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3.17 AVERAGE
3.17 AVERAGE
Here's a short list of why this book was an utter flop for me, watch out for spoilers etc.:
- The misogyny:: Main character River hates every girl who isn't her or Summer or Thalia Grace. There is so much girl on girl hate in this one, it's absolutely ugly. You could say it's because River is meant to be unlikable but since it's never resolved that doesn't cut it for me.
- The racism:: The only character of colour in this book is Niral, who's South East Asian and also portrayed as a major mean girl and bully. Thanks a lot. Furthermore an Eastern European character gets called a g*ps* by River. Thanks. A. Lot.
- The homo/biphobia: Sexuality is used as a major shocking plot twist around the 70% mark. Two boys' relationship is described as "disgusting" not only by the mother of one of them but also River herself. And of course it ends in absolute tragedy. I'll pass.
"The Graces" could be a guide on how not to write queer, PoC or female characters. Yes, the story itself is deliciously dark, twisted and draws you right into the Grace family's magic. But you can miss me with this book because it's 2017 and we need to stop excusing homophobia, racism and sexism with but, the story was good.
- The misogyny:: Main character River hates every girl who isn't her or Summer or Thalia Grace. There is so much girl on girl hate in this one, it's absolutely ugly. You could say it's because River is meant to be unlikable but since it's never resolved that doesn't cut it for me.
- The racism:: The only character of colour in this book is Niral, who's South East Asian and also portrayed as a major mean girl and bully. Thanks a lot. Furthermore an Eastern European character gets called a g*ps* by River. Thanks. A. Lot.
- The homo/biphobia: Sexuality is used as a major shocking plot twist around the 70% mark. Two boys' relationship is described as "disgusting" not only by the mother of one of them but also River herself. And of course it ends in absolute tragedy. I'll pass.
"The Graces" could be a guide on how not to write queer, PoC or female characters. Yes, the story itself is deliciously dark, twisted and draws you right into the Grace family's magic. But you can miss me with this book because it's 2017 and we need to stop excusing homophobia, racism and sexism with but, the story was good.
This book felt like the younger end of young adult and had an almost Twilight feel to it. The writing felt pretty immature and badly done in places e.g the author would slide to things that had happened in the past, but wouldn't tell the reader anything about it, in order to try and build suspense. It was not suspenseful. Also, none of the characters were particularly all that likeable.
‘’I remember I felt intoxicated on life and darkness. I felt powerful. It was the most natural thing in the world. This was why we were alive– to be powerful and free.”
River Page is the new girl at school. She slowly gets obsessed and wrapped around the world of the mysterious, magical family Grace.
The protagonist is very interesting, selfish, calculating and desperately wants to be liked by the Graces. Maybe because I read it in Dutch but the story felt kind of cliché. But even then I really like this book. The writer manages to set a very magical atmosphere in the book. It has short chapters so it's a very easy, intriguing read.
River Page is the new girl at school. She slowly gets obsessed and wrapped around the world of the mysterious, magical family Grace.
The protagonist is very interesting, selfish, calculating and desperately wants to be liked by the Graces. Maybe because I read it in Dutch but the story felt kind of cliché. But even then I really like this book. The writer manages to set a very magical atmosphere in the book. It has short chapters so it's a very easy, intriguing read.
Je n'ai pas été convaincu par ce roman que je trouve bien trop tiré par les cheveux. Le personnage principale ne m'a vraiment conquise ce qui m'a empêché d'apprécié réellement la suite de la lecture.
This has got very mixed reviews, but I actually enjoyed it! I can totally understand where River is coming from - she is a bit extreme, granted, but I think we've all had that insatiable desire to be in the "in crowd" and would do absolutely anything to get in there, so her characters resonates with me a lot... looking forward to the second part!
Well this is a like Twilight/Beautiful Creatures but Beautiful Creatures was okay, but The Graces gave off serious Edward Cullen vibes. No thank you, no thank you, no thank you! Stupid girl falls in love with mysterious boy does stupid things to get his attention, boy tells girl to stop seeing him. She continues to see him regardless. Yep that's fucking Twilight oh and they have the whole being introduced to the family thing reminded me so much of Beautiful Creatures.
I hate read this once I noticed the similar it was to Twilight the synopsis is very misleading and hey there was potential and I only really read this because Samantha Shannon praised it, and well it has a pretty cover. I will be avoiding the next book.
A summery for The Graces:
Everyone said the Graces were witches.
They moved through the corridors like sleek fish, ripples in their wake. Stares followed their backs and their hair.
They had friends, but they were just distractions. They were waiting for someone different.
All I had to do was show them that person was me.
Like everyone else in her town, River is obsessed with the Graces, attracted by their glamour and apparent ability to weave magic. But are they really what they seem? And are they more dangerous than they let on?
I hate read this once I noticed the similar it was to Twilight the synopsis is very misleading and hey there was potential and I only really read this because Samantha Shannon praised it, and well it has a pretty cover. I will be avoiding the next book.
A summery for The Graces:
Everyone said the Graces were witches.
They moved through the corridors like sleek fish, ripples in their wake. Stares followed their backs and their hair.
They had friends, but they were just distractions. They were waiting for someone different.
All I had to do was show them that person was me.
Like everyone else in her town, River is obsessed with the Graces, attracted by their glamour and apparent ability to weave magic. But are they really what they seem? And are they more dangerous than they let on?
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2016/09/2016-book-157.html
This is one of those books with a plot that sounds like a cliche--a girl moves to a new town, where she becomes intrigued by a trio of mysterious, beautiful, popular siblings, and wants to be part of their inner circle. Yeah yeah, it's been done before. BUT these siblings are maybe witches? Which actually still sounds like a cliche, I guess. It's all super silly, lots of descriptions of flowing skirts and knee high boots and golden boys, but things eventually devolve into overwrought melodrama, and the main character is terminally stupid. I think I'm past the stage where I commiserate with teen girls who want to be part of the school ruling class. Like, get over yourself, get some magic powers, and get off the pot, you know? Learn a life lesson from The Craft. Find a hobby. (I think this is aiming for a Twilight-y audience: the main character is never described, not even her hair color until she gets a makeover, so impressionable young girls can better imagine themselves hanging out with magical beautiful teens.) I did kind of like the ending but this book is VERY ridiculous. B.
This is one of those books with a plot that sounds like a cliche--a girl moves to a new town, where she becomes intrigued by a trio of mysterious, beautiful, popular siblings, and wants to be part of their inner circle. Yeah yeah, it's been done before. BUT these siblings are maybe witches? Which actually still sounds like a cliche, I guess. It's all super silly, lots of descriptions of flowing skirts and knee high boots and golden boys, but things eventually devolve into overwrought melodrama, and the main character is terminally stupid. I think I'm past the stage where I commiserate with teen girls who want to be part of the school ruling class. Like, get over yourself, get some magic powers, and get off the pot, you know? Learn a life lesson from The Craft. Find a hobby. (I think this is aiming for a Twilight-y audience: the main character is never described, not even her hair color until she gets a makeover, so impressionable young girls can better imagine themselves hanging out with magical beautiful teens.) I did kind of like the ending but this book is VERY ridiculous. B.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes