3.5 rounded up to 4. While not having quite the same bite as its predecessor, Court of Wanderers was a decent close to this Castlevania-inspired duolo3.5 rounded up to 4. While not having quite the same bite as its predecessor, Court of Wanderers was a decent close to this Castlevania-inspired duology. ...more
4 stars. Riveting and wholly magical, Her Majesty's Royal Coven was an unexpectedly brilliant gem of a read with a cliffhanger of an ending that left 4 stars. Riveting and wholly magical, Her Majesty's Royal Coven was an unexpectedly brilliant gem of a read with a cliffhanger of an ending that left me reeling and super excited to read the next book....more
3.5 stars. Atmospheric and chilling, The Red Palace reminds me of how much I enjoy non-Western historical fiction and piqued my interest in the real l3.5 stars. Atmospheric and chilling, The Red Palace reminds me of how much I enjoy non-Western historical fiction and piqued my interest in the real life history it is based in....more
Reread (6/22/24-7/2/24): Definitely appreciated this more the second time around. I just love Leigh Bardugo's prose and love anything fairy-tale-esqueReread (6/22/24-7/2/24): Definitely appreciated this more the second time around. I just love Leigh Bardugo's prose and love anything fairy-tale-esque.
4 stars. With prose akin to a dark enchantment whispered in the night and a story that is her most sensual and romantic yet, The Familiar sees Leigh Bardugo tread familiar but compelling ground in an utterly enjoyable way....more
4 stars. With the same anxiety-inducing intensity that was present at this series start, Jade War expands the story of the Kaul family beyond the shor4 stars. With the same anxiety-inducing intensity that was present at this series start, Jade War expands the story of the Kaul family beyond the shores of Kekkon and weaves together heart-stopping action and fictional global intrigue to make an impossibly well-fleshed, one-of-a-kind fantasy war narrative. ...more
4.5 stars. Bloody, brilliant, and utterly readable in the vein of the Castlevania animated series but with an actual poly throuple, Silver Under Night4.5 stars. Bloody, brilliant, and utterly readable in the vein of the Castlevania animated series but with an actual poly throuple, Silver Under Nightfall is an excellent first entry into an adult dark fantasy duology that I really enjoyed sinking my teeth into. ...more
4 stars. Despite not being as in love with YA fantasy as I once was, A Magic Steeped in Poison reminded me why I was (and still am) so attached to the4 stars. Despite not being as in love with YA fantasy as I once was, A Magic Steeped in Poison reminded me why I was (and still am) so attached to the genre in the first place. ...more
4 stars. Featuring a well-written, slow burn romance set in a fantastical setting based on the Ottoman Empire, my experience reading A Taste of Gold a4 stars. Featuring a well-written, slow burn romance set in a fantastical setting based on the Ottoman Empire, my experience reading A Taste of Gold and Iron reminded me of reading fanfiction in the best way possible....more
5 resounding stars. Masterfully crafted, a multifaceted study in multiple contrasts, and a scathing critique of colonialism, Babel, or the Necessity o5 resounding stars. Masterfully crafted, a multifaceted study in multiple contrasts, and a scathing critique of colonialism, Babel, or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution is, by all rights, the perfect novel about academia. Bravo, R.F. Kuang....more
The Paladin were the servants of the Prophets, and they had left to protect their last secret. But what if, in leaving, they had abandoned the PropThe Paladin were the servants of the Prophets, and they had left to protect their last secret. But what if, in leaving, they had abandoned the Prophets' subjects at the moment they'd been most needed? Were they then to blame for how hollow the City of Faith had become?
3.5 stars. There Will Come a Darkness was a book I bought and then read on a whim. I was not disappointed by my choice. Going in to this book, I was afraid this was going to be a generic YA fantasy and thus I went in with low expectations. Turns out that this book was pretty good, if not great. I believe the only expectation I had of this book was that a found family between the characters would form by the end or at least start to form. However, I found that this book didn't quite meet that expectation: rather than follow a group of characters banded together, Pool created plot threads for each individual character and weaved them together in a way where they intersect at some points and depart from one another at others.
Let's start with characters. Not going to lie, while I can say that objectively the characters are well-written, I can't say that they're very memorable. There are a total of five points-of-view in this book, and I definitely had some preferences. In particular, I really liked Anton's and Jude's POVs and being neutral on Beru's, Hassan's, and Ephyra's. Maybe it's just because (view spoiler)[Anton and Jude.... the gay agenda really at work. I love that for them. The fact that they're being set up to be a couple makes me SQUEAL. (hide spoiler)] As for the others... they're okay, I guess. Beru was mildly interesting (with lots of potential for the next book), Hassan's was compelling because it's the driving force behind the plot, and Ephyra's POV was okay because while her character is one that I've seen a thousand times in YA, she's actually.... morally-gray, at least more than your average "morally-gray" female protagonist assassin in YA. Overall, kudos to having a cast that has their own motivations and acts on them to naturally drive the story.
As for plot: there is both good and bad. Let's start with the good. I can without a doubt say this and the world-building are the best parts of this book. While it isn't done perfectly Pool manages to create multiple plot threads and weave them together cohesively in a way that is both natural and befits the progression of the plot. At certain points Pool nails this, some examples being (view spoiler)[the way Jude and Anton meet up, the way Ephyra and Anton intersect, etc. (hide spoiler)]However, sometimes.... the plot threads end up being unwieldy. The best example of this is Ephyra and Beru's plotline. While it does intersect at some points, ultimately I think that (view spoiler)[it is too divorced from the main plot of this book to warrant inclusion. (hide spoiler)] I understand that it probably is setup for a broader overall plot, but due to the nature of the plotline, I didn't care for it. I also really liked the plot twists in this book.
As for world-building, nothing super original. The city in which most of this book takes place is clearly Greek-inspired, and the idea of Graces is interesting but not original (which honestly doesn't matter). I think liked the world-building so much because while this is a semi-medieval world, due to the presence of the Graces there are things like a train system and electricity (or some form of it) which I found genuinely interesting.
Overall, would I recommend this book? Yes. I don't know quite yet if I want to pick up the sequel but I wouldn't be opposed to it....more
3.5 stars rounded up. Narrow in scope but compelling in its court politics, Sword Catcher was the first installment in a series that mostly sets the s3.5 stars rounded up. Narrow in scope but compelling in its court politics, Sword Catcher was the first installment in a series that mostly sets the stage for what is sure to be a compelling series....more
Reread from (6/14/23-7/14/23): bumped my rating up half a star. Took me a whole month to finish this not because I wasn't enjoying it, but because of Reread from (6/14/23-7/14/23): bumped my rating up half a star. Took me a whole month to finish this not because I wasn't enjoying it, but because of extenuating circumstances. Rereading it proves my hypothesis that I think these books are best enjoyed upon reread.
4.5 stars. Gideon the Ninth was an absolute mind-screw of a book and I can't say that I 100% comprehended what I read, but it made for one hell of a ride....more
"Her, against a seasoned court. Her, against the tides of war. Her, against the king's assassin. Akira had been right to call it a story worth spect "Her, against a seasoned court. Her, against the tides of war. Her, against the king's assassin. Akira had been right to call it a story worth spectating.”
"What is truth? Scholars seek it. Poets write it. Good Kings pay gold to hear it. But in trying times, truth is the first thing we betray.”
Read for Challenge #1 of the Asian Readathon (Read a book by an Asian Author)
4 stars. Descendant of the Crane is chock full of political intrigue, beautiful prose, and a plot so cleverly woven that by the last page, you'll be left hungry for more. I'll be honest: for a majority of my reading experience this felt like a three-star book. This in part due to this book's primary weakness: characterization and lack of character exploration. However, this book is more good than bad, and it is a testament to Joan He's proficiency as a storyteller that by the end, I wanted more from this world and from these characters.
Let's start with this book's biggest strength: prose. Joan He's debut is a master class in writing that toes the line between visceral and gorgeous. The best comparison I can think of is the writing reads like flowing water. He's prose is the type that is impossible to look away from. This is one of those rare books where I was glued to every single word on the page. I'd compare this writing to Rin Chupeco's in The Bone Witch. It is dazzling, perfectly describing rooms and places without bogging down the book with overly-large descriptions. As evident by the quotes above, this book contains some incredible writing and has some gems of quotes. I also will say that the prose just fits with the world and story, which is something that I greatly appreciate.
World-building. Exciting and compelling. One of the best parts of this books was learning about the Sooths and their Sight, as well as how the country of Yan operated. The former of the two was just so interesting as (view spoiler)[the way Joan He cleverly explained how some Sooths are capable of manipulating "magic" by using the "future" state of something, I.E using future rot to vanish villages. (hide spoiler)] As for the former, it was great. In my mind, good world-building is necessary if you want a reader to find political intrigue compelling. Since this book is heavily reliant on political intrigue, without good development of the world, it wouldn't be compelling; He makes sure to build up the political institutions, explain how they work, and use them as a springboard in order to create compelling political intrigue.
Now for the plot.Expertly done and quite possibly the best part of the book. As a reader who wholeheartedly prefers character exploration over plot development, this is a surprise for me. All of this book's plot is contingent on political intrigue. As Hesina and Akira navigate the treacherous waters of Yan's court, revelation upon revelation is delivered while more and more moves on the political chessboards are made. This is all incredibly well-paced, with the scheming and enacting of said scheming that kept me flipping the pages. Clearly, Joan He's plotting is one of her biggest strengths.
Sadly, not all is good: this book's characterization was just a bit..... off? Maybe because of the fact that this book is plot-driven as opposed to character-driven, but I just felt that as a reader,the characters were kind of held at an arms-length? I don't know if it's just me, but there was something very distant and impersonal about most of the characters throughout this novel. I do like Hesina and Akira, but I don't love them even though their moments are all my favorites throughout this book. But as for the supporting cast? They were all relatively flat, with one primary exception. This character, (view spoiler)[Yan Caiyan, who only revealed the depth of his character towards the epilogue. Don't get me wrong, because wow is he interesting (and wow do I need a sequel), but I would have liked some of his layers to appear earlier. (hide spoiler)] I will say that I appreciated how Joan He created characters that all were morally dubious, and not quite good or bad. The best part of the characterization was He's exploration of the gray space between good and evil.
Conclusively, this book was really, really good. Despite weak characterization, I would say that if you're looking for a court-intrigue oriented high fantasy, this one is a solid pick. I also would really like a sequel or spinoff set in this world, so @Joan He please? ...more
“Everyone has a nightmare.” He pressed his forehead against hers. “Maybe I want you to be mine.”
“Some people were always meant to be heroes. Just l“Everyone has a nightmare.” He pressed his forehead against hers. “Maybe I want you to be mine.”
“Some people were always meant to be heroes. Just like some people were always meant to be villains.”
4 stars. Supernova was everything I’ve come to expect from Marissa Meyer and a bit more: thrilling, swoon-worthy, and most of all, compulsively readable. This book, and series in general, hasn't been my absolute favorite. But every time I pick one of them up, I'm brought right back to caring about all of these characters that I didn't think I was so passionate about; Marissa Meyer has this magic that makes me love her characters and stories and worlds almost upon reading the first page of every single one of her books. I picked this up in the midst of a reading slump, and read right through all 500 pages of it within two days. Just like most Marissa Meyer books, this excelled in terms of characters, romance, and writing. However, I will also say that the plot in this one? So iconic and well-constructed.
When it comes to a Marissa Meyer book, characters are the heart and soul of every one of her narratives. As Supernova is the finale to a trilogy, the characters have developed and continue to develop to the very last second of this whirlwind of excitement. Nova, Adrian, and the rest of the Renegades and the Anarchists and everyone in between are all so well-fleshed out. In particular, Nova and Adrian's developments shine so brightly. Both of them start off very sure in their thinking and moral ideology, but by this point in the series they are both starting to question and think critically about the dogma they've been taught to follow their entire lives. They start to inhabit those gray areas between the two extremes and it was so fucking awesome!
The romance. Adrian and Nova, while not my favorite couple, I fucking love them together. This is one of those heterosexual couples that make me think... maybe heteros deserve rights? The way the two of them have developed and progressed and the angst. God, the fucking angst. It killed me in this book. When certain revelations and lies are revealed, my poor heart. The two of them are compelling characters on their own, but together? Amazing. They challenge each other, have each other's back, and are willing to do so much for each other. What I find most important about them is I understand why they're together and their chemistry is palpable.
Also I don't know why I am so shook over the plot being so good? If you've read Winter, the finale to the Lunar Chronicles, by Meyer, I'd say you can expect the same wild plot that rushes along at a breakneck pace with plot twist upon plot twist and revelation upon revelation. Meyer also isn't afraid to get dark, which I should've expected after reading Winter. Some of the plot twists and points had me screaming. I can't really talk about the plot without spoiling, but here are few of my favorite moments in the entire book: (view spoiler)[That whole LIKE HALF OF THE RENEGADES GETTING THEIR POWERS TAKEN AWAY VIA BEE STING. Bitch, I PREDICTED THE PHOBIA KILLING LADY INDOMITABLE PLOT LINE, BUT I DECIDEDLY DID NOT EXPECT MEYER TO GO THERE AND HAVE ADRIAN BE PHOBIA'S CREATOR. WTF? Also, the whole sequence where Honey literally uses a knife to flay the tattooed skin off of Adrian. Fuck, I was scared and on the edge of my seat. ALSO THE EPILOGUE, I SHOULD'VE SEEN THE WHOLE MAGPIE BEING NOVA'S YOUNGER THOUGHT-DEAD SISTER. (hide spoiler)]
So why 4 stars? Honestly, you tell me. There's just something that prevents this from being a favorite for me? I think maybe it's the lack of dimension in the supporting characters or maybe there's a lack of attachment to most of the characters besides Adrian and Nova. I think it also has to do with the ending: (view spoiler)[while I did enjoy the ending with the whole titular "Supernova" that comes full circle at the end, I did find it a bit convenient in the end? Yes. Though I'm glad there was no "bury your gays," thank god. (hide spoiler)] Although, in spite of this, I will continuously recommend Marissa Meyer's books....more
Reread(8/9/2023): Reread in time for the movie which comes out on Friday (?). It's really odd to me that I'm Alex's age now, but tell me why I was likReread(8/9/2023): Reread in time for the movie which comes out on Friday (?). It's really odd to me that I'm Alex's age now, but tell me why I was like doubly screaming, crying, throwing up while reading this? Even more so than the first two times? This is just one of those books that to me, when I reread, feels like coming home.
Reread (11/8/20): Nothing's changed, still the same book that made me believe in the power of love. McQuiston's characterization is god-tier. And there was no better time to reread this then in the wake of Joe Biden being declared President-Elect in the 2020 election.
“Thinking about history makes me wonder how I’ll fit into it one day, I guess. And you too. I kinda wish people still wrote like that. History, huh? Bet we could make some.”
“But the truth is, also, simply this: love is indomitable.”
5 Stars. Unhinged screaming. Not gonna lie, going into Red, White, & Royal Blue I forced myself to lower my expectations because of all my most anticipated releases this year, I absolutely did not want for this to be the one to disappoint me. Turns out, I didn't need to worry at all: this book not only blew my expectations out of the water, but it also restored my faith in humanity, made me laugh, made me cry, and reminded me of the power and importance of love (as cheesy as that sounds). Honestly, if you ask me, I cannot find a single flaw within this book. As I read from cover-to-cover, a dopey smile was on my face. Everything in this book was absolutely amazing: from prose, to characters, to the actual romance, to thematic work, to pacing. Perfect. Just perfect.
Okay let's start with prose. Honestly the fact that this was Casey McQuiston's debut novel astounds me. The writing here is sharp and witty, never too much or too little. Its peppered with poetic musings on love and life and family and history, and honestly I think it's one of the most underappreciated parts of this book. The writing is also just... fucking hilarious? There's only one three other books where narration has actively given me giggle fits (The Montague Siblings' Duology and Simon Vs.): for me, its rare for me to find a book so funny to the point where I actually laugh. Maybe it's because the humor is very Gen Z/Millennial, but not ten pages in I was dying of laughter. Conclusively: Crops? Watered. Skin? Clear. Prose? On Point. Hotel? Trivago.
Now characters. I'd give this five stars for the characters alone. Let's start with supporting characters first, because I'm absolutely sure I could already write an overly long paragraph on my our two main characters. June Claremont-Diaz is my journalist queen and Nora is the only statistician I will ever stan in my life. The fact that they are supporting characters and they have so much depth to them speak to McQuiston's already amazing ability to breathe life and depth into even the most minor characters. On a personal note, the "White House Trio" as they are called in this book, also greatly mirror a trio I am a part of in real life, so it was incredibly... amazing? To see an amazing friendship group like that in this book when I was just expecting a great romance. In addition characters like Pez and Bea and Zahra and Cash and Amy and President Claremont were also unexpected faves? McQuiston made every single character a standout in their own right and that... that is absolutely amazing and I am so thankful for that. The cast of this book is absolutely unforgettable.
While many of Alex's experiences are foreign to me, there's just something so immensely relatable about him? There was this passage about his thoughts on expectations and how he thought no one else lived with that fear of disappointing the world and I felt that. Beyond that, he was just a joy of a protagonist to follow? Alex-Claremont Diaz is witty, sarcastic, passionate, a workaholic, and never shuts up: the moment he spoke in this book for the first time was the moment he won me over. As for Henry. God, he's so precious. He appears aloof and disinterested on the outside, but on the inside, Henry is just a prince wrestling with the pressures of his lineage and trying to figure out how to carve a place for who he truly is within it. The fact that he loves writing is just the cherry on the cake. The moment he dramatically strode in on that fucking white horse, I was sold. Apart, they are brilliant and amazing and perfect. Together, they are all those things magnified.
The romance? Let it be known that although I still wholeheartedly prefer friends-to-lovers, this enemies-to friends?-to friends with benefits-to lovers story completely won me over. One of my favorite things about this couple is that they feel.... natural. Their love story doesn't feel forced or devoid of chemistry. They start off naturally, and progress towards their HEA realistically (as ridiculous as that sounds in a book with this premise). They also just complement each other really well? Alex is daring, brash and brings out Henry's confidence while Henry helps Alex work through his own emotions, see the broader picture when Alex is tunnel-visioned. Their romance just makes sense. I also appreciate the lack of miscommunication between them? There was so much opportunity for that, but it was averted because... they're Henry and Alex. I also am very thankful that (view spoiler)[their romance did not follow the typical rom-com formula. There was no big, driving miscommunication that came out of nowhere in the last third to split them apart. Their arguments were done realistically instead, and I appreciate that. (hide spoiler)]Excellent romance for a couple who are now among my favorites of all time.
Mini-section on tropes: Some of my favorites are here. I, for one, am a sucker for communication between love interests that doesn't involve face to face communication. Maybe it's just the introverted side of me, but finding out that there was... email exchanges? Romantic email exchanges? In this book. A gift from the icon, Casey McQuiston themselves. Also, historical gay figures? Discussion of imperialism? Letters? I was doomed to fall irrevocably in love with this book from the start.
Now lastly, the thematic work. Oh boy there's a lot to cover. One of my favorite things about this book is that it reminded me of the importance of love stories. As someone in the book community, romance within books is sometimes a.... topic of contention. In many books, the primary romance comes across as unnecessary and thrown in for the sake of having a romance. After having read countless books where that is the case, it's understandable that readers can be disillusioned by love stories. This book singlehandedly reminded me that love is powerful. The power of love to overcome bigotry, fear, and so much more is the central theme of this book. Ultimately, this book reminded me that love stories can be "light" and "fluffy" and thoughtless, but more often that not, they can be beacons of light, powerful and profound in the hope they provide to their readers.
Conclusively, this is probably going to my favorite book of the year. I'm declaring it now, although I have several exciting releases to read still. If you read through this entire review and still have not bought it or requested it from your library, do so immediately. This book is absolutely worth your time and money. If Simon Vs. was my teen years, this book may be the defining book for me going into adulthood as I turn 18 this year. And for that I am so grateful. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Casey McQuiston. The world is better off with this book in it....more
“Mock me all you like. Whatever I imagined then, now it is I who would beg and grovel for a kind word from your lips." His eyes are black with desi“Mock me all you like. Whatever I imagined then, now it is I who would beg and grovel for a kind word from your lips." His eyes are black with desire. "By you, I am forever undone.”
“Tell me what I must slay, what I must steal, tell me the riddle I must solve or the hag I must trick. Only tell me the way, and I will do it, no matter the danger, no matter the hardship, no matter the cost.”
“It’s magic I long for, magic I miss. Maybe I even miss being afraid. I feel as though I am dreaming away my days, restless, never fully awake.”
3.5 stars rounded up. The Queen of Nothing, while disappointing in a few ways, still was a finale to a trilogy that emotionally resonated with me in a way I didn’t expect from it. While I still remain of the opinion that this trilogy as a whole is over hyped, I would be lying if I didn't say that I didn't enjoy every single point of this intoxicating ride through Faerie. Every bit of court-intrigue, every single political machination, every single bite of Faerie fruit and twist and turn: this is a series I surely won't forget and will probably reread. As usual, the best parts of this book (just like its predecessors) include the the writing, the plot, the complexity of the characters and character relationships; however, I will say that I for the first time was absolutely rooting for Jude and Cardan as a romantic relationship? Like what the fuck?
Let's start with the best part of any Holly Black's books: the prose. Just like each of the books I've read by Black, her prose retains its signature qualities: its the type of writing that just makes you think of bargains with inhumanely beautiful creatures, ornate swords that are legends come to life, and forests hiding secrets in each leaf and branch and hidden alcove. It's as intoxicating as Faerie wine, as sharp as Jude's blade and wit. I talked about this in my review for The Wicked King, but I'm just in absolute love with the way Holly Black writes about Faerie. Her writing has this perfect way of writing about a world that exists outside but also in parallel with the real world. Bravo, Queen of the Faeries Holly Black.
Plot. As far as this book goes, I have to say while it contained a lot of what I love, it also was lacking compared to the previous one. While there were some delicious, excellent political chessboard movements made by the various characters, I find it was lacking at least in compared to its predecessors, especially TWK. I did like the whole reason Jude came back to Faerie and how she took it upon herself to take advantage of her position to play a role and find her way back as the rightful Queen of Faerie. I particularly like the whole (view spoiler)[ The Ghost (I think) being "sent" to assassinate Cardan, but then being used as a fake out for Jude to almost end up dead while simultaneously taking the Undersea off the power chess board. (hide spoiler)] I also did enjoy the whole (view spoiler)[Cardan turning into a worm. (hide spoiler)]
Characters. If there's anything Black excels at, it's complex layered characters who have complicated relationships with one another. I particularly enjoyed the whole deconstruction of the family while at the same time, reaffirming the power of family. Taryn and Jude, as well as Jude and Madoc in particular are among my faves of the various complex dynamics between characters. I love the exploration of betrayal and all the gray areas that these characters have to navigate around. Jude Duarte, as usual, remains one of my favorite characters right along with Cardan Greenbriar as a character. She's powerful yet sometimes helpless, a character who always needs to take extra steps in order to not only survive, but thrive. She's so painfully human but is so fucking smart, and will do anything to get what she wants, whether by blade or scheme or backstabbing. Cardan, also, is among my favorites in this cast. He's developed so much and seeing him, finally feeling like he's accepted as something.
Now speaking of them two, the romance. God, the romance. I don't know what it is, but I find myself so in love with the two of them in a relationship. While prior, I can easily say that I liked them as a couple but understood how toxic they are together. But now? God, I actually fucking ship them. Perhaps they aren't my favorite couple, but I do love them as together. There's something about how weirdly wholesome they are as a couple in this book, yet how angsty they remain. Also, god I need the letters Cardan wrote her even if I think the B&N edition of this book in particular is kind of ugly.
Now why with all of that, did I give it a 3.5 stars? Honestly, you tell me. Immediately when I got this, I opened it and read it in a day in a fever. It's like book crack. However, I did have several issues, especially with the ending. To put it bluntly, the ending was far too convenient and clean for a series that had such a nasty, sharp edge throughout its run. While I did really like the ending, I can't really say that I did not find it very cheesy. In both sense. (view spoiler)[While I really did like how we got a happy ending (with a pizza party nonetheless), I feel like it was almost too happy for the trilogy and what it is. I needed more death, more messiness. It was too clean of an ending. (hide spoiler)]
But ultimately would I recommend this? Hell yes. I honestly will probably reread this entire trilogy back-to-back soon....more
4.5 stars. Jade City was exactly the kind of high-octane, razor-sharp fantasy that I've been looking to read this year and I am simultaneously terrifi4.5 stars. Jade City was exactly the kind of high-octane, razor-sharp fantasy that I've been looking to read this year and I am simultaneously terrified and psyched to complete the series....more
Reread (1/6/23-1/7/23): Finally, reread this in prep for the sequel coming out next Tuesday which I am now incredibly hyped for. Loved it way more thaReread (1/6/23-1/7/23): Finally, reread this in prep for the sequel coming out next Tuesday which I am now incredibly hyped for. Loved it way more than I did the first time and rereading made me realize that when you read a book truly matters.
“But would it have mattered if she’d been someone else? If she’d been a social butterfly, they would have said she liked to drink away her pain. If she’d been a straight-A student, they would have said she’d been eaten alive by her perfectionism. There were always excuses for why girls died.”
“Alex didn’t have money. But she did have power. She’d been afraid of it, afraid of staring directly at that blood-soaked night. Afraid she’d feel regret or shame, of saying goodbye to Hellie all over again. But when she’d finally looked? Let herself remember? Well, maybe there was something broken and shriveled in her, because she felt only a deep calm in knowing what she was capable of.”
4.5 Stars. While Ninth House may not be my new favorite book, it is yet another book that contains all of the best qualities of Leigh Bardugo’s writing: it is insidious, terrifyingly beautiful, and compelling all at once. When I started reading this, I did feel a bit apprehensive as I've seen mixed reviews: it turns out that both the mixed reviews and the five-star reviewers were right as I landed right in the middle. I really liked this book, but I didn't love it. There was lots to love and a few things I had gripes with. However, I will say that I would totally read this book again as I believe a lot of my mixed feelings would be remedied by a reread.
Among the best parts of this book was the atmosphere and aesthetic. The ivy-covered, hallowed walls of Yale. Exclusive societies drenched in mystery and the occult. Academia at its darkest. And a town with ghosts and sinister magic at every corner. Bardugo weaves a beautiful tapestry, creating a vivid picture of Yale and New Haven that haunts the reader even if the reader has never been there. It is impeccably crafted. I can't imagine this story taking place in any other place besides the setting it is in, which is a good side. The setting and aesthetic not only befits the story, but helps develop it in a way that I really loved.
The prose was also masterful. I feel like a broken record in all of my reviews, but Bardugo's writing is the exact type that I find so compelling: prose that toes the line between poetic and visceral, describing everything in perfect amount of detail, whether it'd be the emotions or thoughts of a character or a location. Not a single word is wasted, and Bardugo's prose is the high quality material that the rest of this story is constructed out of. I think what's especially interesting is that as I look over Bardugo's writing, the more I can see the influence her writing has on mine? Off topic, but what else can I really say about Bardugo's writing that I haven't already said in other reviews?
Characters. Kind of a mixed bag. While I do think that characters like Alex and Darlington are well-drawn, layered, and compelling in usual Bardugo fashion, I also felt a certain... distance from them as characters. Perhaps it's because this is an adult book and the way it is written, but I just felt this layer of separation between me and the characters that I don't feel with other books that Bardugo has written in the past. Don't get me wrong, I really do love Alex as a character: she's a haunted outsider who (view spoiler)[can see Grays (ghosts) and also is responsible for the murder of several people (hide spoiler)], given a second chance to thrive in a place where she doesn't feel that she belongs. But, everything be damned if she doesn't keep that chance and get what wants because of it. Darlington, or Daniel Arlington, is also a character I love. Not really much of a surprise because he's just a goddamn nerd who hungers for magic to exist in the world and UGH MY HEART. Also, the side characters like Dawes and Mercy... while nice, are not compelling and fleshed out as I would like them to be.
Plot. Fucking crazy and wild as expected. While I did read reviews that the first 100 pages were slow, (which I agree with), you really do need the pace to be that slow in order to understand the world and the politics before it delves into the crazy last third. Bardugo uses the first third to establish everything and sow the various plot seeds that bloom and tie into one another later on. There is a murder mystery at the center of this, with several other subplots including a paranormal one weaved together. The character arcs also take precedent in this book, with Alex's past being at the forefront of this novel. In addition, the novel effectively flips back and forth between Alex and Daniel's perspective, the former in the presence and the latter in the past. Honestly, I did really like the plot overall.
My two primary gripes: the distance I felt from the narrative and also how confused I was. Honestly, the first one is the only real problem as I did not feel nearly as attached to the world and the plot and the characters as I usually do with any past Bardugo book (which may be a symptom of this being an adult book, which are traditionally plot oriented, correct me if I'm wrong). As for the second one, I felt lost at some points throughout this novel because I wasn't fully digesting all of the information being given to me. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't info-dumpy nor super vague in worldbuilding; I'm just stupid in need of a reread.
Oh and the ending. (view spoiler)[WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO HELL TO RESCUE DARLINGTON I-. Fuck. I'm so excited. This and the sequel to King of Scars... I see you Leigh Bardugo, I fucking see you and I'm ready for you to take my money. (hide spoiler)] ALSO OMG I'M STILL NOT OVER MY FIRST NAME BEING IN THE BOOK CONSIDERING I KNOW LEIGH KEEPS NAMES FROM SIGNINGS IN THE BACK OF HER POCKET FOR POSSIBLE USE.
Conclusively, I would recommend this but keep your expectations in the middle. But overall, this is another win for Leigh Bardugo and deserves all the success and hype it has been getting....more
“Hold hands with the devil until you are both over the bridge. Or kill the devil and burn the bridge so no one can get to you.”
Preface: excuse the “Hold hands with the devil until you are both over the bridge. Or kill the devil and burn the bridge so no one can get to you.”
Preface: excuse the excessive cursing, this book is dark and gritty and it makes me want to say thousands of expletives because that's the only way I can express my feelings about this masterpiece.
5 fucking stars. Holy shit, I can't believe I even considered rating this less than a 4 at one point. This book is absolutely breathtaking : the plot, the characters, the action, the intricate as hell politics, the exploration of religion, and everything else is nothing short of art . The pace may have felt kind of disjointed and a bit slow at points, but there were two primary reasons that make rating this book anything less (at least for me) than a 5 nothing short of blasphemy: the character work done for Radu and that fucking ending.
If And I Darken centered around Lada and her development, Now I Rise is undoubtedly Radu's book: (view spoiler)[ his whole arc when he's sent to Constantinople was perfectly crafted and honestly makes me want to sob. Throughout this entire book, I completely understood and related to the way Radu felt. He was desperate, always wanting approval and love from anyone who would willingly give it to him. God, it makes me emotional thinking about how Radu would literally walk into hell (AND ACTUALLY DID!) for really meh med Mehmed even though he literally took advantage of it for his own personal gain. There was a line about how he was pure and deserved love but the people who don't actually deserve it got it instead of him. I really, really fucking felt that. (hide spoiler)]
The ending: (view spoiler)[ Lada, you wonderful, wonderful, morally-gray queen. Or should I say, prince . She pulled a Red Wedding and all I could think was YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. (hide spoiler)]
If it wasn't obvious already, I love this series and it's definitely a new all time favorite. GO PICK IT UP IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY!...more
“But if you abandoned the idea that such a paradise awaited you, and believed that you would live this life over and over again, would you not live“But if you abandoned the idea that such a paradise awaited you, and believed that you would live this life over and over again, would you not live the life you had more thoughtfully?”
“Make a better history."
4.5 stars rounded up. The King of Crows, while not the perfect finale, is a solid book and ending to a series that has found its place in the deepest parts of my heart and soul. I'm not going to lie, I was initially disappointed with this finale after finishing reading it. But after thinking on the book and series as a whole, I am going to go ahead and rate this book 4.5 stars.Like the rest of its predecessors, The King of Crows is at once an actual ghost story and a story about the specter history leaves on the present. From prose, to atmosphere, to plotting and pacing, to characters, and romance, Libba Bray succeeded in crafting a multi-faceted story that I was destined to fall in love with in all aspects.
Prose. Bravo, Libba Bray. If I left it at that, that'd be sufficient I think to describe Bray's writing style and the impact it leaves on its readers. Her writing is a poem, written in blood. A gut punch, described in ink. A grainy photo, haunting and blurry. Bray chooses to frame the story in omniscient third person tense, jumping from character to character's thoughts in the same scene; what this achieves is a flowing, tense narrative that allows her to keep the pace of the novel going while not neglecting her characters and the importance their thoughts and motives have on the narrative. I don't know how Libba Bray does it, but her descriptive and almost purple prose allows her to both paint a portrait of the 1920's and all of its glamour and rot while still keeping an intimate focus on her characters. Somehow, her writing allows the reader to both see the minor and the major, and keep characters and setting both at the foreground. Her writing is superb in the way that it somehow describes character thought, muses on history and stories and more, and builds the atmosphere these novels are so well-known for brick-by-brick. All with the same finesse.
Atmosphere. I think when you think of The Diviners, atmosphere is the first word that comes to mind. Unlike the previous novel, the characters are not in the New York City for the whole novel. This time, the atmosphere takes the form of the old, intimate, and a bit claustrophobic air of small, rural, and forgotten towns of the 1920's. It's a bit quieter, but twice as terrifying as there is no city noise to cover up the risen ghosts of the past. The atmosphere casts that old, black-and-white 1920's movie magic on the series. The Roaring 20's comes alive with Libba Bray's writing and readers ache with nostalgia for this time; a time when most, if not all, of her readers weren't even alive. The atmosphere and aesthetic this book series brings to the table is honestly unmatched.
Plot and pacing. If I had to describe the plot of this book in one world, it would be homecoming: all of the characters, in one way or the other, are forced to confront the ghosts of their pasts. Whether it'd be a place where they had once lived, a person they once knew, or a combination of one or the other. Libba Bray splits off our cast into different groups, placing characters together who you never thought would be together in situations that force them to travel together. (view spoiler)[ After fifty or so pages, the Diviners are forced to split up for various "sub-plots" or "sub-missions:" Evie, Theta, and Isaiah go off to rescue Sam; Memphis, Henry, Bill end up heading to New Orleans; Ling, Jericho, and Alma are on a traveling circuit. (hide spoiler)] I loved this aspect of the novel. Each individual character is forced to confront something that lied in their past. Some highlights include (view spoiler)[Evie having to go back to Zenith, dressed as a clown nonetheless. Alma and Ling. Henry... WHO I WAS SO SCARED FOR DURING THAT SCENE DURING THE FLOOD. (hide spoiler)] As for the pacing, it fit well with the events of the novel and although I was lowkey a bit miffed when (view spoiler)[freeing Sam took less than two chapters, I understand why it was done so quick. (hide spoiler)]But honestly, yet another almost perfect facet of this book.
Characters. Hands down, the best part of this series and book. I fucking love each and every one of them. Do I have favorites? Sure (Evie, Henry, Ling, and Sam). But ultimately, The Diviners as a found family are second-only to The Crows from Six of Crows in terms of love. I just love each and every one of them individually and together. Libba Bray is a fucking master at character work; I think the best marker of this is the fact that by the start and end of this novel, none of the characters are recognizable from the way they were at the beginning of the series or when they were introduced for the first time. They've all developed so much and I knew going in to this novel, I wasn't going to get out unscathed because I was attached to all of them in some way. I would go into each of them individually, but then I'd reach a character limit on this review. Also, I love all of the romances in this novel bar one.
Which brings me to why this is a 4.5 stars rather than a full 5 star rating: (view spoiler)[I 100% knew Jericho was going to be the one going to die if anyone was going to die. And it happened, which is fine. I'm glad it did. His romance plot in this novel was... not it, but I did like the resolution we got with him and Evie. The death toll does rack up, although I was nervous Henry was going to die (which phew). As for the actual, unexpected death: Isaiah's death was shocking and a bit off-putting at first, as I generally don't like when authors kill kids or animals as I think it's kind of a cheap way to get tears out of your readers. However, Libba Bray somehow knew this and created a subversion of this plot. Which made me love this book even more. Isaiah is the one who ultimately defeats The King of Crows, which YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. (hide spoiler)]
Conclusively, thank you for whoever read this behemoth of a review. I cannot express enough gratitude to Libba Bray for writing this series. A queen. While this is my least favorite of my quartet, I still love every page of it. If you haven't picked up The Diviners, go pick it up now. I promise you. It uses speculative elements to examine issues like racism, xenophobia, and homophobia. It contains all the glitter of the 1920's while not neglecting its dark underbelly. This book and series will find its way into your soul and haunt you long after you pick it up, in a good way. I guarantee you....more
