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4.33 AVERAGE
4.33 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Talk about a hidden gem. I ordered this book last year from the author in exchange for a review. Why did I wait so long to review it, you ask? I'm basically the moodiest of readers. I am honestly mad at myself for waiting this long.
This book is a work of art. It centers around three people who keep running into each other and living semi-parallel lives. It is NOT a Why Choose, but it questions the importance of love and family and how the two can come about amongst a group of people.
Jav was my favorite character. His story resonated with me because I came into who I was and who I am comfortable with as an adult. Will I sob the whole time I read Trueblood Cay in the near future? Probably, but it will be worth it, I'm sure. Will I also read the remaining books in the Venery series? You betcha (and I'm definitely not going to wait so long to do it). Alex and Val were still great characters, but Trelawney took the cake on the Lark siblings. "Jav. Fetch" made me laugh so hard.
So, definitely go read this book. It is very much an emotional ride but it is relatable. And I promise you, you won't regret it.
This book is a work of art. It centers around three people who keep running into each other and living semi-parallel lives. It is NOT a Why Choose, but it questions the importance of love and family and how the two can come about amongst a group of people.
Jav was my favorite character. His story resonated with me because I came into who I was and who I am comfortable with as an adult. Will I sob the whole time I read Trueblood Cay in the near future? Probably, but it will be worth it, I'm sure. Will I also read the remaining books in the Venery series? You betcha (and I'm definitely not going to wait so long to do it). Alex and Val were still great characters, but Trelawney took the cake on the Lark siblings. "Jav. Fetch" made me laugh so hard.
So, definitely go read this book. It is very much an emotional ride but it is relatable. And I promise you, you won't regret it.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Death of parent, Abandonment, War
Moderate: Incest, Grief
Minor: Suicide attempt
4.5 stars
This book is like a telenovela and a fictional literary novel had a baby who also happened to be the cousin of the wife's ex-lover's nephew. Or something. But hell I could not put this book down!
This book goes from fictional depictions of tragic real life events in America and Chile, to missed love connections, to surprise reunions, and there's even some LGBT twists thrown in for a lot of added spice. It's over the top and yet realistic at the same time and I clearly enjoyed it all. Hopefully you will too if you pick this up, which I recommend doing so.
This book is like a telenovela and a fictional literary novel had a baby who also happened to be the cousin of the wife's ex-lover's nephew. Or something. But hell I could not put this book down!
This book goes from fictional depictions of tragic real life events in America and Chile, to missed love connections, to surprise reunions, and there's even some LGBT twists thrown in for a lot of added spice. It's over the top and yet realistic at the same time and I clearly enjoyed it all. Hopefully you will too if you pick this up, which I recommend doing so.
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-paced
Unputdownable. Loved the characters. Javier and Alex had so much happen to them in their lives, you just want to cuddle them both.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Violence, Death of parent
I've been mildly sleep-deprived for the past three days because I kept staying up at night to read just a little bit more, or because I set this book down, turned out the lights, and then found myself still haunted by these characters and this emotive writing style.
Yes, there's quite a bit more sex in this book than I generally like. Yes, some lines come off a bit weird: too poignant, verging on contrived. And yes, the plot definitely strays into soap opera territory, shrugs, and builds a home there. Particularly.
Still, I can't deny that I found this a compelling read... even if it is kind of unsatisfactory in its resolution. (I'm not used to this much queer yearning not paying off, though I guess that's what the second book is for.)
Yes, there's quite a bit more sex in this book than I generally like. Yes, some lines come off a bit weird: too poignant, verging on contrived. And yes, the plot definitely strays into soap opera territory, shrugs, and builds a home there. Particularly
Spoiler
Ari and Deane turning out to be cousins - which, by the way, squicked me out, especially when they then knowingly continue their relationshipStill, I can't deny that I found this a compelling read... even if it is kind of unsatisfactory in its resolution. (I'm not used to this much queer yearning not paying off, though I guess that's what the second book is for.)
The is a deep, gut-wrenching tale of love and all that it means. Family you're born with, family you make, lust, companionship, learning to expect nothing in return, and the deep burning gashes of a love swept away.
"The people who should've kept you safe put you in danger. The ones who should've known and loved you threw you away. I don't understand how because you're so good."
I was shocked at the level of depth put into the characters and their feelings. They felt like real people with profound moments and vulnerabilities. I nearly cried my eyes out and wanted desperately to hug Alex and Javi. Or as I call them my sad boys.
After reading the first part I was red eyed and in desperate need of more Kleenex. But as the book progressed and I felt the plot (much like life) reach a stagnant rhythm by comparison. A big part of it was that I very much fell in love with Javi. A tormented, lonely Adonis of a Latino lost in a haze of darkness and sex. Unfortunately for me this book was about more than Javi. And we journey with other characters like Val as they find happiness. Because I was so invested in Javi that it made it hard to care about other characters like Deanne and Val, who were basically average American girls with no dire problems unlike the tortured soul of my Latino Adonis Javi. By the end of this book I was nothing put a pile of scab wounds longing for Javi's happiness which seemed forever out of reach. I give this book top marks for making me cry and feel so very much, but I will forever hold qualms and frustration over the long years of loneliness of my #1 sad boy, Javi.
"The people who should've kept you safe put you in danger. The ones who should've known and loved you threw you away. I don't understand how because you're so good."
I was shocked at the level of depth put into the characters and their feelings. They felt like real people with profound moments and vulnerabilities. I nearly cried my eyes out and wanted desperately to hug Alex and Javi. Or as I call them my sad boys.
After reading the first part I was red eyed and in desperate need of more Kleenex. But as the book progressed and I felt the plot (much like life) reach a stagnant rhythm by comparison. A big part of it was that I very much fell in love with Javi. A tormented, lonely Adonis of a Latino lost in a haze of darkness and sex. Unfortunately for me this book was about more than Javi. And we journey with other characters like Val as they find happiness. Because I was so invested in Javi that it made it hard to care about other characters like Deanne and Val, who were basically average American girls with no dire problems unlike the tortured soul of my Latino Adonis Javi. By the end of this book I was nothing put a pile of scab wounds longing for Javi's happiness which seemed forever out of reach. I give this book top marks for making me cry and feel so very much, but I will forever hold qualms and frustration over the long years of loneliness of my #1 sad boy, Javi.
**** UPDATED*****
It's a year later and I'm updating this book again. I usually read a book and move on, able to shelf the characters and stories and journey through the next one. This book is difgerent its stayed with me all this time, a fresh bruise on my heart that wasn't going away and panged every time I touched it. I hurt and I wasn't able to fully appreciate the journey these wonderful characters took me on. I finished book 2 in this series and I can now fully say I loved this book. Everything that broke in me is now repaired and I am in COMPLETE AWE of this author. These characters. These stories. All the stars. All of them. Take them, Suanne, because you deserve all of them and more.
**** end update***
almost two months later and I'm still going back and forth on this book. There were aspects I loved. things that had my heart racing, breaking, and rejoicing. and there were parts I didn't like as much. the writing was phenemonal. the characters... the author crafted them with such craft and skill. the plot and pacing were amazing. there were parts of it that.... that I wasn't as in love with. and honestly, I can't remember the last time I finished a book and felt so depressed. like straight up wanting to curl up in a ball and never come out. the author is clearly skilled beyond compare.
It's a year later and I'm updating this book again. I usually read a book and move on, able to shelf the characters and stories and journey through the next one. This book is difgerent its stayed with me all this time, a fresh bruise on my heart that wasn't going away and panged every time I touched it. I hurt and I wasn't able to fully appreciate the journey these wonderful characters took me on. I finished book 2 in this series and I can now fully say I loved this book. Everything that broke in me is now repaired and I am in COMPLETE AWE of this author. These characters. These stories. All the stars. All of them. Take them, Suanne, because you deserve all of them and more.
**** end update***
almost two months later and I'm still going back and forth on this book. There were aspects I loved. things that had my heart racing, breaking, and rejoicing. and there were parts I didn't like as much. the writing was phenemonal. the characters... the author crafted them with such craft and skill. the plot and pacing were amazing. there were parts of it that.... that I wasn't as in love with. and honestly, I can't remember the last time I finished a book and felt so depressed. like straight up wanting to curl up in a ball and never come out. the author is clearly skilled beyond compare.
Read this a while back in my MF days and just saw I hadn't marked it as read.
Amazing book... nothing more to say. ❤
Amazing book... nothing more to say. ❤
I finish this book this morning at 4:53 am because I couldn't go to bed without finishing it then I been trying to write a review for it but I haven't found the right words to describe everything this book made me feel and honestly I suck at reviews but let me say that Suanne's ability of transport you inside a character is outstanding I love that I get to feel, live, suffer, grow and love with them. I don't know about you but when I was growing up I always wish I could get inside the people's minds and know what were they thinking well that's what Suanne does with her stories and characters and I mean every character. I know when I open a Suanne Laqueur book I going on an amazing journey and that's exactly what a got with An Exaltation of Larks.