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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
3.5 stars!
10 year old me would have LOVED this. It reminded me of the Angels Unlimited series from Annie Dalton that I devoured when I was little. 25 year old me did not really connect with the middle school drama and girl problems. However I loved V's version of a guardian angel. The smoke, the shadow, the feather bracelet. Hope this concept will return in one of her future works. :)
10 year old me would have LOVED this. It reminded me of the Angels Unlimited series from Annie Dalton that I devoured when I was little. 25 year old me did not really connect with the middle school drama and girl problems. However I loved V's version of a guardian angel. The smoke, the shadow, the feather bracelet. Hope this concept will return in one of her future works. :)
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I'm not the target audience for this (it's middle grade) but it was a very sweet and touching trilogy :)
hopeful
lighthearted
I am not the target audience for this book.
And while I realize this, my commitment to reading all of V.E. Schwab's works had me pick it up anyway.
At first, I wasn't sure I liked it. It's an abrupt shift in tone from what I'm used to reading from Schwab, and with it being released so much earlier in her career, I initially had the feeling that maybe instead of writing the book she wanted to write, she wrote what she thought young girls wanted to read, or worse - what a higher-up told her to write. I also wondered if maybe I was just being too critical in my comparison as Everyday Angel is its own entity and deserves to be read for its own sake...
But little by little, it grew on me. And my 12-year-old self really dug Aria Blue.
And then my adult self really started to dig Aria Blue.
And then I read book 3 and felt SEEN for the first time in any of my reading of Schwab's works.
And I started to realize my initial aversion was a Me issue, not a book issue.
And I realized that many of us would feel seen in any of those stories.
And I realized somehow Aria Blue manages to "help" the reader too.
And that helped me understand and appreciate the REAL magic of this book.
And THAT... is actually 100% on brand for V.E. Schwab.
4.5 stars
And while I realize this, my commitment to reading all of V.E. Schwab's works had me pick it up anyway.
At first, I wasn't sure I liked it. It's an abrupt shift in tone from what I'm used to reading from Schwab, and with it being released so much earlier in her career, I initially had the feeling that maybe instead of writing the book she wanted to write, she wrote what she thought young girls wanted to read, or worse - what a higher-up told her to write. I also wondered if maybe I was just being too critical in my comparison as Everyday Angel is its own entity and deserves to be read for its own sake...
But little by little, it grew on me. And my 12-year-old self really dug Aria Blue.
And then my adult self really started to dig Aria Blue.
And then I read book 3 and felt SEEN for the first time in any of my reading of Schwab's works.
And I started to realize my initial aversion was a Me issue, not a book issue.
And I realized that many of us would feel seen in any of those stories.
And I realized somehow Aria Blue manages to "help" the reader too.
And that helped me understand and appreciate the REAL magic of this book.
And THAT... is actually 100% on brand for V.E. Schwab.
4.5 stars
This is an older middle grade series from my beloved V.E. Schwab.
Obviously I am not the target audience for these stories but nevertheless I found them very sweet, heartwarming and enjoyable.
It is perfect for those looking for whimsical, heartwarming stories about the power of friendship, and family, with a dash of magic and adventure .
Obviously I am not the target audience for these stories but nevertheless I found them very sweet, heartwarming and enjoyable.
It is perfect for those looking for whimsical, heartwarming stories about the power of friendship, and family, with a dash of magic and adventure .
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Medical content, Grief
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No