Nothing about this story was compelling or engaging for me. I could barely read a few pages at a time without putting it down in favor of miDNF at 57%
Nothing about this story was compelling or engaging for me. I could barely read a few pages at a time without putting it down in favor of mindless Twitter scrolling. I didn’t find the characters interesting. I didn’t find the magic system interesting. I want a more heavy influence of the Evil Queen from Snow White.
I can see myself coming back to try this again in the future. At this point though, I’m bored and want something not boring to read. ...more
I have a hard time with graphic novels as it is, but this one just kinda missed the mark for me. A few of the stories definitely creeped 2.5/5 stars.
I have a hard time with graphic novels as it is, but this one just kinda missed the mark for me. A few of the stories definitely creeped me out and sent my spine tingling. But, other totally made no sense to me. I found myself looking back through the pages trying to figure out if I missed something. The last story was definitely the best and definitely the most flushed out and definitely the most chilling in the end.
So, out of 5 stories: one totally landed its mark, another creeped me out, two left me confused and unfulfilled, and the last one I can’t remember what it was. So, I’ll give it a 30% 🤷🏼♀️.
The drawing did perfectly fit the tone and aesthetic the book was going it. They were simple yet grotesque and unsettling. ...more
I did not like this. I am not a fan. I went in looking for a murder/mystery/thriller, and I got a lot of descriptions, How did this become a romance??
I did not like this. I am not a fan. I went in looking for a murder/mystery/thriller, and I got a lot of descriptions, a lot of commentary on broken things (ha ha, see what I did there), and somehow a romance. The mystery was severely lackluster. The reveal, I didn't see that one coming, but it sucked anyway. There were no repercussions for the murderer. The end was anticlimactic. The story was told in dual perspective, and I could never tell who's chapter I was in except for which side characters were present. The story is also told in dual timeline, and why...??? Just to show how awful Summer was? Why are there so many books about quirky outcasts teaming up and worshiping the ground of a terrible awful mean girl? How does this story happen so often? Was the animal brutality towards the cat really necessary? Did that have to be the whole catalyst for everything? I think not.
I have a hard time even recommending this as a mystery/thriller. It's more of a self-discovery, coming-of-age novel set against the backdrop of a murder. So...not good....more
This was such a phenomenal, classic murder mystery. I was truly surprised until the last page. I pieced together the parts of the puzzle a4.5/5 stars.
This was such a phenomenal, classic murder mystery. I was truly surprised until the last page. I pieced together the parts of the puzzle at what felt like the exact right time. I didn't figure it out too early on and lose the sense of suspense, and I wasn't completely blindsided by the reveal. It was the perfect combination of figuring it out yourself and revealing of a plot twist. Speaking of plot twists, that final plot twist: damn.
I definitely think this is an accessible adult murder mystery that has the potential to appeal to a wide range of readers: from those that are more experienced thriller consumers to those just getting into the genre to those looking for something atmospheric to those looking for something not too terrifying.
One of favorite adult mysteries that I've read....more
So, I was actually pretty disappointed with this book.
I've seen from own voices reviewers that the fat representation in this book is done2.5/5 stars.
So, I was actually pretty disappointed with this book.
I've seen from own voices reviewers that the fat representation in this book is done really well. The fat representation is own voices, as the author is also overweight. Leah is very much comfortable with her body. There are no mentions of toxic phrases like "being winded," or "huffing and puffing." All those negative phrases are absent from the narrative, and Leah's weight never plays a role in the romance. It was incredibly refreshing--and very much necessary--to see a main character in a romance not comment on her own weight in a negative way.
I have seen from other own voices reviewers that there is a particularly problematic scene regarding the bisexual representation. I was even angered reading this scene. A character questioning and rejecting another character's label because it didn't fit her definition of bisexual, eeekkk not okay. Going beyond that, this is supposed to be a friend coming out to a friend; and, it was so mean and judgmental. I did not like it. (PS, I hate that this is even considered a spoiler at all in this book because it's, hello, the main storyline of this book...)
*Note: I do not identify as either of the above groups; however, this is what I have seen based on what other reviewers have noted.
Now, I'm going to talk about spoilers because it's impossible to talk about this plot without it being considered "a spoiler" (insert eye roll here).
(view spoiler)[ I felt like all of these characters were so inauthentic to how they were characterized in Simon. This whole novel felt like Becky was writing a fanfiction/fanservice novel of her own previous work. I had always assumed in Simon that the reason Leah behaved the way she did around Abby was because she had a crush on her; however, I do not think it felt authentic at all to bring that relationship to fruition, based on the characters introduced in Simon. It seemed like fans really supported the relationship and pushed for it, so Becky gave it to them. Simon and Bram didn't even feel like themselves from Simon. Nick was completely washed in this as a service to the Leah/Abby romance. Garrett was treated like crap by people that were his friends. I hated the way Leah kept dragging him along. He was an honest, nice guy that truly had an interest in her, and she treated him like dirt.
Frankly, the more I got to know Leah the less I liked her as a character. I think she is an absolutely terrible friend to all these people she claims to love. She is horrible to her mother throughout the majority of the book. She was awful to Abby in Simon (sure, she had a crush on her, but still awful). I despised the way she led on Garrett, and then there was no real repercussions to those actions. The book ends with her walking into the sunset with Abby; flash forward several months, and now Garrett is with Morgan. But, what happened between him and Leah? What repercussions did Leah have to face being an asshole to Garrett the whole book? What happened when Nick found out Abby and Leah were together? I mean, this is his ex-girlfriend and his best friend, and there were absolutely no consequences seen on the page? Just a flash forward to everyone all happy with other people. Nope.
The precious, sweet characters I loved in Simon just did not feel authentic here.
I would have really loved Leah's crush on Abby to stay as a crush on Abby. I wanted to see Leah meet someone new and learn to move on from that all-encompassing crush. Heck, I would have loved seeing Leah and Taylor get together. That would have made for some epic hate-to-love, breaking boundaries shit. I wanted to see more about her strained and difficult relationship with her mother. Her mom had her when she was in high school, and this has given Leah a vastly different upbringing from her friends. I would have loved to see more commentary on this dynamic and relationship. Also, it's the end of their senior year and we didn't even get to see them graduate. I wanted more discussion about high school ending, saying goodbye, moving on to a new phase, college. Jeeze, I remember having so many emotions and struggles with this time in my life. It was such a missed opportunity for me and something I would have really connected with. (hide spoiler)]
Unfortunately, this book just fell short on a lot of plot points I wanted to see; and instead gave me a lot of inauthentic characters, crappy friends, and lackluster plot.
I chose to read the book because I had an interest in seeing the movie. I kinda wish I would have just seen2.5/5 stars.
So, this was pretty much fine.
I chose to read the book because I had an interest in seeing the movie. I kinda wish I would have just seen the movie and not worried about reading the book. There was an example of extreme instalove that left me questioning why the whole book. And the end was just kind of not worth it for me. I quite enjoyed the middle; but, the instalove in the first chapter and the "shocking twist"/resolution of the last chapter left me with a bad first impression and a sour note to end on.
I did like some of the conversation surrounding gender stereotypes and societal norms. The main character A does not identify as any specific gender but explains themselves as just existing. While I found this to be a profound conversation, I think it was weighed down by Rhiannon's reactions. She responded in a way very indicative of the era in which this book was written.
I am still interested in seeing the movie. I just really didn't have any strong feelings about the book in any direction....more
"We're like fireworks, Violet. Beautiful separate, but phenomenal when put together. Of course, you can't have all of that without a few explosions.""We're like fireworks, Violet. Beautiful separate, but phenomenal when put together. Of course, you can't have all of that without a few explosions."...more
I had always been interested in checking out this series. I meaEDIT: Uping my rating from a 4/5 to a 5/5 stars.
I was so pleasantly surprised by this.
I had always been interested in checking out this series. I mean, motorcycles gangs, summer romance, secrets, it has so many things going for it. But, I did not expect to consume this book has rapidly as I did.
I loved the romance. I felt that it was fairly healthy, considering a lot of the relationships that typically fall into this genre. It was sweet and respectful and passionate and appropriate, with just a hint of that badboy/alpha male trope thrown into the mix. Oz is truly the epitome of my favorite kinds of love interests. He's brooding and a badboy, but the absolute sweetest to his family and loved ones. He is loyal and trustworthy, protective and passionate. I could not get enough of this romance. I ate this shit up. I also love a book with a good mystery aspect to it, which this absolutely had. I did not expect the secrets that came to light in the end, and they totally caught me off guard.
One thing that did bother me was the conversation surrounding women in the motorcycle club world. I felt that it came across very sexist with a heavy dose of women objectification. The constant reference of "old ladies" and prohibition of women into the club just sort of rubbed me the wrong way. I just continually got the sense that the women were constantly the inferior voice in this way of life, and I wanted there to be more equality. However being that it is about a brotherhood bike gang, I can see how this would be an accurate portrayal (even if I don't agree with it).
I have already placed a hold on the second book in this companion series, and I am eagerly awaiting for it to become available....more
Becky has such an amazing ability to tap into the teenage psyche and word vomit their precise emotions on to the page.
I have never read an author who Becky has such an amazing ability to tap into the teenage psyche and word vomit their precise emotions on to the page.
I have never read an author who better captured the insecurities and self-doubts and worries of a teenager, both male and female, than Becky Albetalli. This is the second book I have read from her, and I am equally impressed with how dang relatable the internal monologue of the main character is. I felt Simon was so well articulated, and I think that Molly was equally represented and understood on the page.
Molly's internal fears and struggles of dating and not being liked--or maybe even being liked--are so reminiscent of what I experienced as a teenager. Wanting to have a significant other so badly because everyone else seemed to have one, but being terrified of letting someone get that close to you (because let's be honest, we all thought we were a mess at 16). The long list of unrequited crushes, the fear of being exposed as "inexperienced," the feeling of everyone talking about sex and knowing more about sex than you: it was just so relatable.
I also loved the commentary on growing up and learning to live independent lives from your siblings and best friends. It's such a real and difficult time for so many teens, and I loved the way Becky explored it. Finally, I loved the natural and normalized inclusion of LGBTQ+ romances. Molly and Cassie come from a family with two moms, and Cassie expresses an interest in women. It was a very cute, heart-wrenching romance that focused on both straight and LGBTQ+ couples simultaneously, and I loved it....more
EDIT: Uping my rating again to a 5/5 stars. Uping rating to a 4.5/5 stars. 3.75/5 stars.
I went into this not really knowing what to expect, but I was aEDIT: Uping my rating again to a 5/5 stars. Uping rating to a 4.5/5 stars. 3.75/5 stars.
I went into this not really knowing what to expect, but I was actually pleasantly surprised.
I would say this is a great “gateway” book for people trying to dip their toes into the adult thriller/mystery genre. It has a lot of the same elements that adult thrillers rely on—an unlikeable female protagonist, an epic chase, a mystery you're trying to solve, and even some of the sex and drugs influences often seen in adult novels. However, it’s YA. So, all of those elements are very watered down, in comparison. It really followed the same general arc and flow of an adult mystery, just more suitable for a younger audience.
I also really appreciated the discussion surrounding girls and sex and the slut narrative. I think the novel does a good job of establishing that teenage girls who like sex and want to explore that side of themselves aren’t inadvertently also sluts. It comments on the double standard of why boy and girl teenagers are seen and judged differently when it comes to sexual activity. Furthermore, the main character changes and checks her own perception of what it means to be a “slut.” Thus, the novel comments on both slut shaming other girls and slut shaming oneself, based on what others are saying. Finally, a really clear and important definition and conversation around rape and consent are also included in the sexual narrative of this story.
Overall, this novel had both a compelling mystery plot line and a commentary on the “slut” narrative. I thought the two were interwoven together very seamlessly without one overshadowing the other. I am definitely looking forward to what this author writes next....more
Jordan (thejordanjournals)
>
Books:
2018
(62)
Loading...
