This was a pleasant surprise! I thought I was pretty much done with YA, though some are so well done that the5 very enthusiastic, tuft-ended tails up!
This was a pleasant surprise! I thought I was pretty much done with YA, though some are so well done that they've become all-time favorites. This series is a definite winner. I appreciate that a lot of the focus was on Jude's development, her struggles, and the storytelling of the turmoil in Elfhame rather than leaning too much on fluffy romance and letting action and plot fall by the wayside.
I've heard people say the world-building is lacking, but I didn't find that to be the case at all. I thought the descriptions were lush (Black went into raptures about food and clothing at least twice a chapter, it seemed) and the politics and "otherness" of the faeries was thoughtful.
My one and only complaint is that I wish the romance had been just a little bit more developed. This was definitely a series that placed plot (and plotting!) above romance, but the trade-off was that it seemed like Jude and Cardan's love story was a bit more lackluster than it could be. Side note: Every time Cardan swaggered in or lounged in his throne with his crown askew, or was vulnerable and sweet, I wanted to kick sense into Jude.
The epilogue got me right in the feels. I really loved and enjoyed this series. ...more
I was really into the premise of this book. Best friends to lovers, stalker vs. protective ex-Navy Seal, coastal South Carolina town -- all of 3 1/2 ⭐
I was really into the premise of this book. Best friends to lovers, stalker vs. protective ex-Navy Seal, coastal South Carolina town -- all of this is a big yes. I liked all the characters, most of the time (more on that later) and I'm interested in reading the other three books in the series because of this. And I did enjoy a lot of the book, until I snagged on things I didn't. I have mixed feelings, really, and a ton of notes. Buckle up.
* Julia and Jaxson's friendship, before it gets too complicated. We see hints of their hidden infatuation with each other and the closeness between them. It's really sweet. It's not very evolved of me, but I really like that she's gentle and innocent and he's more worldly and protective of her.
* The side characters. Grace seems nice, though her invention and creative naming of pies while working at a diner reminds me maybe too much of Waitress. I'm curious to see the inevitable pairing of her and Sawyer, who is just a fun character. Cade is a little quiet and broody, but solid. Kayla is fun, like Sawyer, and even though Cooper has anger issues like Jaxson, he's a solid guy.
* The glimpses into their time in Iraq, while held by the trafficking ring.
What I didn't:
* Jaxson and Coop are in serious need of anger management classes. Faces or walls, doesn't matter; if they're pissed, something is getting punched. Grow up and get your shit together.
* Julia's less-than-endearing TSTL tendencies. She becomes besties with Jaxson as a teenager because she goes into a cemetery in the middle of the night and almost gets raped and he saves her.
She ignores the warnings of her friend and the actual town sheriff about Wyatt, who tell her they know things about him that prove he's dangerous to women. She dates him anyway and he becomes obsessed and delusional. From here, it goes downhill. He scares her and hurts her, so she's strong-armed into getting the restraining order she should've been willing to get in the first place. Keeping this threat of violence and her witnessing how unhinged Wyatt is in mind, she lives alone but leaves her door unlocked and doesn't check her peephole before opening the door, falls asleep on the beach alone while nursing the concussion Wyatt gave her, doesn't call Cooper (the sheriff) right away when Wyatt shows up and threatens her physically and verbally to drop the restraining order, even though she was told to call him immediately if Wyatt initiates contact of any kind, and doesn't tell anyone when she starts to get regular hang-up calls.
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* The wishy-washiness of Jaxson and his "honorable" hesitancy to commit to Julia (because he's unworthy, of course) while he strings her along for 6 years.Hated this. At 45% I made a note: He's still determined that he won't get into a relationship with her, but he reinserts himself into her life after she cut him out, kisses her all the time, gets into her personal space, calls her baby, treats her like a girlfriend, acts possessive, and constantly tells her how horned up for her he is -- usually while grinding his boner against her body. Talk about mixed signals!
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Bear in mind that this was after taking her virginity on his military graduation night, knowing that she loved him and declared she'd wait for him, then refusing to see her again for the next five years. He's tortured in Iraq and has Cooper turn her away from the hospital without seeing him after she dropped everything and spent all her savings for an emergency flight to Germany to be by his side. This is when she finally cuts him out of her life, and a year after this is when he forces himself on her again with no shame and a hefty dose of heavy-handedness.
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Oh, and she had one boyfriend in all this time after she called it quits on waiting for him to come around. He had a steady stream of bedwarmers from the time they met until possibly just before the incident in Iraq.
* The thriller/stalking aspect of the story is all but nonexistent until Wyatt breaks in and strings up a gutted coyote over her kitchen table at 72%. Up until then it was just a red flag raising date with her getting hurt accidentally due to his rough handling, a threatening visit when he found out she was filing a restraining order, and the hang up calls.
Honestly, the stalking angle is secondary to all their relationship ups and downs. It has an anemic showing until the last 14% of the book, where it suddenly escalates into the climax of the book. It's a shame, because the story would've been better served focusing more on the thriller aspects and the impact on Julia and Jaxson rather than their self-created drama.
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Random notes:
* Kalya going all Carrie Underwood and smashing Coop's truck was...a lot. Yes, it looked like he was cheating, but she went 0-100 apeshit. Too far, Kay-Kay. Too far.
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* There are no real surprises in this book; them getting together, her pregnancy at the 81% mark after revealing she was told she can't get pregnant in the chapter before, the guys buying the gym (and therefore having a reason to stay in town), etc.
* A not-so-quick rant, post pregnancy announcement: So after all the crap they've been through and the ways he's insinuated that he loves her and wants to be with her forever, plus the fact that she has PCOS and wants a baby badly but doesn't think she'll ever have one, his response to her finding out that she's pregnant is to yell at her, punch her fridge repeatedly, break her crystal vase full of flowers against the wall, grab her by the arms and tell her (when she says they love each other) not to put words in his mouth, and that he warned her to stay away (after HE came after her when she cut him off for a year) and tell her he doesn't want it. Like what is she supposed to do, abort her miracle baby because he's lashing out at her due to his daddy issues? "I don't want the fucking baby." Then he storms out of the house like a little piss baby. Fuck him. Seriously. "Men of Honor" my ass. His friends have to literally and figuratively clean up after him afterwards? He takes off for almost 2 days after this? No.
[image] (Dean disapproves, too.)
He destroys a hospital room when he finds out they were run off the road and she was dragged out of the car and hit unconscious. It would serve him right if the worst happened to her, not that I would ever want that. But I guess now he wants to take all his asshattery back. "That son of a bitch took my girl and my baby. He's fucking dead." Oh, you mean the girl you just rejected and abandoned to have a temper tantrum and the baby you said you "don't fucking want"?
Even in the final throes of this book, Jaxson's anger issues are too much. She has to beg him not to bug out at the hospital before they arrive while she's in labor, and later praises him for only yelling at the staff twice.
Delightful, as always! Not gonna lie, the conclusion of the spouse selection, and especially the last chapter, really tore me a new one. I don't know Delightful, as always! Not gonna lie, the conclusion of the spouse selection, and especially the last chapter, really tore me a new one. I don't know if I'm just extra emotional today or what, but (view spoiler)[Dina's childhood inn being found dying, then the hope of the living branch, and finally that branch fusing with Gertrude Hunt and settling where Maud and Helen live (hide spoiler)] made me ugly cry. The combination of the writing and the performance did me in.
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One thing I love about this awesome writing duo is you can always trust the stories are fair and just. Those who deserve it are punished, and for the most part those who are good find their happiness. They're kind to their eager readers in this way. You're not going to see your favorites splattered in some gruesome death just because, and if the main character doesn't dole out justice, someone will. Pair this with exciting storytelling and multidimensional characters (even minor ones) and you've got a serious chef's kiss of a book. I can't wait for the next installment!
Don't let the short run-time fool you, there's a lot packed into this novella! Peace treaty negotiations, neighborhood sex scandals, philosophizing spDon't let the short run-time fool you, there's a lot packed into this novella! Peace treaty negotiations, neighborhood sex scandals, philosophizing space chickens, alien moth men, family drama, and an operetta in two acts about the quest to make the perfect fast food burger and the disillusionment of meeting one's heroes -- all performed to perfection with a full cast, music, and sound effects.
I may be biased since IA are my among my favorite authors, but it's a comfort knowing I'll always have a good time reading their books. The humor is dry and unexpected, the world-building is creative and fresh, and the characters are full-bodied and substantial. I've read entire series with characters who have less dimension than a side character in an IA novella has. Masters, I tell ya.
How much do I adore the precious little feral beast that is Helen, with her innocent aggression and unhinged hissing? I love the interactions between How much do I adore the precious little feral beast that is Helen, with her innocent aggression and unhinged hissing? I love the interactions between her and Maud (second Maud I've read about this year, the other from Beginners Guide to Necromancy series), calling her little flower while telling her violence is incoming like she's promising a trip to Disney. I wasn't sure I'd be as into a book centered on Maud, Helen and Kael'thas Sunstrider Arland, but I adore all three characters and Maud is just as amazing as Dina. I'm really enjoying the narration, no surprise there. Arland's voice is sex on a stick, Helen's narration is adorable and fierce, and Maud's gentle southern accent is like warm honey. I love the way she talks to Helen in her natural accent, calling her "my flower." Don't know what it is, just an "aww, that's sweet!" kind of feeling, I guess. And she's a certified badass, as you'd expect in an Ilona Andrews heroine. That cliffhanger though! Looks like threads from the beginning of Sweep in Peace and the end of this one are going to tie into the next book....more
This is less a real review and more just notes with my thoughts:
* The heartbreaking situation of the Hiru and the reason they're hunted was so well doThis is less a real review and more just notes with my thoughts:
* The heartbreaking situation of the Hiru and the reason they're hunted was so well done. I got a little teary-eyed in the end, not gonna lie.
* I demand to read more pop culture broken down by alien perspective.
*Helen is the literal best. Not surprised though, since I&G always do a great job with child characters. They're always precocious, but not obnoxiously so, and though most the ones I've read have suffered trauma, they've maintained their innocence beneath the tough exterior they've created to protect themselves. The authors always strike a skillful balance.
I knew nothing about this series until I started reading it, other than it was an IA series, which meant it had to be awesome. Was surprised it was a I knew nothing about this series until I started reading it, other than it was an IA series, which meant it had to be awesome. Was surprised it was a lot more sci-fi than their usual fantasy fare, but the characters are fun and fully formed -- as would be expected from IA. The world-building is so cool, and feels like it could actually be real, in an alternate universe where Men in Black is a real thing. I can honestly say I've never read anything like it!...more
So very, very good! The dramatized edition from Graphic Audio is by far the better way to enjoy this, as opposed to my second-hand mass market paperbaSo very, very good! The dramatized edition from Graphic Audio is by far the better way to enjoy this, as opposed to my second-hand mass market paperback. Bones is smoking hot and the actor narrating his part nails the silky accent. Their relationship progressed a little faster and little more intensely than I personally would like, but I'm not too bothered about it since I'm definitely team...Bat? Cones? Whatever.
Her mom, though. I try to feel sympathetic, considering, but she's willfully hateful and ignorant in the manner of all racists and the like, and selfish in her treatment of Cat. Her love is conditional, and she doesn't care if Cat knows it. I waited the whole book for Cat to stand up to her. It was frustrating seeing how that lady still treated her simultaneously like a child and a weapon in a one-woman war. Talk about transgenerational trauma and co-dependency!
This is already shaping up to be a top favorite series, maybe of all time....more
It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but the black comedy and surprisingly sweet romance between Sloane and Rowan (not to mention the scorchingIt's not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but the black comedy and surprisingly sweet romance between Sloane and Rowan (not to mention the scorching hot spicy scene) have stolen my heart. You could say it's been plucked from my very chest, in fact.
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The narration was INCREDIBLE. I demand that every audiobook be narrated this way! The end has me dying (haha) to read Leather and Lark....more
I did not want to finish this book. I listened to it as an audiobook (and I always really like this narrator's performances), but this is one I plan tI did not want to finish this book. I listened to it as an audiobook (and I always really like this narrator's performances), but this is one I plan to buy to add to my physical library. I loved it. So. Much.
Mariana Zapata is the queen of slow burn romance. She's great at taking moments that should be cheesy and making them deliciously sweet and beautiful instead. Her heroines are always strong and loveable, her heroes always tough with a cinnamon roll interior that only a select few are privy to, and easy to fall in love with. There are always great side characters in every book. The stories are immersive. I've seen reviews say Zapata's books are too long, but I think the slice-of-life and more subdued scenes where it seems like nothing much is going on are important. It's like she takes us readers by the hand and says, "Come on. I want to take a stroll with you through this world." As a result I always feel invested in the characters and their problems because I live in the story thanks to her writing style, instead of just visiting.
I could go on and on, but instead I'll stick to some bullet points. Here be spoilers. (view spoiler)[ *I love Sal's dad. He's a squishable little lovebug.
*The Under Locke cameo -- yes. Just, yes.
*This is an audiobook performance note, but the way Kulti would just say, "No." That tone. That "don't give a shit" attitude, that people will do what he wants because that's just how it is -- and it is. It's kind of hot.
*Sal's character is solid. She doesn't use her grandfather's fame to her benefit, she's a hard worker, she has integrity, and she's a strong and independent woman who thinks for herself while still being empathetic to others. Zapata writes great female leads.
*The friendship between Sal and Rey, and how it develops, is great. I love the juxtaposition of him being her uber-famous idol and childhood super crush against the reality of the man he really is and her acceptance of his broody nature. His public life is chaotic, but the time they spend alone is calm and grounding.
*Their food nicknames for each other are too cute. ❤
*All the generous gestures to show he loves her, without every looking for praise or even telling her that he's doing it all for her. He's telling her with actions instead of words, "I'm doing this thing for the benefit of people or things you care about because I want to." For a man with a huge ego, he shows none of it when it comes to the things he does for Sal.
*The scene with the fan letter she wrote when she was 6 or 7 absolutely melted my heart. I may have shed tears. We'll keep that between us.
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*He's unbelievably supportive of her. He basically tells her he'll follow her around the globe and devote himself to her career, putting himself aside to devote himself fully to her. And then, he does.
*This quote: “My schnecke. My little snail, do you know that’s what it means? It’s a term of affection in my country. My love. My snail. I don’t want to waste more time. I have nothing to hide and neither do you.”
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*I thought this was kind of funny; The last chapter ends with her saying something like, "I never give up on anything." Epilogue starts with. "Kulti (her new last name) retires!" Made me laugh a little. (hide spoiler)]
The only thing I didn't love was how often Kulti was referred to as "The German." I can see why it was used throughout a lot of the book, if it was meant to be a way of drawing a line between him and Sal, and underscoring how imposing and unapproachable he was. At a certain point, though, it was unnecessary and redundant. But honestly, who cares? This book was awesome. It's a great summer read, 10/10 highly recommend!
Seems like people either love this one or hate it. Maybe I'm more impressed since thrillers aren't my usual go-to, but I really enjoyed this one a lotSeems like people either love this one or hate it. Maybe I'm more impressed since thrillers aren't my usual go-to, but I really enjoyed this one a lot. The narration was great, the plot was infuriating and twisty -- seriously, the reader suffers as much gaslighting as Joanne -- and knowing all of it was avoidable if only one character hadn't been so much in denial is maddening. I was frustrated with Joanne and hated Rick the Dick and Conniving Chloe, so my blood was boiling through a lot of this book. I was also on the edge of my seat throughout the last day in the house, and even though I suspected the (view spoiler)[ fake-out (hide spoiler)] ending all along, it was still wild to have it confirmed.
I still have so many questions.
The biggest thing is that I was fully engaged with the story, something I haven't been in a while, which makes it a winner for me. I think the narration had a lot to do with it. It's definitely one of my top favorite thrillers and a favorite read of this month....more
There's nothing revolutionary here. Basically it's all the decluttering advice we've heard over and over again from tv shows, lifestyle youtubers, andThere's nothing revolutionary here. Basically it's all the decluttering advice we've heard over and over again from tv shows, lifestyle youtubers, and professional organizers. The difference is in the way it's all presented, like a snarky close friend with a potty mouth who really just wants you to succeed in clearing out the junk in living your best life. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator nailed this "voice" perfectly.
In short, the wheel wasn't reinvented, but I was entertained by the writing style and performance while clearing out my bookshelves and totes brought back from a relative's house who recently passed. The distraction was more than welcome....more
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