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| 0648534278
| 9780648534273
| B08N393JNL
| 4.37
| 449
| Nov 08, 2020
| Nov 08, 2020
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really liked it
| I want to thank Talem Press very much for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this sequel, I think I want to thank Talem Press very much for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this sequel, I think the first book has many solid points that were highlighted even more in this one, but at the same time, I think the first could be a little more solid and better built than this one, that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it, in fact, I did!One of the things that I liked the most is, no doubt, the author’s style that’s light even in the moments of greatest tension. The main character, super relatable and realistic & the tone of this fantasy in itself, I like a lot, the weight of playing with the human mind gives it a marked dark atmosphere. 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Merged review: I want to thank Talem Press very much for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this sequel, I think the first book has many solid points that were highlighted even more in this one, but at the same time, I think the first could be a little more solid and better built than this one, that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it, in fact, I did!One of the things that I liked the most is, no doubt, the author’s style that’s light even in the moments of greatest tension. The main character, super relatable and realistic & the tone of this fantasy in itself, I like a lot, the weight of playing with the human mind gives it a marked dark atmosphere. 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ...more |
Notes are private!
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2
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Nov 2020
not set
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Nov 07, 2020
not set
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Sep 21, 2024
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ebook
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| 1639730966
| 9781639730964
| 4.35
| 1,229,466
| Aug 15, 2013
| Feb 14, 2023
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really liked it
| First Thoughts | 12/29/23 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I enjoyed this sequel much more than the first book, I feel that there is much more exploration of the characters First Thoughts | 12/29/23 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I enjoyed this sequel much more than the first book, I feel that there is much more exploration of the characters, I saw them much more humanized and of course, I loved those plot twists! Plus, it has a super intriguing plot that keeps you hooked at all times. I enjoyed the second half more, but the whole book is overall a very solid sequel, and I will be continuing with this series for sure. Needless to say, it broke my heart more than once! I feel like after this book nothing will ever be the same as the story progresses. FULL REVIEW TO COME! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Dec 16, 2023
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Dec 29, 2023
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Dec 09, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 3.93
| 146,705
| Jul 08, 2014
| Jul 08, 2014
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really liked it
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I can safely say that this book exceeded my expectations, and despite the rating, which always ends up being a simple number, I have many positive thi
I can safely say that this book exceeded my expectations, and despite the rating, which always ends up being a simple number, I have many positive things to share today in this review, because despite being a bit cliché at times, I was surprised with a very addictive plot and an intriguing magic system, also a world that I found worthy of going through, so super excited not only to have read it but to continue with the series, as the author made me want to know what will happen. [image] source 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Feb 27, 2022
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Mar 16, 2022
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Feb 27, 2022
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Kindle Edition
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| 0645221627
| 9780645221626
| B098KR1S3Z
| 4.41
| 1,137
| Nov 13, 2021
| Nov 13, 2021
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it was amazing
| I want to thank the author for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! I really enjoyed this book, the author has done an I want to thank the author for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! I really enjoyed this book, the author has done an exceptional job to take an already fantastic plot to another level and I confess that I might enjoy this sequel even more than the first book, both are great, though. I really appreciate being able to see even greater growth and development of the characters, especially Roh, the plot also continues to be super dynamic and I loved the world-building which this time I feel is an even stronger point, with a lot of attention to detail. An incredible job! [image] 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ You can find more of my reviews & fun content on my blog A Book. A Thought. In this installment, we continue following Roh, who against all odds has survived the Queen's Tournament. But now, another dangerous quest awaits, a journey she must undertake with her allies to obtain the three magic birthstones of Saddoriel. Haunted by terrible secrets, Roh begins to realize that the power she so desires could be far more destructive than she ever imagined. Of course, being a sequel I must always be very careful not to give too much information, even so, I'll allow myself to touch on some points that I think are amazing and tell you how I felt about this great sequel. This book itself is much more ambitious even than the previous book, and I think it works even a little better since I, as a reader, already know the world, its politics, and how it works, so immersing myself in this adventure again has been more simple and more enjoyable. This book is also full of action scenes, which also has the first book, and I think I'm always saying the same thing about this author, is just great, and, in general, I don't usually enjoy action scenes, I like them to be fast and not with too many details, I guess I just don't care lol, but with this author, I read and enjoy every second. I really can't recommend her books enough (go and check out Heart of Mist, as well, you won't regret it!). As I mentioned before, the growth of the characters is something I always appreciate in my books, so finding this factor has been great, not only Roh continues to develop her character, but this time we have a more personal approach to the secondary characters, as well, especially now that there begin to be many cracks and tense situations within Roh's crew, that's where we see the best development of these characters and there are conflicts that open several possible paths, among these: betrayal? REALLY GOOD! Another thing I would like to point out about this is just Roh as the main character, I love that we can follow someone who's so grey in many aspects of her personality morally, I think she's a kind of character whose reactions are unexpected and all past situations that we already know a little bit in the first book torments her and has created a lot of her character. I think she's not the typical heroine, and that's very entertaining to read. This story itself also has many characteristics that make it an epic dark fantasy, not only because of the setting, which in my opinion is brilliant and super well detailed especially in this book but also because of the characters and the tone of the writing even makes it seem mysterious. All the time it gives you that vibe that anything could happen, and that hand in hand with the betrayals, lies, secrets, and morally gray characters, is a combination for solid plot twists and breathtaking scenes. The ending was great, I really liked it! I can't wait to continue reading this story, really guys, I highly recommend it, the author is wonderful, super talented, so I hope you decide to give a chance to any of her books, at this point I've read them all and I can recommend them very confidently because I know you'll love them. Within the fantasy genre, I think she is one of the most original and addictive authors to read. Curse of the Cyren Queen is a series that promises to be amazing, so far with these two books that have already been released I can feel that it will only get better and better, so don't waste your time and run out and get these books to devour them, I know you'll love them! This is a story full of twists and turns, revelations, intriguing and dark characters, and a plot that will have you on the edge of your seat. Not to mention that the setting is so original! PS: I had to raise my rating while I was writing this because I remembered how much I enjoyed it! lol ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 03, 2021
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Nov 07, 2021
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Nov 01, 2021
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Kindle Edition
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| 0062835777
| 9780062835772
| 0062835777
| 3.71
| 122,065
| Mar 01, 2022
| Mar 01, 2022
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really liked it
| This book was quite a journey of thoughts for me, it's obviously a short book to what the author has us used to, but very effective, and very well wri This book was quite a journey of thoughts for me, it's obviously a short book to what the author has us used to, but very effective, and very well written above all, so it still takes you through a captivating story with aspects of mystery at times, with a game of suspense at others, and above all, with a dark touch that I loved. At first, you don't quite know what's going on and that kept me wondering if this was really the book for me, but its incredible atmosphere and unique plot make it worth reading. It will be one of those books that you'll either love or hate, I can feel it, but for me, it was very good, another great job by the author! [image] 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ You can find this one and more of my reviews on my blog A Book. A Thought. The Plot Explained in My Words: In this book, we follow Olivia Prior, a young girl who has lived all her life at Merilance School for girls, where her only company has been the diary of her mother, whom she has never met, where you can clearly see her descent into madness through her words that seem to make less and less sense. All Olivia has ever wanted is a family, but after so long alone she has begun to feel more and more invisible every day and her dream has been forgotten, until one day an unexpected letter arrives in Merilance, a letter that invites her to return home to Gallant. And even though this place isn't what she expected, she doesn't think of giving up a possible home, no matter how hostile her cousin is or even the ghosts that haunt the place. Olivia also knows that Gallant hides dark and strange secrets, and she's determined to find out what they are. Mysteries slowly begin to unfold as she tries to discover where she really comes from. Who are her parents? What is the "curse" that has haunted generations of her family? And in the end, will Olivia be able to protect her new home? Or will she end up joining the dark? The Plot: Once again I'm coming across a book with a very gripping, very atmospheric, and totally enchanting plot in a creepy way at times. It has a very unique magic that only V. E. Schwab can express with her unique style, but it also gives you an uncertain way, as you never know what will happen. I honestly didn't understand what was going on until about half or so into the book, where everything gets a little clearer , and although this may be unfortunate for some readers, it wasn't something that discouraged me from reading, as I was having a good time overall and was trying to figure out on my own what was going on, which you know I love to do lol. Lots of dark undertones, lots of mystery surrounding the setting especially, very atmospheric throughout with beautiful visuals, and really though I think the plot is great, and was what kept me watching what would happen, the characters also manage to grow on you once you know the true motives for their actions. This is a plot where the theme of family and inheritance is explored a lot, but it's also about finding your place in the world and fulfilling a purpose that completes you. Characters: The characters are fine, there aren't many, though, in fact, we focus a lot on a few characters. This, considering it's a book of only 330 pages, makes a lot of sense. I really liked the grimness of most of the characters, and I feel that's something interesting to highlight, we also have some very distinctive and strong personalities that make the plot move forward very well. Olivia is our main character, she doesn't have the ability to speak, and at no point is it mentioned that she's mute as such, but I think it's obvious that's what happens with her, and I must say I found this a positive point as I'd never read about a mute character before, and obviously, I feel that representation is necessary and I always highlight that. She as a character is interesting to follow, I felt very bad for the fact that her life has been so hard at such a young age, and also for the fact that her path is still tragic and difficult even when she finds that family she wants so hard. She searches for something as simple as family love and there are many obstacles and many sacrifices that will be presented in between, plus, we see her discovering things about her mother and her family in general. She's a very dynamic character because she's a very curious being, and never still, but it's also interesting to see her internal dialogue and how she communicates with others, I liked that this is a strong and somewhat daring character and she doesn't let herself be intimidated by anything, I love that. I also think the secondary characters bring something to the table and aren't just there for filler, also all the personalities add a lot of color to the plot, these standout characters are Matthew, Hannah & Edgar. Also without a doubt, I highlight a lot the construction of the character of "Death" that I found brilliant, very visual, I can easily see him in a movie. Setting & Writing: The setting is spectacular without a doubt one of my favorite things along with the atmosphere that the author has created for this story, and I think that even though it may not be for everyone, it's ideal for me. I love when the stories are set in such particular places as this time it was Gallant, but I also love when this place comes to life and they give it a spooky paranormal twist, I love that. The dark atmosphere that gives it a lot of tension, also helps the story come alive. And it also plays a lot with contrasts, on the one hand, we have a wonderful world with lots of color, and life, and on the other hand, we have a fascinating description of a grey and gloomy place, provided with life. Amazing work there! About the writing style, I can't say much that I haven't already said before, truly V. E. Schwab will always be one of my favorite authors, she's a wonderful mind , and although this time I noticed a different touch when telling this story as always she managed to wrap me, captivate me and catch me at the end. Book's Weaknesses: This is the part where I comment on some of the weaknesses of the book, situations, events, or aspects that I wasn't really sure about. This time I can tell you that this book is very good, obviously, but I think it lacks time to tell the story, it's very short and that makes it rushed at times. You always understand what's going on, but it still lacks development in many aspects to make it feel like a complete book and not so much like a short novel, even so, it's very effective and fulfills its function, which is to tell a fascinating and very original story, but I do would have liked to have more time with the characters, know the family background a little more and perhaps something more of the paranormal aspects, all this to make this story a 5 star, in my point of view, of course. I liked the ending quite a bit, but I think it lacked coherence in the final "battle", everything is resolved in a quick and convenient way, you know? Even so, the epilogue is a great touch and almost makes me forget about that fact, even so, I wanted to mention it since I feel it's a weakness that this book has. Book's Strengths: I'll mention it again because... OMG, THE ATMOSPHERE! Beautiful, without a doubt, very well developed, thought out, and described. Both the setting of the orphanage and Gallant and the darker parts are also wonderful, as well as the descriptions of them, so I could say the descriptions are another of the points I would highlight. This book takes you through a very meaningful and dark story through desolate roads, shadows, and creepy places and then gives you a cozy place, full of light, and color, a garden worth getting lost in. Always while reading this book you feel very well what Olivia is going through and you can understand her search for a place to call home and that's really the most touching part. Something I haven't mentioned so far but I think it's a great plus, is the "magical" or "supernatural" aspects, very nice and dark as well. A book that reads very fast and leaves you with a lot to analyze, which is always a good thing. To conclude this review, of course, I really liked the book, it's a story that feels a little short at times, and in certain aspects, I think it should have been more detailed, but I think that as a whole it's very worthwhile, it's very captivating, has a great plot that combines horror and family ties in a poetic and beautiful way, we also have characters that are worth reading, a very positive and necessary representation and a more than beautiful setting accompanied with catching descriptions and an atmosphere worth mentioning. I understand that this isn't going to be a book for everyone, I've heard that it's not a story that stays with you, and although I don't agree with that, I can understand that it's particular, perhaps a style that you've read before, but from the pen of the author is worth reading, and I think it has aspects that still make it unique, although I agree that perhaps it's a story that feels brief for all that it covers and tries to tell. It also has some very emotional moments from the hand of Olivia and her family, which will make you empathize a lot with her and the reason for her actions in this story. I think Gallant as a book is simply charming, spooky, and atmospheric. Do I recommend it?: Yes, of course, I would recommend it, especially if you want to read a short story, dark and supremely atmospheric focused on inheritance and family. First Thoughts 04/11/22 I loved it! I actually think it's a super different style and even a bit darker than the author's other books, but it has its charm and managed to move me with its original story and unique characters, plus super atmospheric! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Apr 04, 2022
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Apr 11, 2022
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Oct 26, 2021
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Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 0645163007
| 9780645163001
| 0645163007
| 4.30
| 252
| Sep 16, 2021
| Sep 16, 2021
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really liked it
| I want to thank Talem Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! Right off the bat, I must say that I love the p I want to thank Talem Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! Right off the bat, I must say that I love the power that this whole story gives off, it's powerful and mysterious in the best way, because despite perhaps not feeling 100% hooked by the characters in this new stage of their journey, the plot gets all my respects, as I feel that it has risen to another level of good compared to the previous books. It takes us on a more than dramatic quest, full of dangers and challenging situations that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I thought this was the final conclusion, but now I know it's not, there will indeed be at least one more book and I'm pleased with that because there are several situations yet to be resolved. 3.5 ⭐⭐⭐ ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 05, 2021
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Sep 10, 2021
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Aug 24, 2021
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Paperback
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| 1728229421
| 9781728229423
| 1728229421
| 3.82
| 22,047
| Jun 01, 2021
| Jun 01, 2021
|
really liked it
| “There are as many kinds of love as there are stars in the sky.” I've been debating quite a bit how I feel about this book for the past few “There are as many kinds of love as there are stars in the sky.” I've been debating quite a bit how I feel about this book for the past few days and yes, I liked it a lot, but there are still some things I'm not sure about, so I'll discuss them below in the review. Still, and even though I have a few points that I wasn't convinced to discuss today, this is a great read that I think is very worthwhile in the end. But yeah, I changed my mind about my rating a few times lol. I really liked how atmospheric it is, even though we don't see many settings, the ones that are presented are beautiful and I especially loved the plot idea and the handling of magic in the book, it's very unique, and I definitely appreciated that. [image] 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ You can find more of my reviews & fun content on my blog A Book. A Thought. In this book we follow Clara, she's one of many witches who dedicate their lives to control the weather by getting their powers from the sun, from winter witches to summer witches, and depending on what season it is some of them are more powerful than others, but Clara is not just any kind of witch, she's an Everwitch, which means she possesses a rare power that can control all the seasons. But she wants nothing to do with her power because in the past she has hurt those she loves. But when things start to change regarding the weather and everything starts to get much more volatile and dangerous Clara will have to choose between embracing her magic and doing her duty, or giving up her power forever. What I like a lot about this reading that I didn't mention until now and I think it's one of the main factors, is the discussion behind all this plot, I think it has several very good discussions, so I'll mention some of them. The one that stands out the most is the discussion of climate change in the world, the lack of awareness of people about the issue, and the responsibility to do something to change it. I found this wonderful because it's not something I usually come across, I actually knew a lot about it when I went to school because it's something that's talked about, you know? but because of life itself, one doesn't pay enough attention to it and I think discussing the importance of taking care of our planet and the importance of being aware of the changes that are progressively taking place in it is extremely important and I really appreciate that this book has it as a central point . On the other hand, I would also like to highlight how the feelings of the main character are portrayed in the book in a brilliant way, what do I mean by this? I think that the internal monologues and the weight of responsibility that falls on her, as well as the pain of so many losses, the guilt and the loneliness, are portrayed in a very real way, so much so that you get to connect with what happens to Clara , and I could really put myself in her place and understand some of her decisions. Not many authors can create this kind of feeling in the readers, you know? that feeling of "OMG, I'm feeling everything the character is feeling" and I love that, I think it's worth noting. Besides all this, I want to mention right now how much I liked the romance in this book, which is always a plus for me and you know that lol. Clara and Sag's relationship was adorable, I love Sag with my life, I feel like he would be a wonderful friend in real life, I loved and appreciated the respect in this love story, and the support they show for each other, the caring and noble intentions behind their relationship make it very meaningful and very beautiful. These two own the most incredible aesthetic scenes in the book, so fasten your seatbelt to read this because it's TOO ADORABLE. I also want to highlight how there are also other types of love and meaningful connections in this book that are super rich and wonderful, first the relationship that Clara has with Professor Hart and how this bond progresses to be so important and have such an impact on her life, is amazing, I was extremely touched by this relationship, and I love Professor Hart so much! On the other hand, there's also a strange dynamic with Clara and her ex-girlfriend that's interesting to read, at the beginning, I didn't really like it, I wasn't sure about the feelings of these two, but towards the end, you can see the love that still exists between them and it's great. The plot itself is great, I like the idea a lot I think this concept of elemental witches that control the weather and also that are classified into seasons is super fun and something that I hadn't read before, I do have read about witches that control water or fire or that kind of thing, but not complete seasons and I love that. On the other hand, we follow the chosen one, right? she's this girl who's super special and can control everything, she has great power but she doesn't want to accept it and she's a bit stubborn at times, all this is probably something we have already read, so maybe it loses a bit of that unique touch as you read it, but I still think it's great to read and without a doubt, if like me you like witches, as well as magic schools and all that, then you'll love this book. Anyway, I feel the plot is good the idea is solid, but the execution as such is quite rushed, and no doubt I like it to be a quick and easy book to read, but this time I felt that everything happened so fast that I couldn't end up feeling inside the story, but more like an expectant reader from afar, and I hope for you my reader friends, this makes sense because I don't know how else to explain it lol, I would have liked this time a slower-paced plot, more exploration of the world, more explanation in general of how the schools work, how everything originated and how humans feel about witches in greater proportion. In the end I feel like I liked the book a lot but something was missing. Another thing that didn't convince me was the main character as such, I know I already mentioned that I understood many of her attitudes towards the world in general, due to everything she has had to live through, but on the other hand, she's quite intense and stubborn at times, and yes, she can be quite annoying. I think Clara sees most people as a challenge, an obstacle, or an enemy at times and that makes it very difficult to communicate with her or work with her, so my respects to the teachers she has met along the way. Obviously, I don't have to love a character to totally enjoy the story and this is a good example of that, but I did want to mention it because I totally understand that she can be incredibly annoying at times. On the other hand, we have Sag and he's the light of this book, you need to get to know him and love him! I liked the ending, it was pretty good, I don't think there's much to say about it, though. I think it's pretty predictable and not very shocking but it's not bad either, so I'd say it's a good ending and that's it. I also don't think there are any surprises or incredible plot twists, the only one that really surprised me was one of the deaths at the beginning of the book, but then it was pretty flat in that sense. Obviously, it doesn't need plot twists to be a good book, but as a fan of that aspect, I had to mention it. But it does have a very beautiful touch towards the end that makes you understand those little annotations at the beginning of each chapter and I think it's a nice thing. In conclusion, I can say that it's a great book, a super entertaining read that takes you on an intense journey where you'll see the weather change in crazy ways in front of your eyes and you'll see these incredibly strong witches trying to give everything of themselves to stop any disaster and that's great, there are many sacrifices during the book and you can really see the commitment there is here to keep everyone safe and at the same time take care of the planet. I would definitely recommend it if you like witch plots, wizarding schools, and training scenes. It also has very deep discussions about climate change and the responsibilities that are imposed on us. It's a very entertaining book that I'm sure will hook you and you'll want to know what happens at the end, it's not hard to read so that's another plus. I really enjoyed it and I'm excited to know what the author will do in the future! First Thoughts 07/31/21 I really adore how atmospheric this book is and how beautiful the aesthetic is, I completely understand why it's recommended for fans of The Wicked Deep because the vibe is very similar, and love that! Also the author's style is beautiful, overall very poetic and full of feelings, a great magical and romantic read, about taking care of the planet, about self worth & love in all its forms. On the other hand the main character is quite insufferable, but I'll tell you more about that soon, anyway it's a worthy read. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jul 24, 2021
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Jul 31, 2021
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Jul 24, 2021
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Hardcover
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| 9780648673156
| 4.03
| 1,747
| Jul 14, 2021
| Jul 15, 2021
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really liked it
| This book is extraordinary, a beginning of a series that will surely be of high impact; I'm not even surprised that I've enjoyed it so much because I' This book is extraordinary, a beginning of a series that will surely be of high impact; I'm not even surprised that I've enjoyed it so much because I've already read the author in the past and I've loved it too, so I already had an idea that this book would be just as addictive as her previous books and I wasn't mistaken. I'm not the biggest fan of sirens as such, but in this book, this mythological creature has a very unique and interesting twist that hooked me a lot; I also liked The Tournament the book focuses on and how this factor is used. It's a story that plays a lot with the morals of this society, it has an exceptional world construction, and I adore the main character. I'm so happy to have enjoyed this book! [image] 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ You can find more of my reviews & fun content on my blog A Book. A Thought. In this book, we meet Cyren, a powerful species that rules Saddoriel's ancient lair, a labyrinthine fortress powered by magic and music. Here we follow Roh, a young cyren, daughter of a known criminal who has been restricted to the lower zone to work cleaning bones. Still, Roh has always felt that she belongs on top, so when the opportunity to return shows up, she takes it: The Queen's Tournament, where she must beat the most powerful and dangerous Cyren. Still, Roh is willing to try, as the tournament winner will rule the entire lair. This book has a dangerous, tense, and intense vibe all the time; I love reading high fantasy from an author who knows how to manage time and create unique and successful environments. I really love the experience and would like to re-read this book sometime before jumping into the sequel, as I think it has many details and situations that are wonderful to relive. Obviously, the action is the protagonist during most of the story. Due to The Tournament and other high-impact situations, this makes it a super dynamic and quick-to-read story. It obviously has its dark side, which we not only enjoy in the hands of this peculiar and unique world but also because of the personal story of the main character, which is quite hard. The book also has a fairly political and social background that discusses the norms and morals within this species and the decisions that have been made in the past. We also see the main character going through a transformation process that's extremely intense and shocking, and I loved that. The author's writing style is a pleasure to read; I adore her trilogy, The Oremere Chronicles; it's brilliant, I highly recommend it, and I found myself again with beautiful descriptions worthy of a movie, super descriptive, but in the best way. I also love how she handles tension and how her stories are written, which makes them super addictive to read. If you're going to commit to one of her books, you have to have time on your hands because you'll not want to stop reading. I love this author; I highly recommend her! As for the characters, as I mentioned before, they're realistic within the mythological and fantastical of themselves, but they also have very marked personalities that make it easy to recognize them one another; this greatly facilitates the reading movement. I loved Roh, mostly because she's that kind of morally gray character that I usually enjoy, but also tormented and selfish, that kind of character that really has a huge evolution within the book. I'm glad to see that kind of progress just the beginning of her journey; this shows me that in the future, in the following books, it will be even more shocking what this character will be able to demonstrate; I'm very excited about her, very proud in some way too. You may not like her very well initially, but this is the intention since you achieve while reading to understand the reason for her decisions and personality. A fascinating character to explore that deserves recognition . Of course, the secondary characters are wonderful too, and I really don't have anything bad to say about them. This is not only a story of redemption and revenge, but it's a story that has its elements of mystery as well and its great revelations, so without a doubt, it's worth reading it, since the description given to this world of fantasy full of action is only the surface. What did I not like about this book? Well, you know that I'm demanding with my readings, but especially with this one because I knew that I would love the author's style, so I expected a lot. I have to say that although I end up enjoying it a lot, it cost me a little to enter the world at first; this is quite common in me because there's a lot of info. There are things that I didn't understand from the first moment that was confusing for me; even so, it ends up being all super clear, and I liked it a lot. Also, I have to confess that, in general, I would not read a book that focuses on mermaids kind of creatures because it's not usually my jam. I'm not too fond of tournaments in books either, which is a hugely unpopular opinion, I know, lol, but this only shows how incredible this book is cause I actually liked that aspect as well. After all, I made an exception because I adore the author, and everything flows perfectly and completely captivates me. I recommend this book if you want to read a unique YA Fantasy with high-impact scenes and a lot of action, but also a book that gives a new twist to mythological beings and gives us wonderful characters and a supremely dark, captivating plot. It has many incredible twists too, and a lot of growth, the world's construction is brilliant. It's a great start to what I hope will be a series. I can't wait to read the following few books! First Thoughts 06/06/21 I'm a little behind with my review for this one because I didn't get to finish it on time, but taking the time with this one was the right decision; I loved it & although it has aspects that I generally don't like in my books, the author has the talent to make them interesting, engaging and addictive. Amazing work ...more |
Notes are private!
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Jun 03, 2021
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Jun 06, 2021
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Jun 03, 2021
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ebook
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| 0648534294
| 9780648534297
| B092HHVHFH
| 4.21
| 132
| May 13, 2021
| May 13, 2021
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really liked it
| I really liked this conclusion; I think this is a clear case of a highly original trilogy that not many people know and undoubtedly deserves more love I really liked this conclusion; I think this is a clear case of a highly original trilogy that not many people know and undoubtedly deserves more love. In this book, we explore more the characters' thoughts in general, especially Kaylan's, who's now going through a massive change in herself and must face a last challenge. There are excellent plot twists and moments that take your breath away; I think of the three books. This one it's the most challenging and intense book so far, which leads to a great ending that I really liked . [image] 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ You can find more of my reviews & fun content on my blog A Book. A Thought. In this concluding book of the Relic trilogy, we accompany Kaylan and her friends in the last part of their journey to destroy the stones once and for all. But along the way, she has forged an even more intense connection with The Relic, which continues to be a questionable source for Kaylan, and even when this could be her path to victory, she doesn't know if she can fully trust it. It's difficult to describe the third book, so this review will be pretty vague; I invite you to read my previous reviews in case you want to know more about the plot of these books. But broadly speaking, we always follow the same guiding thread, the darkness and the danger that magic represents in this world and the fragility of the human being. It's extremely interesting because, as I think I've said before, not only it's a perfect fantasy world, but it's also one of those books that focuses more than anything on mental fragility and the darkness behind people's intentions; it's fascinating and complex. The fantastical world is very solid, but it's not what stands out for me, but rather the characters and the use of the mind in these books is fantastic. The author's style has grown a lot during the books; in this one, I highlight this point; the author manages to convey everything that the characters feel in a very raw way so that you feel committed to the journey of the main character. I believe that Kaylan's journey has made her grow a lot despite some challenges that she has still in her life. I think that she has managed to understand a lot about herself and has been able to kill some of her mental demons, and that's wonderful; at the end of the day, I'm glad where her story gone. It isn't much else I can share, but I really invite you to read this fantastic trilogy; we follow an incredibly dark story at times that speaks a lot about mental health in some way but also explores the magic and its adverse effects on people, in addition, we go through different states together along with the characters, where we meet them in different ways, and I love that. The world's construction is outstanding, especially as we progress during each book it improves and improves, also the atmosphere is brilliant and one of my favorite things! Such a great story, which I cannot fail to recommend. Every step we take is shocking, and the author shows excellent talent by giving us incredible twists that will make you addicted to this story. ...more |
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1
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May 10, 2021
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May 15, 2021
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May 10, 2021
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ebook
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| 1338574884
| 9781338574883
| 1338574884
| 4.03
| 20,358
| Mar 02, 2021
| Mar 02, 2021
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really liked it
| This book was a lot of fun, maybe I was hoping to get a slightly more dramatic and powerful ending, but it was pretty good anyway, I had an incredible This book was a lot of fun, maybe I was hoping to get a slightly more dramatic and powerful ending, but it was pretty good anyway, I had an incredible set of adventures, friendship, and paranormal situations, which are factors that I adore about this entire series in general. Above all, I know that I'll miss the characters a lot, who already have a place in my heart. [image] 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ You can find more of my reviews & fun content on my blog A Book. A Thought. In this third and final book, we continue with Cassy's adventures but this time in New Orleans where her parents make their next stop for their paranormal tv show. There Cassy along with his faithful ghost friend, Jacob, will be surrounded by a lot of paranormal activity, magical places, and secret sects, but that's nothing because they will have to face a challenge that Cassy never thought she would meet before, the servant of death himself. The book is super dynamic and I love that, the characters are always on the move and we know many emblematic and interesting places of New Orleans, in addition, and as we are used to during these books, we know everything about the local legends from the hand especially of Cassy's parents, but also other new characters that this time join the plot to give it a different tone and new paths. I love it, it's really fun to read this type of adventure, the MG genre is obviously much easier for me to read, but it doesn't lose the emotion and those feelings of wanting to know what will happen, apart from having all the factors for a good MG book, also gives us a dark and intriguing side, which is the true soul of this story and what, for me, makes it unique. It was extremely entertaining to follow the guys behind each paranormal situation and watch them fight to defend those they love but also humanity itself, this time it's different because literally, death is looking for them to hunt them down and take them once and for all. This time we also have Lara as the most active member in the story and that's great, I love the friendship that came to be created between her and Cassy (in fact, I cannot fail to mention that I felt something more than a friendship coming from these two ) but above all, to see the friendship become more real between Lara and Jacob is really a pleasure. Another thing that I really enjoyed on all these books and hasn't missed this time is the explorations to haunted and terrifying places, this time we visited several of them, but above all, I really enjoyed meeting some New Orleans cemeteries and their legends, I kind of feel I've myself traveled to each of these places in some way and I love that. On the other hand, I also enjoyed the humorous vibe that the author manages to generate within moments of drama, which obviously lightens things up a lot but also makes it even more fluid to read. Obviously, because it's the last book in the trilogy, many questions that hadn't been able to be resolved previously are made in this book, not only secondary situations but also real and primary concerns that Cassy has always had, both related to herself and Jacob. Due to this, the ending should be the most intense of the three books, but it wasn't for me, even though I liked what happened and I think it was extremely interesting, it answered many questions and gave more meaning to the stories, I'm not sure it had the necessary impact to be a great ending, I felt it somewhat tepid as the impact factor is lost a bit. To summarize a bit, I ended up enjoying this conclusion a lot, most of the book has that horror and comedy vibe that I love so much about this story, and as they always complete each other very well, I've also come to love the characters without a doubt, I would read thousands of books following Cassy, I think it's super fun, entertaining and even intriguing. The paranormal aspects are wonderful and it's full of them at all times, but also it also touches on topics of daily life such as friendship, family, and even the purpose of our lives. Also, this time discusses other family issues that surround Lara above all, and they're quite important to discuss, despite the fact that it's played far above, I definitely feel the weight in that story. It's a really wonderful story that makes you laugh and feel super close to the characters until you love them deeply and don't want anything to happen to them. Besides, if you like fluid stories, easy to read and entertaining but also paranormal and somewhat spooky then this is 100% for you, I know you'll not regret giving it a try First Thoughts 04/19/21 I love the adventures of Cassy & Jacob, so I feel super nostalgic to say goodbye to them, I love them!! But I still really liked this ending, I think like its predecessor books this adventure has a solid spooky background, but in fair measurewe also have moments of fun and exploration. I loved touring New Orleans and meeting this new villain who has put the lives of our protagonists in jeopardy. In this book I actually felt a bit of a romantic vibe coming from Lara & Cassy and I was living for it. ...more |
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1
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Apr 15, 2021
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Apr 19, 2021
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Apr 15, 2021
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ebook
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| 1481497065
| 9781481497060
| 1481497065
| 4.18
| 140,223
| Nov 05, 2019
| Nov 05, 2019
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really liked it
| “You can't expose a lie without first shattering the will to believe it. That is why leading people to truth is so much more effective than me “You can't expose a lie without first shattering the will to believe it. That is why leading people to truth is so much more effective than merely telling them.” I really enjoyed this conclusion to the trilogy, I still can't believe it's over, though, it was a wonderful journey and I'm SO happy to have read all the books. I think that despite the fact that this ending is over-informative at times, this is a very solid book that has incredible factors, such as impact scenes and unexpected revelations, but it also has a very special vibe that the author has managed to maintain throughout the trilogy, which makes you feel immersed in the story, almost like an intense realism that makes you want to continue reading. I love it and I'm very pleased with the ending! [image] Source 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ You can find more of my reviews & fun content on my blog A Book. A Thought. In this third and final part we follow the events three years after "Thunderhead", with Rowan and Citra missing, Goddard in power & a Thunderhead closed to everyone except Grayson. I don't want to give much more information just in case because I think that being the third book is very simple to make spoilers, but this is more or less the world we find when we start reading The Toll. I think this conclusion is expressed in the best Neal Shusterman style, with a lot of information that we knew to refresh our memory a bit, but also with a lot of new information, I think that what the author tries to do is cover us with knowledge about this dystopian world and especially with its history itself. We know a lot about how everything was in the beginning after humanity reached their higher level and conquers even death, and how it has evolved until the very change that has occurred within Thunderhead. I think he discusses in a very intelligent way what means to be human and the meaning of technology. Till when is it okay to use it? or What meaning does life have if you're not aware of the dangers and death itself as something that you cannot recover yourself from?. All these topics that touch the human conscience and especially the awakened conscience of Thunderhead seemed brilliant to me, it's a fascinating discussion to have in a dystopian world apparently perfect like this one. I think that as I mentioned before, it can be somewhat dense at times since it gives us too much information and hundreds of different points of views, but even so, I think that everything has a clear objective and even though I'm not the biggest fan of over-descriptive plots, I think that this time it has managed to give more seriousness and depth to the plot. At times I was confused as to how certain chapters or certain Scythes' diaries could be functional for what was happening, but the construction of the book and the level of work that is put into it makes you realize that nothing is left to chance and everything has a certain purpose. [image] The writing style is heavy, I'll not lie, or at least it has been for me, but even so, the author is very intelligent and knows how to create the perfect environment that makes you anticipate everything that's going to happen with more emotions, this way when you get to the main objective or the climax of the plot everything is more special and exciting. Also, the atmosphere is captured very well and makes things look beautiful in a dangerous way, which I've recognized in several scenes, scenes full of colors and life where terrible things happen, I think that's a very unique way of telling a story. “We're exploring the possibility of building a wall to stem the exodus." "Don't be ridiculous," Goddard said. "Only idiots build walls.” One detail that I like a lot about this book is how portrays each character in a crude and real way, showing their weaknesses as well as their strengths, I don't think there's a character in this story that's completely noble or completely evil. The book plays a lot with gray tones and that deserves my respect since it's not something easy to do with so many characters. The characters, in general, I loved all of them, but you know my favorites will always be Citra, Rowan & Faraday, and even in this book, they continue to be, although I confess that I'd have liked to see MORE of Citra and Rowan, not only them together which we hardly have the pleasure of seeing but as individuals. I know this book is about giving proper closure to a highly political and intricate plot, so we should focus on other characters like Goddard and his entourage, as well as Grayson and his people as well. But we also meet new characters who contribute a lot to the plot like Jeri, whom I've come to love and even admire. The power behind each character even in the secondary and tertiary is wonderful, and to see how although you think that at the beginning they'll not make any sense, then they have all the weight on situations extremely important for the movement and the ending of the plot, and I LOVE THAT. I could really talk about the characters forever, and I probably will on my blog, like a hundred times lol, but I don't want to make this a never-ending review. Even so, I want to highlight again how rich this book is in characters, and I feel that a piece of my heart will always stay with each one of them, seeing them grow through the years has been an honor and a pleasure. EVERYONE has evolved for both good and bad, but they have, and it's remarkable. *I LOVE FARADAY FOREVER* (I already miss him) There's something the author does in his books, but in this one, you can see much more, and it's to create the anticipation hunger with the individual story of each character, so when two main characters came together was even more powerful and impactful. Although it frustrates me not to have seen more interactions between some of them when the meeting happens I cannot deny that it's pure magic. [image] What can I say about the world that I haven't already said in previous reviews, right? Simply incredible, it's undoubtedly one of the most complete and unique, as well as one of the best created, thought out, and executed worlds that I've read in my life. The use of technology in situations that are even similar to "Game of Thrones" at times it's brilliant to me, the immensity of the places described and how they come to life in front of your eyes is a unique experience. I couldn't recommend this dystopian world enough, even if dystopia isn't a genre you're very fond of, because this time it's worth it. On the other hand, the discussion about human consciousness and the hunger for power is incredible. It's extremely interesting to read how a seemingly perfect society, where everything has already been solved by a superior artificial mind falls apart anyway from the greed of man. Absolutely brilliant! Seeing in front of my eyes how human beings destroy everything that their ancestors have managed to build just out for power and different religious opinions, is hard but also extremely real. But on the other hand, there's a part that's a bit more bright that talks about the Scythes and their commitment to their own duty, and how this evolves is very interesting, and although there's a lot of darkness, there's always a bit of hope and there are those who follow doing things well, with respect and humanity. “We never know what choices will lead to defining moments in our lives. A glance to the left instead of right could define who we meet and who passes us by. Our life path can be determined by a single phone call we make, or neglect to make.” SO interesting, you guys, I don't think I'm capable of putting all my feelings together right now and putting them into words, but this is a certain deep story with hundreds of nuances, and I think that even though I love each of the books, there's a higher evolution towards the end as for the characters and especially to the plot, since darker and more morally problematic themes are played. I LOVE the trilogy & the ending of this book is heartbreaking in a million different ways, Did I cry? YES, and I feel that I can still feel something in my belly when I think about it, I think all the events are as inspiring as they're hard to assimilate, and all that combined with the nostalgia of knowing that I no longer read about my babies, made me feel extremely sensitive lol. In short, LOVED THE ENDING, and that it will not be like that for everyone, but I personally think it's almost poetic, and I adored that sweet feeling of not knowing more, you know? which may be upsetting for other readers, but for me, it was a beautiful ending full of hope and meaning beyond words. * silently loving Rowan and Citra forever * Needless to say, of course, I recommend this trilogy literally to any person in this world who wants to be impressed. I think if you enjoy sci-fi elements like high technology and artificial intelligence on earth then this book is for you. In addition, I also recommend it if you generally like to explore human psychology and man's consciousness, their deep fears, and greed as well as their weaknesses and dreams. It's also a trilogy with many plot twists, so without a doubt, you'll be surprised more than once, as well as you'll also be able to witness scenes of a lot of action and impact. Finally, I also recommend it if you like dystopian worlds and want something more unique and original, this is perfect since you'll be able to know a society that has even overcome death and you'll be able to see how everything falls apart and rises again in front of your eyes. An extraordinary work by the author and I'm dying to read more by him! First Thoughts 01/14/21 OMG!!! I loved the ending, so emotional and full of meaning, I didn't know what to expect but I love what I got & Citra as Rowan will always be one of my favorite characters (couples) and of course also my beloved Faraday. This book is slow at times and I think it has a lot of information for me, but still super enjoyable and very well executed. I'm SO happy to have embarked myself on such a wonderful journey. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Dec 17, 2020
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Jan 14, 2021
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Nov 28, 2020
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Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 1250757053
| 9781250757050
| 1250757053
| 3.86
| 2,452
| Apr 13, 2021
| Apr 13, 2021
|
really liked it
| I want to thank NetGalley & Tor Books very much for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book! I think i I want to thank NetGalley & Tor Books very much for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book! I think it deserves its own credit for taking a dark mystery and a murder story, and blending it perfectly with this fantasy world where magic also plays a supremely interesting role. I especially like the vibe that's quite atmospheric, but dense at the same time, I'm not saying this negatively, but the author takes her time to develop everything in a very detailed way, which gives a lot of depth and context to everything that happens. .Although confusing at one point, the construction of the world is super intriguing and fascinating to discover [image] 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ You can find more of my reviews & fun content on my blog A Book. A Thought. On the other hand, the magical or cursed objects, and the story behind them is great, as well as it's a book that relies heavily on the history of each object and how it impacts today's society. Also has a very complex and interesting look at society and its different social classes. I also want to emphasize that this book is very easy to read as a standalone so I love that, even so in a world that's clearly very complex and gigantic, it's to be hoped that the author has decided to continue a little more and explore more of it. I should mention that it's not an easy book to read at all, in fact, it's quite slow-paced and the beginning can be confusing to understand, but once you go through it and understand better where you are located, then it unfolds wonderfully. One of my favorite factors is that the book is divided between several POVs and not only that, but we jump in time between the past and the prest. Another point that has been super refreshing for me wasn't only the characters, which I tell you are very complex and realistic but also the book itself has a perfect mix between the mystery that we follow as the main theme and the fantasy elements, which are highlighted and explained but almost to a lesser extent. I feel that this will not be for everyone, but I liked the idea that the fictional world such as the fantasy and magic aspects are put in the background since it gives it a new and original vibe where it focuses on more mundane things, but always with that paranormal vibe that I love, it's a great touch that, although it seems minimal, gives the book a lot of character. Firt Toughts 04/15/21 This book has really surprised me, it proved to be even more incredible than I thought it would be. A super solid adult-fantasy plot with elements of thriller and horror that are a perfect addiction to create a great atmosphere. I also think it's extremely unique and somewhat refreshing to read. I loved it and am excited to tell you more about it in my full review. Obviously I can't wait for the next books! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Apr 08, 2021
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Apr 15, 2021
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Nov 17, 2020
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Hardcover
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| B00CQY7WBI
| 4.20
| 262,794
| Sep 24, 2013
| Sep 24, 2013
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really liked it
| “Plenty of humans were monstrous, and plenty of monsters knew how to play at being human.” This was a super intriguing read from start to f “Plenty of humans were monstrous, and plenty of monsters knew how to play at being human.” This was a super intriguing read from start to finish, I'm so glad I finally gave it a try, now I understand all the love the book receives. I adore the author so I knew that I would enjoy this story, it was kind of heavy at times, but still, I managed to enjoy the approach of the story, I adore the scientific elements, the characters are quite solid and complex & I love the dark atmosphere it has. [image] Source 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ You can find more of my reviews & fun content on my blog A Book. A Thought. The book is about two college friends Victor & Eli. They're brilliant young men united by ambition and their incredible minds. When the last year ar university arrives and they must present their thesis, Eli decides to focus on EOs or ExtraOrdinary, which are people who have special abilities. But what started as something theoretical ends up being something experimental and Victor, driven by his competitiveness, also decides to include himself in this dangerous project. The boys discover that an EO can be created by having a near-death experience, but by pushing themselves to the limit things end up going horribly wrong. In the present and 10 years after those events, Victor has just escaped from prison hungry for revenge, determined to find his old friend, and make him pay for what he has done to him. While Eli is on his own mission where he's trying to eradicate all EOs from the face of the earth. Armed with incredible power from both sides they decide to finally have the battle they owe, but only one can come out of that alive. The very plot of this book is brilliant to me, I really like how the author decides to play with a very intense dark academy style, full of morally gray characters that you can't stop reading about. I think if I had to describe this book with a single word I would say INTENSE. It's a plot with many strengths, I love that the chapters are short, that somehow makes it easier to read and feels more fluid, I mean, we need more short chapters in books, right? I also love jumps in time and how they're handled, this is usually an aspect that I love to find in books, and this time it was excellently handled, it gives you a better perspective of what's happening, how's the relationship between the characters and the why of their actions. I love how the author gives us the information little by little, making us get more and more into the minds of each character even before knowing the whole truth, I really liked that! was a super-smart touch. I really like how the superpower topic is handled in a quite realistic way, focused, and 100% scientifically. It's a new face that can be given to the story of superheroes or supervillains and I liked it a lot. I think that makes the book unique, and shows you the cruelest and most ambitious side of the human being . I also love how atmospheric it is, we visit various urban places as the story progresses, but you always have that feeling of tension and almost uncomfortable, which shows how powerful the story is. [image] I was very interested in the relationship between Eli and Victor, I confess that I didn't like Victor when I read about his younger self, I think he was too ambitious and competitive, almost selfish, and to see that side of him in such a raw way made me have a stronger empathy with Eli, but this certainly changes towards the ending when you know what's happening in the present and what are the things that drive him to do so many cruel things. In this book there are no good characters, they all have a very large shadow over them, a terrible past that has molded them in darker ways, so they all fall into being "villainous", which I like, it's a book that portrays very well the cruelest side of the human being and what we're capable of doing when we have that much power. Eli's driven by what he believes to be "divine principles", and in his "madness" or "delirium" he believes that he's the one chosen to end the EOs since he thinks that these people are no longer the same after going through a near-death experience, then he believes that he's doing good, seeing himself as a hero, when in reality we can see that his actions are cruel and cold. Victor, on the other hand, I think it has always been the same way, and I think it continues to drive his hunger to want to be better than Eli, there's a lot of competition happening between them, but this time he also feels a very heavy desire for revenge, also after going through his transition or "rebirth" he has lost the capacity for empathy and has become even colder. What I like about Victor's character at the end is the relationship he establishes with Sydney & Mitch because I think that brings a lot of humanity to him. Both characters, even with everything and their evil minds, are brilliantly constructed and very well thought out, despite the fact that this book has a great plot, I think the characters are what stands out the most due to their realism and intensity of personalities. I personally love Sydney with all my heart, I feel very bad for her personal story, but I'm glad to see how she has become stronger over time and how despite having gone through traumatic moments that hasn't changed her true self, and continues to be a super sweet and empathetic girl. Exploring his relationship with her sister Serena was incredible to me, it's a very complex and toxic relationship, like all the relationships in this book lol, but so interesting to read and I was very intrigued to see what would happen to them towards the ending, and I must say that I'm pleased with the result. Mitch is another great character, I think he was meant to be secondary, but his personality is lovely, he has that rough man appearance but actually, I think he has a very sensitive side that puts feelings to the plot. Seeing the relationship between Serena and Eli was also very interesting, I think that Serena's ability may be my favorite in the book because OMG, you can do everything with that power lol, but it also allows many things to happen. I think that even though I really enjoyed the book and it has elements that make it highly intriguing and addicting, there were moments where it felt heavy, but that although it's something I feel I should mention, it's not something that has prevented me from enjoying its other incredible aspects. Personally, I enjoyed the second half and the ending of the book much more than the beginning, when you already understand everything that's happening and it's time for the confrontation you can feel a lot of tension and anticipation, which I love & I think after waiting so long for the grand finale, it was worth it, I think it could have been even more shocking and unpredictable, but I still liked it, I enjoyed it. Now I feel super excited to read the sequel, I don't know what will happen, but I'm definitely intrigued. [image] I can recommend this book easily, I think it has graphic, bloody and intense content, so be very careful with that, above all, there are many situations of people losing their lives either wanting to do it or by murder, so if you're sensitive regarding mutilations and that kind of thing I recommend discretion. Even so, leaving this aside, it's a super-intelligent book that shows the dark side of the human being in an entertaining and unique way. I like that although this is a story that has supernatural elements, it's not the main focus, but rather the minds and beliefs of the characters are explored and how they can be as powerful and dark as a superpower. There's a lot of manipulation going on and there are no "good" characters, everyone in this story is a character that has been corrupted in some way and this will be reflected in their actions, and choices. Such brilliant work by the author, as usual, so I definitely recommend it. First Thoughts 10/28/20 I liked it very much, which is no surprise, I always adore the author and her stories always have an impact on me. In this case, especially enjoy the uniqueness of the plot and how it touches the topic of special abilities or "superpowers" in a more scientific way, and the discussion between what's considered a hero and a villain is very interesting to explore, as well. I like that the characters are all morally-gray, knowing their darkest and vengeful sides was very entertaining. I have a lot to discuss about this book, so I can't wait to bring you my full review. In short, it's a great book, although I think it gets really intense and really really amazing towards the end, the last chapters were fire, I loved them! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 22, 2020
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Oct 28, 2020
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Oct 22, 2020
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Kindle Edition
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| 1682815099
| 9781682815090
| 1682815099
| 3.77
| 1,420
| Dec 01, 2020
| Dec 01, 2020
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really liked it
| I want to thank NetGalley & Entangled: Teen for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review I found many surprises in this bo I want to thank NetGalley & Entangled: Teen for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review I found many surprises in this book that I adore, I confess that this time there was little I knew about the plot, I'd only heard it was based on some Portuguese myths and I loved that, so that was what led me to pick up the book and I really loved it! Not only I think the basis of this story is super solid and very well executed, but I also really enjoyed how fresh and unique the story felt as a whole. Undoubtedly, a historical fantasy that I needed in my life before the end of the year, super easy to read and although presumptuous at times, easy to enjoy. [image] 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ You can find more reviews & fun content on my blog A Book. A Thought. In this book, we follow Princess Yzabel, who finds herself in the grip of a terrible curse that causes all the food she tries to eat to be turned into flowers. This has brought her to the brink of starvation, which deeply unites her to the pain that the people of Portugal feel since they're also starving. Fatyan, a beautiful Enchanted Moura, seems to be the only one capable of reversing her spell, but she'll only do it if Yzabel releases herself of her own spell with a kiss, and even though Yzabel is engaged to the king of Portugal, she decides to accept for her people, but that kiss awakens another kind of hunger inside her. She had sought out Fatyan to help her and save her people. Now, loving her could mean Yzabel's destruction. This book managed to be as magical as it sounds, with the development of a myth with such beautiful colors behind it, is really difficult for something to fail, and although I think it was really beautiful and that the author decided to execute this myth on a very successful way, I feel that I'd have liked further development in other areas. I think the focus is on the myth and the development of the main characters, which I liked a lot, but I'd have liked to know a little more about Portugal from a social and cultural point of view, basically about its history itself, even so, this is the approach that the author decided to give to her story and I respect that. On the other hand, I feel that I have a somewhat unpopular opinion about the pace of the book, for me, it was very rushed at times, I'd have liked to explore more things, more places, and more lives of some secondary characters and those things, I think a slower pace would have been perfect, especially when it comes to developing romance. I think the first part of the book is super solid and even more the last chapters which are where the story really comes to life, but there are some weak scenes especially in the middle , scenes that perhaps could have been developed more deeply and others that I felt were there as to lengthen the book a little more, I felt I want more information, which is something good because it means that I'm interested in what I'm reading. Apart from this, I really enjoyed this book and its story, and the things that could have been better, in my opinion, are only details, I don't think there's any major flaw, I think it's a clean, fresh and innovative book in many ways. I really liked the characters, especially Yzabel, I think I'm demanding with my main characters, especially in new releases I hope to see something new, and this character gave me what I expected, she's SO brave and caring, and I love how she empathizes with the poorest people all the time putting herself in their place and wanting to fight for them. Despite the horrible curse that obviously has her extremely weak, I think she's a very strong girl in personality, who goes directly for those she wants, and I admire that, I liked her position for most of the book and I also think she had a super marked growth towards the end of the book. And I also liked the other characters, but I think Yzabel is the best created. Finding myself with a king who's not the typical evil king, but is a softer personality, I liked, I think that having an evil one who's not so evil, gives him an original touch since it shows that not all people have only one bad side and a good side, but we're a combination of both, and that's fine, it's more real for me. I liked the romance, I think it's very sweet, and it's very well thought out, again, I think it was kind of rash, and I'd have liked a better transition and slower development, but still, I managed to enjoy it a lot, the relationship felt very real, and the way in which the author described everything made me feel deeply invested in what was happening between them. I want to remind you that the book follows a sapphic romance so that's great! I think many people will like this romantic side of the story, it was very beautiful. The author's style, although a bit rush-y at times, is very solid, I love how she has chosen to elaborate this story from a more sentimental side because I think the emotional charge is there, there were scenes where I felt like I could cry, so I can say It will make you feel many emotions, and that's obviously due to the author's writing style, which is really beautiful. I wouldn't say her style is very colorful, but rather that type of simpler writing in the best way, it takes you through the scenarios in a very good way and although, as I said, it's rush at times, it still handles other aspects that generate good thrill in the reader I would undoubtedly recommend this book, I think it has a solid base that's very interesting to explore, the myth on which the author has been based is incredibly beautiful and magical, that's still my favorite aspect of the book, and although it's rush in its narration and it lacks development in some aspects, it's very enjoyable and although many say it's a slow pace, I don't think so, I read it quite fast, in fact, on the contrary, I think that a slow pace would have been even better to develop more some areas in depth, but in general, the story itself is very good and is very well thought out. The romance is charming, the characters are quite solid, especially the main character who stands out above other characters that I've read due to her feisty and empathetic personality & also is quite atmospheric, which is great. But if you like myths and want to explore this Porugues myth, don't hesitate to give it a chance, it's worth it. First Thoughts 12/18/20 What a wonderful fantasy!! I really enjoyed this book very much, the plot is super original, I'd never heard about Portuguese mythology before and I really fell in love with the myth on which this story is based. I think it's very easy to read and I found myself kind of moved by the story at times, which I didn't expect. On the other hand, I feel like some scenes are rushed and lack the necessary construction to make the story feel more atmospheric, but it's still super enjoyable and refreshing. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Dec 07, 2020
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Dec 12, 2020
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Oct 20, 2020
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Hardcover
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| 1534437673
| 9781534437678
| 1534437673
| 4.19
| 47,473
| Oct 13, 2020
| Oct 13, 2020
|
liked it
| “Usually," Xiala said carefully, "when someone describes a man as harmless, he ends up being a villain.” I enjoyed the promise this book offered fr “Usually," Xiala said carefully, "when someone describes a man as harmless, he ends up being a villain.” I enjoyed the promise this book offered from the beginning. The quality of the writing seemed fantastic, as did some of the characters and their interactions. Additionally, the fantasy world it presents is fascinating, especially in its magical elements. Plus: inspired by the civilizations of the Pre-Columbian Americas! 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ [image] Some aspects of the story didn't completely convince me. While well-written, the narrative doesn't flow as smoothly as I expected. I had difficulty understanding what was happening, perhaps due to the complexity of the plot and dense explanations at the start. The information overload at the beginning can also be overwhelming for the reader. I completely understand that this may be the author's way of emphasizing ideas and engaging us as we read, but at times, it can be a bit challenging to navigate. I fully understand the introduction of a huge variety of characters at the beginning of the book; in fact, we all know it's common in fantasy novels. However, here, I felt like all characters were thrown at me at once, making it hard to remember who was who and which name belonged to whom. Moreover, the choice of third-person narrative could have benefited from a more gradual approach, allowing certain characters to shine more with first-person chapters, providing a more intimate perspective and perhaps a smoother reading experience. What I truly appreciate about this work, especially in the genre, is the meticulous attention to every detail. It's evident that the author invested time in crafting the world, political intrigue, and social development, with diverse societies and cultures representing distinct concepts . Although the execution wasn't entirely to my liking, I positively highlight the magical system, as it is truly unique. Regarding the characters, they’re robust and well-developed. Lord Balam and Xiala stand out for their depth and originality. Xiala, in particular, defied my expectations for such a crucial character in the story. She’s honest from the beginning, deeply rooted in her beliefs, defends her opinions well, and her actions are coherent. On the other hand, characters like Serapio and Narampa failed to connect with me in the same way. I think where I noticed the flaw or the weakest point in the reading was towards the end. While intriguing, it lacks a satisfying climax for a first book in a series. Personally, I needed something with a higher impact to fully convince me to pick up the next installment. This is a point that, if different, could have increased my desire to continue the series. The romantic aspect didn't capture my interest as much as the friendships did, and in such a complex plot, I feel that romance could have taken a back seat to make room for other elements. This isn't an unusual opinion for me, as I tend to avoid heavy romance plots, especially when seeking a fantasy experience. Don't get me wrong; I enjoy a good romance any time of day, just in this particular story, I found it lacking, unable to captivate me. Therefore, by the end, it felt more like an impediment or something forced into the narrative rather than a meaningful contribution. In summary, while it's a good book, it didn't meet my expectations. This might be more due to my personal expectations than the book's quality, that's for sure. Although I don't plan to continue with the series, I must praise the incredible book covers!! OMG, that alone might tempt me to buy more books from the series #shameonme. Would you recommend this book? YES! I think it is a worthwhile fantasy, it has some very compelling and unique aspects. It may be a bit disorganized in its totality and it lacks a shocking ending but I think it's worth it just for the magic system and the socio-cultural plot. Go for it! I will definitely be trying more of the author's work in the future, I think maybe with another genre I can explore and enjoy more of her writing style. First thoughts after reading it 19/11/2023 I'll be writing a full review soon because this read really deserves it, but for now I'll say that it's a good book, it has super gripping moments and keeps you wanting to know what will happen, but I'm not sure I'm hooked enough to continue with the series. I think that although it's well written, it has a lot of character introduction very early on along with a rather complex political, cultural and social plot that tries to be presented in a very rushed way for my taste, all of this was a bit confusing and at times hard to follow, but towards the end it gets better. I didn't really like the world building itself is super confusing. But I promise to be back soon with my thoughts clearer. ...more |
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1
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Nov 08, 2023
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Nov 19, 2023
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Sep 12, 2020
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Hardcover
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| 0062839470
| 9780062839473
| 0062839470
| 3.88
| 1,046
| Nov 17, 2020
| Nov 17, 2020
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really liked it
| I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review OMG, this graphic novel has one of the most beautiful illus I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review OMG, this graphic novel has one of the most beautiful illustrations I've ever come across with!! I fell absolutely in love with them and I took my time reading it to be able to appreciate each image in detail. You can see the work that has been dedicated to this story, from the care of the illustrations to the development of the characters and the world. Super easy and dynamic to read, I think that even being a Middle-Grade it can be super enjoyable for any age. [image] 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ You can find more fo my reviews & other fun content on my blog A Book. A Thought. In this entertaining and adventurous tale, we follow several characters but its protagonist is Nathan, a young human who lives in the land of Nothing, where humans coexist with the Volken, but that seems to be about to change. Nathan soon discovers that he has powers, powers that he's not supposed to have since humans don't have such abilities, and together with a group of magical companions, they must undertake a journey where they'll pass through many obstacles to achieve a common goal: Save the land of Nothing and destroy a dark evil. I don't usually read graphic novels, not because I don't like them, but because I suppose I haven't gotten into the habit of doing it, but it makes me very happy that I decided to read this book. It's a very entertaining adventure journey, it has a lot of magic going on and even though it take place in a land called Nothing, a LOT of things happen all the time. I loved how dynamic it felt to read it, it's a very beautiful experience, and I think that anyone who enjoys magical readings and fantasy plots could easily enjoy it. The way the story is built is beautiful, it's a graphic novel so it's obvious that it's a superb visual experience, but I also think it has the right amount of dialogue and text, especially so that we can adapt to the world and surroundings. On the other hand, it feels a lot like an introductory book, so there will surely be more volumes after this one. That wasn't a problem for me, though, but I do see that the author has focused a lot on introducing the reader to the characters and the world in a direct and brief way so that everything can feel more and more familiar and I liked this focus. I loved how the author has managed the creation of the characters, I liked all of them, some are very magical, but above all, I liked them because they're really different from each other, not only because they're different species, but you can also clearly see the difference between personalities, due to where they come from, their beliefs, experiences, and customs, which I thought was a very nice touch. It's always positive to be able to differentiate each character well by giving them something unique, especially when we follow a group of characters during a journey. Although this graphic novel is focused on a youth/middle-grade audience, it has some scenes of violence that can be shocking, as well as grief, so I wanted to mention that just in case it's something you don't want to read. On the other hand, I would like to mention that it touches on very rich topics, especially with respect to the characters and their identities. There are a couple of subplots that I would love to explore further in the future as well. This is an extremely entertaining read to spend an incredible time full of action, adventure, and lots of magic. It's perfect to read if you usually enjoy high-fantasy and especially if you like the "chosen one" plot and follow multiple characters. I think there are moments that it proves to be a fairly innovative graphic novel, that touches issues of the time in a fresh way. In summary, I highly recommend it, being a quick read there's much that I don't want to say because it could easily be a spoiler, it's also a fun book to experiment with and see by yourself. It's visually beautiful, the illustrations are unique, full of color and life. The characters are very good as well as the world-building, and the main idea of the plot is solid. I think everything is touched in a superficial way, but even so, the illustrations give it a lot of life and depth in their own way. There's a lot of magic, unique creatures, and the group goes through the most beautiful places, as well as other dangerous ones, but just as captivating. I hope you decide to give it a try because I think it's one of those graphic novels that's worth reading. Too much fun! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 18, 2020
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Nov 24, 2020
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Sep 05, 2020
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Paperback
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| 1640639020
| 9781640639027
| 1640639020
| 3.27
| 608
| Feb 02, 2021
| Feb 02, 2021
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it was ok
| I want to thank NetGalley & Entangled: Teen for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, this book wasn't made fo I want to thank NetGalley & Entangled: Teen for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, this book wasn't made for me, I was able to enjoy some scenes that made me laugh and I can also say that the positive thing about this book is that at least it kept my interest in knowing what would happen, even so, there's not much else to highlight. The plot itself is about vampires, there are a bit of boyish bands, travel and friendship too, it has a very old-school style in terms of structure and plot, which can be a fun factor, just didn't resonate with me this time, plus it didn't help the fact that it's pretty cliche. I felt everything quite flat, there are scenes that are absurd that come out of nowhere to keep the plot moving, the characters aren't strong enough to be highlighted and sadly I don't have much to say about the descriptions or the setting since there's not much development there. [image] 2/5 ⭐⭐ You can find more of my reviews & fun content on my blog A Book. A Thought. The book basically follows Tansy as she tries to save her friend Skyler from a gang of vampires while trying to discover the meaning of her feelings for her other best friend Vaughn. From here they'll find themselves in impossible situations surrounded by dangers and challenges which will push Tansy to make a decision as the last sacrifice to save the lives of her friends. I think this book ended up being too childlike for me, I don't mean that I don't enjoy books with this youthful vibe where anything can happen as long as the plot continues to move, but in this case, it didn't work for me. I think the idea itself is fun, and I was super excited to read it just because there would be vampires and that's always an entertaining factor for me, and while I did enjoy that particular point, I think the execution itself and the way in which the author has handled the development of it is something disastrous at times, I don't want to sound mean, but I really think there were many ways to take the story down an interesting path and this hasn't been my favorite. There are a lot of good ideas in the book, but I don't know, it just felt too carefree to be 100% interested in what was going on. There's a very great lack of descriptions and this makes it difficult to locate within the story in time and space, this is not always something that personally requires to enjoy a plot, but here I do think it would have been a great touch that would probably have done a lot more for the plot. On the other hand, we also have the development of the characters, and this is probably what I liked the least about the book, the characters themselves aren't remarkable nor do they really have anything that makes them special to me , plus many attitudes, especially from Tansy, are silly, and it's okay, I understand that the characters must go wrong to carry out and grow at some point, but OMG, she was desperate for me, I don't like this character and I feel like she has had too many opportunities within the story to re-vindicate herself and she hasn't known how to take advantage of them. I had high hopes that the book would improve in quality towards the end and at some point, I almost thought it would, but it didn't, and it fell again to end in an unsatisfactory way for me. I think one of my biggest problems with the book is that it doesn't follow a clear line when telling the story, it's like random things happen all of a sudden to make it more "exciting" I guess. I can't deny that it has a lot of twists and turns and revelations, which makes it feel a bit more interesting when reading, but even so, a book doesn't stand up on revelations alone, so after the surprise and the initial shock again falls into being even a little repetitive and cliche at times. Although I must admit that romance hasn't been one of the worst I've read, it has adorable moments, which is good. In some way, I can see the author wants this story to be sexy and funny something like True Blood but more youthful(? Or something like that, so maybe this crazy and reckless factor that characterizes it is here on purpose and is the style the author wants to give to the book, in that case, I can see other readers enjoying it without problems, perhaps I'm not simply the target for it, since a certain part of me expected a greater development of the plot, more explanations in general, and above all a seriousness that's lost as you progress through the reading. I'll not judge the author based on only one of her works, nor it's my intention to speak badly of her style, I believe that each writer has a unique imprint that will always work wonderfully for some readers more than for others, so I would probably be willing to give her a second chance maybe with another type of genre. This book isn't for me, and that's clear, but even so, I think it could work if you're looking for something light to read, it may be the absurdity of its plot and the crazy actions of the characters, as well as the youthfulness of their dialogues and paranormal factors works for you at the end. Obviously, I cannot recommend it as fervently as I usually do, since it hasn't been a book that I enjoy with that intensity, but even so, this is just my opinion and I hope it doesn't stop you from trying it if you feel like it. It's clear that I was looking for a much more serious, intense, and action plot, so this book really fell short in those aspects. I still think, from my humble opinion, that it could be an interesting plot with a little more work. First Thoughts 03/10/21 I was hopeful that it will get better as the story progressed but it didn't. I think this is the kind of book that is a hit or miss for me and this time, unfortunately, it was a miss. I think the idea is fun and has a lot of possibilities to explore, but I felt it too immature in terms of the character voices which are quite flat as well, and the scenes are somewhat absurd. It reminded me a bit of Riverdale but paranormal, I don't know why lol, it's that kind of plot that you know is kind of everywhere & absurd, but I understand that it has moments that can be enjoyed. Still this wasn't for me. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Mar 10, 2021
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Mar 18, 2021
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Sep 05, 2020
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Paperback
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| 1534453857
| 9781534453852
| 1534453857
| 3.70
| 11,555
| Mar 09, 2021
| Mar 09, 2021
|
liked it
| I feel like I expected a lot more from this book, I really liked the first part, I feel like the premise is great and I love the idea of the main char I feel like I expected a lot more from this book, I really liked the first part, I feel like the premise is great and I love the idea of the main characters and their stories, it's all really very intriguing and I enjoyed several aspects, especially the personalities of the girls, I think it's well thought out, but the plot itself wasn't powerful, or interesting enough I would say, to get me 100% hooked, I think mostly after the middle everything gets kind of heavy and easy to predict. Even so, I still have very positive things to say soon in my review. 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ FULL REVIEW TO COME ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Aug 16, 2021
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Aug 23, 2021
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Aug 18, 2020
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Hardcover
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| 125031397X
| 9781250313973
| 125031397X
| 3.71
| 16,913
| Mar 23, 2021
| Mar 23, 2021
|
really liked it
| “Shadows are made up of darkness. They feed off of sadness and despair. They manifest what you’re most scared of and use it as a weapon to feed off “Shadows are made up of darkness. They feed off of sadness and despair. They manifest what you’re most scared of and use it as a weapon to feed off your fear.” I loved this book; I think that despite being slow, it's extremely atmospheric and very entertaining to read. There's a great construction of the environment in mystery and suspense that makes you feel excited. You can't stop reading because you really want to know what will happen, which I love, there's a lot of anticipation with it, and obviously, the setting is ideal. The characters are good, nothing awe-inspiring, but I did like the interactions between them and the family, friendship and romantic relationships are all very realistic, in my opinion. So yeah, I really liked it, and I'm excited to recommend it to everyone! [image] 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ You can find more of my reviews & fun content on my blog A Book. A Thought. In this story we follow Wendy, a girl who lives in a small seaside town of Astoria, five years ago she got lost in the forest with her brothers, but only she returned with no memories of what really happened, now the children have begun to disappear in the forest again, and this is a trigger for Wendy who now must face again a past full of guilt that haunts her. With all this happening, a mysterious boy named Peter appears in town, a boy who, to Wendy's surprise, not only lives in the stories that her mother used to tell her but is very real and needs her urgent help to recover the lost children, and a once in the woods, Wendy must face what really happened the night her brothers disappeared. There's something so compelling about this Peter Pan retelling, and I think it's above all the fact that it's extremely dark compared to the original one and has some twists that make it stand out and become a unique story on its own; I really enjoyed every moment reading it. And even though it has a slow pace and the characters can become slightly annoying, that didn't get in the way of my commitment to the plot itself, which I consider is the main protagonist here. The plot is very intriguing, mysterious, and has a kind of creepy atmosphere that keeps you hooked; I really like the touch the author gave it and the paths that he has decided to take with it. In this book, we not only explore who Peter Pan is and not only do we have a magical and surreal touch, but I also think it's important to note that it touches a lot of family aspects and given the circumstances of the disappearance of Wendy's brothers as children, it obviously explores guilt, depression, and desolation of the characters under this fact. It's hard to see how much this tragic event has affected the lives of Wendy's parents and her own, being her older sister, and all the guilt and anguish that she feels. Personally, I connected a lot with her feelings regarding this, and I really felt the connection she had with her brothers, which is super special. I connected especially because I'm also the older sister of two boys, so that's why it struck a chord in me. As I already mentioned, we also have some magical aspects that come from the obvious hand of Peter Pan, who's in trouble since his shadow has disappeared and has become this evil entity; in addition to this, we know a little about Neverland and its concept. In this book, it's just brilliant! We don't go through Neverland precisely, he only mentions it, but still, you almost feel like you were there. I understand that this is a new perspective within Peter Pan's story. I like the author has decided to focus more on the real world, bringing itself factors of magical realism and fantasy ones in general. Obviously, I really enjoyed the author's style; I think that although it's quite descriptive, it's still very compelling, and I'm excited to read more of his work; without a doubt, he's very talented. In addition, I also liked the dialogues quite a bit; some moments are kind of cringy, I won't lie, but mostly quite adorable and credible. One factor that I usually have trouble connecting with is romance, but this time I loved it; it's super subtle, and some scenes took my breath away; I was like, "just kiss each other already," lol I liked it a lot. When I refer to this book as being darker, I not only mean the atmosphere and the setting itself, which is absolutely brilliant, I must say, the small-town vibe is my jam, but I also mean that it contains quite intense and graphic scenes that can cause a lot of pain, some twists are heartbreaking, and I personally go through a lot of emotions, especially towards the ending. If you've already read it, you know what I mean, it's a quite crude scene in particular, and the emotions that Wendy feels are very intense, so I recommend discretion if you're sensitive to too much graphic content and high levels of pain. I know it sounds extreme when I describe it, but it was quite triggering for me, so I wouldn't want someone to run into that twist without expecting it, you know? I loved the ending; I found it different from the "conventional" endings, you know? I found it very original and, above all, extremely significant; I liked it a lot. It leaves you with a bittersweet feeling when you finish the book because you carry the weight of your emotions with you, and it breaks your heart a little, so I read the last pages with many mixed feelings, which somehow makes the end more powerful even. In summary, this is a great book, extremely atmospheric, with a setting worthy of a movie, characters that may not stand out on their own, but do create a great cast when they interact with each other, the dialogues are solid, and it has beautiful scenes that aren't only meaningful and full of feelings, but also this is a book full of aesthetics, it's beautifully described, which is worth highlighting. I also like that this is a book that not only focus on the aspects of retelling as such, it also takes time to focus on the tragic story of parents who lose their children and a sister who blames herself for it and punishes herself for having dreams and illusions, you know? It's profound, and the thoughts and emotions are incredibly successful; it's a great job, and without a doubt, I highly recommend it. Despite having seen more negative than positive reviews, I took a risk with it, and I recommend it, it resonates with me, and I think it's worth it. First Thoughts 06/01/21 I loved this book!! I’d heard some negative opinions, but it worked very well for me, I do think it’s a bit slow and can be dense at times, but I honestly love the idea of the plot and I’m not even the biggest fan of Peter Pan, but I still managed to get 100% hooked with what happened with the characters. It’s one of those books that you have to start knowing that it might take a while to finish, you know? but that depends on each reader, I guess. The first part flies, it’s super dynamic, things happen all the time and there’s also a lot of mystery and suspense, which keeps you wanting to know what will happen, but then it stops a bit in the middle and then I really liked the end. I think overall it’s a solid book with a magical dark small town atmosphere of the kind I love, plus there’s a spooky forest involved so.. sing me up! Plus, there’s a lot of chemistry between the characters and the personalities are very well marked. I didn’t really like Wendy’s personality, but it wasn’t a big deal. I’ll have my full review soon, I promise ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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May 16, 2021
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Jun 2021
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Aug 18, 2020
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Hardcover
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| 4.40
| 711,168
| Mar 16, 2020
| Mar 17, 2020
|
really liked it
| “Change often starts with the smallest of whispers. Like-minded people building it up to a roar.” Oh My, this book is SO adorable and meani “Change often starts with the smallest of whispers. Like-minded people building it up to a roar.” Oh My, this book is SO adorable and meaningful, I adored it. I think there's something so innocent about this story, where the author has totally focused on showing the warmest and most real side of the characters, especially the children, who then spread their dreaming spirits to the main character who's colder and more formal. I love it, this book reflects a lot on the purest side of the human being and how we can all have dreams and goals in life and fight for them regardless of our appearance or our age, or our current situation . I love it, especially the second half since I think that's where the book shows its true soul. [image] 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ You can find more of my reviews & fun content on my blog A Book. A Thought. In The House in the Cerulean Sea we follow Linus Baker, a man who works for the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, which means that he must ensure the well-being of children living in orphanages. Linus lives a rather drab and gray life until one day he's sent on a trip to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. This work is of utmost importance and of high value for Linus' bosses, although he still doesn't know why, with little more than a few simple files he arrives at this place with more questions than answers, and there he meets Arthur Parnassus, the caretaker of the children, and as the two begin to become close, many secrets begin to come out and Linus must make a decision that may change his life forever: destroy a home or watch the world burn. This book feels like a hug, it welcomes you with its very unique style and great narrative, it's highly focused on the characters, so I would say that it's character-driven, although also the plot itself and the idea that underpins everything is brilliant too, it's well built and the author has managed to make this whole fantasy/contemporary world easy to read, but it's still very complex. There are many paths that the author could have chosen to explore with this plot, but I loved that he stayed with the more human side of it. I love how we get to know this unusual group of children, and we grow more and more fond of them as we progress through the story. I also love how everything flows so naturally and in such an organic and perfect way between each character, the relationships in the book and the bonds that are formed are very well achieved, they almost make you feel like part of the family, and I love that. It has a very personal tone that makes you think and a beautiful message behind that focuses on family and its meaning. What is a family for you? What does this mean? What is our true home? and OMG, I love that concept and seeing it develop among the children, as they're adopted among themselves as siblings and how Arthur, their caregiver, loves and cares for them in such a pure and honest way that it almost moves me. Caregivers in this world are supposed to remain neutral about their opinion of children and never cross that professional barrier, it's almost like taking good care of them but without feelings involved, so what Arthur does and his behavior has put his superiors, The Extremely Upper Management, on alert. I really liked the whole concept and how it develops, I think the characters are the protagonists and what stands out the most from the book, without a doubt. The writing style can be somewhat dense , ...I personally like it because I think it sets the mood for the reader very well and gradually makes you feel immersed in the plot, but I confess that it can be heavy. The book has almost 400 pages, it's quite average, but it feels as if it had more in someway, it took me a long time to read and although this doesn't minimize my enjoyment, I wanted to mention it just in case it is something you want to know. On the other hand, the descriptions seemed very beautiful to me, I want to live on that Island like yesterday and the ideas for each of the children are very original, with this I mean their appearances and their unique powers or abilities, which were something that I never read about before, so it seems to me that somehow that separates it enough from other books that may have some similarity to this one, for example, Miss Peregrin's Home for Peculiar Children. Personally, I think that the first half isn't as solid as the second, where I feel that you can see much more of the characters and each story as well as the relationships between them, and also the story really begins to have a clearer direction after the 200 pages. The beginning is good, it doesn't mean that I didn't like it, but if it seemed normal to me, I don't think they're at the same level. Maybe this is because it takes time to really feel inside the plot as such, but once you get to the Island and meet the children and their stories, you really want to stay there forever, I almost forgot that another place existed out there, it's very magical and beautiful. I want to talk separately about Linus as a character because I think he was so unique, it's a super-smart decision on the part of the author to choose a main character like him, since he's a man who's in his 40s and you can see that he leads a super monotonous and boring life, he's not satisfied with what he has, he mentions on occasions that he felt almost incomplete and depressed, and this you can see for yourself when he reflects that he doesn't have dreams or aspirations apart from his work, which he doesn't either love. I think it's brilliant to put this man with such a gray and sad countenance in such a magical, colorful, and excitingly unique place, because it shows a very strong contrast of these two realities, it was incredible to explore and I really appreciate this point, that's why I wanted to give it a separate paragraph. I also take the opportunity to say that I DEEPLY LOVE Chauncey, and this character wasn't only my favorite in the book, but will become one of my all-time faves, he's simply so unique, beautiful, and adorable, I want to hug him forever, he deserves all the good things in this world!! Apart from this, I adore all the characters, some of the children may not stand out as much as others for me, but they all have very marked personalities and you can get to see them as real people as they almost jump through the pages. Another thing I want to highlight is the relationship between Arthur and Linus which I love, it's not easy to give me a romance that I buy, but this one I take home lol. I think there's something so pure and real happening here and seeing the evolution not only of the relationship but also of the characters as individuals makes me feel immensely proud. I could talk about it for years but I'll be brief here, and add that my favorite thing about this is how it affects Linus so profoundly and makes him question things that he never thought would question about himself, transforming him in such beautiful ways. He's way too pure guys, I can't! Plus, there are SO MANY quotes that I took out of this book, it's very beautiful, I recommend it from my heart. Maybe this book hasn't been a full 5 stars, but even so, I'll not take away the merit it deserves, entering a book with many expectations is a challenge sometimes, so I may have felt slightly neutral about the story at the beginning, but towards the end already had my heart and it will be one of those stories that I can recommend for a long time without getting tired of. If you want to read something that makes you feel good inside, this is the book for you. I also recommend it if you want to read a funny, entertaining and magical plot, but with its little dark sparkles for moments as well. It's also SUPER QUEER, which is deeply appreciated, the representations when made with respect and loves really feel, you know? I also recommended it if you enjoy unique plots, but highly focused on characters, their developments, and evolution. It's a book focused on family, dreams, and hope. It shows you how beautiful really comes from within and how we should never judge by people's appearance, as this doesn't define us. I assure you that you'll fall in love with each of these "monsters" as they have been called so many times, but then you'll realize that the only thing there is a group of adorable and sweet children that all they really seek is love, acceptance, and a family. I've had one of the busiest months of my life and that's why it has taken me so long to read it, yet it's a beautiful book with a message of hope, love and acceptance. At first I wasn' sure where the story was going and I thought that maybe this would be one of those books that everyone loves except me lol, but especially from the middle to the end I loved it, I think that's where the true meaning of the book comes to light and I really enjoyed the experience reading it. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Feb 11, 2021
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Feb 26, 2021
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Aug 04, 2020
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Kindle Edition
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Sofii♡ (A Book. A Thought.)
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Books:
fantasy
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my rating |
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| 4.37
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really liked it
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Nov 07, 2020
not set
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Sep 21, 2024
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| 4.35
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really liked it
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Dec 29, 2023
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Dec 09, 2023
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| 3.93
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really liked it
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Mar 16, 2022
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Feb 27, 2022
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| 4.41
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it was amazing
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Nov 07, 2021
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Nov 01, 2021
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| 3.71
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really liked it
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Apr 11, 2022
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Oct 26, 2021
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| 4.30
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really liked it
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Sep 10, 2021
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Aug 24, 2021
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| 3.82
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really liked it
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Jul 31, 2021
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Jul 24, 2021
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| 4.03
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really liked it
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Jun 06, 2021
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Jun 03, 2021
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| 4.21
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really liked it
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May 15, 2021
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May 10, 2021
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| 4.03
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really liked it
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Apr 19, 2021
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Apr 15, 2021
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| 4.18
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really liked it
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Jan 14, 2021
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Nov 28, 2020
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| 3.86
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really liked it
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Apr 15, 2021
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Nov 17, 2020
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| 4.20
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really liked it
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Oct 28, 2020
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Oct 22, 2020
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| 3.77
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really liked it
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Dec 12, 2020
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Oct 20, 2020
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| 4.19
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liked it
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Nov 19, 2023
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Sep 12, 2020
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| 3.88
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really liked it
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Nov 24, 2020
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Sep 05, 2020
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| 3.27
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it was ok
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Mar 18, 2021
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Sep 05, 2020
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| 3.70
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liked it
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Aug 23, 2021
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Aug 18, 2020
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| 3.71
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really liked it
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Jun 2021
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Aug 18, 2020
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| 4.40
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really liked it
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Feb 26, 2021
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Aug 04, 2020
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