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elderlyemo's reviews
84 reviews
Credence by Penelope Douglas
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Where do I even start with this one?
This is my third Penelope Douglas book so far and it's the lowest rated, despite it generally being the highest rated (and at the very least, most viral) book in general. I knew a fair amount about this book going into it but I had a hard time really attaching myself to any of the characters because all of them were pretty poorly developed and when I did feel like I was gaining insight into one or any of them, they had a complete personality bypass and changed, only to revert back to their original selves when the plot needed them too.
I also understand that this story is full of taboo and that's how we like it, but there were somethings in this story that just didn't need to be there. I also think the person she ends up with at the end makes absolutely no sense and the justification of ones personal trauma being used as a weapon to hurt another person just really disappointed me.
There were the bones (no pun intended) of a great, sick love story here but it focused too much on trying to be a million things at once that in the end it didn't really succeed in being anything at all. I love PD's writing style, and Jake and Noah's characters were almost good at some points, my heart cracked for Tiernan a time or to too, but it was like I was being lured in under the false pretence that any of these people cared about each other only to have the rug pulled out from under us when I realised that none of them did and they all probably needed some time ALONE on that mountain to figure out their own stuff before attempting to love or seduce anyone.
None of the more obvious things about this story disturbed me but when Tiernan said "I feel like this is the only time you like me" to one of the dudes in this book referring to snoo snoo - I wanted to throw the book across the room. AND THAT'S THE ONE SHE ENDS UP WITH?
No thank you Penelope.
No thank you.
This is my third Penelope Douglas book so far and it's the lowest rated, despite it generally being the highest rated (and at the very least, most viral) book in general. I knew a fair amount about this book going into it but I had a hard time really attaching myself to any of the characters because all of them were pretty poorly developed and when I did feel like I was gaining insight into one or any of them, they had a complete personality bypass and changed, only to revert back to their original selves when the plot needed them too.
I also understand that this story is full of taboo and that's how we like it, but there were somethings in this story that just didn't need to be there. I also think the person she ends up with at the end makes absolutely no sense and the justification of ones personal trauma being used as a weapon to hurt another person just really disappointed me.
There were the bones (no pun intended) of a great, sick love story here but it focused too much on trying to be a million things at once that in the end it didn't really succeed in being anything at all. I love PD's writing style, and Jake and Noah's characters were almost good at some points, my heart cracked for Tiernan a time or to too, but it was like I was being lured in under the false pretence that any of these people cared about each other only to have the rug pulled out from under us when I realised that none of them did and they all probably needed some time ALONE on that mountain to figure out their own stuff before attempting to love or seduce anyone.
None of the more obvious things about this story disturbed me but when Tiernan said "I feel like this is the only time you like me" to one of the dudes in this book referring to snoo snoo - I wanted to throw the book across the room. AND THAT'S THE ONE SHE ENDS UP WITH?
No thank you Penelope.
No thank you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas
I would also like to add another point, or more of a question that I have to ask out loud because it's been on my mind a while but - why do they always end up pregnant or with a kid at the end of PD books? Like is that the logical end point for all of these really traumatised people? Like boom you've got a baby ergo something to live for, you can leave all your worries behind? It's very weird to me and going into my third PD book I'm hoping there are some happily every afters that don't always end in reproduction.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This one had been on my TBR for a while and when I picked it up at the weekend I didn't expect to read it straight through in one sitting - but I did.
This was one of the titles by the author that I knew relatively nothing about, but after reading and loving Birthday Girl around this time last year, I thought I'd give it a go and I wasn't disappointed.
I loved that this was the first Penelope Douglas book that I had read that was two age appropriate people with great chemistry and a history, caught in a web of miscommunication and the flip of the weird kid with the lip ring taunting the cheerleader instead of the other way around was refreshing and made the seventeen year old version of me very excited.
But I think, that was the problem. As a thirty something person now I just found the characters grating at times. The lyrics were awful, as were the stereotypes however inverted and the twist at the end was lukewarm at best. Misha dragged the charade on too long and sometimes I felt like Ryen wasn't quite as lovable as the book maybe wanted me to think she was. There were also a lot of side characters in this story that I didn't really care for, but there were some interesting themes and subplots as a result.
The spice in this book was *10/10* and the characters genuinely had such great chemistry there were some moments where I completely forgot I was reading a book and yeah, if I am being honest - I really wanted them to end up together.
Overall, a pretty decent read. Same rating as Birthday Girl, and I'd probably reread it in the future.
This was one of the titles by the author that I knew relatively nothing about, but after reading and loving Birthday Girl around this time last year, I thought I'd give it a go and I wasn't disappointed.
I loved that this was the first Penelope Douglas book that I had read that was two age appropriate people with great chemistry and a history, caught in a web of miscommunication and the flip of the weird kid with the lip ring taunting the cheerleader instead of the other way around was refreshing and made the seventeen year old version of me very excited.
But I think, that was the problem. As a thirty something person now I just found the characters grating at times. The lyrics were awful, as were the stereotypes however inverted and the twist at the end was lukewarm at best. Misha dragged the charade on too long and sometimes I felt like Ryen wasn't quite as lovable as the book maybe wanted me to think she was. There were also a lot of side characters in this story that I didn't really care for, but there were some interesting themes and subplots as a result.
The spice in this book was *10/10* and the characters genuinely had such great chemistry there were some moments where I completely forgot I was reading a book and yeah, if I am being honest - I really wanted them to end up together.
Overall, a pretty decent read. Same rating as Birthday Girl, and I'd probably reread it in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
The Teacher by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I read this book on a whim and I can't say I feel very strongly about it, which for me, is quite disappointing.
The setup of the book was good and I can't deny that there were twists, but I think the big "WHAT?" moment was a bit of a let down, not that I saw it coming but still - it seemed a little phoned in literally on the last three pages of the book. I will say the slightly smaller twist just before the big reveal at the end was totally unexpected and kind of made sense? Maybe I just didn't like the characters enough to care.
There were also a few plot points that seemed to get lost along the way - like what actually happened with the teacher that Addie stalked at the beginning of the book? I also felt like the world that the author built was quite small, and once I discovered that halfway through the book, I became suspicious
of the three characters left that could be the ones whodunnit.
It's a well written, solid read and I would recommend it to anyone looking to kill some time on a sun lounger this summer whilst on holiday somewhere hot where reality does not dwell, but yet again - I think this one wasn't necessarily worth the hype.
The setup of the book was good and I can't deny that there were twists, but I think the big "WHAT?" moment was a bit of a let down, not that I saw it coming but still - it seemed a little phoned in literally on the last three pages of the book. I will say the slightly smaller twist just before the big reveal at the end was totally unexpected and kind of made sense? Maybe I just didn't like the characters enough to care.
There were also a few plot points that seemed to get lost along the way - like what actually happened with the teacher that Addie stalked at the beginning of the book? I also felt like the world that the author built was quite small, and once I discovered that halfway through the book, I became suspicious
of the three characters left that could be the ones whodunnit.
It's a well written, solid read and I would recommend it to anyone looking to kill some time on a sun lounger this summer whilst on holiday somewhere hot where reality does not dwell, but yet again - I think this one wasn't necessarily worth the hype.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Stalking, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Let me preface this review by saying that I am not a "quote" classics fan "quote" and usually the sheer amount of words it takes to form a sentence in period literature puts me off, but Wuthering Heights has always been and will always be the exception.
It's dark and moody and ridiculous and the root cause of every dark romantics obsession with "the villain". None of the characters in this book are remotely likeable and the brief moments that they are, only become all the more destitute when they do or say something absolutely abhorrent.
I always smile when I see people using the "our souls" quotes for weddings because Heathcliff and Cathy are certainly not the kind of couple I would be modelling my long term relationship goals off BUT - they are, and forever will be, an iconic literary couple.
I think people go into this book expecting to swoon in the vain of similar romance novels of the time, but this book is gritty and desperate and a testament to how love can destroy a human being and everyone around them. It's a warning, a red flag and at it's core - a spooky lesson in warped hearts and unrequited expectation.
But still...imagine being loved like that?
Forever four stars.
It's dark and moody and ridiculous and the root cause of every dark romantics obsession with "the villain". None of the characters in this book are remotely likeable and the brief moments that they are, only become all the more destitute when they do or say something absolutely abhorrent.
I always smile when I see people using the "our souls" quotes for weddings because Heathcliff and Cathy are certainly not the kind of couple I would be modelling my long term relationship goals off BUT - they are, and forever will be, an iconic literary couple.
I think people go into this book expecting to swoon in the vain of similar romance novels of the time, but this book is gritty and desperate and a testament to how love can destroy a human being and everyone around them. It's a warning, a red flag and at it's core - a spooky lesson in warped hearts and unrequited expectation.
But still...imagine being loved like that?
Forever four stars.
It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is my third time rereading this book and though I reread books often, I always wait a couple of years to see how this one grows. This at its core, is a very authentic depiction of a mentally ill teenagers ability to all at once be completely self obsessed whilst genuinely believing that their life has no worth, and I think as we age, we lose the ability to exist as both.
As such, I think your age and your life experiences, as with most books, will drastically impact the way you read this story. I read it this time around in less than two hours and forgot how funny and brutal and charming and real it was.
The character of Craig is painfully relatable, as are many of the side characters, and though I think that there are parts of this book that were unnecessary - the entirety of Noelle and Craig's relationship is vapid and forced - the overall experience of reading this book was great.
Would definitely recommend to anyone who has ever felt burnt out and broken, especially in the midst of the terror that is adolescence.
As such, I think your age and your life experiences, as with most books, will drastically impact the way you read this story. I read it this time around in less than two hours and forgot how funny and brutal and charming and real it was.
The character of Craig is painfully relatable, as are many of the side characters, and though I think that there are parts of this book that were unnecessary - the entirety of Noelle and Craig's relationship is vapid and forced - the overall experience of reading this book was great.
Would definitely recommend to anyone who has ever felt burnt out and broken, especially in the midst of the terror that is adolescence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug use, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
First of all - this is not my normal kind of book and I'd never read anything by the author before. I picked it up because I am an avid video game enthusiast and I love books about characters that are difficult to love. I've seen this book referred to as "two emotionally immature people that aren't supposed to be friends" but I think that's the point? There is no character arc here, no redemption. The main characters are trauma bonded and they never really deal with any of that trauma, and when even more trauma comes along, they actually get worse. It's bleak and sad and the characters are really hard to fight for for most of the book.
And having said that - I absolutely adored this story. It was refreshing to read a story about broken people that aren't trying to get over something, they're just trying to get through it. Sam and Sadie both just try to get through this entire book and that was something I could really relate to. Yeah, it's great when we heal and become better people, but sometimes it's more realistic that some things you don't just come back from. They change who you are and sometimes it's not for the better. Characters don't always have to become better people, sometimes they just have to be there at the end of it all.
A very niche book set to the backdrop of 90s tech and the art of making a video game, I understand why I loved this book but I'm not sure how so many others did. The "viral" nature of this story is still a bit lost on me because even though I cried at least four times reading it, I can't think of one person that I could recommend this book to in my real life because I don't think many people would "get it" - but judging by how popular it is, maybe there are more misanthropes out there than I thought.
Truly an amazing story that left me staring out the window waiting for my heart to pick up its rhythm again for days afterwards.
And having said that - I absolutely adored this story. It was refreshing to read a story about broken people that aren't trying to get over something, they're just trying to get through it. Sam and Sadie both just try to get through this entire book and that was something I could really relate to. Yeah, it's great when we heal and become better people, but sometimes it's more realistic that some things you don't just come back from. They change who you are and sometimes it's not for the better. Characters don't always have to become better people, sometimes they just have to be there at the end of it all.
A very niche book set to the backdrop of 90s tech and the art of making a video game, I understand why I loved this book but I'm not sure how so many others did. The "viral" nature of this story is still a bit lost on me because even though I cried at least four times reading it, I can't think of one person that I could recommend this book to in my real life because I don't think many people would "get it" - but judging by how popular it is, maybe there are more misanthropes out there than I thought.
Truly an amazing story that left me staring out the window waiting for my heart to pick up its rhythm again for days afterwards.
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I hate how much I love these books. And I hate how much this one got me by soul and dragged me through to the end in one 700+ page sitting. They're just so easy to read!
The characters are interesting and they develop well throughout the books. The plot is there, the world building is a bit tenuous and by this the third book in the series there are a lot of characters that kind of blur together into one.
Is it ridiculous? Absolutely.
Is it fun to read? Absolutely.
The ACOTAR series is the adult millennial version of Twilight and just like we all pretended to be too cerebral to enjoy Twilight in the noughties, I feel like a lot of people don't give this series the credit it's due. Maybe it needs to stew for another decade until it becomes meme worthy enough for people to say that they love it out loud.
Regardless, Sarah J Maas isn't promising you Shakespeare, but what she does do she does incredibly well. This is the second ACOTAR book to make me shout out loud to an empty room (Tamlin and his dramatic entrance at the Court meeting) and it caught me off guard when I found myself sobbing inconsolably at four o'clock in the morning at the end of the book (if you know, you know).
I want books to effect me, to have a visceral effect on my well being for better or worse - and the ACOTAR series occupies my mind far more than I like to admit.
Bat boys for life <3
The characters are interesting and they develop well throughout the books. The plot is there, the world building is a bit tenuous and by this the third book in the series there are a lot of characters that kind of blur together into one.
Is it ridiculous? Absolutely.
Is it fun to read? Absolutely.
The ACOTAR series is the adult millennial version of Twilight and just like we all pretended to be too cerebral to enjoy Twilight in the noughties, I feel like a lot of people don't give this series the credit it's due. Maybe it needs to stew for another decade until it becomes meme worthy enough for people to say that they love it out loud.
Regardless, Sarah J Maas isn't promising you Shakespeare, but what she does do she does incredibly well. This is the second ACOTAR book to make me shout out loud to an empty room (Tamlin and his dramatic entrance at the Court meeting) and it caught me off guard when I found myself sobbing inconsolably at four o'clock in the morning at the end of the book (if you know, you know).
I want books to effect me, to have a visceral effect on my well being for better or worse - and the ACOTAR series occupies my mind far more than I like to admit.
Bat boys for life <3