Ravensong was beautiful in so many ways. It was the deI stg this book hits the same with every reread.
“Wherever you are, that’s where my home is.”
Ravensong was beautiful in so many ways. It was the depiction of a love that manifested for half a lifetime, yet never died. It was the story of what made Gordo feel abandoned and Mark feel defeated. The past that turned them away from each other for years upon years, only to lead them back to one another.
It is a year after the end of Wolfsong and the Bennett pack has been through hell. Now more than ever Gordo struggles to ignore the bond that was always between him and Mark. Just when things start lightening up, monsters begin to manifest from within wolves, breaking away at the tethers keeping Green Creek safe.
T.J Klune has done it again, simultaneously warming and breaking my heart. I am completely in love with the Green Creek series and every character that comes with it. Ravensong has made for itself a special place in my heart, as I came to love Gordo and Mark’s story even more than Ox and Joe’s. It was beautiful to see them overcome the years and years of hurt and denial, to see Gordo finally accepting the love that was waiting for him since he was young. The amount of tears I shed for these two is incredible.
Klune’s writing is once again spectacular, his words flow so easily while still maintaining a wondrous complexity.
That being said, there is nothing else that excites me more than the thought of reading Heartsong as soon as possible. Kelly and Robbie are both so sweet, I’m rooting for them!...more
My first thought after coming out of this book is that I’ve grown. Written about a nonbinary teenager by a nonbinary author themself, I Wish You All tMy first thought after coming out of this book is that I’ve grown. Written about a nonbinary teenager by a nonbinary author themself, I Wish You All the Best taught me more than I could have ever imagined about the importance of acceptance.
“Labels can help people find common ground, can help them connect, with themselves and other people.”
After being thrown out of the house for coming out as nonbinary, Ben De Backer moves in with their older sister and her husband, whom they haven’t seen in nearly ten years. Dealing with anxiety from being kicked out by their parents, Ben undergoes occasional therapy sessions and soon meets Nathan Allen: a charismatic student eager to make friends with them. This book is Ben’s journey to happiness and acceptance through friendship and love.
I devoured this book in a day; the story was so easy to fall into. Nathan and Ben were great characters to follow; one completely joyous and another only slightly more calloused. I found their thought process and characterization was appropriately accurate to many teens today. Many could easily relate to them.
The thing about this book is that it has the power to inform and change many. I for one didn’t know much about non-binary people besides the basics. Ben’s character gave me incite as to the way non-binary people feel when they’re misgendered; it was like I could feel the author’s own voice portruding through their characters. Mason Deaver’s connection to Ben was ever-present during the entirety of this novel, making it all the more incredible.
The issue some seemed to have with I Wish You All the Best is that not too much happens event-wise. I personally liked the fact that the focus was on relationships and personal issues. The simplistic feel to this story made it even better to me, as it becomes more realistic to teens going through similar tough times.
Over all, this was a great story. I couldn’t have enjoyed it more. ...more
This was easily the most breathtaking, action packed conclusion to a series I have ever read. Wow.
“Some people were always meant to be heroes.
This was easily the most breathtaking, action packed conclusion to a series I have ever read. Wow.
“Some people were always meant to be heroes. Just like some people were always meant to be villains.”
The Renegades trilogy as a whole was incredible. It's got countless amazing characters, phenomenal world building, and is written wonderfully. This series catered to both my childhood love of powerful superheroes and villainous antagonists.
I am blown away by Marissa Meyer's ability to tie every lose end and still surprise me with each! There wasn't a single moment that I wasn't on edge; the plot twists kept coming. The things I could hardly remember for having much significance turned out to be crucial to the plot.
Supernova delivered the best battle scenes I have ever read. My attachment to Meyer's character's (especially the Everhart family) made the action all the more suspenseful. I would laugh, cry, and gasp in shock with the tide of events taking place, as there was no way to properly guess at what would happen next. Greatly unpredictable in the best way.
This was such a powerfully written book. To anyone who has begun this trilogy, I'd urge you to finish. It's so worth it for this groundbreaking conclusion! ...more
The Illuminae Files: putting the ill in thriller. Wherein I was so far off the edge of my seat I fell シ
“Every story needs its hero. And its villainThe Illuminae Files: putting the ill in thriller. Wherein I was so far off the edge of my seat I fell シ
“Every story needs its hero. And its villain. And its monster.”
Halfway through this book, I came to the conclusion that my emotional stability was that of an egg, and so I resorted to internal chanting.
‘I will not cry over a psychotic AI system.’ ‘I WILL NOT CRY OVER A PSYCHOTIC AI SYSTEM.’ ‘I wiLl nOt cRY oVEr a PsyChoTIc AI sYSteM…’
Goddamnit.
You know Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman can do anything when they successfully get an entire fandom attached to a giant calculator. These two are just brilliant authors. Now I’m questioning what it means to be human, and if AIDAN can pass for one.
If you’re interested in this series and looking for my review of the first book you can find that here. I’m dying to start vomiting up spoilers, so fasten your seat belts folks.
We start off being introduced to the lovely Cherry, which, I- *soft exhale* Let’s be real here, you’ve read the book. You know the deal. I fucking love Rhys ‘Cherry’ Lindstrom ...more
These graphic novels have honestly been so great that I'm developing a curiosity in fencing as a sportIt's official: cute sports stories give me life.
These graphic novels have honestly been so great that I'm developing a curiosity in fencing as a sport. The characters are funny and sweet, their development has been amazing. Each volume is thoroughly entertaining to say the least. I'd definitely recommend this series to anyone.
I live for the new friendships. Seiji and Nicholas? My heart. It just grew. The entire team? I love everyone being bros. HARVARD AND AIDAN? If they don't get together, you'll hear me riot.
Love love loved this volume, it was by far my favourite <3...more
After learning tons about Perisan culture in Darius the Great is Not Okay, I was overjoyed to read a second novel following Darius and his family!
After learning tons about Perisan culture in Darius the Great is Not Okay, I was overjoyed to read a second novel following Darius and his family!
~★~ What is this book about? ~★~
Upon returning from their visit to Iran, Darius is forced to adjust back to life in America. He misses his best friend Sohrab, as well as his mother’s family that they had to leave behind. Now Darius is a part of the Varsity soccer team at school, he’s getting along great with his dad, and he has a boyfriend. Just when things begin to seem normal again, Darius is put to the test. He’s not sure he enjoys his job, his grandmothers that don’t seem to like him are staying with Darius’ family, and he begins questioning everything when a teammate catches his eye despite him being in what he thought was a happy relationship.
~★~
Having loved book one immensely, I had high expectations and a good feeling I’d enjoy this one, too. Thankfully I was right; Adib Khorram delivered what was a powerful novel surrounding family, friendship and love along with the struggles of teenage life.
The family dynamic was one of my favourite things about this book. It made me so incredibly happy to see Darius and his father make an effort to bond after their tense relationship in the past. Darius doing everything to comfort his little sister was also really heartwarming.
The exploration of Darius’ romantic relationship was done especially well. His constant questioning and self exploration was very refreshing to read about, especially considering a lot of YA books don’t spend as much time on these things. The way Darius and his father's depression was handled was also really great!
I couldn’t have asked for more from this sequel! I’m so happy to have read it, and can’t wait for those who enjoyed the first book to get their hands on this one!...more
Warner: I’m already dealing with one breakup right now-
Me: Kenji is mWarner: I thought you loved me.
Me: *dramatically wipes tears* I still do Warner!
Warner: I’m already dealing with one breakup right now-
Me: Kenji is my favourite character.
Warner: the fu-
Me: I guess what I’m trying to say is that Kenji is the true cinnamon apple.
Somewhere in the back of my head this entire series, there’s been a lingering thought that Kenji is my favourite character. But guess what? Warner’s beautiful face got in the way of that. Don’t get me wrong, Warner remains a close runner up, but Kenji just stole the crown.
THIS IS A NOVELLA FROM KENJI’S POV!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean, it was absolutely perfect in every sense. I didn’t know this was exactly what I needed in this series, but it definitely was. All of you Kenji lovers need to hop on this novella asap.
It was heartbreaking and funny all in one. Kenji makes people smile only to hurt at the end of the day. He lives to make his friends’ lives just a little bit brighter, and thinks of himself after them. How can you not love this boy?
When I tell you this is a must read before continuing this series, I mean it <3
Here’s a little side note for those who have read Shadow Me ;)
EXCUSE ME WHO WAS GOING TO PREPARE MY HEART FOR BRENSTON??? WINSTON IS IN LOVE WITH BRENDAN? W H A T ? MY HEART IS READYYYYYYY!!!! (They better get together real soon)...more
There is no way to properly articulate the beauty of Donna Tartt’s story telling. My words wouldn’t nearly suffice to the incredibility of what I expeThere is no way to properly articulate the beauty of Donna Tartt’s story telling. My words wouldn’t nearly suffice to the incredibility of what I experienced. Fruitful and full of life, yet terribly dark and uniquely twisted, The Secret History is a masterpiece.
“Beauty is terror. Whatever we call beautiful, we quiver before it.”
The Secret History follows the journey of a tight knit bunch of college kids under the influence of their Greek classics professor. The turning point that pushes them to obsession, then corruption and quite nearly past the point of insanity.
Donna Tartt crafts her characters with an almost artful precision. It is amazing how anyone was able to create such a bizarre bunch- I was drawn to every character despite their awful nature. One can’t help becoming enthralled in their twisted and helpless desires, their desperate attempts at self preservation.
These characters are not written to be at all likeable -that concept was new to me. I never could have fathomed a book so monstrous and beautiful would be borne of insanely flawed and twisted characters.
“I suppose at one time in my life I might have had any number of stories, but now there is no other. This is the only story I will ever be able to tell.”
There is a certain depth to the brilliancy of this novel- largely attributed to the meticulously planned out plot. Within the first sentence of the prologue everything is given away: our five protagonists murdered their friend. This means that the storytelling lies in the endless turmoil that led up to this event- and the disturbance that came afterwards. It was truly awe-inspiring to experience this story as it unravelled.
“Beauty is rarely soft or consolatory. Quite the contrary. Genuine beauty is always quite alarming.”
Tremendously executed, I will never forget this book....more
I’d like to medically diagnose myself with extreme shock. (courtesy of Nik Malikov’s escapades) (See also: Nik Malikov = everything)
The Illuminae FilesI’d like to medically diagnose myself with extreme shock. (courtesy of Nik Malikov’s escapades) (See also: Nik Malikov = everything)
The Illuminae Files series, so far, has put me through just about the longest roller coaster ride to ever exist. Each twist of the plot leaves me expecting a bigger and bigger drop, which is always delivered. Over six hundred pages, and every single one had me at the edge of my seat. That’s a pretty damn impressive feat for any book to accomplish.
“Now, children, watch closely. Hold your breath. Listen. And I will show you the components of calamity.”
(If you’re looking for my review of the first book in The Illuminae Files, click here )
It’s almost unfathomable to me- how the plot of this series continually progresses into something bigger and better. Every time my emotions are attacked, I’m left knowing there’s another three disasters waiting to throw themselves at me.
Gemina takes place not on the Hypatia, but inside jump station Heimdall, where two new characters will face the disastrous attacks led by BeiTech industries. We follow Hanna Donnely, the spoiled daughter of Heimdall’s captain, and Nik Malikov, born to a family of convicts and criminals. With the Hypatia on schedule to arrive at jump station Heimdall, (with news of the Kerenza invasion) everything is going fine. Until a crew of BeiTech operatives infiltrate the jump station. That’s when things are compromised.
I learned after reading book one that Amie Kauffman and Jay Kristoff are always waiting to salt my wounds. Example: the audacity of introducing Nik Malikov as a character. *sigh* It was pretty much set in stone that I was going to fall in love with him.
If you’re reluctant to pick up book two, I won’t even bother yelling at you. This was an adventure to say the least, and it’s more than worth the time it’ll take you to read. Gemina is extraordinary.
Spoilers ahead.
I'm obligated to state the obvious here. Loving Nik Malikov is a whole commitment in itself. Those that have read Gemina know that I was
D R A G G E D
by the tail end of my attachment to him. His “death” reduced my mind to a cavernous pit of yelled comforts, such as ‘mAybE niK’S nOt rEaLLy dEaD, BeCAuSe sOmeTHinG’s uP WitH tHe WoRMhoLe!’ (Which, thank god for intuition amiright?) The moral of the story is that my heart is now patched up with a big bandaid made out of a jasmine corsage ;)
How do I begin to explain the rush of adrenaline induced emotions I felt while reading this book? Who am I kidding, if you’re still here, you’ve read the book. You know. You’re a survivor.
I mean, the worms?? The BeiTech squad?? Kady. Ezra. Ella. Hanna. NIK. I’m absolutely in love with this series, and lucky to have picked it up. I’m eager to read Obsidio, which will have to be my number one priority after the way this ended....more
This is the kind of book that’s ending will haunt you. That’s characters will lure you in until you’re doomed to a deadly attachment. That leaves you This is the kind of book that’s ending will haunt you. That’s characters will lure you in until you’re doomed to a deadly attachment. That leaves you crying from a feeling of emptiness.
I want to hate this book for destroying me. It’s a dark thriller that captivated me with it’s intriguing, lovable cast of characters. M.L Rio has a brilliant way with words.
This is the story of how seven theatre kids enter a downward spiral, unknowingly playing their roles both on and off the stage. Until one of them ends up dead. Oliver Marks has spent ten years in jail for supposedly committing the murder, but Officer Colborne wants to know exactly what took place a decade ago at the elite arts college. We are taken through the lives of our seven young actors. The friendships and relationships that were enough to push some past the point of no return. The obsession that leads to insanity.
“Which of us could say we were more sinned against than sinning? We were so easily manipulated - confusion made a masterpiece of us.”
Oliver was such a beautiful protagonist. That, along with the stunning atmosphere made for a marvelous debut novel. I was utterly transfixed by the underlying dark aspect to this thriller, couldn’t help falling in love with this twisted cast of characters.
All in all, the ending wrecked any composure I had left in me. James was my favourite character for the longest duration (Oliver was my favourite at some point) so, you can begin imaging what the ending did to me.
Do yourself a favour. Go read the synopsis. Give in. Read this book....more
It’s amazing to me that anyone on this earth is able to create such beautiful, horrifying character art as Fiona Staples did in Saga.
The features andIt’s amazing to me that anyone on this earth is able to create such beautiful, horrifying character art as Fiona Staples did in Saga.
The features and appearances of creatures, people and monsters depicted in this graphic novel are far beyond anything my imagination could ever wander to. I’m amazed by that alone.
“Doesn't matter if it's personal or professional, a good partnership takes work.”
Here’s the premiss of Saga, as goodreads summarizes: When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe. From bestselling writer Brian K. Vaughan, Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds.
The story of Saga is just beginning to unravel, yet it’s already so enticing, I couldn’t believe how quickly I grew attached to both Alana and Marko, our main characters. As a mix of science fiction and fantasy, I was never bored. The scenery, characters and plot make for a story like none other I’ve read.
“Violence is stupid. Even as a last resort, it only ever begets more of the same.”
I won’t say much more except this surpassed my expectations by a whole lot. I’m so happy to hear that there are nine volumes to the Saga series, I’m already eager to get to the next....more
This damn book. It was everything I didn’t know I needed. One that keeps you smiling with the las“Just for the record: happiness is not bullshit.”
This damn book. It was everything I didn’t know I needed. One that keeps you smiling with the last sentence. A brilliant way of demonstrating the comedy that is our lives.
Arthur Less is a forty-nine going on fifty year old failed novelist, and just when he believes things are at their worst, a wedding invitation comes in the mail. It’s from his boyfriend of the past nine years, one that he very well might still be in love with. Declining would be accepting defeat; going would be humiliation. Instead, Less gathers up invitations littering his desk to not-so-relevant literary events around the world, and accepts them all just to skip town during the wedding.
Following a character like Arthur Less as he travels the world was a delight. Experiencing several different cultures and proprieties all in one novel proved to be a wonderful thing. I’d find myself reveling over how drastically the atmosphere changed every time the setting was compromised.
Arthur Less was a character more believable than most I’ve read. His traits and way of going about life was easily the way I can picture real people thinking and acting. This novel was truly hilarious in it’s sincerity. Pulitzer prize rightfully earned.
This is a book I can see everyone enjoying; because it’s the recognition that life has its lows which makes Less such a great story to follow. It’s the subtle wit we can all find in the lives we live, even during the worst of times.
I enjoyed every bit of this immensely, and I won’t stop thinking about Arthur Less for a good while. A little heartfelt book like this one was never something I fathomed I’d come to love so much. Here we are, though, and I’ll say it again. This was a brilliant book....more
Loki will always and forever be my evil snake boy.
“You're already the villain in everyone's stories, Loki," she replied, dropping her veil over herLoki will always and forever be my evil snake boy.
“You're already the villain in everyone's stories, Loki," she replied, dropping her veil over her face. "Why not start playing your part?”
I swear to you, Mackenzi Lee pulled the Marvel straight out of Loki. Dialogue between him and Thor was spectacular, and I mean almost exactly as I would have imagined it coming from an Avengers movie.
‘Before the days of going toe-to-toe with the Avengers, a younger Loki is desperate to prove himself heroic and capable, although it seems everyone around him suspects him of inevitable villainy and depravity…’
Whimsical and enthralling, this book surpassed my expectations endlessly. The plot was simply amazing to follow- it was such a pleasure to see themes of sexuality explored during the Victorian Era in London as a big portion of the book is set during that time. The method of comparing Asgard’s open mindedness (Loki is genderfluid) to earth’s closed mindedness was just brilliant.
The banter between Loki and Thor as brothers was hilarious- I couldn’t get enough of their interactions. It was the perfectly added light-hearted touch to a great story.
“Perhaps the future was only inevitable once you began to shape all your actions to fit it.”
The side characters were an absolute joy, Theo was easily my favourite. My heart hurt for him and his fondness of Loki, his character added another dimension to the Victiorian Era theme that I loved.
If you’re a fan of Marvel or Tom Hiddleston’s portrayal of Loki, you will without a doubt enjoy this gem of a story.
--------------------------------
Before reading
Two things happened today.
1: My sister and I began binging the Marvel movies we haven't seen before going to watch Endgame in theatres.
2. I found out about this book.
Loki is my favourite Marvel character ever, Mackenzie Lee one of my favourite authors.
To put it simply- The Breadwinner is a glimpse into the lives of women and girls in the war torn country of Afghanistan. 20 years of war have resultedTo put it simply- The Breadwinner is a glimpse into the lives of women and girls in the war torn country of Afghanistan. 20 years of war have resulted in poor governing and awful treatment towards the lives of women and young girls.
The Taliban are very prominent in Afghanistan’s turmoil and this novel’s portrayal of events. Before reading the Breadwinner, all I’d known of the Taliban came from Malala Yousafzai’s real life story. The horrifying things that they do to supposedly keep citizens in line. With this book, I had been opened up to a whole lot more than that. I learned a considerable amount about a country that is far less fortunate than us.
Parvani -an eleven year old Afghan girl- is the main focus of the book. Written in such a way that middle schoolers and adults alike are able to understand and enjoy, The Breadwinner is an alarming, informative story about the real life events that still plague the world today.
I was able to fly through this book in less than two hours. This was short yet so, so important. I definitely don’t regret grabbing this book from my teacher’s shelf. I really do need to stop doubting the glory that is classroom bookshelves. There are a ton of hidden gems like this one hidden in plain sight....more
Catch me in the grave with tear-stained cheeks because of this book.
“You told me once,” said Kell, “that you are either magic’s master or its slave. Catch me in the grave with tear-stained cheeks because of this book.
“You told me once,” said Kell, “that you are either magic’s master or its slave. So which are you now?” “That’s what you don’t understand,” said Holland, letting the emptiness fold over him. “I have only ever be its slave.”
To my understanding, A Conjuring of Light was supposed to be the final installment of this series, not the final installment of my life. Pardon me for expecting to emerge with some semblance of sanity.
~★~ Plot ~★~
“It’s too easy.” “Killing? Of course it is.” Said Vortalis. “Living with it, that’s the hard part. But sometimes, it’s worth it. Sometimes, it’s necessary.”
Brilliance is the word for V.E Schwab's intricate prose. With the astounding world building and character development established in previous instalments, A Conjuring of Light is all high stakes, leaving endless possibilities for the story's direction. I don’t think I took a breath between chapters; there certainly isn't time to cool down in between. The plot was consistently relentless, leaving me trapped in it's vicious grip. This story refused to leave my head, even when I wasn’t reading. Nothing drags in the slightest. Readers are thrown into the brunt of action from chapter 1, which is only a glimpse of the ride to come.
~★~ Characters ~★~
“He was meant to be your shield,” she murmured. “Your shelter. You were never meant to be his.”
It still awes me- the skill it took to create such wonderful and intricate characters, paired with the amount by which I’m attached to them. Anyone who has read the Shades of Magic knows how lovely this cast is. The bonds and relationships formed between them is what makes the plot so much greater than its face value. Wonderful, well developed characters can really make a series for me, and Schwab nailed that aspect along with every other.
~★~ Relationships ~★~
“Love and loss,” he said, “are like a ship and the sea. They rise together. The more we love, the more we have to lose. But the only way to avoid loss is to avoid love. And what a sad world that would be.”
The bonds between these characters have been slowly chipping away at me. I can’t get enough of them and their reckless actions done out of love for one another. Three relationships out of the many in this series really warmed my heart, and each focuses on a different sort of bond.
Lila and Alucard The love of a friend
"Do you ever get tired of running, Bard?" She cocked her head. "No." Alucard's gaze went to the horizon. "Then you haven't left enough behind."
Though Lila and Alucard almost killed each other upon first glance, they topped the list of my favourite friendships in this series. Considering their confidence and trust in one another, their friendship seems years in the making, when in reality they met mere months ago. Dialogue between these two never fails to bring a smile to my face. I find it hilarious the way they feel is necessary to speak when in the presence of each other. They gave me something to smile about in the midst of this insane plot.
Kell and Rhy Brotherly love
“That kind of love, that bond, it goes both ways. I would kill for him, and I would die for him, and I will protect him however I am able,”
I started and finished this series thinking about these two. The undying sibling love that Kell and Rhy share is incredibly raw and pure. Rhy would do anything if it only meant Kell’s happiness. Kell would rather die than be the cause of his brother's suffering. The way their bond is portrayed can be described as nothing short of gorgeous.
Rhy and Alucard The romantic sort of love
“One day you will be old and wrinkled, and I will still love you.”
The prince and the captain- the two that have made me fall over myself with joy. Every interaction between these lovers was one that I didn’t want to have end. I distinctly remember my reaction during A Gathering of Shadows, when we first discovered this duo. I remember smiling wide, then closing the book for a minute in attempt at coming down from my elation. Rhy deserves the world- and if Alucard is a little bit of that to him, I’m so glad he can have it.
Holland Vosijk
“Death comes for us all,” said Holland evenly. “I would simply have mine mean something.”
Since the beginning, I’ve been pulling for Holland to get his happy ending. The fact that he played something of a major role in this book was fantastic. It was great getting bits of his past recounted in A Conjuring of Light. I maintained a hope throughout the series that someone would see Holland for who he is, rather than seeing him littered with deep scars. I’m glad he found his peace, despite the circumstances.
~★~
All in all, this series, this story, these characters- they’ll be with me for a very long while. I don’t want to forget any of it, as this was a truly beautiful reading experience....more
We cannot experience true happiness without first knowing pain. The Giver is a mind-baffling representation of just that and more.
Happiness is a compWe cannot experience true happiness without first knowing pain. The Giver is a mind-baffling representation of just that and more.
Happiness is a comparative emotion. It has absolutely no meaning without sadness. Our emotions in general are what allow us to truly live.
I’m nearly certain that most people have already read The Giver, but for those who have not I will provide a short synopsis. The Giver essentially surrounds a society where everything is orderly. You are assigned your family, occupation and every task. Speaking the right word is important. But above all that is the one person who retains all of our memories and emotions: The Receiver of Memory. People in this community believe that when they are allowed to choose, they make the wrong choice, which is why they are instructed their every move. The people residing in this nameless community do not know emotion.
The Giver gets you thinking. It gets you to realize that we would be nothing without experiencing the feelings we do. Sometimes people will make detrimental decisions, but that is a part of life as it is. We solve things through conflict at times. We feel the need to defend our opinions and ideas. In a world where our opinions or feelings don’t matter, decision making at all would be pointless.
I could not tell you the amount of realization that settled in me after finishing The Giver. Lois Lowry has masterfully demonstrated that society needs conflict, love, pain and happiness in order for people to live life to the fullest. I’ve taken so much out of this reading experience, and believe that this piece of literature is something everyone needs to read....more
In conclusion, I’m doomed to love dead blonde characters. (*cries in The Raven Boys*)
“Because the only way to truly record a person is not in wordsIn conclusion, I’m doomed to love dead blonde characters. (*cries in The Raven Boys*)
“Because the only way to truly record a person is not in words, not in still frames, but in bone and skin and memory.”
It’s amazing how some authors have the imagination to create such vivid, unique proses for their novels. Everything about The Archive was mind blowing, I was constantly marvelling at the atmosphere, which had a subtle eerie aspect to it that I couldn’t get enough of.
V.E Shwabb’s eccentric characters were immediately to my liking, it was a pleasure to follow each and every one of them through their twisted adventure. There is a certain satisfaction I got out of this reading experience, between the premiss and the characters it was a wonderfully executed book.
The next paragraph is a summary of The Archived:
Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books. Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive. Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was: a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive. Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous—it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost, Da's death was hard enough, but now that her little brother is gone too, Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself may crumble and fall.
I can’t properly express just how great this book was. The Archived gave me a little bit of twentieth century vibes, which were strangely welcome in spite of the underlying afterlife theme.
Everything about the way that this story unraveled surprised me, mostly due to the fact that The Archived is like nothing I’ve ever read. It remains a mystery to me as to how V.E Schwab came up with such a brilliantly written book. I would definitely recommend you read it....more
“We’re okay,” he said to the empty hall. “We’re going to be okay.”
It’s an amazing thing to complete a book series, and cling to the charac
“We’re okay,” he said to the empty hall. “We’re going to be okay.”
It’s an amazing thing to complete a book series, and cling to the characters like a lifeline. No matter how many times I read AFTG, I hold my breath for Neil like I don’t know what’s ahead, and maintain a heavy heart as Andrew and Kevin fight their internal battles while struggling to let anyone else in. After their collective hardships and gradual healing throughout this trilogy, I’m always pleased with The King’s Men and what a beautiful conclusion it is for the foxes at Palmetto State. Nothing is rushed; Sakavic takes her time tying up loose ends so that every victory, small or monumental, can settle deep in the hearts of readers that have come to love this team ferociously.
“If you always got what you deserved, you wouldn’t be a Fox.”
‘Unique’ barely scratches the surface in regards to these characters; the foxes are eccentric and violent and ultimately so full of heart, heart that colours these pages and paints the emotions of readers masterfully. There’s a dark charm to the foxes that make them so loveable; they’ve been through hell, and the way each player handles their respective trauma—especially Andrew and Neil—is dissimilar to most other YA/NA I’ve come across. It is the foxes completely unpredictable behaviour that makes their every interaction seem like the most interesting thing in the world, and its even better when just like that, you realize you’ve come to know all their strange quirks. It’s definitely why this series has a huge following, and why the sudden addition of a fourth book more than ten years after TFC has fans overjoyed. It’s why I’m back for my third read of the original trilogy, and I’m beyond excited for a change of perspective in TSC. (Some are saying its the best AFTG book yet, and the ratings are promising! Jean and Jeremy’s story is going to be so so good I just know it).
“The court doesn’t care what my name is or where I’m from or where I’ll be tomorrow. It lets me exist as I am.”
Neil is my favourite ‘runaway’ ever. There’s genius in the way that his closed off attitude—so used to hiding his identity by shedding everything that makes him memorable—begins to change once he finds the foxhole court. A place to hide in plain sight unknowingly starts to become Neil’s home, and I adore the way he begins to at first accept the foxes as his friends, then slowly begins to fight to keep them in his life as the first real family he’s ever had. Seeing a character who’s been continuously beat down and broken gain all the things he’s never had, and come to cherish them when he’s never let himself hold anything close? Oh how it breaks and warms my heart. That scene with Neil and Ichirou in the car has made me sob all three times I’ve read TKM, not only because of the terrible things done to Neil, but because of how it reveals the true extent of his love for the foxes, and how they’ve become an irreplaceable fixture in his life. It’s so beautiful to know that Neil can take comfort in the people surrounding him, and that he wants to stop his life of running in order to keep them by his side forever.
“...I’ve done nothing but lie to them. I willingly put them all in danger so I could play a little longer. They got hurt last night because of me. Why would they protect me now?” “You are a Fox,” Andrew said, like it was that simple, and maybe it was.”
Now for the thing that most of anyone who’s read this series is terribly invested in: Neil and Andrew and their relationship of sorts. Speaking from the perspective of TFC, who would’ve predicted these two? Andrew’s uncaring/‘i hate you’ facade was extremely convincing, because I never suspected a thing. But oh. Oh how perfect they are for each other. When it happens, it’s impossible to imagine them not happening. The way they understand each other, Neil reading Andrew's ‘i hate you’s for what they really are…(‘i hate you because of how much i need you’)... i’m sick. And Neil allowing himself to act on his attraction again even after his mother beat it out of him? Respecting Andrew’s boundaries when no one has before???? I could go on and on but if you’ve read AFTG… you know. I love the way they heal each other without realizing it. They’re the cherry on top of this already beautiful found family.
“He didn’t know what this thing between them was anymore. He didn’t know what he wanted or needed it to be. He just knew he had to hold on for as long as he could.”
It’s a great feeling to know one of your favourite series has held up across multiple years and rereads. I was admittedly worried going into my third reread in preparation for TSC, since its been around 4 years since my last read of the trilogy. My fears were for naught, though, as I found myself crying during all the same parts that I had in the past, with the same desperate attachment to all of these characters and their heartbreaking, heartwarming story. I can’t believe this is no longer the conclusion to AFTG! It’s on to The Sunshine Court, where I’m sure Jean will be breaking my heart just as thoroughly as the foxes have time and time again…
“This is your night. This is your game. This is your moment. Seize it with everything you’ve got. Pull out the stops and lay it all on the line. Fight because you don’t know how to die quietly. Win because you don’t know how to lose. The king’s ruled long enough- it’s time to tear his castle down.”
There was a sun-shower outside my window when I started this book, which reminded me of Ari (who loves the rain) and Dante (the light in Ari’s life). There was a sun-shower outside my window when I started this book, which reminded me of Ari (who loves the rain) and Dante (the light in Ari’s life). It’s hard to describe how this story made me feel. Something about this duology as a whole transcends words, so poetic and beautiful that it can only be experienced, not explained.
“You're every street I've ever walked. You're the tree outside my window, you're a sparrow as he flies. You're the book that I am reading. You're every poem I've ever loved.”
It’s been a few years since I first read Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. I was maybe 13 at the time, still discovering my love of reading, so it holds a really special place in my heart. Naturally, I was so pumped when I heard a sequel was confirmed. I’m almost glad that it took so many years, because now I’m the same age as Ari and Dante, and feel the impact of their story so much more in this book. Navigating school and friendships and family and love can be difficult in any context, but senior year—on the cusp of so many new beginnings—heightens that pressure in unimaginable ways. I felt so seen by pieces of Ari’s inner monologue, and then enlightened by the bits I couldn’t personally relate to. Everything became either a mirror or a lesson, and all of it was exceptionally done.
Just like with the first book, I was transfixed by Ari’s narration. It honestly puzzles me how something so simplistic can be so damn beautiful, but nearly every line hooked me and held me, some silently promising to linger in the back of my mind. I’m grasping for the right words, but all that comes to mind when thinking of this sequel—and this duology as a whole—is the word beautiful. I’ve used it a few times in this review already, but sitting here, thinking back on the tone and atmosphere, all that runs through my mind is beautiful beautiful beautiful.
“Stories were living inside us. I think we were born to tell our stories. After we died, our stories would survive. Maybe it was our stories that fed the universe the energy it needed to keep on giving life.”
I’d almost forgotten this series was set in the 80’s. So many of the conversations around queerness are reflective of the time period (as well as Ari and Dante’s age), so I was glad to see Benjamin Alire Sáenz unafraid to touch upon the turmoil in America during the AIDS epidemic, and the failings of the government and citizens to treat an entire community of people as human. So much of Ari’s personal growth is centered around overcoming the anger inside him, so following him as he processes the hatred that so many harbor towards others like him and Dante hurt my heart. Still, I knew they’d make it through any bumps in their relationship, sharing a love that comes so potently off the pages.Then there are the indescribably amazing parental figures in this series. Both Ari and Dante’s parents continue to make my heart melt; I’m so happy they remained prominent characters with so much to say!
It’s tough to choose, but I think this may have been even better than book one. So many aspects of this story felt perfect. Either way, I’ll cherish these characters for a long time.
“You matter more to the universe than you will ever know.”...more
“Two harpies, one stone,” he added, and then saw the way Serene was looking at him. “A diplomatic stone! A diplomatic stone.”
Quirky, hilarious mai“Two harpies, one stone,” he added, and then saw the way Serene was looking at him. “A diplomatic stone! A diplomatic stone.”
Quirky, hilarious main characters are lost treasures to the reading world, and no one’ll ever be able to convince me otherwise. Elliot Schafer is the funniest main character I’ve stumbled across without a doubt, and now I’ve realized just how much I needed someone as funny as him to read about.
In Other Lands was such a perfect book. The characters were absolutely lovely, each one delightful in their own sense. The plot was definitely revolving more closely to the characters if anything, though I for one really can’t get enough of character driven stories.
One of the best things about this book is the way Sarah Rees Brennan analyzes relationships through the main character. I feel as if I learned so much about how people in the real world deal with relationships, versus ways that they could and probably should be handled.
With me still being fairly young, In Other Lands really taught me that a first crush, first kiss, first love or first intimacy can make people feel obligated to want to sustain a relationship. Even when things are obviously not working out. Some people don’t have the right intentions, others aren’t invested enough, some try too hard to make things work out when they know things are falling apart.
The analyzing and representation of bisexuality in Elliot, the main character, was also done in such a way that makes it wonderful to experience. Elliot is character that has never once questioned sexuality or why he’s attracted to both sexes. It’s really refreshing for me to read about a character like him, who is so sure about who he is and what his goals are in life.
Female empowerment is also a very prominent subject, as one of Elliot’s best friends, Serene, makes sure to constantly bring up the topic of female superiority. Sarah Rees Brennan cleverly twists elven history so that the women are superior to men in their culture. When Serene interacts with human boys such as Elliot and Luke, she is often confused by the way humans are used to having men go to war and fight battles. I found this to be a really interesting take on things, a really unique way of demonstrating female empowerment.
The fantasy element is one of the most pure and fun I’ve been immersed into, by far. Nearly every mythical creature that comes to mind is stuffed into this book. Elliot, Luke and Serene come face to face with multiple fantasy races along the course of the story, their way of dealing with situations and problems was arguably one of the most hilarious things I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about.
“I don’t know why you would suggest the possibility of me being in trouble,” said Elliot. “Because I am a retiring and bookish individual, and I don’t like being in trouble, in danger, or in proximity to weapons. You will never find me in trouble. You will find me in the library. If you can remember where that is.”
Overall, this was a surprisingly delightful read, and I’m really shocked that not many have discovered this gem of a novel. I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who needs a lighter fantasy to read. The characters and message this book delivers will not disappoint....more
