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tinycelery's Reviews (455)
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you love to hate your main character, then Becky's definitely your girl. But hear me out!
Who among us isn't a whack-job at 29? Trying to make our ways through life, working towards things we think we should want, and ignoring the pain of stasis all to avoid the discomfort of change.
Wayward 29-year-old, Becky, is barely scraping by in life. She's at a job she hates, friend-zoned by an ex she's still in love with, and feeling out-paced by her dearest friends. But after a tarot reader pulls the Death card, she hastily decides to scrap her old life and start anew, writing scathing letters to her friends and family and booking a one-way ticket to Bali.
Most of my time with this book was spent with my head in my hands as Becky made mistakes, doubled down with a stubbornness that'd rival the toughest mule, and then went on to make them again. Half the time I was only rooting for her for the selfish hopes at payout for myself (as in, "Am I really going to read >300 pages of some screw-up who refuses to do any work on herself?"), but let me just say the angst is worth it to finally watch Becky screw her head on right.
All in all, I don't know that Becky and I could ever be friends, but I finished this book feeling a sense of pride in this girl (and maybe the pricking of a few tears in my eyes). Worth the read for a lighthearted, albeit frustrating, bildungsroman.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for my honest review.
Who among us isn't a whack-job at 29? Trying to make our ways through life, working towards things we think we should want, and ignoring the pain of stasis all to avoid the discomfort of change.
Wayward 29-year-old, Becky, is barely scraping by in life. She's at a job she hates, friend-zoned by an ex she's still in love with, and feeling out-paced by her dearest friends. But after a tarot reader pulls the Death card, she hastily decides to scrap her old life and start anew, writing scathing letters to her friends and family and booking a one-way ticket to Bali.
Most of my time with this book was spent with my head in my hands as Becky made mistakes, doubled down with a stubbornness that'd rival the toughest mule, and then went on to make them again. Half the time I was only rooting for her for the selfish hopes at payout for myself (as in, "Am I really going to read >300 pages of some screw-up who refuses to do any work on herself?"), but let me just say the angst is worth it to finally watch Becky screw her head on right.
All in all, I don't know that Becky and I could ever be friends, but I finished this book feeling a sense of pride in this girl (and maybe the pricking of a few tears in my eyes). Worth the read for a lighthearted, albeit frustrating, bildungsroman.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for my honest review.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
What an exciting preamble to all that's to come in The Priory of the Orange Tree!
Shannon expands on her well-developed plot, setting the stage with all the familiar poetry of her prose. Readers will uncover the compelling modi operandi of some of their favorite Priory characters, each new revelation and twist like a fun Easter egg for fans of her first two novels. But first time readers, worry not, this book still works as a precursor the Priory (though I don't think I would recommend reading it with no context; as in, at the very least, it should be read after A Day of Fallen Night).
Much of the plot focuses on Marosa Vetalda, Donmata of the Kingdom of Yscalin, portrayed in Priory as a hopeless wasteland of political and spiritual turncoats. But Among the Burning Flowers provides a peek behind the curtain as the young Donmata scurries under the dangerously watchful eyes of her greatest enemy, doing what she can to contact her betrothed and save her people from their fiery fate.
Readers will see the backstory of the love affair between the Donmata and the Red Prince of Mentendon as well as follow the path of wyrm culler, Estina Melaugo, as she seeks refuge in Lasia. It's far from a standalone piece in The Roots of Chaos, but rather an exciting appetizer for the full meal readers enjoy in both Priory and Fallen Night.
Thank you to NetGalley and BloomsburyUSA for providing me with an eARC, so I could delve back into the Roots of Chaos as soon as possible.
Shannon expands on her well-developed plot, setting the stage with all the familiar poetry of her prose. Readers will uncover the compelling modi operandi of some of their favorite Priory characters, each new revelation and twist like a fun Easter egg for fans of her first two novels. But first time readers, worry not, this book still works as a precursor the Priory (though I don't think I would recommend reading it with no context; as in, at the very least, it should be read after A Day of Fallen Night).
Much of the plot focuses on Marosa Vetalda, Donmata of the Kingdom of Yscalin, portrayed in Priory as a hopeless wasteland of political and spiritual turncoats. But Among the Burning Flowers provides a peek behind the curtain as the young Donmata scurries under the dangerously watchful eyes of her greatest enemy, doing what she can to contact her betrothed and save her people from their fiery fate.
Readers will see the backstory of the love affair between the Donmata and the Red Prince of Mentendon as well as follow the path of wyrm culler, Estina Melaugo, as she seeks refuge in Lasia. It's far from a standalone piece in The Roots of Chaos, but rather an exciting appetizer for the full meal readers enjoy in both Priory and Fallen Night.
Thank you to NetGalley and BloomsburyUSA for providing me with an eARC, so I could delve back into the Roots of Chaos as soon as possible.