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catoochie's reviews
224 reviews
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
2.0
I will attempt to be vague about spoilers.
Rating: 2.5/5
I'll begin with positive notes. I loved the introduction of Emerie and Gwyn. I love girlhood and friendship so that was enjoyable. I'm always down for a story about a woman facing her trauma. I was happy about Nesta's final mental place. I like Nesta & Cassian, their pairing didn't annoy me for most of the book. The smut wasn't the worst I've read.
Now for my issues.
I have never read a series where the author destroyed any love I had for majority of the main characters as swiftly as SJM did here. That should be considered a new talent. There is no world in which I should enjoy a literal sentient house more than the main characters.
Rhysand has been portrayed as a pro-choice feminist and yet he is one of the ugliest men I've ever seen throughout this book. The worst part is I don't feel SJM even did this on purpose. To be clear as well, the "incident" was of no fault of Nesta's it was Rhysand's fault, and his alone. Everything he did in this book was misogynistic. A big ole pile of toxic masculinity.
The way Nesta has been treated throughout this series but mostly in this book is nothing short of disgusting. It's no surprise a woman with trauma, addiction, and mental health issues is treated like garbage, but I'm disappointed nonetheless. There was no retribution for this nor was there a teaching moment. Even upon discovery of the full range of Nesta's trauma there was not an apology to be seen.
Why can SJM not write the word clit? Pussy? Vagina even? The fear so many authors seem to have of writing about female genitals blows my mind. Why can we write cock yet clitoris seems to be a forbidden word. Just say clit.
I will finish with the ever present SJM trope that leads me to believe she just hates powerful women. If you've read it, you know what I'm talking about.
I enjoyed the original trilogy, and it should've stopped there. I loved ToG and I'm very disappointed in this series. I wish she would've focused more on Nesta's new friendships, her growth, and left Rhys, Feyre, Amren, and Mor mostly out of it.
Rating: 2.5/5
I'll begin with positive notes. I loved the introduction of Emerie and Gwyn. I love girlhood and friendship so that was enjoyable. I'm always down for a story about a woman facing her trauma. I was happy about Nesta's final mental place. I like Nesta & Cassian, their pairing didn't annoy me for most of the book. The smut wasn't the worst I've read.
Now for my issues.
I have never read a series where the author destroyed any love I had for majority of the main characters as swiftly as SJM did here. That should be considered a new talent. There is no world in which I should enjoy a literal sentient house more than the main characters.
Rhysand has been portrayed as a pro-choice feminist and yet he is one of the ugliest men I've ever seen throughout this book. The worst part is I don't feel SJM even did this on purpose. To be clear as well, the "incident" was of no fault of Nesta's it was Rhysand's fault, and his alone. Everything he did in this book was misogynistic. A big ole pile of toxic masculinity.
The way Nesta has been treated throughout this series but mostly in this book is nothing short of disgusting. It's no surprise a woman with trauma, addiction, and mental health issues is treated like garbage, but I'm disappointed nonetheless. There was no retribution for this nor was there a teaching moment. Even upon discovery of the full range of Nesta's trauma there was not an apology to be seen.
Why can SJM not write the word clit? Pussy? Vagina even? The fear so many authors seem to have of writing about female genitals blows my mind. Why can we write cock yet clitoris seems to be a forbidden word. Just say clit.
I will finish with the ever present SJM trope that leads me to believe she just hates powerful women. If you've read it, you know what I'm talking about.
I enjoyed the original trilogy, and it should've stopped there. I loved ToG and I'm very disappointed in this series. I wish she would've focused more on Nesta's new friendships, her growth, and left Rhys, Feyre, Amren, and Mor mostly out of it.
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
2.0
I can’t believe I’m writing my first review for this.
For clarity, I love SJM and was absolutely obsessed with ToG.
With that being said, this book is the equivalent to that episode of an anime where they go to the beach and nothing happens.
For the love of God, please focus on your side characters and give them a chance to have some depth.
For clarity, I love SJM and was absolutely obsessed with ToG.
With that being said, this book is the equivalent to that episode of an anime where they go to the beach and nothing happens.
For the love of God, please focus on your side characters and give them a chance to have some depth.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
3.0
Rating: 3.5
I’m occasionally able to love an unreliable narrator, I’m just not sure this one was executed well. I enjoyed the story. It was easy to read so I was able to finish it quickly while still absorbing the content.
The beginning felt a bit slow. I eventually understood why there was so much detail in the main characters relationships, but it felt slow starting nonetheless.
This book was very hyped up, which I feel always leads to a bit of a let down. I didn’t feel as if I was enthralled in an exciting conspiracy during any point of the story. That’s something I’m looking for in a mystery.
I didn’t feel connection with Theo, which is something I look for in an unreliable narrator.
Overall, it was good. The writing was good, I noticed a few repeat words and phrases that began to wear on me but it wasn’t until the end. The plot twist was fine, but nothing I didn’t see coming by about halfway through.
Enjoyable, not groundbreaking.
I’m occasionally able to love an unreliable narrator, I’m just not sure this one was executed well. I enjoyed the story. It was easy to read so I was able to finish it quickly while still absorbing the content.
The beginning felt a bit slow. I eventually understood why there was so much detail in the main characters relationships, but it felt slow starting nonetheless.
This book was very hyped up, which I feel always leads to a bit of a let down. I didn’t feel as if I was enthralled in an exciting conspiracy during any point of the story. That’s something I’m looking for in a mystery.
I didn’t feel connection with Theo, which is something I look for in an unreliable narrator.
Overall, it was good. The writing was good, I noticed a few repeat words and phrases that began to wear on me but it wasn’t until the end. The plot twist was fine, but nothing I didn’t see coming by about halfway through.
Enjoyable, not groundbreaking.