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nhnabass's reviews
109 reviews
Vengeful by V.E. Schwab
5.0
Holy shit can Schwab write a thriller. She did an amazing job weaving the most sinister web of villain stories, pulling the threads apart and then tangling them back together again. I love the way she writes the timeline backwards, providing just enough of a trail to follow along and ensuring that everything comes back into play in due time. Reading this felt like watching a mirror shatter in reverse-- you aren't quite sure how it becomes whole again but you can see the rough shards slowly fitting together piece by piece. Every character was written with an intentional part to play in this seemingly eternal game of cat and mouse with Eli and Victor and every time you think it's finally over, it's not.
What a fun read! Honestly preferred it over the first book and was happily satisfied with the ending.
What a fun read! Honestly preferred it over the first book and was happily satisfied with the ending.
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
3.0
This was an interesting twist on a sci-fi classic. I like the way the perspectives shifted between our two main characters, it provided a significant amount of tension around the main storyline that brewed and brewed.
I found myself engrossed in the story and the characters and what was truly going on for most of the book. As the reader, we quickly catch onto Carlota's naïveté by watching the world through Mr. Laughton's perspective and piecing together the background story that was clearly meant to be hidden from her. Interestingly enough, I found myself losing interest as the story "picks up" action. The last 75-100 pages or so pick up the pace as the story quickly climaxes and consequences are taking place-- yet I found myself less and less interested in the situations that befell the characters as the story came to an end. I wonder if it is the slow burning story telling that gets forgone closer to the end or simply a story that just should have ended 100 pages sooner, but either was it was disappointing given the grip the beginning of the story had on me.
Overall, the pacing and the beautiful imagery of the jungle paired with the historical context really added depth to this classic retelling. I probably wouldn't pick it up again, but it was quick and interesting enough that I would consider it a decent read.
I found myself engrossed in the story and the characters and what was truly going on for most of the book. As the reader, we quickly catch onto Carlota's naïveté by watching the world through Mr. Laughton's perspective and piecing together the background story that was clearly meant to be hidden from her. Interestingly enough, I found myself losing interest as the story "picks up" action. The last 75-100 pages or so pick up the pace as the story quickly climaxes and consequences are taking place-- yet I found myself less and less interested in the situations that befell the characters as the story came to an end. I wonder if it is the slow burning story telling that gets forgone closer to the end or simply a story that just should have ended 100 pages sooner, but either was it was disappointing given the grip the beginning of the story had on me.
Overall, the pacing and the beautiful imagery of the jungle paired with the historical context really added depth to this classic retelling. I probably wouldn't pick it up again, but it was quick and interesting enough that I would consider it a decent read.
The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake
3.0
3 stars, cool concept, poor execution, lots of blue balling as a result.
I must admit, I am a little disappointed finishing this highly anticipated sequel, given how ravenously I tore through the first book. Perhaps that was a matter of poor expectation setting, but by about half-way through I knew this was not going to live up to the first.
The same changes in perspective from character to character that I loved in the first book felt chaotic this time, rather than providing important insight to the story from another angle. As the book went on, it felt more and more scattered, and not in an intentional "my characters are spiraling so now as the reader, so are you" way but more of a "what the fuck is going on there's twelve different stories that I pray line up somehow at the end of all this" (and spoiler, they don't).
This book felt like a waiting game with no payoff whatsoever. The pieces of the paradox were introduced so nicely, and woven through the story well enough that I found myself tugging on the threads, excited to put the puzzle together all for it to lead....pretty much nowhere. The ideas were all there, but it felt almost rushed(?), in a way that it was just not fleshed out enough to make it worth all of the hype the story was leading up for.
Looking back, this story should have either 1) been way shorter, her point could have been made way earlier on or 2) should have had *way* more substance. We learn so much more about all the characters and yet, nothing at the same time? So many different branches of study, especially for Reina, that seemingly go nowhere. I am particularly upset because the characters grow further apart this time, they spend more time alone researching for their independent studies and seem to have their own super secret ulterior motives (that do really sound interesting). Because of this, the characters don't work together at all and that costs us a lot of the chemistry and tension from the first book. So all that said, you would hope, as the reader, that at the very least we get to see the fruits of all this secretive research and the reason for all the isolating. Nope. Not for a single one of them!
We learn so many *incredibly* interesting things in our one-on-ones with each character, but all for what? We don't really get to see them use any of their newly discovered potential or how any of their research is relevant to anything, and I really hope it was not an intentional ploy to set up for a third book because what a waste of 400+ pages and my time.
I must admit, I am a little disappointed finishing this highly anticipated sequel, given how ravenously I tore through the first book. Perhaps that was a matter of poor expectation setting, but by about half-way through I knew this was not going to live up to the first.
The same changes in perspective from character to character that I loved in the first book felt chaotic this time, rather than providing important insight to the story from another angle. As the book went on, it felt more and more scattered, and not in an intentional "my characters are spiraling so now as the reader, so are you" way but more of a "what the fuck is going on there's twelve different stories that I pray line up somehow at the end of all this" (and spoiler, they don't).
This book felt like a waiting game with no payoff whatsoever. The pieces of the paradox were introduced so nicely, and woven through the story well enough that I found myself tugging on the threads, excited to put the puzzle together all for it to lead....pretty much nowhere. The ideas were all there, but it felt almost rushed(?), in a way that it was just not fleshed out enough to make it worth all of the hype the story was leading up for.
Looking back, this story should have either 1) been way shorter, her point could have been made way earlier on or 2) should have had *way* more substance. We learn so much more about all the characters and yet, nothing at the same time? So many different branches of study, especially for Reina, that seemingly go nowhere. I am particularly upset because the characters grow further apart this time, they spend more time alone researching for their independent studies and seem to have their own super secret ulterior motives (that do really sound interesting). Because of this, the characters don't work together at all and that costs us a lot of the chemistry and tension from the first book. So all that said, you would hope, as the reader, that at the very least we get to see the fruits of all this secretive research and the reason for all the isolating. Nope. Not for a single one of them!
We learn so many *incredibly* interesting things in our one-on-ones with each character, but all for what? We don't really get to see them use any of their newly discovered potential or how any of their research is relevant to anything, and I really hope it was not an intentional ploy to set up for a third book because what a waste of 400+ pages and my time.
The Luminaries by Susan Dennard
4.0
This was a fun, fast end of the year read! My husband picked it up from Barnes & Noble for me because it "seemed like the dark YA fantasy you usually read" and had a cool cover. I had not heard of this book before, or the Witchlands series, but it was interesting knowing this book started as a D&D - role play - Twitter choose your own adventure - and that got me pretty intrigued!
I will say, this book reads very much as "Y" in the YA. As an adult who enjoys fantasy, it's difficult to allow myself to read stories geared towards younger audiences and still take myself seriously-- a part of me feels childish or silly for reading it. Despite some cringey lines of dialogue, I'm actually really glad this book drew me in. Starting off the book with teenagers hauling away dead bodies like it was a regular old Thursday was pretty intriguing. It gave me the chance to read something fun and magical and honestly hooked me in so quick I didn't really think twice about the "seriousness" of the book. Maybe that's just a me thing.
The magic in the book is wonderfully fun. The author does a great job throwing you into this fantastical nightmarish world and expertly reveals the magic system narratively without coming off as information dumping or being too obvious. Winnie's character is fun and relatable and I loved watching her complex internal dialogue begin to spiral in high-stress situations. The descriptions of the forest's spirit and the resident nightmares felt surreal and vivid. The imagery did a great job putting me in Winnie's shoes, making me feel as though I was the lone adventurer wandering through the forest mist.
The mystery of Winnie's father is interesting and I find myself wanting to know what happens next! All in all, really enjoyable last read of the year.
Only note- she used the word "bergamot" an absurd amount of times. We get it, Jay smells like fresh citrus lime and we should *maybe* *possibly* be paying attention to him and his weird erratic behavior that is *probably* just nothing /s, but there are other words you could use! It's the only annoying thing that stood out to me.
I will say, this book reads very much as "Y" in the YA. As an adult who enjoys fantasy, it's difficult to allow myself to read stories geared towards younger audiences and still take myself seriously-- a part of me feels childish or silly for reading it. Despite some cringey lines of dialogue, I'm actually really glad this book drew me in. Starting off the book with teenagers hauling away dead bodies like it was a regular old Thursday was pretty intriguing. It gave me the chance to read something fun and magical and honestly hooked me in so quick I didn't really think twice about the "seriousness" of the book. Maybe that's just a me thing.
The magic in the book is wonderfully fun. The author does a great job throwing you into this fantastical nightmarish world and expertly reveals the magic system narratively without coming off as information dumping or being too obvious. Winnie's character is fun and relatable and I loved watching her complex internal dialogue begin to spiral in high-stress situations. The descriptions of the forest's spirit and the resident nightmares felt surreal and vivid. The imagery did a great job putting me in Winnie's shoes, making me feel as though I was the lone adventurer wandering through the forest mist.
The mystery of Winnie's father is interesting and I find myself wanting to know what happens next! All in all, really enjoyable last read of the year.
Only note- she used the word "bergamot" an absurd amount of times. We get it, Jay smells like fresh citrus lime and we should *maybe* *possibly* be paying attention to him and his weird erratic behavior that is *probably* just nothing /s, but there are other words you could use! It's the only annoying thing that stood out to me.
Little Thieves by Margaret Owen
5.0
I got through this book surprisingly quickly! There were a couple of times that I thought I knew where it was headed and was quickly proven wrong. I am not familiar with the lore of this universe and the author does a beautiful job weaving the history of this myth into the story without being too heavy handed. I loved the idea of the low gods and the chaos they bring and thoroughly enjoyed the in depth imagery of nightmarish creatures that haunt this universe. The way in which Vanja was tied to Death and Fortune was extraordinarily clever and I absolutely love the description of Death taking the many faces of those about to die. Very neat detail. I was happily surprised by the many twists this story took and overall, it was a fun fantastical read. Would be interested in reading more from this author in the future.
Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy
4.0
I really hate that I liked this book as much as I did.
I went in expecting an eco-fiction about a climate disaster and a desperate scientist chasing the final migration of magnificent birds. I guess in a way, that is what we got from this book. Mostly, though, this book is instead very unhinged. The main character is deranged and as much pity as I feel for her, is just truly an awful person. At every decision point it feels like she makes the wrong one. With little regard for those around her, this story follows her as she makes her journey to follow the migrations of the Arctic Terns.
I am a sucker for unreliable narrators. The protagonist’s backstory is expertly crafted and woven in small vignettes through her present day journey. These often leave you more confused than you were before, until of course they all come together in the last act of the book. The author does a great job leaving you with just enough information to pass judgement on this character but not enough to truly know if you are on her side or not.
Overall, this book was an emotional rollercoaster that I was NOT expecting at all, but still came to respect and enjoy at the end.
I went in expecting an eco-fiction about a climate disaster and a desperate scientist chasing the final migration of magnificent birds. I guess in a way, that is what we got from this book. Mostly, though, this book is instead very unhinged. The main character is deranged and as much pity as I feel for her, is just truly an awful person. At every decision point it feels like she makes the wrong one. With little regard for those around her, this story follows her as she makes her journey to follow the migrations of the Arctic Terns.
I am a sucker for unreliable narrators. The protagonist’s backstory is expertly crafted and woven in small vignettes through her present day journey. These often leave you more confused than you were before, until of course they all come together in the last act of the book. The author does a great job leaving you with just enough information to pass judgement on this character but not enough to truly know if you are on her side or not.
Overall, this book was an emotional rollercoaster that I was NOT expecting at all, but still came to respect and enjoy at the end.