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howlinglibraries's Reviews (1.89k)
I went into this with morbid curiosity and the assumption that the low ratings were from the content, but no. The writing was lacking in a big way — as in, I stopped counting run-on sentences after the first chapter. This negativity is coming from me, someone who reads a lot of under-edited books and usually doesn't complain much about it, so take that for what you will! If you don't mind the poor writing, though, the plot was pretty solidly fucked up and I liked the protagonist.
Well, at least that's over.
Rowan has to be one of the most unappealing romance heroes I've ever met. He spends the majority of the book being a raging prick who is so out of touch with reality that he has no concept of how the 99% lives, and even when he's being "nice", he's so possessive and demanding that I found myself rolling my eyes at most of his dialogue. He's wounded because his dad was mean to him, but having an unsupportive parent is no excuse for half of the things he says and does. I saw a review on here that said he doesn't view employees as human beings until he starts to have sex with one of them, and that's spot on.
It would have been bad enough to deal with how much I disliked Rowan's character, but I had mixed feelings about Zahra, too. I like her sunny demeanor, but I could have done without her frequent outbursts at work and how immensely unprofessional she is. Rowan deserved it, but who gets away with yelling at their boss in front of their co-workers numerous times without any repercussions or anyone at least giving her the side-eye?
All of that said, the chemistry between these two wasn't anything I could buy into either. Rowan thinks with his dick from the very beginning and even once they develop strong feelings, it still felt like the only way they knew how to bond was through sex. And the bit with him requesting unprotected sex the moment she gave him a second chance (er, third? fourth?) because "nothing can come between us"? I'm too pragmatic for this shit because I physically shuddered in revulsion at the idea of her risking pregnancy with this fool five seconds after he groveled again.
The only thing I liked about this was the disability rep. Ani, Zahra's little sister, has Down Syndrome and is an absolutely delightful character who stole the show every time she was on-page. I loved her! Everything else about this book, though? It's a no from me.
Buddy read with Misty!
✨ Representation: Zahra is half Armenian, Ani is half Armenian and has Down Syndrome
Rowan has to be one of the most unappealing romance heroes I've ever met. He spends the majority of the book being a raging prick who is so out of touch with reality that he has no concept of how the 99% lives, and even when he's being "nice", he's so possessive and demanding that I found myself rolling my eyes at most of his dialogue. He's wounded because his dad was mean to him, but having an unsupportive parent is no excuse for half of the things he says and does. I saw a review on here that said he doesn't view employees as human beings until he starts to have sex with one of them, and that's spot on.
It would have been bad enough to deal with how much I disliked Rowan's character, but I had mixed feelings about Zahra, too. I like her sunny demeanor, but I could have done without her frequent outbursts at work and how immensely unprofessional she is. Rowan deserved it, but who gets away with yelling at their boss in front of their co-workers numerous times without any repercussions or anyone at least giving her the side-eye?
All of that said, the chemistry between these two wasn't anything I could buy into either. Rowan thinks with his dick from the very beginning and even once they develop strong feelings, it still felt like the only way they knew how to bond was through sex. And the bit with him requesting unprotected sex the moment she gave him a second chance (er, third? fourth?) because "nothing can come between us"? I'm too pragmatic for this shit because I physically shuddered in revulsion at the idea of her risking pregnancy with this fool five seconds after he groveled again.
The only thing I liked about this was the disability rep. Ani, Zahra's little sister, has Down Syndrome and is an absolutely delightful character who stole the show every time she was on-page. I loved her! Everything else about this book, though? It's a no from me.
Buddy read with Misty!
✨ Representation: Zahra is half Armenian, Ani is half Armenian and has Down Syndrome
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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:
Complicated
"You weren't sure."
"I'm sure now."
I was a total dino kid. Jurassic Park is one of my all-time favorite movies, my shelves were full of dino encyclopedias, and I cried once because I realized I would never, in fact, get to watch a baby velociraptor hatch... so, needless to say, I went a little feral when the cover for this novella was released.
Wayward Children is my favorite series of all time and this novella reminded me of why: it’s full of so much heart and the most wonderful characters that I constantly find myself wishing I could pull into a big protective hug, and all of that takes place against the backdrop of these dazzling, brilliant worlds. We got to see a few different worlds in this installment, but my favorite was definitely the world of dinosaurs that Antsy & co. have to venture into! There was a hint in a previous book about a world of giant lizards, and I’d always hoped we would get to visit it someday. I only wish we’d gotten to see more of it!
This was an especially interesting piece to the series because I felt like it wrapped up a surprising amount of loose ends! I loved getting to spend time with so many different characters, though, and most of all, I loved watching Antsy come into her own as this brave, fiercely protective girl who refuses to pass on her trauma to anyone else. I was so proud of her and I really hope we get to see her again in a future book!
Buddy read with Misty! ♥
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"Love is the path of least resistance, you see? It’s a lot more work to cause harm to someone who mistrusts you, or fears you. Or hates you. Love opens the city gates wide, and allows all manner of horrors right inside."
I don't read a lot of speculative fiction, so this took me a little bit to get into, and at first, I wasn't sure if I was enjoying it at all. Who was this crane, and why was the main character's mother taking him as a lover? Was this normal in this lightly dystopian setting? Did everyone take birds for mates, and why was this crane so particularly cruel?
As the story unraveled, though, I found myself drawn into it so intensely I couldn't stop thinking about it. I was interrupted at the 85% mark of the audiobook and couldn't get back to it soon enough because I had to know how it would end! And gradually, I realized that this wasn't a story that was supposed to make perfect sense, because it isn't a story about the crane. It's a story about generational trauma, and cycles of abuse, and the things that people — especially women — will tolerate in the name of love.
I enjoyed this so much. I can't wait to read more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting
Did you forget where you come from, little girl? Did you forget that the Moon gives you everything you have and will one day take everything away from you? Did you forget that we—all of us—serve at Her whim, and have nothing more than She allows us?
Oh my word, I loved this SO much! I adore Jack and Alexis, and the Moors, and have always wanted to know more about Dr. Bleak and Alexis' backstory. I'm sad I didn't know sooner that there was a short story featuring exactly that, but I'm so glad I've read this now! What wonderful characters. Can we please get a novella about Alexis' father and his previous experience(s) with the Drowned Gods someday?!
✨ Representation: Jack is queer and has OCD/mysophobia ("germaphobia"), Alexis is queer and fat (implied bi/pan), Dr. Bleak is queer
That was sweet. ♥ Christopher is one of my favorite characters in this series, and I really liked this little glimpse into Mariposa and his life with the Skeleton Girl! I hope we get to see him return someday.
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Oh, this was such a sad story. Going into this knowing Mockery's fate from In An Absent Dream, I'd always wondered what happened to her but never realized this short story existed until recently. I'm glad I read it, but it broke my heart a little and made it easier to understand why Lundy's grief drove her away from the Market for a time. At the end of it, I think what I expected the least was how much it devastated me for little Moon, left all alone. 💔
This cell is his, and this one. The whole asylum is his, and let no demon forget it! For he is the Cat Jeoffry, and no demon can stand against him.
What a delightful little story. Anyone who knows me already knows I'm an absolute cat lady through and through, so I'll never say no to a little kitty hero like Jeoffry, and he is written exactly the way I like best for feline companions: haughty, smug, and mostly quite confident, but also very fond of his human and protective at any cost. ♥
For He Can Creep is a surprisingly funny piece, too, especially once the Nighthunter Moppet is introduced! I can so easily picture this wild little murderous kitten with demon blood in her veins and I loved her. 😂
He has learned that there is more than one kind of devil, and that the one inside your head, that speaks with the voice of your own heart, is far more dangerous than the velvet coat–wearing, poetry-loving variety.
If you'd like to read this story, you can check it out for free here at Reactor Mag's website (or you can grab it from an ebook store for less than a cup of coffee)!
Buddy read with Misty 🐈