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eloracookauthor's Reviews (211)
I remember loving this book as a young teen and made the days of the local library being my second home very memorable! It is definitely Kelley's best YA and she does such an amazing job with making the story creepy and a page-turner. I also think the cover is great, too often book cover's with a model on them look tacky, but this one is very sleek and subtle. Small aspect, I know, but the cover is just as important for setting the mood!
I found an old, tiny copy of this book in an antique store off a country highway in the summer when I was 17. I was drawn to the delicate cover (not the one shown in this Goodreads cover, much prettier) and knew I had to own it.
It was the best $10 I ever spent. The book is made up of numerous short stories and every single one of them speaks to me in a way I hadn't thought another person could understand. Olive was a woman ahead of her time and the beautiful, spiritual stories she's woven together go deeper than the few pages each one is made up of. I can't properly convey how much I love this book and I know I was drawn to it with good reason. My actual SOUL was drawn to the stories she wished to tell me.
Even reading up on the woman she was in her time period made the book that much more enjoyable. She was a feminist, activist and a wanderlust. In our dark times presently, Olive is a perfect example of the strong woman we all should be and stand up against the patriarchy in whatever way we can.
Read this little, wistful book. Be swept into her soulful worlds she's created.
It was the best $10 I ever spent. The book is made up of numerous short stories and every single one of them speaks to me in a way I hadn't thought another person could understand. Olive was a woman ahead of her time and the beautiful, spiritual stories she's woven together go deeper than the few pages each one is made up of. I can't properly convey how much I love this book and I know I was drawn to it with good reason. My actual SOUL was drawn to the stories she wished to tell me.
Even reading up on the woman she was in her time period made the book that much more enjoyable. She was a feminist, activist and a wanderlust. In our dark times presently, Olive is a perfect example of the strong woman we all should be and stand up against the patriarchy in whatever way we can.
Read this little, wistful book. Be swept into her soulful worlds she's created.
But what about the rest of us? What about the nobodies and the nothings, the invisible girls? We learn to hold our heads as if we wear crowns. We learn to wring magic from the ordinary. That was how you survived when you weren't the chosen, when there was no royal blood in your veins.
This book struck me in the best possible way. It was long, but it kept me engaged throughout, something other books it's length haven't been able to do. I loved the character arcs and how deeply engrained we got to know them, making it so intimate and real. The two winners in this book were most definitely the characters and the writing style. This story puts a lense on the lives of teenagers who aren't some special snowflakes here to save the day, but real, gritty, unlikable people that you end up falling head over heels for. I loved them all and that's not an easy feat (okay maybe Inej holds A BIT more love in my heart than the rest...Kaz too)
That plot twist at the end hurts, no doubt, but I'm not bawling my eyes out either. I don't see anything wrong with. Honestly, this makes it so much more real, because life is bittersweet and I appreciate authors who stick to their guns (channeling Jesper here) and stay true to what would probably happen in stories like this and so often doesn't.
I'm sad to see the story end and lying if I don't admit I wanted SOME kissing between my favourite couple, but I understand the reasoning behind not doing that too.
The only complaint I have (which is not really a complaint, because I love seeing the pieces come together) was that Kaz's schemes got a little predictable. I already was amused and intrigued by how Bardugo wrapped everything together at the end of Six of Crows and it played the same note a bit too much on this one. Though enough obstacles were put in place to hinder The Dreg's plan that it's forgivable.
One day I'll return to this crew (maybe even sooner depending on what Bardugo has to announce on Monday!) but for now ta-ta ma cherie!
This book struck me in the best possible way. It was long, but it kept me engaged throughout, something other books it's length haven't been able to do. I loved the character arcs and how deeply engrained we got to know them, making it so intimate and real. The two winners in this book were most definitely the characters and the writing style. This story puts a lense on the lives of teenagers who aren't some special snowflakes here to save the day, but real, gritty, unlikable people that you end up falling head over heels for. I loved them all and that's not an easy feat (okay maybe Inej holds A BIT more love in my heart than the rest...Kaz too)
That plot twist at the end hurts, no doubt, but I'm not bawling my eyes out either. I don't see anything wrong with
Spoiler
killing Matthias, though I hurt for Nina the mostI'm sad to see the story end and lying if I don't admit I wanted SOME kissing between my favourite couple, but I understand the reasoning behind not doing that too.
The only complaint I have (which is not really a complaint, because I love seeing the pieces come together) was that Kaz's schemes got a little predictable. I already was amused and intrigued by how Bardugo wrapped everything together at the end of Six of Crows and it played the same note a bit too much on this one. Though enough obstacles were put in place to hinder The Dreg's plan that it's forgivable.
One day I'll return to this crew (maybe even sooner depending on what Bardugo has to announce on Monday!) but for now ta-ta ma cherie!
Man Oh man do I LOVE this trilogy!!! This book was just as good as the first, something hard to pull off in sequels. Bardugo knows how to write and I love her world building! I can't wait to dive right into the finale!! Ahhhhh!! ♡♡♡
Excuse me everyone while I weep for three days and have no way to stop myself. This was beautiful and I can't contain my wrecked heart. I can't even form proper thoughts right now. ♡♡♡♡♡
EDIT BELOW:
Amazing!! I have no better words. Bardugo is a master storyteller and has grabbed at my heart with her characters and story. This is what kind of books need to be out in the world! I can easily read this again and again. ♡♡ Now on to Crooked Kingdom while I wait for book two and three to come in the mail! *squeals with pure glee*
**I have to add though, which was the only part that bothered me, was the typical, annoying trope I've seen in stories everywhere - not just YA books. That is how Mal was written as the typical male who's been with loads of girls and Alina was the virgin who trails after him like the love-struck puppy she is. (The Darkling changes that somewhat but not enough for me to shake it off) WHY does the male always have to be some sex experienced character while the female always has zero to little experience? Ugh it really annoys me. Either have them on the same playing field or *gasp* have the male for once NOT have been with loads of ladies.
Amazing!! I have no better words. Bardugo is a master storyteller and has grabbed at my heart with her characters and story. This is what kind of books need to be out in the world! I can easily read this again and again. ♡♡ Now on to Crooked Kingdom while I wait for book two and three to come in the mail! *squeals with pure glee*
**I have to add though, which was the only part that bothered me, was the typical, annoying trope I've seen in stories everywhere - not just YA books. That is how Mal was written as the typical male who's been with loads of girls and Alina was the virgin who trails after him like the love-struck puppy she is. (The Darkling changes that somewhat but not enough for me to shake it off) WHY does the male always have to be some sex experienced character while the female always has zero to little experience? Ugh it really annoys me. Either have them on the same playing field or *gasp* have the male for once NOT have been with loads of ladies.
