogue cop, a moment where Amy questions if she's the killer and it's all in her head, and a frumpy accountant turned vigilante murderer whose giveaway is that she reads a lot of mystery novels. Ugh.
If things hadn't gone off the rails in the last quarter of the book, I probably wouldn't have been as disappointed. I can definitely see that I'm one of the few to feel this way (as of this date) and plenty of people liked that wild and crazy ride but it was just WAY over the top for me. If you're going to go for wild twists, maybe one was good? This was just way too much. The author really threw the kitchen sink into this book, and hey, it worked for a lot of people! This just wasn't for me.
It really makes me a little sad though because it was like a 3.5 star book until the ending and I just got so mad at everything that happened. I was hoping the ending would kick it up or stay the same, feeling-wise, but it all just went downhill from there.
FRIEND LIKE ME was intriguing and definitely an action-packed thriller. I liked the main character, Amy (as new identity Lisa) well enough, even though she made some silly decisions, as most thriller heroines do. The first half of the book went along nicely, entertaining as it was and I was genuinely curious to see where the book was going to go.
At about 65% - 70%, things started to get weird and wild. If you're into popcorn thrillers purely for the excitement, wild twists, and making things as crazy as possible, then you'll probably enjoy this one. I'm all for a popcorn thriller myself given the right time and place, but the ending of this book was just too sensational for me and I couldn't get on board with it. I would have rather had a tamer ending that made a bit more logical sense than what happened here.
If things hadn't gone off the rails in the last quarter of the book, I probably wouldn't have been as disappointed. I can definitely see that I'm one of the few to feel this way (as of this date) and plenty of people liked that wild and crazy ride but it was just WAY over the top for me. If you're going to go for wild twists, maybe one was good? This was just way too much. The author really threw the kitchen sink into this book, and hey, it worked for a lot of people! This just wasn't for me.
It really makes me a little sad though because it was like a 3.5 star book until the ending and I just got so mad at everything that happened. I was hoping the ending would kick it up or stay the same, feeling-wise, but it all just went downhill from there.
Read Completed 10/13/23 | 3.25 stars
This was a cute mystery read (not thriller) that landed in between a more serious mystery and a cozy. I'd definitely recommend it for someone who is new to the mystery genre! It also has a great grandmother-mother-daughter relationship and hit the nail on the head with the Gilmore Girls vibes in terms of the relationships (not the setting or plot, though). I did have a small gripe that it's called MOTHER-DAUGHTER MURDER *NIGHT* because this took place over the course of several days, not a night. In fact, the discovery of the murder didn't happen at night and depending on which way you view it, the mother or the daughter (Beth, the mother in the grandmother-mother-daughter part) was reluctant to be a part of any investigation. It was mentioned once referencing when Beth and Lana used to watch murder mystery TV when they were younger...
I enjoyed the beginning and was never really in love with it but it was good. I really started to lose interest a little before halfway and kind of just wanted to get it over with at that point. My issue with mysteries is that I REALLY have to be invested in the people they're investigating, otherwise I just get bored, which is why I usually enjoy thrillers more since the main character is usually a big role. This just didn't quite do it for me, but I liked it and I can definitely see the appeal. I think after all this time spent reading, I'm just not really a mystery girlie anymore. Hand me this book back in 2011 and I probably would have liked it more!
This was a cute mystery read (not thriller) that landed in between a more serious mystery and a cozy. I'd definitely recommend it for someone who is new to the mystery genre! It also has a great grandmother-mother-daughter relationship and hit the nail on the head with the Gilmore Girls vibes in terms of the relationships (not the setting or plot, though). I did have a small gripe that it's called MOTHER-DAUGHTER MURDER *NIGHT* because this took place over the course of several days, not a night. In fact, the discovery of the murder didn't happen at night and depending on which way you view it, the mother or the daughter (Beth, the mother in the grandmother-mother-daughter part) was reluctant to be a part of any investigation. It was mentioned once referencing when Beth and Lana used to watch murder mystery TV when they were younger...
I enjoyed the beginning and was never really in love with it but it was good. I really started to lose interest a little before halfway and kind of just wanted to get it over with at that point. My issue with mysteries is that I REALLY have to be invested in the people they're investigating, otherwise I just get bored, which is why I usually enjoy thrillers more since the main character is usually a big role. This just didn't quite do it for me, but I liked it and I can definitely see the appeal. I think after all this time spent reading, I'm just not really a mystery girlie anymore. Hand me this book back in 2011 and I probably would have liked it more!
Read Completed 10/12/23 | 4.25 stars
First off, this is NOT a romcom for those who are drawn in by the typical romcom-type cartoon cover. (I was also led astray by Libby marking it as "humorous" when it really wasn't funny at all.) This is not the book's fault and the synopsis is properly worded, but I was in for a surprise starting this when it immediately started hitting me with heavy topics!
That being said, I really did enjoy this book. It wasn't in the way that I expected but it really hit me right in the feels. This is the sort of emotional story I wanted to write when I was in college and had those deep, all-encompassing crushes so I really connected with it more than I thought I would, combined with the main character wanting to become a mother at 35-36, AND wanting to finally find her way in her career, and it was a heavy book for sure.
I really loved the relationships in this book and they also broke my heart. We see the two great loves of Maggie's life -- the first being Garrett, her current unrequited love of 12 years with whom it never seems to work out and the second being her high school/camp love who comes back into her life. It's neat to see a sort of love triangle that really isn't a triangle since the timelines shoot back and forth over all of the important times in Maggie's life, but there is a point where things have to come to a head in the end and (we hope) Maggie ends up with one or the other.
This was just an incredibly emotional book packed with longing, heartache, and living through your first loves all over again -- and what it looks like when you have to let someone go. My only gripe was that I didn't love the ending (I guess I liked it for Maggie but it wasn't right for me) and it just threw me a bit. It wasn't a bad ending and it was actually neat seeing something more realistic than a fairy tale come true... but after a lot of emotion, I just wanted a VERY happily ever after here. Back to romcoms for me.... I can only read one of these books like, once a year. This was that book. Now take me back to LOL moments, fantasy worlds, and wild thrillers and stop making me feel feelings outside of my own life 😅
First off, this is NOT a romcom for those who are drawn in by the typical romcom-type cartoon cover. (I was also led astray by Libby marking it as "humorous" when it really wasn't funny at all.) This is not the book's fault and the synopsis is properly worded, but I was in for a surprise starting this when it immediately started hitting me with heavy topics!
That being said, I really did enjoy this book. It wasn't in the way that I expected but it really hit me right in the feels. This is the sort of emotional story I wanted to write when I was in college and had those deep, all-encompassing crushes so I really connected with it more than I thought I would, combined with the main character wanting to become a mother at 35-36, AND wanting to finally find her way in her career, and it was a heavy book for sure.
I really loved the relationships in this book and they also broke my heart. We see the two great loves of Maggie's life -- the first being Garrett, her current unrequited love of 12 years with whom it never seems to work out and the second being her high school/camp love who comes back into her life. It's neat to see a sort of love triangle that really isn't a triangle since the timelines shoot back and forth over all of the important times in Maggie's life, but there is a point where things have to come to a head in the end and (we hope) Maggie ends up with one or the other.
This was just an incredibly emotional book packed with longing, heartache, and living through your first loves all over again -- and what it looks like when you have to let someone go. My only gripe was that I didn't love the ending (I guess I liked it for Maggie but it wasn't right for me) and it just threw me a bit. It wasn't a bad ending and it was actually neat seeing something more realistic than a fairy tale come true... but after a lot of emotion, I just wanted a VERY happily ever after here. Back to romcoms for me.... I can only read one of these books like, once a year. This was that book. Now take me back to LOL moments, fantasy worlds, and wild thrillers and stop making me feel feelings outside of my own life 😅
Read Completed 10/10/23 | 4 stars
I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this book before I started it... It's long, I ended up abandoning the sequels to THE PASSAGE all those years ago when I read them, and I just wasn't sure where this book was going to take me. I did like THE PASSAGE (before I felt too bogged down by book #2 in the series... I don't think I ever made it to book 3), THE FERRYMAN had good reviews, and I'm way ahead on my reading challenge and felt like picking up some longer books.
I'll spare you the book summary, especially since so many other reviewers have recapped the beginning. I'll just get right into my feelings on the book.
THE FERRYMAN was a more "grown up" version of the dystopian that I've been craving since inhaling the genre in my younger reading years. Obviously "grown up" since it's adult and not young adult... and also because the writing style just is much more advanced and sophisticated. The beginning starts of getting to know the characters and introducing the community of Prospera. The whole time I was reading, I knew there was something off about it but the readers just don't know what it is yet. It's supposed to be this utopian community and yet unsettling things are happening, times are changing, and Proctor is caught up in some confusing events.
This is a longer book at over 500 pages but it doesn't feel overly long! The beginning was slow and deliberate, but it let me think about everything that was happening and where the plot could be going. There was definitely a tipping point where things started escalating quickly and then things kept going and going! There was a lot here that I maybe could have guessed at but wasn't expecting and it got really interesting!
There were a few times where things got a bit confusing, switching from one concept/perspective to another, but I think that was also kind of the point because the characters are being pulled in a bunch of different directions.
I wish the ending had just a little more oomph for my tastes, but it really did fit the tone of the rest of the book. I'm glad I read it and I did enjoy it! It maybe not be a crazy stand-out book for me, but I can definitely see the appeal and I'm happy I liked the journey.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this book before I started it... It's long, I ended up abandoning the sequels to THE PASSAGE all those years ago when I read them, and I just wasn't sure where this book was going to take me. I did like THE PASSAGE (before I felt too bogged down by book #2 in the series... I don't think I ever made it to book 3), THE FERRYMAN had good reviews, and I'm way ahead on my reading challenge and felt like picking up some longer books.
I'll spare you the book summary, especially since so many other reviewers have recapped the beginning. I'll just get right into my feelings on the book.
THE FERRYMAN was a more "grown up" version of the dystopian that I've been craving since inhaling the genre in my younger reading years. Obviously "grown up" since it's adult and not young adult... and also because the writing style just is much more advanced and sophisticated. The beginning starts of getting to know the characters and introducing the community of Prospera. The whole time I was reading, I knew there was something off about it but the readers just don't know what it is yet. It's supposed to be this utopian community and yet unsettling things are happening, times are changing, and Proctor is caught up in some confusing events.
This is a longer book at over 500 pages but it doesn't feel overly long! The beginning was slow and deliberate, but it let me think about everything that was happening and where the plot could be going. There was definitely a tipping point where things started escalating quickly and then things kept going and going! There was a lot here that I maybe could have guessed at but wasn't expecting and it got really interesting!
There were a few times where things got a bit confusing, switching from one concept/perspective to another, but I think that was also kind of the point because the characters are being pulled in a bunch of different directions.
I wish the ending had just a little more oomph for my tastes, but it really did fit the tone of the rest of the book. I'm glad I read it and I did enjoy it! It maybe not be a crazy stand-out book for me, but I can definitely see the appeal and I'm happy I liked the journey.
Read Completed 10/7/23 | 3.75 - 4 stars
Format: Audiobook
Dates Read: 10/6/23 - 10/7/23
Do you need to read other books before reading this one? Technically no, but it is Cosmere-heavy, especially related to the Stormlight Archives. While it won't spoil any books, I think it's best enjoyed with at least THE WAY OF KINGS under your belt to understand many of the references. Also suggested from me is the novella SHADOWS FOR SILENCE IN THE FORESTS OF HELL due to references as well, but again, not required.
The last secret project! I'm definitely glad I didn't wait for this to be traditionally published but I'm also kind of sad that the exclusivity to all of these expired so quickly with each book being available a month or a couple months after its initial release. I bought all the hardcovers too but I listened to everything on audiobook. Anyway, about the book...
THE SUNLIT MAN was definitely the most Cosmere-connected, specifically to Roshar and also specifically to a character we've already met. There were heavy references to who it might be and I had a guess but my guess was wrong, so it was kind of fun trying to figure out who Nomad really was! I figured it was someone we already knew since he was going by a nickname and it was exciting to see little clues along the way and many references to Roshar and other things that I won't spoil. That was really what kept me going in this book because I honestly wasn't too connected to this world. I love seeing other planets and the other parts of the Cosmere are fascinating, yet these characters didn't really hold my interest. I just felt like none of them were as interesting as I wanted them to be and nothing really stood out.
I also had trouble with the flow of this book. It's said in the author's note that Sanderson wanted this to be more of a Western feel and a "break neck speed" but I feel like the actual plotting suffered a bit. I wasn't really sure where this book was going, aside from the overall concept of 1) Nomad getting off the planet and 2) Beacon escaping the Cinder King. I guess it just felt a little more like a novella than a fully developed novel. There was more action, yes, but I don't know.... there was just something about it. I had a hard time paying attention and even had to slow the audiobook way down (for me at least) to keep my mind from wandering. (The narrator also wasn't Michael Kramer so maybe I wasn't used to his voice, but that hasn't prevented me from listening quickly in the past.)
I enjoyed the connections to everything else, seeing a book from a Worldhopper's POV, and seeing who this Worldhopper was! Despite the fun reveals, it still left me wanting more. After finishing, I just really don't care about the people on Canticle like I have with characters like Cress and Yumi... maybe because they were the main characters and Nomad stole the spotlight, becoming the most important person there. I can almost see it being better (for me) if Nomad wasn't the main POV and Rebeke was.
I can see this easily being a favorite for some and others feeling much like I do. I'm not sure where I want to leave this rating yet. I'm left feeling a little bit deflated instead of in awe.
Format: Audiobook
Dates Read: 10/6/23 - 10/7/23
Do you need to read other books before reading this one? Technically no, but it is Cosmere-heavy, especially related to the Stormlight Archives. While it won't spoil any books, I think it's best enjoyed with at least THE WAY OF KINGS under your belt to understand many of the references. Also suggested from me is the novella SHADOWS FOR SILENCE IN THE FORESTS OF HELL due to references as well, but again, not required.
The last secret project! I'm definitely glad I didn't wait for this to be traditionally published but I'm also kind of sad that the exclusivity to all of these expired so quickly with each book being available a month or a couple months after its initial release. I bought all the hardcovers too but I listened to everything on audiobook. Anyway, about the book...
THE SUNLIT MAN was definitely the most Cosmere-connected, specifically to Roshar and also specifically to a character we've already met. There were heavy references to who it might be and I had a guess but my guess was wrong, so it was kind of fun trying to figure out who Nomad really was! I figured it was someone we already knew since he was going by a nickname and it was exciting to see little clues along the way and many references to Roshar and other things that I won't spoil. That was really what kept me going in this book because I honestly wasn't too connected to this world. I love seeing other planets and the other parts of the Cosmere are fascinating, yet these characters didn't really hold my interest. I just felt like none of them were as interesting as I wanted them to be and nothing really stood out.
I also had trouble with the flow of this book. It's said in the author's note that Sanderson wanted this to be more of a Western feel and a "break neck speed" but I feel like the actual plotting suffered a bit. I wasn't really sure where this book was going, aside from the overall concept of 1) Nomad getting off the planet and 2) Beacon escaping the Cinder King. I guess it just felt a little more like a novella than a fully developed novel. There was more action, yes, but I don't know.... there was just something about it. I had a hard time paying attention and even had to slow the audiobook way down (for me at least) to keep my mind from wandering. (The narrator also wasn't Michael Kramer so maybe I wasn't used to his voice, but that hasn't prevented me from listening quickly in the past.)
I enjoyed the connections to everything else, seeing a book from a Worldhopper's POV, and seeing who this Worldhopper was! Despite the fun reveals, it still left me wanting more. After finishing, I just really don't care about the people on Canticle like I have with characters like Cress and Yumi... maybe because they were the main characters and Nomad stole the spotlight, becoming the most important person there. I can almost see it being better (for me) if Nomad wasn't the main POV and Rebeke was.
I can see this easily being a favorite for some and others feeling much like I do. I'm not sure where I want to leave this rating yet. I'm left feeling a little bit deflated instead of in awe.
Read Completed 10/6/23 | 4.5 stars
Format: Audiobook
Dates Read: 10/5/23 - 10/6/23
Do you need to read Book 1 (RABBITS) to read this one? YES. These books are confusing as heck and not reading the first book would be infinitely more confusing.
I picked up RABBITS on a whim earlier this year and it was immediately my vibe and I was so engrossed in it. When I heard that there was going to be a sequel, it instantly became one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it delivered!
THE QUIET ROOM was different than RABBITS in a number of ways yet followed the same concept and game. It picks up where RABBITS left off (maybe a little later, but doesn't really miss a beat) and follows two POVs this time: Emily Connors (K's childhood friend) and new character Rowan Chess. Thankfully I immediately connected with both and they both had really interesting perspectives and stories to offer. Things got trippy right off the bat to kick off a new story in the world of Rabbits.
THE QUIET ROOM had the same pacing and vibe that RABBITS did -- it was fast and furious with LOTS of action, mind-bending concepts, and a few points where things were a little over my head. I also had a similar problem that I did in RABBITS where in the middle, it just got a little tiresome jumping from one clue to the next clue because the pacing was kind of exactly the same the whole book and didn't have a rhythm so much as a breakneck speed. HOWEVER, that definitely did have me wholly engrossed and I didn't want to put the book down at all. I was obsessed with finding out what would happen next and when I had to put the book down, it was tucked in the back of my mind and I couldn't stop thinking about it. These books are just so interesting!
There was also a point where Emily's POV dominated the book and I was missing Rowan's perspective. After reaching the end, there was a reason why, but I really liked him and I wanted more of a balance there. I was missing his voice and wanted to know about his story at the time.
This book was definitely a wild ride that I didn't want to stop reading! Whatever you liked or didn't like about RABBITS is probably still prevalent in THE QUIET ROOM because they felt very similar to me in many ways, but that also made it really easy to immediately fall into. I have some things I could pick at and the ending, while full of a few good twists, fell just a bit flat for me. I was still racing to finish this book and couldn't get enough so I'm choosing to give it 4.5 stars and round up. It's so unique, addicting to read, and exactly my kind of style. I have so few really amazing reads that I want this one to stand out with my favorites too.
Format: Audiobook
Dates Read: 10/5/23 - 10/6/23
Do you need to read Book 1 (RABBITS) to read this one? YES. These books are confusing as heck and not reading the first book would be infinitely more confusing.
I picked up RABBITS on a whim earlier this year and it was immediately my vibe and I was so engrossed in it. When I heard that there was going to be a sequel, it instantly became one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it delivered!
THE QUIET ROOM was different than RABBITS in a number of ways yet followed the same concept and game. It picks up where RABBITS left off (maybe a little later, but doesn't really miss a beat) and follows two POVs this time: Emily Connors (K's childhood friend) and new character Rowan Chess. Thankfully I immediately connected with both and they both had really interesting perspectives and stories to offer. Things got trippy right off the bat to kick off a new story in the world of Rabbits.
THE QUIET ROOM had the same pacing and vibe that RABBITS did -- it was fast and furious with LOTS of action, mind-bending concepts, and a few points where things were a little over my head. I also had a similar problem that I did in RABBITS where in the middle, it just got a little tiresome jumping from one clue to the next clue because the pacing was kind of exactly the same the whole book and didn't have a rhythm so much as a breakneck speed. HOWEVER, that definitely did have me wholly engrossed and I didn't want to put the book down at all. I was obsessed with finding out what would happen next and when I had to put the book down, it was tucked in the back of my mind and I couldn't stop thinking about it. These books are just so interesting!
There was also a point where Emily's POV dominated the book and I was missing Rowan's perspective. After reaching the end, there was a reason why, but I really liked him and I wanted more of a balance there. I was missing his voice and wanted to know about his story at the time.
This book was definitely a wild ride that I didn't want to stop reading! Whatever you liked or didn't like about RABBITS is probably still prevalent in THE QUIET ROOM because they felt very similar to me in many ways, but that also made it really easy to immediately fall into. I have some things I could pick at and the ending, while full of a few good twists, fell just a bit flat for me. I was still racing to finish this book and couldn't get enough so I'm choosing to give it 4.5 stars and round up. It's so unique, addicting to read, and exactly my kind of style. I have so few really amazing reads that I want this one to stand out with my favorites too.
Read Completed 10/5/23 | 4.5 stars
Format: Audiobook
Dates Read: 10/2/23 - 10/5/23
Do you need to read the original trilogy before reading this? YES.
I'll admit, I struggled a bit in the beginning of this book. I listened to the entire first series as audiobooks and didn't have a problem but there was kind of a lot going on at the beginning with also very little going on. It's always hard to get introduced to new characters and not know how they'll fit into the story, and then since it's been seven years since the original timeline, we also spent a lot of time finding out the important things that had happened in the past seven years. As an audiobook, it was a little difficult when the timelines kept jumping back and forth because I'd only hear what time period it was for a second and it was on with the rest of the story, versus if I was reading a printed copy, I'd be able to gaze at that headline while reading the rest of the page. It wasn't the time that was important, specifically, but I just kind of had some whiplash going back and forth.
The only other complaint I had about the audiobook was getting a British narrator for the new POV while keeping Michael Kramer and Kate Reading, who are both American. They're all supposed to be from London (though Tes from a town further out, technically? But same country/world) and yet Tes is the only one with an accent, and whenever she came up, I had to slow it down because she spoke a little fast, especially with an accent. Not a huge deal, but it was jarring at first and I had to get used to it all, so it just made the beginning a bit more of a struggle.
Once I got to about 20-25%, it all started falling into place and I really got into the rhythm of everything. It was easy to get swept away with familiar characters and places while learning new things about the world and magic system. I liked that Tes' character brought new magic into the world too. It played upon something we've already seen before but enhanced it, so it wasn't like it came out of nowhere and yet it was new and refreshing.
I also loved the new villain. "The Hand" is a new uprising with dangerous intent, wanting to remove and murder the king (Rhy). With any group, there needs to be a leader so it was heart-poundingly good while trying to figure out how to penetrate the group and find out who the leader is. I also liked the different sides of Kell/Lila/Rhy/Alucard working on it from one side and Tes battling with it on a different side and how the two finally meet in the middle. It was also nice that this was a different kind of villain. Osaron was pure magic and it was a magical fight they were working to win in the first series. This is a human-driven threat (though intent on using magic in a bad way) and presents a different feel so we're not just reading the same series over and over again. It also revisits issues from the original trilogy, is still solving problems from the consequences of that finale, and keeps building upon what happened as well as introducing a whole new plot. I loved that the book is still building even more and kind of keeps the Shades of Magic plot going in a way.
There's also one extra layer that I almost forgot about because the main plot line is so big that I barely thought about it while she wasn't on the page, but there's also another new POV -- the new queen of White London. We learn Kosika's history, how she came to be queen, and the things that are happening in White London. This could have easily been left out and continued the whole plot in Red London if Schwab had wanted to and I'm so happy that she included more of what's happening in White London and kept it in the magical side of the plot. I find it so fascinating and there are also some magical truth bombs that happen here. It seems like a side story but it's also incredibly important and I really loved everything that was happening there.
THE FRAGILE THREADS OF POWER also just has a different pacing than the original Shades of Magic trilogy. Even though it's nothing like it, it reminded me of reading IRON GOLD by Pierce Brown, because it was also the start of a second era of the same characters, world, and plot. The pacing is a little bit slower and also had the feel of books like THE WAY OF KINGS by Brandon Sanderson where we're in for a longer journey and all of the various reveals take time. It just took *longer* to introduce everyone, set up the plot, get into action, and had a longer conclusion, and the book is just longer in general! The longest book in the Shades of Magic trilogy is A CONJURING OF LIGHT at 19 hours or so for the audio and 624 pages. THE FRAGILE THREADS OF POWER is 22 hours (but is somehow only 648 pages long, only 44 pages longer and yet 3 hours longer? Someone please math that math for me?). It just felt like a slower, more deliberate pace to take the time to set everything up. I actually really liked it but wasn't prepared for it at first so it just took me a while to adjust.
If I had clicked with it from the beginning, I think this would have been an easy 5 stars. I have so few books that I'm just dying to continue these days and I didn't want to put it down.
Format: Audiobook
Dates Read: 10/2/23 - 10/5/23
Do you need to read the original trilogy before reading this? YES.
I'll admit, I struggled a bit in the beginning of this book. I listened to the entire first series as audiobooks and didn't have a problem but there was kind of a lot going on at the beginning with also very little going on. It's always hard to get introduced to new characters and not know how they'll fit into the story, and then since it's been seven years since the original timeline, we also spent a lot of time finding out the important things that had happened in the past seven years. As an audiobook, it was a little difficult when the timelines kept jumping back and forth because I'd only hear what time period it was for a second and it was on with the rest of the story, versus if I was reading a printed copy, I'd be able to gaze at that headline while reading the rest of the page. It wasn't the time that was important, specifically, but I just kind of had some whiplash going back and forth.
The only other complaint I had about the audiobook was getting a British narrator for the new POV while keeping Michael Kramer and Kate Reading, who are both American. They're all supposed to be from London (though Tes from a town further out, technically? But same country/world) and yet Tes is the only one with an accent, and whenever she came up, I had to slow it down because she spoke a little fast, especially with an accent. Not a huge deal, but it was jarring at first and I had to get used to it all, so it just made the beginning a bit more of a struggle.
Once I got to about 20-25%, it all started falling into place and I really got into the rhythm of everything. It was easy to get swept away with familiar characters and places while learning new things about the world and magic system. I liked that Tes' character brought new magic into the world too. It played upon something we've already seen before but enhanced it, so it wasn't like it came out of nowhere and yet it was new and refreshing.
I also loved the new villain. "The Hand" is a new uprising with dangerous intent, wanting to remove and murder the king (Rhy). With any group, there needs to be a leader so it was heart-poundingly good while trying to figure out how to penetrate the group and find out who the leader is. I also liked the different sides of Kell/Lila/Rhy/Alucard working on it from one side and Tes battling with it on a different side and how the two finally meet in the middle. It was also nice that this was a different kind of villain. Osaron was pure magic and it was a magical fight they were working to win in the first series. This is a human-driven threat (though intent on using magic in a bad way) and presents a different feel so we're not just reading the same series over and over again. It also revisits issues from the original trilogy, is still solving problems from the consequences of that finale, and keeps building upon what happened as well as introducing a whole new plot. I loved that the book is still building even more and kind of keeps the Shades of Magic plot going in a way.
There's also one extra layer that I almost forgot about because the main plot line is so big that I barely thought about it while she wasn't on the page, but there's also another new POV -- the new queen of White London. We learn Kosika's history, how she came to be queen, and the things that are happening in White London. This could have easily been left out and continued the whole plot in Red London if Schwab had wanted to and I'm so happy that she included more of what's happening in White London and kept it in the magical side of the plot. I find it so fascinating and there are also some magical truth bombs that happen here. It seems like a side story but it's also incredibly important and I really loved everything that was happening there.
THE FRAGILE THREADS OF POWER also just has a different pacing than the original Shades of Magic trilogy. Even though it's nothing like it, it reminded me of reading IRON GOLD by Pierce Brown, because it was also the start of a second era of the same characters, world, and plot. The pacing is a little bit slower and also had the feel of books like THE WAY OF KINGS by Brandon Sanderson where we're in for a longer journey and all of the various reveals take time. It just took *longer* to introduce everyone, set up the plot, get into action, and had a longer conclusion, and the book is just longer in general! The longest book in the Shades of Magic trilogy is A CONJURING OF LIGHT at 19 hours or so for the audio and 624 pages. THE FRAGILE THREADS OF POWER is 22 hours (but is somehow only 648 pages long, only 44 pages longer and yet 3 hours longer? Someone please math that math for me?). It just felt like a slower, more deliberate pace to take the time to set everything up. I actually really liked it but wasn't prepared for it at first so it just took me a while to adjust.
If I had clicked with it from the beginning, I think this would have been an easy 5 stars. I have so few books that I'm just dying to continue these days and I didn't want to put it down.
Read Completed 9/23/23 | 3 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley for this audiobook review copy and the publisher, Sourcebooks, for approving the request. This did not affect my reading or opinion in any way.
This book promised a lot of things but didn't really deliver on them.
- Dark Academia: it was dark, it took place at a school... the main characters were grad students and there wasn't much academia about it other than the fact that there was a school there.
- Tight-knit group of grad students: Not really. They weren't very tight at all. There was a couple having an affair, two students who were tight but we didn't know why until later (a reason that was used for literally nothing, a waste), and two who were a potential love story. They were actually at each other's throats a lot.
-Studying the acts of lying: It... was there? It really didn't come into play at all except for creating some drama in the beginning??
This had SO much promise to be super twisty, unreliable narrators everywhere, clever characters, unique connections... it just fell so, so flat in so many ways. I ended up leaving my rating at 3 stars because it was ** fine **. I made it through the book, didn't think about DNFing, but man, it just really didn't deliver.
The ending was very lack-luster and when I found out who the killer was, I just wasn't impressed. I didn't fully see it coming, but I did have a hunch. There was still a surprise there but the way it all wrapped up was a little too popcorn thriller and much less the psychological mind-bending thriller the was promised to the readers. It also felt a little cheap... I'm gonna have to spoiler tag this.We focus so much on this "tight" (again, not tight) group of grad students and yet, the killer was an outsider??? With a SUPER poor motive, in connection with this very story and premise. Ah, nah. Not buying it. Then make the book connect to his life, somehow! He was so peripheral. I was so let down.
I don't hate that I read it. I would have been so curious if I didn't, and I did like ALWAYS THE FIRST TO DIE by this author. Sadly, I think that's he only one of his that I've really liked so far out of the four that I've tried.
Thank you to NetGalley for this audiobook review copy and the publisher, Sourcebooks, for approving the request. This did not affect my reading or opinion in any way.
This book promised a lot of things but didn't really deliver on them.
- Dark Academia: it was dark, it took place at a school... the main characters were grad students and there wasn't much academia about it other than the fact that there was a school there.
- Tight-knit group of grad students: Not really. They weren't very tight at all. There was a couple having an affair, two students who were tight but we didn't know why until later (a reason that was used for literally nothing, a waste), and two who were a potential love story. They were actually at each other's throats a lot.
-Studying the acts of lying: It... was there? It really didn't come into play at all except for creating some drama in the beginning??
This had SO much promise to be super twisty, unreliable narrators everywhere, clever characters, unique connections... it just fell so, so flat in so many ways. I ended up leaving my rating at 3 stars because it was ** fine **. I made it through the book, didn't think about DNFing, but man, it just really didn't deliver.
The ending was very lack-luster and when I found out who the killer was, I just wasn't impressed. I didn't fully see it coming, but I did have a hunch. There was still a surprise there but the way it all wrapped up was a little too popcorn thriller and much less the psychological mind-bending thriller the was promised to the readers. It also felt a little cheap... I'm gonna have to spoiler tag this.
I don't hate that I read it. I would have been so curious if I didn't, and I did like ALWAYS THE FIRST TO DIE by this author. Sadly, I think that's he only one of his that I've really liked so far out of the four that I've tried.
Read Completed 9/21/23 | 3.75 stars
I haven't read an Ally Carter book in so many years but I've loved several of her young adult novels of the early 2010s, mostly the Heist Society series. I was really excited to see what her adult novel would be all about and was really interested to get into it!
THE BLONDE IDENTITY was a really fun, extra cute romantic action/adventure novel. The book revolves around a woman who wakes up with no memory and gets herself caught in a chase amongst spies. Turns out, she's the twin sister of a spy and now she's on the run with the man who saved her -- and used to work with her twin. I didn't realize that this was more of a romance at first so it took me a while to adjust to it! I thought it would be more heist/spies/espionage, which it was, but it was definitely heavy on the romance and I'd probably categorize it as that above all else.
Unfortunately, I didn't really like the romance. It did have its moments and there was some good chemistry between the two main characters, but kind of only during the high speed moments. They had some great banter, but parts of it were really annoying. I couldn't stand when Sawyer called her "sweetheart" and "lady". It just felt totally out of place, it was weird and stood out, and I actively cringed every time. There were other parts of the romance that were too cheesy or trying too hard and I got annoyed with it there as well.
The other thing that really, really took me out of the book was Zoe's constant correction of "language" whenever Sawyer was swearing. We're reading an adult book. Zoe is an adult. She needs to handle a little cursing. It was a little too juvenile and really bothered me... especially because I like swearing in books haha. I also kept expecting Zoe to realize she was actually the spy and she just THOUGHT she had a twin (spoiler alert: it's not a twist).
Overall, this was very fun and I liked my read, but there were some points that really stuck out and just took me right out of the experience. This set it up for a second book and I'd definitely read it! Hopefully some of those awkward moments would get smoothed out for book two.
I haven't read an Ally Carter book in so many years but I've loved several of her young adult novels of the early 2010s, mostly the Heist Society series. I was really excited to see what her adult novel would be all about and was really interested to get into it!
THE BLONDE IDENTITY was a really fun, extra cute romantic action/adventure novel. The book revolves around a woman who wakes up with no memory and gets herself caught in a chase amongst spies. Turns out, she's the twin sister of a spy and now she's on the run with the man who saved her -- and used to work with her twin. I didn't realize that this was more of a romance at first so it took me a while to adjust to it! I thought it would be more heist/spies/espionage, which it was, but it was definitely heavy on the romance and I'd probably categorize it as that above all else.
Unfortunately, I didn't really like the romance. It did have its moments and there was some good chemistry between the two main characters, but kind of only during the high speed moments. They had some great banter, but parts of it were really annoying. I couldn't stand when Sawyer called her "sweetheart" and "lady". It just felt totally out of place, it was weird and stood out, and I actively cringed every time. There were other parts of the romance that were too cheesy or trying too hard and I got annoyed with it there as well.
The other thing that really, really took me out of the book was Zoe's constant correction of "language" whenever Sawyer was swearing. We're reading an adult book. Zoe is an adult. She needs to handle a little cursing. It was a little too juvenile and really bothered me... especially because I like swearing in books haha. I also kept expecting Zoe to realize she was actually the spy and she just THOUGHT she had a twin (spoiler alert: it's not a twist).
Overall, this was very fun and I liked my read, but there were some points that really stuck out and just took me right out of the experience. This set it up for a second book and I'd definitely read it! Hopefully some of those awkward moments would get smoothed out for book two.
Read Completed 9/19/23 | This was such a cute, fun read! I'm always interested in a time travel/time loop concept and stacked on top of a fun romance, I was here for it. What I really loved about this book was that we got the POV of Gemma, who was NOT the person in the time loop. She meets mystery guy Jack who eventually convinces her that he's living the same day over and over again and she may be the key to breaking the cycle... but the catch is that she kinda sorta might have to fall in love with him in order to break it.
I really loved that we got Gemma's POV and got to skip the whole realization of the character finding out they're living the same day over and over, what to do, how to fix it, etc etc. It gets tedious if you read a lot of books like that, so this was very refreshing and very well done! I loved skipping the repetitive part and heading straight to the good part of the story!
I really liked the two main characters and their chemistry together. There were a couple times when I wasn't totally in love, but I definitely enjoyed this book from start to finish. Both characters, but especially Gemma, had their own personal struggles that they had to address, fix, and get over. Each one grew throughout the story and like any good romance, started to bring out the best in each other.
This book wasn't perfect, but I enjoyed the whole thing and I really liked the writing style. I definitely need to check out more Holly James!
I really loved that we got Gemma's POV and got to skip the whole realization of the character finding out they're living the same day over and over, what to do, how to fix it, etc etc. It gets tedious if you read a lot of books like that, so this was very refreshing and very well done! I loved skipping the repetitive part and heading straight to the good part of the story!
I really liked the two main characters and their chemistry together. There were a couple times when I wasn't totally in love, but I definitely enjoyed this book from start to finish. Both characters, but especially Gemma, had their own personal struggles that they had to address, fix, and get over. Each one grew throughout the story and like any good romance, started to bring out the best in each other.
This book wasn't perfect, but I enjoyed the whole thing and I really liked the writing style. I definitely need to check out more Holly James!