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readingthestars's reviews
576 reviews
Amber & Dusk by Lyra Selene
3.0
Spoilers.
Okay so my biggest question is...WHAT IS A "SPAN"?? One thing that writers often do is come up with random words for concepts that already exist. Which makes some sense, but I literally spent this entire book not understanding what a "span" was, or a "Compline." Is is a week? A month? A day? How would I know! In general, the world building was a bit weak, mostly towards the beginning.
I feel like too much was told at the beginning (in terms of backstories), and I think they could've been shown more. The early sort-of romance was too quick, and the flowery language was unlike anything that a teenage boy or girl would say. I also felt this way later in the book, but it was more understandable since Sunder is an aristocrat of sorts. But I would've liked to see some more distinction when it came to speaking, since those outside the Amber City would talk differently than those outside. For a time, it seemed to me like the beginning picked up on weird spot in time and the pacing was off for quite a bit of time after.
There was also a very intense romance between Sylvie and Luca that doesn't really make sense considering how long they've known each other (not that long, but again, I can't really tell because I don't know what a "span" is).
The plot really picked up after Sylvie learns the truth, and the last 80 or so pages was great. I really liked reading about the battle between Sylvie and Severine. I love Sunder and his layers, and while I like Sylvie well enough, there were definitely parts where she got on my nerves. Maybe she was a little too cliche for me - I'm not sure. She was complicated and I appreciate that but at times I also got annoyed with her.
I liked this book enough. I might read the next book because it sounds interesting, but the beginning of this one was just slow and confusing to me.
Okay so my biggest question is...WHAT IS A "SPAN"?? One thing that writers often do is come up with random words for concepts that already exist. Which makes some sense, but I literally spent this entire book not understanding what a "span" was, or a "Compline." Is is a week? A month? A day? How would I know! In general, the world building was a bit weak, mostly towards the beginning.
I feel like too much was told at the beginning (in terms of backstories), and I think they could've been shown more. The early sort-of romance was too quick, and the flowery language was unlike anything that a teenage boy or girl would say. I also felt this way later in the book, but it was more understandable since Sunder is an aristocrat of sorts. But I would've liked to see some more distinction when it came to speaking, since those outside the Amber City would talk differently than those outside. For a time, it seemed to me like the beginning picked up on weird spot in time and the pacing was off for quite a bit of time after.
There was also a very intense romance between Sylvie and Luca that doesn't really make sense considering how long they've known each other (not that long, but again, I can't really tell because I don't know what a "span" is).
The plot really picked up after Sylvie learns the truth, and the last 80 or so pages was great. I really liked reading about the battle between Sylvie and Severine. I love Sunder and his layers, and while I like Sylvie well enough, there were definitely parts where she got on my nerves. Maybe she was a little too cliche for me - I'm not sure. She was complicated and I appreciate that but at times I also got annoyed with her.
I liked this book enough. I might read the next book because it sounds interesting, but the beginning of this one was just slow and confusing to me.
Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee by Jeff Zentner
4.0
*Very mild spoilers*
This one took me by surprise. At first it seemed a little too cliche, the dialogue too out-there, and a little slow. But woah, did this book hit me. First of all, I LOVE Lawson. He's such a kind dude and supporting character. I learned to love the relationship between Josie and Delia, and I'd be lying if I said that the letter at the end didn't make me cry. The book handled complex emotions and situations, ans still everything worked out for everyone. I'm so glad I got this book in my Uppercase box.
This one took me by surprise. At first it seemed a little too cliche, the dialogue too out-there, and a little slow. But woah, did this book hit me. First of all, I LOVE Lawson. He's such a kind dude and supporting character. I learned to love the relationship between Josie and Delia, and I'd be lying if I said that the letter at the end didn't make me cry. The book handled complex emotions and situations, ans still everything worked out for everyone. I'm so glad I got this book in my Uppercase box.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
4.0
At first I thought that some of the writing was too cliche, but the story pulled me in. Read it in basically one sitting and loved the whole thing. The pacing seemed a bit off to me in the end, but I loved the writing, the characters, and the complexity of the issues covered.
Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot. My favorite movie has been Back to the Future since I was a kid, so I’ve always had a soft spot for time travel stories. The synopsis of this book immediately drew me in - there was time travel and action, but it focused on a family. One man trying his best to stay connected to his daughter throughout time. It was something I hadn’t seen before. The way time travel was handled in this book was so different and unique and I thoroughly loved it. I loved the female characters as well. Penny is a joy and an inspiration.
How We Roll by Natasha Friend
4.0
This book seemed almost too cliche/predictable at the beginning, and parts of it were. But it was a nice, quick, summer read that I would recommend to anyone who needs a good beach read. The characters were a bit too two-dimensional for my taste, but I loved Quinn's friends enormously. I think the writing sort of threw me off in that it didn't stand out, though I have no real complaints. This book explained some complex topics in a simple way while still being realistic, like others have said. It didn't sugar coat anything, which I always appreciate in anything. I think I was expecting there to be more with Nick or in his relationship with Tommy, like some big secret or something. There wasn't, which is fine, but I was sort of anticipating another big reveal (besides the hair).
Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott
5.0
*SPOILERS*
I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. I was very pleasantly surprised. It started off a bit too predictable, but I loved how the romance develops and how three-dimensional the characters are. This book didn't make light of the characters' situation/illness and portrays it in a very real life. While I was sometimes annoyed by decisions (such as Stella ignoring the text saying that she has a new lung coming in, or jeopardizing health just to be close), I could definitely understand WHY a teenager would want to do something like that, which made it a tad less annoying. They're just teenagers who want a normal life, and will do anything to achieve it. I thought that the scene when Will left was a bit too cheesy, but also fit the story and mood. Everything up til then (going out to see the lights, almost drowning) left me on the edge of my seat. I was actually saying "No! Noooo!" out loud, which is the telltale clue that any book is a great one.
I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. I was very pleasantly surprised. It started off a bit too predictable, but I loved how the romance develops and how three-dimensional the characters are. This book didn't make light of the characters' situation/illness and portrays it in a very real life. While I was sometimes annoyed by decisions (such as Stella ignoring the text saying that she has a new lung coming in, or jeopardizing health just to be close), I could definitely understand WHY a teenager would want to do something like that, which made it a tad less annoying. They're just teenagers who want a normal life, and will do anything to achieve it. I thought that the scene when Will left was a bit too cheesy, but also fit the story and mood. Everything up til then (going out to see the lights, almost drowning) left me on the edge of my seat. I was actually saying "No! Noooo!" out loud, which is the telltale clue that any book is a great one.
Back to the Future (2015-2017) #1 by Bob Gale, Bob Gale, Erik Burnham, John Barber
5.0
Love this movie a lot and love the comics even more! They fill in a lot of details that aren't explained in the movies.
Gone by Michael Grant
5.0
I'm rereading this series after 6 years. While I'm questioning some things, I'm glad that I'm enjoying this series just as much as I was when I first read it! Absolutely love these characters and the weird plot; so much happens in just six books it's ridiculous! In rereading just the first book, I remember what happens in later books and it's...comforting. I mean, it's a disturbing and strange story, but reading something that had a significant impact on my own writing just feels amazing.
The Loners by Lex Thomas
3.0
I enjoyed this book enough. Seemed to have picked up on the dystopia hype from a few years ago, but nothing wrong with that. The plot was a bit all over the place, and I found it a bit hard to keep track of time because on one page it could go from one day to two weeks later. Just seems like a big jump to keep track of. But I liked the characters enough to continue, and I will be reading the rest of the series.