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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
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:
No
(Book club read)
As someone who was in hospitality for many years, I really enjoyed the observations about customer service, hotel work, luxury and class in this. My favorite passages were those about how staff works together and makes a place run, the satisfying knowlegde that you’re part of this huge enterprise and you’re helping to make it run smoothly; I know that feeling and found that Stiefvater captured it well. The Avallon itself was a rich and vivid setting, really quite beautiful & its GM stole my heart within just a few pages.
As someone who was in hospitality for many years, I really enjoyed the observations about customer service, hotel work, luxury and class in this. My favorite passages were those about how staff works together and makes a place run, the satisfying knowlegde that you’re part of this huge enterprise and you’re helping to make it run smoothly; I know that feeling and found that Stiefvater captured it well. The Avallon itself was a rich and vivid setting, really quite beautiful & its GM stole my heart within just a few pages.
However, although I found the first two parts of this to be very pleasantly paced, the second two had some issues. I felt that Stiefvater completely loses momentum about halfway through the book and just doesn’t find it again until the last 30 pages (which, to be fair, were good!)
I found the writing over the top here and there when Stiefvater’s YA fantasy background shows through (I’m aware this is very much a matter of taste). There’s too many line breaks for my preference and a few clumsy metaphors that could have been cut - but I’m picky, and overall, I did find the tone of this enjoyable.
This was a treat to read. Maggie's writing style feels like home to me. The genre blend and dash of romance and magic is absolutely perfect. A fascinating period of history and a niche focus that I learned a lot from. Stunning adult debut!!
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the writing was as usual stunning and so whimsical, the vibes were great and i love the way magic feels in stiefvater's worlds, here writing truly transports you into her world. the plot was less so this time but that maybe had more to do with the fact i don't love books set in WW2, and i don't read a lot of historical fiction.
Pre-reading thoughts: new maggie stiefvater new maggie stiefvater new maggie stiefvater!!!
Initial thoughts: Full review may be coming later but let me just say that Maggie Stiefvater has truly outdone herself this time. It was truly perfect to read this after rereading The Raven Cycle (more rereads planned for this year hehe), it's something very different but also clearly Maggie. Studying Pearl Harbor finally came in handy, I didn't know about this particular little piece of history and it was so cool to see it come to life.
Initial thoughts: Full review may be coming later but let me just say that Maggie Stiefvater has truly outdone herself this time. It was truly perfect to read this after rereading The Raven Cycle (more rereads planned for this year hehe), it's something very different but also clearly Maggie. Studying Pearl Harbor finally came in handy, I didn't know about this particular little piece of history and it was so cool to see it come to life.
as always, i adore maggie stiefvater's settings and writing style. loved that this book was historic with a touch of magic, but feels so vivid and real. the characters were great, and the story was interesting. really really loved this, five stars for the vibe and how much i enjoyed it.
Maggie Stiefvater, you will always be beloved by me.
The way I fell in love with her writing 13 years ago, and she still hasn't disappointed me yet. Is this her best book? I don't think so. Do I absolutely adore her writing her first book for adults and do I hope we'll get more? Definitely. And the fact that this, with its focus on WWII and social commentary, is directly in line with my fascination with world wars in media lately because of *vaguely gestures to the state of the world*? Bless. Stiefvater's magic in combination with historical fiction was exactly what I needed.
The way I fell in love with her writing 13 years ago, and she still hasn't disappointed me yet. Is this her best book? I don't think so. Do I absolutely adore her writing her first book for adults and do I hope we'll get more? Definitely. And the fact that this, with its focus on WWII and social commentary, is directly in line with my fascination with world wars in media lately because of *vaguely gestures to the state of the world*? Bless. Stiefvater's magic in combination with historical fiction was exactly what I needed.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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