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ktc8's reviews
172 reviews
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
5.0
So I learned my lesson: I wasn't in a reading rut, I wasn't reading good enough books! Because wow did this book catapult me out of a reading rut faster than anything. I hardly could put it down.
I rated this 5 stars because it became an instant favorite, but mostly because I just thoroughly ENJOYED it. The world Samantha Shannon creates in Priory is glorious and so easy to fall into. She doesn't waste time dropping names and places, whew, and I struggled at first to keep up. It took probably until the last pages to really keep all of the names, places, dates, times, animals, creatures, all in place, but you can bet it has it all. Dragons, pirates, threat to the world, mythology, MAGIC and badass women! What else could you want :)
The 5 star rating doesn't exclude some problems that I had with it overall. I have literally just finished it so I might go back and change later, but my first issue with this book was that it probably should have been split into 2 books. Easily. Maybe more. I felt that the beginning, for whatever parts it was slow and world-building (which you just have to allow because there's so much to learn and so little time! I didn't mind it much, it went fast), there's equal parts rushed and skipped. The first time I felt this was at Tané's guardian selection. We learn about her and her skills and her honor and guilt, but she quickly slides through her training and selection process with no hesitation from the writer. I felt that in a book that was split up, we could have learned more about the process, the people, and the internal issues that can come up when you spend more time provoking those things. Not a big deal, but I definitely noticed myself feeling that way even early on. Several other times in the book it felt like for saving time's sake, as well as predicted outcome of events, Shannon simply skips through them as quick as is acceptable to get to the answer we are prompted to believe will happen. This isn't the case for the many twists and turns, but just for plain events that I felt could have been done better. At first her writing style seemed very simple as well, but overall I loved her eloquence and the way she sees the world through her characters.
I was disappointed a few times in this book. I was most disappointed in the character of Tané. I felt like Tané had such a complex character, warring with her guilt and honor and tradition and religion, but being a badass warrior and her selfish tendencies. I feel like she is only ever placated for her reactions and never actually was given helpful advice to further enhance or help her as a character. Throughout everything, she stays the same, bad and good, which is commendable, but I felt like sometimes that made it poor writing. I felt like there was so much more that could have been delved into with Tané, but then when things happen in the West it seems that the POV switch to the East for her just gives up. The unevenness of these POV switches puts Tané in the dust and I would have loved her if she just had a little more ~time~ in the spot light.
The battle scenes left a little to be desired after it was all said and done, and it just seemed like Shannon's strong suit doesn't lie in them. I personally don't love drawn out battle scenes, but they serve a purpose, and change the goals and the character line-ups most often, and also usually make the main characters deal with something major. I don't think I felt this as much in Priory. Not always, but it was mostly in the end battle against the Nameless One that I felt disappointed by it. They are led to believe this fight will end their lives, and everyone emerges unscathed. Maybe I'm just used to writers killing off their main characters, but I was expecting it and it made sense with how Shannon wrote it was going to happen, but then they simply killed the beast and were fine, everything is normal.
I also saw this in decisions by the rulers. It's predominantly clear that none of the rulers get along, and yet one man's bumbling (although extremely endearing--I have no beef against Loth I love him) speech convinces them to end 1000 years of bad blood or annoyance or unacceptance. It feels like simply storytelling again, but it works out in the characters favor so I can't fault it for that part.
Finally, to end a rant, I don't think I ever really like Sabran. She is only ever viewed through others eyes, unlike the other main characters who got their own POVs (even Loth--again, love Loth, this isn't to call his character out lol, just a comparison), but she was never given a full character development, like Tané. It's almost there, but I might have set my expectations too high for her to reach. I loved Ead and Sabran, but it felt forced almost. What was Sabran's redeeming characteristics that made stone cold Ead love her so quickly? Did we just not get a full view of their relationship developing because of rushed storytelling that I mentioned earlier, or lack of development like Tané? Shannon puts such heart into Jannart and Niclays' romance that I cried at each memory, but between Ead and Sabran, I loved them don't get me wrong, but I felt like I missed the piece that ultimately gave them a huge love story. I'll think on it more, but I felt disappointed by the queen's character more than once.
Also what happened to the red sickness? Did we just forget about it? Did I miss it? Loth didn't have it and then NEVER told anyone about it!! How was he healed? Dragons were mostly gone I guess in the end, but not all! People were inflicted everywhere it seemed. The East was suddenly fine with having soldiers and ships from places they kept out to avoid the plague? I don't understand. Maybe this is too much of a 2020 critique but it seems like it would be a little harder to get rid of that it did.
--
Woops I guess that was a long rant. There are so many things to love about this book, but it's always easier to critique I guess ;) My favorite part was the mythology building and the differences between religions. It's such a real world problem, but put so fantastically and I loved the different perspectives, how they shape world view, history, country, and self, and Shannon writes it through beautifully. Loth's character I fell in love with I think because of his crucial role. His perspective of shaking core beliefs is so integral. We get to see someone's personal stance come into question a lot in this book, but not as strongly as it does for Loth since he experiences it all, as a traveller literally everywhere. I loved his friendships with Ead and Sabran as well, and happy for him about maybe falling for the Donmata (hmmm??? :)) Mythology is what I love, and her dedication to developing world view's and history (what's the quote about myth being sewn from a seed of truth, or something?) is so interesting and expansive, and it's entire purpose being the combining parts of the West and the East made me nerd out as the history nerd I am.
Despite the countries' differences and locational differences, Shannon shows how even worlds' apart, people are similar. They had a same evil in this book, but in general, people are selfish, scared, and believe their beliefs, but they are also brave, strong, and kind. I really loved this book and would love to recommend it.
I rated this 5 stars because it became an instant favorite, but mostly because I just thoroughly ENJOYED it. The world Samantha Shannon creates in Priory is glorious and so easy to fall into. She doesn't waste time dropping names and places, whew, and I struggled at first to keep up. It took probably until the last pages to really keep all of the names, places, dates, times, animals, creatures, all in place, but you can bet it has it all. Dragons, pirates, threat to the world, mythology, MAGIC and badass women! What else could you want :)
The 5 star rating doesn't exclude some problems that I had with it overall. I have literally just finished it so I might go back and change later, but my first issue with this book was that it probably should have been split into 2 books. Easily. Maybe more. I felt that the beginning, for whatever parts it was slow and world-building (which you just have to allow because there's so much to learn and so little time! I didn't mind it much, it went fast), there's equal parts rushed and skipped. The first time I felt this was at Tané's guardian selection. We learn about her and her skills and her honor and guilt, but she quickly slides through her training and selection process with no hesitation from the writer. I felt that in a book that was split up, we could have learned more about the process, the people, and the internal issues that can come up when you spend more time provoking those things. Not a big deal, but I definitely noticed myself feeling that way even early on. Several other times in the book it felt like for saving time's sake, as well as predicted outcome of events, Shannon simply skips through them as quick as is acceptable to get to the answer we are prompted to believe will happen. This isn't the case for the many twists and turns, but just for plain events that I felt could have been done better. At first her writing style seemed very simple as well, but overall I loved her eloquence and the way she sees the world through her characters.
I was disappointed a few times in this book. I was most disappointed in the character of Tané. I felt like Tané had such a complex character, warring with her guilt and honor and tradition and religion, but being a badass warrior and her selfish tendencies. I feel like she is only ever placated for her reactions and never actually was given helpful advice to further enhance or help her as a character. Throughout everything, she stays the same, bad and good, which is commendable, but I felt like sometimes that made it poor writing. I felt like there was so much more that could have been delved into with Tané, but then when things happen in the West it seems that the POV switch to the East for her just gives up. The unevenness of these POV switches puts Tané in the dust and I would have loved her if she just had a little more ~time~ in the spot light.
The battle scenes left a little to be desired after it was all said and done, and it just seemed like Shannon's strong suit doesn't lie in them. I personally don't love drawn out battle scenes, but they serve a purpose, and change the goals and the character line-ups most often, and also usually make the main characters deal with something major. I don't think I felt this as much in Priory. Not always, but it was mostly in the end battle against the Nameless One that I felt disappointed by it. They are led to believe this fight will end their lives, and everyone emerges unscathed. Maybe I'm just used to writers killing off their main characters, but I was expecting it and it made sense with how Shannon wrote it was going to happen, but then they simply killed the beast and were fine, everything is normal.
I also saw this in decisions by the rulers. It's predominantly clear that none of the rulers get along, and yet one man's bumbling (although extremely endearing--I have no beef against Loth I love him) speech convinces them to end 1000 years of bad blood or annoyance or unacceptance. It feels like simply storytelling again, but it works out in the characters favor so I can't fault it for that part.
Finally, to end a rant, I don't think I ever really like Sabran. She is only ever viewed through others eyes, unlike the other main characters who got their own POVs (even Loth--again, love Loth, this isn't to call his character out lol, just a comparison), but she was never given a full character development, like Tané. It's almost there, but I might have set my expectations too high for her to reach. I loved Ead and Sabran, but it felt forced almost. What was Sabran's redeeming characteristics that made stone cold Ead love her so quickly? Did we just not get a full view of their relationship developing because of rushed storytelling that I mentioned earlier, or lack of development like Tané? Shannon puts such heart into Jannart and Niclays' romance that I cried at each memory, but between Ead and Sabran, I loved them don't get me wrong, but I felt like I missed the piece that ultimately gave them a huge love story. I'll think on it more, but I felt disappointed by the queen's character more than once.
Also what happened to the red sickness? Did we just forget about it? Did I miss it? Loth didn't have it and then NEVER told anyone about it!! How was he healed? Dragons were mostly gone I guess in the end, but not all! People were inflicted everywhere it seemed. The East was suddenly fine with having soldiers and ships from places they kept out to avoid the plague? I don't understand. Maybe this is too much of a 2020 critique but it seems like it would be a little harder to get rid of that it did.
--
Woops I guess that was a long rant. There are so many things to love about this book, but it's always easier to critique I guess ;) My favorite part was the mythology building and the differences between religions. It's such a real world problem, but put so fantastically and I loved the different perspectives, how they shape world view, history, country, and self, and Shannon writes it through beautifully. Loth's character I fell in love with I think because of his crucial role. His perspective of shaking core beliefs is so integral. We get to see someone's personal stance come into question a lot in this book, but not as strongly as it does for Loth since he experiences it all, as a traveller literally everywhere. I loved his friendships with Ead and Sabran as well, and happy for him about maybe falling for the Donmata (hmmm??? :)) Mythology is what I love, and her dedication to developing world view's and history (what's the quote about myth being sewn from a seed of truth, or something?) is so interesting and expansive, and it's entire purpose being the combining parts of the West and the East made me nerd out as the history nerd I am.
Despite the countries' differences and locational differences, Shannon shows how even worlds' apart, people are similar. They had a same evil in this book, but in general, people are selfish, scared, and believe their beliefs, but they are also brave, strong, and kind. I really loved this book and would love to recommend it.
Vengeful by V.E. Schwab
5.0
OH MAN.......well last book of 2020!!!!!! This was so so good. Schwab has a writing style where her second books are always better than her first and honestly I enjoy that so much, because let me tell you Vengeful had me on the EDGE of my seat for so long, but those last 100 pages..... oh man. I loved the new characters in this one, Marcella was badass and sexy af, JUNE was so cool!!!! Here’s to wishing for #3 because I NEED TO KNOW MORE!!!! Who is June? What is Victor up to? Sydney is only coming into her true powers but where will it take her? EON is going total bad after the end of Stell, it seems that EOs will be hunted down for real without his moral compass. And this book only hinted at the COOLNESS that would be EOs working together or... against..... Honestly the idea that EON and EOs should stop being forced into hiding really gets at the whole idea from the beginning, superheroes and supervillains. So so good I loved this one
I will say that I was a little disappointed maybe at Eli’s end. I literally just finished it so I’ll have better thoughts later but man. They FINALLY got back together, him and Victor. The line about them “like in the old days” working with/against each other.... or could have worked together.... really got me. I’m sorry but I totally see Eli and Victor in love, the only true people who get each other, two psychopaths and that’s not necessarily how she wrote this, but I wanted more sadness at fighting each other, killing each other, seeing the end of their other half for better or worse.... Maybe we’ll get some of those regrets and feelings in the next book. Idk. Just some thoughts.
I will say that I was a little disappointed maybe at Eli’s end. I literally just finished it so I’ll have better thoughts later but man. They FINALLY got back together, him and Victor. The line about them “like in the old days” working with/against each other.... or could have worked together.... really got me. I’m sorry but I totally see Eli and Victor in love, the only true people who get each other, two psychopaths and that’s not necessarily how she wrote this, but I wanted more sadness at fighting each other, killing each other, seeing the end of their other half for better or worse.... Maybe we’ll get some of those regrets and feelings in the next book. Idk. Just some thoughts.
The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang
4.0
“Nothing Lasts.
This was not a world of men. It was a world of gods, a time of great powers. It was the era of divinity walking in man, of wind and water and fire. And in warfare, she who held the power asymmetry was the inevitable victor.
She, the Last Speerly, called the greatest power of all.” (pg528)
I was a little bored with it in the middle, especially with the war jargon and planning, it’s just not so interesting to me, but AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH is how im feeling about the last 50 pages of this book holy
This was not a world of men. It was a world of gods, a time of great powers. It was the era of divinity walking in man, of wind and water and fire. And in warfare, she who held the power asymmetry was the inevitable victor.
She, the Last Speerly, called the greatest power of all.” (pg528)
I was a little bored with it in the middle, especially with the war jargon and planning, it’s just not so interesting to me, but AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH is how im feeling about the last 50 pages of this book holy
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
5.0
Sometimes the best tears are happy tears
Don’t you wish you were here?
I am but paper. Brittle and thin.
This book was so so wonderful, my heart is so big.
Don’t you wish you were here?
I am but paper. Brittle and thin.
This book was so so wonderful, my heart is so big.