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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really hope there is a sequel for this book, because I'm not ready to let Pity go!
I really enjoyed the world Lyndsay built - and I think there's so much more that Pity could explore and become part of.
I really enjoyed the world Lyndsay built - and I think there's so much more that Pity could explore and become part of.
I definitely am lacking in the Western genre, so when I saw that this was a sci-fi Western YA book, with a Calamity Jane feel, I was down to try it out.
This is an interesting dystopia. What happened isn't truly explained, but it is enough that it felt mysterious to me, yet I still felt I had a decent grasp of it. I liked the setting and feeling of this book. There is that desert then the lawless sector and then the theatre... there was a lot.
I liked the characters as well. This is one of those cases where the main character does seem whiny and over reacts at times, but it wasn't too much for me and when it was, I understood it. Sometimes we expect characters to be natural killers and this isn't the case, Pity doesn't like killing, so it is an adjustment to read, but I liked it. I just felt that sometimes she was a little stupid. The side characters did seem to just revolve around Pity, but I still liked them.
The romance... kinda meh, if I'm being honest. I wasn't totally sold on it, but it also wasn't really insta-love, so that is a plus.
The unique thing about this book is the theater aspect, which made me think more Annie Oakley than Calamity Jane. It was fun though and the 'Finale' aspect too was quite different. I wish it was more prominent in the book since it is just so unique, but there are not many times we read about the show Pity puts on. The Finale... I still have mixed feelings about it and wondering how people are okay with it and Selene's rule, buuuuuttt oh well.
This is a standalone, but I keep thinking there is a sequel to it and even the author says it is a possibility. So, keep that in mind, it is a more open ending. I'm not sure how I feel about it as a standalone, to be honest.
I will recommend this one to people, I think it is a interesting look at the Western genre and quite entertaining.
This is an interesting dystopia. What happened isn't truly explained, but it is enough that it felt mysterious to me, yet I still felt I had a decent grasp of it. I liked the setting and feeling of this book. There is that desert then the lawless sector and then the theatre... there was a lot.
I liked the characters as well. This is one of those cases where the main character does seem whiny and over reacts at times, but it wasn't too much for me and when it was, I understood it. Sometimes we expect characters to be natural killers and this isn't the case, Pity doesn't like killing, so it is an adjustment to read, but I liked it. I just felt that sometimes she was a little stupid. The side characters did seem to just revolve around Pity, but I still liked them.
The romance... kinda meh, if I'm being honest. I wasn't totally sold on it, but it also wasn't really insta-love, so that is a plus.
The unique thing about this book is the theater aspect, which made me think more Annie Oakley than Calamity Jane. It was fun though and the 'Finale' aspect too was quite different. I wish it was more prominent in the book since it is just so unique, but there are not many times we read about the show Pity puts on. The Finale... I still have mixed feelings about it and wondering how people are okay with it and Selene's rule, buuuuuttt oh well.
This is a standalone, but I keep thinking there is a sequel to it and even the author says it is a possibility. So, keep that in mind, it is a more open ending. I'm not sure how I feel about it as a standalone, to be honest.
I will recommend this one to people, I think it is a interesting look at the Western genre and quite entertaining.
Forgive me Father for I am about to smack a debut novel in the face yet again.
Gunslinger Girl begins with Serendipity "Pity" running from her home commune after her father sells her off due to her being a fertile female. After getting attacked and losing her best friend, Pity gets the chance of a lifetime in Cessation, a city known for lawlessness. Pity inherited her perfect aim and skill for shooting from her mysterious and long dead mother and she'll need all her talents to keep her place and make a life for herself.
Ughhhhh miss me with this mess, please. First off this takes place in a futuristic dystopian that has turned into the wild west. Does any of that matter? Not a goddamn bit. Minus some technology that is PURELY for convenience: cars, electronic door locks, fancy drugs, easy birth control; this is just a wild west setting (minus the wild) with extra politics and the same gross sexism that no one liked the first time. Even worse? There is talk and brief scenes in the beginning of outside the city walls where it gets wild but we never really get to see it. Sorry we don't do adventures here- this is all about the shows!!! Caraval found dead in a ditch.
This entire book takes place in a theater and it is not an epic futuristic wild west adventure. It isn't any adventure. This is a romance. Worse yet, this is a YA romance that just has every YA trope known to humanity. Unlucky for me I didn't know any of this going in but lucky for you, I'm saying it now. If you happen to like super generic YA dystopians that are really just a background setting for a basic angst filled romance, this book is for you. I just found it hilarious how generic it was, so sorry. It's like the author (with James Patterson probably creepily mouth breathing down her neck), googled all the popular YA tropes from 5 years ago and made sure to hit them all.
I unfortunately do not that kind of book anymore and this one takes what could have been an interesting setting but just turns into a million pages of reading about what outfits Pity is wearing for her shows (EVERYONE HAS A GUN THIS IS THE WILD WEST WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE COME OUT TO SEE HER SHOOT???), get swoony with her bae, get drunk and cry about it, and then just be "strong" because she can shoot guns but like, not actually strong. She's a pawn to everyone else and tries and fails to be like every other YA heroine ever. Having a "badass" talent doesn't equal having a personality or any other strength. Also her story ends up being based entirely around her love interest fyi.
Also it's so weird when the second Pity shows up in the city, the people who saved her instantly take her in and give her an entire show based around the weirdly specific talent she has?? Y'all already had an opening for "teenage girl wears sparkly outfits and shoots guns"?? She doesn't have to struggle in this so called lawless city to make her own way, everything is pretty much handed to her. Seriously even random backstory about her mother is just handed to her out of nowhere by some character who was seen twice. Thanks I guess??
Not the book for me by a longshot (heh). Also, I love how James Patterson really has to put his name all on the cover too, just in case we forget that he is gracing us with his "talent" and blessing debut authors (who all have been women so far, wow thanks Jimmy).
Gunslinger Girl begins with Serendipity "Pity" running from her home commune after her father sells her off due to her being a fertile female. After getting attacked and losing her best friend, Pity gets the chance of a lifetime in Cessation, a city known for lawlessness. Pity inherited her perfect aim and skill for shooting from her mysterious and long dead mother and she'll need all her talents to keep her place and make a life for herself.
Ughhhhh miss me with this mess, please. First off this takes place in a futuristic dystopian that has turned into the wild west. Does any of that matter? Not a goddamn bit. Minus some technology that is PURELY for convenience: cars, electronic door locks, fancy drugs, easy birth control; this is just a wild west setting (minus the wild) with extra politics and the same gross sexism that no one liked the first time. Even worse? There is talk and brief scenes in the beginning of outside the city walls where it gets wild but we never really get to see it. Sorry we don't do adventures here- this is all about the shows!!! Caraval found dead in a ditch.
This entire book takes place in a theater and it is not an epic futuristic wild west adventure. It isn't any adventure. This is a romance. Worse yet, this is a YA romance that just has every YA trope known to humanity. Unlucky for me I didn't know any of this going in but lucky for you, I'm saying it now. If you happen to like super generic YA dystopians that are really just a background setting for a basic angst filled romance, this book is for you. I just found it hilarious how generic it was, so sorry. It's like the author (with James Patterson probably creepily mouth breathing down her neck), googled all the popular YA tropes from 5 years ago and made sure to hit them all.
I unfortunately do not that kind of book anymore and this one takes what could have been an interesting setting but just turns into a million pages of reading about what outfits Pity is wearing for her shows (EVERYONE HAS A GUN THIS IS THE WILD WEST WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE COME OUT TO SEE HER SHOOT???), get swoony with her bae, get drunk and cry about it, and then just be "strong" because she can shoot guns but like, not actually strong. She's a pawn to everyone else and tries and fails to be like every other YA heroine ever. Having a "badass" talent doesn't equal having a personality or any other strength. Also her story ends up being based entirely around her love interest fyi.
Also it's so weird when the second Pity shows up in the city, the people who saved her instantly take her in and give her an entire show based around the weirdly specific talent she has?? Y'all already had an opening for "teenage girl wears sparkly outfits and shoots guns"?? She doesn't have to struggle in this so called lawless city to make her own way, everything is pretty much handed to her. Seriously even random backstory about her mother is just handed to her out of nowhere by some character who was seen twice. Thanks I guess??
Not the book for me by a longshot (heh). Also, I love how James Patterson really has to put his name all on the cover too, just in case we forget that he is gracing us with his "talent" and blessing debut authors (who all have been women so far, wow thanks Jimmy).
There are not enough stars to give!!! I would give this book easily 10/10, it kept me interested the whole way through!
This was my first "western" style book of any sort. I wasn't really sure what to expect as I hate western movies/tv. I feel it's redundant and repetitive. This book though!!! I loved everything about it.
Serendipity Jones was a strong willed main character. She did not play the damsal in distress trope at all and this was honestly my favorite part. She was strong willed, stubborn, and very opinionated.
Max, I don't even know where to begin. The character description was very realistic and likable. Instantly I liked his character and everything he stood for. He was also a bit stubborn, but also very kind hearted.
The premise of the theater was new and unexplored. (Never read a book similar other then Caraval but even that was not like this) The whole world had me intrigued and wanting more. Cessation is a place most people dream of, where on can be themselves without any form of judgement. They can work and play all while enjoying themselves.
The romance was very expected but the beginning was frustrating. Max pissed me off. You could tell he liked "pity" but he shyed away. I couldn't help but yell at him, grow a pair and man up Max. Then when he did oh my God I was/am over the moon.
The conflict in this book is so realistic it blew my mind. Many people experience what happens in the book, but a lot of people turn a blind eye and act like nothing is happening. It had some very political aspects to it which was new for me and very entertaining.
I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. Although I went into this book knowing as little as possible as well. That way I had no expectations that needed to be upheld.
Praying for a sequel!
This was my first "western" style book of any sort. I wasn't really sure what to expect as I hate western movies/tv. I feel it's redundant and repetitive. This book though!!! I loved everything about it.
Serendipity Jones was a strong willed main character. She did not play the damsal in distress trope at all and this was honestly my favorite part. She was strong willed, stubborn, and very opinionated.
Max, I don't even know where to begin. The character description was very realistic and likable. Instantly I liked his character and everything he stood for. He was also a bit stubborn, but also very kind hearted.
The premise of the theater was new and unexplored. (Never read a book similar other then Caraval but even that was not like this) The whole world had me intrigued and wanting more. Cessation is a place most people dream of, where on can be themselves without any form of judgement. They can work and play all while enjoying themselves.
The romance was very expected but the beginning was frustrating. Max pissed me off. You could tell he liked "pity" but he shyed away. I couldn't help but yell at him, grow a pair and man up Max. Then when he did oh my God I was/am over the moon.
The conflict in this book is so realistic it blew my mind. Many people experience what happens in the book, but a lot of people turn a blind eye and act like nothing is happening. It had some very political aspects to it which was new for me and very entertaining.
I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. Although I went into this book knowing as little as possible as well. That way I had no expectations that needed to be upheld.
Praying for a sequel!
slow-paced
I'm confused on which genre this book falls into. Is it dystopian? A western? Something else. The setting was all over the place and for me, harmed the overall story. I was expecting a wild western adventure story but wasn't anywhere near that. It was a romance and a very bad cheesy romance at that. Every YA trope was written into the story. I couldn't wait to be done with the book and move on. Hopefully my next read is better.
I have no idea how to even describe this book. I can only say this is the best worst book I have ever read!
Again, don't ask me why, it just felt like I was reading two books.
Would I ever read anything else by this author. Yes, because the ride of this book wouldn't let me get off. I was picking on everything in this book. My husband was laughing because I would complain about this book, then resume reading it.
I could not put it down. But I couldn't stand it. But I loved it.
Just don't ask.
Read it for yourself to make your own conclusion.
Again, don't ask me why, it just felt like I was reading two books.
Would I ever read anything else by this author. Yes, because the ride of this book wouldn't let me get off. I was picking on everything in this book. My husband was laughing because I would complain about this book, then resume reading it.
I could not put it down. But I couldn't stand it. But I loved it.
Just don't ask.
Read it for yourself to make your own conclusion.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5 stars
I will preface this by saying I picked this book up as part of a challenge and it therefore isn't what I would consider to be in my preferred genre.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job. The book is from the FMC POV. I would say this book was a mix of western meets dystopian with some macabre circus vibes thrown in. That being said the author did well to mesh these together in such a way that felt believable and enjoyable to read. The book is quite fast paced with a good amount of action.
The plot was interesting. It mainly follows the FMC who is on a journey of escape to freedom which turns into one of self-discovery. The dystopian/western world gave me Wild Wild West with a dash of Caraval vibes. I thought that the world building was done well and that there was a good amount of character development. Though it was mainly for the FMC and MMC. This is a standalone and whilst the ending gave me a satisfying conclusion it also left it open for the possibility of more.
I will preface this by saying I picked this book up as part of a challenge and it therefore isn't what I would consider to be in my preferred genre.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job. The book is from the FMC POV. I would say this book was a mix of western meets dystopian with some macabre circus vibes thrown in. That being said the author did well to mesh these together in such a way that felt believable and enjoyable to read. The book is quite fast paced with a good amount of action.
The plot was interesting. It mainly follows the FMC who is on a journey of escape to freedom which turns into one of self-discovery. The dystopian/western world gave me Wild Wild West with a dash of Caraval vibes. I thought that the world building was done well and that there was a good amount of character development. Though it was mainly for the FMC and MMC. This is a standalone and whilst the ending gave me a satisfying conclusion it also left it open for the possibility of more.
This book was just fine. Fine. Nothing special, not terrible, just fine. The western turned dystopian future world (or something, honestly I wasn’t quite sure what it was) was confusing and I had expected more of the western setting.
Pity is a very strange nickname when she has a perfectly lovely first name of Serendipity. She is nothing special and not as badass as I was lead to believe. The relationship between her and Max was lame and they had very little chemistry. Max was even a bit of a baby as a character as well.
Honestly I would have preferred a book about her mother and the bounty hunter. This one was just...fine.
Pity is a very strange nickname when she has a perfectly lovely first name of Serendipity. She is nothing special and not as badass as I was lead to believe. The relationship between her and Max was lame and they had very little chemistry. Max was even a bit of a baby as a character as well.
Honestly I would have preferred a book about her mother and the bounty hunter. This one was just...fine.