Carlee

I loved the first 2/3 of Greywaren. Absolutely brilliant, everything I wanted, delightful. I'm having mixed feelings about the last 1/3 and what it means to be the end of this world in particular. It was a little bit too cut and dry for me, I think. I didn't cry over anything! So I'm gonna keep thinking about it, but for now, it really was a delight. 

I appreciate the perspective Ratajkowski offers on her life. I loved her conversational, honest, vulnerable, and witty tone. She hit the nail on the head on how to talk about such difficult topics, and it added so much to her narratives on modeling culture, social media, what it means to be conventionally attractive, the dynamics that creates with powerful men, as well as her thoughtful descriptions of her relationships with other women. Her pieces on the art that's been created of her image were especially powerful, and rightfully upsetting. I wouldn't call this an easy read, but being a woman in the patriarchy isn't easy either. 

A good read! Very well researched and written by someone who knows how to make her writing interesting. I appreciated the focus on something that we take for granted, though it got preachy about phones and social media at times. I'm grateful for the reminder to listen, to actually try. It really means a lot. 

I really really loved reading this. I was reminded of The Raven Cycle and that's a HIGH compliment. I do wish it had been more tightly edited (weird repetitions of character details, some kind of strange narrative meanderings, whyyyy are gay cops of color such a troopeeee  etc) but I had a great time. 


 

Do lesbians deserve fluffy romcom novels? Yes! Does this one suck? Also yes. 
I was disappointed in the emotional depth taking a good two thirds of the book to appear. I can't say I liked Katie or Cassidy - I think I actually liked the background characters better. They were both so flat and obviously serving the purpose of their archetype. There weren't surprises or complexities or reasons to root for them. 
I think this would be an amazing movie, and that's part of its failing as a book. I can imagine two great actresses giving an emotional life to their parts, and making grating events of the story something funny or sad or meaningful at all. But on its own, I'm just disappointed. 
I would still recommend this, honestly! It is what it is: something fun and light to enjoy without thinking too hard. Unfortunately, thinking too hard is my life's work. I hope someone else can pick this up and love it. 

If you love it when characters are messy and dramatic and awful, you'll love this. The gods suck so, so bad. They're all petty and annoying. Neil and Alice carry the story in a cute way, though I didn't find extensive depth in their characters. I liked Phillips' take on a modern day mythology, and genuinely loved the end of the novel. 

Every so often, I remember how much I LOVE romance. A book with well-done tropes, engaging characters, and a great plot really does the trick for me. And this ticked all my boxes! I loved how self-aware and playful the narrative was, Taylor Swift and romance stereotypes being referenced, poking a little fun while remaining true to the emotional heart of the writing. Gemma and Tansy were such lovely protagonists, their dynamic was so enjoyable, and the side characters brought so much life to their world. I also appreciated the care taken in the social dynamics of a classist, patriarchal, wealthy world - I usually expect to dislike rich characters and instead appreciated how they were portrayed, good and bad. My other favorite aspect was that the last third of the book was really well done. The ups and downs fit my expectations and surprised me at the same time. I'm really looking forward to seeing this book on shelves! (And reading Bellefleur's other works, since this was my first.)

Thank you for NetGalley for the digital ARC!

I love everything Muir does, so this is of course incredible to me. Much more readable than Harrow, Nona introduces us into how the world outside the Nine Houses live. While still delaying the answers we've been craving, I loved how well Nona fits into the story arc of the Locked Tomb series. I fell deeply in love with her, adored the everyday perspective on Pyrrha and Camilla and Palamedes, and thoroughly enjoyed not just the absolute hijinks but also the contemplations of the friends Nona finds. This book had me screaming, grabbing my girlfriend's thigh, crying on my floor, and feeling like my body did a hard reset. Delightful. I'll be tearing my hair out for another year until Alecto graces our world.

I could write essays about how much I love this book. Gideon and Nona are both outstanding books, but Harrow changed me as a person. It's one of the best books I've ever read. I've never felt the things I felt when I finished it for the first time. Muir reminded me of what literature can do and why queer stories matter. Easily in my top five books of all time. 

Waters has definitely improved her pacing skills since this book. It dragged on for me, to the point of unenjoyable. The twists were really great, and some of them were such a knife to the heart. I wasn't overly impressed with the ending, though I appreciated the glimpse of happiness they could have. Overall, not my favorite.

Bad Cree built on themes of storytelling I love (dreams, grief, family, self-reflection) and created a beautiful narrative. Mackenzie was a lovely protagonist and I was SO invested in her journey. The character dynamics were so engaging and fun and real. The writing was gripping and kept me reading. The level of suspense was perfect. I can't wait to handsell this book!

I enjoyed Astrid Parker's story! Astrid's paralleled journeys of self-discovery with her identity and her sense of self and greater plans for her life had a heavy impact and helped the story's realism. Jordan's emotional processing of her anger and grief was also written in such a lovely, heartfelt way. Their professional and romantic relationship dynamics were engaging and delightful. 
I did struggle at the beginning to get into the narrative. Characters felt flat and it took me quite a while to be invested in the relationships. The other aspect of the writing I didn't enjoy was the pointed queer references and inclusive to the point of redundant phrases. It didn't feel natural and reading “women and nonbinary people” fifteen times got obnoxious. 
Thank you NetGalley for the digital arc! I am looking forward to the next one. 

I absolutely did not enjoy this book. There were so many interesting aspects that didn't get developed, so many obnoxious details, such weird threads picked up and dropped several times. I can definitely see that this is a book someone else would love, and I respect that! 
I am going to bitch about a few things that really bothered me, especially since this book had authenticity readers:
- First editions of The Haunting of Hill House are selling for over four thousand dollars, you're not going to find that in a used bookstore
- Alex's family financial situation was dire, she was a scholarship student, her mom worked two jobs, she was buried in some out of the way cemetery, but she was qualifying for Olympic climbing and had summitted Everest TWICE at 17??? No!!! Tell me you've never been working class in your life lmfao.
- A closing shift librarian worth their salt isn't going to miss a student hiding in the stacks!! Shut up!!!
Anyway. Y'all go love your dark academia in peace.