Tresen
So listen, was this enjoyable? Yes. Would I recommend it? Not really.
Elantris is a perfectly competent story. Just nothing more than that. Which is a shame, because it did have a lot of intriguing thematics in it.
Like communism or the critique on institutionalized religion.
But as a fan of Brandon Sanderson, I gotta say - it definitely shows that it has been his first published work.
Some events just occurred without much of reason. It was a lot of: This happened, then this happened, then this... Rather than: This happened therefore this happened despite this happened. You know what I mean?
And another thing that Sanderson learned over the years - you might have heard of this little storytelling phrase some industry specialists talk about - SHOW DON'T THELL GOD DAMMIT.
(Yes, that's the official saying.)
Sanderson was definitely an offender of that but god bless, is not anymore as far as I can tell.
A few other things I cannot bring myself to write down in a cohesive way, slight spoilers:
Why was the mystery around Raodens death just forgotten halfway through? Like it was such an engaging part of Sarenes character introduction and then she just didn't care anymore?
Why has the magic system only been part of the unraveling in the last third? Like the magic system has been sooo interesting. Give me MORE of it throughout the book. This is my drug of choice!
(Maybe I will get it when Elantris Part 2 comes out?)
Sadly, epic scenes where really cut short in the end. Everything was amping up and then: Over? Oh, okay I guess. The first third was really to slow for the end to be this quick.
That's it, that's my Senf to it.
Yeah, I am not kidding. I finished a book. This is not a drill. I read my first book this year and it's the end of February.
God of literature please forgive me for I have sinned.
Now let's talk VENOM:
It was okay. Definitely not as bad as I make it look like. (Taking months for finishing it. Oops.) The story is fine. And it has various unique aspects but Bex writing just didn't do it for me.
It worked in the first novel, but nowadays I just need a bit more. This very simple prose is just not for me anymore.
I really want to care for these people but I just couldn't.
I didn't care for anything that was happening even though the premise was so good.
Partially because our protagonist Marianne was getting less and less sympathetic. And I get the reasons why she was written that way, but I know that it could have been achieved differently as well.
This works as a quick summer read. But I wouldn't prioritize it any time soon if I were you.
I was really close to DNFing it, but what can I say: I am a completionist.
I probably won't read the last part of the triology but I'll keep checking out Bex' work. I mean this is her debut series. And if she improves the way she tells stories - count me in.
You know, sometimes there are books that you put down for some random reason. But when you pick them back up again after months - it's like you've never even left?
4.5*
oof. wow. what?
That was quite a handful. But in a very good way.
This book took me by surprise.
I picked it up wanting to embark on a adventure with a whole lot of pirates and fantasy - but in the back of my mind I was already dreading long meandering parts which would take over the enjoyment of the story. (I am looking at you Shadow and Bone.)
Well, it's like the book has heard my apprehensions.
This was everything but long and meandering.
So much was happening all the time. And not in a convoluted way.
More like: One beat striking after the other, leaving little room to breathe, finishing in a grand speactacle.
And even though I longed for a fast paced novel, I wouldn't have minded just a few more pages in certain segments.
Just to let, not only the reader, but the story to take a breath. Because I (at least) need a bit more time to fully empathize with the characters, before the next blow hits them right in the face.
And maaaan, was this woman hitting us with major blows. (All of which I fairly enjoyed.)
I only had a few issues with the novel. Mainly in the way it's been written. We experience everything first person through Marianne's eyes. Meaning we spent a lot in her headspace thinking about a ton of stuff.
Which is fine - it, being an integral part of the mind from a barely adolescent girl.
I just wished it was less narration and more dialogue. Because the dialogue was exquisite! (Probably ‘cause I enjoyed all the Characters just so damn much and needed more/longer interactions between them.)
And I don't want to hate on the narration - the words were perfectly fitting and our protagonist got a beautiful voice whilst describing the world - but in the end it is still narration.
Nevertheless.
This was epic.
And I cannot believe this is a ‘only' debut novel.
The world already seems so intricate that I cannot wait to learn more about it.
I am hyped for the next installment.
Thank you for reading and goodnight.
I'd give it thirty million stars if I could.
It's a masterpiece of YA fantasy literature. Not debatable. A fact.
I don't know how I feel about the ending. It's definitly not bad, but I just feel that it missed something I cannot put into words right now.
But enough of that. What about the book as a whole and as a sequel?
It was really good, but not mind-blowingly good - if that makes sense :D
I really appreciated the characters (especially the protagonists - damn son, I love'em dearly) and the snippets of worldbuilding that we got besides the main setting - even though i wished there has been more, so I would have been even more immersed in the story. I don't feel that the 2nd one is as strong as it could have been. The stakes where higher and I enjoyed the twist that she put in the setting that became familiar.
Oh and on a side note: Not a lot happens plot wise, particular in the middle - the characters made it up for me but it might be something to consider.
But hey, who am I to judge. I'm just a girl who has no clue about anything and is writing this at midnight, although she should be sleeping.
4,2 outta 5
Would recommend checking out.
Because let's be honest: Just the way Victoria writes makes it worth reading.
This book was soo DAMN SOLID.
I LOVED IT.
It is just the perrrfect December read: It's not too long, ‘cause no one has time during that time of the year - and the atmosphere of that cold and snowy island is on point.
Storywise:
Everything happens quick but it doesn't feel rushed. Because, let me tell you, I believe that's one of the worst qualities a short book could have. ASOSAS takes it's time but doesn't meander.
The magic is quite sparse but delicately woven into the story.
Now about the characters:
Ósa, our protagonist, could be summarized as the bland looking, outcast girl - a trope that so many are tired of - but I adored her. Hands down one of my favorite protagonist of all time. She is quite frankly a perfect example on how the trope is done right.
What I really liked was that the reader wasn't given a lot of descriptions on the characters. However they felt pretty much fleshed out, because as you read you start to fill in parts on their personality on your own. Which I usually don't do.
It's not groundbreaking or the most epic thing, it didn't even brought me to tears (which is admittedly pretty hard)
BUT it was everything that I wanted and I loved every little, frigid moment I spent in the world of Skane.
Oh, and beware: It can be quite gruesome.
PS: It brought me out of a reading slump, so that's a plus as well.
Kings of the Wyld is a book I'd recommend to probably everyone I know.
This story hits hard in all the good ways.
It knows what it is and executes it fucking perfect.
And god damn are the characters are a blast, let me tell you.
edit:
Ok, as I thought this book couldn't get any better I found the official playlist on spotify with songs corresponding to each chapter. Yes, I repeat: EACH CHAPTER. Guess who's jamming to some good old classic rock right now.
Oh, wow. I don't know what to say right now.
I want the 2nd book immediately, but as a paperback. Soooo... fml.
I think I'll never be able to express my thoughts on this in a rational and objective way.
I doubt that all the feels will ever let go of me. And I don't really want them to.
I'm just so grateful to Sarah J. Maas for creating this world, this story and above all these characters.
Please, do yourself a favor and read it. I hope it will leave you in awe as well.
3.5*
This one was a blast.
I was intrigued because of the world building, and a bit let down, when Schwab didn't deliver as much as I would have liked. The different Londons we're distinct but not totally fleshed out. Something was missing for me.
But this wasn't a huge bummer, because the characters kept me reading.
At first I was annoyed of Delilah's actions and Kell was stone wall I couldn't really connect to. But as the adventure went on I came to understand those two a lot more and loved their interactions and banter towards the end soo goddamn much.
But why only 3.5 stars?
Well, the story follows the Macguffin plotline - which isn't a death sentence by any means, but maybe a little predictable and dare I say: lazy?
But the last third got me hooked and I hope we'll learn more about the world's lore in the next one.
It's a fast and enjoyable read, so go for it - you have nothing to lose
Honestly, this just feels right.
Do 5 stars seem a little exaggerated?
Yes, and I would never put it on the same pedestal as other 5 star reads of mine.
But Legends and Lattes is perfect in its own way. Accomplishing everything I expect and being everything that I needed in a book at this point in time.
This is cozy fantasy at its finest.
I do think that some people might disagree, which is no surprise since “cozy” itself can mean variously different things from one person to the next.
But I expected my kind of cozy and it delivered my kind of cozy.
Coziness for me is a warm hug, the feeling of comfort, sharing laughs with friends, knowing that in this moment everything is just and right, like having all my troubles seem puny and irrelevant, because right now feels good.
Realising I have everything that I need right next to me.
Legends and Lattes encapsulates the feeling perfectly. It truly is lighthearted with a pinch of humour and a lot of endearing characters.
To all of you who can get enjoyment out of the smallest things in life: Be my guest and read this book.
This is a fucking masterpiece.
And I don't know how to deal with this right now.
This ending.
This God damn ending.
It broke me.
Honestly: What.
You know me. I'm a lore-girly. Give me any dosage and I will latch onto it like a little leech.
But for the love of god this book wants me to starveeeeee.
Are the themes great? Yes!
The way oppression, racism, hierarchy are tackled is masterful.
Is the worldbuilding intriguing? YOU BET!
Do we get anything more than the barest of explanations? Think again!
I get why Jemisin wrote it like that. We as the readers are only allowed as much information as the protagonist currently has.
But you cannot show me such fascinating aspects of the world and then leave me hanging.
If Brandon Sanderson feeds us breadcrumbs throughout his stories then Jemisin is here handing out atoms.
I also had my issues which the way she delivered information. You know when an author holds your hand and explains certain parts even though with enough brain juice you'd be able to come to this conclusion yourself? Yes?
Well, don't get too cozy, cause if N. K. does merely senses your hand you get a big fat slap on the wrist and get teleported back to high school literature class.
It's still enough for me to keep on going tho. I do have faith that the next books will deliver what I need. And I believe it will get easier with my growing understanding of the setting.
For what it's worth N. K. Jemisin is a renowned author for a reason. And this was just the first time I dipped my toes into the uncharted waters of her writing.
I loved it. Would have loved it even more if I haven't taken a month long break - but you know, life..
Well nevertheless: Go read it. Please.
This book needs honestly more recognition.
But I have to say that it is definitely not for everyone.
So it's more like:
Read it if you like morally ambiguous, cunning and ambitious or rather dedicated main characters.
If you like a story that takes it's time but can still remain a certain tension that last throughout the pages.
If you like this hate-admiration friendship that Charles Xavier and Eric Lehnsherr (You know, those two from X-Men) had. But keep in mind - Victor and Eli are still new, compelling, original characters and not just bland rip-offs.
And last but not least, if you enjoy a certain level of viciousness.
But please don't expect an action packed novel, in which everybody shoots their superpowers at one another in with an epic final fight. This novel is definitely more subtle than this.
Oh and thanks to a Clockwork Reader for the recommendation - it is quite frankly a perfect Slytherin read. (Go watch her Hogwarts house book recommendations. They're great.)
Where the magic system in Elantris had let me down, this one delivered.
A quick read, fascinating magic and high stakes - everything I could have wished for in a novella.
I don't know what to write actually.
And it doesn't really matter what I say. I just hope you will pick it up and be as grateful as I am to have read something with this level of beauty.
This was wholesome, but the postscript??? That was just too sweet for my small heart. ಥ‿ಥ