Scan barcode
candidcopywriter's reviews
33 reviews
A Captive of Wing and Feather by Melanie Cellier
3.0
I was eagerly waiting for this book, especially since I was very curious about what happened to Adelaide. It was a nice "tying-up-loose-ends" story, but I must admit, I was quite disappointed by it. Somehow, the usual charm of Cellier's stories was just not there in this book. The way Adelaide was described in "A Tale of Beauty and the Beast" somehow didn't match up with her character in this book.
A bit more about her struggles and how exactly she got cursed, would have been appreciated. I also felt that Gabe wasn't really developed properly in the story. In fact, Adelaide seemed so bitter till the very end that her final capitulation to his advances didn't flow right. I also would have loved to see more of Audrey and her motivations to do the things she did in the story.Her reasons for betraying Adelaide are not revealed till the end. Even a single sentence like, "He would have killed my family," would have worked.
Anyway, enough ranting. I guess I was only this disappointed by this book because Cellier's other books are all pure genius. She is my favourite author of fairy tale retellings and all her other novels were a delight to read. This one felt just a little off the mark, because the author is usually so much better at developing all the characters.
If this had been the first Melanie Cellier book I read, I'm sure I would have liked it much better than I did. That said, the story still fascinated me and it was difficult to put the book down, and I will still buy her next book.
A bit more about her struggles and how exactly she got cursed, would have been appreciated. I also felt that Gabe wasn't really developed properly in the story. In fact, Adelaide seemed so bitter till the very end that her final capitulation to his advances didn't flow right. I also would have loved to see more of Audrey and her motivations to do the things she did in the story.
Anyway, enough ranting. I guess I was only this disappointed by this book because Cellier's other books are all pure genius. She is my favourite author of fairy tale retellings and all her other novels were a delight to read. This one felt just a little off the mark, because the author is usually so much better at developing all the characters.
If this had been the first Melanie Cellier book I read, I'm sure I would have liked it much better than I did. That said, the story still fascinated me and it was difficult to put the book down, and I will still buy her next book.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
4.0
This was my first Christie read after a long time, and I loved it! It was incredibly fun.
I wouldn't say it's her best work ever, because she's written books that make you stare into space for a while because Oh My God, you were not expecting them to be the killer, and this wasn't it.
I guessed the killer about half way into the book, but what I couldn't figure out was, "How the HECK did ___ do it?" That was the mystery I read. Basically, a "how-dunnit" :P
I predicted the killer, sure, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the book. It was very thrilling and I read it in a single sitting!
I wouldn't say it's her best work ever, because she's written books that make you stare into space for a while because Oh My God, you were not expecting them to be the killer, and this wasn't it.
I guessed the killer about half way into the book, but what I couldn't figure out was, "How the HECK did ___ do it?" That was the mystery I read. Basically, a "how-dunnit" :P
I predicted the killer, sure, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the book. It was very thrilling and I read it in a single sitting!
The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine
3.0
When I read an article on Book Riot, that this book is about a shy girl who's afraid of her own shadow rather than brave and rebellious like the usual YA Fantasy heroines, I had to pick this up.
It was a sweet story, brilliantly written. The author managed to capture the voice of young, timid, shy Princess Addie incredibly well.
I loved the characters and the world and the monsters. But the story somehow was a miss for me. I can't pinpoint why it was a miss, because it had everything I would ever want in a fantasy story, but it was.
Maybe I'm too old for these kinds of books.
But it was still a fun read! Recommended to anyone who wants to read light fantasy.
It was a sweet story, brilliantly written. The author managed to capture the voice of young, timid, shy Princess Addie incredibly well.
I loved the characters and the world and the monsters. But the story somehow was a miss for me. I can't pinpoint why it was a miss, because it had everything I would ever want in a fantasy story, but it was.
Maybe I'm too old for these kinds of books.
But it was still a fun read! Recommended to anyone who wants to read light fantasy.
More...