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lux_klara 's review for:
The Mane Squeeze
by Shelly Laurenston
Rating: 4.75
I loved this book. After I finished reading it I actually wanted to give it 5 star. But after a few days where I got to think about it more (and read the other books of the series) I felt it fell slightly short for 5 star.
But regardless, this book was AMAZING. I loved it. I lived Gwen and Lock and how perfect they were for each other. They pushed each other to be better and to overcome some of their fears/doubt. One thing I really appreciate about Shelly Laurenston is not just her compelling writing style but also how well she develop the relationships. The progression of the relationship felt so natural. It was truly captivating.
As always here the romantic aspect of the story takes the precedence and remain the focus of the book, with the plot that acts as the frame.
The secondary character were great as well. In particular for the hilarity they added with their own interference in the relationship (let's just say that there was some plotting and I loved it). And Shelly Laurenston can really add humor. Not sarcasm mind you. The situations can be quirky (just as much as the character) and somewhat goofy and ridiculous. And yeah, can be somewhat cartoonish (and with that I mean that I would expect to see them in a cartoon) but not in a bad way.
And I say this because you use that type of quirky humor you can have only 2 type of results. Either:
1) a disaster, where everything is exacerbated for laugh and giggle but it's blatantly unbelievable and end up being just downright stupid. And to be honest, I hate that with a passion. (= it's the reason why now I'm skeptical whenever someome recommend me a book because it's funny. For some reason it always end up like that and unfortunately, it's not up to my taste).
2) Or it's done in such a way that yes, it's chaotic and can still be unbelievable but it's written in such a way that the reader doesn't care, because in that moment you can see what's happening in your mind, you can picture it. And becomes part of THAT world and becomes believable in that world,so who cares if it's not really realistic. And you just want to giggle.
And Sherry Laurenston is definetely in the second category. And I loved it. And I loved how every peculiarityof the different species (ex: bear=curiosity, lion=pride) can play a role in it. And it helps because, when people shift into animal, having some of the people's little quirks or personality trait based on that of the animal they shift into is not just a nice touch, it also makes it more believable and hilarious. All the while giving some foundations and ideas of the different species and their traits, without erasing the personal individual and their own personality. In this way, it really feels like you are talking about people who can't just take the form of an animal, but that in a way ARE that animal. It also feels like the author really thought about the different shifters she writes about, their own structures and researched it (which probably equates to watching documentaries, but hey, those can be great! And if they are can be used as research material even better).
So yeah, I loved the story. (and I remeber reading a review where bears where the best and I have to say: yes they are!).
So, what's the reason why it falls slightly short of 5 stars? Well, despite the fact that I loved Lock and I loved Gwen, I also realize I didn't LOVE them with the capital letters. I LOVED them together but as character on their own, while amazing they can't be said to be my favourites. I loved them, but I also realized that they aren't character that necessarily stick in my mind afterward. Not among all the other great characters of this series at least.
I think that, they kind of lost a bit after reading the series and realizing that their story is slightly lacking if compared to some of the other amazing books. Not by much, it's just that this series is full of great and fantastic books, so if you compare it to other books I give 5 stars, it isn't completely up to par. It basically suffered from the fact that it stands with other amazing books just as good if not better.
That said, Iknow how much I loved reading this book, so I don't feel like giving it any less of this either.
I loved this book. After I finished reading it I actually wanted to give it 5 star. But after a few days where I got to think about it more (and read the other books of the series) I felt it fell slightly short for 5 star.
But regardless, this book was AMAZING. I loved it. I lived Gwen and Lock and how perfect they were for each other. They pushed each other to be better and to overcome some of their fears/doubt. One thing I really appreciate about Shelly Laurenston is not just her compelling writing style but also how well she develop the relationships. The progression of the relationship felt so natural. It was truly captivating.
As always here the romantic aspect of the story takes the precedence and remain the focus of the book, with the plot that acts as the frame.
The secondary character were great as well. In particular for the hilarity they added with their own interference in the relationship (let's just say that there was some plotting and I loved it). And Shelly Laurenston can really add humor. Not sarcasm mind you. The situations can be quirky (just as much as the character) and somewhat goofy and ridiculous. And yeah, can be somewhat cartoonish (and with that I mean that I would expect to see them in a cartoon) but not in a bad way.
And I say this because you use that type of quirky humor you can have only 2 type of results. Either:
1) a disaster, where everything is exacerbated for laugh and giggle but it's blatantly unbelievable and end up being just downright stupid. And to be honest, I hate that with a passion. (= it's the reason why now I'm skeptical whenever someome recommend me a book because it's funny. For some reason it always end up like that and unfortunately, it's not up to my taste).
2) Or it's done in such a way that yes, it's chaotic and can still be unbelievable but it's written in such a way that the reader doesn't care, because in that moment you can see what's happening in your mind, you can picture it. And becomes part of THAT world and becomes believable in that world,so who cares if it's not really realistic. And you just want to giggle.
And Sherry Laurenston is definetely in the second category. And I loved it. And I loved how every peculiarityof the different species (ex: bear=curiosity, lion=pride) can play a role in it. And it helps because, when people shift into animal, having some of the people's little quirks or personality trait based on that of the animal they shift into is not just a nice touch, it also makes it more believable and hilarious. All the while giving some foundations and ideas of the different species and their traits, without erasing the personal individual and their own personality. In this way, it really feels like you are talking about people who can't just take the form of an animal, but that in a way ARE that animal. It also feels like the author really thought about the different shifters she writes about, their own structures and researched it (which probably equates to watching documentaries, but hey, those can be great! And if they are can be used as research material even better).
So yeah, I loved the story. (and I remeber reading a review where bears where the best and I have to say: yes they are!).
So, what's the reason why it falls slightly short of 5 stars? Well, despite the fact that I loved Lock and I loved Gwen, I also realize I didn't LOVE them with the capital letters. I LOVED them together but as character on their own, while amazing they can't be said to be my favourites. I loved them, but I also realized that they aren't character that necessarily stick in my mind afterward. Not among all the other great characters of this series at least.
I think that, they kind of lost a bit after reading the series and realizing that their story is slightly lacking if compared to some of the other amazing books. Not by much, it's just that this series is full of great and fantastic books, so if you compare it to other books I give 5 stars, it isn't completely up to par. It basically suffered from the fact that it stands with other amazing books just as good if not better.
That said, Iknow how much I loved reading this book, so I don't feel like giving it any less of this either.