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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
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
Holy crap I loved this. I had no idea how this book would end, so I spoiled myself halfway through. The spoiling actually made the book infinitely more interesting because I caught all the subtext and sneaky hints Brennan was leaving for us. The premise is beautifully original and written flawlessly. Every character felt well-fleshed out and the constant confusion by those in Eyam when modern speech was introduced was laugh-out-loud *chef’s kiss*. I feel confused and little shortchanged by the ending. The tone shifted dramatically in the final chapter so I’m wondering if I misunderstood the more negative tinges…? One of my favorite books of 2024.
This book feels enjoyable, maybe I will come back to it. The tonal dissonance between the main character and the setting she is in was disruptive for me, but if I didn’t have such a long tbr list (or even just fewer books checked out from the library currently) I’d probably give it more time.
SARAH DROP THE SEQUEL AND MY LIFE IS YOURS.
screaming, crying, and throwing up rn.
Sarah Rees Brennan is the queen of camp, and I'll eat it up every time without fail.
What a fun story that turns so slowly into a serious one, the Cobra and Rahela so blind to their own impact, and Rahela so sick, to sick to remember the details of the setup to her favorite books.
I can't wait to reread this book when the sequel comes out.
screaming, crying, and throwing up rn.
Sarah Rees Brennan is the queen of camp, and I'll eat it up every time without fail.
What a fun story that turns so slowly into a serious one, the Cobra and Rahela so blind to their own impact, and Rahela so sick, to sick to remember the details of the setup to her favorite books.
I can't wait to reread this book when the sequel comes out.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Fun, unique, and campy, but the quirky, rambling writing was not working for me. (Not quite sure why, as I absolutely loved it in In Other Lands.)
Enjoyed the beginning and end, but most of it was a slog to get through for me. But I could totally see this being someone’s favorite book!
Enjoyed the beginning and end, but most of it was a slog to get through for me. But I could totally see this being someone’s favorite book!
I expected to really like this one! And I can’t say that I hated it, but I think the pop culture references were a little over the top and pulled me out. I liked most of the characters, but I think it was a little too casual and quippy for me to truly enjoy
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is high camp. It is a love letter to readers, an exploration (and inversion) of so many classic themes, and ends with a sequence I didn’t see coming. I’m so glad this is the start of a series instead of a standalone.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
Even though the book has a slight pacing problem at the start, when it takes its stride it is fast paced and engrossing. The prose is fluid and, although there are many very funny lines in this story, it also offers surprisingly poignant glimpses into the mind of a desperate cancer patient. The contrast between the apparent silliness of the plot, and the touching reflexions on suffering, anger and love gives it a lot of depth.
One can't help but feel that some of the heartwrenching lines came from the author's own experience with sickness, giving it even more weight.
I laughed a lot, but also cried, and I can't wait to read the next installment
One can't help but feel that some of the heartwrenching lines came from the author's own experience with sickness, giving it even more weight.
I laughed a lot, but also cried, and I can't wait to read the next installment
This was really fun. It's unique—I've only encountered similar concepts, not exactly this one. I'll definitely read whatever follows in the series.
Oh yeah, and: Moira Quirk forever. She's one of my favorite audiobook narrators in the world, and her performance here was stellar, as always.
Oh yeah, and: Moira Quirk forever. She's one of my favorite audiobook narrators in the world, and her performance here was stellar, as always.