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lucybbookstuff's Reviews (392)
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Woof.
So I went into this book as an intentional hate read. Which is not something I do often. I wanted to see for myself how the story would go AND, to be honest, I wanted to pick apart the bad writing and even worse editing. I'd had fun doing that with the first two books.
I had some positive expectations for both Powerless and Reckless. But those were both so disappointing that my expectations for this one were subterranean. So it could really only meet those, or pleasantly surprise me.
And well... honestly, some things semi-pleasantly surprised me, but for the most part... it met my ocean-floor expectations. 😅 But along with that, it did give me AMPLE opportunities to tear the writing to shreds. As expected, the purple prose came back with a vengeance. The ham-fisted alliteration. The weird vocab choices and occasional made-up words and complete nonsense sentences. The cringey one-liners. There was MUCH to pick through.
But besides the line-level prose, the grander storytelling was also a mess. This book was SO LONG and for what??? There were numerous HUGE events that each were started and finished within like 5 pages. Always so anticlimactic, and then moved on from SO quickly. The rest of the insane page count was just repetitive romantic filler and very poor build-up to ridiculous twists.
I predicted the main huge twist VERY early, and it was such a wild theory that I was flabbergasted to find out I was right. There were some twists that actually threw me. Some I was entertained by, some confused by, and some infuriated by.
Compared to the last two books, I honestly was okay with the romance this time. Probably because she was done failing miserably at enemies-to-lovers (and thus Kai wasn't SO insufferable) and moved on to forbidden love, which she did a bit better with. Though eventually, I remembered that this relationship is built on literally nothing, which ruins it. 🫠
It's honestly such a shame, because there are elements of this story that I like, and there were some scenes in this that I kind of enjoyed. But it's just RUINED by the way she puts it all together. And the way her editors completely phone it in. Honestly, I feel like I paid closer attention to this book than anyone who was actually paid to. Simon and Schuster, I demand compensation!!!!
Kidding. Kind of. 😒
I'm not sure what else to say. I expected this to be garbage, and it was. Though I liked a couple things enough, and had enough fun ripping it to shreds that it gets 2.25 instead of something worse.
I think Lauren Roberts is still so young and does have potential to write a decent story that isn't borderline plagiarism and repetitive nonsense. If her editors can GET THEIR SHIT TOGETHER and actually help her grow. I cannot promise I'll read it if it happens, but I wish it for her. 🙏🏻 Good luck, girlie...
So I went into this book as an intentional hate read. Which is not something I do often. I wanted to see for myself how the story would go AND, to be honest, I wanted to pick apart the bad writing and even worse editing. I'd had fun doing that with the first two books.
I had some positive expectations for both Powerless and Reckless. But those were both so disappointing that my expectations for this one were subterranean. So it could really only meet those, or pleasantly surprise me.
And well... honestly, some things semi-pleasantly surprised me, but for the most part... it met my ocean-floor expectations. 😅 But along with that, it did give me AMPLE opportunities to tear the writing to shreds. As expected, the purple prose came back with a vengeance. The ham-fisted alliteration. The weird vocab choices and occasional made-up words and complete nonsense sentences. The cringey one-liners. There was MUCH to pick through.
But besides the line-level prose, the grander storytelling was also a mess. This book was SO LONG and for what??? There were numerous HUGE events that each were started and finished within like 5 pages. Always so anticlimactic, and then moved on from SO quickly. The rest of the insane page count was just repetitive romantic filler and very poor build-up to ridiculous twists.
I predicted the main huge twist VERY early, and it was such a wild theory that I was flabbergasted to find out I was right. There were some twists that actually threw me. Some I was entertained by, some confused by, and some infuriated by.
Compared to the last two books, I honestly was okay with the romance this time. Probably because she was done failing miserably at enemies-to-lovers (and thus Kai wasn't SO insufferable) and moved on to forbidden love, which she did a bit better with. Though eventually, I remembered that this relationship is built on literally nothing, which ruins it. 🫠
It's honestly such a shame, because there are elements of this story that I like, and there were some scenes in this that I kind of enjoyed. But it's just RUINED by the way she puts it all together. And the way her editors completely phone it in. Honestly, I feel like I paid closer attention to this book than anyone who was actually paid to. Simon and Schuster, I demand compensation!!!!
Kidding. Kind of. 😒
I'm not sure what else to say. I expected this to be garbage, and it was. Though I liked a couple things enough, and had enough fun ripping it to shreds that it gets 2.25 instead of something worse.
I think Lauren Roberts is still so young and does have potential to write a decent story that isn't borderline plagiarism and repetitive nonsense. If her editors can GET THEIR SHIT TOGETHER and actually help her grow. I cannot promise I'll read it if it happens, but I wish it for her. 🙏🏻 Good luck, girlie...
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oof. 😭 It pains me to give this book a 3.5 when I gave the first two 4.5. It's possible I'm even being a bit generous.
This review is going to be mostly complaints, so I want to preface it by saying:
I love this series! I like the characters, I'm generally on board with the over-arching story, I think the magic is very cool and smart, and the social commentary is very necessary and well-done (especially for young readers). I still recommend it, and I'm very much looking forward to the conclusion.
This book, however... was a bit of a dud for me.
The first 30% or so I really enjoyed. I was hooked back in right away (despite reading book 2 a year ago). I am a huge fan of multi-POV, so that was very exciting, and I was really liking how it was being used. The plot started slowing down a bit after that, but I was still going with the flow.
And then... it started to get boring. Nothing was progressing on page, the multi-POV went out the window (at a time when it could have been used so well!!), the characters were stuck in the same place and having the same discussions ad nauseum, AND a lot of real estate was being used on a romance that honestly does absolutely nothing for me. (This series has a fun love triangle but only my least favorite side of it was featured in this book. 😩 This love interest is just too golden and perfect, and thus SO boring, and it sounds harsh, but I don't think I'd bat an eye if he died. 😭)
I was already finding all of that boring and pointless after just a few chapters, and THEN it was announced that they'd be stuck in that same location for THREE WHOLE DAYS!!! And for what??? It was so unnecessary and completely stopped any momentum the book previously had.
Unfortunately, once they got out of there, it remained painfully boring. I think a majority of the reason for me was the emphasis being on this romance that I just don't care about at all. But also, the abandonment of multi-POV and the general sidelining of some characters who I reeeaaaally wanted to see more of. Plus a few plot points and devices that were definitely underbaked.I think the memory loss device was not used to its full potential and felt mostly pointless. And the missing girls, who were meant to be this huge motivator for Bree, felt like a complete afterthought. The combination of all of that just made this a slog.
The ending was interesting. Like literally the last 4 chapters. I'm very intrigued for the finale. But I honestly don't think this series needed to be extended into 4 books. Even if it would have made the last book 800 pages or something, I would have preferred that to these hundreds of unnecessary pages. This was the longest book of the series yet, but it honestly could have been a novella. Or like, 400 pages AT MOST.
So yeah. A dud in the midst of a great series. I have full faith that the conclusion will be awesome.
Also, let it be known...I am Team Sel all the way and I'm still holding out hope for the endgame... But I would NOT say no to the throuple. 👀 If Tracy and the publisher can be brave and make it happen. I just don't think they will.
This review is going to be mostly complaints, so I want to preface it by saying:
I love this series! I like the characters, I'm generally on board with the over-arching story, I think the magic is very cool and smart, and the social commentary is very necessary and well-done (especially for young readers). I still recommend it, and I'm very much looking forward to the conclusion.
This book, however... was a bit of a dud for me.
The first 30% or so I really enjoyed. I was hooked back in right away (despite reading book 2 a year ago). I am a huge fan of multi-POV, so that was very exciting, and I was really liking how it was being used. The plot started slowing down a bit after that, but I was still going with the flow.
And then... it started to get boring. Nothing was progressing on page, the multi-POV went out the window (at a time when it could have been used so well!!), the characters were stuck in the same place and having the same discussions ad nauseum, AND a lot of real estate was being used on a romance that honestly does absolutely nothing for me. (This series has a fun love triangle but only my least favorite side of it was featured in this book. 😩 This love interest is just too golden and perfect, and thus SO boring, and it sounds harsh, but I don't think I'd bat an eye if he died. 😭)
I was already finding all of that boring and pointless after just a few chapters, and THEN it was announced that they'd be stuck in that same location for THREE WHOLE DAYS!!! And for what??? It was so unnecessary and completely stopped any momentum the book previously had.
Unfortunately, once they got out of there, it remained painfully boring. I think a majority of the reason for me was the emphasis being on this romance that I just don't care about at all. But also, the abandonment of multi-POV and the general sidelining of some characters who I reeeaaaally wanted to see more of. Plus a few plot points and devices that were definitely underbaked.
The ending was interesting. Like literally the last 4 chapters. I'm very intrigued for the finale. But I honestly don't think this series needed to be extended into 4 books. Even if it would have made the last book 800 pages or something, I would have preferred that to these hundreds of unnecessary pages. This was the longest book of the series yet, but it honestly could have been a novella. Or like, 400 pages AT MOST.
So yeah. A dud in the midst of a great series. I have full faith that the conclusion will be awesome.
Also, let it be known...
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm wrecked. I loved it. It was exactly what I expected and wanted it to be. And more, honestly. (Very vague spoilers ahead.)
I was expecting a Haymitch prequel, going into detail with his backstory. I was not expecting just how different his story was compared to what we think we know from the trilogy. Suzanne Collins really went hard with the propaganda theme.
Both prequels I think lean way more heavy-handed (to the point of maybe being slightly contrived) with their specific commentary than the trilogy. That may be part of why I can't bring myself to give either of them 5 stars. But even so, I don't mind the heavy-handedness nearly as much as I usually do. For a combination of reasons, I imagine: I already know and love the world and I want to know all the lore, plus Suzanne is just so good at exploring her themes. I can't possibly mind very much how she goes about conveying them.
All that to say. It really is amazing how thoroughly the propaganda machine wiped out Haymitch's true story. So much so that Katniss and us readers are completely clueless. We're all ready to believe Haymitch was just that cocky jackass, and he was punished just for using the forcefield.
Then, based on the Haymitch we know by the end of the trilogy, it's also very easy to believe that he was this loving, protective boy with so much to lose.
The easter eggs got slightly gratuitous and erred on the side of fanservice... but do I care? Nope. I ate them all up, and, for the most part, they made sense.
I'm not entirely sure where I'm going with this. I just loved getting to know Haymitch better, and learning the truth. And getting another brilliant and VERY timely bit of theme exploration from Suzanne Collins.
I was expecting a Haymitch prequel, going into detail with his backstory. I was not expecting just how different his story was compared to what we think we know from the trilogy. Suzanne Collins really went hard with the propaganda theme.
Both prequels I think lean way more heavy-handed (to the point of maybe being slightly contrived) with their specific commentary than the trilogy. That may be part of why I can't bring myself to give either of them 5 stars. But even so, I don't mind the heavy-handedness nearly as much as I usually do. For a combination of reasons, I imagine: I already know and love the world and I want to know all the lore, plus Suzanne is just so good at exploring her themes. I can't possibly mind very much how she goes about conveying them.
All that to say. It really is amazing how thoroughly the propaganda machine wiped out Haymitch's true story. So much so that Katniss and us readers are completely clueless. We're all ready to believe Haymitch was just that cocky jackass, and he was punished just for using the forcefield.
Then, based on the Haymitch we know by the end of the trilogy, it's also very easy to believe that he was this loving, protective boy with so much to lose.
The easter eggs got slightly gratuitous and erred on the side of fanservice... but do I care? Nope. I ate them all up, and, for the most part, they made sense.
I'm not entirely sure where I'm going with this. I just loved getting to know Haymitch better, and learning the truth. And getting another brilliant and VERY timely bit of theme exploration from Suzanne Collins.
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
A comprehensive and engaging work of narrative nonfiction. I learned A LOT. I hadn't known much about the Troubles at all, and now I feel very informed. I never fully realized or appreciated just how violent it all was, and how long it went on for. And how contentious the IRA was and still is. I'm generally on the side of struggles against colonialism, but the IRA seemingly did a lot of things against their own people's self-interest.
The book did feel a little dense at times, but that's entirely user error. I love me some investigative reporting, but my eyes don't love the long paragraphs with very little dialogue.
I do wish this book weren't marketed so much as true crime. I'm glad I got the sense that it's more general investigative reporting, and mentally prepared myself for that. I'd say the contents of the book are around 20% about the specific murder and 80% history & background of the Troubles. I understand the use of this murder to provide focus for the information in the book. It was done well and it does all tie together. I just want people to know going in that this isn't so much a book about one crime as it is about the IRA.
The book did feel a little dense at times, but that's entirely user error. I love me some investigative reporting, but my eyes don't love the long paragraphs with very little dialogue.
I do wish this book weren't marketed so much as true crime. I'm glad I got the sense that it's more general investigative reporting, and mentally prepared myself for that. I'd say the contents of the book are around 20% about the specific murder and 80% history & background of the Troubles. I understand the use of this murder to provide focus for the information in the book. It was done well and it does all tie together. I just want people to know going in that this isn't so much a book about one crime as it is about the IRA.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
This was fun! Thank you to Tiffany McDaniel for sending me a signed copy for Middle Grade March 2025! :)
I really wish I knew a kid of the right age to read this with, because just reading it as an adult, it wasn't really for me. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I could have seen a kid having fun with it!
But that said, I can still see why this would be fun for kids! I think this would be great for kids from 6-12 or so. Either reading on their own or being read to. Some of the things that bothered me as an adult are things I'm sure most kids would enjoy or not notice.
I got overwhelmed very quickly by the amount of magical creatures and objects and descriptions being introduced. Whereas kids would probably have a blast with all of that (and rightly forget most of it by the next page - as an adult reader I'm too used to little details being significant 😂).
I found the pacing pretty slow and that it didn't need so many pages to work up to the action. But kids would probably enjoy being immersed in the world, and find some of the smaller plot points more shocking and interesting.
One thing I did really enjoy about this as an adult was recognizing McDaniel's writing style and values within it! I read her adult novel Betty (based on her mother's childhood) in January and LOVED it. I definitely noticed in Wand Keepers McDaniel's talent for creating a lush atmosphere. And even moreso, the respect for the earth and all its creatures that she was raised with and taught her readers about in Betty. Loved that that was a central theme in this book, too! Also enjoyed the found family and self-acceptance themes. :)
In summary: this didn't quite work for me as an adult reader, but it is a great middle grade book and I think its target audience will eat it up!!
I really wish I knew a kid of the right age to read this with, because just reading it as an adult, it wasn't really for me. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I could have seen a kid having fun with it!
But that said, I can still see why this would be fun for kids! I think this would be great for kids from 6-12 or so. Either reading on their own or being read to. Some of the things that bothered me as an adult are things I'm sure most kids would enjoy or not notice.
I got overwhelmed very quickly by the amount of magical creatures and objects and descriptions being introduced. Whereas kids would probably have a blast with all of that (and rightly forget most of it by the next page - as an adult reader I'm too used to little details being significant 😂).
I found the pacing pretty slow and that it didn't need so many pages to work up to the action. But kids would probably enjoy being immersed in the world, and find some of the smaller plot points more shocking and interesting.
One thing I did really enjoy about this as an adult was recognizing McDaniel's writing style and values within it! I read her adult novel Betty (based on her mother's childhood) in January and LOVED it. I definitely noticed in Wand Keepers McDaniel's talent for creating a lush atmosphere. And even moreso, the respect for the earth and all its creatures that she was raised with and taught her readers about in Betty. Loved that that was a central theme in this book, too! Also enjoyed the found family and self-acceptance themes. :)
In summary: this didn't quite work for me as an adult reader, but it is a great middle grade book and I think its target audience will eat it up!!
I just can't 😭
There's something about the writing that is making this such a chore and keeping me from caring about literally anything. I was very into the first couple chapters, but have been dragging myself through each one since. Got through 8 and decided I'd had enough.
I was really hoping to enjoy this and just have fun with the promised enemies-to-lovers plot. But now that the love interest has been introduced and their hatred established, I just couldn't care less.
The whole thing feels so flimsy to me, and just too cliche and familiar. The worldbuilding and exposition has been clunky, and she spent way too long building up to the first big moment, without using any of that time to actually tell me anything. Just keeping it all intentionally vague, which I hate.
I MIGHT try again another time, but other books are calling to me too loudly right now, and I just can't drag myself far enough to find out if this gets better.
There's something about the writing that is making this such a chore and keeping me from caring about literally anything. I was very into the first couple chapters, but have been dragging myself through each one since. Got through 8 and decided I'd had enough.
I was really hoping to enjoy this and just have fun with the promised enemies-to-lovers plot. But now that the love interest has been introduced and their hatred established, I just couldn't care less.
The whole thing feels so flimsy to me, and just too cliche and familiar. The worldbuilding and exposition has been clunky, and she spent way too long building up to the first big moment, without using any of that time to actually tell me anything. Just keeping it all intentionally vague, which I hate.
I MIGHT try again another time, but other books are calling to me too loudly right now, and I just can't drag myself far enough to find out if this gets better.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Damn. 😭
Don't ask me what inspired me to pick this up for the first time since 4th grade. I've thought about it over the years - even as an adult, I still enjoy the 2007 movie - and I figured I'd probably revisit it someday. And then a few days ago, I just got the urge and I immediately borrowed it from Libby.
I read the whole thing today (honestly, thank god for middle grade) and I can honestly say it completely holds up. I remember liking it well enough and being sad over it as a 10-year-old. I expected it to at least still be moving and nostalgic, but I didn't know if I'd find it good.
And let me tell you, it is excellent. 😭 I say that both from my adult perspective, and considering its target audience. I get why they hand us this book in 4th grade. We were the same age as the protagonist. It's full of metaphor and vocab to enhance our little minds. It gently teaches some hard truths and unapologetically encourages us to be ourselves, even if we're "different."
All of that is still notable to me now, but I can now also recognize how well Jess is characterized. It's honestly a great character study of this confused and self-conscious kid. It's a really beautiful and heartbreaking coming of age story. I've known how it ends for 20+ years and still had tears falling down my face at this poor kid's very human reactions and processing of this tragedy.
I definitely recommend a reread (or first-time read) to all my fellow adults. Maybe read it with your kids, too. ❤️
(Also the author's note and speech transcription in the back of this edition enhanced the experience even more. Highly recommend.)
Don't ask me what inspired me to pick this up for the first time since 4th grade. I've thought about it over the years - even as an adult, I still enjoy the 2007 movie - and I figured I'd probably revisit it someday. And then a few days ago, I just got the urge and I immediately borrowed it from Libby.
I read the whole thing today (honestly, thank god for middle grade) and I can honestly say it completely holds up. I remember liking it well enough and being sad over it as a 10-year-old. I expected it to at least still be moving and nostalgic, but I didn't know if I'd find it good.
And let me tell you, it is excellent. 😭 I say that both from my adult perspective, and considering its target audience. I get why they hand us this book in 4th grade. We were the same age as the protagonist. It's full of metaphor and vocab to enhance our little minds. It gently teaches some hard truths and unapologetically encourages us to be ourselves, even if we're "different."
All of that is still notable to me now, but I can now also recognize how well Jess is characterized. It's honestly a great character study of this confused and self-conscious kid. It's a really beautiful and heartbreaking coming of age story. I've known how it ends for 20+ years and still had tears falling down my face at this poor kid's very human reactions and processing of this tragedy.
I definitely recommend a reread (or first-time read) to all my fellow adults. Maybe read it with your kids, too. ❤️
(Also the author's note and speech transcription in the back of this edition enhanced the experience even more. Highly recommend.)
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
I picked this up before bed and wasn't expecting to read it all in one sitting, but I was so engrossed, I couldn't put it down! This was SO informative about a gender identity that I was aware of, but really couldn't have described before. Loved learning about Maia's journey. Honestly, while I have a generally progressive outlook and open mind... my mind feels more open than before I picked up this book. There is always more to learn and that doesn't have to be scary. ❤️
Also yay for ace rep. 😊
My only complaint is that, while I enjoyed the nonlinear narrative, the transitions between topics were jarring at times.
Also yay for ace rep. 😊
My only complaint is that, while I enjoyed the nonlinear narrative, the transitions between topics were jarring at times.
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly, it's very unfortunate for this book that I read it straight after the work of art that was The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. Both are Irish lit and had some very similar themes. And I just feel that The Bee Sting did them all much better, or at least much more according to my tastes.
Where The Bee Sting's writing and theme work was very subtle and layered, I thought this book was mostly surface-level and heavy-handed. Again, that could work a lot better for a lot of people with different preferences. (And lort knows The Bee Sting is not gonna be for everyone.)
I don't think this book was bad, by any means. It just wasn't especially impressive to me. I feel like it tried to do a bit too much. Airey definitely was trying to weave an intricate generational web here, and I think it got a bit tangled up in itself.The multiple unplanned pregnancies got to a point of eye-rolling. The "it all comes together" moment at the end was a bit too convenient and thus, anticlimactic. The whole video game thing could have been left out entirely (even though I know it was meant to be a commentary about making different choices). There were a few too many POVs and I feel I didn't get to know any of them as well as I wanted. And while I feel like the author had one specific cause in mind to be her central theme... it definitely got somewhat lost in the sauce.
All that said, it's an intriguing story with compelling themes. It just wasn't really written in a way for me to find it as compelling as it could be. Especially after reading The Bee Sting. Sorry to this book lol. (And sorry to you that this review ended up being so compare/contrast.)
I will say, I listened to most of it, and the narration was excellent. Love when a multi-POV story gets different narrators for everyone. That definitely helped the storytelling and kept me engaged.
Where The Bee Sting's writing and theme work was very subtle and layered, I thought this book was mostly surface-level and heavy-handed. Again, that could work a lot better for a lot of people with different preferences. (And lort knows The Bee Sting is not gonna be for everyone.)
I don't think this book was bad, by any means. It just wasn't especially impressive to me. I feel like it tried to do a bit too much. Airey definitely was trying to weave an intricate generational web here, and I think it got a bit tangled up in itself.
All that said, it's an intriguing story with compelling themes. It just wasn't really written in a way for me to find it as compelling as it could be. Especially after reading The Bee Sting. Sorry to this book lol. (And sorry to you that this review ended up being so compare/contrast.)
I will say, I listened to most of it, and the narration was excellent. Love when a multi-POV story gets different narrators for everyone. That definitely helped the storytelling and kept me engaged.
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes
What a delight! 🥹
Beautiful art, super cool world, and a touching story. Fun for me as an adult, and I'm sure it's even better and so relatable for young adult readers.
When I looked in the back at the author bio, I realized he used to be one of my favorite tumblr accounts!! Before he ever published Nimona. I loved his fun and silly art. I still say "murry chrsmus" because of him. 😂 Just a fun coincidence!
Beautiful art, super cool world, and a touching story. Fun for me as an adult, and I'm sure it's even better and so relatable for young adult readers.
When I looked in the back at the author bio, I realized he used to be one of my favorite tumblr accounts!! Before he ever published Nimona. I loved his fun and silly art. I still say "murry chrsmus" because of him. 😂 Just a fun coincidence!