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kp_hobbitreads's Reviews (686)
I need to sit with this for a bit before I decide on a rating.
While I can definitely appreciate the technical skill of a well crafted narrative. I’m kinda left feeling like, “what was the point?”
I don’t mind/even enjoy morally gray characters, but I do like for there to be some glimmer of hope? And the moral of this story seems to be “the world is shit, and people are awful.”
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While I can definitely appreciate the technical skill of a well crafted narrative. I’m kinda left feeling like, “what was the point?”
I don’t mind/even enjoy morally gray characters, but I do like for there to be some glimmer of hope? And the moral of this story seems to be “the world is shit, and people are awful.”
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City of Ghosts is Victoria Schwab’s first foray into middle grade. But while I enjoyed it, it didn’t blow me away. It’s a solidly okay read.
“Stories have power,” she says. “So long as you believe them.”
City of Ghosts tells the story of Cassidy Blake, a girl who can see ghosts after a near death experience. Her parents are paranormal investigators, and the story takes place in Edinburgh during filming of the first episode of their new television series. There, Cassidy meets a girl with the same “gift” who helps her learn more about herself and what she can do. Cassidy learns that she is an “In-betweener” – someone whose job it is to help ghosts cross the veil. But, she soon catches the interest of a malevolent ghost, and Cassidy must figure out how to use her gift and save herself.
“People think that ghosts only come out at night, or on Halloween, when the world is dark and the walls are thin. But the truth is, ghosts are everywhere. In the bread aisle at your grocery store, in the middle of you grandmother’s garden, in the front seat on your bus. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there.”
I liked the plot and the characters in this book. The friendship between Jacob and Cassidy was very sweet. And seeing Cassidy make a new friend in Edinburgh was nice (especially with the little bit of ‘not like other girls’ vibe I got at the beginning of the story). But it seemed to lack some of the whimsy and humor that I enjoy in my middle grade. It honestly kinda felt like a YA book with a middle grade aged protagonist. And, I know this seems kinda nitpicky, but the constant Harry Potter references grated on me after awhile. It seems more like they were put in for the adult reader rather than the middle grade one. But, I do plan to eventually pick up the second book and see where the stories goes next.
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“Stories have power,” she says. “So long as you believe them.”
City of Ghosts tells the story of Cassidy Blake, a girl who can see ghosts after a near death experience. Her parents are paranormal investigators, and the story takes place in Edinburgh during filming of the first episode of their new television series. There, Cassidy meets a girl with the same “gift” who helps her learn more about herself and what she can do. Cassidy learns that she is an “In-betweener” – someone whose job it is to help ghosts cross the veil. But, she soon catches the interest of a malevolent ghost, and Cassidy must figure out how to use her gift and save herself.
“People think that ghosts only come out at night, or on Halloween, when the world is dark and the walls are thin. But the truth is, ghosts are everywhere. In the bread aisle at your grocery store, in the middle of you grandmother’s garden, in the front seat on your bus. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there.”
I liked the plot and the characters in this book. The friendship between Jacob and Cassidy was very sweet. And seeing Cassidy make a new friend in Edinburgh was nice (especially with the little bit of ‘not like other girls’ vibe I got at the beginning of the story). But it seemed to lack some of the whimsy and humor that I enjoy in my middle grade. It honestly kinda felt like a YA book with a middle grade aged protagonist. And, I know this seems kinda nitpicky, but the constant Harry Potter references grated on me after awhile. It seems more like they were put in for the adult reader rather than the middle grade one. But, I do plan to eventually pick up the second book and see where the stories goes next.
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Come Tumbling Down is the 5th installment in the Wayward Children’s series. I would not recommend reading this review or this book if you haven not read (at least) the first two books in the series: Every Heart a Doorway and Down Among the Sticks and Bones. (There will be spoilers for both in this review.)
Come Tumbling Down is one of my most anticipated releases of 2020. Jack is my favorite character in this series, so I was very excited that this book would give us more of her story. And, it may even be my favorite book in the series- which is quite a feat because I LOVED Down Among the Sticks and Bones.
“It was, as it so often is, a dark and stormy night…”
Come Tumbling Down picks up where Every Heart a Doorway left off – Jack and Jill are back in the Moors. Jack killed Jill before calling their door, thus preventing Jill from ever becoming a vampire. And Jill is REALLY pissed off about it. But, they are home and Jack thought everything would get back to normal. Or as normal as it can be in a dark, gloomy world filled with mad scientists and monsters.
But, when Jack is carried back into Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children, her friends realize she may not have gotten the happy ending she was hoping for, and that something seriously messed up has happened to her. And, the bar for messed up stuff is pretty high when home is a place where lightning can bring people back from the dead. So her friends ignore that silly “no quests” rule, and head back to the Moors to help Jack save it.
“Jack laughed. It wasn’t a happy sound, not exactly; it was the sound of someone clinging to the last vestiges of sanity and stability with all their might. It was the sound of slipping."
As always, Seanan McGuire’s writing is beautiful. It never ceases to amaze me that she can make you care so deeply about characters in so few pages. This is a story about sister relationships, and what we think we are owed. It’s about being able to carve out a piece of the world for yourself. Finding something that makes you happy and holding on to it with all your might. It’s about friendship and being there for the ones you love. And, being willing to sacrifice for them because you know it’s their best shot. It’s a story about people who feel real. This is a story that asks what is hero? What makes a monster? And how are we supposed to tell the difference?
This is a series that will make so many people feel seen. There is so much representation, and it’s done WELL. Each character feels fully developed – they’ve got personalities, and backstories, and wants and needs. It’s got a beautiful F/F relationship, a trans boy main character, a fat main character, multiple characters of color and OCD representation.
“Have you noticed that the doors come for us when we’re young enough to believe we know everything, and toss us out again as soon as we’re old enough to have doubts? I can’t decide whether it’s an infinite kindness or an incredible cruelty. Perhaps it’s both. Many things exist in a state of patient paradox, waiting for some change of circumstance to tilt them one way or the other.”
I just love this world. so. damn. much. You’ve got a group of kids who thought they’d finally found the place they belong, only to be kicked back out into the real world again. But, they aren’t bitter or cynical. They keep going. They still hope. And, I think that’s a beautiful thing.
I absolutely adored this installment (which I am especially relieved about because I didn’t love the 4th book.) But, I’m gonna need Christopher and Kade’s stories ASAP. If you haven’t started this series yet, what are you waiting for?
Come Tumbling Down is one of my most anticipated releases of 2020. Jack is my favorite character in this series, so I was very excited that this book would give us more of her story. And, it may even be my favorite book in the series- which is quite a feat because I LOVED Down Among the Sticks and Bones.
“It was, as it so often is, a dark and stormy night…”
Come Tumbling Down picks up where Every Heart a Doorway left off – Jack and Jill are back in the Moors. Jack killed Jill before calling their door, thus preventing Jill from ever becoming a vampire. And Jill is REALLY pissed off about it. But, they are home and Jack thought everything would get back to normal. Or as normal as it can be in a dark, gloomy world filled with mad scientists and monsters.
But, when Jack is carried back into Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children, her friends realize she may not have gotten the happy ending she was hoping for, and that something seriously messed up has happened to her. And, the bar for messed up stuff is pretty high when home is a place where lightning can bring people back from the dead. So her friends ignore that silly “no quests” rule, and head back to the Moors to help Jack save it.
“Jack laughed. It wasn’t a happy sound, not exactly; it was the sound of someone clinging to the last vestiges of sanity and stability with all their might. It was the sound of slipping."
As always, Seanan McGuire’s writing is beautiful. It never ceases to amaze me that she can make you care so deeply about characters in so few pages. This is a story about sister relationships, and what we think we are owed. It’s about being able to carve out a piece of the world for yourself. Finding something that makes you happy and holding on to it with all your might. It’s about friendship and being there for the ones you love. And, being willing to sacrifice for them because you know it’s their best shot. It’s a story about people who feel real. This is a story that asks what is hero? What makes a monster? And how are we supposed to tell the difference?
This is a series that will make so many people feel seen. There is so much representation, and it’s done WELL. Each character feels fully developed – they’ve got personalities, and backstories, and wants and needs. It’s got a beautiful F/F relationship, a trans boy main character, a fat main character, multiple characters of color and OCD representation.
“Have you noticed that the doors come for us when we’re young enough to believe we know everything, and toss us out again as soon as we’re old enough to have doubts? I can’t decide whether it’s an infinite kindness or an incredible cruelty. Perhaps it’s both. Many things exist in a state of patient paradox, waiting for some change of circumstance to tilt them one way or the other.”
I just love this world. so. damn. much. You’ve got a group of kids who thought they’d finally found the place they belong, only to be kicked back out into the real world again. But, they aren’t bitter or cynical. They keep going. They still hope. And, I think that’s a beautiful thing.
I absolutely adored this installment (which I am especially relieved about because I didn’t love the 4th book.) But, I’m gonna need Christopher and Kade’s stories ASAP. If you haven’t started this series yet, what are you waiting for?
I’ve been hearing about this book for ages; it’s almost universally loved. And after realizing late last year that I might actually like adult contemporary romances, I knew I needed to give this one a try. And, I’m so glad I did. This was fun and steamy and has great #ownvoices autistic representation.
“I like you better than calculus, and math is the only thing that unites the universe.”
Stella Lane is a hardworking professional who loves math and is great at her job. Econometrics makes sense. Dating? Not so much. Stella is autistic which she thinks makes her undatable. And, sex unenjoyable. So when her mother begins to pressure her about marriage and grandchildren she realizes that she may need to hire a professional to help her if she’s ever going to have a successful relationship. A professional escort that is. Enter Micheal Phan, a handsome fashion designer by day and escort by night, who Stella hires to teach her how to be good at sex.
“Girls like me intimidate boyfriends away. Girls like me have never been asked out by a single boy. Girls like me have to find their own way, make their own luck. I’ve had to fight for every success in my life, and I’m going to fight for this. I’m going to get good at sex, and then I’ll finally be able to entice the right person into being mine.”
Michael has a 1 date policy with his escort clients, but after meeting Stella he decides that maybe extending that policy to 3 dates might not be such a bad idea. But, soon the two are having feelings that they didn’t expect. And are having to navigate familial complications and expectations, jerks at work, and past emotional trauma in hopes of finding their happy ending.
There is so much to love about this story. Stella is a fantastic heroine who honestly deserves the world. She is strong and smart, and she’s not willing to pretend otherwise just to get a man. And, Michael? A cinnamon roll if ever there was one. He loves his mom and is willing to do just about anything to make sure she has everything she needs. Michael appreciates Stella for exactly who she is, and never asks for her to be anyone but herself.
“All the things that make you different make you perfect.”
And the interactions between the two of them? Woah boy. It is STEAMY. I loved that consent was always at the forefront of their interactions. Michael making sure that what he was doing was okay with Stella. And him reminding her that she is in control. I will say, however, that this focus on consent makes the sexual harassment towards Stella even more frustrating. Because while it was presented as a “bad thing” there were never any repercussions for the guy (which, I’ll admit is pretty true to real life.) But, Stella just kinda brushed it off like it was no big deal- which didn’t sit well with me.
This is a story about two people trying to find themselves who end up finding each other long the way. It’s about learning to accept yourself exactly as you are, knowing that you’re good enough. It’s about realizing that you are not doomed to repeat the failures of your parents – their mistakes are not your mistakes. And that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it.
“Michael was mint chocolate chip for her. She could try other flavors, but he’d always be her favorite.”
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. And I’m definitely looking forward to picking up the sequel. I’m incredibly excited that the third book in the series will be Quan’s story because I loved his character in this book. If you’re looking for a sweet and sexy #ownvoices romance, you’ve got to give this one a try.
Trigger Warnings: sexual harassment, anxiety attacks, parental abandonment, chronic illness/cancer
“I like you better than calculus, and math is the only thing that unites the universe.”
Stella Lane is a hardworking professional who loves math and is great at her job. Econometrics makes sense. Dating? Not so much. Stella is autistic which she thinks makes her undatable. And, sex unenjoyable. So when her mother begins to pressure her about marriage and grandchildren she realizes that she may need to hire a professional to help her if she’s ever going to have a successful relationship. A professional escort that is. Enter Micheal Phan, a handsome fashion designer by day and escort by night, who Stella hires to teach her how to be good at sex.
“Girls like me intimidate boyfriends away. Girls like me have never been asked out by a single boy. Girls like me have to find their own way, make their own luck. I’ve had to fight for every success in my life, and I’m going to fight for this. I’m going to get good at sex, and then I’ll finally be able to entice the right person into being mine.”
Michael has a 1 date policy with his escort clients, but after meeting Stella he decides that maybe extending that policy to 3 dates might not be such a bad idea. But, soon the two are having feelings that they didn’t expect. And are having to navigate familial complications and expectations, jerks at work, and past emotional trauma in hopes of finding their happy ending.
There is so much to love about this story. Stella is a fantastic heroine who honestly deserves the world. She is strong and smart, and she’s not willing to pretend otherwise just to get a man. And, Michael? A cinnamon roll if ever there was one. He loves his mom and is willing to do just about anything to make sure she has everything she needs. Michael appreciates Stella for exactly who she is, and never asks for her to be anyone but herself.
“All the things that make you different make you perfect.”
And the interactions between the two of them? Woah boy. It is STEAMY. I loved that consent was always at the forefront of their interactions. Michael making sure that what he was doing was okay with Stella. And him reminding her that she is in control. I will say, however, that this focus on consent makes the sexual harassment towards Stella even more frustrating. Because while it was presented as a “bad thing” there were never any repercussions for the guy (which, I’ll admit is pretty true to real life.) But, Stella just kinda brushed it off like it was no big deal- which didn’t sit well with me.
This is a story about two people trying to find themselves who end up finding each other long the way. It’s about learning to accept yourself exactly as you are, knowing that you’re good enough. It’s about realizing that you are not doomed to repeat the failures of your parents – their mistakes are not your mistakes. And that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it.
“Michael was mint chocolate chip for her. She could try other flavors, but he’d always be her favorite.”
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. And I’m definitely looking forward to picking up the sequel. I’m incredibly excited that the third book in the series will be Quan’s story because I loved his character in this book. If you’re looking for a sweet and sexy #ownvoices romance, you’ve got to give this one a try.
Trigger Warnings: sexual harassment, anxiety attacks, parental abandonment, chronic illness/cancer
Holy shit that was a wild ride! I absolutely cannot wait for the second book to come out. I need to know what happens next! Full review to come. :)