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omnombailey's Reviews (111)
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a good read, in that it evoked sentiments I haven't had lately with other books. It is by no means a comfortable read, though. Nor is every character likeable, especially by the end. But even with the characters I outright loathed, there was enough complexity to keep me invested, even if it was to see how the dumpster fire imploded in the end. As awful as most of the situations are in this book, there was something painfully genuine about everything.
The relies a bit too heavily on the characters, thus the plot is strung together oddly and really falls apart near the end. By then, you're already in too deep to back out, but it was unfortunate how the story's foundations barely hold together.
The relies a bit too heavily on the characters, thus the plot is strung together oddly and really falls apart near the end. By then, you're already in too deep to back out, but it was unfortunate how the story's foundations barely hold together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Medical content
Minor: Self harm, Vomit
The adult/minor relationship is a huge part of this story. While both sides say they're consenting to it, it's very evident that there's plenty of manipulation and dubious consent involved. It is not painted in a healthy light to make the reader uncomfortable.
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a headache to slog through. Now that I'm finally done, I don't even know where to begin with my dislike for this story. The one-too-many tropes shoved into the same book? The barely-there steampunk that makes no efforts to address the criticisms most steampunk stories are known for, thus making it a pretty ornament as a replacement for actual worldbuilding? The love triangle (was that what it was? I don't even know)? The horrible accents written out that just make this already painful prose even more excruciating? The dangling time travel thread that only cropped up when convenient to the plot and yet continued to be an eyesore? The lack of character development in any sense of the word? The force-fed sexism and misogyny that I'm sure is done so under the guise of ~historical accuracy~ yet also introduced steampunk, supernatural, and time travel elements? THAT APPARENTLY ONE'S GENDER CAN EASILY BE REVEALED FROM THEIR HANDWRITING???????
Maybe if this was actually written during the late 1800s, then I could excuse some of this bullshit. But considering it's a more recent novel, the fact that so many little details and asides are squeezed in there makes it feel like it was a conscious decision and I kind of want to throw up.
The only thing that got me through this was imagining that Mina and Evaline were actually secretly gay for each other. Why else would they spend paragraphs upon paragraphs obsessing over each other?
Maybe if this was actually written during the late 1800s, then I could excuse some of this bullshit. But considering it's a more recent novel, the fact that so many little details and asides are squeezed in there makes it feel like it was a conscious decision and I kind of want to throw up.
The only thing that got me through this was imagining that Mina and Evaline were actually secretly gay for each other. Why else would they spend paragraphs upon paragraphs obsessing over each other?
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What an incredible, unique story. It took some time to adjust to the prose; the omnipotent narration is initially jarring when so few modern stories use it, but it eventually felt like the story was being told me, like I was listening to an elder pass on a legend. The magical realism was amazing, as was the Mayan mythology, and while the pace of the book is rather rapid, the descriptions of each location are vivid, almost tangible. I love the characters and their stories. I couldn't put this down in the last quarter of the story. It's also been a long time since I've teared up over fictional characters, but here we are. Definitely worth the read, even if it's a touch hard to get into at first. It will grow on you.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Less of a cohesive story and more of a collection of snapshots. The courtship between Jimmy and Elsie is really precious and I snorted hard over a couple of scenes, but I wish it had more depth than oneshot gags every page. Despite being an extremely quick read, it was enjoyable. Plus the hardcover copy is gorgeous.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A lovely story about grief and all its shapes and forms. The back and forth between the present day and flashbacks were delightful and gave an extra layer to the characters and narrative. It was a pleasant surprise to see some LGBTQ+ characters who weren't riddled with angst over their identity and they didn't have an overly perfect happily ever after. Everything was genuine and raw, but not at the expense of who the characters were.
While I loved the simplicity of the prose, sometimes it was too simple. Variety in sentence structure would've been nice, especially when most of the passages read like "She did this. I did that. Then I did this" over and over again. Same with the dialogue at times, which came across stiffer than I imagine the author intended. I found those moments distracting, which is a shame given how grave the themes are of this story.
Despite some of the less stellar aspects, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Once I started, I couldn't put it down and resonated with both Marin and Mabel. Also a quick read, which is as much of a treat as the narrative.
While I loved the simplicity of the prose, sometimes it was too simple. Variety in sentence structure would've been nice, especially when most of the passages read like "She did this. I did that. Then I did this" over and over again. Same with the dialogue at times, which came across stiffer than I imagine the author intended. I found those moments distracting, which is a shame given how grave the themes are of this story.
Despite some of the less stellar aspects, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Once I started, I couldn't put it down and resonated with both Marin and Mabel. Also a quick read, which is as much of a treat as the narrative.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief
Moderate: Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had tremendously high expectations for this book after reading the first one, Girls of Paper and Fire. While it was a great book on its own, it still struggles with the pesky "middle of the series" syndrome.
Most of the narrative is the main characters going from place to place, either trying to recruit help for the rebellion or run away from the king's forces. In between are some delightful moments between characters that I adored, especially withthe growing tension between Lei and Wren. I was happy to see them in situations that made them question each other (mostly Lei with Wren) instead of being stuck in a honeymoon phase. Don't get me wrong - I do want them happy together, but they definitely have a lot to talk about.
Seeing Lei mature from the previous book is extremely bittersweet; it's great to see her less whiny, but also knowing why and how she got to that point (via sexual trauma) just breaks my heart every time. Her coping is extremely authentic and relatable and thus makes me root for her even more.
I also grew to love the shift in perspectives to those back at the palace. I wondered what happened in the wake of the assassination attempt and seeing the lives of those Lei and Wren left behind was an absolute treat. Though the tense shift was always jarring (going from first person present to third person past :\ bleh).
Sadly, a bunch of points fell short for me.I was never a fan of Bo; he felt too forced and I was constantly annoyed he was never taking anything even half seriously. I feel he was written to make the reader laugh and find him enjoyable, but it didn't work for me. I did enjoy his brief relationship with Merrin, because their obvious flirting since the beginning felt like a freaking neon sign to me, so it was great to see some more queer characters. Bo's death only worked for me because I was far more invested in Merrin than Bo and seeing Merrin devestated was heartwrenching, but I don't think that was the intention behind all of that :\
And Lova.... *sigh* I think if Lova had zero backstory with Wren and didn't show up as a deus ex machina 75% into the story without ever being mentioned I might have enjoyed her more. On paper, she's character I'd be into, but her feeling entitled to Wren despite Wren being Lei left an awful taste in my mouth. I want to say Wren did mention Lova in the first book when it came to her previous lovers, but that still doesn't excuse her randomly showing up to save the gang from death. Oh what's that? She's been following them the whole time and there's been zero foreshadowing? Uh-huh, alright. Sure ಠ_ಠ I struggled with finishing the book because of her waltzing in and stealing the spotlight. I hated it and didn't want it and thus it made the last quarter of the book feel ridiculously forced. I probably would've given this 4 stars if Lova was never a thing because I despised anything in a twenty foot radius of her so much.
For the most part, this was an enjoyable read. Not as brilliant as the first book, but a good addition. Well-written with lovely prose and equally lovely characters not you, Lova or Bo. It's definitely hooked me for the next book.
Most of the narrative is the main characters going from place to place, either trying to recruit help for the rebellion or run away from the king's forces. In between are some delightful moments between characters that I adored, especially with
Sadly, a bunch of points fell short for me.
For the most part, this was an enjoyable read. Not as brilliant as the first book, but a good addition. Well-written with lovely prose and equally lovely characters not you, Lova or Bo. It's definitely hooked me for the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Grief
Trauma surrounding sexual assault is a huge theme throughout the book.