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writervid's reviews
129 reviews
A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab
2.0
So. I read this.
A lot of my thoughts on the first book in the series still hold true. Lila is a brat, the world is incredible, Holland and Kell are complex characters. However, plot-wise, not a lot held up. There were no STAKES to this story. Nothing happened to further this world or the exciting events from the first book, outside of Holland's perspective, which was woefully limited. The tournament was a letdown, not just because it wasn't nearly as emphasized or well described, but because it was easy to tell that it was just a way for the characters to bide time until the third book. My negativity towards this could have been changed if there was more depth added to characters, but honestly, certain characters don't have much depth to them in the first place, and those that do weren't faced with circumstances that would allow them to grow to an extent that would have really allowed for such a heavy tome.
V.E. Schwab has style, an incredible world, and a few characters that really shine, which carried this book through. But those things don't make up for, say, 800 pages where nothing happens other than Lila and Kell pining after each other (for some reason? it seems wholly undeserved, at least on Kell's side of it; Lila was a complete burden in the first book). I don't feel like much was gained from this story, just as I don't feel that some of the character dynamics are wholly realistic.
Let's hope the next book is better.
A lot of my thoughts on the first book in the series still hold true. Lila is a brat, the world is incredible, Holland and Kell are complex characters. However, plot-wise, not a lot held up. There were no STAKES to this story. Nothing happened to further this world or the exciting events from the first book, outside of Holland's perspective, which was woefully limited. The tournament was a letdown, not just because it wasn't nearly as emphasized or well described, but because it was easy to tell that it was just a way for the characters to bide time until the third book. My negativity towards this could have been changed if there was more depth added to characters, but honestly, certain characters don't have much depth to them in the first place, and those that do weren't faced with circumstances that would allow them to grow to an extent that would have really allowed for such a heavy tome.
V.E. Schwab has style, an incredible world, and a few characters that really shine, which carried this book through. But those things don't make up for, say, 800 pages where nothing happens other than Lila and Kell pining after each other (for some reason? it seems wholly undeserved, at least on Kell's side of it; Lila was a complete burden in the first book). I don't feel like much was gained from this story, just as I don't feel that some of the character dynamics are wholly realistic.
Let's hope the next book is better.
The Dead Queens Club by Hannah Capin
3.0
I finished this book in a solid twenty-four hours, which is to say, I couldn't quite put it down. I found Cleves' voice addictive; it was solidly witty, with its own self-awareness. She felt like a real high schooler, which, coming from one, says something. Also, despite my bone to pick with the portrayal of high school cliques (no one views high school as a place to rule anymore, guys), I found the way Lancaster High School was portrayed to be honest and realistic. People from the same group do tend to group together. Friendships aren't just political alliances. And there are some people in school that everyone just knows, for one reason or another. I definitely enjoyed my time reading this book.
However, there are good things and there are bad. As much as I loved the narration and some of the *epic moments* (Imagine us in full armor had me living), and I found the series of events convoluted towards the end, and wanted more emotion and an arc from Cleves. She's intensely cerebral, and while I can relate, I know no one goes straight to acceptance after hearing their friend is dead and skips over grief, anger, bargaining, etc. Cleves felt motivation-less for much of the story. She didn't have an arc or a motivation, just humor and connections to the rest of the characters. That's not enough for a compelling story, especially within a retelling.
I enjoyed reading this. Future reread? Probably not.
However, there are good things and there are bad. As much as I loved the narration and some of the *epic moments* (Imagine us in full armor had me living), and I found the series of events convoluted towards the end, and wanted more emotion and an arc from Cleves. She's intensely cerebral, and while I can relate, I know no one goes straight to acceptance after hearing their friend is dead and skips over grief, anger, bargaining, etc. Cleves felt motivation-less for much of the story. She didn't have an arc or a motivation, just humor and connections to the rest of the characters. That's not enough for a compelling story, especially within a retelling.
I enjoyed reading this. Future reread? Probably not.
自由幻夢 by Suzanne Collins
5.0
Again, a reread. By far my favorite of THG trilogy. While the other two take the ideas of manipulation in society and consumerism and lay them bare, this one does that while also bringing to light the cost of war and highlighting the symbolism started in the rest of the trilogy. I'm so happy I reread it.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
5.0
Reread. So good. 4.5/5 because it is more of a transition than anything else.
There's Something about Sweetie by Sandhya Menon
4.0
4/5
I'm always charmed by Sandhya Menon's writing, and this was no different! Sweetie was adorable and kind, and Ashish charmed me the second he stepped on the page (although I already really liked him after When Dimple Met Rishi). I liked their character arcs and their interactions and I loved how the parents were woven into their lives. So often in YA there's not much about the parents, which, as a teenager, feels HIGHLY unrealistic, so I loved seeing familial relationships playing such a big role in the book. It was also so cool to see a fat Indian protagonist!
The negatives, which there are not a lot of, is that I wish there had been less info-dumping and telling. Sweetie and Ashish in their inner monologues kept checking themselves saying things like "I could tell I was falling for her," and they got to the love stage REALLY quickly. And I loved their romance! But all the same, it felt very quick, and the whole self-aware comments throughout felt very much like their romance was being overstated. Since I'm in the moment, I can see what's happening from how you act around each other; I don't need to be told again.
All in all, an enjoyable read, and a welcome break from exam season. I'm happy I read it!
I'm always charmed by Sandhya Menon's writing, and this was no different! Sweetie was adorable and kind, and Ashish charmed me the second he stepped on the page (although I already really liked him after When Dimple Met Rishi). I liked their character arcs and their interactions and I loved how the parents were woven into their lives. So often in YA there's not much about the parents, which, as a teenager, feels HIGHLY unrealistic, so I loved seeing familial relationships playing such a big role in the book. It was also so cool to see a fat Indian protagonist!
The negatives, which there are not a lot of, is that I wish there had been less info-dumping and telling. Sweetie and Ashish in their inner monologues kept checking themselves saying things like "I could tell I was falling for her," and they got to the love stage REALLY quickly. And I loved their romance! But all the same, it felt very quick, and the whole self-aware comments throughout felt very much like their romance was being overstated. Since I'm in the moment, I can see what's happening from how you act around each other; I don't need to be told again.
All in all, an enjoyable read, and a welcome break from exam season. I'm happy I read it!
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
5.0
5/5
I'm definitely not one for music history. I don't listen to Fleetwood Mac, and a lot of the rock I listen to is solely from my mother, who rocks out to Billy Joel whenever she can. So I was mildly surprised when this book took such a hold of me and didn't let go. I love The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo a lot, so less surprised, but even so.
I think what made this book for me was a) the character dynamics, and b) how we could see the band falling apart from the start. It would be impossible to go into a book like this without getting invested in the characters at all, and since we got to hear points of view from so many of them, it was easy to pick and choose who my favorites were, who I agreed with, who I disagreed with, etc. I find that so often with dynamic "chosen one" characters like Billy and Daisy, it's hard to have characters who seemingly bring them down to earth and don't view them as better than everyone else, but by giving us so many different POVs, I felt I was able to get a full view of each relationship and character, as well as every situation. It made the book so much more enticing and made me feel like an objective historian, as well as an observer. I know a few reviewers have complained about the format, but I loved it. The format works because you're in everyone's head at once, and if we had one character narrating this story of seven people the whole time, it wouldn't be a story of seven people, it would be a story about one. This was especially good because almost every narrator was unreliable at one point, so it allowed depth to the characters. It also made the feeling of fame early on in the story, which set the tone.
But because of those dynamics, we could see this band's problems from the start. The band breaking up didn't feel like an explosion, it felt like the breaking point to the tension in the novel, which helped Aurora stand out as a metaphor for the relationships in the band as well as between Billy and Daisy. There was tension present early on, and every decision felt character motivated, which created such a dynamic story. Did I particularly like any of the characters? One or two, but I was fascinated by the group of them. All their motivations intersected so well, but it was so clear that this couldn't continue for any of them, heightening the stakes all the time.
I loved this book. It was so hard to put down.
I'm definitely not one for music history. I don't listen to Fleetwood Mac, and a lot of the rock I listen to is solely from my mother, who rocks out to Billy Joel whenever she can. So I was mildly surprised when this book took such a hold of me and didn't let go. I love The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo a lot, so less surprised, but even so.
I think what made this book for me was a) the character dynamics, and b) how we could see the band falling apart from the start. It would be impossible to go into a book like this without getting invested in the characters at all, and since we got to hear points of view from so many of them, it was easy to pick and choose who my favorites were, who I agreed with, who I disagreed with, etc. I find that so often with dynamic "chosen one" characters like Billy and Daisy, it's hard to have characters who seemingly bring them down to earth and don't view them as better than everyone else, but by giving us so many different POVs, I felt I was able to get a full view of each relationship and character, as well as every situation. It made the book so much more enticing and made me feel like an objective historian, as well as an observer. I know a few reviewers have complained about the format, but I loved it. The format works because you're in everyone's head at once, and if we had one character narrating this story of seven people the whole time, it wouldn't be a story of seven people, it would be a story about one. This was especially good because almost every narrator was unreliable at one point, so it allowed depth to the characters. It also made the feeling of fame early on in the story, which set the tone.
But because of those dynamics, we could see this band's problems from the start. The band breaking up didn't feel like an explosion, it felt like the breaking point to the tension in the novel, which helped Aurora stand out as a metaphor for the relationships in the band as well as between Billy and Daisy. There was tension present early on, and every decision felt character motivated, which created such a dynamic story. Did I particularly like any of the characters? One or two, but I was fascinated by the group of them. All their motivations intersected so well, but it was so clear that this couldn't continue for any of them, heightening the stakes all the time.
I loved this book. It was so hard to put down.
Once and for All by Sarah Dessen
3.0
Alright, here we go! Short review in store.
This was definitely better than Last Summer. I enjoyed it that much more, and found the side characters to be more complicated and nuanced. Similarly, the messages were that much better executed (although not entirely--the ending didn't fully complete Louna's character arc, at least in my opinion). This was an adorable summer read that I'm thoroughly happy I read.
Was there a lot of structure or plot? No. I wasn't particularly bothered by it, though. I was mildly bothered by the seeming attempt at implementing that, though, which seemed last minute.
The negatives?
I've noticed that Dessen likes to start with a lot of exposition in her novels, which is fine, and she has a great voice, but it's not necessarily needed, and bothers me.
I didn't like Louna as a character. She seemed flat, and very reactionary to what was going on around her. I get that that was kind of the point--she was letting life happen to her to face grief--but it didn't make her very compelling, especially when she had a negative reaction to everyone around her. I was never totally drawn to her chemistry with Ambrose, either. I DID enjoy Ambrose, though, which I know is an unpopular opinion. He seemed very realistic to me in that I know and have known a lot of annoying people who have great hearts. So I was never "done" with him like so many other reviewers seem to be.
Overall, cute and fun. Not necessarily a romance I rooted for, but a love interest and side characters I did. Points were definitely awarded based on enjoyment and un-put-down-ability that comes with a well-developed voice and tension. I think I'm on a Dessen upwards streak!
This was definitely better than Last Summer. I enjoyed it that much more, and found the side characters to be more complicated and nuanced. Similarly, the messages were that much better executed (although not entirely--the ending didn't fully complete Louna's character arc, at least in my opinion). This was an adorable summer read that I'm thoroughly happy I read.
Was there a lot of structure or plot? No. I wasn't particularly bothered by it, though. I was mildly bothered by the seeming attempt at implementing that, though, which seemed last minute.
The negatives?
I've noticed that Dessen likes to start with a lot of exposition in her novels, which is fine, and she has a great voice, but it's not necessarily needed, and bothers me.
I didn't like Louna as a character. She seemed flat, and very reactionary to what was going on around her. I get that that was kind of the point--she was letting life happen to her to face grief--but it didn't make her very compelling, especially when she had a negative reaction to everyone around her. I was never totally drawn to her chemistry with Ambrose, either. I DID enjoy Ambrose, though, which I know is an unpopular opinion. He seemed very realistic to me in that I know and have known a lot of annoying people who have great hearts. So I was never "done" with him like so many other reviewers seem to be.
Overall, cute and fun. Not necessarily a romance I rooted for, but a love interest and side characters I did. Points were definitely awarded based on enjoyment and un-put-down-ability that comes with a well-developed voice and tension. I think I'm on a Dessen upwards streak!
Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
5.0
4.25-4.5/5 (I'm unsure, bear with me.)
Whoa. I'm still reeling from the climax of the book, which put tears in my eyes and made me feel super breathless (and also raised the rating of this book. The fear I felt was palpable). But I'll try to recover and get this review on the road.
Sarah Dessen is an expert in Chekhov's Gun. Everything that was set up earlier in this story arced perfectly to a conclusion and was promptly set off. The buildup to certain events--the use of the recording studio, Ames, delivering pizzas, the hospital visits--was all incredibly well done, and done in a much more dramatic way than I'd previously seen in a contemporary, while simultaneously being 100% realistic. EXTREMELY down with well built conflict and well written Easter eggs. Your reaction might be: well, isn't that just good writing? Answer: yes, but not many authors a) pull it off and b) are able to so effectively weave those elements together so different elements trigger different points of growth for characters.
I loved the question this posed about families of those who commit crimes. How do they react? Do they condemn, or do they smother? I've seen pieces that have relatives excuse crimes, so it was refreshing to see a book where the crime wasn't viewed as okay by the main character, or by the character who committed the crime. This set up a clear character arc for almost all of the characters in the story, which were well done. There was also so much depth applied to so many of the side characters, although there were a few that were criminally lacking it.
Points off for a rather abrupt beginning and friend group assimilation, as well as for not developing some side characters beyond basic characteristics (I'm looking at you, Irv). I know some people weren't the biggest fans of the romance, but I liked that this was easier and calmer (although I think the Kimmie Crandall thing was a weird way to add conflict, because I just wanted Layla and Sydney to! communicate!). I think Sarah Dessen hits on the importance of feeling at home and completely comfortable with a person here. Ultimately, Sydney didn't need sparks to fly, she needed to have people she was comfortable to break down around, who felt safe and who saw her after she felt so invisible. And that was what was important.
This was absolutely great. I'm not sure if anything could top this, but I know Just Listen and The Truth About Forever are supposed to be the true Dessen standouts. Maybe if I'm lucky the library will have them available.
Whoa. I'm still reeling from the climax of the book, which put tears in my eyes and made me feel super breathless (and also raised the rating of this book. The fear I felt was palpable). But I'll try to recover and get this review on the road.
Sarah Dessen is an expert in Chekhov's Gun. Everything that was set up earlier in this story arced perfectly to a conclusion and was promptly set off. The buildup to certain events--the use of the recording studio, Ames, delivering pizzas, the hospital visits--was all incredibly well done, and done in a much more dramatic way than I'd previously seen in a contemporary, while simultaneously being 100% realistic. EXTREMELY down with well built conflict and well written Easter eggs. Your reaction might be: well, isn't that just good writing? Answer: yes, but not many authors a) pull it off and b) are able to so effectively weave those elements together so different elements trigger different points of growth for characters.
I loved the question this posed about families of those who commit crimes. How do they react? Do they condemn, or do they smother? I've seen pieces that have relatives excuse crimes, so it was refreshing to see a book where the crime wasn't viewed as okay by the main character, or by the character who committed the crime. This set up a clear character arc for almost all of the characters in the story, which were well done. There was also so much depth applied to so many of the side characters, although there were a few that were criminally lacking it.
Points off for a rather abrupt beginning and friend group assimilation, as well as for not developing some side characters beyond basic characteristics (I'm looking at you, Irv). I know some people weren't the biggest fans of the romance, but I liked that this was easier and calmer (although I think the Kimmie Crandall thing was a weird way to add conflict, because I just wanted Layla and Sydney to! communicate!). I think Sarah Dessen hits on the importance of feeling at home and completely comfortable with a person here. Ultimately, Sydney didn't need sparks to fly, she needed to have people she was comfortable to break down around, who felt safe and who saw her after she felt so invisible. And that was what was important.
This was absolutely great. I'm not sure if anything could top this, but I know Just Listen and The Truth About Forever are supposed to be the true Dessen standouts. Maybe if I'm lucky the library will have them available.
Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata
Not really sure what to rate this. From a stylistic perspective, this is a masterpiece. I loved the use of haiku as a part of the text and the stunning imagery that comes with this. I also felt that the characters and setting were well developed. However, I felt that the ending was badly paced, not foreshadowed, and perhaps only served to have a meaning through symbolism. I can see why Kawabata won the Nobel. The writing is beautiful and I'm definitely happy I read it. Am I looking forward to reading it again for English class? Not really.
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
5.0
This was the Dessen book everyone said I should read. I read it in a sitting, so I'll also go off, I guess.
Dessen executed all of the writing techniques flawlessly. The foreshadowing of the reveal at the end was well done; it wasn't so obvious that I was thinking it right off the bat, but I had come to the conclusion .
There wasn't a lot of focus on the setting, but there didn't really need to be. This story is about the characters, and boy does it do that justice. I think this book is a great example of "your character's greatest strength is the greatest flaw." Annabel is sweet and a good listener, but she's complacent in the writing of her own story by the world, and keeps in all of her emotions in a quest to be "nice" and not hurt anyone. Owen is honest and doesn't want to be controlled, but that leads to issues with anger because he always wants to express his emotions.
The relationship between Owen and Annabel felt real and intimate, which, honestly, I prefer to a lot of flirting. My favorite thing about it as that they both had clear cut development from their interactions. And I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I wouldn't have minded them staying friends, even, because that's what they were. In order to have a good love story (at least for me), there needs to be a good friendship story first. That's what made this so perfect.
The other thing I liked about this was that it felt like a split from the same structure and tropes Sarah Dessen uses. This isn't about witty banter, or wedding planning, or the beach, it's about the complacency of women in a desperation to be perceived a certain way. At least, that's how I perceived it. I can't say that I got such a message from other books of hers.
I now get why people were more disappointed after certain other Dessen reads--which may cause me to rethink my ratings of previous her previous novels. Either way, my conclusion has to be:
So. Damn. Good.
Dessen executed all of the writing techniques flawlessly. The foreshadowing of the reveal at the end was well done; it wasn't so obvious that I was thinking it right off the bat, but I had come to the conclusion .
There wasn't a lot of focus on the setting, but there didn't really need to be. This story is about the characters, and boy does it do that justice. I think this book is a great example of "your character's greatest strength is the greatest flaw." Annabel is sweet and a good listener, but she's complacent in the writing of her own story by the world, and keeps in all of her emotions in a quest to be "nice" and not hurt anyone. Owen is honest and doesn't want to be controlled, but that leads to issues with anger because he always wants to express his emotions.
The relationship between Owen and Annabel felt real and intimate, which, honestly, I prefer to a lot of flirting. My favorite thing about it as that they both had clear cut development from their interactions. And I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I wouldn't have minded them staying friends, even, because that's what they were. In order to have a good love story (at least for me), there needs to be a good friendship story first. That's what made this so perfect.
The other thing I liked about this was that it felt like a split from the same structure and tropes Sarah Dessen uses. This isn't about witty banter, or wedding planning, or the beach, it's about the complacency of women in a desperation to be perceived a certain way. At least, that's how I perceived it. I can't say that I got such a message from other books of hers.
I now get why people were more disappointed after certain other Dessen reads--which may cause me to rethink my ratings of previous her previous novels. Either way, my conclusion has to be:
So. Damn. Good.