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the_bookish_chimera's Reviews (361)
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
“Love, in fact, can be the thing that hurts us the most. It steals our breath and makes fools of our actions. It sinks its teeth into our innocence and begs for happy endings when there aren’t any to be had.”
When I Should’ve Stayed was an enjoyable read. I loved the first part, how Clay and Josie first fell in love –how it was a bit of an insta-love, especially for him, a flash in the pan, but that left something sweet behind. The way the timelines were written, interwoven together, and how it created some kind of mystery about the reason why they first broke up –as they seemed to be so good together– was particularly interesting. So many emotional things happened in this book, and it was sometimes a bit overwhelming, but not in a bad way. I especially loved Josie’s (non) relationship with her mother, how it took a large place in who she was, and how her relationship with her nan was sweet in comparison.
What I didn’t like as much was “pushy Clay”, how he tried again and again, not taking a No for answer. Sometimes it felt a bit too much for me. The worst was the fact that he didn’t sign the divorce papers, and should I have seen the authors’ promo about that, I wouldn’t have picked this book (but I didn’t, so that’s on me).
But everything they all did –including the side characters– for Summer made up to it, as much as Josie’s tergiversations, her challenges, how she locked herself inside her traumas. It broke my heart a little, though, and I suffered for her, wanting to tell her to talk to someone.
In the end, it was a nice moment, and I’ll read the first book in the series, as much as other books written by these authors.
Thank you Entangled Publishing for the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
When I Should’ve Stayed was an enjoyable read. I loved the first part, how Clay and Josie first fell in love –how it was a bit of an insta-love, especially for him, a flash in the pan, but that left something sweet behind. The way the timelines were written, interwoven together, and how it created some kind of mystery about the reason why they first broke up –as they seemed to be so good together– was particularly interesting. So many emotional things happened in this book, and it was sometimes a bit overwhelming, but not in a bad way. I especially loved Josie’s (non) relationship with her mother, how it took a large place in who she was, and how her relationship with her nan was sweet in comparison.
What I didn’t like as much was “pushy Clay”, how he tried again and again, not taking a No for answer. Sometimes it felt a bit too much for me. The worst was the fact that he didn’t sign the divorce papers, and should I have seen the authors’ promo about that, I wouldn’t have picked this book (but I didn’t, so that’s on me).
But everything they all did –including the side characters– for Summer made up to it, as much as Josie’s tergiversations, her challenges, how she locked herself inside her traumas. It broke my heart a little, though, and I suffered for her, wanting to tell her to talk to someone.
In the end, it was a nice moment, and I’ll read the first book in the series, as much as other books written by these authors.
Thank you Entangled Publishing for the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
“Rien n’est gratuit. Rien n’est sans peine. La magie est amour, mais elle est aussi haine. La magie a un prix. Qui la trouve, qui s’aliène.”
J’ai vraiment beaucoup aimé ce premier opus de la duologie du Roi Berger. L’ambiance est poisseuse, brumeuse, gothique et nous enveloppe dès les premières pages, nous noie sans jamais nous lâcher. La prose est fluide et immersive, la plume riche, les pages se tournent toutes seules alors que le monde se dévoile au lecteur.
Outre cette ambiance totalement enveloppante, le système magique est ce qui m’a le plus plu dans cette histoire. La seule magie légale est celle des cartes, mais elles ne sont accessibles qu’à de très rares privilégiés –et donc source d’immenses convoitises– qui s’en servent donc pour asseoir et augmenter leur pouvoir sur les moins favorisés. Les infectés par la magie, eux, sont condamnés à m*rt. Rien que ce postulat est extrêmement intéressant. Mais nous rencontrons vite des rescapés et comprenons que pour eux, outre le fait de devoir se terrer dans une certaine clandestinité pour fuir persécutions et Inquisition, le prix de la magie est encore plus élevé, bien plus que ses avantages. C’est ce déséquilibre que j’ai trouvé captivant, la magie étant traditionnellement bien plus une aide qu’une malédiction. Leur envie de révolution devient donc la nôtre dans ce monde où tout peut basculer en un instant…
Mais une fenêtre sur les ténèbres est aussi l’histoire de ses personnages. Tout comme le jeu de cartes, ils sont tous l’expression d’un symbolisme particulier, qu’ils vont parfois dépasser pour mieux nous surprendre.
Elspeth est particulièrement intéressante, sa dichotomie la parfaite métaphore de ces voix qui nous hantent, nous poussent à douter de nous même ou, au contraire, nous dépassent. J’ai vraiment aimé cette dualité entre la jeune fille “policée” et le monstre. Parachutée au milieux de complots politiques qu’elle ne soupçonnait pas, manipulée, elle réagit bien plus souvent qu’elle ne réfléchit, faute de temps.
Et la fin… OMG la fin… vivement la suite car en plus d’être un parfait cliffhanger, cette fin ouvre la porte à un tome 2 miroir de son prédécesseur…
Merci aux éditions PAL pour l’envoi de ce SP. Je laisse mon avis volontairement
J’ai vraiment beaucoup aimé ce premier opus de la duologie du Roi Berger. L’ambiance est poisseuse, brumeuse, gothique et nous enveloppe dès les premières pages, nous noie sans jamais nous lâcher. La prose est fluide et immersive, la plume riche, les pages se tournent toutes seules alors que le monde se dévoile au lecteur.
Outre cette ambiance totalement enveloppante, le système magique est ce qui m’a le plus plu dans cette histoire. La seule magie légale est celle des cartes, mais elles ne sont accessibles qu’à de très rares privilégiés –et donc source d’immenses convoitises– qui s’en servent donc pour asseoir et augmenter leur pouvoir sur les moins favorisés. Les infectés par la magie, eux, sont condamnés à m*rt. Rien que ce postulat est extrêmement intéressant. Mais nous rencontrons vite des rescapés et comprenons que pour eux, outre le fait de devoir se terrer dans une certaine clandestinité pour fuir persécutions et Inquisition, le prix de la magie est encore plus élevé, bien plus que ses avantages. C’est ce déséquilibre que j’ai trouvé captivant, la magie étant traditionnellement bien plus une aide qu’une malédiction. Leur envie de révolution devient donc la nôtre dans ce monde où tout peut basculer en un instant…
Mais une fenêtre sur les ténèbres est aussi l’histoire de ses personnages. Tout comme le jeu de cartes, ils sont tous l’expression d’un symbolisme particulier, qu’ils vont parfois dépasser pour mieux nous surprendre.
Elspeth est particulièrement intéressante, sa dichotomie la parfaite métaphore de ces voix qui nous hantent, nous poussent à douter de nous même ou, au contraire, nous dépassent. J’ai vraiment aimé cette dualité entre la jeune fille “policée” et le monstre. Parachutée au milieux de complots politiques qu’elle ne soupçonnait pas, manipulée, elle réagit bien plus souvent qu’elle ne réfléchit, faute de temps.
Et la fin… OMG la fin… vivement la suite car en plus d’être un parfait cliffhanger, cette fin ouvre la porte à un tome 2 miroir de son prédécesseur…
Merci aux éditions PAL pour l’envoi de ce SP. Je laisse mon avis volontairement
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
“A woman my age may be a spinster, a wife, or a widow. I wouldn’t mind being a widow, but not at the price of having being a wife first.”
I had a great time with Manic Pixie Dream Earl. It is a very different Historical Romance.
I adored the guys’ friendship, super healthy and supportive, not toxic at all, even though they love to tease each other. That found family is refreshing, that’s not something we are used to, and even less in Historical (I’ll for sure read the other books in this series).
The romance between Effie and Juliana was equally delightful. They talk and communicate a lot, are super open about their emotions and feelings. But they also respect the other’s needs and wants (even if that means they’ll suffer). Again, that’s something I wish I could read more often and the fact that Edward is demi-sexual was a true add-on to the plot. I also loved the Bi+ rep here.
Both characters have “daddy issues” even if it’s for different reasons, and –once again– the “gang support” was super nice. I truly enjoyed that “modern” (but, I’m sure, not so new) vision of the couple, and the “woman’s condition”, as much as the individual aspirations of all the characters, and loved that they had space to make it works outside the romance. As the book kept going, I was worried I would not like the ending (a bit too “providencial”), and once again the author surprised me. The beats are different here, which allows the resolution to have a true space, and the author to take the time to make it work.
If you like a cute –and steamy– romance, both Historical (with a few liberties) and with some feminine empowerment, and a healthy relationship, then this one might be the one for you.
Thank you to the author, Kensington Publishing and Hambright for the eARC via NetGalley. My opinions are my own
I had a great time with Manic Pixie Dream Earl. It is a very different Historical Romance.
I adored the guys’ friendship, super healthy and supportive, not toxic at all, even though they love to tease each other. That found family is refreshing, that’s not something we are used to, and even less in Historical (I’ll for sure read the other books in this series).
The romance between Effie and Juliana was equally delightful. They talk and communicate a lot, are super open about their emotions and feelings. But they also respect the other’s needs and wants (even if that means they’ll suffer). Again, that’s something I wish I could read more often and the fact that Edward is demi-sexual was a true add-on to the plot. I also loved the Bi+ rep here.
Both characters have “daddy issues” even if it’s for different reasons, and –once again– the “gang support” was super nice. I truly enjoyed that “modern” (but, I’m sure, not so new) vision of the couple, and the “woman’s condition”, as much as the individual aspirations of all the characters, and loved that they had space to make it works outside the romance. As the book kept going, I was worried I would not like the ending (a bit too “providencial”), and once again the author surprised me. The beats are different here, which allows the resolution to have a true space, and the author to take the time to make it work.
If you like a cute –and steamy– romance, both Historical (with a few liberties) and with some feminine empowerment, and a healthy relationship, then this one might be the one for you.
Thank you to the author, Kensington Publishing and Hambright for the eARC via NetGalley. My opinions are my own
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
“Méfie toi des voeux, ils finissent toujours par se réaliser.”
J’ai découvert Peau d’Âme via sa version audio en premier lieu.
La narratrice –Flore Audebeau– est incroyable, tant et si bien que j’ai parfois cru que plusieurs narrateurs contaient l’histoire. Elle ne surjoue pas mais différencie les personnages avec brio, et conserve le ton du conte, si important ici.
Car Peau d’Âme est un retelling de Peau d’Âne, et sa particularité, contrairement à de nombreux autres, est que l’autrice a décidé de garder une écriture de type conte, très descriptive et assez peu immersive. Si j’apprécie habituellement que les émois internes des personnages soient plus détaillés, j’ai ici beaucoup aimé cette vision (ainsi que la plume associée), qui, alliée à la narration justement, m’a donné vraiment l’impression qu’on me racontait un conte pour adulte.
Le livre commence d’ailleurs assez classiquement, avec une héroïne un peu stéréotypée qui a une vision plutôt étriquée du monde à cause des œillères que son père a placées devant ses yeux, à cause du deuil qui l’a enfermée dans une carapace dorée. Blanche hésite, trébuche. Mais Blanche brûle de liberté, et très vite tout bascule et elle doit faire des choix. Cette métamorphose –cette bestialité– est une belle métaphore du passage à l’âge adulte, du fait de confronter ce qui nous tourmente et nous terrifie pour enfin devenir nous-mêmes. A traces cette histoire d’émancipation, c’est le rejet de la gouvernance patriarcale qui prédomine. Cela fait de ce premier tome une bien tourmentée coming of age story comme on adore les voir en YA. Blanche grandit, refuse de se plier au statu quo, commet des erreurs qu’elle devra (probablement) assumer par la suite, explore le monde.
Une belle découverte, vivement la suite !
Merci aux éditions Voolume pour la mise à disposition d’une copie avancée de l’audiobook sur NetGalley. Je laisse cette chronique volontairement.
J’ai découvert Peau d’Âme via sa version audio en premier lieu.
La narratrice –Flore Audebeau– est incroyable, tant et si bien que j’ai parfois cru que plusieurs narrateurs contaient l’histoire. Elle ne surjoue pas mais différencie les personnages avec brio, et conserve le ton du conte, si important ici.
Car Peau d’Âme est un retelling de Peau d’Âne, et sa particularité, contrairement à de nombreux autres, est que l’autrice a décidé de garder une écriture de type conte, très descriptive et assez peu immersive. Si j’apprécie habituellement que les émois internes des personnages soient plus détaillés, j’ai ici beaucoup aimé cette vision (ainsi que la plume associée), qui, alliée à la narration justement, m’a donné vraiment l’impression qu’on me racontait un conte pour adulte.
Le livre commence d’ailleurs assez classiquement, avec une héroïne un peu stéréotypée qui a une vision plutôt étriquée du monde à cause des œillères que son père a placées devant ses yeux, à cause du deuil qui l’a enfermée dans une carapace dorée. Blanche hésite, trébuche. Mais Blanche brûle de liberté, et très vite tout bascule et elle doit faire des choix. Cette métamorphose –cette bestialité– est une belle métaphore du passage à l’âge adulte, du fait de confronter ce qui nous tourmente et nous terrifie pour enfin devenir nous-mêmes. A traces cette histoire d’émancipation, c’est le rejet de la gouvernance patriarcale qui prédomine. Cela fait de ce premier tome une bien tourmentée coming of age story comme on adore les voir en YA. Blanche grandit, refuse de se plier au statu quo, commet des erreurs qu’elle devra (probablement) assumer par la suite, explore le monde.
Une belle découverte, vivement la suite !
Merci aux éditions Voolume pour la mise à disposition d’une copie avancée de l’audiobook sur NetGalley. Je laisse cette chronique volontairement.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
“I was sent here to investigate that farmhouse –I never expected to find a rogue witch.
I enjoyed my reading of Arcana: The Lost Heirs a lot. It was an easy read, with lovely artwork. I loved the choice of monochrome, with a change when there is some magic or not “in the air”.
There is still a lot to tell after this first volume as this one asks a lot of questions without giving a lot of answers, leaving us wanting for more. But we see the team building itself page after page, with interesting and diverse characters. We can already guess that this diversity (in every possible way) will become an asset in their quest. I can’t wait to know what happens next!
Thank you to the author and Toppling Stacks Tours for the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
I enjoyed my reading of Arcana: The Lost Heirs a lot. It was an easy read, with lovely artwork. I loved the choice of monochrome, with a change when there is some magic or not “in the air”.
There is still a lot to tell after this first volume as this one asks a lot of questions without giving a lot of answers, leaving us wanting for more. But we see the team building itself page after page, with interesting and diverse characters. We can already guess that this diversity (in every possible way) will become an asset in their quest. I can’t wait to know what happens next!
Thank you to the author and Toppling Stacks Tours for the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
“How useless having a fortune was if you offered nothing in return.”
I decided to read Not What I Ordered like I would read a fairytale, and I loved the experience. The story, indeed, has all the inherent codes to this genre –more than the Contemporary Romance ones (even though there is a scorching chapter ˆˆ). If you want a realistic book, maybe this one isn’t the right one. But if you want to dream a bit, to escape reality and to discover two characters who will grow on you, then you should try this short novella. I loved both characters’ evolution, but maybe Silma’s a bit more, who, from a spoiled princess who acts only from duty –and frustration– grows into someone who learn how to think for herself and prioritize her real needs, and not what she was taught (and told) to want. Paradoxically she has to learn how to become more egoistic (and you wouldn’t know that at first), and I loved that.
The romance between them is both sweet and scorching. And believe me, you want to read until the end because what could make your eyes roll at first has a very great explanation!
Thank you to the author for the eARC. My opinions are my own.
I decided to read Not What I Ordered like I would read a fairytale, and I loved the experience. The story, indeed, has all the inherent codes to this genre –more than the Contemporary Romance ones (even though there is a scorching chapter ˆˆ). If you want a realistic book, maybe this one isn’t the right one. But if you want to dream a bit, to escape reality and to discover two characters who will grow on you, then you should try this short novella. I loved both characters’ evolution, but maybe Silma’s a bit more, who, from a spoiled princess who acts only from duty –and frustration– grows into someone who learn how to think for herself and prioritize her real needs, and not what she was taught (and told) to want. Paradoxically she has to learn how to become more egoistic (and you wouldn’t know that at first), and I loved that.
The romance between them is both sweet and scorching. And believe me, you want to read until the end because what could make your eyes roll at first has a very great explanation!
Thank you to the author for the eARC. My opinions are my own.
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
“Discover the transformative power of going it alone.”
I loved my experience with Women Travel Solo.
Most of the book is a collection of 30 testimonies (and a few advice pages in the end), describing their personal experience, about one specific destination or as a solo traveler in general. This book is not a classical travel guide. It’s more like an inspiration. I loved to naviguate all these different stories that say so much about traveling but also about humanity and being a woman. From a passenger on a cargo ship (who knew it was even possible? no me!), to a grieving wife learning to travel solo again (that chapter was so emotional!), passing by difficulties about being a member of the LGBTQIA+ communities in some part of the world, or exploring the world solo as a young retiree.
As usual in this collection, the book is also full of beautiful photographs that make you travel by themselves. But the stories are its core. Every single one is inspiring in its own way and, tells so much about personal history, about motivation and trajectories, about challenges, but, mostly, about confidence and empowerment. Some of these stories are more adventures and self-discoveries than a “traditional travel journal” and the fiction reader that I am loved that, my imagination taking the lead to go further.
Thank you to Sabrina Dax and Lonely Planet for sending me this beautiful reviewing copy. My opinions are my own.
I loved my experience with Women Travel Solo.
Most of the book is a collection of 30 testimonies (and a few advice pages in the end), describing their personal experience, about one specific destination or as a solo traveler in general. This book is not a classical travel guide. It’s more like an inspiration. I loved to naviguate all these different stories that say so much about traveling but also about humanity and being a woman. From a passenger on a cargo ship (who knew it was even possible? no me!), to a grieving wife learning to travel solo again (that chapter was so emotional!), passing by difficulties about being a member of the LGBTQIA+ communities in some part of the world, or exploring the world solo as a young retiree.
As usual in this collection, the book is also full of beautiful photographs that make you travel by themselves. But the stories are its core. Every single one is inspiring in its own way and, tells so much about personal history, about motivation and trajectories, about challenges, but, mostly, about confidence and empowerment. Some of these stories are more adventures and self-discoveries than a “traditional travel journal” and the fiction reader that I am loved that, my imagination taking the lead to go further.
Thank you to Sabrina Dax and Lonely Planet for sending me this beautiful reviewing copy. My opinions are my own.
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
“None of us were harmed by the wolves. Not once. Many resented us for this. It was as though in not being attacked we’d exposed a weakness the men didn’t want to admit to.”
Wolf Siren was such a great little book! It is sold as Middle Grade but honestly no matter how old you are, there are things to enjoy. The story took me into the woods and I couldn’t stop until the end. Little Red Riding Hood is one of my favorite tales, but I have to say that this retelling was particularly interesting. I loved how it mixes ecology, emancipation, societal questioning and disabilities (with positive representation). About that last point, the author’s note about her own visual impairment, and how she analyzes the tale through this lens is brilliant. This is the take for Red here, and I loved how the way she feels the world was described, how it gives her a different sensibility to the world but is also a source of challenge. That balance, and the fact that it took me a few pages to realize is –IMO– one of the book’s strengths. It is carried by the writing, immersive and sensitive, and translates with a beautiful relationship to nature, some “primal” sensations that you can feel while reading. That balance feels like one of the important themes of the story and is told with a lot of tact… but also hardness.
I also loved the patriarchal society, and how men are dependent on women for their own safety and completely reject that, trying to blame the girls and take more power anyway. That truly is an interesting way to address toxic masculinity and abuse.
I also loved how the author uses menstruations as a part of her worldbuilding and to enhance her metaphor of the passage to adulthood. It isn’t something that is often dealt with, and I loved all the discourse around it.
It was such an interesting read !
Thank you to Harper Fire and the author for the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own
Wolf Siren was such a great little book! It is sold as Middle Grade but honestly no matter how old you are, there are things to enjoy. The story took me into the woods and I couldn’t stop until the end. Little Red Riding Hood is one of my favorite tales, but I have to say that this retelling was particularly interesting. I loved how it mixes ecology, emancipation, societal questioning and disabilities (with positive representation). About that last point, the author’s note about her own visual impairment, and how she analyzes the tale through this lens is brilliant. This is the take for Red here, and I loved how the way she feels the world was described, how it gives her a different sensibility to the world but is also a source of challenge. That balance, and the fact that it took me a few pages to realize is –IMO– one of the book’s strengths. It is carried by the writing, immersive and sensitive, and translates with a beautiful relationship to nature, some “primal” sensations that you can feel while reading. That balance feels like one of the important themes of the story and is told with a lot of tact… but also hardness.
I also loved the patriarchal society, and how men are dependent on women for their own safety and completely reject that, trying to blame the girls and take more power anyway. That truly is an interesting way to address toxic masculinity and abuse.
I also loved how the author uses menstruations as a part of her worldbuilding and to enhance her metaphor of the passage to adulthood. It isn’t something that is often dealt with, and I loved all the discourse around it.
It was such an interesting read !
Thank you to Harper Fire and the author for the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
A Little Gay Natural History was a short and quick read. This short form is both its best strength and worst weakness. Indeed, it makes it easy to grab, easy to read, and to be held by as many people as possible. But with this format, it’s also doom to be a bit too superficial, and consequently frustrating. In regard, I appreciated the extended bibliography at the end of the book, which I will happily compulse in the future.
Using concrete examples, the author shows that queerness isn’t as rare in nature as many would want to believe. Would it change beliefs? With our very anthropocentrics behaviours and ways of thinking, I have doubts. But at least this short book exists and shows us a large diversity in Nature, which is a (great) first step. I also love that the author took the time to bring some science notions back, to educate on different and varied layers.
Using concrete examples, the author shows that queerness isn’t as rare in nature as many would want to believe. Would it change beliefs? With our very anthropocentrics behaviours and ways of thinking, I have doubts. But at least this short book exists and shows us a large diversity in Nature, which is a (great) first step. I also love that the author took the time to bring some science notions back, to educate on different and varied layers.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
“We can’t erase our scars because we need them to remember.”
I read Silver Elite 2.5 months ago and I still don’t know what to think about it.
The story is very fast paced, and addictive. Pages turn “by themselves” and you quite can’t stop reading, twist after twist –no matter if they are (mostly) predictable.
The different types of “mind abilities” are interesting and keep fueling the constant paranoia you feel while reading, as you never know who can be trusted. But this book truly lacks some world building, in all aspects. I know it’s a trilogy, but we know almost nothing about the world, it only feels like a “surface set up”, and I wish it had more depth.
I (for most parts) liked Wren’s arc. She has an interesting evolution in this book, from the impulsive and self-centered “child” to a more nuanced character, even if she still has a long way to go. But I disliked her “h*rny teenager” side a lot. It felt like the other characters were described only regarding their “f*ckability degree” and it was uncomfortable, very “male gaze like” and –IMO– didn’t add anything to the character.
That sentiment increased with the pretty unaddressed s*xu*l h*rassement and ass*ults –as if it was just normal, not revolting. On the same line, the discourse around prisoners was blurry (as an example among many, the MMC is “good” because he sends people to work-camps –in which they’ll d!e– and doesn’t ex*cute them… really?), as much as the “Aberrants’” motivations (as if they had an “agenda”? Hum…). I think what was lacking to me was the critics about Society, which should be predominant in a dystopian book. It could be because it’s only book 1, but again it already lacks some WB so… I’m not sure. We’ll see (I hope so) in the future...
To summarize, as I said, I truly can’t say if I adored Silver Elite or the complete opposite. Maybe it’s the mark of something great? I have no idea. In the end, I would conclude that as an “isolated book”, I can’t say I loved it. BUT it’s a trilogy. And so much can be addressed in the remaining books. Will two books be enough to deal with everything? I’m not sure. But I’ll probably check book 2 to know anyway.
Thank you to the author and DelRey for the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
I read Silver Elite 2.5 months ago and I still don’t know what to think about it.
The story is very fast paced, and addictive. Pages turn “by themselves” and you quite can’t stop reading, twist after twist –no matter if they are (mostly) predictable.
The different types of “mind abilities” are interesting and keep fueling the constant paranoia you feel while reading, as you never know who can be trusted. But this book truly lacks some world building, in all aspects. I know it’s a trilogy, but we know almost nothing about the world, it only feels like a “surface set up”, and I wish it had more depth.
I (for most parts) liked Wren’s arc. She has an interesting evolution in this book, from the impulsive and self-centered “child” to a more nuanced character, even if she still has a long way to go. But I disliked her “h*rny teenager” side a lot. It felt like the other characters were described only regarding their “f*ckability degree” and it was uncomfortable, very “male gaze like” and –IMO– didn’t add anything to the character.
That sentiment increased with the pretty unaddressed s*xu*l h*rassement and ass*ults –as if it was just normal, not revolting. On the same line, the discourse around prisoners was blurry (as an example among many, the MMC is “good” because he sends people to work-camps –in which they’ll d!e– and doesn’t ex*cute them… really?), as much as the “Aberrants’” motivations (as if they had an “agenda”? Hum…). I think what was lacking to me was the critics about Society, which should be predominant in a dystopian book. It could be because it’s only book 1, but again it already lacks some WB so… I’m not sure. We’ll see (I hope so) in the future...
To summarize, as I said, I truly can’t say if I adored Silver Elite or the complete opposite. Maybe it’s the mark of something great? I have no idea. In the end, I would conclude that as an “isolated book”, I can’t say I loved it. BUT it’s a trilogy. And so much can be addressed in the remaining books. Will two books be enough to deal with everything? I’m not sure. But I’ll probably check book 2 to know anyway.
Thank you to the author and DelRey for the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.