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monno_moo's Reviews (119)
While the world was intriguing and painted a curious picture, the beginning was so slow-paced it dragged on. The characters in the front (especially the main character) were highly unlikable, but towards the end, some (emphasis on some) caught my attention and I wanted to see how they'd go further. The last fourth of the book picked up to my pace and liking. I wish the author, however, would go into more descriptive detail on how certain elements of the world work, or more so the history of the world as it's sprinkled in here and there but with no expectation of it being brought up again in the future. I plan on reading the second installment to see if it gets better or if the characters I started to lean toward get more likable. While this isn't my favorite read, it defiantly isn't by far the worst
I read this as it was recommended similarly to the Starless Sea. As now finished, that is a bit of a far stretch. The overall concept of the book was very enticing, and there were moments that gained my interest but overall I thought it to be average. The main character was okay, but nothing that stood out or was 'relatable' as to me it felt like a stereotypical representation of someone with depression (I in fact am diagnosed with depression) that could have gone further, but instead stayed safe. I thought the plot was predictable and the climax was prolonged when it could have been tightened up. One big thing that irked me was towards the middle of the book the Author started to add in multiple pop culture references which to me, I thought was completely unnecessary. I feel like if he didn't add them, the story itself could feel more timeless and follow the theme of the book, however, the tie-in of references grounds the book to a certain time frame and can feel dated when reading it in the future. All in all, an okay book that I probably wouldn't recommend to the next person.
I think this installment of the series redeemed itself compared to the first volume. I originally wasn't going to pick up this book, but I needed something with familiarity. I grew to like the main group of characters and appreciate the side characters more. I think the store had finally found its footing and the world was explained better in my opinion. I couldn't put this book down at some points to my surprise. As soon as I finished this volume I went and bought the third installment of the series eager to pick up back where I left off. I'm glad I gave this world a second chance as I have now grown fond of it.
While the Memory of Babel wasn’t as thrilling as the second installment, it did Gove more clarity to the world of the Mirror Visitor. I enjoyed the book quite a bit, it just took longer than anticipated to pick up its pace similar to that of the first book, I’ve already started the 4th installment and I’m excited to see where our main characters will end up
The fourth and final installment to the mirror visitor series was a memorable conclusion to the series that tied it up in a nice bow (for the most part). While there were some things I wish the author would have dived into more. I feel like for what she was able to accomplish in the pages was enough to satisfy myself. I'm glad I kept up and read the whole story from start to finish as I was skeptical after ending the first book. I think this is a good interesting story that has wonderful world building and a great introductory fantasy-scifi series
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft was an easy pickup and fast read. The writing and story were easy to digest. The pacing was well done and kept me invested till the end. I thought the plot and characters were pretty predictable, but it was fun nonetheless. This story wasn't anything groundbreaking or new that I hadn't seen before, I think it made it such an easy and enjoyable read. There were times were I did think the dynamics of the characters could have been delved into a bit more, at times it did feel like Saft could've pushed just above surface level. If she did this I think it would have made the story a bit more dynamic and maybe stand out from the average YA romantic fantasy. I've enjoyed her other installments more than this one, as it felt that there was more heart but into those than this, She may have gotten to the same level with this book if it were just a tad bit longer. Overall I still enjoyed this book and look forward to reading her other works
Jay Kristoff knocked it out of the park again with this bloody sequel. Kristoff isn't afraid to hold back from the nitty gritty of dark fantasy and certainly didn't for this edition. I was on the edge of my seat for the majority of the book not knowing how each chapter would turn and it did not disappoint. Bon Orthwick's work is stunning and stepped it up from the previous book, making me enthralled with every chapter. I'm now in agony as I have to wait for the next edition to come out and see what Jay Kritstoff decides to do with our beloved cast.
Compared to the other novels, I read this in one sitting. While I enjoyed it (since it was just fluff with the characters, and I enjoy my fluff here and there) there was not the biggest plot scene there. It does wrap some things up from the aftermath of A Court of Wings and Ruin, but it is not the best installment. But I cannot wait for the next book by Maas!!
"But that’s the beauty of learning a new language. It should feel like an enormous undertaking. It ought to intimidate you. It makes you appreciate the complexity of the ones you know already"
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Falling into this book felt like falling back into academia. I felt as if I, too, were sitting in old English lecture halls, walking the streets of Oxford, and leaning over my desk at late hours scanning coursework. Babel is, as its name states, an arcane history, and it flows as its namesake.
While at times dense and a bit repetitive, I quite enjoyed the information about language and translation. As someone who enjoys learning about the intricacies of language, I appreciated all the details and the origins of this written work. R.F. Kuang did not gloss over any detail regarding her research, and I appreciate that she poured herself into this to make this historical fantasy seem like another record in the history books. You feel for the main character as he stumbles through the world and how he discovers himself in the best ways, and in the worst. The ending is inevitable as the circumstances show themselves, yet you wish it wasn't. The ending was beautifully tied and struck me in a way that I know will linger.
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This dark academia novel is a love letter for those who enjoy the world of academics and an appreciation for the world of language.
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Falling into this book felt like falling back into academia. I felt as if I, too, were sitting in old English lecture halls, walking the streets of Oxford, and leaning over my desk at late hours scanning coursework. Babel is, as its name states, an arcane history, and it flows as its namesake.
While at times dense and a bit repetitive, I quite enjoyed the information about language and translation. As someone who enjoys learning about the intricacies of language, I appreciated all the details and the origins of this written work. R.F. Kuang did not gloss over any detail regarding her research, and I appreciate that she poured herself into this to make this historical fantasy seem like another record in the history books. You feel for the main character as he stumbles through the world and how he discovers himself in the best ways, and in the worst. The ending is inevitable as the circumstances show themselves, yet you wish it wasn't. The ending was beautifully tied and struck me in a way that I know will linger.
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This dark academia novel is a love letter for those who enjoy the world of academics and an appreciation for the world of language.
Foul days is a fantasy homage to Slavic folklore intertwined with new day fantasy. The world that Genoveva Dimova paints takes me not to some fantastical world, but to one to where I think it is set here in this world and that this place is real, at least once in the past. it was thrilling to step into a world heavily inspired be Eastern Europe and Slavic lore, as I myself a, not too familiar with the concepts. I enjoyed the two main characters and the quirky banter, their dynamic felt natural, and not forced. While some of the plot points were predictable, This book felt like a refresher in the realm of YA fantasy, as I fell too many concepts get rehashed over and over. My biggest issue was probably the canter of the main characters inner thoughts seemed a tad inconsistent through out the novel, but given this is the authors first novel, I feel I can let it slide. I can't wait for the next installment, as it is coming soon. The ending made me want more, and that's a good thing.