Any fan of the Maasverse has no doubt been waiting with baited breath for this latest book to release, and I was no exception. And, in true SJM fashion, she did not disappoint. With the third instalment of Crescent City, we follow Bryce and Hunt and their friends in their mission to defeat the Asteri. If you read HOSAB, you no doubt shook your house with the scream you scrempt while reading the last few chapters. While the first 3/4 of the book was rather slow, the last 1/4 had me throwing it across the room. This book had a solid equality between the characters, so no matter who your OTP were, you got a fair share of them on page. A lot of secrets were finally revealed and explained through the book, as well as some things I was NOT expecting. I found we dove deeper into some of the side characters, particularly Ithan and Tharion, who I think will feature much more in the next book (if there is one, which I'm fairly confident there will be). I was left a little lost as to the purpose of some characters, i.e. Ariadni, Sigrid, etc, but again, it allows for more books to tie off those threads. In the end, the entire thread of the Thunderbirds felt pointless, but who knows if they will feature again later. As the book ends with a fair bit of closer for Bryce and Hunt and Lunatheon finding a new balance (or on the verge of a new reality) I think the next book will follow something like A Court of Silver Flame and will feature Ruhn and Lydia as the MCs with the rest as side characters similar to Nest and Cassian's lead role in ACOSF. There is still a lot to be worked out in this world, so I'm fairly confident there will be another book. Especially with the hints to how the next ACOTAR book may play out in the closing chapters. Overall, another win for the SJM world, and I can't wait for more.
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As usual, SJM has left me in a puddle of emotion, drowning in my own tears as only she can. But the journey to said tears was not as fraught with peril as I would have expected. I'm slowing making my way through the ToG series (thanks to waiting 3 months + for each book from my library via Libby) and HoF was my latest binge. After leaving me with a cracked and dented heart at the end of CoM, I expected the same fast paced, emotional torture as with the previous books. Alas, this one was a little slower. I expected that Celaena would have to take some time to piece herself back together after the events of CoM. It's expected, and almost a requirement in fantasy series' that the MC questions their actions, past and future. And while this arc was satisfying, expertly executed, I couldn't help but feel it was a little anticlimactic in comparison to the previous books. Nothing really happened until the last quarter, when EVERYTHING seemed to happen all at once. At least with regard to Calaena/Aelin. The introduction of a new love interest in Rowan was fun, especially because he is a much more fitting match to her with their ferocity, skewed moral compass and snark. I like Chaol (yes, I still like him!) but I can see how they aren't the perfect match. Now, Chaol and Dorian...first of all, I am distraught at Chaol's choice in those final chapters. While I understand the necessity to keep the story moving in a certain direction, it seems completely out of character for him to leave as he did. Especially after spending the entirety of the book with Dorian's well being at the heart of his every choice and action. And I cannot even talk about Dorian's fate...again, plot device, but the pterodactyl screech I emitted at that conclusion was unmatched. I'm still a couple months away from securing the next book in the series from my library, so will be moving on to CC3, but can't wait to continue to fall into the mastery that is an SJM fantasy universe. This is another one I had high hopes for, but that fell kind of flat. The premise sounded great--a group of teens on a haunted island for a reality TV show to hunt for treasure. Very Survivor meets Curse of Oak Island. The back matter said hinted that there would be characters dying, fast paced action, and thrilling plot twists. Unfortunately, none of that really happened. The main character, Riley, was ok. Her motivating factor was to reinvigorate her reputation after a 'scandal' at her old school. But the scandal itself felt boring, the aftermath of becoming a meme not quite motivational enough. She describes herself as impulsive and hot headed, but that rarely showed, at least in ways that truly impacted the movement of the plot. The love interest seemed almost there because he needed to be, rather than making readers swoon. The only character I actually liked was Maren--take no s*it and honest, she had more appeal than Riley. The descriptions of the island and the setting were great. You felt as if you were there, and could picture it all really clearly. The survivor-esque challenges were weak, the game itself felt poorly plotted and could have been completed left out of the book for the same outcome. And the true conflicts meant to hold the characters back were more internal than external, the treasure hunt coming WAY to easily for them after so many before them apparently died in its pursuit. But what got me was the ending--rushed, non-sensical and again, much too easy. The writing was good, with solid world building and descriptors. I just hoped for a little more drama and tension, and that wasn't delivered. Maybe next time. Okay, I'll just say it....ALDKFJALKDJFOIFAHF! When I started with HOEAB, I was so confused I couldn't understand the hype, since SJM introduced 20 characters, 10 species and an entire unique government system in the first 100 pages. Like...#mindblownemoji But it didn't take long for me to be hook in the way that only SJM can, and HOSAB was just as addictive. The unique way that SJM is able to weave so much into the story, multiple plot threads twisting and pulling while still keeping your attention is unparalleled. Not to mention the plethora of swoonworthy males that leave you swerving into lanes left and right. At the start, you are cautiously optimistic that Hunt and Bryce will be able to find some measure of happiness. After the vents of HOEAB, they certainly earned it. But of course, it wouldn't be an SJM novel if the HEA was tied up in a nice little bow. The thunderbird story line felt unnecessary, however, as in the end it didn't accomplish anything. It gave forward motion for the first half of the novel, but no real closure or epic connection like everything else. I suppose it may come in HOFAS, but we have to wait until January 30 to find out. There were several gasp worthy moments that were brilliantly executed, just as there were some cringeworthy cliches, but I still loved every minute. And those last few chapters left me in a panic, screaming, crying, and wishing I had the book in my hand (I listened via Audible) so I could throw it across the room. I mean, HUNT???? Seriously? Ruhn and *spoiler*? But the part that pitched me right over the edge was the final chapter (before the epilogue), tying together another SJM world in such a fun way I can't wait to see how it all plays out. January 30th can't come fast enough! Another one I really wanted to like, but that just didn't seal the deal. Karen McManus meets the Inheritance Game, but missed the mark. The writing was okay, with the occasional good descriptor or analogy. I loved the inclusion of Latin as a plot device, as it was unique and fun. But I just couldn't connect to any of the characters. They all felt surface level, without stakes, and flat. The 'Sisters of the List' weren't fleshed out enough for you to care if they lived or died, the best friend was whiney and shallow, and the mom was kind of crazy in an unbelievable way. The love interest in Josh was the typical jock with no actual qualities, and even the rebel without a cause bad boy in Levi didn't keep my attention. Like a bad take on Nate McCauley (again with the Karen McManus references). Even Kenzie, the main character, was just...there. But what really threw me off was all the attempts to have twists and turns that just make it confusing and overdone. If the author had stuck to one surprising reveal and really built it up, this could have been a great read. Instead, they threw everything in all at once, and none of them really followed through or even made sense by the end. It was all just...chaotic. I won't discount this author for future reads, but this could have been SO much better if they just focused on a thread and did it well. I rarely DNF a book. It feels like a crime against my very nature. But in. 2024 I vowed that if a book didn't hold my attention, or I just wasn't enjoying it, I would DNF. This one is my first official DNF of 2024. Let me start by saying the concept is awesome. School secrets blabbed all over by an unknown hacker, escalating to life ruining potential. Very Karen McManus-esque...or at least I was expecting something like that. The plot dragged, making it hard for me to focus or even want to return to continue the book. The characters were flat, to the point I didn't even care what happened to them. And the 'secrets' were cliche and anticlimactic. I only got about 40% of the way through before I just couldn't keep going. The main character, Anna, has social anxiety and I was excited to see a character with this condition as I also have social anxiety. And while I know no two experiences are alike, her's felt put on, convenient for the plot without any real depth to the actual experiences of what it's like to live with social anxiety. And her friends were simply awful and/or boring. Rad was a total b*tch to the point where I hated any time her name was on the page. The rest were merely plot devices with no real connection. The writing itself was okay. I will probably read future books by this author, since I never judge someone's career by a single book. Just can't help but be disappointed in this one. I'll admit, I'm late to the Ali Hazelwood game. I had heard of her work, but didn't pick up one of her novels until she was a keynote speaker at a festival I attended in the summer. I started with the Love Hypothesis, and immediately found a new favorite author. I have devoured everything she's written since, and will continue to so do happily. Check & Mate is her first 'young adult' novel, after a series of adult works featuring women in stem and grumpy sunshine boulder-sized love interests. With chess as the catalyst for a forced proximity, enemies to lovers scenario, it kept with Hazelwood's quirk main characters and broody love interests, battling it out over gambits and kings. Mallory is a relatable character for the most part - blaming herself over her family falling apart, however, felt a little forced, however. Her sisters are perfectly executed with their teen angst, snark and humor. However, her mother's character again falls short, putting far too much responsibility on an eighteen year old. I can't imagine too many parents allowing their child to bypass college to run their household in their stead. In my opinion, of course. The love interest of Nolan is another of Hazelwood's extra large characters, both physically and with their special brand of snark. Charming, in an awkward, 'smart kid' kind of way, it's easy to fall for his sweet moments. His immediate draw to Mallory is a little odd, almost bordering on obsession without any actual interaction beyond an initial meeting over a chess board where they exchanged less than a dozen words. Overall, it was an enjoyable read that emphasizes the narrative of always following your dreams, fighting for what (and who) you want, and finding your place in the world. I'd definitely recommend it for those who love a grumpy-sunshine romance. As we ring in a new year, I wanted to add a new feature to my website. Something that would also help me achieve my reading goal for 2024.
Welcome to Between the Pages, a blog where I will provide a small review of everything I read over the year including ratings, strengths and weaknesses, and things that made me squeal (good and bad). Warning: reviews may contain spoilers. I will try to put warnings at the beginning of posts that will alter to any spoilers or possible trigger warnings, but apologies ahead of time if I miss some. Feel free to reply if you have read the same books, or if you just want to talk about what you're reading. Let's spend 2024 between the pages! |
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