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betwixt_the_pages's reviews
936 reviews
Alice Takes Back Wonderland by David D. Hammons
Rating: 4.25/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: some grammatical issues/misspellings; HIGHLY entertaining; humorous and snarky; sometimes dark, always fresh and new; David D. Hammons took the fairy tales of old...and recreated them almost entirely into his own unique journey; unexpected love interest in Peter Pan?; LOVE all the pop culture references; LOVE the unique ideas
So I guess I need to send a HUGE shout-out to the lovely people over at Lit Cube for turning me on to this book in the first place; if they weren't so dedicated to finding their subscribers awesome, lesser-known reads, I'd have NEVER known this book existed.
Let me just get this quick note out of the way to start with: there are some grammatical issues with this book. There are some missing words in the middle of sentences, there are places I had to backtrack to see where I'd gotten confused. It is not perfect writing; it is not even necessarily "pretty" prose. BUT. The dialogue? Spot-on. The dialogue ALONE carries this book quite a ways--because snark, and sass, and pop culture references, and general awesome. Trust me, guys--the dialogue far outweighs the small grammatical quirks this book has.
And OH, my penguins, was this a ton of fun to read! David D. Hammons took the fairy tales we all know and love...and crafted something brilliant and wholly his own out of them. I LOVE the world-building that happens throughout this read. I love that the author took the time to sit down and actually come up with a unique, fresh way to twist and braid these stories together into one epic adventure. There's a sort of "Kingdom Hearts" feel to this that I immediately connected with and felt drawn to (Kingdom Hearts is, after all, one of my favorite video games) The plot is filled with fun, entertainment, and humor. I laughed--HARD--throughout a good majority of this read.
While there's not MUCH in the way of romance, there is a hint of it between Alice and Peter--especially toward the end. This pair was snarky, sassy, and so much fun to read, I didn't even mind how simple it seemed (then again, I have a huge soft spot for Peter, so...) The characters are all vibrant, easily recognized despite sometimes being "in costume"...and a barrel of laughs to boot! And the cast is HUGE, guys--characters such as Hercules, Paul Bunyun, and Jack the Giant Slayer all make their own special appearances, along with so many others.
And while, in the end, Alice does not get the ending she was expecting throughout her journey...the ending is satisfying in a way I wasn't expecting it to be, and closes everything up pretty nicely. This adventure is quirky, light-hearted, and so very easy to slip into; the hours will pass and you'll finish the book without even realizing what's happened around you.
This was a pretty awesome read overall, and I'm SO so glad that I got the chance to pick it up--though now I sort of want to play Kingdom Hearts. I might have to do that sometime soon. The snark was on point, the cast of characters is vibrant and huge, and the plot is filled with entertainment. If you're seeking a fresh, unique retelling...this just might be the book for you!
4.0
After ten years of being told she can't tell the difference between real life and a fairy tale, Alice finally stops believing in Wonderland. So when the White Rabbit shows up at her house, Alice thinks she's going crazy.
Only when the White Rabbit kicks her down the rabbit hole does Alice realize that the magical land she visited as a child is real.
But all is not well in Wonderland.
The Ace of Spades has taken over Wonderland and is systematically dismantling all that makes it wonderful. Plain is replacing wondrous, logical is replacing magical, and reason is destroying madness. Alice decides she must help the Mad Hatter and all those fighting to keep Wonderland wonderful.
But how can she face such danger when she is just a girl?
Alice must journey across the stars to unite an army. She discovers that fairy tales are real in the magical world beyond the rabbit hole. But they are not the fairy tales she knows.
Fairy tales have dangers and adventures of their own, and Alice must overcome the trials of these old stories if she wants to unite the lands against Ace.
With the help of Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Snow White and heroes old and new, Alice may have the strength to take back Wonderland.
Rating: 4.25/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: some grammatical issues/misspellings; HIGHLY entertaining; humorous and snarky; sometimes dark, always fresh and new; David D. Hammons took the fairy tales of old...and recreated them almost entirely into his own unique journey; unexpected love interest in Peter Pan?; LOVE all the pop culture references; LOVE the unique ideas
So I guess I need to send a HUGE shout-out to the lovely people over at Lit Cube for turning me on to this book in the first place; if they weren't so dedicated to finding their subscribers awesome, lesser-known reads, I'd have NEVER known this book existed.
"If you're a kid in Neverland, then you're a Lost Boy," Peter said. "And you're under my protection." Peter spat in his hand and extended it to Pinocchio.
Pinocchio didn't move.
"Are Lost Boys real boys?" Pinocchio asked.
"Lost Boys are just Lost Boys. And all you have to do to become one is shake Peter's hand," I said.
Let me just get this quick note out of the way to start with: there are some grammatical issues with this book. There are some missing words in the middle of sentences, there are places I had to backtrack to see where I'd gotten confused. It is not perfect writing; it is not even necessarily "pretty" prose. BUT. The dialogue? Spot-on. The dialogue ALONE carries this book quite a ways--because snark, and sass, and pop culture references, and general awesome. Trust me, guys--the dialogue far outweighs the small grammatical quirks this book has.
And OH, my penguins, was this a ton of fun to read! David D. Hammons took the fairy tales we all know and love...and crafted something brilliant and wholly his own out of them. I LOVE the world-building that happens throughout this read. I love that the author took the time to sit down and actually come up with a unique, fresh way to twist and braid these stories together into one epic adventure. There's a sort of "Kingdom Hearts" feel to this that I immediately connected with and felt drawn to (Kingdom Hearts is, after all, one of my favorite video games) The plot is filled with fun, entertainment, and humor. I laughed--HARD--throughout a good majority of this read.
"But how will I become a real boy?" Pinocchio asked.
"Dear Pinocchio, you are a real boy. Underneath that iron suit, you are a real boy," Tinkerbelle said with a sage smile.
"But if I take off the suit, I'll die."
"That is what real boys do."
While there's not MUCH in the way of romance, there is a hint of it between Alice and Peter--especially toward the end. This pair was snarky, sassy, and so much fun to read, I didn't even mind how simple it seemed (then again, I have a huge soft spot for Peter, so...) The characters are all vibrant, easily recognized despite sometimes being "in costume"...and a barrel of laughs to boot! And the cast is HUGE, guys--characters such as Hercules, Paul Bunyun, and Jack the Giant Slayer all make their own special appearances, along with so many others.
And while, in the end, Alice does not get the ending she was expecting throughout her journey...the ending is satisfying in a way I wasn't expecting it to be, and closes everything up pretty nicely. This adventure is quirky, light-hearted, and so very easy to slip into; the hours will pass and you'll finish the book without even realizing what's happened around you.
Whether it was climbing up to meet them, or flying through them in an airplane, children quickly discovered the tragic truth about clouds. They're not solid things. They're barely visible. Clouds almost disappear when you get up close.
This was a pretty awesome read overall, and I'm SO so glad that I got the chance to pick it up--though now I sort of want to play Kingdom Hearts. I might have to do that sometime soon. The snark was on point, the cast of characters is vibrant and huge, and the plot is filled with entertainment. If you're seeking a fresh, unique retelling...this just might be the book for you!
To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
Rating: 3.5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: cute and entertaining, but nothing I wasn't expecting; I absolutely ADORED Peter by the end of this book; the relationship between the sisters and their dad was absolutely adorable; well-rounded, diverse characters; the focus on finding yourself and forging a way through life is so important
Okay, penguins, you can all stop screaming now--I did it. I picked this book up. I picked it up, and I opened to the first page.......and I didn't put it down again until I was finished. (Well, I mean, I DID--to do normal human stuff. But in the grand scheme of things, I read this in one sitting.) Relax! The world isn't ending. Not today, at least.
To be honest, this was pretty much EXACTLY what I was expecting going into this read. By which I mean, I wasn't really surprised. There are quite a few cliche scenes/moments. The prose in this read is so poetic and beautiful, though--I felt I'd been sucked straight into the mind of a writer. Being a practicing poet myself, I feel I can say with confidence that Lara Jean has the soul of a poet. The prose is, therefore, at times abstract and always, always gorgeous; the descriptions and details pore from every page like magic, waiting for readers to stop and take them in.
The characters were vibrant, diverse, and well-rounded. Because this is from Lara Jean's perspective, we don't, unfortunately, get all the nitty-gritty of the inner-workings of everyone else. Instead, we are made to see them from Lara Jean's mind--and often, this means from a biased or judgmental standpoint. Lara Jean is, I feel, the sort of girl who makes snap judgments. This made for both entertaining and confusing reading--several times throughout, I wanted to reach through the pages to shake some sense into her. To yell at her to stop daydreaming and actually LOOK at the world around her. Still, I had a ton of fun following her along this journey, and watching her come to grips with herself.
The relationships are probably the most important focus in this book. I absolutely ADORE how much emphasis was put on Lara Jean's relationship with both her sisters and their dad. Their reactions and interactions were endearing and entirely human, even during moments of drama or upset. The fact that these relationships also brought up a strong focus on self-discovery helped to drive home and emphasize what I think Jenny Han was most trying to convey: that sometimes, you HAVE to stand on your own. That sometimes, you have to break yourself apart to figure out who you really are.
So, while I was not necessarily blown away by this read, I absolutely ADORED the journey regardless. There are some cliched moments/scenes, but the characters and the relationships really helped to drive this story for me. I will definitely be picking up P.S. I Still Love You in the near future (I mean, it's already waiting for me on my kindle, so...) I recommend this to lovers of contemporaries, very messy romances, and self-discovery journeys. This was an adorable read, penguins--you should definitely keep it in mind next time you're seeking those elusive heart-flutters.
3.0
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.
Rating: 3.5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: cute and entertaining, but nothing I wasn't expecting; I absolutely ADORED Peter by the end of this book; the relationship between the sisters and their dad was absolutely adorable; well-rounded, diverse characters; the focus on finding yourself and forging a way through life is so important
Okay, penguins, you can all stop screaming now--I did it. I picked this book up. I picked it up, and I opened to the first page.......and I didn't put it down again until I was finished. (Well, I mean, I DID--to do normal human stuff. But in the grand scheme of things, I read this in one sitting.) Relax! The world isn't ending. Not today, at least.
When someone's been gone a long time, at first you save up all the things you want to tell them. You try to keep track of everything in your head. But it's like trying to hold on to a fistful of sand: all the little bits slip out of your hands, and then you're just clutching air and grit.
To be honest, this was pretty much EXACTLY what I was expecting going into this read. By which I mean, I wasn't really surprised. There are quite a few cliche scenes/moments. The prose in this read is so poetic and beautiful, though--I felt I'd been sucked straight into the mind of a writer. Being a practicing poet myself, I feel I can say with confidence that Lara Jean has the soul of a poet. The prose is, therefore, at times abstract and always, always gorgeous; the descriptions and details pore from every page like magic, waiting for readers to stop and take them in.
The characters were vibrant, diverse, and well-rounded. Because this is from Lara Jean's perspective, we don't, unfortunately, get all the nitty-gritty of the inner-workings of everyone else. Instead, we are made to see them from Lara Jean's mind--and often, this means from a biased or judgmental standpoint. Lara Jean is, I feel, the sort of girl who makes snap judgments. This made for both entertaining and confusing reading--several times throughout, I wanted to reach through the pages to shake some sense into her. To yell at her to stop daydreaming and actually LOOK at the world around her. Still, I had a ton of fun following her along this journey, and watching her come to grips with herself.
I see the difference now, between loving someone from afar and loving someone up close. When you see them up close, you see the real them, but they also get to see the real you.
The relationships are probably the most important focus in this book. I absolutely ADORE how much emphasis was put on Lara Jean's relationship with both her sisters and their dad. Their reactions and interactions were endearing and entirely human, even during moments of drama or upset. The fact that these relationships also brought up a strong focus on self-discovery helped to drive home and emphasize what I think Jenny Han was most trying to convey: that sometimes, you HAVE to stand on your own. That sometimes, you have to break yourself apart to figure out who you really are.
So, while I was not necessarily blown away by this read, I absolutely ADORED the journey regardless. There are some cliched moments/scenes, but the characters and the relationships really helped to drive this story for me. I will definitely be picking up P.S. I Still Love You in the near future (I mean, it's already waiting for me on my kindle, so...) I recommend this to lovers of contemporaries, very messy romances, and self-discovery journeys. This was an adorable read, penguins--you should definitely keep it in mind next time you're seeking those elusive heart-flutters.
Wyvernhail by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Rating: 4.25/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: I LOVE that this comes full-circle at the end; this was a great way to end the series; important moral/societal statements explored; stubborn characters who give up everything for what's right; awesome continued world-building
I just... Oh my penguins, guys! This book--this series--I just can't put into words how much I adore Amelia Atwater-Rhodes; her fantasy worlds have a way of sucking me in and holding me hostage, of forcing me to step outside of myself, of taking me on a wild and unexpected journey.
And somehow, she always manages to sneak in an important moral/societal statement. For this series specifically, the largest focus was upon prejudice--and the many ways it touches, weaves into, and alters everything we do. Amelia Atwater-Rhodes works these themes in so seamlessly and subtly, you won't realize they're there until you turn the last page and think back on what you've just read. The statements are no less important, though--and are handled with a sensitivity and grace I can't help but feel awed by.
The characters for this book, specifically, are single-minded (even when they're NOT--trust me, there's a reason I say it like this, I just can't explain because spoilers) and willing to do whatever it takes to make things right. But sometimes, as portrayed in the journey of our MC, there aren't any "easy" answers. The rest of the characters are just as fierce, as compelled by their emotions and beliefs--just as well-rounded and complex.
The plot for this book took me on an unexpected, wild journey. Of course, this should come as no surprise--Amelia Atwater-Rhodes is, in my personal opinion, the QUEEN of crafting an intriguing, believable fantasy world. She managed to bring this series almost full-circle...and span several generations and decades in the process! The continued world-building throughout this series is one of the biggest reasons these books get such high ratings for me; there is always something new to learn about the world, something different to think about. The fact that the characters are such endearing, complex, individualized beings only furthers my belief that this writer is top-notch.
I had a ton of fun finishing out this series, and cannot WAIT to dive into my next Amelia Atwater-Rhodes read--she never disappoints! The journey was wild, entertaining, and full of surprises--and the characters remain some of my top favorites. I definitely recommend this to lovers of fantasy, political intrigue, and uniquely individual characters. Take a leap, penguins, and step into Wyvern's Court; you're bound to like it here!
4.0
HAI HAS ALWAYS been an outsider. With a falcon mother and a deceased cobra father, she is considered a mongrel by most, an ally by some, and a friend by few. Hai's broken falcon wings are a painful reminder of the life she once led on the island of Ahnmik. And here in Wyvern's Court, the avian and serpiente royal family keep their distance, refusing to acknowledge her cobra bloodline. They know that Hai's magic is so volatile, she can barely control it, and images of the past and future threaten to overwhelm her.
When Hai's cousin, Oliza Shardae Cobriana, abdicates the throne of Wyvern's Court, Hai has visions only of destruction: the serpiente king Salem, dying in her arms; the dutiful guard, Nicias, unable to save a generation of children; and Wyvern's Court engulfed in flames.
Now Hai will do anything to protect her new home - even if it means betraying the very people who need her most.
Rating: 4.25/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: I LOVE that this comes full-circle at the end; this was a great way to end the series; important moral/societal statements explored; stubborn characters who give up everything for what's right; awesome continued world-building
I just... Oh my penguins, guys! This book--this series--I just can't put into words how much I adore Amelia Atwater-Rhodes; her fantasy worlds have a way of sucking me in and holding me hostage, of forcing me to step outside of myself, of taking me on a wild and unexpected journey.
Had the avians and the serpiente known, all those years as they had warred, that they had slain the other halves of themselves? Was that why peace came with such difficulty: not because they hated each other, but because they could not forgive themselves?
And somehow, she always manages to sneak in an important moral/societal statement. For this series specifically, the largest focus was upon prejudice--and the many ways it touches, weaves into, and alters everything we do. Amelia Atwater-Rhodes works these themes in so seamlessly and subtly, you won't realize they're there until you turn the last page and think back on what you've just read. The statements are no less important, though--and are handled with a sensitivity and grace I can't help but feel awed by.
The characters for this book, specifically, are single-minded (even when they're NOT--trust me, there's a reason I say it like this, I just can't explain because spoilers) and willing to do whatever it takes to make things right. But sometimes, as portrayed in the journey of our MC, there aren't any "easy" answers. The rest of the characters are just as fierce, as compelled by their emotions and beliefs--just as well-rounded and complex.
"I am more than my animal form. I am more than the magic the royal house of Ahnmik deemed right for the serpiente to retain. I am more than feathers or scales."
The plot for this book took me on an unexpected, wild journey. Of course, this should come as no surprise--Amelia Atwater-Rhodes is, in my personal opinion, the QUEEN of crafting an intriguing, believable fantasy world. She managed to bring this series almost full-circle...and span several generations and decades in the process! The continued world-building throughout this series is one of the biggest reasons these books get such high ratings for me; there is always something new to learn about the world, something different to think about. The fact that the characters are such endearing, complex, individualized beings only furthers my belief that this writer is top-notch.
I had a ton of fun finishing out this series, and cannot WAIT to dive into my next Amelia Atwater-Rhodes read--she never disappoints! The journey was wild, entertaining, and full of surprises--and the characters remain some of my top favorites. I definitely recommend this to lovers of fantasy, political intrigue, and uniquely individual characters. Take a leap, penguins, and step into Wyvern's Court; you're bound to like it here!
Paper Princess by Erin Watt
Rating: 4/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: WOW these boys are spoiled; actually most of the characters in this book start out that way; REED, REED WHAT THE HELL DID YOU EVEN?!?!?!; THAT EEEEEENDING!; seriously, listening to this on audiobook was SUPER STEAMY
HEY LOOK, it's a book I read just for the fun of it and not for any specific review requirement or obligation! (Because apparently July is the month for me to sit back a bit and pick up the slack on my HUMONGOUS BACKLOG of books I buy on whims and then never actually read...)
And let me just say, listening to this on audiobook? BEST. IDEA. EVER. The narrator (hats off to Angela Goethals!) brought SO MUCH to this read that I don't think I'd have caught otherwise. I was enthralled from the very first. Her characterizations leapt out of the speakers, I could imagine everything that was happening...and a few of the more subtle nuances (character voices, for instance, or specific reactions) were more fully captured and "shown." AND THE STEAMEH SCENES! Oh, my penguins, those scenes--I cannot even begin to explain how much hotter they became in the midst of hearing, instead of seeing, the words. There's something...more realistic? more believable? about steamy scenes being read aloud than I sometimes feel just reading the words, and Angela Goethals did a brilliant job bringing those scenes to life.
I was taken aback a little by how spoiled these characters seem. Don't get me wrong--I understand they were born with the world at their feet and all, but some of them REALLY seem far fetched in their...reactions to? interactions with?...the rest of the world. These boys, especially, go to so many lengths to torture and torment Ella, and for what exactly? A small taste of fun? A tiny bit of vengeance? I for sure wasn't expecting to find such loathsome boys on the other side of these pages--though they do, in the end, make up for a lot of their beginnings, so I guess character growth wins out again? (BUT THAT ENDING....AND REED.... WHY, BOOK, WHYYYYY?!)
I had a TON of fun listening to this via audiobook--Angela Goethals really brought her A-game to the table and brought these characters, and this story, to life for me. And the steamy scenes--SO much steamier while listening to them being read, than they are while reading them yourself! I'd recommend this to lovers of romance, erotica (I mean this sort of is?), and surprising (but entertaining!) reads. Welcome to the Royal family, Penguins; will you sink, or learn to swim?
4.0
From strip clubs and truck stops to southern coast mansions and prep schools, one girl tries to stay true to herself.
These Royals will ruin you…
Ella Harper is a survivor—a pragmatic optimist. She’s spent her whole life moving from town to town with her flighty mother, struggling to make ends meet and believing that someday she’ll climb out of the gutter. After her mother’s death, Ella is truly alone.
Until Callum Royal appears, plucking Ella out of poverty and tossing her into his posh mansion among his five sons who all hate her. Each Royal boy is more magnetic than the last, but none as captivating as Reed Royal, the boy who is determined to send her back to the slums she came from.
Reed doesn’t want her. He says she doesn’t belong with the Royals.
He might be right.
Wealth. Excess. Deception. It’s like nothing Ella has ever experienced, and if she’s going to survive her time in the Royal palace, she’ll need to learn to issue her own Royal decrees.
Rating: 4/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: WOW these boys are spoiled; actually most of the characters in this book start out that way; REED, REED WHAT THE HELL DID YOU EVEN?!?!?!; THAT EEEEEENDING!; seriously, listening to this on audiobook was SUPER STEAMY
HEY LOOK, it's a book I read just for the fun of it and not for any specific review requirement or obligation! (Because apparently July is the month for me to sit back a bit and pick up the slack on my HUMONGOUS BACKLOG of books I buy on whims and then never actually read...)
And let me just say, listening to this on audiobook? BEST. IDEA. EVER. The narrator (hats off to Angela Goethals!) brought SO MUCH to this read that I don't think I'd have caught otherwise. I was enthralled from the very first. Her characterizations leapt out of the speakers, I could imagine everything that was happening...and a few of the more subtle nuances (character voices, for instance, or specific reactions) were more fully captured and "shown." AND THE STEAMEH SCENES! Oh, my penguins, those scenes--I cannot even begin to explain how much hotter they became in the midst of hearing, instead of seeing, the words. There's something...more realistic? more believable? about steamy scenes being read aloud than I sometimes feel just reading the words, and Angela Goethals did a brilliant job bringing those scenes to life.
But another lesson I learned from my mom is that your body can like things that your head hates. Your head just has to be the one in charge.
I was taken aback a little by how spoiled these characters seem. Don't get me wrong--I understand they were born with the world at their feet and all, but some of them REALLY seem far fetched in their...reactions to? interactions with?...the rest of the world. These boys, especially, go to so many lengths to torture and torment Ella, and for what exactly? A small taste of fun? A tiny bit of vengeance? I for sure wasn't expecting to find such loathsome boys on the other side of these pages--though they do, in the end, make up for a lot of their beginnings, so I guess character growth wins out again? (BUT THAT ENDING....AND REED.... WHY, BOOK, WHYYYYY?!)
I had a TON of fun listening to this via audiobook--Angela Goethals really brought her A-game to the table and brought these characters, and this story, to life for me. And the steamy scenes--SO much steamier while listening to them being read, than they are while reading them yourself! I'd recommend this to lovers of romance, erotica (I mean this sort of is?), and surprising (but entertaining!) reads. Welcome to the Royal family, Penguins; will you sink, or learn to swim?
My Lady Jane by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows
Rating: 4.5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: super entertaining; these characters are vibrantly different and yet still familiar; the humor in this is SPOT ON; LOVED the narrators, they helped to both bridge the gap and break the wall down; intriguing, unique premise to the "magical" aspects
If I could brew snark and put a stopper in satire, this book would be at the tippity top of my favorites list. Seriously, the level of personality JUST in the narrators alone was consistently sending me into fits of giggles. They (the narrators, not the giggle fits) helped to both bridge the gap between reader and characters...and also, somehow, build up the wall at the same time? I'm not sure if that even makes sense as an explanation. While they were fairly transparent with their chronicling of the events, they also made it very apparent how unreliable they could be. By this, I mean they often led us, the readers, onto hidden and treacherous paths toward what we thought, at the time, was disappointment...only to totally change directions halfway through and surprise us entirely. Basically, this whole journey was a mess of chaos, scattered thoughts, and pitter-pattery heartbeats--and I adored every single moment!
The characters are also just as vibrantly written, with their own distinct flairs and personalities. I found myself falling in love with and then loathing them each in turn, though for varying reasons (some of which are due to those pesky flighty romance butterflies. Seriously, this is a roMESS from start to finish!) While each character is uniquely written, they also (at least, in certain instances) maintain a semblance of the real-life historical figures they're based upon. This both entertained me throughout, and made placing the characters/their relationships to each other slightly easier in the middle of the messiest bits. (Don't worry, Penguins--mess is a good thing in this instance!)
This plot is fast-paced and filled with the type of satirical snark I've been DYING to read for ages now, but have been unable to find of late. There were so many moments I found myself piecing things together only to laugh out loud at the brilliance behind the implications (the play on horse and steed, especially, was almost too much for my poor ribs!) While it is obvious this isn't true to actual historical events (or, at least, such events have been altered to better fit the magic of this world) I really enjoyed the creativity and fun that the authors brought to this tale.
I am just SO glad I made time for this book this month--I should have read it eons ago, honestly! The characters are witty and vibrant, the satirical snark is top-notch, and the plot is super entertaining. I recommend this to lovers of historical satires, delicious word-play, and journeys that quite literally RETELL history! Breathe deeply, Penguins; what beastly form will you take when the light flares?
4.0
The comical, fantastical, romantical, (not) entirely true story of Lady Jane Grey. In My Lady Jane, coauthors Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows have created a one-of-a-kind fantasy in the tradition of The Princess Bride, featuring a reluctant king, an even more reluctant queen, a noble steed, and only a passing resemblance to actual history—because sometimes history needs a little help.
At sixteen, Lady Jane Grey is about to be married off to a stranger and caught up in a conspiracy to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But those trifling problems aren’t for Jane to worry about. Jane is about to become the Queen of England.
Rating: 4.5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: super entertaining; these characters are vibrantly different and yet still familiar; the humor in this is SPOT ON; LOVED the narrators, they helped to both bridge the gap and break the wall down; intriguing, unique premise to the "magical" aspects
If I could brew snark and put a stopper in satire, this book would be at the tippity top of my favorites list. Seriously, the level of personality JUST in the narrators alone was consistently sending me into fits of giggles. They (the narrators, not the giggle fits) helped to both bridge the gap between reader and characters...and also, somehow, build up the wall at the same time? I'm not sure if that even makes sense as an explanation. While they were fairly transparent with their chronicling of the events, they also made it very apparent how unreliable they could be. By this, I mean they often led us, the readers, onto hidden and treacherous paths toward what we thought, at the time, was disappointment...only to totally change directions halfway through and surprise us entirely. Basically, this whole journey was a mess of chaos, scattered thoughts, and pitter-pattery heartbeats--and I adored every single moment!
The characters are also just as vibrantly written, with their own distinct flairs and personalities. I found myself falling in love with and then loathing them each in turn, though for varying reasons (some of which are due to those pesky flighty romance butterflies. Seriously, this is a roMESS from start to finish!) While each character is uniquely written, they also (at least, in certain instances) maintain a semblance of the real-life historical figures they're based upon. This both entertained me throughout, and made placing the characters/their relationships to each other slightly easier in the middle of the messiest bits. (Don't worry, Penguins--mess is a good thing in this instance!)
And since this was supposedly the first day of his happily-ever-after, he could only conclude that marriage consisted of four solid walls, a door too small to squeeze through, and a window too high to jump from.
This plot is fast-paced and filled with the type of satirical snark I've been DYING to read for ages now, but have been unable to find of late. There were so many moments I found myself piecing things together only to laugh out loud at the brilliance behind the implications (the play on horse and steed, especially, was almost too much for my poor ribs!) While it is obvious this isn't true to actual historical events (or, at least, such events have been altered to better fit the magic of this world) I really enjoyed the creativity and fun that the authors brought to this tale.
I am just SO glad I made time for this book this month--I should have read it eons ago, honestly! The characters are witty and vibrant, the satirical snark is top-notch, and the plot is super entertaining. I recommend this to lovers of historical satires, delicious word-play, and journeys that quite literally RETELL history! Breathe deeply, Penguins; what beastly form will you take when the light flares?
The Murders of Molly Southbourne by Tade Thompson
5.0
Rating: 5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: this was a WHIRLWIND crazy read; I went in not knowing what to expect, and came out not knowing exactly what happened but knowing I LOVED every minute of it; there was this moment where I just...it's like this book took a breath, and stole it away from me; I have NO WORDS
I know the dates say I read this MONTHS AND MONTHS ago but guys. GUYYYYYYS. This. Book. THIS BOOK. I have almost no words to describe the ways this book affected me. In the midst of personal trauma and the loss of my mom, this book was an escape into something unexpected. And it WAS unexpected--I have this nasty habit of only skimming through a book's synopsis, and then forgetting everything I skimmed over. So when I opened this book? I didn't know exactly what I was getting into. On top of that, the idea that Tade Thompson plays with is just SO UNIQUE, I don't think I could have anticipated such an emotional and compelling story even if I'd tried.
The prose is poetic, powerful, and poignant. I really LOVE the ways Tade Thompson took the pages and twisted them into a lyrical, beautiful journey of self-discovery, self-loathing, and self-triumph. There was a moment, about halfway or so through, where I thought I MIGHT know where the end would lead....and I was absolutely devastated to learn just how wrong I was.
I just CANNOT say enough how much I enjoyed this read. My anticipation, going in, was MUCH lower than I think it should have been--because this book? Is AMAZING, and I urge all of you who love the paranormal and the unique to pick it up. Pick it up RIGHT NOW, THIS INSTANT! You won't regret it--the Mollys won't let you.
Quick Reasons: this was a WHIRLWIND crazy read; I went in not knowing what to expect, and came out not knowing exactly what happened but knowing I LOVED every minute of it; there was this moment where I just...it's like this book took a breath, and stole it away from me; I have NO WORDS
I know the dates say I read this MONTHS AND MONTHS ago but guys. GUYYYYYYS. This. Book. THIS BOOK. I have almost no words to describe the ways this book affected me. In the midst of personal trauma and the loss of my mom, this book was an escape into something unexpected. And it WAS unexpected--I have this nasty habit of only skimming through a book's synopsis, and then forgetting everything I skimmed over. So when I opened this book? I didn't know exactly what I was getting into. On top of that, the idea that Tade Thompson plays with is just SO UNIQUE, I don't think I could have anticipated such an emotional and compelling story even if I'd tried.
“Have you ever read Roshodan? Of course you haven’t. You haven’t read anything. Well, my mother made me read his monographs. He said, ‘With each failure, each insult, each wound to the psyche, we are created anew. This new self is who we must battle each day or face extinction of the spirit.’
The prose is poetic, powerful, and poignant. I really LOVE the ways Tade Thompson took the pages and twisted them into a lyrical, beautiful journey of self-discovery, self-loathing, and self-triumph. There was a moment, about halfway or so through, where I thought I MIGHT know where the end would lead....and I was absolutely devastated to learn just how wrong I was.
After some weeks, Leon says, “I love you, Molly.” “No, you don’t, you silly sausage. You think you’re in love because I’m emotionally unavailable. You’ll get over it.”
I just CANNOT say enough how much I enjoyed this read. My anticipation, going in, was MUCH lower than I think it should have been--because this book? Is AMAZING, and I urge all of you who love the paranormal and the unique to pick it up. Pick it up RIGHT NOW, THIS INSTANT! You won't regret it--the Mollys won't let you.