Though circumstances show it took a week to read this, it really just took 2-3 sit downs and let me tell you- every single time I picked up this book Though circumstances show it took a week to read this, it really just took 2-3 sit downs and let me tell you- every single time I picked up this book I cried a little. Noah is such a pure and innocent kid and the way he's having to cope with loosing his best friend (the only other trans boy in their school) at such a young age as well as possibly his first love, grappling with his own identity, and trying to prove Mothman is real- aghhh, ALL THE FEELINGS.
To say this book gutted me and then filleted my soul on an open campfire, is pretty freaking accurate to how I felt reading it. There are SO MANY good lines and perfect wordings and deep thoughts and lonely wonderments. This book is beautiful in so many ways and I'm so happy it exists.
It's told in free verse poetry and, of course, letters to Mothman. Two stylings I absolutely adore.
I'm not marking this book under "fantasy" because I feel like it's only fantasy if you don't believe in Mothman and I'm kind of like Noah in the very beginning; not quite sure, but absolutely willing to write letters to my late best friends favorite cryptid. ...more
First my reading dates are wrong but I don’t know when I started it, just that I did three chapters and paused it because I wasn’t sold. Then this weeFirst my reading dates are wrong but I don’t know when I started it, just that I did three chapters and paused it because I wasn’t sold. Then this week- after Christmas I might add- I breezed through it. Second, I did an audiobook version of this.
It’s a super light and airy Christmas book. Though the romance is a big part of the book the physical romance is low- a couple passionate kisses tops.
Here’s the skinny; Jack hates Christmas because he had a less than stellar childhood in the holiday department. Noelle loves Christmas but is boycotting it this year because her Gran Gran passed the year before and nothing is the same now. These two want nothing more than to ignore Christmas this year but instead they find themselves in a Christmas Pact to give Jacks five year old nephew the best Christmas holiday.
Through a series of Christmas activities Noelle starts to fall in love with Jack. And, Jack? He’s always loved Noelle. But Jack is her boss/ he is her boss and you will hear that back and forth mental paddling through the whole book. I understand it’s an important factor in the story but wah, wah, wah. It was tiresome.
The Christmas activities they do with Noelles family are cute. All the activities in general will perk up your ears at the holiday spirit a bit. And, that’s always nice, I find. You get an epilogue and a happily ever after and this is basically a hallmark movie with a few less beaten tropes. It’s not nearly as exhausting/predictable as a hallmark movie. ...more
Chalked full of present day pop culture references, whether it’s activities, slang or Hollywood references- and we all know I hate that. But, if you iChalked full of present day pop culture references, whether it’s activities, slang or Hollywood references- and we all know I hate that. But, if you ignore all of that it’s not horrible.
It’s rather Christmassy but also not Christmassy. There are some Christmas references to candy canes and the actual Santa’s photo shop and VR booth but it’s not overly Christmassy and a good chunk of the book actually happens in November. Which, honestly is pretty relatable.
It’s very YA. But it didn’t make me want to gauge my eyes out. It’s pretty easy to listen to. It felt a little long at one point though- like I couldn’t believe we hadn’t gotten to the end yet....more
Considering I'm not actually much of a fan of the whole 'Christmas Carol' thing- not books, or various movie adaptations, not plays- not any of it- I Considering I'm not actually much of a fan of the whole 'Christmas Carol' thing- not books, or various movie adaptations, not plays- not any of it- I did really enjoy this.
Now, I did see pretty early on that Caroline is being painted as a villain for two reasons: -Not having kids or seeming to particularly want kids -Choosing to be a successful business woman over having kids and a family And, I didn't love that premise. I think it's kind of annoying when characters are written off as "not being complete" without fitting into societies pre-established roles of what it means to be a woman....more
When I picked up this book initially I wasn't totally sold. The plot seemed a little confusing and I wasn't sure if I was going to really like it or nWhen I picked up this book initially I wasn't totally sold. The plot seemed a little confusing and I wasn't sure if I was going to really like it or not. And then we got to chapter two and everything fell into to place.
Seriously from chapter 2 on I was invested. The thing is the book is so light and easy to listen to. A little predictable here and there but also Millie is so fucking weird (I mean that in the best way). Granted she becomes her own worst enemy in this book, I still throughly enjoyed her weird sense of humor. The dual voice narrator was good too.
I think I would have even liked it (maybe more) in the tangible form because the text message threads would have helped me connect the friends to faces a little more. But regardless I think this is good in both formats.
I honestly can't really think of anything I didn't like about this book....more
Got another quick, melatonin infused review for you. Full disclosure here: I have read several (if not all the books in this collection, however not a Got another quick, melatonin infused review for you. Full disclosure here: I have read several (if not all the books in this collection, however not a damn one have I read in order). And, now I rather want to re-listen in the correct line of focus. ...more
Okay, I have about 15 minutes before this melatonin kicks in so bear with me. ...You probably don't find that nearly as funny as I do.Okay, I have about 15 minutes before this melatonin kicks in so bear with me. ...You probably don't find that nearly as funny as I do....more
The perfect thing to reset my reading palette (I've been neck deep in fantasy lately). It was a quick one sitting read. Aren't those the best sometimeThe perfect thing to reset my reading palette (I've been neck deep in fantasy lately). It was a quick one sitting read. Aren't those the best sometimes?
This was light, relatable and laugh out loud funny in places. I caught myself chuckling through most of it. This collection is straight comics, which I'm a big fan of. There were a lot of cat themes here as well as being your own unique self and finding the other weirdos along the way. This collection also hits on the weird way the world was in 2020 with covid and quarantine as well.
Will continue to read Andersen. I'm convinced these comics are good for the soul....more
I pretty much devoured this. It started in my hands on the beach, then three hours of an audiobook on my way home and then back to the actual book to I pretty much devoured this. It started in my hands on the beach, then three hours of an audiobook on my way home and then back to the actual book to finish it the next day.
I loved this book for what it was; a coven fronting as a sorority. I loved the dynamics between actual greek life and magic. The relationships. The knowledge. And, I really did like the majority of the sisters. But, our two primarily MC's Vivi and Scarlett- I don't think I ever really loved one girl. They end up being big/little and as the book flap suggests they do not hit it off immediately. But, what was weird for me is the flap suggests that they're going to be this dark and twisty coupling that pushes against each other every step of the way. But, in reality, Scarlett seems to warm up to Vivi pretty easily. Until towards the end when she goes off the rails because of Mason. (no spoilers, here). Then you're wondering if you missed something.
I'm not sure. I guess I was expecting something like Casey and Rebecca from the show Greek, because boy did they actually hate each other. But, this relationship just didn't feel as fierce to me.
I did like the ending, as in The Who dun it part. The mystery. The parts that make you guess. But, I felt like the actual ending dragged a little too much. I mean, I know a big thing happened and we need time to slow back down but everything else was so fast paced in comparison. I would have preferred to go out with a "bang". Or ya know, just something a little less flat. I also liked the connection between Vivi and Scarlett's mothers. That helped.
SMALL RANT LIKE SPOILER AHEAD. Also, I didn't like the ending with Jackson. Scarlett says that things didn't work with Mason because she could never be honest with him and that she couldn't go through with that again with Jackson- but he literally already knew her secret... So, instead she wipes his memory, making him obvious (just like Mason) and what, she's just never supposed to date now? I object. ...more
**spoiler alert** So many things to say! Okay, first- I’ve listened to several Isley books at this point and even if I haven’t loved them all I’ve mos**spoiler alert** So many things to say! Okay, first- I’ve listened to several Isley books at this point and even if I haven’t loved them all I’ve most certainly loved the experience of listening to each one. Cause, ya know, sometimes you just can’t really get behind/relate to the scenario but you still love that classic Isley writing style. She is my go to author anytime I’m feeling extra bummed about romance and relationships. (Convinced true love- of the dating variety- only exists in a Camilla Isley novel at this point...more
I'm not sure if I'm more disappointed that I got the Dyrad Storm release date wrong (by a whole fucking year) or that when the last installment does I'm not sure if I'm more disappointed that I got the Dyrad Storm release date wrong (by a whole fucking year) or that when the last installment does come out I'm going to have to do a full re-read, which will include this book. Sigh.
Listen, I've enjoyed The Black Witch Chronicles. I see our own world in this dystopian world. I've never been offended by the author because I knew she was only showing the fractures in our own world. Racism. Religion. Superior complexes. Corrupt power, etc. But, this book, this book is so thick (though standard for her series); it feels like so much could have been taken out and we could have been given so much more.
For example, I do not need to read seven? different POVs of the night of the twenty-first hour for the purple moon. I understand that Forest was trying to give each of our secondary characters their romantic moment, that last bit of happy before everyone goes to war and the world turns to shit. But this book is literally called "Demon Tide", it's the fourth book in a five book installment- happy endings are not in the cards right now. But, I really don't need to read every single secondary characters own experience on that night and I sure as hell don't need us to double back and then play out seven more chapters of all those same characters realizing the mountain range has caved in. I would have much rather gotten into the fight sooner.
All the POVs is tiring, much like in the last book. I would like to go back to learning about different characters through the story plot rather than getting first hand experiences from so many people. I honestly can't keep up with some of the people. Also, it is a tragedy that we don't get any Diana POVs. She was such a strong character in the first two books and she didn't even exist in the last one.
Also, I hated how this book kept changing the time of the story. Like part 1 is actually a month before anything in the prelude. There are actual pages of dialogue that can be read back and forth between Demon Tide and Shadow Wand, pretty fucking seamlessly I might add. I just couldn't keep the timeline completely straight. It was a mess.
I had a hard time following what was happening when Lukas came to Elloren as a vision and then she was with him in the hive, but then Vogel was there attacking and eventually Elloren snaps back into her cousins tower... it was just confusing. Oh, yeah, the unknown family bit- I don't mind this. I feel pretty neutral on it.
Back to things, I'm not neutral on [SPOILERS AHEAD]...I did not expect for Lukas to live through this book- however, I thought he would go in tortured scene rather then him sacrificing his own life to "save Elloren". But, you know what I really don't get? His initial reasoning was that killing himself wold sever their fast lines and Elloren would be free BUT, at this point Vogel had already transferred the fast lines to himself so what exactly was the point of Lukas killing himself?? (I would sincerely appreciate someone explaining this to me). I feel like he was a "dead character" for so long too, I would have rather him died immediately instead of all these weird back and forth stuff. Ugh love triangles.
Also, Vogel got... a little too rapey for me. I realize no one was actually raped, but with the transfer of fasting lines, his intent to sexually assault Elloren to seal the lines and then using her as a puppet by controlling her entire being. It all was just incredibly perverted. And, okay this book was already dark but we didn't need to ick it up even more. The chapters subtitled "Elloren Vogel" actually made my skin crawl. Ew.
I don't know, I just feel like this book was a bit of a miss for me. I mean, hell, Ariel Haven fucking SWOOPED in and saved Elloren and I wasn't even excited to see her. And, I really liked her. Since Naga flew her off into the sunset to die I've wondered if she really did die because we never saw a body or anything and alas here I am in a moment where I should be REJOICING but I can't even enjoy it because the book has been so slow just so absolutely lacking. ...more
Okay, this is what I've learned: Even when playing the long game, don't let so many months pass between book installments that you have to actually reOkay, this is what I've learned: Even when playing the long game, don't let so many months pass between book installments that you have to actually read an online blog for a summary because you cannot remember what the fuck is happening. That being said, the fourth one (in paperback) has an ETA of tomorrow....more
I wasn't sure how I was going to rate this initially. I knew I liked it, but how much did I like it? As the day went on I kept thinking about little woI wasn't sure how I was going to rate this initially. I knew I liked it, but how much did I like it? As the day went on I kept thinking about little words here and there, fragments from different poems I'd read and that, my little sweet potato, is how I ended up on four stars.
It's ironic in a way, because I just went back and looked over my other Benaim review for reference and in the first one I said I didn't really get it, but I liked it and I felt like it was the type of book that needed reread for the full effect. That you need to keep coming back, and that's exactly what I've been doing with this book.
Now, don't get me wrong there is a lot happening here that I haven't fully connected with personally myself, but there's also a lot that I have. And, there's a lot of lingering feelings; not necessarily a "I relate to this connection" but a "I feel this emotion". This collection is about her mom being sick, grieving, lost relationships and the pandemic. I wasn't one of those people that particularly had a hard time during lock down myself (mentally that is) but a lot of this collection reminded me of the time spent at my old apartment during lockdown. It's something to keep coming back to, like a new encore every night.
Favorites included: -Untitled, June 30 -The Good News -The Beasts Response -Voicemail From My Mother -The Extinction of Honey -Excerpt from this Morning's Phone Call -To Do List...more
This took me way longer than I would actually like to admit and it wasn’t because it wasn’t good. It’s really good. It was because it’s really good.
AnThis took me way longer than I would actually like to admit and it wasn’t because it wasn’t good. It’s really good. It was because it’s really good.
And I don’t mean it was so good I was trying to savor it. I mean, it was so heart wrenching that I couldn’t be alone with my feels and my dads not even dead.
This book is about grief and also healing in ways. This is a collection of poetry that hurts you but also makes you chuckle whether from irony, the pain or an actual joke.
I really liked the way the author wrote and honestly I think I’d really like prose written by them as well. There’s just something about the style. There were times where I hated how well they wrote something because I could see it so clearly in my head and it was a lot.
This collection is a lot. But it’s worth every bit of it. *I will need to read again, because the first time was hard enough....more
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