Scan barcode
liz_ross's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
You know how I complained about how for most of the first book it felt like it was leading to nowhere? And then I realized it was because Bishop used that book to develop the world and once it was done, the plotline became something you could follow and it no longer felt like I was going through the book with no reason to do so. And then I read the second book and it had a clear plotline and I actually liked it and it made me so freaking excited to read the third.
And now I have raead the third and I don't even know what rate I should give it, because a part of me wants to throw the book out the window, another part wants to scream and yet another one wants to give this book lots of love for the amazing writing style and for the dynamics between characters that are absolutely lovely.
It felt like the first book all over again when I started it, because I had no idea where the plot was leading me. But I thought to myself "let's keep reading, it is just like the first.". No, it isn't. I couldn't see the plotline in this one BECAUSE IT DOESN'T EXIST. Bishop spends the entire books setting the background for a war I am sure that will happen in the next books. The problem with that is IF SHE SPENT THE BOOK SETTING THE BACKGROUND I GOT NO ACTION. I mean, there are some minor events that were solved in a few chapters, but it happened so fast I was not even sure what exactly was the solution to some of them until they are casually mentioned again at the end (I am glad to know the babies weren't forgotten, thank you! I am still trying to understand what happened to Theral's abusive ex-boyfriend, though.), while the background for the war was continuously being developed, but with so little action that I felt like dying.
The only thing I could actually call a plotline (obviously war-related) was a kind of mystery that was so damn obvious my brain hurt just to see how much time the characters needed to solve it.
Then there's also the fact that it feels like Bishop didn't care for any character aside from those she did develop in the first book. All the others are flat, two-dimensional and have literally no personality trait. Merri Lee is just the courageous human who doesn't remind Simon of a bunny. Ruth is Kowalski's girlfriend (wife?! I am not even sure!) and kind of Others' teacher for human things. I don't even know Theral and I had no idea McDonald existed until half the book was gone.
But this last thing was bearable (it was in the second book) if it wasn't for the fact that this book felt so sexist without even trying to be like that. I haven't seen anyone complain about it and it bothers me a lot, because I get unsure if it's not just in my head. Maybe it is. But the way it's always men solving everything, the way how Tess is mostly left out or just a background figure even if she is technically mkre powerful than any of the other characters, the way Nyx, who would make a hell of a character, just happens from time to time when the skies are about to fall on us, bothers me. A LOT. It feels like all the use Bishop gives to female characters is being the emotional supporters of Meg after she cuts herself and go shopping and being Meg's female pack. WHY??
All this bothers me so much, but at the same time, I can't help enjoying the book. It is so easy to read you don't even notice when you finish the chapters. I lost count of the number of times I told myself I would just read one chapter before going to sleep and ended up reading at least 5 before even realizing it. And then read 2 more, because I couldn't stop there. And the ending was lovely, filled with hope and made me smile.
Bishop's writing style is amazing, delightful, extraordinary and I love it. And Simon and Meg are one of the bestnot-yet couples I have ever read about and their dynamic is just so good. It's so funny to see them together and the way Bishop managed to mescle human and wolf in Simon's personality is just unbelievable. (Just like happens with all the Others who are Animals).
Anyway, this is getting too long and I still have no idea how to rate this book. 2.50 is too little. 2.75 doesn't sit right with me. Neither does 3.00. But 3.25 is too much. It pissed me off so much. But Meg and Simon are so cute... Ugh! 3.00 is not right. Not with how much it bothered me. But 2.75 just breaks my heart. 😢 I guess, I will have to deal with a broken heart, because even if I tell myself 2.75 doesn't sit right with me, 2.50 is definitely too little and I can't force myself to write down 3.00 stars, because that is definitely not right.
But this is getting way too long for a review that isn't a full one yet. Let me write down a reminder, so I don't forget to talk about Hope. She deserves at least a little love from me. Oh, and also a reminder for me to complain about Jane, because where the hell did she go??
Full review coming soon!
And now I have raead the third and I don't even know what rate I should give it, because a part of me wants to throw the book out the window, another part wants to scream and yet another one wants to give this book lots of love for the amazing writing style and for the dynamics between characters that are absolutely lovely.
It felt like the first book all over again when I started it, because I had no idea where the plot was leading me. But I thought to myself "let's keep reading, it is just like the first.". No, it isn't. I couldn't see the plotline in this one BECAUSE IT DOESN'T EXIST. Bishop spends the entire books setting the background for a war I am sure that will happen in the next books. The problem with that is IF SHE SPENT THE BOOK SETTING THE BACKGROUND I GOT NO ACTION. I mean, there are some minor events that were solved in a few chapters, but it happened so fast I was not even sure what exactly was the solution to some of them until they are casually mentioned again at the end (I am glad to know the babies weren't forgotten, thank you! I am still trying to understand what happened to Theral's abusive ex-boyfriend, though.), while the background for the war was continuously being developed, but with so little action that I felt like dying.
The only thing I could actually call a plotline (obviously war-related) was a kind of mystery that was so damn obvious my brain hurt just to see how much time the characters needed to solve it.
Then there's also the fact that it feels like Bishop didn't care for any character aside from those she did develop in the first book. All the others are flat, two-dimensional and have literally no personality trait. Merri Lee is just the courageous human who doesn't remind Simon of a bunny. Ruth is Kowalski's girlfriend (wife?! I am not even sure!) and kind of Others' teacher for human things. I don't even know Theral and I had no idea McDonald existed until half the book was gone.
But this last thing was bearable (it was in the second book) if it wasn't for the fact that this book felt so sexist without even trying to be like that. I haven't seen anyone complain about it and it bothers me a lot, because I get unsure if it's not just in my head. Maybe it is. But the way it's always men solving everything, the way how Tess is mostly left out or just a background figure even if she is technically mkre powerful than any of the other characters, the way Nyx, who would make a hell of a character, just happens from time to time when the skies are about to fall on us, bothers me. A LOT. It feels like all the use Bishop gives to female characters is being the emotional supporters of Meg after she cuts herself and go shopping and being Meg's female pack. WHY??
All this bothers me so much, but at the same time, I can't help enjoying the book. It is so easy to read you don't even notice when you finish the chapters. I lost count of the number of times I told myself I would just read one chapter before going to sleep and ended up reading at least 5 before even realizing it. And then read 2 more, because I couldn't stop there. And the ending was lovely, filled with hope and made me smile.
Bishop's writing style is amazing, delightful, extraordinary and I love it. And Simon and Meg are one of the best
Anyway, this is getting too long and I still have no idea how to rate this book. 2.50 is too little. 2.75 doesn't sit right with me. Neither does 3.00. But 3.25 is too much. It pissed me off so much. But Meg and Simon are so cute... Ugh! 3.00 is not right. Not with how much it bothered me. But 2.75 just breaks my heart. 😢 I guess, I will have to deal with a broken heart, because even if I tell myself 2.75 doesn't sit right with me, 2.50 is definitely too little and I can't force myself to write down 3.00 stars, because that is definitely not right.
But this is getting way too long for a review that isn't a full one yet. Let me write down a reminder, so I don't forget to talk about Hope. She deserves at least a little love from me. Oh, and also a reminder for me to complain about Jane, because where the hell did she go??
Full review coming soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Hate crime
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Slavery, Trafficking, and Child death
dolores_madil's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Hate crime, Murder, and Self harm
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Medical content, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Trafficking
I love this series I had put the book down for a while because I just did not have time to read and picked it back up two and half days ago and finished it. It reminded me how much I love the world-building and lore in the series and how much I love the characters.zogg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Self harm, Mass/school shootings, and Gun violence
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide attempt, and Trafficking
More...