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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
I would like to say thank you for allowing me to be part of your ARC reads. I expect nothing less from reading such poetry. After starting this book, you knew it was going to break your heart with this haunting, beautiful story. If you loved The Fabric of Our Souls, then you will definitely love this book.
“There are moments in one’s existence when you connect with another in a mere second, something sinks deep into your soul, planting a yearning that may never fade.”
“Who says death is the end of us? We’re here for a reason, are we not? You are still as much alive in spirit as you ever were."
Very beautiful, thank you!
“There are moments in one’s existence when you connect with another in a mere second, something sinks deep into your soul, planting a yearning that may never fade.”
“Who says death is the end of us? We’re here for a reason, are we not? You are still as much alive in spirit as you ever were."
Very beautiful, thank you!
My weary soul is hurting over this. This story is absolutely soul crushing & beautiful at the same time. Seeing Mental illness being written like this really tears at everything in your heart. It makes you feel everything and I mean everything. The Tale of Lanston & Ophelia is one that will stay with me "until the stars die"
the title really speaks of what it is a true ballad of phantoms looking for hope in their dreary souls.
What a journey.
the title really speaks of what it is a true ballad of phantoms looking for hope in their dreary souls.
What a journey.
3.5 stars. Since this is a sequel of sorts, review will contain spoilers for what happened in Fabric of Our Souls. So please don’t continue reading if you plan on reading that book.
This is Lanston’s story 5 years after the events at the end of Fabric of Our Souls. He, along with some other familiar faces, continue to “haunt” Hallow Sanctum as they figure out why they haven’t passed on. One fateful night he meets Ophelia as she dances on stage in front of phantoms and living people alike, and his afterlife is forever altered. Ophelia is a sad and broken soul and she calls to him. Together they go on a journey to fulfill their “bucket lists” and in the process learn how to heal one another and hopefully pass on.
The story was just as haunting and poetic as the first book. The representation and dialogue on hard topics such as depression, suicide and child abuse was thoughtful and earnest in a way that’s not always easy to find.
I did find the constant fight or flight (mostly flight) to be a little dragged out. Ophelia has a hard time facing her demons, understandably so, but I felt like it slowed down the pacing of the book considerably. This book is already meant to be a methodical look at the pain and healing of these characters, but sometimes it felt too drawn out and made it hard to connect.
The ending scenes with Lanston’s father and Wynn brought tears to my eyes and I’m happy that Lanston finally finds his peace.
This is Lanston’s story 5 years after the events at the end of Fabric of Our Souls. He, along with some other familiar faces, continue to “haunt” Hallow Sanctum as they figure out why they haven’t passed on. One fateful night he meets Ophelia as she dances on stage in front of phantoms and living people alike, and his afterlife is forever altered. Ophelia is a sad and broken soul and she calls to him. Together they go on a journey to fulfill their “bucket lists” and in the process learn how to heal one another and hopefully pass on.
The story was just as haunting and poetic as the first book. The representation and dialogue on hard topics such as depression, suicide and child abuse was thoughtful and earnest in a way that’s not always easy to find.
I did find the constant fight or flight (mostly flight) to be a little dragged out. Ophelia has a hard time facing her demons, understandably so, but I felt like it slowed down the pacing of the book considerably. This book is already meant to be a methodical look at the pain and healing of these characters, but sometimes it felt too drawn out and made it hard to connect.
The ending scenes with Lanston’s father and Wynn brought tears to my eyes and I’m happy that Lanston finally finds his peace.
"Two phantoms meet on the stage, hands clasped and lips brushing. They dance as if suspended in time, slowly and to a song never known. And for a fraction of a moment, perhaps caught in the wind, their laughter fills every shadow of the world, casting a ray of hope for all the weary souls. And it’s known then, to any who will hear it. A Ballad of Phantoms and Hope."
No book or story, and I truly mean none, have ever impacted me the way this book tore my heart out and shattered it into a million pieces.
This book has truly altered my brain chemistry and my life.
"“I hear you,” I say, reaching my fingers up to trace his cheekbone. “Your cry for life is deafening.”"
Thank you K.M. Moronova for writing such a beautiful and impactful story.
No book or story, and I truly mean none, have ever impacted me the way this book tore my heart out and shattered it into a million pieces.
This book has truly altered my brain chemistry and my life.
"“I hear you,” I say, reaching my fingers up to trace his cheekbone. “Your cry for life is deafening.”"
Thank you K.M. Moronova for writing such a beautiful and impactful story.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-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
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
Beautifully written.
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Did it make sense? ⭐️
Writing style/editing: .75⭐️
Character Development: ⭐️
Would I recommend it? .25⭐️
Interesting? .75⭐️
-.25⭐️ for the repeated use of the phrase “crotch rocket.” That made me want to stop reading every single time I saw it.
Total: 3.5⭐️
-.25⭐️ for the repeated use of the phrase “crotch rocket.” That made me want to stop reading every single time I saw it.
Total: 3.5⭐️
3.5 Stars
This was sad and dreary and somewhat beautiful, but it didn’t hit in the same way as The Fabric of Our Souls. It felt undercooked, a bit rushed, and not super well thought out in terms of how the spirit world worked and its supposed to interact with the living world. A few plot points didn’t make sense either and although I wanted to love this, I didn’t.
It did make me want to read TFOOS again though.
This was sad and dreary and somewhat beautiful, but it didn’t hit in the same way as The Fabric of Our Souls. It felt undercooked, a bit rushed, and not super well thought out in terms of how the spirit world worked and its supposed to interact with the living world. A few plot points didn’t make sense either and although I wanted to love this, I didn’t.
It did make me want to read TFOOS again though.