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eetishmeh's Reviews (23)
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
[This review was written after finishing the whole Simon Snow trilogy. It does not contain spoilers for the other books.]
This book was awesome! I love the trope subversion and this take on the Chosen One trope. (I also love golden retriever and wet cat dynamics so you've got me there. Also, I love Penny as well, so really I just love basically everything about this book.)
I accidentally sped through the entire trilogy—200+ chapters!—within 4 days, a feat which I'm pretty sure I haven't achieved before.
Some thoughts I had while reading this book, to sate your curiosity if you're like me and can't resist clicking all the spoiler tags in the review section:
Baz stop simping for Simon for two seconds challenge (impossible)
Glad they portray the manipulative mentor as a manipulative mentor, unlike some people *cough*JKRfailingtowriteDumbledore*cough*
I have a soft spot for sarcastic gay vampires with dark hair and magic
I still don't know if I'm pronouncing the name Bunce properly.
Anyway, 10/10 would recommend. If you want a humorous Romeo-and-Juliet, enemies-to-lovers story (with less tragedy for the lovers) paired with fantasy happenings, banter between friends, a super epic magic system and much better representation than Harry Potter, this is the book for you!
This book was awesome! I love the trope subversion and this take on the Chosen One trope. (I also love golden retriever and wet cat dynamics so you've got me there. Also, I love Penny as well, so really I just love basically everything about this book.)
I accidentally sped through the entire trilogy—200+ chapters!—within 4 days, a feat which I'm pretty sure I haven't achieved before.
Baz stop simping for Simon for two seconds challenge (impossible)
Glad they portray the manipulative mentor as a manipulative mentor, unlike some people *cough*JKRfailingtowriteDumbledore*cough*
I have a soft spot for sarcastic gay vampires with dark hair and magic
I still don't know if I'm pronouncing the name Bunce properly.
Anyway, 10/10 would recommend. If you want a humorous Romeo-and-Juliet, enemies-to-lovers story (with less tragedy for the lovers) paired with fantasy happenings, banter between friends, a super epic magic system and much better representation than Harry Potter, this is the book for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy
Please look further into what warnings come with this book if necessary! I likely forgot a few things
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
An awesome prequel to the Remnant Chronicles' main series! I loved Morrighan and Jafir, and of course the chemistry they had together. I loved the tribe, and I love how I didn't really know what to think of Jafir's clan. I love how it shows two sides of the Remnant—the scavengers, desperate; the tribespeople, overly placating. I love the bravery of our main characters, and the voice of the narration.
One qualm I have is the trope where part of the relationship's basis was "this is the first time they've interacted with someone around their age who is the opposite gender". However, this book delivers the trope quite well because it didn't feel forced down my throat, and that's definitely something because I despise this set-up with every fibre of my being. (Sorry for being harsh but it's true :'D)
On the other hand, while I also hate how many misunderstanding tropes are written, this was one of the rare exceptions where I actually enjoyed its execution!
Overall, the verdict is that it was a spectacular read, truly.
On the other hand, while I also hate how many misunderstanding tropes are written, this was one of the rare exceptions where I actually enjoyed its execution!
Overall, the verdict is that it was a spectacular read, truly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death
Minor: Death of parent
Please look up warnings for this book if you're concerned! I may have left some things out by accident
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
This book was awesome! I loved the overall vibe and how the author adds sources at the end. I think Tru was slightly underdeveloped in some aspects, but overall she felt like a real person I could know.
I enjoyed how Tru's difficulties with her disability were not glossed over, and how she courageously powered through her doubts. I aspire to be as brave as her, truly.
I love Od's character and how she never loses her spark, despite the many awful happenings she was subject to in her lifetime. If these girls possess anything, it's definitely bravery and determination.
It took me a while to get into the story, though that's just due to personal preference, I'm sure. (I tend to read fast contemporary books the most.)
I loved the storyteller aspect of the book. I've seen many people mention how the synopsis is misleading, but the copy I own has a different synopsis than the one on the Storygraph. This one fits the book much more, in my opinion.
I enjoyed how Tru's difficulties with her disability were not glossed over, and how she courageously powered through her doubts. I aspire to be as brave as her, truly.
I love Od's character and how she never loses her spark, despite the many awful happenings she was subject to in her lifetime. If these girls possess anything, it's definitely bravery and determination.
It took me a while to get into the story, though that's just due to personal preference, I'm sure. (I tend to read fast contemporary books the most.)
I loved the storyteller aspect of the book. I've seen many people mention how the synopsis is misleading, but the copy I own has a different synopsis than the one on the Storygraph. This one fits the book much more, in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Pregnancy
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Ableism, Miscarriage, Sexism, Sexual content, Vomit
Please look up warnings for this book before reading it! I may have missed a few, and this book deals with dark themes.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
[This review was written without reading the perquisite Caraval books.]
Not my cup of tea, but from an objective standpoint I can tell how well-written it is. I adored the worldbuilding and the Magnificent North, but Evangeline tends to think in repetitive sentences whicu got tiring quick 🥲
The starting was meh for me (rofan veteran readers may think differently; I don't usually read this genre), but it picked up later with the mystery. Would've brought this up to 4 stars if not for some situations I thought were overly possessive in terms of interactions (Jacks nipping Evangeline's ear and gripping her by the waist even though she was uncomfortable 😭 He didn't have to go that far ) which I believe were unnecessary.
I don't know how I feel about Jacks potentially being Evangeline's love interest. He's done a lot of terrible things to her so far, and lemme just say that it'll take an out-of-this-world redemption arc to get me to be on-board with that. Whenever I think I'm starting to like Jacks, he turns around and pulls a new stunt :') I have faith in Stephanie Garber, though, because I can tell she's a good writer + my friend who's read the Caraval series vouches for her ability to do that haha
Also, this book is just a walking amatonormative theme, which was off-putting especially because I'm demiromantic 🥲
Conclusion: I think I'd be better off with Caraval tbh
Not my cup of tea, but from an objective standpoint I can tell how well-written it is. I adored the worldbuilding and the Magnificent North, but Evangeline tends to think in repetitive sentences whicu got tiring quick 🥲
The starting was meh for me (rofan veteran readers may think differently; I don't usually read this genre), but it picked up later with the mystery. Would've brought this up to 4 stars if not for some situations I thought were overly possessive in terms of interactions (
Also, this book is just a walking amatonormative theme, which was off-putting especially because I'm demiromantic 🥲
Conclusion: I think I'd be better off with Caraval tbh
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Blood, Murder
Minor: Toxic relationship, Death of parent
adventurous
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A great elementary-grade sci-fi book!
A few repetitions, and the dialogue comes off as stilted sometimes, but overall a very enjoyable series with a nice conclusion. I loved the themes of the undertone, and am happy with how Chipper's arc wrapped up.
Would recommend for younger kids or for a beach read.
A few repetitions, and the dialogue comes off as stilted sometimes, but overall a very enjoyable series with a nice conclusion. I loved the themes of the undertone, and am happy with how Chipper's arc wrapped up.
Would recommend for younger kids or for a beach read.
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A heavy yet fascinating read about the horrors of the Holocaust. I did not know much of this before, and I'm glad I got to understand this piece of history more through Jane Yolen's writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Violence, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, War
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Cursing, Excrement, Pregnancy
Please look up content warnings before reading this book! It deals with many dark themes and I may have missed some tags
adventurous
slow-paced
adventurous
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
[This review was written after reading the 2nd book in this duology.]
Tess is a compelling character whose self-deprecating thoughts I relate to. My past isn't the same as hers, yet the way we deal with our problems internally is extremely similar. I love how Rachel Hartman wrote her struggle, weaved together with amazing vocabulary and detailed worldbuilding as Tess put her boots on and walked the endless road.
Her journey of self discovery begs one to look inwards and wonder—could I do the same?
If you're asking that, well, that's already the first step, isn't it?
Tess is a compelling character whose self-deprecating thoughts I relate to. My past isn't the same as hers, yet the way we deal with our problems internally is extremely similar. I love how Rachel Hartman wrote her struggle, weaved together with amazing vocabulary and detailed worldbuilding as Tess put her boots on and walked the endless road.
Her journey of self discovery begs one to look inwards and wonder—could I do the same?
If you're asking that, well, that's already the first step, isn't it?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy
Moderate: Animal death, Child death
Minor: Cursing, Rape, Sexual assault
Please look up content warnings before reading the book! I may have missed a few things
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have to say, Rachel Hartman's books always leave me amazed.
Her intricate worldbuilding strikes again in In the Serpent's Wake, and, as expected from this series, the internal conflict and reflections of the characters are a major part of it.
I love how it tackles the issue of colonisation and the injustice to native people, along with other things like worries about gender + gender presentation, moral standing, and interpersonal relationships.
I like how Tess finally came to the realisation that ko shouldn't be used unless someone consents to it/she shouldn't have been calling the quigutl by gendered pronouns in Ninysh without asking. When she first noted her disdain for ko in the 1st book, I was a bit worried in which direction it'd go in—I'm thankful I kept my faith in this duology! I love how Spira tried a few different sets of pronouns before settling on teu/teur, and that Tess admitted she had a crush on both Jacomo and Marga.
I'd recommend this series to someone who wants a reflective and insightful read, yet also adores fantasy settings and worldbuilding!
Her intricate worldbuilding strikes again in In the Serpent's Wake, and, as expected from this series, the internal conflict and reflections of the characters are a major part of it.
I love how it tackles the issue of colonisation and the injustice to native people, along with other things like worries about gender + gender presentation, moral standing, and interpersonal relationships.
I'd recommend this series to someone who wants a reflective and insightful read, yet also adores fantasy settings and worldbuilding!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Racism, Xenophobia, Colonisation
Moderate: Violence, Murder, War
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Blood, Vomit, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol
Please look up content warnings for this book! I may have missed a few