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kathleenfairchild's reviews
290 reviews
Pits & Poison: These Godly Lies by R. Raeta
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The easy-to-read, beautifully lyrical writing and general style of how the story is being told is similar to book 1. The time jumps aren’t as big, but the general reading experience is the same, even though the plot is contained to some decades instead of several centuries. Still loved the little glimpses of Khiran’s POV at the start of every chapter.
In this book we get to see a lot more of Khiran, as well as more of Anna and him together. I’ve really grown to love them as individuals and as a couple over the course of these two books. They feel very human, despite their immortality, and overall so relatable.
I must say that I wasn’t a fan of the whole tyrannical god plotline though. It all felt pretty one-dimensional. I wish we could have delved more into the lore in general, but also had more time to get to know the other immortals in a more in-depth way. The first time we actually meet the main villain is at about 82% into book 2. Accordingly, the ending felt quite rushed but also a bit too good to be true.
Anna and Khiran come across as pretty passive. They spend their time on the run without any real intention to actively get rid of the villain. They just react. I understand that they aren’t the fighting types and that they just want to have a peaceful life together. I think my main issue really is that we aren’t shown enough of the antagonists. They don’t feel as real as our main characters, at least to me.
I adored the building found family time in the beginning of the book. So heartwarming to read. It’s my favourite part.
I’d still recommend this book for the pretty writing as well as Anna and Khiran and their love story. Book 1 reads very well as a standalone though if you’re satisfied with a Happy For Now ending.
In this book we get to see a lot more of Khiran, as well as more of Anna and him together. I’ve really grown to love them as individuals and as a couple over the course of these two books. They feel very human, despite their immortality, and overall so relatable.
I must say that I wasn’t a fan of the whole tyrannical god plotline though. It all felt pretty one-dimensional. I wish we could have delved more into the lore in general, but also had more time to get to know the other immortals in a more in-depth way. The first time we actually meet the main villain is at about 82% into book 2. Accordingly, the ending felt quite rushed but also a bit too good to be true.
Anna and Khiran come across as pretty passive. They spend their time on the run without any real intention to actively get rid of the villain. They just react. I understand that they aren’t the fighting types and that they just want to have a peaceful life together. I think my main issue really is that we aren’t shown enough of the antagonists. They don’t feel as real as our main characters, at least to me.
I adored the building found family time in the beginning of the book. So heartwarming to read. It’s my favourite part.
I’d still recommend this book for the pretty writing as well as Anna and Khiran and their love story. Book 1 reads very well as a standalone though if you’re satisfied with a Happy For Now ending.
The Night Ends with Fire by K.X. Song
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
I have received an e-ARC via Netgalley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Hodder & Stoughton!
I’ll be upfront and say that I DNF’ed at about 23 %.
I have fond memories of watching the Disney movie of Mulan when I was younger and this book made me want to re-watch it, even if it ended up not being for me. I have also read a translation of The Ballad of Mulan to get myself in the right mood for this story. I could definitely see Mulan elements in the book. It is a far bleaker version than the movie, and Meilin’s motivation to join the military is different, trying to flee from an opium-addicted and abusive father as well as an abusive future husband. She seems to be quite ambitious too. That’s fine, I appreciate a different take on a familiar tale.
I kind of liked the first couple of chapters before she joined the army. The sisterly bond between Meilin and her stepmother was nice to see. Love to see female relationships. Her father read almost cartoonish? Maybe it’s because I didn’t vibe with the writing. There’s some mystery surrounding her mother’s death, the necklace she left for her daughter, and spirit magic that sounded promising.
My issue with this book was that the characters and world didn’t feel fleshed out enough for me to get invested in them. It’s unfortunate because it makes the first person POV quite jarring to read when you’re not caring for the main character.
In addition to that the writing just didn’t work for me. It felt not detailed or nuanced enough. I don’t have anything against a more simplistic style. This one didn’t manage to draw me in though. There also was sometimes a repetitiveness and jumpiness to it that threw me out of the story.
Overall, this book felt like bare bones that lacked meat to me. I really wanted to love this book, but it just wasn’t for me. Mulan lovers might still enjoy this story, though.
I’ll be upfront and say that I DNF’ed at about 23 %.
I have fond memories of watching the Disney movie of Mulan when I was younger and this book made me want to re-watch it, even if it ended up not being for me. I have also read a translation of The Ballad of Mulan to get myself in the right mood for this story. I could definitely see Mulan elements in the book. It is a far bleaker version than the movie, and Meilin’s motivation to join the military is different, trying to flee from an opium-addicted and abusive father as well as an abusive future husband. She seems to be quite ambitious too. That’s fine, I appreciate a different take on a familiar tale.
I kind of liked the first couple of chapters before she joined the army. The sisterly bond between Meilin and her stepmother was nice to see. Love to see female relationships. Her father read almost cartoonish? Maybe it’s because I didn’t vibe with the writing. There’s some mystery surrounding her mother’s death, the necklace she left for her daughter, and spirit magic that sounded promising.
My issue with this book was that the characters and world didn’t feel fleshed out enough for me to get invested in them. It’s unfortunate because it makes the first person POV quite jarring to read when you’re not caring for the main character.
In addition to that the writing just didn’t work for me. It felt not detailed or nuanced enough. I don’t have anything against a more simplistic style. This one didn’t manage to draw me in though. There also was sometimes a repetitiveness and jumpiness to it that threw me out of the story.
Overall, this book felt like bare bones that lacked meat to me. I really wanted to love this book, but it just wasn’t for me. Mulan lovers might still enjoy this story, though.