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sayvilahsiav's reviews
67 reviews
The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
I have been reading many series, but I wanted to read a standalone but not a contemporary one. I wanted to read a fantasy or Sci-Fi standalone. So I landed up with The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller. Now you might say there are other maybe better Standalones and yes I believe there are but this had relatively fewer pages. It's a short book with around 300 pages only. What's more? It's actually a very easy and quick read for such a dark synopsis. Which is why I'm quite disappointed. But not entirely.
I have given this book an overall of 4 stars. Let's see how:
The book opens with a promise of a Slytherin romance, oh yes, and a quote from Damon Salvatore. Tricia Levenseller is a Vampire Diaries Fan?! I have very high expectations now. Now it wasn't exactly my favourite Damon Salvatore quote but duh, it's Damon, what's not likeable? I imagined either of the main characters will have a similar personality but ouch!
Oh yeah, I love it! I'm a total fan because ooh the tension they have throughout the story and ah the slow burn. But well, in Tricia's The Shadows Between Us, it was more like Friends to Potential Enemies to Lovers kinda thing which is weird... But I'm all for non-clichés as much as for clichés so yay. I loved how they were instant friends and not instantly in love. Friends, at first sight, is a yes-yes. It's allowed. It's legal, it's a goodie. They get along quite well. For the former half of their friendship, the Shadow King is quite distant but after a certain adventure Alessandra has with a certain someone, the Shadawww King gets jelly, I guess and things start getting better.
What I love the most about their relationship is how honest they are with each other. I know this was supposed to be a dark mysterious book but for once, there's no weird unexplainable romantic cliché moments and practices where when either of the couples is mad at the other, they leave the other to guess it rather than speaking up and expecting them to be human and not God who can read minds. So here, Tricia, a star for this.
Some would say that The Shadows Between Us is sexualized but bruh, sex is just like food. You consume (or consummate) for pleasuring either or all of your senses. Just get over it already. What I love about Alessandra and the Shadow King is that despite being in a Monarchy, they don't go with olden times cliché thinking that women don't deserve the same sexual rights as men. If men are allowed to have partners before marriage... All men and women and other genders, as well as all sexual orientations (This Book Has Healthy LGBTQ+ Scenes!), deserve equal rights, even sexual. I like that Shadow King so easily was in favour of it. It was unexpected and I liked that surprise. So another star for you, Tricia.
Okay, I know at one glance that doesn't make sense but lemme elaborate on that. So it's kinda a period drama. You know what I mean by the 'period' in a 'period drama', right? I mean that it's historical. Of a different period. The Shadows Between Us is a period drama but it's Modernish if that makes sense to you. (It doesn't to me.) It gives the feel of a changing time. (Or does it?) Some people say that it's a poorly written period drama but maybe Tricia Levenseller intended to add Modernish elements in a period drama to make it a tad different than the usual ones?
You can understand that from how there's electricity and chocolate and éclairs and women wearing pants and there's boxing and even birth control and club's and despite being a patriarchal monarchy, Alessandra's father's only disgusted and doesn't really ban Alessandra's bedtime activities... Maybe I'm not well-read on history, but it feels like those things aren't common in period dramas... They're not completely absent, just rare. I liked this modernisation of the period. It's completely ridiculous and that's the fun part of it. It does feel a bit weird to get used to but then it's a fantasy world so dream on!
The characters of The Shadows Between Us are so confusingly morally grey and that just adds to the joy of the book. Let's start with Alessandra.
When they say that she's not like other girls, it's true. She's different. Funny. All characters are so funny. She's just so bad... she's bad like Damon Salvatore. She's good to only people she likes who are her friends and rest everyone, she won't think twice before killing them if need be. She's not driven by positive emotions. She's fierce and passionate. Whether it's love or hate, she is intense about it. I like that about her. She's not shallow nor blunt, only honest, despite her seemingly despicable character. (On a side note, the author failed to make her as dark as intended. Nevertheless, I enjoyed her character.)
I love that she sews. I enjoy sewing myself (up to no good!). I loved the way Alessandra would take inspiration from things around her and sew her own dresses. Some would say that that's not something you expect from a sinister heroine planning to take over the world, but I'm reminded of a quote by Klaus Mikaelson from The Vampire Diaries/The Originals, “Painting is a metaphor for control. Every choice is mine. The canvas, the colour. As a child, I had neither a sense of the world nor my place in it but art taught me that one’s vision can be achieved with the sheer force of will. The same is true of life, provided one refuses to let anything stand in one’s way.” For Alessandra, sewing her own dresses is a metaphor for control over her own life. She may be wishing to command people but she's not lazy and dependent. She is not afraid to get her hands dirty to do her own work. Her independence along with her desire to rule over the world is what made her a great potential dark queen. I expected and would have loved to see her actually own the throne (while she decides not to kill the king and just traps him to toy with him and eventually falls in love and rules the kingdom with him happily ever after.)
That's what I'm talking about! There was so much build-up around her taking over the kingdoms and I kept expecting to see some actually dark drama but I never got it! I'm unsatisfied. Hence losing a star here.
Despite all of that, I loved her: she was unapologetically herself, was ruthless but still kind. She's just a fun person to be around. Like the Shadow King wears Shadows around him, Alessandra wears Confidence
Contrary to his name, he was too much of a softie. From the very beginning. I expected him to be dark and brooding and intimidating but he was just impeccably a pile of sweetness engulfed in shadows. So how it primarily went wrong?
Here's what happened: the no-touching rule was created for slow-burn romance but it only made the king look like a lost puppy in desperate need of human touch and love. This made him look so vulnerable.
Here's what could have happened: If the romance was actually dark, then there wouldn't be the need for the no-touching rule. The king would have been more unreachable if he wasn't that desperate for Alessandra's friendship. She'd have to try harder playing more sinister tricks (like murdering some mistress(es), the king would play with despite playing the ruse to court a noble lady.) You get me, right? I wouldn't even try to be a writer and rewrite the entire book but there's an idea.
Since that didn't happen, we ended up with two fluffy doggos in the book: The King and his pet dog.
In order to avoid getting hurt, his exceptional abilities prevent him from having normal human contact. This has resulted in tremendous loneliness and an unspoken need for affection. He can't be the ruthless leader he wants to be, in all honesty, if he's vulnerable like that. In no way can I imagine him in such a way. This fundamental flaw of his stands in his way to magnanimity. Underneath the shadows, he's a hopeless romantic.
Other Characters
Rhoda - Rhoda was the only lady in the court (except Alessandra herself) who was not copying other ladies just to woo the king. She is not conventional and open-minded. I like how she quite easily accepts Galen, her manservant, as her love interest. I like how she's not obsessed with boy-talk like every other lady in court. She's a daring and admiring woman.
Hestia - Hestia is typical court lady in the beginning. She copies Alessandra because she doesn't believe she can be herself and still be enough. But through the course of her friendship with Alessandra, and with her influence, she changes drastically and for the better. One time she even says, “I think that when you care enough for someone, you reach a point where it's far more painful not to have him at all than to have him and risk losing him. You realize the risk is worth it. Because happiness, however short-lived, is always worth it.” I so agree with her.
Leandros/Xanthos - Despite his charming demeanour, I always suspected Leandros. What I did not expect was what I found out. I also secretly dreaded that Alessandra might kill the Shadow King and end up with Leandros. I liked how sweet he was but I was there for forbidden romance and not some cheesy cliché again. Nevertheless, he was an important character and served his purpose fully by the end.
Orrin, Lady Zervas, Alessandra's Father, Alessandra's Sister, as well as Lord Vasco, Rhouben and Petros also were greatly written chracters serving some purpose however little it was. There were surpise elements around many and unless I'm dumb, they actually were surpising to me.
Final Thoughts
The Shadows Between Us has a great synopsis and I do judge books by their synopsis. The whole idea of a Slytherin romance was alluring. The build-up from the synopsis was quite much but it didn't stand up to it. Regardless the book turned out to be very entertaining.
The plot had a lot of potentials. At every step of the book, there was the opportunity for something sinister but Tricia Levenseller simply ignored it. The book lacks mystery. It lacks subtlety. It lacks depth. While I liked the romance in the book as it was not as cheesy as many romances in fiction and fantasy books, I cannot help but feel unsatisfied. I wanted more, a lot more. Something which would bond the characters even more. To say it, maybe the book was too realistic about the romance? I wouldn't say I hated it but I would have liked to see it more developed and darker. Dark, that's my point.
The Shadows Between Us doesn't exactly justify the primary theme of the book which is a dark forbidden romance between two morally grey characters. It has much more humour than acceptable for a dark setting. There's also the poor world-building which is not entirely broken, just pretty humour. There is development in characters but I feel like even if this was a duology, we could have seen much more enhancements in the personalities of the characters.
The whole scene about Hektor could also have been more developed. She said nobody could find out until they do(we knew that would happen). But what is funny is that it turns out to be not a serious matter. It's unexpected but funny, how The Shadow King doesn't react in the way I thought he might. There are unexpectedly surprising (#TVD) but not mysterious elements throughout the book that saved it from losing another half-star and kept the book entertaining enough for me to finish it within a week or so (I'm a slow reader so that's a lot).
The book is more dialogue-heavy and that also adds to the lack of depth and darkness. I'd have liked to read more of the psychology behind the scenes than just the scenes. It lacked commentary.
So that's where it loses the One star: it was good but not what I expected.
The book was original and/or unlike any I've read. I would love to read more of Tricia Levenseller's, in the hopes that this time she delivers what she intends. Tell me what do you think of the book. I welcome similar recommendations and your thoughts even if they don't align with mine.
Thank you for reading, have a good day!
This book is available as a hardcover. However, I'd highly recommend listening to the audiobook as it has great narration. You can get it from here to support me: https://amzn.to/3CB66O4
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
Contents
Why I picked it up?
Why I liked it?
Enemies to Lovers trope
Sex Positivity
Modernish Period
Dark Grey Characters
Final Thoughts
Why I liked it?
Enemies to Lovers trope
Sex Positivity
Modernish Period
Dark Grey Characters
Final Thoughts
Why I picked it up?
I have been reading many series, but I wanted to read a standalone but not a contemporary one. I wanted to read a fantasy or Sci-Fi standalone. So I landed up with The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller. Now you might say there are other maybe better Standalones and yes I believe there are but this had relatively fewer pages. It's a short book with around 300 pages only. What's more? It's actually a very easy and quick read for such a dark synopsis. Which is why I'm quite disappointed. But not entirely.
Why I liked it?
I have given this book an overall of 4 stars. Let's see how:
The book opens with a promise of a Slytherin romance, oh yes, and a quote from Damon Salvatore. Tricia Levenseller is a Vampire Diaries Fan?! I have very high expectations now. Now it wasn't exactly my favourite Damon Salvatore quote but duh, it's Damon, what's not likeable? I imagined either of the main characters will have a similar personality but ouch!
Enemies to Lovers trope
Oh yeah, I love it! I'm a total fan because ooh the tension they have throughout the story and ah the slow burn. But well, in Tricia's The Shadows Between Us, it was more like Friends to Potential Enemies to Lovers kinda thing which is weird... But I'm all for non-clichés as much as for clichés so yay. I loved how they were instant friends and not instantly in love. Friends, at first sight, is a yes-yes. It's allowed. It's legal, it's a goodie. They get along quite well. For the former half of their friendship, the Shadow King is quite distant but after a certain adventure Alessandra has with a certain someone, the Shadawww King gets jelly, I guess and things start getting better.
What I love the most about their relationship is how honest they are with each other. I know this was supposed to be a dark mysterious book but for once, there's no weird unexplainable romantic cliché moments and practices where when either of the couples is mad at the other, they leave the other to guess it rather than speaking up and expecting them to be human and not God who can read minds. So here, Tricia, a star for this.
Sex Positivity
Some would say that The Shadows Between Us is sexualized but bruh, sex is just like food. You consume (or consummate) for pleasuring either or all of your senses. Just get over it already. What I love about Alessandra and the Shadow King is that despite being in a Monarchy, they don't go with olden times cliché thinking that women don't deserve the same sexual rights as men. If men are allowed to have partners before marriage... All men and women and other genders, as well as all sexual orientations (This Book Has Healthy LGBTQ+ Scenes!), deserve equal rights, even sexual. I like that Shadow King so easily was in favour of it. It was unexpected and I liked that surprise. So another star for you, Tricia.
“Waiting. Not waiting. One lover. A hundred lovers. There should be no judgement either way. A woman is not defined by what she does or doesn‘t do in the bedroom.”
Alessandra Stathos, The Shadows Between Us - Tricia Levenseller
Modernish Period
Okay, I know at one glance that doesn't make sense but lemme elaborate on that. So it's kinda a period drama. You know what I mean by the 'period' in a 'period drama', right? I mean that it's historical. Of a different period. The Shadows Between Us is a period drama but it's Modernish if that makes sense to you. (It doesn't to me.) It gives the feel of a changing time. (Or does it?) Some people say that it's a poorly written period drama but maybe Tricia Levenseller intended to add Modernish elements in a period drama to make it a tad different than the usual ones?
You can understand that from how there's electricity and chocolate and éclairs and women wearing pants and there's boxing and even birth control and club's and despite being a patriarchal monarchy, Alessandra's father's only disgusted and doesn't really ban Alessandra's bedtime activities... Maybe I'm not well-read on history, but it feels like those things aren't common in period dramas... They're not completely absent, just rare. I liked this modernisation of the period. It's completely ridiculous and that's the fun part of it. It does feel a bit weird to get used to but then it's a fantasy world so dream on!
Dark Grey Characters
The characters of The Shadows Between Us are so confusingly morally grey and that just adds to the joy of the book. Let's start with Alessandra.
Alessandra Stathos
When they say that she's not like other girls, it's true. She's different. Funny. All characters are so funny. She's just so bad... she's bad like Damon Salvatore. She's good to only people she likes who are her friends and rest everyone, she won't think twice before killing them if need be. She's not driven by positive emotions. She's fierce and passionate. Whether it's love or hate, she is intense about it. I like that about her. She's not shallow nor blunt, only honest, despite her seemingly despicable character. (On a side note, the author failed to make her as dark as intended. Nevertheless, I enjoyed her character.)
“Aren't we all drawn to friends in the beginning by trifling things? True bonds develop afterward, when character is revealed.”
Alessandra Stathos, The Shadows Between Us - Tricia Levenseller
I love that she sews. I enjoy sewing myself (up to no good!). I loved the way Alessandra would take inspiration from things around her and sew her own dresses. Some would say that that's not something you expect from a sinister heroine planning to take over the world, but I'm reminded of a quote by Klaus Mikaelson from The Vampire Diaries/The Originals, “Painting is a metaphor for control. Every choice is mine. The canvas, the colour. As a child, I had neither a sense of the world nor my place in it but art taught me that one’s vision can be achieved with the sheer force of will. The same is true of life, provided one refuses to let anything stand in one’s way.” For Alessandra, sewing her own dresses is a metaphor for control over her own life. She may be wishing to command people but she's not lazy and dependent. She is not afraid to get her hands dirty to do her own work. Her independence along with her desire to rule over the world is what made her a great potential dark queen. I expected and would have loved to see her actually own the throne (while she decides not to kill the king and just traps him to toy with him and eventually falls in love and rules the kingdom with him happily ever after.)
That's what I'm talking about! There was so much build-up around her taking over the kingdoms and I kept expecting to see some actually dark drama but I never got it! I'm unsatisfied. Hence losing a star here.
Despite all of that, I loved her: she was unapologetically herself, was ruthless but still kind. She's just a fun person to be around. Like the Shadow King wears Shadows around him, Alessandra wears Confidence
Kallias Maheras - The Shadow King
“My little hellion. Quite the force to be reckoned with, aren't you? Oh, say you'll marry me, Alessandra!”
The Shadow King, The Shadows Between Us - Tricia Levenseller
Contrary to his name, he was too much of a softie. From the very beginning. I expected him to be dark and brooding and intimidating but he was just impeccably a pile of sweetness engulfed in shadows. So how it primarily went wrong?
Here's what happened: the no-touching rule was created for slow-burn romance but it only made the king look like a lost puppy in desperate need of human touch and love. This made him look so vulnerable.
Here's what could have happened: If the romance was actually dark, then there wouldn't be the need for the no-touching rule. The king would have been more unreachable if he wasn't that desperate for Alessandra's friendship. She'd have to try harder playing more sinister tricks (like murdering some mistress(es), the king would play with despite playing the ruse to court a noble lady.) You get me, right? I wouldn't even try to be a writer and rewrite the entire book but there's an idea.
Since that didn't happen, we ended up with two fluffy doggos in the book: The King and his pet dog.
In order to avoid getting hurt, his exceptional abilities prevent him from having normal human contact. This has resulted in tremendous loneliness and an unspoken need for affection. He can't be the ruthless leader he wants to be, in all honesty, if he's vulnerable like that. In no way can I imagine him in such a way. This fundamental flaw of his stands in his way to magnanimity. Underneath the shadows, he's a hopeless romantic.
“He swallows the bite in his mouth. “Alessandra Stathos, that’s positively despicable.” He says the words like they’re the highest compliment he can give me. “You are an absolute gem, do you know that?”
The Shadow King, The Shadows Between Us - Tricia Levenseller
Other Characters
Rhoda - Rhoda was the only lady in the court (except Alessandra herself) who was not copying other ladies just to woo the king. She is not conventional and open-minded. I like how she quite easily accepts Galen, her manservant, as her love interest. I like how she's not obsessed with boy-talk like every other lady in court. She's a daring and admiring woman.
Hestia - Hestia is typical court lady in the beginning. She copies Alessandra because she doesn't believe she can be herself and still be enough. But through the course of her friendship with Alessandra, and with her influence, she changes drastically and for the better. One time she even says, “I think that when you care enough for someone, you reach a point where it's far more painful not to have him at all than to have him and risk losing him. You realize the risk is worth it. Because happiness, however short-lived, is always worth it.” I so agree with her.
Leandros/Xanthos - Despite his charming demeanour, I always suspected Leandros. What I did not expect was what I found out. I also secretly dreaded that Alessandra might kill the Shadow King and end up with Leandros. I liked how sweet he was but I was there for forbidden romance and not some cheesy cliché again. Nevertheless, he was an important character and served his purpose fully by the end.
Orrin, Lady Zervas, Alessandra's Father, Alessandra's Sister, as well as Lord Vasco, Rhouben and Petros also were greatly written chracters serving some purpose however little it was. There were surpise elements around many and unless I'm dumb, they actually were surpising to me.
Final Thoughts
The Shadows Between Us has a great synopsis and I do judge books by their synopsis. The whole idea of a Slytherin romance was alluring. The build-up from the synopsis was quite much but it didn't stand up to it. Regardless the book turned out to be very entertaining.
The plot had a lot of potentials. At every step of the book, there was the opportunity for something sinister but Tricia Levenseller simply ignored it. The book lacks mystery. It lacks subtlety. It lacks depth. While I liked the romance in the book as it was not as cheesy as many romances in fiction and fantasy books, I cannot help but feel unsatisfied. I wanted more, a lot more. Something which would bond the characters even more. To say it, maybe the book was too realistic about the romance? I wouldn't say I hated it but I would have liked to see it more developed and darker. Dark, that's my point.
The Shadows Between Us doesn't exactly justify the primary theme of the book which is a dark forbidden romance between two morally grey characters. It has much more humour than acceptable for a dark setting. There's also the poor world-building which is not entirely broken, just pretty humour. There is development in characters but I feel like even if this was a duology, we could have seen much more enhancements in the personalities of the characters.
The whole scene about Hektor could also have been more developed. She said nobody could find out until they do(we knew that would happen). But what is funny is that it turns out to be not a serious matter. It's unexpected but funny, how The Shadow King doesn't react in the way I thought he might. There are unexpectedly surprising (#TVD) but not mysterious elements throughout the book that saved it from losing another half-star and kept the book entertaining enough for me to finish it within a week or so (I'm a slow reader so that's a lot).
“Kallias laughs so loudly and abruptly, I nearly topple out of the armchair. He has his hands on his knees while his whole body shakes from the force of the laughter. What the devils?
Did I break the king?”
Alessandra Stathos, The Shadows Between Us - Tricia Levenseller
The book is more dialogue-heavy and that also adds to the lack of depth and darkness. I'd have liked to read more of the psychology behind the scenes than just the scenes. It lacked commentary.
So that's where it loses the One star: it was good but not what I expected.
The book was original and/or unlike any I've read. I would love to read more of Tricia Levenseller's, in the hopes that this time she delivers what she intends. Tell me what do you think of the book. I welcome similar recommendations and your thoughts even if they don't align with mine.
Thank you for reading, have a good day!
This book is available as a hardcover. However, I'd highly recommend listening to the audiobook as it has great narration. You can get it from here to support me: https://amzn.to/3CB66O4
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Murder
1984 by George Orwell
Review
1984 starts with an introduction to Winston's life, who he is, where he is, what he does, where he comes from. There are so many little details in the book I pay keen attention to, thinking they'd all come around a full circle and explain how Winston will win over The Party. That's what we all expect from Dystopian's, right? A hero emerges from the crowd, creates or joins a cult of rebels, fights the system and wins over them. A happy ending.
*SPOILER ALERT*
If you haven't guessed already, 1984 is not our regular dystopia. At least not like the ones I have read (which are quite a few unfortunately for now but let's not digress!). 1984 does not have a happy ending. It has a rather gruesome ending. It's totally baffling...
Winston doesn't have a plan but sorta has an idea for one. He (and me), believes O'Brien (and lovely Julia from Back Cover) will help him take over The Party. Chapter after Chapter, I keep waiting for some real action where Winston finally joins the cult and start planning to go against the party. Finally, when he does, I am almost disappointed by the specifics of it. But that's only the beginning of my disappointment. (Disappointed as in the reality of 1984's universe and not the book.)
When they tell Winston what it means to be a part of the rebellion, I already start sensing that something is off. Not nearly exactly what but I already sense that we won't be getting a happy ending. Yet I stay hopefully, thinking I've understood the mind of the author. Big Mistake.
Winston gets caught. That what we feared has happened! But goodness, I have to totally appreciate Orwell here because, for the most part of his getting caught scene, I keep thinking that it's in his dream... Because it's just so unbelievable the how part of his getting caught! I keep wishing for it to be a nightmare but it goes on and on and on until it's too late! He's caught, they're caught and yet I have hope, beyond logic! For a whole long moment of possibly many minutes, I just sit there book in my hand, wondering what just happened.
1984 by George Orwell takes Totalitarianism to another level. It makes the Nazis, Stalin etc. look like child's play. The Party is eternal and the Big Brother is the face of it. They play on the family distinctions to have people relate to and empathise with Big Brother, i.e. The Party so people would think like them and do things according to them. They use War as a prop to infiltrate patriotism and hatred for everywhere else except Oceania, one of the countries/super-states on the planet.
Everything is controlled and watched. The Party rules over not just the public but also the private life of the people, especially the members of The Party. They have even developed their own language, Newspeak the only one whose vocabulary decreases with every new edition. Why so?
In Part I, we are introduced to the entire world of 1984. By the end of Part I, we are introduced to the glitch in the system - Julia. Before Julia, Winston's life was just his varicose ulcer, victory gin and his notebook/journal. Julia changes everything for him. He becomes more of himself, showing more of how he doesn't agree with the party and desperately wishes to be part of some revolution that overthrows the party. He has high hopes (all of which are crashed by the end of the book).
At first, Julia seems like just a spice, a middle-aged man's fantasy coming true but this romance actually serves the plot. Meeting Julia gives Winston hope that there are people in The Party breaking rules. But the poor person doesn't see that breaking rules don't always mean a revolution.
Julia is such a well-written character. She breaks the rule but not because she is against The Party, but because she likes breaking rules. Winston takes her as a fellow rebel but at her core, she is just as hollow as other The Party members. She's not a snitch however and that's what I kept suspecting for half of the book. I always thought it'd be her in the end who would betray Winston to save her own skin and not...
Final Words
1984 has a bland start for my taste. It doesn't intrigue me that much. But as I progress through the book, I go from wanting to do nothing about Winston to wanting to know what happens next to Winston and why and how and where and who and when!! With every next page, it got more and more uncomfortable and intense, yet I was hooked. Winston goes a full circle in his character. He goes from being The Party's puppet to completely against them and being back to The Party's puppet, even more religiously so though. Orwell's vision of the future is too grim for the faint-hearted. Yet this totalitarian nightmare is an eye-opener. The world as it seems now, who can say Big Brother doesn't exist?
Maybe it just has a different name, a different skin. All that then is left to be said and remembered someday is:
Do you think Big Brother exists? What are your thoughts on Orwell's 1984? Comment down below to share your ideas with me.
Buy 1984 from this link if you like what I write: https://amzn.to/2XvAzxZ
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Review: 1984 – George Orwell
Contents
Why I picked it up?
Review
Final Words
Why I picked it Up?
One of my most favourite genres is Dystopia. A classic dystopia? Yes, please! I have heard a lot about 1984 by George Orwell but not too much. Now I don't really like politics so I was not very enthusiastic about it and I told myself I would read it sometime later in life. But then why did I still pick it up now? It's because I own a copy of 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami and I heard that it is kinda related to 1984 by George Orwell. So I wanted to first read 1984 so I can relate well when I read 1Q84 (review coming *not* soon 'cause that book be thicc!)
Contents
Why I picked it up?
Review
Final Words
Why I picked it Up?
One of my most favourite genres is Dystopia. A classic dystopia? Yes, please! I have heard a lot about 1984 by George Orwell but not too much. Now I don't really like politics so I was not very enthusiastic about it and I told myself I would read it sometime later in life. But then why did I still pick it up now? It's because I own a copy of 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami and I heard that it is kinda related to 1984 by George Orwell. So I wanted to first read 1984 so I can relate well when I read 1Q84 (review coming *not* soon 'cause that book be thicc!)
Published in the summer of 1949, George Orwell’s 1984 is one of the most definitive texts of modern literature. Set in Oceania, one of the three inter-continental superstate that divided the world among themselves after a global war, Orwell’s masterful critique of the political structures of the time, works itself out through the story of Winston Smith, a man caught in the webs of a dystopian future, and his clandestine love affair with Julia, a young woman he meets during the course of his work for the government. As much as it is an entertaining read, 1984 is also a brilliant, and more importantly, a timeless satirical attack on the social and political structures of the world.
- 1984 - George Orwell - Back Cover
Review
1984 starts with an introduction to Winston's life, who he is, where he is, what he does, where he comes from. There are so many little details in the book I pay keen attention to, thinking they'd all come around a full circle and explain how Winston will win over The Party. That's what we all expect from Dystopian's, right? A hero emerges from the crowd, creates or joins a cult of rebels, fights the system and wins over them. A happy ending.
*SPOILER ALERT*
If you haven't guessed already, 1984 is not our regular dystopia. At least not like the ones I have read (which are quite a few unfortunately for now but let's not digress!). 1984 does not have a happy ending. It has a rather gruesome ending. It's totally baffling...
Winston doesn't have a plan but sorta has an idea for one. He (and me), believes O'Brien (and lovely Julia from Back Cover) will help him take over The Party. Chapter after Chapter, I keep waiting for some real action where Winston finally joins the cult and start planning to go against the party. Finally, when he does, I am almost disappointed by the specifics of it. But that's only the beginning of my disappointment. (Disappointed as in the reality of 1984's universe and not the book.)
When they tell Winston what it means to be a part of the rebellion, I already start sensing that something is off. Not nearly exactly what but I already sense that we won't be getting a happy ending. Yet I stay hopefully, thinking I've understood the mind of the author. Big Mistake.
Winston gets caught. That what we feared has happened! But goodness, I have to totally appreciate Orwell here because, for the most part of his getting caught scene, I keep thinking that it's in his dream... Because it's just so unbelievable the how part of his getting caught! I keep wishing for it to be a nightmare but it goes on and on and on until it's too late! He's caught, they're caught and yet I have hope, beyond logic! For a whole long moment of possibly many minutes, I just sit there book in my hand, wondering what just happened.
1984 by George Orwell takes Totalitarianism to another level. It makes the Nazis, Stalin etc. look like child's play. The Party is eternal and the Big Brother is the face of it. They play on the family distinctions to have people relate to and empathise with Big Brother, i.e. The Party so people would think like them and do things according to them. They use War as a prop to infiltrate patriotism and hatred for everywhere else except Oceania, one of the countries/super-states on the planet.
Everything is controlled and watched. The Party rules over not just the public but also the private life of the people, especially the members of The Party. They have even developed their own language, Newspeak the only one whose vocabulary decreases with every new edition. Why so?
In Part I, we are introduced to the entire world of 1984. By the end of Part I, we are introduced to the glitch in the system - Julia. Before Julia, Winston's life was just his varicose ulcer, victory gin and his notebook/journal. Julia changes everything for him. He becomes more of himself, showing more of how he doesn't agree with the party and desperately wishes to be part of some revolution that overthrows the party. He has high hopes (all of which are crashed by the end of the book).
At first, Julia seems like just a spice, a middle-aged man's fantasy coming true but this romance actually serves the plot. Meeting Julia gives Winston hope that there are people in The Party breaking rules. But the poor person doesn't see that breaking rules don't always mean a revolution.
Julia is such a well-written character. She breaks the rule but not because she is against The Party, but because she likes breaking rules. Winston takes her as a fellow rebel but at her core, she is just as hollow as other The Party members. She's not a snitch however and that's what I kept suspecting for half of the book. I always thought it'd be her in the end who would betray Winston to save her own skin and not...
Final Words
1984 has a bland start for my taste. It doesn't intrigue me that much. But as I progress through the book, I go from wanting to do nothing about Winston to wanting to know what happens next to Winston and why and how and where and who and when!! With every next page, it got more and more uncomfortable and intense, yet I was hooked. Winston goes a full circle in his character. He goes from being The Party's puppet to completely against them and being back to The Party's puppet, even more religiously so though. Orwell's vision of the future is too grim for the faint-hearted. Yet this totalitarian nightmare is an eye-opener. The world as it seems now, who can say Big Brother doesn't exist?
Maybe it just has a different name, a different skin. All that then is left to be said and remembered someday is:
WAR IS PEACE.
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY.
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.
Do you think Big Brother exists? What are your thoughts on Orwell's 1984? Comment down below to share your ideas with me.
Buy 1984 from this link if you like what I write: https://amzn.to/2XvAzxZ
Scarlet Princess by Elle Madison, Robin D. Mahle
FIRST IMPRESSION
Scarlet Princess starts with quoted lines from one of my favourite songs - Runaway by Aurora. That gives me a gist of what I might be in for. I start expecting an adventure here. As I read the prologue, I get exactly that. Princess Scarlet seems to be on run but from what? Or who? Before we can find that out, she's caught.
I like the fact that there is no mention of any Prince Charming in the very first pages. I like good romance in my books but I don't like to jump to it directly. I want to hear some backstory and Scarlet Princess gives me exactly that. So far so good.
Enter Prince Charming.
And oh the handsome devil does make a sinister entry. Seems like the Princess and the cousin have done a capital crime. That's what our Prince Charming Laird Theodore says. Now if you're smarty pants, you know that nobody is dying just yet. But I dooooo sense an enemies-to-lovers trope and I am so excited!
LITTLE THINGS I APPRECIATE
The Scarlet in The Title
Until the second chapter, I thought Scarlet was the name of the Princess. It's not. That's fine but what disappointed me was that she wasn't the only princess with red hair. In fact, her sisters had even curls like her along with the same red colour. This was disappointing because it just made me feel like any of them could be addressed as the Scarlet Princess. So what unique value did that title bring?
I realized later that during Princess Rowan's stay at Elk Clan, she was the only one with red hair. And she was a princess. Hence the Scarlet Princess. It seems fitting now.
However, I still think this book could be named something else.
The Dresses
In their texts, the authors have successfully described how complex and intricate the Socairan dresses are. I can feel the suffocation through the description.
The details weren't as good as that mentioned in a fairly similar book The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller but they came close.
Later in the book, we saw Princess Rowan wearing another kind of dresses which I wish I had the talent to draw!
The suffocating dresses weren't just for show, however, as they added to the story when more than once, they helped ease the tense atmosphere.
Stars
In Shadowhunters, they'd say "By the Angel". In Lochlann Feuds, they say, "Stars". This is unique and Intriguing. I wonder what it means. I suspect it has to do with astrology. Were there Astrologers during Lochlann times? What is their importance, if yes?
I figure I'd be able to check that out if I read The Lochlann Treaty series by the same authors.
Friendship with Mila
Among the entire squad of Princess-Haters, I was glad to find someone who was friendly with her from the beginning of their relationship. Princess Rowan met Mila at The Summit. (The Summit decides the fate of the princess. I would not spoil the book for you by detailing the subject:)
Mila was the first one to openly call her the Scarlet Princess. I look forward to their relationship progressing in the next books. (Oh, did I not mention? It's a series and I'm hoping for the second book soon!)
Princess Rowan's Character
Last but not least, I've a separate section for this as I think the princess deserves a distinctive focus. I feel that she was the only character written in-depth. I liked her really much. She is fierce and fiery like her hair. It suits her. She is unlike other girls in Socair (but not unlike book heroines).
I liked her forwardness. It reminded me of Alessandra from The Shadows Between Us. However, I strongly feel Alessandra was a much better (but not the best) character. The reason probably being Rowan's character influenced by Clarie from Outlander.
Yet she was pretty sassy and I enjoyed that. What for her amusing terms like arseling for Lord Evander to the de-stars-damned-mure, a play on the word demure, a vital trait required in Socairan women! Oof.
She reminds me of a song by Caylee Hammack perfectly fitting for a Scarlet Princess:
Rowan's an astounding character! Despite being caught in the land of the foe, she takes time to truly look around. She strives to understand why things are the way they are, all the while being surrounded by those who believe red-hair is cursed.
Her fight scene is especially impressive. I almost expected that to happen yet I thoroughly enjoyed it. As you read it, you'd understand that it was a pivotal scene in the story.
However, like her father said, she couldn't go five minutes without doing something stupid. She does live up to her reputation until the end. Many would say that the character is stupid and lacking but I only think that this very trait gave Rowan the naturality much needed in a lead.
The story hence is all about how a reckless princess survives the culture shock and save her life. I applaud the authors for this one.
World Building
The world of Socairns and Lochalnns is a pretty intricate one. What with their laws and regulations. The unclanned also bring in flavor to the world. I'm reasonably satisfied with Lochlann universe and wish to read more of it.
THINGS I DIDN'T ENJOY
The romance
While I was looking forward to an enemies-to-lovers dark romance, I didn't really get the feels of it as we progress in the book. Scarlet Princess had undertones of Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I figured the authors were aiming for a couple like Jamie and Claire. First off, I have mixed feelings about that ship, to begin with. However, in the setting of Outlander, it seemed fitting. What went wrong here I feel is that Jamie and Claire weren't enemies-to-lovers (e2l). They were friends from the start. One could convert that into e2l but I feel the authors did not do it efficiently enough.
Our Princess Rowan and Prince Charming Lord Theodore started off nice and I was looking forward to how it'd develop but along the way, the flow was somehow lost. Lord Theodore wasn't dark enough to be a morally grey character and hence be one of the enemies in the e2l. If I had to really stretch it, I'd say he was pretty light grey but only at the very beginning.
Moreover, when they actually came together, the confession didn't make much sense. I couldn't figure out at what point exactly did they start liking each other. Frankly, there weren't any strong moments between them until then at least.
On a side note, I felt that Lord Evander could have been a better suitor. A true enemy but much charming he was.
Like I said before, I was very excited about it, but now I'm fairly disappointed. This is where I subtract half star as this is something that cannot even be fixed in the later books.
And seriously? In-love within a week?
Love-at-first-sight is my biggest pet peeve! As I have stated in my review of The Sun is Also A Star, "that term is so wrong really. Like attraction-at-first-sight or like-at-first-sight, is okay. That’s natural. Biological. But Love-at-first-sight is misleading. That never happens. Not literally."
Following bonus part contains a huge spoiler of both Scarlet Princess and Outlander so read at your own risk.
The Marriage Proposition
Bluntly, I really hated this. It felt like cheating. Okay so hear me out, in Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, a similar thing happened. Jamie and his clan proposed marriage to Claire to save her from the English army who were after her. She reluctantly agreed. But in her case, it totally started as friends helping out each other. It was undertsandable. (They did ruin it by having a wedding night which was UGH!) But now in this, it's just such an uncomfortable situation. I just cannot imagine it in any way. For Jamie and Claire, there was hope for falling in love after marriage but here they are just in love already, more like attracted and not actually in love because they still hardly know each other and it's hardly been two stars-damned weeks! Why-oh-why would you do that... This wasn't creative, nope, nope. This is a plain turn-off for me and this is why another star from my rating is gone. It's just that, I reeeallly like Rowan and Theodore isn't bad either but gosh their relationship is giving me creeps. It's so very unnatural in every way and I cannot just bear it. I just wish I could delete that part of the story entirely. Maybe then Rowan would have a chance with Evander? Yes, yes?
BUT anyway, I'm an optimistic person so here goes something of an idea: Now that what's done is done and the ugly romance element is fulfilled, I'm praying to the stars and storms that the story focuses on our heroine and her battles and becomes less of Outlander. That would be ammmaazing. So pretty please, dear Authors? Speaking of, I know I have been a bit meany here and I didn't want to sound rude, just that I had to express my total distaste for this one element in the nearly perfectly entertaining story. I have high hopes for you both and I truly look forward to reading the rest of the series. So do try to fix these things in the next books? I'm rooting for you!!
The characters
Except for Rowan's and Mila's character, I enjoyed none others truly. They weren't deep enough and I see no valuable development. I cannot really feel any strong connections among the characters in the story. I feel like it may fare better to include more Lochlann characters as they sounded richer than Socairan characters, which were just different shades of the same colour (except Lord Evander).
But to be fair, I'd better judge the characters at the series end and not at the book's end as there's much hope for them. They have a lot of potentials and I look forward to experiencing that.
FINAL IMPRESSION
The Last Chapters
OMGOMGOMG!! The last chapters are completely mind-blowing!! Like I will not tell you what happens because gosh that would just be a majoooorrr spoiler but stars be damned, you gotta read this book! It is so thrilllling by the end and makes up for the disappointment just before! Like this is where I change my star rating to 3.5 instead of 3 because really really it is worth it! Go ahead and read it, I promise you won't be disappointed by it.
Mini Spoiler: It has to do with LORD EVANDER, the big bad enemy of the book!
Authhorsss, when next book?? (BTW It is called "Tranished Crown"! I'm excited for the cover reveal even!!)
Summary
Princess Rowan is an astonishing character laced with a flare of recklessness and fearlessness. She's a feisty redhead who has the bravery to rebel but not the brains to preserve. Everything was good and there was some very disappointing parts, too. However, it was the end that blew my mind! I totally did not see that coming. I don't like the Outlander undertone of the book. I'm hoping that it'd be fixed in the next books and the story would be naturally Lochlannian and Socairn instead of Outlandish. (Which if the last chapters are any suggestion, it very much might be!)
The romance is more of forbidden love than enemies to lovers which was very much of a disappointment. The characters Mila and Davin are fairly entertaining however we don't get to see a great lot of either, which I wish would change in the next books. (Also I'm totallllly shipping Rowander. I might finally get my enemies-to-lovers!). The writing style was pretty impressive. The world-building was crafty. The story wasn't enthralling but it surely was an entertaining experience. It definitely is fast-paced and the perfect length for me.
I would love to read more from Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison in the hopes that this time they deliver a more rich experience. Tell me what do you think of the book. I welcome similar recommendations and your thoughts even if they don't align with mine.
Thank you for reading, have a good day!
adventurous
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
3.5
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review is a Read-Along Review (I've reviewed the book as I read it) and pretty much SPOILER-FREE! (Minor Spoilers only).
Contents
Contents
- First Impression
- Little things I appreciate
- The Scarlet in The Title
- The Dresses
- Stars
- Friendship with Mila
- Princess Rowan's Character
- World Building
- Things I didn't enjoy
- The romance
- The characters
- Bonus
- Final Impression
- The Last Chapters
- Summary
FIRST IMPRESSION
Scarlet Princess starts with quoted lines from one of my favourite songs - Runaway by Aurora. That gives me a gist of what I might be in for. I start expecting an adventure here. As I read the prologue, I get exactly that. Princess Scarlet seems to be on run but from what? Or who? Before we can find that out, she's caught.
I like the fact that there is no mention of any Prince Charming in the very first pages. I like good romance in my books but I don't like to jump to it directly. I want to hear some backstory and Scarlet Princess gives me exactly that. So far so good.
Enter Prince Charming.
And oh the handsome devil does make a sinister entry. Seems like the Princess and the cousin have done a capital crime. That's what our Prince Charming Laird Theodore says. Now if you're smarty pants, you know that nobody is dying just yet. But I dooooo sense an enemies-to-lovers trope and I am so excited!
LITTLE THINGS I APPRECIATE
The Scarlet in The Title
Until the second chapter, I thought Scarlet was the name of the Princess. It's not. That's fine but what disappointed me was that she wasn't the only princess with red hair. In fact, her sisters had even curls like her along with the same red colour. This was disappointing because it just made me feel like any of them could be addressed as the Scarlet Princess. So what unique value did that title bring?
I realized later that during Princess Rowan's stay at Elk Clan, she was the only one with red hair. And she was a princess. Hence the Scarlet Princess. It seems fitting now.
However, I still think this book could be named something else.
The Dresses
In their texts, the authors have successfully described how complex and intricate the Socairan dresses are. I can feel the suffocation through the description.
The details weren't as good as that mentioned in a fairly similar book The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller but they came close.
Later in the book, we saw Princess Rowan wearing another kind of dresses which I wish I had the talent to draw!
The suffocating dresses weren't just for show, however, as they added to the story when more than once, they helped ease the tense atmosphere.
Stars
In Shadowhunters, they'd say "By the Angel". In Lochlann Feuds, they say, "Stars". This is unique and Intriguing. I wonder what it means. I suspect it has to do with astrology. Were there Astrologers during Lochlann times? What is their importance, if yes?
I figure I'd be able to check that out if I read The Lochlann Treaty series by the same authors.
Friendship with Mila
Among the entire squad of Princess-Haters, I was glad to find someone who was friendly with her from the beginning of their relationship. Princess Rowan met Mila at The Summit. (The Summit decides the fate of the princess. I would not spoil the book for you by detailing the subject:)
Mila was the first one to openly call her the Scarlet Princess. I look forward to their relationship progressing in the next books. (Oh, did I not mention? It's a series and I'm hoping for the second book soon!)
Princess Rowan's Character
Last but not least, I've a separate section for this as I think the princess deserves a distinctive focus. I feel that she was the only character written in-depth. I liked her really much. She is fierce and fiery like her hair. It suits her. She is unlike other girls in Socair (but not unlike book heroines).
I liked her forwardness. It reminded me of Alessandra from The Shadows Between Us. However, I strongly feel Alessandra was a much better (but not the best) character. The reason probably being Rowan's character influenced by Clarie from Outlander.
Yet she was pretty sassy and I enjoyed that. What for her amusing terms like arseling for Lord Evander to the de-stars-damned-mure, a play on the word demure, a vital trait required in Socairan women! Oof.
She reminds me of a song by Caylee Hammack perfectly fitting for a Scarlet Princess:
God made the blondes, black-haired, and the brunettes
Devil dropped in said, "I don't think you're done yet"
Let's make a compromise, make an angel backslide
So they chipped in, and they made a little redhead
Rowan's an astounding character! Despite being caught in the land of the foe, she takes time to truly look around. She strives to understand why things are the way they are, all the while being surrounded by those who believe red-hair is cursed.
Her fight scene is especially impressive. I almost expected that to happen yet I thoroughly enjoyed it. As you read it, you'd understand that it was a pivotal scene in the story.
However, like her father said, she couldn't go five minutes without doing something stupid. She does live up to her reputation until the end. Many would say that the character is stupid and lacking but I only think that this very trait gave Rowan the naturality much needed in a lead.
The story hence is all about how a reckless princess survives the culture shock and save her life. I applaud the authors for this one.
World Building
The world of Socairns and Lochalnns is a pretty intricate one. What with their laws and regulations. The unclanned also bring in flavor to the world. I'm reasonably satisfied with Lochlann universe and wish to read more of it.
THINGS I DIDN'T ENJOY
The romance
While I was looking forward to an enemies-to-lovers dark romance, I didn't really get the feels of it as we progress in the book. Scarlet Princess had undertones of Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I figured the authors were aiming for a couple like Jamie and Claire. First off, I have mixed feelings about that ship, to begin with. However, in the setting of Outlander, it seemed fitting. What went wrong here I feel is that Jamie and Claire weren't enemies-to-lovers (e2l). They were friends from the start. One could convert that into e2l but I feel the authors did not do it efficiently enough.
Our Princess Rowan and Prince Charming Lord Theodore started off nice and I was looking forward to how it'd develop but along the way, the flow was somehow lost. Lord Theodore wasn't dark enough to be a morally grey character and hence be one of the enemies in the e2l. If I had to really stretch it, I'd say he was pretty light grey but only at the very beginning.
Moreover, when they actually came together, the confession didn't make much sense. I couldn't figure out at what point exactly did they start liking each other. Frankly, there weren't any strong moments between them until then at least.
On a side note, I felt that Lord Evander could have been a better suitor. A true enemy but much charming he was.
Like I said before, I was very excited about it, but now I'm fairly disappointed. This is where I subtract half star as this is something that cannot even be fixed in the later books.
And seriously? In-love within a week?
Love-at-first-sight is my biggest pet peeve! As I have stated in my review of The Sun is Also A Star, "that term is so wrong really. Like attraction-at-first-sight or like-at-first-sight, is okay. That’s natural. Biological. But Love-at-first-sight is misleading. That never happens. Not literally."
Following bonus part contains a huge spoiler of both Scarlet Princess and Outlander so read at your own risk.
The Marriage Proposition
Bluntly, I really hated this. It felt like cheating. Okay so hear me out, in Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, a similar thing happened. Jamie and his clan proposed marriage to Claire to save her from the English army who were after her. She reluctantly agreed. But in her case, it totally started as friends helping out each other. It was undertsandable. (They did ruin it by having a wedding night which was UGH!) But now in this, it's just such an uncomfortable situation. I just cannot imagine it in any way. For Jamie and Claire, there was hope for falling in love after marriage but here they are just in love already, more like attracted and not actually in love because they still hardly know each other and it's hardly been two stars-damned weeks! Why-oh-why would you do that... This wasn't creative, nope, nope. This is a plain turn-off for me and this is why another star from my rating is gone. It's just that, I reeeallly like Rowan and Theodore isn't bad either but gosh their relationship is giving me creeps. It's so very unnatural in every way and I cannot just bear it. I just wish I could delete that part of the story entirely. Maybe then Rowan would have a chance with Evander? Yes, yes?
BUT anyway, I'm an optimistic person so here goes something of an idea: Now that what's done is done and the ugly romance element is fulfilled, I'm praying to the stars and storms that the story focuses on our heroine and her battles and becomes less of Outlander. That would be ammmaazing. So pretty please, dear Authors? Speaking of, I know I have been a bit meany here and I didn't want to sound rude, just that I had to express my total distaste for this one element in the nearly perfectly entertaining story. I have high hopes for you both and I truly look forward to reading the rest of the series. So do try to fix these things in the next books? I'm rooting for you!!
The characters
Except for Rowan's and Mila's character, I enjoyed none others truly. They weren't deep enough and I see no valuable development. I cannot really feel any strong connections among the characters in the story. I feel like it may fare better to include more Lochlann characters as they sounded richer than Socairan characters, which were just different shades of the same colour (except Lord Evander).
But to be fair, I'd better judge the characters at the series end and not at the book's end as there's much hope for them. They have a lot of potentials and I look forward to experiencing that.
FINAL IMPRESSION
The Last Chapters
OMGOMGOMG!! The last chapters are completely mind-blowing!! Like I will not tell you what happens because gosh that would just be a majoooorrr spoiler but stars be damned, you gotta read this book! It is so thrilllling by the end and makes up for the disappointment just before! Like this is where I change my star rating to 3.5 instead of 3 because really really it is worth it! Go ahead and read it, I promise you won't be disappointed by it.
Mini Spoiler: It has to do with LORD EVANDER, the big bad enemy of the book!
Authhorsss, when next book?? (BTW It is called "Tranished Crown"! I'm excited for the cover reveal even!!)
Summary
Princess Rowan is an astonishing character laced with a flare of recklessness and fearlessness. She's a feisty redhead who has the bravery to rebel but not the brains to preserve. Everything was good and there was some very disappointing parts, too. However, it was the end that blew my mind! I totally did not see that coming. I don't like the Outlander undertone of the book. I'm hoping that it'd be fixed in the next books and the story would be naturally Lochlannian and Socairn instead of Outlandish. (Which if the last chapters are any suggestion, it very much might be!)
The romance is more of forbidden love than enemies to lovers which was very much of a disappointment. The characters Mila and Davin are fairly entertaining however we don't get to see a great lot of either, which I wish would change in the next books. (Also I'm totallllly shipping Rowander. I might finally get my enemies-to-lovers!). The writing style was pretty impressive. The world-building was crafty. The story wasn't enthralling but it surely was an entertaining experience. It definitely is fast-paced and the perfect length for me.
I would love to read more from Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison in the hopes that this time they deliver a more rich experience. Tell me what do you think of the book. I welcome similar recommendations and your thoughts even if they don't align with mine.
Thank you for reading, have a good day!
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Read The Hobbit Full Review on Syviv's Bibliofile
Contents
Why I picked it up?
First Look
Final Thoughts
Why I picked it Up?
Here's the book which is rated 4.28/5 by 3,091,465 people on just GoodReads. That's a lot of people. So you can imagine the peer pressure. And so here I am. I started reading this a week ago, to finally find out what the fuss is all about. It then occurred to me to rather write the whole journey rather than just a review after I've read it all. This will be intriguing in the way that you'll know how I felt on every page (not so literally) of the book. So let's get started!
First Look
I'm not really intrigued by the hobbit. It feels like a children's book. Kid me would have loved it. But I'm all grown up now. I like more serious things and faster ones. It's very slow. Yeah, it builds a whole world with detail. That's why there's a whole legion of geeks obsessed with it. But guess I'm impatient after all… I don't know.
I'm capable of waiting ages for a romance to kick on. Maybe that's what I am missing in the hobbit. It has professional and friendly relationships. Not romantic ones. Well, it's not even a lack of romance really. I've read quite non-romance books. And I've liked them. But it's just this just doesn't hit me yet. Let's see. I am almost done with chapter 1. Maybe the good thing will hit in later chapters.
It is like a grandpa's story in front of the fireplace. That's kind of the vibe in the book. Like my grandpas never really told stories like that. Or guess I was just never that intrigued. In those, it's as if the narrator had witnessed all that. It sounded so from sentence 1. He explains it all in so precise detail. That's the thing. It feels like I'm too big for it. I don't know. I know people like these the best. Grandparent's stories are like they have passed in another life.
I mean it's really beautifully written, you know..? I like how it is written. But I've yet to find what's written as intriguing. 1 Star for this. I'd have enjoyed the book at least a bit better if the gender roles were reversed. Maybe it's sexist. Or just that because I'm a female myself, I'd relate to that easier. It's not really the romance thing, trust me. It's just that it's not touching yet. Something is missing. Maybe gender would fix it. Maybe not. It's already disappointing to find out that there are no active female characters in the book.
It's just that I honestly picked it up in kinda peer pressure. I was never naturally intrigued to read it. It's so hyped that I just wanted to know what the fuss is about. But I had a hard time getting through the first chapter even.
I'm reading it like I read non-fiction. I know that it's good but I know that I'd rather be with some other book. Just because it's the taste of 90% of readers doesn't mean it's mine, too. Maybe it's just that. But I've not given up yet. I wouldn't judge on the first chapter (though I kind of am, but it's not final).
I liked even Narnia better than this. Even though I'm not really into children's stories. Let's see. People suggested that I don't watch the movie first because it's not a good representation of the book. But I'm feeling like watching it just to have an idea of whether the book is worth reading. Or I'll just trust those who have read and just bear a while longer.
It's just I know how it is going to be. There's a treasure he seems to seek. And he'll go there and fight demons and on his way, he'll become a better person and he'll come home and be called a hero. It's a hero's journey. A perfect concept for games. That's why I don't like this kind of games either. It ultimately is that. He becomes a hero in the end. And somehow I'm just not intrigued on the how part of it. I don't say that it's wrongfully written or anything. Just that I don't find it intriguing. I don't know why really. Even my other books are also pretty much a hero's journey if you think hard. I don't know.
It's a typical children's story. I would have definitely liked it during school time but now I feel like I've overgrown it. 2nd Star for sympathy towards the old me who would have liked it. Now I just don't have the patience for it. I am actually sad that I didn't like it.
Maybe it's just the character. I don't relate to it. And you know what…? I think it's one of the first books I've read with a male point of view. Except Looking for Alaska but then he was speaking of Alaska. Maybe that's it. I'm not used to that point of view. Not just used but I'm also not intrigued by it, I think. I find it difficult to imagine myself in Bilbo's place, be part of his world, and do that adventure. But in other books, it's so easy to imagine me in my character's position. But look, Harry Potter is so much Harry POV. Yet I liked it. It's interesting, a lot.
You know what else is missing in Bilbo's background so far which is present for my other characters…? A tragedy. It doesn't have that. He's almost a rich brat who's uninterested in anything but a comfortable household life. I don't know. Now I want to find what the fuss is about. What happens to Bilbo so great that everyone is in love with this book? I'm gonna read it whole. Or at least try to. And see what I think then.
Final Thoughts
The lack of female characters in Tolkien's books is notorious. They fixed that on the movies of the hobbit. They added this elf girl warrior who falls in love with one of the dwarfs. That doesn't happen in the book. So I might like the movie more in this case.
Nevertheless, I finished the book finally. I dreaded it so much that despite having a paperback, I listened to the audiobook at 1.25x just to finish it. I don't think I'm ever picking up Tolkein again. Or maybe I will. I heard that people who don't like hobbit still like Lord of the Rings. So maybe I will give it a try.
Talking of the story and writing again, I'd like to point out that as a kid myself, I'd have loved it. It's not the book that is bad. The book and the story are great. Just not for me. You know how we're just not compatible with some people or some things just doesn't fit us? It's the same for The Hobbit and me. It did not intrigue me that Bilbo, a household hobbit suddenly went on an adventure and had it and came back and nothing really changed. It slept through the entire "adventure". It's just doesn't hit me.
The thing is, you don't really enjoy a book until you're actually invested in the story and/or the characters. This doesn't make the book horrible, just not aligning to everyone's taste. The fact that it doesn't have a five-star rating only means that I'm not the only one. Yet, it deserves to be classic literature. It is worthy of all the praise, but not from everyone.
What do you think of The Hobbit? If you did dislike it, did you enjoy any other works by Tolkien? Were the movies better? Tell me why.
Hence the one with an unpopular opinion. Until next time.
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Read The Hobbit Full Review on Syviv's Bibliofile
Contents
Why I picked it up?
First Look
Final Thoughts
Why I picked it Up?
Here's the book which is rated 4.28/5 by 3,091,465 people on just GoodReads. That's a lot of people. So you can imagine the peer pressure. And so here I am. I started reading this a week ago, to finally find out what the fuss is all about. It then occurred to me to rather write the whole journey rather than just a review after I've read it all. This will be intriguing in the way that you'll know how I felt on every page (not so literally) of the book. So let's get started!
First Look
I'm not really intrigued by the hobbit. It feels like a children's book. Kid me would have loved it. But I'm all grown up now. I like more serious things and faster ones. It's very slow. Yeah, it builds a whole world with detail. That's why there's a whole legion of geeks obsessed with it. But guess I'm impatient after all… I don't know.
I'm capable of waiting ages for a romance to kick on. Maybe that's what I am missing in the hobbit. It has professional and friendly relationships. Not romantic ones. Well, it's not even a lack of romance really. I've read quite non-romance books. And I've liked them. But it's just this just doesn't hit me yet. Let's see. I am almost done with chapter 1. Maybe the good thing will hit in later chapters.
It is like a grandpa's story in front of the fireplace. That's kind of the vibe in the book. Like my grandpas never really told stories like that. Or guess I was just never that intrigued. In those, it's as if the narrator had witnessed all that. It sounded so from sentence 1. He explains it all in so precise detail. That's the thing. It feels like I'm too big for it. I don't know. I know people like these the best. Grandparent's stories are like they have passed in another life.
I mean it's really beautifully written, you know..? I like how it is written. But I've yet to find what's written as intriguing. 1 Star for this. I'd have enjoyed the book at least a bit better if the gender roles were reversed. Maybe it's sexist. Or just that because I'm a female myself, I'd relate to that easier. It's not really the romance thing, trust me. It's just that it's not touching yet. Something is missing. Maybe gender would fix it. Maybe not. It's already disappointing to find out that there are no active female characters in the book.
It's just that I honestly picked it up in kinda peer pressure. I was never naturally intrigued to read it. It's so hyped that I just wanted to know what the fuss is about. But I had a hard time getting through the first chapter even.
I'm reading it like I read non-fiction. I know that it's good but I know that I'd rather be with some other book. Just because it's the taste of 90% of readers doesn't mean it's mine, too. Maybe it's just that. But I've not given up yet. I wouldn't judge on the first chapter (though I kind of am, but it's not final).
I liked even Narnia better than this. Even though I'm not really into children's stories. Let's see. People suggested that I don't watch the movie first because it's not a good representation of the book. But I'm feeling like watching it just to have an idea of whether the book is worth reading. Or I'll just trust those who have read and just bear a while longer.
It's just I know how it is going to be. There's a treasure he seems to seek. And he'll go there and fight demons and on his way, he'll become a better person and he'll come home and be called a hero. It's a hero's journey. A perfect concept for games. That's why I don't like this kind of games either. It ultimately is that. He becomes a hero in the end. And somehow I'm just not intrigued on the how part of it. I don't say that it's wrongfully written or anything. Just that I don't find it intriguing. I don't know why really. Even my other books are also pretty much a hero's journey if you think hard. I don't know.
It's a typical children's story. I would have definitely liked it during school time but now I feel like I've overgrown it. 2nd Star for sympathy towards the old me who would have liked it. Now I just don't have the patience for it. I am actually sad that I didn't like it.
Maybe it's just the character. I don't relate to it. And you know what…? I think it's one of the first books I've read with a male point of view. Except Looking for Alaska but then he was speaking of Alaska. Maybe that's it. I'm not used to that point of view. Not just used but I'm also not intrigued by it, I think. I find it difficult to imagine myself in Bilbo's place, be part of his world, and do that adventure. But in other books, it's so easy to imagine me in my character's position. But look, Harry Potter is so much Harry POV. Yet I liked it. It's interesting, a lot.
You know what else is missing in Bilbo's background so far which is present for my other characters…? A tragedy. It doesn't have that. He's almost a rich brat who's uninterested in anything but a comfortable household life. I don't know. Now I want to find what the fuss is about. What happens to Bilbo so great that everyone is in love with this book? I'm gonna read it whole. Or at least try to. And see what I think then.
Final Thoughts
The lack of female characters in Tolkien's books is notorious. They fixed that on the movies of the hobbit. They added this elf girl warrior who falls in love with one of the dwarfs. That doesn't happen in the book. So I might like the movie more in this case.
Nevertheless, I finished the book finally. I dreaded it so much that despite having a paperback, I listened to the audiobook at 1.25x just to finish it. I don't think I'm ever picking up Tolkein again. Or maybe I will. I heard that people who don't like hobbit still like Lord of the Rings. So maybe I will give it a try.
Talking of the story and writing again, I'd like to point out that as a kid myself, I'd have loved it. It's not the book that is bad. The book and the story are great. Just not for me. You know how we're just not compatible with some people or some things just doesn't fit us? It's the same for The Hobbit and me. It did not intrigue me that Bilbo, a household hobbit suddenly went on an adventure and had it and came back and nothing really changed. It slept through the entire "adventure". It's just doesn't hit me.
The thing is, you don't really enjoy a book until you're actually invested in the story and/or the characters. This doesn't make the book horrible, just not aligning to everyone's taste. The fact that it doesn't have a five-star rating only means that I'm not the only one. Yet, it deserves to be classic literature. It is worthy of all the praise, but not from everyone.
What do you think of The Hobbit? If you did dislike it, did you enjoy any other works by Tolkien? Were the movies better? Tell me why.
Hence the one with an unpopular opinion. Until next time.