The Stars Too Fondly was quite an entertaining space adventure with a wonderful cast of characters! I mostly loved this one, save a couple things I diThe Stars Too Fondly was quite an entertaining space adventure with a wonderful cast of characters! I mostly loved this one, save a couple things I didn't, so I think it best to break it down!
What I Loved:
►The premise was amazing. I was so excited about the premise, and it absolutely delivered. I mean, a whole ship of people just... vanish? And now the world is on its last legs, and then oops some randos accidentally steal the ship?! It is just such a great mix of high stakes and absurdity that I loved it.
►Speaking of high stakes mixed with absurdity, the balance of emotions was great. I mean- obviously there are going to be some harrowing moments, right? And there were. Intense, scary, sad, you name it. But they were interspersed with so many great funny and heartwarming moments that it was incredibly readable.
►As I said, I loved the characters. Cleo and her friends just had such a great rapport together. You could tell that they cared deeply for one another, but also were not afraid to call each other out when needed.
►There are so many mysteries to figure out! I loved the mystery element. There are secrets raging in the past and the present that the gang is going to have to figure out if they have any hope of getting home one day, and I loved reading about them all. It kept me guessing, and I could not put the book down because of them.
What I Struggled With:
►The romance. Sure, it's a little... unusual that Cleo and the AI have some feelings, but that isn't what bugged me. It was that they seemed to go from "moderate crush" to full-blown "I love this person more than anything in any universe" without a ton of development. It was just... not even too fast, just too understated? Like I legit wondered if I missed something, because to go from butterflies to love that quickly didn't add up.
►The ending was a little too easy/neat. It did end in a way that wrapped things up, so don't worry about that! It just seemed a little too easy for me after the entirety of the book not being easy, if that makes sense?
The Ravening features Jenna, a young woman who has been traumatized since her teenage years by the loss of her mother. Now an adult, she finds herselfThe Ravening features Jenna, a young woman who has been traumatized since her teenage years by the loss of her mother. Now an adult, she finds herself in a (finally) healthy relationship with Holly, and just as she's about to trust and open up, she ends up in the grips of some nasty business. That's really all I'll say about the plot, as the synopsis doesn't give much away, neither shall I.
There were parts of this story that I was definitely into: the commentary about women's choices, certainly, and the whole business with the demon-esque creature and the folks that would do his bidding. That part for me was great, and I was compelled to read more. I also really hoped that Jenna would be able to find her way back to Holly, as it seemed like a good, stable relationship for her.
I will say, the book started to feel a little longer than it needed to be at times? And a little repetitive? (view spoiler)[Okay it felt like the same thing happened over and over- she’s captured, it looks bleak, she feels defeated, she escapes, lather rinse repeat. (hide spoiler)] The dream bits also didn't appeal to me, though that might be more a "me" thing than the book in general. The atmosphere is very on point, so that is a plus.
Bottom Line:
I enjoyed reading about Jenna's plight, but it did start to feel a bit repetitive at times. Still, I was invested in her story and enjoyed the twists.
Ah, where to begin with Sunrise Nights? Well first of all, you know the vibes you get during summer nights? This book is literally those vibes in writAh, where to begin with Sunrise Nights? Well first of all, you know the vibes you get during summer nights? This book is literally those vibes in written form. It is lovely. And felt very relatable- though I have never been in any of the situations the characters find themselves in, I still totally understood and related to their emotions and feelings. Admittedly, I worried a bit because what the heck do I know about art camp? But frankly, dancing is a sport just as much as an art, and who doesn't love photography? That is to say, it was completely fine!
And I just adored Jude and Florence. They're both dealing with their own stuff when they happen to meet at the "Sunrise Night" bonfire at their camp. Neither has any real intention of staying, but they start talking, and just... click. And so begins their story. Honestly I don't even want to say much about it, except that it is lovely. I think because they are strangers, they both let themselves be vulnerable and open up to the other, since they've nothing to lose.
Along the way, there are all kinds of misunderstandings, hilariously funny moments, epic banter, tears, laughter, embarrassment, regret, heartache... basically, this book covers all the emotions, and it covers them well. Both characters, over the course of multiple summers, also go through some pretty serious life changes, have to make major decisions, etc. And sometimes, they'll make some wrong ones that will be frustrating, but then... well, then you remember that people make mistakes, and it's how you come back from them that matters.
Bottom Line:
Beautiful and breathtaking, just like a summer night.
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