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allioth's reviews
70 reviews
Spirals of Stardust by Diane Jerome
The concept of this book is really interesting, and the world-building presented at the start is, needless to say, very creative.
It made me wish it stayed like that for the rest of the 130 pages.
The first thing that came to my attention was how confusing the demographic for this book is. The writing is straightforward, leaving no room for nuance, which in a kids' story is the standard. But then you have the sometimes hard-to-follow info-dumping, the footnotes, and the medical terms that make you doubt who this book was actually aimed at.
I like how it switches from third person to first person in the protagonist, Jill's, case. But otherwise, most of the other perspectives (such as Mike's) feel like pointless ramblings that lead to absolutely nothing. In any story, this would be bad, but it especially affects *Spirals of Stardust* due to its length.
All the things I previously mentioned are passable at best and annoying at worst. However, they didn't take much from my overall enjoyment as much as the simple fact that the core of this book, a dystopian world in the 23rd century where animals behave and take the place left by the long-extinct humans, is quickly forgotten in favor of a sweet but superficial lesson about how everyone is different and that they don't have to follow the same path to achieve what they want (and that alternative medicine is cool, I suppose).
Plenty more could've been achieved through the premise of this story (how certain animals feel being assigned a particular role they can't escape from, slightly touched on in one of Mike's aggravating POVs), but sadly that wasn't the case.
An overall "meh" book that could've done so much more if it only had time (and a clear idea of what it wanted to convey).
The ADHD representation was nice, though.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The concept of this book is really interesting, and the world-building presented at the start is, needless to say, very creative.
It made me wish it stayed like that for the rest of the 130 pages.
The first thing that came to my attention was how confusing the demographic for this book is. The writing is straightforward, leaving no room for nuance, which in a kids' story is the standard. But then you have the sometimes hard-to-follow info-dumping, the footnotes, and the medical terms that make you doubt who this book was actually aimed at.
I like how it switches from third person to first person in the protagonist, Jill's, case. But otherwise, most of the other perspectives (such as Mike's) feel like pointless ramblings that lead to absolutely nothing. In any story, this would be bad, but it especially affects *Spirals of Stardust* due to its length.
All the things I previously mentioned are passable at best and annoying at worst. However, they didn't take much from my overall enjoyment as much as the simple fact that the core of this book, a dystopian world in the 23rd century where animals behave and take the place left by the long-extinct humans, is quickly forgotten in favor of a sweet but superficial lesson about how everyone is different and that they don't have to follow the same path to achieve what they want (and that alternative medicine is cool, I suppose).
Plenty more could've been achieved through the premise of this story (how certain animals feel being assigned a particular role they can't escape from, slightly touched on in one of Mike's aggravating POVs), but sadly that wasn't the case.
An overall "meh" book that could've done so much more if it only had time (and a clear idea of what it wanted to convey).
Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia
3.0
3,5/5
Fun book and an overall easy read. I don't care what anyone says I'll defend Paola Santiago until I'm not in this world anymore (astronomy lovers have to support each other after all).
But, the book at times felt a little lacking???, especially in character development for anyone who wasn't Pao or Ondina, this perfectly showcased through Dante with whom I couldn't even bring myself to care that much about him and his "boy-girl weirdness", as the book describes it, with Pao.
Maybe if the book's synopsis hadn't already told directly at your face that La Llorona (who appears for less than 4 chapters) was going to be a main part of the story I would've like it more.
I'm still going to read the rest of the series, In hope to see these issues resolved.
Fun book and an overall easy read. I don't care what anyone says I'll defend Paola Santiago until I'm not in this world anymore (astronomy lovers have to support each other after all).
But, the book at times felt a little lacking???, especially in character development for anyone who wasn't Pao or Ondina, this perfectly showcased through Dante with whom I couldn't even bring myself to care that much about him and his "boy-girl weirdness", as the book describes it, with Pao.
Maybe if the book's synopsis hadn't already told directly at your face that La Llorona (who appears for less than 4 chapters) was going to be a main part of the story I would've like it more.
I'm still going to read the rest of the series, In hope to see these issues resolved.
Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares by Tehlor Kay Mejia
4.0
This book accomplished something that before reading, I would've easily classified as impossible...
Make Dante an interesting character
Sometimes annoying, but his internal conflict and his past is so interesting to read that when he is supposed to be more unlikable I liked him more.
It's good to have Emma back too, her relationship with Pao it's the sweetest, just what the book needs after so much Pao and Dante drama. The pacing has also seen a major improvement, and the mystery is well written.
An overall rectification compared to the first book in the series, can't wait to see the conclusion to the trilogy.
A solid 4/5
Make Dante an interesting character
Sometimes annoying, but his internal conflict and his past is so interesting to read that when he is supposed to be more unlikable I liked him more.
It's good to have Emma back too, her relationship with Pao it's the sweetest, just what the book needs after so much Pao and Dante drama. The pacing has also seen a major improvement, and the mystery is well written.
An overall rectification compared to the first book in the series, can't wait to see the conclusion to the trilogy.
A solid 4/5
Paola Santiago and the Sanctuary of Shadows by Tehlor Kay Mejia
3.5
Great end to a great series.
The author does a pretty good job of transmitting the fear that El Cucuy causes, a villain that certainly has more presence than the antagonist of the previous books.
I also love the Rainbow Rogues! Kit is the funniest character in the series, and I'll die on this hill. The Niños, while significantly less present, are also great (with the exception of Franco, who became increasingly more annoying as the book progressed).
But, I feel like the series relies too heavily on the whole forgiveness thing, even when the actions are just inexcusable. The Cucuy ends up with little to no punishment, and Franco, to a lesser extent, is also absolved of his behavior just because of what happens to him later in the book.
Regardless, I still enjoyed the series, and I would 100% read a spinoff or an extra if it were ever to be released (especially of Dante or Naomi; they still have tons of potential).
P.S. I don't care what anyone says, Pao and Emma are adorable, the girlfriends ever
The author does a pretty good job of transmitting the fear that El Cucuy causes, a villain that certainly has more presence than the antagonist of the previous books.
I also love the Rainbow Rogues! Kit is the funniest character in the series, and I'll die on this hill. The Niños, while significantly less present, are also great (with the exception of Franco, who became increasingly more annoying as the book progressed).
But, I feel like the series relies too heavily on the whole forgiveness thing, even when the actions are just inexcusable. The Cucuy ends up with little to no punishment, and Franco, to a lesser extent, is also absolved of his behavior just because of what happens to him later in the book.
Regardless, I still enjoyed the series, and I would 100% read a spinoff or an extra if it were ever to be released (especially of Dante or Naomi; they still have tons of potential).
P.S. I don't care what anyone says, Pao and Emma are adorable, the girlfriends ever