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betwixt_the_pages's review against another edition
5.0
Rating: 5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: frighteningly realistic glimpse into human trafficking....with a dystopian twist; this book HURT to read, and I can't wait to pick up the next one!; these characters will crawl under your skin and stay forever; gorgeous purple, poetic prose
I cannot, cannot, CANNOT believe that I own the second book in this series, and have yet to actually read it. Emily Shore, I AM SO SO SORRY about that! This book....this SERIES....promises to be the absolute death of my poor Penguin heart, and I am looooooooving it for that so hard!
These characters will crawl between the spaces of your ribs and live there for the rest of eternity. They are vibrant, they are haunting, they will cling and claw and keep themselves with you. I guarantee, if you pick this gorgeous book up, you will walk away a changed reader--it is THAT stunning. It is THAT powerful. It is THAT poignant. There are, absolutely, some difficult topics handled in these pages--so please, PLEASE, if you are easily triggered, take care while reading.
The prose is absolutely stunning. Emily Shore knows how to pen a lyrical, poetic story--and make it reverberate with her readers. There is a magic to these pages, that keep you enthralled, that keep you guessing, that keep you HURTING until the very end. If you don't believe me....reread those quotes, and tell me those don't strike a haunting note with something in your soul! This entire read is just breathtaking, and I am more than positive book two will be equally as beautiful.
I was thoroughly enthralled with Emily Shore's dystopian nightmare, and cannot wait to dive back into this world to see where our characters lead us. There is a magical, ethereal poignancy to the pages--I raced through this just to see how it ended, and was not disappointed. Flip the first page of The Aviary, Penguins...and stick around. You're bound to be just as stuck with the phantoms of this world and these characters as I am.
Quick Reasons: frighteningly realistic glimpse into human trafficking....with a dystopian twist; this book HURT to read, and I can't wait to pick up the next one!; these characters will crawl under your skin and stay forever; gorgeous purple, poetic prose
Melancholia etched in her gray eyes, with their fog of secrets. She doesn’t have the same fierceness as I do, but every once in a while, I catch warships passing through her irises. Like she’s still fighting some unknown demon.
I cannot, cannot, CANNOT believe that I own the second book in this series, and have yet to actually read it. Emily Shore, I AM SO SO SORRY about that! This book....this SERIES....promises to be the absolute death of my poor Penguin heart, and I am looooooooving it for that so hard!
These characters will crawl between the spaces of your ribs and live there for the rest of eternity. They are vibrant, they are haunting, they will cling and claw and keep themselves with you. I guarantee, if you pick this gorgeous book up, you will walk away a changed reader--it is THAT stunning. It is THAT powerful. It is THAT poignant. There are, absolutely, some difficult topics handled in these pages--so please, PLEASE, if you are easily triggered, take care while reading.
His hands crowd my cheeks, fingers leaving blood smears on my neck, and when his mouth bears down on mine, I kiss him back for the first time. Not to win his trust, not holding anything back, but because I truly want to. He tastes like dark water, feels like frosted glass, smells like salt and iron, and he plunges his ice deep into my heart while his hands reach up to capture the back of my head, pulling me closer.
The prose is absolutely stunning. Emily Shore knows how to pen a lyrical, poetic story--and make it reverberate with her readers. There is a magic to these pages, that keep you enthralled, that keep you guessing, that keep you HURTING until the very end. If you don't believe me....reread those quotes, and tell me those don't strike a haunting note with something in your soul! This entire read is just breathtaking, and I am more than positive book two will be equally as beautiful.
I was thoroughly enthralled with Emily Shore's dystopian nightmare, and cannot wait to dive back into this world to see where our characters lead us. There is a magical, ethereal poignancy to the pages--I raced through this just to see how it ended, and was not disappointed. Flip the first page of The Aviary, Penguins...and stick around. You're bound to be just as stuck with the phantoms of this world and these characters as I am.
clockworkbook's review against another edition
3.0
Trigger Warning: This is a difficult read. The author provides a content note that states "the goal of The Aviary Trilogy is to raise awareness about the devastating effects of sex-trafficking. The Aviary's major theme is a struggle with identity.
These books brush on themes of abuse and manipulation, dissociation, pornography, Stockholm Syndrome, drug use in the industry, and various other subjects. Stories were inspired by real-world truths from survivors and rescue workers. A portion of The Aviary's proceeds will always go to benefit Women at Risk, International."
3.5 - The h, Serenity, is strong and deals with numerous difficult and traumatic experiences at the same time as she finds her own identity. Women in this world have become commodities. It is appalling and a look at a horrible and painful truth of sex-trafficking, legalized prostitution that has become corporation run houses/museums, rape, drug abuse and breeding programs.
Aside from the heavy subjects, I found the illiterations and purple prose to be annoying at times. I may continue the series as I am interested in where the story is heading.
These books brush on themes of abuse and manipulation, dissociation, pornography, Stockholm Syndrome, drug use in the industry, and various other subjects. Stories were inspired by real-world truths from survivors and rescue workers. A portion of The Aviary's proceeds will always go to benefit Women at Risk, International."
3.5 - The h, Serenity, is strong and deals with numerous difficult and traumatic experiences at the same time as she finds her own identity. Women in this world have become commodities. It is appalling and a look at a horrible and painful truth of sex-trafficking, legalized prostitution that has become corporation run houses/museums, rape, drug abuse and breeding programs.
Aside from the heavy subjects, I found the illiterations and purple prose to be annoying at times. I may continue the series as I am interested in where the story is heading.
alyreadsnthings's review
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Violence, Gaslighting, Trafficking, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Rape, Physical abuse, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Kidnapping, and Death
2blueshoes's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
When I discovered this book was written by a survivor of a cult who had experienced abuse herself, it made a lot more sense to me.
If you consider this book through that lens, it is easy to celebrate it as a masterpiece self expression. The author has painted her truest experiences onto a lavish and imaginative backdrop. The book itself it well written. The imagery is descriptive and horrifying.
Before you read this book, know that this story is not really a story - it begins in chaos and then continues to spiral out in painful experience until the end where nothing is resolved. It is an unabashed look at the horrifying truth and mental anguish caused by kidnapping, child pornography, and the sex trade. The author has written characters that ring very true, even in a surreal world building - those resigned to be abused, those who don’t know better, those who are trying to play the system, those who will kill for the tiniest sense of power.
So much of our heroine character is in line with what we expect from young adult fantasy novels. She is spunky, young, has the advantage of education and sheer force of will. She managed to find moments of joy and self growth in the midst of horror. She is set apart, only to fall head first into society’s mess. Yet this story is in no way a YA novel. We do not watch our heroine grow and fight - we literally watch her be brutalized, and her very soul be dismantled.
Our hero is likewise no hero. In many YA books the cold, repressed male figure who commands power and entraps the heroine at first will slowly reveal himself to be a kind hearted boy simply trying to play by the rules of a broken society. This is not the case here. The hero is an abuser, and a perpetrator, and forces his “love” as a means of escape his own hellish existence. The picture the author paints is clearly not love - it is entrapment and Stockholm syndrome. Yes, he is misunderstood, but also yes - he is complicit.
As a piece of writing that illustrates the complexity of the sex trade and forecasts a masculine dystopian future in a fascinating and horrifying way - this book is a triumph. As a YA novel - it is a travesty. The book poses as a romance while having no true romance in it. “Love” in this book is everything we don’t want to teach our young adults. It would be far to easy for a young reader to be starry eyed over a hero who presses his advances on underage women while dressing them in diamonds and refusing their freedom, or who proves his adoration by brutally killing abusers while abusing women himself. It is not love.
I will not read the rest of this series.
If you consider this book through that lens, it is easy to celebrate it as a masterpiece self expression. The author has painted her truest experiences onto a lavish and imaginative backdrop. The book itself it well written. The imagery is descriptive and horrifying.
Before you read this book, know that this story is not really a story - it begins in chaos and then continues to spiral out in painful experience until the end where nothing is resolved. It is an unabashed look at the horrifying truth and mental anguish caused by kidnapping, child pornography, and the sex trade. The author has written characters that ring very true, even in a surreal world building - those resigned to be abused, those who don’t know better, those who are trying to play the system, those who will kill for the tiniest sense of power.
So much of our heroine character is in line with what we expect from young adult fantasy novels. She is spunky, young, has the advantage of education and sheer force of will. She managed to find moments of joy and self growth in the midst of horror. She is set apart, only to fall head first into society’s mess. Yet this story is in no way a YA novel. We do not watch our heroine grow and fight - we literally watch her be brutalized, and her very soul be dismantled.
Our hero is likewise no hero. In many YA books the cold, repressed male figure who commands power and entraps the heroine at first will slowly reveal himself to be a kind hearted boy simply trying to play by the rules of a broken society. This is not the case here. The hero is an abuser, and a perpetrator, and forces his “love” as a means of escape his own hellish existence. The picture the author paints is clearly not love - it is entrapment and Stockholm syndrome. Yes, he is misunderstood, but also yes - he is complicit.
As a piece of writing that illustrates the complexity of the sex trade and forecasts a masculine dystopian future in a fascinating and horrifying way - this book is a triumph. As a YA novel - it is a travesty. The book poses as a romance while having no true romance in it. “Love” in this book is everything we don’t want to teach our young adults. It would be far to easy for a young reader to be starry eyed over a hero who presses his advances on underage women while dressing them in diamonds and refusing their freedom, or who proves his adoration by brutally killing abusers while abusing women himself. It is not love.
I will not read the rest of this series.
betwixt_the_pages's review
5.0
Rating: 5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: frighteningly realistic glimpse into human trafficking....with a dystopian twist; this book HURT to read, and I can't wait to pick up the next one!; these characters will crawl under your skin and stay forever; gorgeous purple, poetic prose
I cannot, cannot, CANNOT believe that I own the second book in this series, and have yet to actually read it. Emily Shore, I AM SO SO SORRY about that! This book....this SERIES....promises to be the absolute death of my poor Penguin heart, and I am looooooooving it for that so hard!
These characters will crawl between the spaces of your ribs and live there for the rest of eternity. They are vibrant, they are haunting, they will cling and claw and keep themselves with you. I guarantee, if you pick this gorgeous book up, you will walk away a changed reader--it is THAT stunning. It is THAT powerful. It is THAT poignant. There are, absolutely, some difficult topics handled in these pages--so please, PLEASE, if you are easily triggered, take care while reading.
The prose is absolutely stunning. Emily Shore knows how to pen a lyrical, poetic story--and make it reverberate with her readers. There is a magic to these pages, that keep you enthralled, that keep you guessing, that keep you HURTING until the very end. If you don't believe me....reread those quotes, and tell me those don't strike a haunting note with something in your soul! This entire read is just breathtaking, and I am more than positive book two will be equally as beautiful.
I was thoroughly enthralled with Emily Shore's dystopian nightmare, and cannot wait to dive back into this world to see where our characters lead us. There is a magical, ethereal poignancy to the pages--I raced through this just to see how it ended, and was not disappointed. Flip the first page of The Aviary, Penguins...and stick around. You're bound to be just as stuck with the phantoms of this world and these characters as I am.
Quick Reasons: frighteningly realistic glimpse into human trafficking....with a dystopian twist; this book HURT to read, and I can't wait to pick up the next one!; these characters will crawl under your skin and stay forever; gorgeous purple, poetic prose
Melancholia etched in her gray eyes, with their fog of secrets. She doesn’t have the same fierceness as I do, but every once in a while, I catch warships passing through her irises. Like she’s still fighting some unknown demon.
I cannot, cannot, CANNOT believe that I own the second book in this series, and have yet to actually read it. Emily Shore, I AM SO SO SORRY about that! This book....this SERIES....promises to be the absolute death of my poor Penguin heart, and I am looooooooving it for that so hard!
These characters will crawl between the spaces of your ribs and live there for the rest of eternity. They are vibrant, they are haunting, they will cling and claw and keep themselves with you. I guarantee, if you pick this gorgeous book up, you will walk away a changed reader--it is THAT stunning. It is THAT powerful. It is THAT poignant. There are, absolutely, some difficult topics handled in these pages--so please, PLEASE, if you are easily triggered, take care while reading.
His hands crowd my cheeks, fingers leaving blood smears on my neck, and when his mouth bears down on mine, I kiss him back for the first time. Not to win his trust, not holding anything back, but because I truly want to. He tastes like dark water, feels like frosted glass, smells like salt and iron, and he plunges his ice deep into my heart while his hands reach up to capture the back of my head, pulling me closer.
The prose is absolutely stunning. Emily Shore knows how to pen a lyrical, poetic story--and make it reverberate with her readers. There is a magic to these pages, that keep you enthralled, that keep you guessing, that keep you HURTING until the very end. If you don't believe me....reread those quotes, and tell me those don't strike a haunting note with something in your soul! This entire read is just breathtaking, and I am more than positive book two will be equally as beautiful.
I was thoroughly enthralled with Emily Shore's dystopian nightmare, and cannot wait to dive back into this world to see where our characters lead us. There is a magical, ethereal poignancy to the pages--I raced through this just to see how it ended, and was not disappointed. Flip the first page of The Aviary, Penguins...and stick around. You're bound to be just as stuck with the phantoms of this world and these characters as I am.
lori_nelson's review
5.0
I like that she gave the disclaimer at the beginning of the book letting you know right away what you were getting into. So you could not complain later.
I enjoyed this book. There were some issues where I wasn't sure where we were especially when the "graphickers" (spelling is probably wrong) got her. I had to go back and re-read and then read forward and then go back and then I could get back into the story. It was hard to actually enjoy at that time because one moment she was awake in the infirmary and next she was waking up with photos being taken of her and I wasn't sure if there was a glitch in my ebook.
I like the play between Sky and Luc and Ser. I kinda knew how all the pieces were going to fall including poor Dove and lovely Mock. Sorry Finch, that was sad.
I enjoyed this book. There were some issues where I wasn't sure where we were especially when the "graphickers" (spelling is probably wrong) got her. I had to go back and re-read and then read forward and then go back and then I could get back into the story. It was hard to actually enjoy at that time because one moment she was awake in the infirmary and next she was waking up with photos being taken of her and I wasn't sure if there was a glitch in my ebook.
I like the play between Sky and Luc and Ser. I kinda knew how all the pieces were going to fall including poor Dove and lovely Mock. Sorry Finch, that was sad.
literary_snowflakes's review
4.0
Entertaining Read
*This review will not mention any details but readers are strongly encouraged to consider themes of rape, kidnapping, human trafficking, forced sexual acts, etc are presented in this story. Some are just mentioned that it happened and other instances a a bit more detailed but never graphic. Trigger warning is needed (and is in the beginning of the book) for a series dealing with these types of themes and situations*
Though this story took a bit to set up and keep track of, once it picked up I was hooked. Most books tend to take about 1/3 of the book to really get interesting. This society is different yet similar to what I see going on in the world today. Lots of characters and personalities to keep up with, but an entertaining read. I appreciate that the author put a warning at the beginning of the book and also explained what her intent is for this series, especially since it dives into some sensitive topics/material.
*This review will not mention any details but readers are strongly encouraged to consider themes of rape, kidnapping, human trafficking, forced sexual acts, etc are presented in this story. Some are just mentioned that it happened and other instances a a bit more detailed but never graphic. Trigger warning is needed (and is in the beginning of the book) for a series dealing with these types of themes and situations*
Though this story took a bit to set up and keep track of, once it picked up I was hooked. Most books tend to take about 1/3 of the book to really get interesting. This society is different yet similar to what I see going on in the world today. Lots of characters and personalities to keep up with, but an entertaining read. I appreciate that the author put a warning at the beginning of the book and also explained what her intent is for this series, especially since it dives into some sensitive topics/material.
belindaclemons_123's review
5.0
I really liked Serenity a lot. The cover drew me in and then the blurb. Serenity put up for sale and is bought by Luc a owner of an Elite museum, where girls with bird names are the art. She becomes The Swan. Will she be able to leave and find her parent or will she stay in the museum forever.
hmblvj's review
4.0
I really can not decide if I liked this book or really liked it. It left me uneasy which I think is the intent. I have the next book on my KU list but I am taking a break for now.
sam_decker's review
I’ll admit that the book has a great premise. The author’s note reveals the author’s own personal interest in the lives of people who enter into sex work/are trafficked, and I appreciate her goal to raise awareness, but the book itself didn’t do it for me (it was a free kindle download which makes sense as to why). The main character is almost too cool-headed even when she does have outbursts, and her m thoughts and behaviors are usually without specific or detailed explanation. We hardly get to know the side characters or the two love interests, and they often happen to have a certain skill relevant to the plot that seems to come out of nowhere and without warning. The plot itself makes sense, but it feels mostly flat, and the universe itself is not immersive—while sex trafficking and working in the sex industry has its own dangers, the world doesn’t feel dangerous to the reader despite the main character’s fear and distrust. Overall, the story dragged on and I became less and less invested.