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jitterbugsnap's Reviews (126)
I loved the world of this book and was interested in (more or less) every character we were following -- more or less because Xiala had really strong moments but overall I preferred reading everyone else's chapters. I especially wish the religion of the tower was more developed, as well as whatever it was that Naranpa wanted to Actually Do that everyone was so against. I also didn't realize it was the first in a series until I got to the end and the ending was so so rushed with not a single thread wrapped up and I figured there had to be a sequel haha. So hopefully the sequel speaks to a lot of my personal gripes because I do want to keep reading in this world!
Hmm my first Mona Awad and I didn't particularly care for it. I felt like it relied pretty heavily on us knowing how our society is about beauty standards, and it didn't do much to show that in the book itself (admittedly I listened to the audiobook so I may have missed some things). I also thought the cult was largely underwhelming. I see how the book (and Belle) got from point A to point B, but I wasn't compelled by it. It did make me laugh a few times though!
San Diego mentioned, though, so cheers to that
San Diego mentioned, though, so cheers to that
dark
emotional
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My jaw dropped, I feel like I've been reading a lot of horror or horror-adjacent books lately, but this one finally had REAL GHOSTS. I thought the horror was really well done, and the more mundane crime drama aspects were not. I'll suspend any disbelief for the supernatural, but it's much harder to suspend for the real life procedural (the important case documents that were shredded in the regular trash can at the front desk of the police station, and the police station that didn't have surveillance cameras to watch someone rummage through said trash can, for example ).
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I did struggle to stay engaged with this, even though I love Armfield's writing so much. But even though it took me a while to get through it, it was well worth the read. Very atmospheric, as she's wont to do. I really enjoyed the commentary inherent to setting a family drama in a world undergoing great catastrophe. I loved that it was full of queer characters, but it wasn't about queer identity (sometimes the world is collapsing and i'm mad at my sisters and yeah we're all gay lol the throwaway line at the funeral where one of them was like "yes, all of us" was so funny )
reading this at a time when i was dealing with one mold spot in my basement had me SO STRESSED for the incredible amount of mold everywhere in their environment
reading this at a time when i was dealing with one mold spot in my basement had me SO STRESSED for the incredible amount of mold everywhere in their environment
Oh my god I liked this book SO much more than the first one. The themes hit for me. I love the characters. I cared much less about the annoying info dumping approach to world building than I did in the first one. The prose and writing style didn't wow me, but it's been a long time since i've stayed up until 2am to finish a book, so 5 stars for enjoyment.
you've GOTTA read this one with a friend. A nonsense book to read by yourself, a great time to text your friend 'wtf was that'
It was fine! Mostly disappointing to me because it was recommended as an "if you liked Gideon the Ninth" pick, and I do not see the similarities that that person saw. It's a standard YA fantasy.