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the_bookish_chimera's Reviews (361)
slow-paced
Malheureusement, Raconter Son Histoire n’a pas correspondu à l’image que je m’en étais faite. Là où je pensais trouver un livre à destination de la personne contant, j’ai lu au contraire un livre écrit pour le narrataire, dans un cadre thérapeutique.
Mais même cette optique-là n’a pas su me convaincre. Le livre regorge d’idées et de références psychanalytiques, et je regrette que ce courant de pensée soit à ce jour encore si majoritaire en France –ainsi que dans une partie de la francophonie. Je regrette encore plus qu’une presse académique ne se consacre pas plus aux sciences validées. Mais passons, puisque c’est après tout un courant majoritaire. A cause de cela, j’ai eu du mal à arriver au bout de ma lecture, d’autant plus qu’au final peu d’idées sont développées, et que les redondances sont assez nombreuses, tout autant que les conclusions assez logiques, même pour une personne dont ce n’est pas le métier.
Néanmoins, le livre pourra probablement trouver son public, dans un contexte assez précis.
Je remercie Babelio, Les Editions Academia et les auteurs pour l’envoi de ce livre gagné lors d’une opération Masse Critique.
Mais même cette optique-là n’a pas su me convaincre. Le livre regorge d’idées et de références psychanalytiques, et je regrette que ce courant de pensée soit à ce jour encore si majoritaire en France –ainsi que dans une partie de la francophonie. Je regrette encore plus qu’une presse académique ne se consacre pas plus aux sciences validées. Mais passons, puisque c’est après tout un courant majoritaire. A cause de cela, j’ai eu du mal à arriver au bout de ma lecture, d’autant plus qu’au final peu d’idées sont développées, et que les redondances sont assez nombreuses, tout autant que les conclusions assez logiques, même pour une personne dont ce n’est pas le métier.
Néanmoins, le livre pourra probablement trouver son public, dans un contexte assez précis.
Je remercie Babelio, Les Editions Academia et les auteurs pour l’envoi de ce livre gagné lors d’une opération Masse Critique.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
“She’s not a mystery. She’s an Earther.”
If I had to summarize Bound by Stars, it would be “The Titanic, but in space”. If the idea is super fun –and allows a lot of things– some scenes were so similar to the ones in the movie that it dragged me out of the SciFi context, back to the 1910’s scenery. That’s a shame because the book is very interesting, especially the action scenes that will make you hold your breath and your heart run.
The romance is a typical teenagers one, with a we of LI, which isn’t my cup of tea BUT was perfect to make Weslie evolve. I loved her rivalry with Jupiter, that banter that helped them to get closer from each other, to confide things they wouldn’t have shared in a different context.
The world-building, especially the class system is interesting, and I loved how it mixed with the plot, as Weslie tries to change her fate –but shouldn’t be able to, should she follow the rules. Because every single character is locked in a rule, an utility, a productivity, which enables them any kind of true freedom. That forbidden romance, that false pretense of social mobility are only appearances in this hypocrite system. So when everything explodes, the whole system is reassessed, at least for our MCs. I really can’t wait to know what will happen next, now that the Titanic aspect is over, now that the cards are reshuffled.
Thank you to Entangled publishing for the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
If I had to summarize Bound by Stars, it would be “The Titanic, but in space”. If the idea is super fun –and allows a lot of things– some scenes were so similar to the ones in the movie that it dragged me out of the SciFi context, back to the 1910’s scenery. That’s a shame because the book is very interesting, especially the action scenes that will make you hold your breath and your heart run.
The romance is a typical teenagers one, with a we of LI, which isn’t my cup of tea BUT was perfect to make Weslie evolve. I loved her rivalry with Jupiter, that banter that helped them to get closer from each other, to confide things they wouldn’t have shared in a different context.
The world-building, especially the class system is interesting, and I loved how it mixed with the plot, as Weslie tries to change her fate –but shouldn’t be able to, should she follow the rules. Because every single character is locked in a rule, an utility, a productivity, which enables them any kind of true freedom. That forbidden romance, that false pretense of social mobility are only appearances in this hypocrite system. So when everything explodes, the whole system is reassessed, at least for our MCs. I really can’t wait to know what will happen next, now that the Titanic aspect is over, now that the cards are reshuffled.
Thank you to Entangled publishing for the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
“I don’t know what went wrong. It’s like we tried to be something else and forgot to be us.”
The Dating Ban probably is my favorite book by Dani Elias and if you know me, you know I enjoy reading Dani every single time… I loved Ivy, her little “Bridget Jones side” as she goes to date after date then the “little disasters” (always super funny).
But the difference is that Ivy wants to change. I loved her therapist’s role, how she helps her to see herself independently of what a man could think of her, how she encourages her to try things for herself and not to please someone. That’s the whole thread in the book and I loved that –and that makes this book a true slow burn, of course. We need more FMC who are happy “by themselves”.
Yet, Theo enters her life early in the book, and they instantly click. I loved the friendship that blooms between them, and the relationship Ivy develops very quickly with his daughter. This book takes its time (but is a page turner as usual), and develops a true intimacy between the characters, well before anything physical. That’s pretty refreshing because more and more romances forget about that. Their relationship builds itself on solid foundations, a lot of fun and sweetness between them. I loved seing the trust grow, how Theo became (very) protector, how the little girl was involved, how everyone reflected on their feelings before anything romantical happened –the whole story being peppered by very funny situations.
Thank you to the author for the eARC. My opinions are my own.
The Dating Ban probably is my favorite book by Dani Elias and if you know me, you know I enjoy reading Dani every single time… I loved Ivy, her little “Bridget Jones side” as she goes to date after date then the “little disasters” (always super funny).
But the difference is that Ivy wants to change. I loved her therapist’s role, how she helps her to see herself independently of what a man could think of her, how she encourages her to try things for herself and not to please someone. That’s the whole thread in the book and I loved that –and that makes this book a true slow burn, of course. We need more FMC who are happy “by themselves”.
Yet, Theo enters her life early in the book, and they instantly click. I loved the friendship that blooms between them, and the relationship Ivy develops very quickly with his daughter. This book takes its time (but is a page turner as usual), and develops a true intimacy between the characters, well before anything physical. That’s pretty refreshing because more and more romances forget about that. Their relationship builds itself on solid foundations, a lot of fun and sweetness between them. I loved seing the trust grow, how Theo became (very) protector, how the little girl was involved, how everyone reflected on their feelings before anything romantical happened –the whole story being peppered by very funny situations.
Thank you to the author for the eARC. My opinions are my own.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
“How could he be both trustworthy and an enemy ?”
Reading Silvercloak was a delight and 5 stars is surely not enough to describe how it made me feel. I was sold by the queernormative world and the magical system based on pain and pleasure, but I loved every page, stopped breathing with every twist and was left panting, desperate to read book 2, with only two words on my lips “blo*dy h*ll” when I reached the end.
I don’t even know how to begin to review this book, and even though it took me weeks to write that, even though I took my time reading because I knew I would never experience it for the first time again, I’m still awestruck by this story.
Silvercloak is one of these books you want to write fanfiction about. Not because you want to fix it, but because the world is so big, so intricate, so intriguing, has so many possibilities that you want to get lost into it the longest time possible, no matter if the author wrote 1, 3 or 10 books about it. The magical system is so rich, there are so many peculiarities, so many surprises that blend into a coherent mix… and when you believe you understood it all, there are things to cut the grass under your feet and surprise you in the best of ways, prices for actions and magic revealing bit by bit. That’s just brilliant.
When I read Silvercloak, I WAS in the world, and –no matter how dark and twisted it is– I didn’t want to leave. That’s a complete experience, and is totally induced by the immersive writing associated with the fast pacing. So much happens here, but at the same time you can picture where you are, who the characters are, and learn all the world’s rules little by little. Honestly, that makes the journey extraordinary.
This is definitely an adult story, and in the best of ways. More than once, Sin City came to my mind, but it’s also so much more (and not just because there are wands –and more). I loved how politics and religions were mixed, and a major point in the story, and how it felt that in this book we only grazed the surface, the space for revelations and evolution so so large. It’s gloomy, sticky, deliciously decadent sometimes.
The characters are extraordinary. I’m usually not one for morally grey characters –finding them too full of toxic masculinity– but apparently if it’s L.K. Stevens who writes them, count me in. She explores the trauma, the responsibility we carry for our actions. Is it still immoral if we are doing things for a noble cause? If we act for self-preservation? What is our responsibility, our free-will if prophecies predicted our actions? I adored these questions, and Saff was the perfect embodiment. She built herself on her grief, her childhood trauma. But what happens after revenge (especially when your magic is filled by pleasure and pain)? Levan is even more interesting, but I can’t talk about him much without spoiling the story here. Because the book is full of twists and turns, and I let myself be carried away with a non-dissimulated pleasure, which is not so frequent.
I can’t non-mention the objects that are loaded with emotions and symbolism (that necklace! these stories about the childhood book!) as it speaks to me to a very deep level, or the full cast of side characters all full of nuances and who will certainly have their say later, or the “wolf” companion who probably hides a lot under his furr too.
Honestly that first book was brilliant, and I know I’ll want to dive into it (and the whole series) again and again, to discover layer after layer. Infinite stars.
Thank you to the author and DelRey for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
Reading Silvercloak was a delight and 5 stars is surely not enough to describe how it made me feel. I was sold by the queernormative world and the magical system based on pain and pleasure, but I loved every page, stopped breathing with every twist and was left panting, desperate to read book 2, with only two words on my lips “blo*dy h*ll” when I reached the end.
I don’t even know how to begin to review this book, and even though it took me weeks to write that, even though I took my time reading because I knew I would never experience it for the first time again, I’m still awestruck by this story.
Silvercloak is one of these books you want to write fanfiction about. Not because you want to fix it, but because the world is so big, so intricate, so intriguing, has so many possibilities that you want to get lost into it the longest time possible, no matter if the author wrote 1, 3 or 10 books about it. The magical system is so rich, there are so many peculiarities, so many surprises that blend into a coherent mix… and when you believe you understood it all, there are things to cut the grass under your feet and surprise you in the best of ways, prices for actions and magic revealing bit by bit. That’s just brilliant.
When I read Silvercloak, I WAS in the world, and –no matter how dark and twisted it is– I didn’t want to leave. That’s a complete experience, and is totally induced by the immersive writing associated with the fast pacing. So much happens here, but at the same time you can picture where you are, who the characters are, and learn all the world’s rules little by little. Honestly, that makes the journey extraordinary.
This is definitely an adult story, and in the best of ways. More than once, Sin City came to my mind, but it’s also so much more (and not just because there are wands –and more). I loved how politics and religions were mixed, and a major point in the story, and how it felt that in this book we only grazed the surface, the space for revelations and evolution so so large. It’s gloomy, sticky, deliciously decadent sometimes.
The characters are extraordinary. I’m usually not one for morally grey characters –finding them too full of toxic masculinity– but apparently if it’s L.K. Stevens who writes them, count me in. She explores the trauma, the responsibility we carry for our actions. Is it still immoral if we are doing things for a noble cause? If we act for self-preservation? What is our responsibility, our free-will if prophecies predicted our actions? I adored these questions, and Saff was the perfect embodiment. She built herself on her grief, her childhood trauma. But what happens after revenge (especially when your magic is filled by pleasure and pain)? Levan is even more interesting, but I can’t talk about him much without spoiling the story here. Because the book is full of twists and turns, and I let myself be carried away with a non-dissimulated pleasure, which is not so frequent.
I can’t non-mention the objects that are loaded with emotions and symbolism (that necklace! these stories about the childhood book!) as it speaks to me to a very deep level, or the full cast of side characters all full of nuances and who will certainly have their say later, or the “wolf” companion who probably hides a lot under his furr too.
Honestly that first book was brilliant, and I know I’ll want to dive into it (and the whole series) again and again, to discover layer after layer. Infinite stars.
Thank you to the author and DelRey for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
“As the use of Western pre-made spells rose exponentially, original spell development around the world decreased.”
I had such a great time with Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe! The book is deliciously geeky and cozy –and queer– but it’s also so much more than that!
I loved the many references to geek culture, from Doctor Who to DnD, and how the universe was built around that but also completely original. How the author uses earthquakes as a major element was super interesting, as much as their interpretation of “Magic is everywhere”. As an example “The” scene in Target might be among my fav’ scenes… ever. That created a mirror effect between both words in the book (which book is its own AU? This one!), but also between the book –and, more generally– pop culture and our reality. All the parallels and interconnections are fun and never ending, always full of clever findings.
Both characters are complete opposites, yet they get lost into each other at first sight. I loved their evolutions, who they reassess their lives, goals and prejudices during the whole story. I don’t want to go too in depth about the MCs or their relationship to avoid spoilers, but I truly enjoyed that part. I also loved Brenda’s friends, how supportive they were, and their full geek-attitude.
But this book also introduces more deep subjects, like the cultural erasing at the benefit of a globalized hegemony, to enrich only a few at the detriment of the majority. I loved how the author presented that and integrated it to their magical system and politics, and how they used all the mystery elements to keep the reader engaged.
Thank you to the author, Feiwel & Friends and Colored Pages PR for the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
I had such a great time with Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe! The book is deliciously geeky and cozy –and queer– but it’s also so much more than that!
I loved the many references to geek culture, from Doctor Who to DnD, and how the universe was built around that but also completely original. How the author uses earthquakes as a major element was super interesting, as much as their interpretation of “Magic is everywhere”. As an example “The” scene in Target might be among my fav’ scenes… ever. That created a mirror effect between both words in the book (which book is its own AU? This one!), but also between the book –and, more generally– pop culture and our reality. All the parallels and interconnections are fun and never ending, always full of clever findings.
Both characters are complete opposites, yet they get lost into each other at first sight. I loved their evolutions, who they reassess their lives, goals and prejudices during the whole story. I don’t want to go too in depth about the MCs or their relationship to avoid spoilers, but I truly enjoyed that part. I also loved Brenda’s friends, how supportive they were, and their full geek-attitude.
But this book also introduces more deep subjects, like the cultural erasing at the benefit of a globalized hegemony, to enrich only a few at the detriment of the majority. I loved how the author presented that and integrated it to their magical system and politics, and how they used all the mystery elements to keep the reader engaged.
Thank you to the author, Feiwel & Friends and Colored Pages PR for the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
“Maybe because she was a 35 year§old woman experiencing a trip to the past in not just the metaphorical sense, but also literally?”
On paper, This Time Around seemed the perfect book for me, with time travel, a friends to lovers story and some 2000s pop culture references. Unfortunately, it was a bit a disappointment.
I loved the idea of adults returning to highschool, and trying to have the experiences they couldn’t have during their actual teenage years. Unfortunately, that, and the research of the solution to their problem (ie returning in “their” time) felt under-developed. But, most of all, they are in their 30s and act like teenagers (alright, they make up the time) but also think like teenagers. That felt weird, esp about the romance part, but also about the references. For example, the series about a magical school was referenced very often and instead of opposing the feelings about “then” and “now”, to show how characters had evolved (esp the FMC, who is an editor), it was only mentioned in a very nostalgic way. This was, I believe, a big missed opportunity to show that the characters were contemporary adults catapulted in the past…
In the end, I never managed to connect with the characters –then to root for them– or to get engaged in the time travel plot, and thus it felt like something was missing in this story.
Thank you to the author and LMT for the eARC of this book. My opinions are my own.
On paper, This Time Around seemed the perfect book for me, with time travel, a friends to lovers story and some 2000s pop culture references. Unfortunately, it was a bit a disappointment.
I loved the idea of adults returning to highschool, and trying to have the experiences they couldn’t have during their actual teenage years. Unfortunately, that, and the research of the solution to their problem (ie returning in “their” time) felt under-developed. But, most of all, they are in their 30s and act like teenagers (alright, they make up the time) but also think like teenagers. That felt weird, esp about the romance part, but also about the references. For example, the series about a magical school was referenced very often and instead of opposing the feelings about “then” and “now”, to show how characters had evolved (esp the FMC, who is an editor), it was only mentioned in a very nostalgic way. This was, I believe, a big missed opportunity to show that the characters were contemporary adults catapulted in the past…
In the end, I never managed to connect with the characters –then to root for them– or to get engaged in the time travel plot, and thus it felt like something was missing in this story.
Thank you to the author and LMT for the eARC of this book. My opinions are my own.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
“Parce que nous sommes les seuls à nous être insurgés. Vos totems sont restés silencieux, dociles et obéissants. Les nôtres se sont libérés pour combattre avec nous.”
Je dois avouer que La Mémoire Des Chimères m’a un peu laissé.e sur ma faim. J’ai adoré le postulat de base, ces différents peuples unis autour de croyances similaires mais séparés par les préjugés, tous menacés par un parasite mystérieux et une dégradation de leur environnement, tout autant que les personnages de la soignante et du chasseur, deux personnalités opposées forcées de faire face ensemble et de mener la même quête.
Malheureusement, j’ai eu l’impression que le roman se perdait en chemin, victime de ses (trop?) nombreuses idées. L’autrice pose de nombreuses questions très intéressantes (comme par exemple l’eugénisme, le validisme, le gap culturel, le classisme, etc), mais oublie d’y répondre ou alors de façon plus que furtive là où il aurait fallu un tome à la place d’un chapitre de fin + épilogue qu’il m’ont vraiment donné un gros goût d’inachevé (surtout avec les décisions prises par l’autrice, qui sont audacieuses et nous mènent presque vers une dystopie, mais sans dénouer ce fil).
En réalité, en gardant toutes ces idées, ce roman aurait été bien plus intéressant s’il avait été publié en 3 ou 4 tomes, pas en un seul, car tous les aspects en pâtissent que ce soit dans le choix de la cible (début et plume très MG, puis ton et quête globalement YA mais des scènes explicites –softs tout de même– se glissent au milieu, sans qu’elles n’aient de vraie utilité, à la façon d’un NA) ou de l’évolution des personnages qui sont certes nuancés mais évoluent par à coup, sans que leurs actions n’aient vraiment de conséquences, ou même la possibilité de vraiment enrichir le world building.
Du coup, au milieu de cette explosion d’idées, et d’un plot qui enchaîne les virages à 180°, tout semble un peu trop superficiel, comme si l’histoire se cherchait encore. C’est dommage, car les idées et la description du monde initial étaient vraiment sympas et l’écriture agréable.
Je remercie les Éditions Scrineo pour la mise à disposition de ce SP électronique sur Netgalley. Je laisse cet avis volontairement.
Je dois avouer que La Mémoire Des Chimères m’a un peu laissé.e sur ma faim. J’ai adoré le postulat de base, ces différents peuples unis autour de croyances similaires mais séparés par les préjugés, tous menacés par un parasite mystérieux et une dégradation de leur environnement, tout autant que les personnages de la soignante et du chasseur, deux personnalités opposées forcées de faire face ensemble et de mener la même quête.
Malheureusement, j’ai eu l’impression que le roman se perdait en chemin, victime de ses (trop?) nombreuses idées. L’autrice pose de nombreuses questions très intéressantes (comme par exemple l’eugénisme, le validisme, le gap culturel, le classisme, etc), mais oublie d’y répondre ou alors de façon plus que furtive là où il aurait fallu un tome à la place d’un chapitre de fin + épilogue qu’il m’ont vraiment donné un gros goût d’inachevé (surtout avec les décisions prises par l’autrice, qui sont audacieuses et nous mènent presque vers une dystopie, mais sans dénouer ce fil).
En réalité, en gardant toutes ces idées, ce roman aurait été bien plus intéressant s’il avait été publié en 3 ou 4 tomes, pas en un seul, car tous les aspects en pâtissent que ce soit dans le choix de la cible (début et plume très MG, puis ton et quête globalement YA mais des scènes explicites –softs tout de même– se glissent au milieu, sans qu’elles n’aient de vraie utilité, à la façon d’un NA) ou de l’évolution des personnages qui sont certes nuancés mais évoluent par à coup, sans que leurs actions n’aient vraiment de conséquences, ou même la possibilité de vraiment enrichir le world building.
Du coup, au milieu de cette explosion d’idées, et d’un plot qui enchaîne les virages à 180°, tout semble un peu trop superficiel, comme si l’histoire se cherchait encore. C’est dommage, car les idées et la description du monde initial étaient vraiment sympas et l’écriture agréable.
Je remercie les Éditions Scrineo pour la mise à disposition de ce SP électronique sur Netgalley. Je laisse cet avis volontairement.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
“And although I’d argue that we need to study the old world to save lives, these books also hint at a different way of thinking, something that could be considered a slippery slope into the perversions and corruption that led to our continen’s demise. Or at least that was the reason given when a good portion of our books were burned.”
I had a very lovely time while reading The Enemy’s Daughter. I have to admit that I was sold by the Tristan and Isolt’s retelling aspect… But this book manages to free itself from the original story as much as it narrates it.
I loved this world between fantasy and something else, between post-apocalyptic and dystopian –even though I wish the dystopian aspect was a bit more developed.
Isadora is the most central character, and in a world in which women are kept away from almost everything, in the middle of a battle for power in the clans (in which she is the prize), she aspires for more. This is her main motivation in the book, and I love how it evolves a bit during the story, but how she doesn’t completely become someone else for/ because of love. From her loyalty to her clan to her own interests, between what she was taught and what she really wants, she is torn and her impromptu (and necessary) marriage to one of her clan’s enemies in Kingsland doesn’t help (or, does it?).
I loved her path to find freedom, how she understands how her education –and her restricted access to information– built who she is on uneven fundations, preventing her from being able to make enlightened choices. Because, in the end, no matter if a wall keeps us prisoners, without an open mind we can’t ever be completely free.
I ADORED the magical aspect in this story. This is the second book I read this year with a very interesting take about the marital bond, and I enjoyed it more than a lot, as much as I loved the action scenes peppered all around the pages, keeping me entertained, as much as the mystery I wanted to solve, never knowing who I could trust. But in addition to the lovely love story between Isadora and Tristan, I loved the recurring pattern about duty that was so present in the original story too.
All of this made of The Enemy’s Daughter a multifaceted novel, and I loved every single second of this experience.
Thank you to the author and to Harper Fire for the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
I had a very lovely time while reading The Enemy’s Daughter. I have to admit that I was sold by the Tristan and Isolt’s retelling aspect… But this book manages to free itself from the original story as much as it narrates it.
I loved this world between fantasy and something else, between post-apocalyptic and dystopian –even though I wish the dystopian aspect was a bit more developed.
Isadora is the most central character, and in a world in which women are kept away from almost everything, in the middle of a battle for power in the clans (in which she is the prize), she aspires for more. This is her main motivation in the book, and I love how it evolves a bit during the story, but how she doesn’t completely become someone else for/ because of love. From her loyalty to her clan to her own interests, between what she was taught and what she really wants, she is torn and her impromptu (and necessary) marriage to one of her clan’s enemies in Kingsland doesn’t help (or, does it?).
I loved her path to find freedom, how she understands how her education –and her restricted access to information– built who she is on uneven fundations, preventing her from being able to make enlightened choices. Because, in the end, no matter if a wall keeps us prisoners, without an open mind we can’t ever be completely free.
I ADORED the magical aspect in this story. This is the second book I read this year with a very interesting take about the marital bond, and I enjoyed it more than a lot, as much as I loved the action scenes peppered all around the pages, keeping me entertained, as much as the mystery I wanted to solve, never knowing who I could trust. But in addition to the lovely love story between Isadora and Tristan, I loved the recurring pattern about duty that was so present in the original story too.
All of this made of The Enemy’s Daughter a multifaceted novel, and I loved every single second of this experience.
Thank you to the author and to Harper Fire for the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
“Elle avait essayé si fort de ne pas trahir quelqu’un –de ne trahir personne, ne rien trahir, ni ses amis, ni ses propres idéaux, ni l’Empire, ni le Grand Chancelier– mais elle les avait tous trahis malgré tout, à chaque étape.”
Les Hors La Loi de l’Eau est une lecture un peu différente de ce dont j’ai l’habitude, mais j’ai beaucoup apprécié ce voyage. Ici, pas de romance, mais de belles représentations de personnages forts, des trajectoires de survivant.e.s et des personnages queers bien nuancés.
Survivre au pire, c’est le thème majeur de cette histoire qui nous amène à nous interroger sur ces parcours, sur ces choses que nous sommes obligé.e.s de faire pour s’en sortir face à l’injustice. Si la loi est injuste, est-ce vraiment immoral de s’y opposer? Quels tabous sont trop forts pour être brisés? Lesquels peuvent l’être lorsqu’on se retrouve dos au mur? Dans un monde dirigé par les hommes, la décision des puissants fait Loi. Mais est-ce la loi ou ce qui est “juste” qu’il faut défendre?
Ce livre regorge de personnages féminins forts et pas du tout stéréotypés (j’aime!) qui nous aident à nous questionner à ce propos. Si vous aimez les archétypes, ce n’est probablement pas le bon livre pour vous. Ici aucun personnage n’est manichéen, ils naviguent tous sur une belle échelle de gris. Les loyautés bougent au fil du récit, et ces personnages complexes (même le “grand méchant”!) tentent avant tout de s’en sortir.
Mais la chronique ne serait pas complète sans mentionner la plume fluide ni les scènes d’actions qui sont extrêmements picturales, chorégraphiées, quasi cinématographiques. Quel plaisir que de voir l’action se dérouler devant nos yeux en cours de lecture! Attention cependant, ce livre a quelques “content warning” que je vous conseille de vérifier (j’ai trouvé une scène en début de roman particulièrement difficile, mais elle est tellement utile!!).
Tout n’est pas rose dans les Hors la Loi de l’Eau. L’ambiance est plutôt rouge sang, brute et violente. Mais les pages se tournent toutes seule quand même, alors qu’on se plonge au fil des complots, des conflits et de la magie, à la recherche du plus fin des espoirs.
Merci aux éditions Céleste pour l’envoi de ce SP. Je laisse cette chronique volontairement
Les Hors La Loi de l’Eau est une lecture un peu différente de ce dont j’ai l’habitude, mais j’ai beaucoup apprécié ce voyage. Ici, pas de romance, mais de belles représentations de personnages forts, des trajectoires de survivant.e.s et des personnages queers bien nuancés.
Survivre au pire, c’est le thème majeur de cette histoire qui nous amène à nous interroger sur ces parcours, sur ces choses que nous sommes obligé.e.s de faire pour s’en sortir face à l’injustice. Si la loi est injuste, est-ce vraiment immoral de s’y opposer? Quels tabous sont trop forts pour être brisés? Lesquels peuvent l’être lorsqu’on se retrouve dos au mur? Dans un monde dirigé par les hommes, la décision des puissants fait Loi. Mais est-ce la loi ou ce qui est “juste” qu’il faut défendre?
Ce livre regorge de personnages féminins forts et pas du tout stéréotypés (j’aime!) qui nous aident à nous questionner à ce propos. Si vous aimez les archétypes, ce n’est probablement pas le bon livre pour vous. Ici aucun personnage n’est manichéen, ils naviguent tous sur une belle échelle de gris. Les loyautés bougent au fil du récit, et ces personnages complexes (même le “grand méchant”!) tentent avant tout de s’en sortir.
Mais la chronique ne serait pas complète sans mentionner la plume fluide ni les scènes d’actions qui sont extrêmements picturales, chorégraphiées, quasi cinématographiques. Quel plaisir que de voir l’action se dérouler devant nos yeux en cours de lecture! Attention cependant, ce livre a quelques “content warning” que je vous conseille de vérifier (j’ai trouvé une scène en début de roman particulièrement difficile, mais elle est tellement utile!!).
Tout n’est pas rose dans les Hors la Loi de l’Eau. L’ambiance est plutôt rouge sang, brute et violente. Mais les pages se tournent toutes seule quand même, alors qu’on se plonge au fil des complots, des conflits et de la magie, à la recherche du plus fin des espoirs.
Merci aux éditions Céleste pour l’envoi de ce SP. Je laisse cette chronique volontairement
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
“Fallait-il rester fidèle au passé ou saisir les opportunités présentes pour améliorer le futur?”
Le Secret des Nuages (Le Royaume des Géants T1) a été une incroyable découverte. Il rassemble tout ce que j’aime (ou presque) dans un roman, le tout écrit par une autrice francophone. Comment ne l’avais-je pas repéré plus tôt?!?
J’ai d’abord été frappé.e par la belle plume, qui m’a immergé.e de façon instantanée. C’est ensuite le monde qui a pris le relais, ce monde post effondrement écologique (?) et qui dépend des catastrophes climatiques. Le world building est développé sous tous les angles (culturel, politique, économique, religieux…) mais cela se fait de façon subtile sans être écrasant ou lourd.
Si l’histoire commence par une presque utopie (quoi que…) dans les campagnes anarchistes dans des territoires queer-normatifs et plutôt inclusifs, elle glisse tout doucement vers la dystopie tandis que nous nous enfonçons dans la capitale tour. C’est d’ailleurs une des forces de ce monde, celle de se trouver à la rencontre de la fantasy, la dystopie et la science-fiction, dans un parfait équilibre.
J’ai beaucoup aimé le choix de points de vus, à savoir le personnage principal (gender queer et “codé autistique” bien que cette dernière partie soit une extrapolation personnelle). Car une autre des forces de ce roman est la représentation, très présente, et sous tous les rapports. J’ai particulièrement aimé que les différences des personnages fassent partie de leur identité mais ne soient pas leur UNIQUE identité (comme trop souvent), que cela apporte quelque chose à l’intrigue/aux motivations individielle sans en être le sujet non plus. Cela aboutit à des personnages diverses et complexes (en eux-mêmes et dans leurs relations aux autres), qui dévoilent peu à peu leurs secrets (mais je pense que nous avons tant à découvrir dans le tome 2!). S’ils se contentent (essentiellement) de survivre dans ce tome, tous ces personnages aspirent à mieux et font ce qu’ils peuvent. Mais est-ce que la fin justifie les moyens? Courir après nos rêves nous condamne-t-il à des actions inavouables?
Si certains rebondissements sont un peu prévisibles, le récit reste néanmoins rythmé et surprenant et on se laisse emporter page après page. Car les personnages principaux ne sont pas les seuls à avoir des secrets. La ville et le régime, les guildes, tous comportent leur part d’ombre et le mystère bien entretenu nous pousse lui aussi à tourner les pages. La dénonciation du capitalisme à tout prix est parfaite, tout comme l’esthétique et les scènes d’actions qui viennent nous faire battre le cœur en chamade en redonnant de l’impulsion à l’histoire, et tissent des liens entre cette famille de sang et de cœur.
Vivement le tome 2!
Le Secret des Nuages (Le Royaume des Géants T1) a été une incroyable découverte. Il rassemble tout ce que j’aime (ou presque) dans un roman, le tout écrit par une autrice francophone. Comment ne l’avais-je pas repéré plus tôt?!?
J’ai d’abord été frappé.e par la belle plume, qui m’a immergé.e de façon instantanée. C’est ensuite le monde qui a pris le relais, ce monde post effondrement écologique (?) et qui dépend des catastrophes climatiques. Le world building est développé sous tous les angles (culturel, politique, économique, religieux…) mais cela se fait de façon subtile sans être écrasant ou lourd.
Si l’histoire commence par une presque utopie (quoi que…) dans les campagnes anarchistes dans des territoires queer-normatifs et plutôt inclusifs, elle glisse tout doucement vers la dystopie tandis que nous nous enfonçons dans la capitale tour. C’est d’ailleurs une des forces de ce monde, celle de se trouver à la rencontre de la fantasy, la dystopie et la science-fiction, dans un parfait équilibre.
J’ai beaucoup aimé le choix de points de vus, à savoir le personnage principal (gender queer et “codé autistique” bien que cette dernière partie soit une extrapolation personnelle). Car une autre des forces de ce roman est la représentation, très présente, et sous tous les rapports. J’ai particulièrement aimé que les différences des personnages fassent partie de leur identité mais ne soient pas leur UNIQUE identité (comme trop souvent), que cela apporte quelque chose à l’intrigue/aux motivations individielle sans en être le sujet non plus. Cela aboutit à des personnages diverses et complexes (en eux-mêmes et dans leurs relations aux autres), qui dévoilent peu à peu leurs secrets (mais je pense que nous avons tant à découvrir dans le tome 2!). S’ils se contentent (essentiellement) de survivre dans ce tome, tous ces personnages aspirent à mieux et font ce qu’ils peuvent. Mais est-ce que la fin justifie les moyens? Courir après nos rêves nous condamne-t-il à des actions inavouables?
Si certains rebondissements sont un peu prévisibles, le récit reste néanmoins rythmé et surprenant et on se laisse emporter page après page. Car les personnages principaux ne sont pas les seuls à avoir des secrets. La ville et le régime, les guildes, tous comportent leur part d’ombre et le mystère bien entretenu nous pousse lui aussi à tourner les pages. La dénonciation du capitalisme à tout prix est parfaite, tout comme l’esthétique et les scènes d’actions qui viennent nous faire battre le cœur en chamade en redonnant de l’impulsion à l’histoire, et tissent des liens entre cette famille de sang et de cœur.
Vivement le tome 2!