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jkneebone's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Book 2 of the Dreamer Trilogy picks up a few weeks after Call Down the Hawk left off. Hennessy and Ronan are on the run with Bryde, fighting against and hiding from the Moderators as they protect other dreamers from being killed, while Bryde tries to teach Ronan and Hennessy how to become more powerful dreamers. Jordan has gone to Boston, where she gets invited to a Boudicca party and learns about sweetmetals - objects that will keep a dream alive even after their dreamer is dead. Declan and Matthew soon leave the Barns to follow her; as Declan and Jordan's relationship deepens, they work towards finding out how to create a sweetmetal. Meanwhile, with much less page time, Carmen and Liliana are becoming disenchanted with the Moderators, as it becomes more and more clear the their approach - killing as many dreamers as possible - will not really stop the end of the world.
Sigh. To be honest, this book was kind of a drag. The short version of why Mister Impossible gets under 3 stars from me is that Maggie Stiefvater is a beautiful writer, and also that - despite Ronan being one of my favorite characters in The Raven Cycle - Ronan's chapters were the most boring parts of this book.
Although I really enjoyed The Raven Cycle, I've always felt unsatisfied with the ending of the series, which made me hesitant to start a new series by Stiefvater. I didn't want to set myself up for the same disappointment, but my curiosity got the best of me. And I really liked Call Down the Hawk, even though a lot of it felt like character introduction and set-up; I was cautiously optimistic about where all that set-up would take us in Mister Impossible. The answer was...nowhere.
I realized partway through listening to Mister Impossible that what annoys me about the plot of TRC is how it ended up feeling like the characters were fighting not against outside forces, but against problems and enemies they themselves had created. Sure, some of their quests had them finding genuine magic, or brought in genuine threats, but ultimately most of it were things they created themselves, which makes it all feel a bit pointless. The reason I realized this is because MI is doing same thing.
I don't know if it's a pacing issue or a stakes issue, but that's how this book read to me. Like, why are Ronan and Hennessy doing all this? "To stop the Moderators from killing all dreamers" should have been a great reason, but instead it felt like they were just caught in their own world or making up their own mission.Which, as it turns out, they - or at least Ronan - kind of were. Ronan and Hennessy should be two of the most interesting characters in this book, but instead they were the most dull - and I don't think it can all be blamed on Bryde being so boring, although he definitely was. I just didn't understand why Ronan and Hennessy decided to follow him, and even moreso why they listened to him? Neither of them gives off the vibes of being an attentive student, but they were willing to let Bryde teach them condescending lessons for weeks without, I don't know, putting bubble gum in his hair? It felt super out of character and also, did I mention, their sections were so dull.
Carmen and Liliana were interesting enough, but barely in the story, especially in the second half. The saving grace were the stories and POVs of Jordan, Declan, and Matthew. I loved all of them getting closer to each other - Jordan serving as a mentor to Matthew was very sweet, and of course the Jordan/Declan relationship was so well done."I'll buy you a social security number, you can wear it instead of a wedding ring" top 10 romance lines in books, as far as I'm concerned. I continue to be deeply impressed that Stiefvater got me to care this much about Declan Lynch, formerly cardboard man, and Jordan's POV continues to be my favorite of the series. All that being said, while I liked the sweetmetal plot and the stuff about art, and especially Jordan trying to create an original piece, it did feel a bit plopped in there because of the author's own interest in it. Like...there are random art pieces that have the ability to wake dreamt creatures. Um...why?
(I'm also a bit confused overall on the world-building around dreamers. We've met a few dreamers in TRC, and obviously they aren't the only ones with the ability, but the number of dreamers/dreams that are implied to exist in MI - especially at the end - is confusing. How would it stay a secret? How would that impact our reality? I feel like much of the plot could have stayed the same without Inviting those questions. I feel like it's also pushing believability that Niall wouldn't have known sweetmetals existed/figured out a way to get one so Aurora would stay awake, although it is believable that he was enough of a jerk not to think about it/care.)
I don't even mind where Stiefvater took Ronan's character in this book; it's that he felt so flat while she was doing it. I could have believed some of the things that happened to him if they'd been presented with more conviction or better explanation.Like, a morally grey arc for Ronan is a good idea! The idea that he's actual a liar and he has to grapple with that is a cool one! I can even see him getting cut off from his family (scary!) but we don't get much about why or how this is happening. Adam expressed his concerns re: Bryde in book 1 and Ronan barely listened; I guess that can be handwaved away by Bryde being his dream, but I needed more reasons in the moment because so much of what he did felt flat and out of character in this installment.
I'm gonna finish out the series because at this point I'm invested (and the audiobook narrator is *really* good) but at this point I'm not optimistic for even half of the plot points being resolved in book 3. We still learned barely anything in this book about Boudicca or Declan having a whole other mother. Even more questions about the Moderators were introduced at the end of this book. I'm not even sure what the main plot or conflict is supposed to be since it kind of feels like Ronan and co. are making it all up? I want to know what happens, but I'm not holding my breath that the plot will be resolved in Greywaren any more than it was at the end of TRC.
A solid YA fantasy for those who have enjoyed previous books in the series and don't mind a slow, slow opening. Some cursing and a bit of violence, but nothing too bad.
Sigh. To be honest, this book was kind of a drag. The short version of why Mister Impossible gets under 3 stars from me is that Maggie Stiefvater is a beautiful writer, and also that - despite Ronan being one of my favorite characters in The Raven Cycle - Ronan's chapters were the most boring parts of this book.
Although I really enjoyed The Raven Cycle, I've always felt unsatisfied with the ending of the series, which made me hesitant to start a new series by Stiefvater. I didn't want to set myself up for the same disappointment, but my curiosity got the best of me. And I really liked Call Down the Hawk, even though a lot of it felt like character introduction and set-up; I was cautiously optimistic about where all that set-up would take us in Mister Impossible. The answer was...nowhere.
I realized partway through listening to Mister Impossible that what annoys me about the plot of TRC is how it ended up feeling like the characters were fighting not against outside forces, but against problems and enemies they themselves had created. Sure, some of their quests had them finding genuine magic, or brought in genuine threats, but ultimately most of it were things they created themselves, which makes it all feel a bit pointless. The reason I realized this is because MI is doing same thing.
I don't know if it's a pacing issue or a stakes issue, but that's how this book read to me. Like, why are Ronan and Hennessy doing all this? "To stop the Moderators from killing all dreamers" should have been a great reason, but instead it felt like they were just caught in their own world or making up their own mission.
Carmen and Liliana were interesting enough, but barely in the story, especially in the second half. The saving grace were the stories and POVs of Jordan, Declan, and Matthew. I loved all of them getting closer to each other - Jordan serving as a mentor to Matthew was very sweet, and of course the Jordan/Declan relationship was so well done.
(I'm also a bit confused overall on the world-building around dreamers. We've met a few dreamers in TRC, and obviously they aren't the only ones with the ability, but the number of dreamers/dreams that are implied to exist in MI - especially at the end - is confusing. How would it stay a secret? How would that impact our reality? I feel like much of the plot could have stayed the same without Inviting those questions. I feel like it's also pushing believability that Niall wouldn't have known sweetmetals existed/figured out a way to get one so Aurora would stay awake, although it is believable that he was enough of a jerk not to think about it/care.)
I don't even mind where Stiefvater took Ronan's character in this book; it's that he felt so flat while she was doing it. I could have believed some of the things that happened to him if they'd been presented with more conviction or better explanation.
I'm gonna finish out the series because at this point I'm invested (and the audiobook narrator is *really* good) but at this point I'm not optimistic for even half of the plot points being resolved in book 3. We still learned barely anything in this book about Boudicca or Declan having a whole other mother. Even more questions about the Moderators were introduced at the end of this book. I'm not even sure what the main plot or conflict is supposed to be since it kind of feels like Ronan and co. are making it all up? I want to know what happens, but I'm not holding my breath that the plot will be resolved in Greywaren any more than it was at the end of TRC.
A solid YA fantasy for those who have enjoyed previous books in the series and don't mind a slow, slow opening. Some cursing and a bit of violence, but nothing too bad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
okevamae's review against another edition
4.0
This was good, although I felt like I was barely hanging onto my understanding of what was happening the whole time.
dmsnnrx's review against another edition
4.0
el inicio es muy meh PERO AAAAA la segunda mitad estuvo muy buena y el ronan medio sonso no puede ser bro cant you stop making bad decisions ffs (declan lynch is for the eldest siblings only fr fr)
jllynn's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chloelai12's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
3.75
calyxconcision's review against another edition
5.0
I thought I knew what this book was about, then after the plot twist, it turned out to be something else. All I have to say is: what the fuck was that? Adam, come get your man, please. Also, did anyone else keep reading sweetmetal as "sweetmeal"?
emilierw238's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
appreciate the person living in boston with ibs who takes too many tums to self medicate representation
this whole book felt like a dream but for obvious reasons and then the deeper you get into it the more it’s like oh shit that’s why
ronan has really never been as dull or annoying to read before this book imo. i get he’s going through stuff but he’s been making dumb decisions for 6 books atp.. u can’t help but root for him but jfc. declan (has ibs) and matthew (silly) were a lot more interesting. jordan is great and hennessy is too and the irish girl (i forget if she’s actually irish) was a lot more likable
the ending was great. so great. it pulled together everything the story had been leading up to so greatly
this whole book felt like a dream but for obvious reasons and then the deeper you get into it the more it’s like oh shit that’s why
ronan has really never been as dull or annoying to read before this book imo. i get he’s going through stuff but he’s been making dumb decisions for 6 books atp.. u can’t help but root for him but jfc. declan (has ibs) and matthew (silly) were a lot more interesting. jordan is great and hennessy is too and the irish girl (i forget if she’s actually irish) was a lot more likable
the ending was great. so great. it pulled together everything the story had been leading up to so greatly
m4rl33n's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
5.0
almandine's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0