Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well, that was something. I got this book because I saw some great character art on instagram and was under the impression to be in for some chaotic couple energy but...no. I expected something that wasn't ever promised to me, and I'm the only one to blame for that- I just don't learn. Yet, this book didn't even meet the basic, unspoken expectations that I assume most readers have. To make this very clear: this book felt like a scam.
It started only a few pages in when I was already put off with our main character Ophelia who is simply ~not like other girls~; and she sure isn't because every second of this book she was one of the worst MC I've ever read about. She's just so quirky that she can't move without almost killing herself and she just doesn't care how she looks or talks and her favourite past time is generally being as stale as a refrozen ice cube. I honestly don't understand why female characters aren't allowed to act and look like the girl next door, preferably without putting other girls and their interests down. Presenting yourself decently is not the end of individualism nor feminism.
Anyways, the author didn't even bother to give each character a unique voice, which made the narrative and dialogue almost indistinguishable to me; and I don't think this was a translation issue. The narrative itself was very odd at times, switching from Ophelia's 3rd person POV to an omniscient narrative, although it didn't quite make sense.
I believe the writing was another reason for me to dislike this book. Certain things were repeated ridiculously often; after the x-teen's time I absolutely comprehend how tall, beautiful or clumsy someone is; it's all telling never showing though.
Another point would be the blatant plot-holes this books doesn't even try to hide, in my humble opinion.
The trouble is, we apparently have a world full of magic here, yet, this magic is neither explained nor explored. Our MC is able to read objects and travel through mirrors but never bothers to use either power in any way that would have any impact on the story, which is just boring. The same goes for the whole world this story is set in; if it wasn't for the book cover, I would've absolutely no clue how to picture the setting at all because we just got some flimsy descriptions that could've had potential but then fell flat along the way.
Lastly: I was under the impression to be reading YA fantasy (maybe even for older teens) but the message this book was giving me makes my grown ass adult skin crawl. There's so much slut-shaming and hyper-conservative opinions on sexuality and gender roles (that again didn't make any sense in the story and the world itself), I was actually shocked, as this might be actually harmful to younger readers.
To sum this lengthy rant up, I won't continue this series, although I did think that the last 10% of this book were, in comparison, ok.
It started only a few pages in when I was already put off with our main character Ophelia who is simply ~not like other girls~; and she sure isn't because every second of this book she was one of the worst MC I've ever read about. She's just so quirky that she can't move without almost killing herself and she just doesn't care how she looks or talks and her favourite past time is generally being as stale as a refrozen ice cube. I honestly don't understand why female characters aren't allowed to act and look like the girl next door, preferably without putting other girls and their interests down. Presenting yourself decently is not the end of individualism nor feminism.
Anyways, the author didn't even bother to give each character a unique voice, which made the narrative and dialogue almost indistinguishable to me; and I don't think this was a translation issue. The narrative itself was very odd at times, switching from Ophelia's 3rd person POV to an omniscient narrative, although it didn't quite make sense.
I believe the writing was another reason for me to dislike this book. Certain things were repeated ridiculously often; after the x-teen's time I absolutely comprehend how tall, beautiful or clumsy someone is; it's all telling never showing though.
Another point would be the blatant plot-holes this books doesn't even try to hide, in my humble opinion.
The trouble is, we apparently have a world full of magic here, yet, this magic is neither explained nor explored. Our MC is able to read objects and travel through mirrors but never bothers to use either power in any way that would have any impact on the story, which is just boring. The same goes for the whole world this story is set in; if it wasn't for the book cover, I would've absolutely no clue how to picture the setting at all because we just got some flimsy descriptions that could've had potential but then fell flat along the way.
Lastly: I was under the impression to be reading YA fantasy (maybe even for older teens) but the message this book was giving me makes my grown ass adult skin crawl. There's so much slut-shaming and hyper-conservative opinions on sexuality and gender roles (that again didn't make any sense in the story and the world itself), I was actually shocked, as this might be actually harmful to younger readers.
To sum this lengthy rant up, I won't continue this series, although I did think that the last 10% of this book were, in comparison, ok.
i read this back in middle school it was so good... need to reread it and the rest of the series
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes